CA2121450C - Electrical box with integral support member - Google Patents
Electrical box with integral support member Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2121450C CA2121450C CA002121450A CA2121450A CA2121450C CA 2121450 C CA2121450 C CA 2121450C CA 002121450 A CA002121450 A CA 002121450A CA 2121450 A CA2121450 A CA 2121450A CA 2121450 C CA2121450 C CA 2121450C
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- side wall
- electrical box
- support member
- securing
- flange
- 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
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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
- H02G15/00—Cable fittings
- H02G15/08—Cable junctions
- H02G15/10—Cable junctions protected by boxes, e.g. by distribution, connection or junction boxes
Abstract
An electrical box, suitable for mounting to a stud between opposing wallboards, has one side wall provided with an integral support member. Flanges are provided on the sidewall and on the support member, for abutting the inner and opposing faces of wallboards. This provides support against both pulling and pushing forces, without the need to mount a separate bracket.
Description
BP File No. 5400-848 2~~~.~~0 Title: ELECTRICAL BOX WITH INTEGRAL SUPPORT MEMBER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an electrical box for mounting to a supporting structure, such as the studs of walls. It is more particularly concerned with a bracket arrangement for an electrical outlet box, capable of supporting the box against both pulling and pushing forces exerted on the box, during insertion and removal of electrical plug.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Commonly, interior non-combustible walls of many buildings comprise a steel stud skeleton with a wall board covering. This is particularly the case for industrial and commercial constructions, while wooden studs are common in domestic structures. The steel studs are made of thin sheet metal and tend to be flexible and lacking in rigidity. Rigidity for the whole wall is achieved by the attachment of the wallboards to the steel studs.
As is known, electrical outlet and device boxes are attached to the steel studs either directly or by means of brackets. It has been recognized for some time that the simple mounting of an electrical box to a steel stud provides an inadequate support.
Electrical plugs will be inserted into and pulled out of an electrical receptacle mounted in the outlet box. This exerts pulling and pushing forces on the receptacle and hence on the outlet box itself. Due to the low rigidity of the steel stud, these tend to twist, which would permit an outlet box, simply supported on the stud, to deflect in or out of the wall.
This problem has been recognized for some time.
It has been common to adapt short pieces of steel studs or wood to the box and wallboard, and attach such a piece on the side of the box remote from the stud.
This technique offers good support but is 212~~~~
relatively expensive and time consuming, as the parts are usually prepared at the job site and there assembled in place.
Originally, the problem of the pulling of boxes out of an opening was recognized, and a support was provided on the side of the box, for abutting an inner face of the wallboard. Typically, this is made adjustable, to accommodate different thicknesses of wallboard.
More recently, it has been recognized that a, separate bracket should be provided, to support an electrical outlet at the rear, to withstand pushing forces.
For example, Commander Electrical Materials Inc . , which is a related company to the assignee of the present invention, is the proprietor of Canadian Patents 1,297,976; 1,307,577; 1,307,578 and 1,317,366, the latter patent being equivalent to U.S. Patent 4,978,092. All these patents generally relate to a universal support bracket for attachment to an electrical box.
Canadian Patent 1,297,976 discloses a universal support bracket formed from an elongated strip of sheet material having end flange portions projecting perpendicularly, for supporting the bracket, and hence an electrical box, against opposing wallboards. It is intended to be mounted, for example by a screw, to a side face of an electrical box.
Canadian Patent 1,307,577 discloses another universal support bracket for attaching electrical boxes at different depths. It again comprises a flat strip of material, including a flange bent therefrom, intended to be secured to the back of an electrical box, and optionally between a pair of electrical boxes mounted back to back.
Canadian Patent 1,307,578 discloses another support bracket formed from a strip of sheet material.
