CA1307578C - Universal bracket for supporting an electrical box - Google Patents
Universal bracket for supporting an electrical boxInfo
- Publication number
- CA1307578C CA1307578C CA000588918A CA588918A CA1307578C CA 1307578 C CA1307578 C CA 1307578C CA 000588918 A CA000588918 A CA 000588918A CA 588918 A CA588918 A CA 588918A CA 1307578 C CA1307578 C CA 1307578C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- strip
- bent
- electrical box
- tongues
- box
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
- H02G3/00—Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles
- H02G3/02—Details
- H02G3/08—Distribution boxes; Connection or junction boxes
- H02G3/12—Distribution boxes; Connection or junction boxes for flush mounting
- H02G3/123—Distribution boxes; Connection or junction boxes for flush mounting in thin walls
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A bracket that can be adapted to hold electrical boxes of most standard sizes to fit within hollow wall structures of different depths attaches positively to the side and back of the box thus avoiding the problems of the bracket slipping off the box during installation. The bracket comprises a flat elongate strip of sheet material, one end of the strip having at least one tab extending in the plane of the strip, the tab adapted to be bent to form a hook for engaging a side wall of an electrical box, an arm having a first flange at one end of the strip and a second flange at the other end, a plurality of locking tongues spaced apart at intervals on each side of the strip, each of the tongues having a locking portion facing the one end of the strip and a bend line such that at least one of the tongues may be bent so the locking portion fits into a slot provided in the electrical box, and at least one bend line across the strip such that a portion of the strip adjacent the other end may be bent substantially perpendicular to the strip to accommodate a different depth of hollow wall structure.
A bracket that can be adapted to hold electrical boxes of most standard sizes to fit within hollow wall structures of different depths attaches positively to the side and back of the box thus avoiding the problems of the bracket slipping off the box during installation. The bracket comprises a flat elongate strip of sheet material, one end of the strip having at least one tab extending in the plane of the strip, the tab adapted to be bent to form a hook for engaging a side wall of an electrical box, an arm having a first flange at one end of the strip and a second flange at the other end, a plurality of locking tongues spaced apart at intervals on each side of the strip, each of the tongues having a locking portion facing the one end of the strip and a bend line such that at least one of the tongues may be bent so the locking portion fits into a slot provided in the electrical box, and at least one bend line across the strip such that a portion of the strip adjacent the other end may be bent substantially perpendicular to the strip to accommodate a different depth of hollow wall structure.
Description
UNIYERSAL BRACKET F~R_SUPPORTING AN~ CTRICAL ~0 The present inven'cion relates to a bracket for supporting an electrical box in a hollow wall structure.
More specifically, the present invention provides a bracket that can be adapted to hold electrical boxes of most standard sizes to fit recessed within hollow wall structures of different depths.
Most interior wall structures are hollow and consist of a stud skeleton with wallboard coverings. The studs in non-combustible wall structures are made of thin flexible sheet ~letal and the rigidity of the walls is achieved by attaching stiff wall boards to both sides of the studs.
Electrical boxes for outlets, switches and the like are attached at one side to a stud, but on the other side-they require some type of support within the hollow wall structure, otherwise the box can move, pivoting about the supported side. Brackets are, therefore, provided to support the free side of the box and hold it rigid so that pushing an electrical plug into an outlet or pulling a plug from an outlet does not move the electrical box within the wall structure.
Universal support brackets may be provided to support the box at the side opposite from the stud. Examples of - such brackets are disclosed in co~pending Canadian patent applications serial number 523,966 and 523,967 filed in the name of William Nattel. These braokets all provide a stop to prevent the boxes being pulled out oP the wall. In some cases, they also provide tabs to prevent the box being pushed into the hollow space within the wall area.
However, these tabs which are bent to suit a particular size of box, do not always provide a positive attachment and sometimes during installation, the tabs may not have 1 30757~
:
More specifically, the present invention provides a bracket that can be adapted to hold electrical boxes of most standard sizes to fit recessed within hollow wall structures of different depths.
Most interior wall structures are hollow and consist of a stud skeleton with wallboard coverings. The studs in non-combustible wall structures are made of thin flexible sheet ~letal and the rigidity of the walls is achieved by attaching stiff wall boards to both sides of the studs.