Here, one end of the strip has at least one tab extending 2~~~4~~
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an electrical box for mounting to a supporting structure, such as the studs of walls. It is more particularly concerned with a bracket arrangement for an electrical outlet box, capable of supporting the box against both pulling and pushing forces exerted on the box, during insertion and removal of electrical plug.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Commonly, interior non-combustible walls of many buildings comprise a steel stud skeleton with a wall board covering. This is particularly the case for industrial and commercial constructions, while wooden studs are common in domestic structures. The steel studs are made of thin sheet metal and tend to be flexible and lacking in rigidity. Rigidity for the whole wall is achieved by the attachment of the wallboards to the steel studs.
As is known, electrical outlet and device boxes are attached to the steel studs either directly or by means of brackets. It has been recognized for some time that the simple mounting of an electrical box to a steel stud provides an inadequate support.
Electrical plugs will be inserted into and pulled out of an electrical receptacle mounted in the outlet box. This exerts pulling and pushing forces on the receptacle and hence on the outlet box itself. Due to the low rigidity of the steel stud, these tend to twist, which would permit an outlet box, simply supported on the stud, to deflect in or out of the wall.
This problem has been recognized for some time.
It has been common to adapt short pieces of steel studs or wood to the box and wallboard, and attach such a piece on the side of the box remote from the stud.
This technique offers good support but is 212~~~~
relatively expensive and time consuming, as the parts are usually prepared at the job site and there assembled in place.
Originally, the problem of the pulling of boxes out of an opening was recognized, and a support was provided on the side of the box, for abutting an inner face of the wallboard. Typically, this is made adjustable, to accommodate different thicknesses of wallboard.
More recently, it has been recognized that a, separate bracket should be provided, to support an electrical outlet at the rear, to withstand pushing forces.
For example, Commander Electrical Materials Inc . , which is a related company to the assignee of the present invention, is the proprietor of Canadian Patents 1,297,976; 1,307,577; 1,307,578 and 1,317,366, the latter patent being equivalent to U.S. Patent 4,978,092. All these patents generally relate to a universal support bracket for attachment to an electrical box.
Canadian Patent 1,297,976 discloses a universal support bracket formed from an elongated strip of sheet material having end flange portions projecting perpendicularly, for supporting the bracket, and hence an electrical box, against opposing wallboards. It is intended to be mounted, for example by a screw, to a side face of an electrical box.
Canadian Patent 1,307,577 discloses another universal support bracket for attaching electrical boxes at different depths. It again comprises a flat strip of material, including a flange bent therefrom, intended to be secured to the back of an electrical box, and optionally between a pair of electrical boxes mounted back to back.
Canadian Patent 1,307,578 discloses another support bracket formed from a strip of sheet material.
Here, one end of the strip has at least one tab extending 2~~~4~~
out of the plane of the strip, which can be bent to form a hook for engaging a side wall on an electrical box. A
number of locking tongues are spaced apart at intervals on each side of the strip, and bendable to positions such that the locking tongues fit into slots provided in the electrical box.
The most recent of these Canadian patents, by the same inventor as the present application, discloses a universal support bracket for attachment to the rear of an electrical box. It is formed from an elongate strip of sheet material, having first and second flanges at opposite ends, extending on opposite sides of the strip.
It also provides at least one scored bend line, to enable the effective depth to be adjusted, to accommodate different depths of walls.
A common deficiency with all the known arrangements is that they require separate brackets to be mounted to an electrical box, in order to provide the universal supporting function. While this is an improvement over known techniques of obtaining some scrap piece of stud or wood, it still leads to a relatively complex process.
It requires the installer to separately purchase the universal support bracket, ensuring that this is the correct one for the box in question. The bracket needs then to be secured to the side of the box, and where appropriate, adjusted to fit the wall.
In addition, the basic cost of the components, namely, the electrical box and the bracket are increased, since two separate components have to be manufactured and distributed. In many cases, a manufacturer must ensure that different brackets are available for different types of support boxes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present inventor realized that it would be desirable to provide a support bracket which is integral with an electrical box, and which is universal, in the sense that it provides both front and rear supports for the electrical box.
An electrical box for mounting to a stud between opposing wallboards, the electrical box comprising;
a rear wall; a first side wall; top and bottom walls joined to the first side and rear walls; and a second side wall comprising a side wall portion, opposite the first side wall, and secured to selected and adjacent edges of the top, bottom and rear walls to complete the electrical box, a support member integral and coextensive with side wall portion and extending rearwardly, a first flange means extending perpendicularly from the side wall portion, for abutting a wallboard around the front of the electrical box, and a second flange means extending perpendicularly from the rear of the support member for abutting the innerface of an opposing, rear wallboard.
Preferably, the side wall portion, the support member and the flanges are integrally formed from sheet material, more preferably sheet steel.
The first flange means preferably comprises a pair of flanges on either side of the side wall portion for abutting a wallboard above and below the electrical box. The second flange means preferably comprises a flange at the rear of the support member, and the support member is advantageously provided with at least one scored bend line so that it can be bent to different sizes, for accommodating different internal dimensions of the wall.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a side wall, for assembly into an electrical box, the side wall comprising a side wall portion, which is substantially rectangular and which includes top and bottom edges for securing to top and bottom walls of an electrical box, a support member extending rearwardly from the side wall portion, a first flange means adjacent a front edge of the sidewall portion and extending perpendicularly thereto, and a second flange means at the rear of the support member and extending generally perpendicularly thereto.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, which show preferred embodiments of the present invention and in which, FIG. la is a plan view of a side wall in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. lb is an edge view of the side wall of FIG.
la;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an electrical box in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2, showing bending of the support member;
FIG. 4 is a horizontal section through a wall including an electrical box in accordance to the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a side wall according to the present invention; and FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the side wall of FIG.5.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring first to FIG. 1, a side wall in accordance with the present invention is generally indicated by the reference 10. The side wall 10 has a side wall portion 12 and a support member 14. The side wall 10 is formed by stamping and bending from sheet steel. The side wall portion 12 and the support member 14 are continuous and coextensive.
Along one edge, the side wall portion 12 includes a generally rectangular notch 16 and a small protuberance 18 along the edge thereof. In known manner, this arrangement is intended to be engaged by a screw located in an opening of the top wall of the electrical box.
Along a lower edge of the side wall portion 12, there is a second, smaller notch 20, and a tab 22 extending perpendicularly to the side wall portion 12, for engagement with a corresponding tab of a bottom wall of the electrical box.
Adjacent to the notches 16, 20, there are an upper side wall extension 24, and a lower side wall extension 28.
A first forward flange means is provided by an upper flange 25 and a lower flange 29, both continuous with and perpendicular to the upper and lower side wall extensions 24, 28 respectively. Respective gussets 26 and 30 support the flanges 25, 29.
As shown, the support member 14 is joined to the side wall portion 12 by arcuate sections 32. The main body of the support member 14 is generally rectangular, at its rearmost end, and continues into a rear or second flange 34. As shown, at the bend joining the flange 34 to the support member 14, recesses are cut to reduce the effective width of the material.
As shown at 38, score lines are provided, in conjunction with slots 40, to facilitate bending along these lines. As indicated at 42, markings can be provided indicating corresponding sizes of standard studs. Thus, for example, the full length to the second flange 34 corresponds with the 3 5/8" stud. One of the slots 40 and score lines 38 would be for a 2~" stud with the other one being for a 3" stud. Any desired size of stud can be accommodated by suitable slots and score lines.
Referring to FIG. 2, this shows the side wall portion 12 assembled into an electrical box indicated generally at 50. The box 50 has another opposing side wall 52, forming a first side wall of the box, with the side wall 10 comprising the second side wall thereof. A
_ 7 _ rear wall 54 (FIG.4) extends between the side walls 10, 52, and the box is completed by a top wall 56 and a bottom wall 58. These various walls can be assembled and secured in any suitable way, including techniques that are known for electrical boxes. As indicated, the location of the upper and lower first or forward flanges 25 and 29 is set back from a forward edge 44 of the side wall portion 12.
This ensures that the forward edge 44 is flush and level with the forward edge of the other side 52 and the top and bottom walls 56, 58. The sidewall 52, in use, is secured to a stud, indicated at 60 in FIG.4 , with the side wall 52 projecting forwardly, so as to be generally flush, or slightly behind the outer face 62 of a wallboard 64.
The flanges 25, 29 then abut the inner face 66 of wallboard 64. Consequently, the box 50 is supported on both sides against any pulling force tending to pull it out through the wallboard 64.
A second wallboard 68 with an inner face 70 is provided opposing the first wallboard 64 and also secured to the opposite side of the stud 60.
As shown, for a full 3 5/8" stud, the support member 14 would be left unadjusted, so that the flange 34 abuts the inner face 70 thereof. The electrical box 50 is then supported on both sides against any pushing force, e.g. as exerted by a person inserting a plug into an electrical receptacle mounted in the box 50.
To adjust the support member 14 to different sizes of studs, it is simply bent. This is best achieved by a screwdriver indicated schematically at 72 in FIG.3.
The tip of such a flat-plated screwdriver 72 would be engaged in a suitable one of the slots 40 and then used to bend the support member 14 to one of the positions shown.
It would then have a depth corresponding to the appropriate width of stud. The flange 34 would then be parallel to the main body of the support member 14. The flange member 34 then serves no function, but equally it provides no obstruction.
2~2~4~a _8_ Nevertheless it will be appreciated that the support member 14, together with the front flanges 25, 29 and the rear or second flange 34 support the side of the electrical box, remote from the stud 60, against both pulling and pushing forces.
This greatly simplifies manufacture and installation of the electrical box. From a manufacturing perspective, it is not necessary to produce a separate support bracket which then has to be individually and manually installed on site. The electrical box 50 necessarily must be provided with two side walls. Here, one side wall is provided with additional support flanges at the front, and a rearwardly extending support member, which require little additional material.
It can further be noted that if the additional rear support function of the support member 14 is not required, then it can readily be bent out of the way, should this be required, by means of the slots 40. The box 50 could then be mounted like any regular electrical box.
Reference will now be made to FIGS. 5 and 6, which show a second or alternative embodiment of this invention. For simplicity, components common between the first and second embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and for brevity, they are not described again.
In the second embodiment, the side wall is indicated by the reference 80, and comprises the side wall portion 82, from which the support member 14 extends. The arrangement of the flanges is the same as in the first embodiment.
To accommodate bulky components within an electrical box, the sidewall portion 82 is provided with a protruding section 84. This protruding section 84 has a planar central part, and at the front a front wall element 88. This wall element 88 can be substantially co-planar with the flanges 25 and 29. Indeed, it could replace the flanges 25 and 29, and provide the forward _ g _ support for the electrical box.
As shown, a rear wall element 90 of the section 84 can be slightly rounded. A top wall element 92 is curved and shaped as indicated, to accommodate a screw securing the electrical box together, while a bottom wall element 94 can be either planar or slightly rounded.
This second embodiment of the sidewall 80 functions similarly to the first embodiment 10, while providing an increased interior volume to the electrical box. It provides essentially the same support function.
As noted, the front wall element 88 can provide a forward support, against a pulling force, and may replace the flanges 25, 29.
While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be appreciated that many variations are possible within the scope of the present invention. In particular, and for convenience, various elements have been described in relation to the orientation shown. Clearly, an electrical box may be mounted on either side of a stud. Where such an electrical box 50 is mounted on the other side of the stud from that shown, then, as will be appreciated, elements indicated as "upper", "lower" etc. will be reversed.
number of locking tongues are spaced apart at intervals on each side of the strip, and bendable to positions such that the locking tongues fit into slots provided in the electrical box.
The most recent of these Canadian patents, by the same inventor as the present application, discloses a universal support bracket for attachment to the rear of an electrical box. It is formed from an elongate strip of sheet material, having first and second flanges at opposite ends, extending on opposite sides of the strip.
It also provides at least one scored bend line, to enable the effective depth to be adjusted, to accommodate different depths of walls.
A common deficiency with all the known arrangements is that they require separate brackets to be mounted to an electrical box, in order to provide the universal supporting function. While this is an improvement over known techniques of obtaining some scrap piece of stud or wood, it still leads to a relatively complex process.
It requires the installer to separately purchase the universal support bracket, ensuring that this is the correct one for the box in question. The bracket needs then to be secured to the side of the box, and where appropriate, adjusted to fit the wall.
In addition, the basic cost of the components, namely, the electrical box and the bracket are increased, since two separate components have to be manufactured and distributed. In many cases, a manufacturer must ensure that different brackets are available for different types of support boxes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present inventor realized that it would be desirable to provide a support bracket which is integral with an electrical box, and which is universal, in the sense that it provides both front and rear supports for the electrical box.
An electrical box for mounting to a stud between opposing wallboards, the electrical box comprising;
a rear wall; a first side wall; top and bottom walls joined to the first side and rear walls; and a second side wall comprising a side wall portion, opposite the first side wall, and secured to selected and adjacent edges of the top, bottom and rear walls to complete the electrical box, a support member integral and coextensive with side wall portion and extending rearwardly, a first flange means extending perpendicularly from the side wall portion, for abutting a wallboard around the front of the electrical box, and a second flange means extending perpendicularly from the rear of the support member for abutting the innerface of an opposing, rear wallboard.
Preferably, the side wall portion, the support member and the flanges are integrally formed from sheet material, more preferably sheet steel.
The first flange means preferably comprises a pair of flanges on either side of the side wall portion for abutting a wallboard above and below the electrical box. The second flange means preferably comprises a flange at the rear of the support member, and the support member is advantageously provided with at least one scored bend line so that it can be bent to different sizes, for accommodating different internal dimensions of the wall.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a side wall, for assembly into an electrical box, the side wall comprising a side wall portion, which is substantially rectangular and which includes top and bottom edges for securing to top and bottom walls of an electrical box, a support member extending rearwardly from the side wall portion, a first flange means adjacent a front edge of the sidewall portion and extending perpendicularly thereto, and a second flange means at the rear of the support member and extending generally perpendicularly thereto.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, which show preferred embodiments of the present invention and in which, FIG. la is a plan view of a side wall in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. lb is an edge view of the side wall of FIG.
la;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an electrical box in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2, showing bending of the support member;
FIG. 4 is a horizontal section through a wall including an electrical box in accordance to the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a side wall according to the present invention; and FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the side wall of FIG.5.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring first to FIG. 1, a side wall in accordance with the present invention is generally indicated by the reference 10. The side wall 10 has a side wall portion 12 and a support member 14. The side wall 10 is formed by stamping and bending from sheet steel. The side wall portion 12 and the support member 14 are continuous and coextensive.
Along one edge, the side wall portion 12 includes a generally rectangular notch 16 and a small protuberance 18 along the edge thereof. In known manner, this arrangement is intended to be engaged by a screw located in an opening of the top wall of the electrical box.
Along a lower edge of the side wall portion 12, there is a second, smaller notch 20, and a tab 22 extending perpendicularly to the side wall portion 12, for engagement with a corresponding tab of a bottom wall of the electrical box.
Adjacent to the notches 16, 20, there are an upper side wall extension 24, and a lower side wall extension 28.
A first forward flange means is provided by an upper flange 25 and a lower flange 29, both continuous with and perpendicular to the upper and lower side wall extensions 24, 28 respectively. Respective gussets 26 and 30 support the flanges 25, 29.
As shown, the support member 14 is joined to the side wall portion 12 by arcuate sections 32. The main body of the support member 14 is generally rectangular, at its rearmost end, and continues into a rear or second flange 34. As shown, at the bend joining the flange 34 to the support member 14, recesses are cut to reduce the effective width of the material.
As shown at 38, score lines are provided, in conjunction with slots 40, to facilitate bending along these lines. As indicated at 42, markings can be provided indicating corresponding sizes of standard studs. Thus, for example, the full length to the second flange 34 corresponds with the 3 5/8" stud. One of the slots 40 and score lines 38 would be for a 2~" stud with the other one being for a 3" stud. Any desired size of stud can be accommodated by suitable slots and score lines.
Referring to FIG. 2, this shows the side wall portion 12 assembled into an electrical box indicated generally at 50. The box 50 has another opposing side wall 52, forming a first side wall of the box, with the side wall 10 comprising the second side wall thereof. A
_ 7 _ rear wall 54 (FIG.4) extends between the side walls 10, 52, and the box is completed by a top wall 56 and a bottom wall 58. These various walls can be assembled and secured in any suitable way, including techniques that are known for electrical boxes. As indicated, the location of the upper and lower first or forward flanges 25 and 29 is set back from a forward edge 44 of the side wall portion 12.
This ensures that the forward edge 44 is flush and level with the forward edge of the other side 52 and the top and bottom walls 56, 58. The sidewall 52, in use, is secured to a stud, indicated at 60 in FIG.4 , with the side wall 52 projecting forwardly, so as to be generally flush, or slightly behind the outer face 62 of a wallboard 64.
The flanges 25, 29 then abut the inner face 66 of wallboard 64. Consequently, the box 50 is supported on both sides against any pulling force tending to pull it out through the wallboard 64.
A second wallboard 68 with an inner face 70 is provided opposing the first wallboard 64 and also secured to the opposite side of the stud 60.
As shown, for a full 3 5/8" stud, the support member 14 would be left unadjusted, so that the flange 34 abuts the inner face 70 thereof. The electrical box 50 is then supported on both sides against any pushing force, e.g. as exerted by a person inserting a plug into an electrical receptacle mounted in the box 50.
To adjust the support member 14 to different sizes of studs, it is simply bent. This is best achieved by a screwdriver indicated schematically at 72 in FIG.3.
The tip of such a flat-plated screwdriver 72 would be engaged in a suitable one of the slots 40 and then used to bend the support member 14 to one of the positions shown.
It would then have a depth corresponding to the appropriate width of stud. The flange 34 would then be parallel to the main body of the support member 14. The flange member 34 then serves no function, but equally it provides no obstruction.
2~2~4~a _8_ Nevertheless it will be appreciated that the support member 14, together with the front flanges 25, 29 and the rear or second flange 34 support the side of the electrical box, remote from the stud 60, against both pulling and pushing forces.
This greatly simplifies manufacture and installation of the electrical box. From a manufacturing perspective, it is not necessary to produce a separate support bracket which then has to be individually and manually installed on site. The electrical box 50 necessarily must be provided with two side walls. Here, one side wall is provided with additional support flanges at the front, and a rearwardly extending support member, which require little additional material.
It can further be noted that if the additional rear support function of the support member 14 is not required, then it can readily be bent out of the way, should this be required, by means of the slots 40. The box 50 could then be mounted like any regular electrical box.
Reference will now be made to FIGS. 5 and 6, which show a second or alternative embodiment of this invention. For simplicity, components common between the first and second embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and for brevity, they are not described again.
In the second embodiment, the side wall is indicated by the reference 80, and comprises the side wall portion 82, from which the support member 14 extends. The arrangement of the flanges is the same as in the first embodiment.
To accommodate bulky components within an electrical box, the sidewall portion 82 is provided with a protruding section 84. This protruding section 84 has a planar central part, and at the front a front wall element 88. This wall element 88 can be substantially co-planar with the flanges 25 and 29. Indeed, it could replace the flanges 25 and 29, and provide the forward _ g _ support for the electrical box.
As shown, a rear wall element 90 of the section 84 can be slightly rounded. A top wall element 92 is curved and shaped as indicated, to accommodate a screw securing the electrical box together, while a bottom wall element 94 can be either planar or slightly rounded.
This second embodiment of the sidewall 80 functions similarly to the first embodiment 10, while providing an increased interior volume to the electrical box. It provides essentially the same support function.
As noted, the front wall element 88 can provide a forward support, against a pulling force, and may replace the flanges 25, 29.
While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be appreciated that many variations are possible within the scope of the present invention. In particular, and for convenience, various elements have been described in relation to the orientation shown. Clearly, an electrical box may be mounted on either side of a stud. Where such an electrical box 50 is mounted on the other side of the stud from that shown, then, as will be appreciated, elements indicated as "upper", "lower" etc. will be reversed.
Claims (14)
1. An electrical box for mounting to a stud between opposing wallboards, the electrical box comprising;
a rear wall; a first side wall; top and bottom walls joined to the first side and rear walls; and a second side wall comprising a side wall portion, opposite the first side wall, and secured to selected and adjacent edges of the top, bottom and rear walls to complete the electrical box, a support member integral and coextensive with side wall portion and extending rearwardly, a first flange means extending perpendicularly from the side wall portion, for abutting a wallboard around the front of the electrical box, and a second flange means extending perpendicularly from the rear of the support member for abutting the innerface of an opposing, rear wallboard.
a rear wall; a first side wall; top and bottom walls joined to the first side and rear walls; and a second side wall comprising a side wall portion, opposite the first side wall, and secured to selected and adjacent edges of the top, bottom and rear walls to complete the electrical box, a support member integral and coextensive with side wall portion and extending rearwardly, a first flange means extending perpendicularly from the side wall portion, for abutting a wallboard around the front of the electrical box, and a second flange means extending perpendicularly from the rear of the support member for abutting the innerface of an opposing, rear wallboard.
2. An electrical box as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side wall portion of the second side wall includes securing means, for securing the second side wall to the top and bottom walls.
3. An electrical box as claimed in claim 2, wherein the securing means comprises notches in opposite edges of the side wall portion, adjacent the top and bottom walls.
4. An electrical box as claimed in claim 3, wherein one of the notches is provided with a protuberance for accommodating a securing screw, and a securing tab is provided adjacent the other notch.
5. An electrical box as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first flange means comprises a pair of forward flanges provided above and below the side wall portion.
6. An electrical box as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second side wall includes upper and lower side wall extensions, and wherein the first flanges extend generally perpendicularly therefrom.
7. An electrical box as claimed in claim 5, wherein the support member includes at least one scored line and a slot to facilitate bending, to accommodate different sizes of studs.
8. An electrical box as claimed in claim 6 which includes reinforcing gussets between the forward flanges and the side wall extensions.
9. An electrical box as claimed in claim 5, 6, 7 or 8, wherein the second tab means comprises a second flange extending perpendicularly to the support member, with support member and the second flange having substantially the same width.
10. A side wall, for assembly into an electrical box, the side wall comprising a side wall portion, which is substantially rectangular and which includes top and bottom edges for securing to top and bottom walls of an electrical box, a support member extending rearwardly from the side wall portion, a first flange means adjacent a front edge of the sidewall portion and extending perpendicularly thereto, and a second flange means at the rear of the support member and extending generally perpendicularly thereto.
11. A side wall as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first flange means comprises upper and lower side wall extensions, and a pair of first flanges, each extending generally perpendicularly to a respective one of the upper and lower side wall extensions.
12. A side wall as claimed in claim 11, wherein the mounting member is generally rectangular and the second flange means comprises a