Electrical boxes for outlets, switches and the like are attached at one side to a stud, but on the other side-they require some type of support within the hollow wall structure, otherwise the box can move, pivoting about the supported side. Brackets are, therefore, provided to support the free side of the box and hold it rigid so that pushing an electrical plug into an outlet or pulling a plug from an outlet does not move the electrical box within the wall structure.
Universal support brackets may be provided to support the box at the side opposite from the stud. Examples of - such brackets are disclosed in co~pending Canadian patent applications serial number 523,966 and 523,967 filed in the name of William Nattel. These braokets all provide a stop to prevent the boxes being pulled out oP the wall. In some cases, they also provide tabs to prevent the box being pushed into the hollow space within the wall area.
However, these tabs which are bent to suit a particular size of box, do not always provide a positive attachment and sometimes during installation, the tabs may not have 1 30757~
:
been bent to the correct position which can permit them to slide off the backside of the box. If this occurs, then the brackets do not provide a positive attachment for holding the side of the box.
It is an aim of the present invention to provide a ~ support bracket that positively attaches to one side of ;~; different sizes of electrical boxes and hold the box rigidly within the wall structure preventing it ~rom either being pushed in or pulled out. The bracket positions the electrical box so that it is either flush with or recessed from the outside surface of the wall, supported on one side by the support bracket and on the other side by a stud within the wall structure.
It is another aim of the invention to provide a universal support bracket for positively attaching to one side of electrical boxes of different depths and fit within different depths of hollow wall structures.
The present invention provides a universal support bracket for attaching different sizes of electrical boxes in hollow wall structures of different depths, the wall structure being formed with a plurality of studs spaced apart with a wall board covering, the bracke~ comprising: a flat elongate strip of sheet material; one end of the strip having a~ least one tab extending in the plane of the strip, the tab adapted to be bent to form a hook means for engaging a side wall of an electrical box, an arm having a first flange at the one end of the strip substantially perpendicular to the strip; a plurality of locking tongues spaced apart at intervals on each side of the strip, each of the tongues having a locking portion facing the one end of the strip, and a bend line such that at least one of the ; tongues may be bent so the locking portion L its into a slot ,, .
: .
.:
provided in the electrical box, the other en~ of the strip .~ having a second flange bent perpendicular to the strip, and at least one bend line across the strip such that a portion of the strip adjacent the-other end may be bent substantially perpendicular to the strip to accommodate a different depth of hollow wall structure.
In another embodiment, two tabs are provided, one on each side of the arm having the first flange at the one end, two tabs are adapted to be bent on the bend line to form a hook for engaging a side wall of an electrical box.
In a further embodiment, two locking tongues, one on each side of the strip, are provided for an electrical box of a certain size, the two locking tongues have bend lines where the two locking tongues may be bent so the locking positions fit into slots provided in the electrical box.
Referring now to the drawings:
FIG 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of a support bracket;
FIG 2 is a side view of the support bracket shown in FIG 1;
FIG 3 is an isometrio view of the support braoket shown in FIG 1 with hook portions at one end bent out, FIG ~ is an isometric view of an electri.cal box ~ showing slots on the baok side adjaoent one edge for the : 25 locking tongues of the support bracket to engage;
FIG 5 is a side view of the bracket shown in FIG 1 holding one side of an electrical box recessed in a wall structure;
FIG 6 is a side view of the bracket shown in FIG 1 holding one side of a shallower electrical box recessed in a thinner wall structure than FIG 5.
~. ;'.
One embodimenk of ~ universal support brac~et 10 is illustrated in FIGS 1 2 and 3. Bracket 10 is preferably stamped out of sheet metal and has a flat elongate strip 12 extending down to two si~ilar flat portions 14 having a bend 16 as shown in FIG 1 to allow the flat portions 14 to to form two hooks. The hooks are to hold one edge of the side of an electrical box. FIG 3 shows the two portions 14 ben~ to about 90, ready for engaging a side of an - electrical box.
In between the two flat portions 14 is an arm 18 raised from the elongate strip 12 and divided from the two side portions 14 by grooves 20. At the end of the arm 18 is a first flange 22 which is used for positioning the bracket within the wall structure and rests on the inside surface of a wallboard.
At the other end of the strip, a second flange 24 extends substantially perpendicular from the end of the strip 12 on the same side as the first flange 22. The bracket is arranged to fit within a wall structure having a stud the same thickness as the distance between the first flange 22 and the second flange 24. A bend line 26 is ~; illustrated partway down the strip 12 and if a smaller stud is provided in the wall structure, then the bracket may be bent at this bend line 26 providing another flange which ~' 25 supports the bracket on ~he insides of the two wall boards.
The strip may be bent about the bend line 26 by means of pliers.
Whereas one bend line 26 is shown in FIG 1, two or more bend lines may be provided in the strip 12 to fit different wall structures. There are generally two sizes of studs or channels used in the construction of a wall structure, a 3 5/8" stud and a 2 1/2" stud.
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1 30757~
~ 5 ~
Two pairs o~ locking tongues 30 and 32 are provided on each side of the strip 12 with bend lines 34 in line with the strip 12. One tongue on each side of the strip forms a pair of tongues and each tongue has a notch 3~ for engagement into a slot on the back surface of an electrioal box as will be illustrated herea~ter. The pair o~ tabs 30 are for a deeper box than the pair of tabs 32. Whereas two sets of tabs are shown herein, more than two sets of tabs could be provided if required. A reinforcing rib 38 is shown in the approximate center of the strip 12 extending from the bend line 26 towards the first flange 22.
FIG 4 illustrates one example of an electrical box 40 with sides 42 and a back 44. Two slots 45 are located in the back surface 44 adjaoent to one edge of a side 42 and this is the side upon which the bracket 10 is to be mounted. FIG 5 illustrates a bracket 10 holding an ; electrical box 40 between two wall boards 46. One side of the box is attached to a steel stud 47 by a stud strap 48 attached to the box 40 which wraps around the stud 47 and positions the box 40. Other types of attachment devices such as screws and the like may be used. In this embodiment, the stud 47 is 3 5/8 inches deep. The box 40 is provided in the recessed position with a box cover 49 positioned over the open electrical box 40. To install a bracket 10 to a box 40, the pair of locking tongues 30 may be prebent at right angles or are bent in the field either by a pair of pliers or other suitable means with the ends of the tongues 30 placed in the slots 45 in the back surface 44 of the box 40. The two tab portions 14 which also may be prebent to about 90 as shown in FIG 3, are then bent into a hook form as shown in FIG 5 over the edge of the box side so that the bracket 10 is attached to the ':
.
, ' ' .
f~ 1 30757~
box 40 by means of the locking tongues 30 and the hook portion 14 of the two tabs. This is a positive location '~ and the bracket 10 can only be removed by bending the two hook portions 14 straight. Thus there is no possibility for the bracket 10 separating from the box 40.
FIG 6 illustrates another installation of a smaller electrical box 40 in a thinner wall structure. The pair of locking tongues 32 are bent and placed in slots 45 in the back surface 44 of the electrical box 40. The stud 47 is 2 1/2 inches deep and, therefore, the strip 12 is bent on the bend line 26 as shown in FIG 3 so ~hat the bent portion of the strip forms the flange to rest against the inside surface of the wall board 46.
It is preferred that the bracket 10 is pressed out of sheet steel to produce the bracket illustrated in FIGS 1, 2 ; and 3 ready for installation.
Various changes may be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the scope of the present invention which is limited only by the following claims.
It is an aim of the present invention to provide a ~ support bracket that positively attaches to one side of ;~; different sizes of electrical boxes and hold the box rigidly within the wall structure preventing it ~rom either being pushed in or pulled out. The bracket positions the electrical box so that it is either flush with or recessed from the outside surface of the wall, supported on one side by the support bracket and on the other side by a stud within the wall structure.
It is another aim of the invention to provide a universal support bracket for positively attaching to one side of electrical boxes of different depths and fit within different depths of hollow wall structures.
The present invention provides a universal support bracket for attaching different sizes of electrical boxes in hollow wall structures of different depths, the wall structure being formed with a plurality of studs spaced apart with a wall board covering, the bracke~ comprising: a flat elongate strip of sheet material; one end of the strip having a~ least one tab extending in the plane of the strip, the tab adapted to be bent to form a hook means for engaging a side wall of an electrical box, an arm having a first flange at the one end of the strip substantially perpendicular to the strip; a plurality of locking tongues spaced apart at intervals on each side of the strip, each of the tongues having a locking portion facing the one end of the strip, and a bend line such that at least one of the ; tongues may be bent so the locking portion L its into a slot ,, .
: .
.:
provided in the electrical box, the other en~ of the strip .~ having a second flange bent perpendicular to the strip, and at least one bend line across the strip such that a portion of the strip adjacent the-other end may be bent substantially perpendicular to the strip to accommodate a different depth of hollow wall structure.
In another embodiment, two tabs are provided, one on each side of the arm having the first flange at the one end, two tabs are adapted to be bent on the bend line to form a hook for engaging a side wall of an electrical box.
In a further embodiment, two locking tongues, one on each side of the strip, are provided for an electrical box of a certain size, the two locking tongues have bend lines where the two locking tongues may be bent so the locking positions fit into slots provided in the electrical box.
Referring now to the drawings:
FIG 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of a support bracket;
FIG 2 is a side view of the support bracket shown in FIG 1;
FIG 3 is an isometrio view of the support braoket shown in FIG 1 with hook portions at one end bent out, FIG ~ is an isometric view of an electri.cal box ~ showing slots on the baok side adjaoent one edge for the : 25 locking tongues of the support bracket to engage;
FIG 5 is a side view of the bracket shown in FIG 1 holding one side of an electrical box recessed in a wall structure;
FIG 6 is a side view of the bracket shown in FIG 1 holding one side of a shallower electrical box recessed in a thinner wall structure than FIG 5.
~. ;'.
One embodimenk of ~ universal support brac~et 10 is illustrated in FIGS 1 2 and 3. Bracket 10 is preferably stamped out of sheet metal and has a flat elongate strip 12 extending down to two si~ilar flat portions 14 having a bend 16 as shown in FIG 1 to allow the flat portions 14 to to form two hooks. The hooks are to hold one edge of the side of an electrical box. FIG 3 shows the two portions 14 ben~ to about 90, ready for engaging a side of an - electrical box.
In between the two flat portions 14 is an arm 18 raised from the elongate strip 12 and divided from the two side portions 14 by grooves 20. At the end of the arm 18 is a first flange 22 which is used for positioning the bracket within the wall structure and rests on the inside surface of a wallboard.
At the other end of the strip, a second flange 24 extends substantially perpendicular from the end of the strip 12 on the same side as the first flange 22. The bracket is arranged to fit within a wall structure having a stud the same thickness as the distance between the first flange 22 and the second flange 24. A bend line 26 is ~; illustrated partway down the strip 12 and if a smaller stud is provided in the wall structure, then the bracket may be bent at this bend line 26 providing another flange which ~' 25 supports the bracket on ~he insides of the two wall boards.
The strip may be bent about the bend line 26 by means of pliers.
Whereas one bend line 26 is shown in FIG 1, two or more bend lines may be provided in the strip 12 to fit different wall structures. There are generally two sizes of studs or channels used in the construction of a wall structure, a 3 5/8" stud and a 2 1/2" stud.
; .. ... :
- . , , - , - .- , .,,.,.. ,,,, .. ,.. " ~ , . j . . ..
, .. ;. ,~. :::.
1 30757~
~ 5 ~
Two pairs o~ locking tongues 30 and 32 are provided on each side of the strip 12 with bend lines 34 in line with the strip 12. One tongue on each side of the strip forms a pair of tongues and each tongue has a notch 3~ for engagement into a slot on the back surface of an electrioal box as will be illustrated herea~ter. The pair o~ tabs 30 are for a deeper box than the pair of tabs 32. Whereas two sets of tabs are shown herein, more than two sets of tabs could be provided if required. A reinforcing rib 38 is shown in the approximate center of the strip 12 extending from the bend line 26 towards the first flange 22.
FIG 4 illustrates one example of an electrical box 40 with sides 42 and a back 44. Two slots 45 are located in the back surface 44 adjaoent to one edge of a side 42 and this is the side upon which the bracket 10 is to be mounted. FIG 5 illustrates a bracket 10 holding an ; electrical box 40 between two wall boards 46. One side of the box is attached to a steel stud 47 by a stud strap 48 attached to the box 40 which wraps around the stud 47 and positions the box 40. Other types of attachment devices such as screws and the like may be used. In this embodiment, the stud 47 is 3 5/8 inches deep. The box 40 is provided in the recessed position with a box cover 49 positioned over the open electrical box 40. To install a bracket 10 to a box 40, the pair of locking tongues 30 may be prebent at right angles or are bent in the field either by a pair of pliers or other suitable means with the ends of the tongues 30 placed in the slots 45 in the back surface 44 of the box 40. The two tab portions 14 which also may be prebent to about 90 as shown in FIG 3, are then bent into a hook form as shown in FIG 5 over the edge of the box side so that the bracket 10 is attached to the ':
.
, ' ' .
f~ 1 30757~
box 40 by means of the locking tongues 30 and the hook portion 14 of the two tabs. This is a positive location '~ and the bracket 10 can only be removed by bending the two hook portions 14 straight. Thus there is no possibility for the bracket 10 separating from the box 40.
FIG 6 illustrates another installation of a smaller electrical box 40 in a thinner wall structure. The pair of locking tongues 32 are bent and placed in slots 45 in the back surface 44 of the electrical box 40. The stud 47 is 2 1/2 inches deep and, therefore, the strip 12 is bent on the bend line 26 as shown in FIG 3 so ~hat the bent portion of the strip forms the flange to rest against the inside surface of the wall board 46.
It is preferred that the bracket 10 is pressed out of sheet steel to produce the bracket illustrated in FIGS 1, 2 ; and 3 ready for installation.
Various changes may be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the scope of the present invention which is limited only by the following claims.
Claims (6)
1. A universal support bracket for attaching different sizes of electrical boxes in hollow wall structures of different depths, the wall structure being formed with a plurality of studs spaced apart with a wall board covering, the bracket comprising:
a flat elongate strip of sheet material;
one end of the strip having at least one tab extending in the plane of the strip, the tab adapted to be bent to form a hook means for engaging a side wall of an electrical box;
an arm having a first flange at the one end of the strip substantially perpendicular to the strip;
a plurality of locking tongues spaced apart at intervals on each side of the strip, each of the tongues having a locking portion facing the one end of the strip, and a bend line such that at least one of the tongues may be bent so the locking portion fits into a slot provided in the electrical box;
the other end of the strip having a second flange perpendicular to the strip, and at least one bend line across the strip such that a portion of the strip adjacent the other end may be bent substantially perpendicular to the strip to accommodate a different depth of hollow wall structure.
a flat elongate strip of sheet material;
one end of the strip having at least one tab extending in the plane of the strip, the tab adapted to be bent to form a hook means for engaging a side wall of an electrical box;
an arm having a first flange at the one end of the strip substantially perpendicular to the strip;
a plurality of locking tongues spaced apart at intervals on each side of the strip, each of the tongues having a locking portion facing the one end of the strip, and a bend line such that at least one of the tongues may be bent so the locking portion fits into a slot provided in the electrical box;
the other end of the strip having a second flange perpendicular to the strip, and at least one bend line across the strip such that a portion of the strip adjacent the other end may be bent substantially perpendicular to the strip to accommodate a different depth of hollow wall structure.
2. The universal support bracket according to Claim 1 including two tabs one on each side of the arm having the first flange at the one end, the two tabs adapted to be bent on the bend lines to form hook means for engaging a side wall of an electrical box.
3. The universal support bracket according to Claim 1 wherein two locking tongues, one on each side of the strip are provided for an electrical box of a certain size, the two locking tongues having bend lines where the two locking tongues may be bent so the locking portions of the locking tongues fit into slots provided in the electrical box.
4. The universal support bracket according to any of Claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the first flange is adapted to rest on the inside surface of the wall board and support the electrical box recessed from the outside of the wall board.
5. The universal support bracket according to any of Claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein at least one reinforcing rib extends longitudinally along the strip.
6. The universal support bracket according to any of Claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the bend line across the strip is provided with an opening in the approximate center of the strip.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000588918A CA1307578C (en) | 1989-01-23 | 1989-01-23 | Universal bracket for supporting an electrical box |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000588918A CA1307578C (en) | 1989-01-23 | 1989-01-23 | Universal bracket for supporting an electrical box |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1307578C true CA1307578C (en) | 1992-09-15 |
Family
ID=4139502
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000588918A Expired - Lifetime CA1307578C (en) | 1989-01-23 | 1989-01-23 | Universal bracket for supporting an electrical box |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1307578C (en) |
-
1989
- 1989-01-23 CA CA000588918A patent/CA1307578C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |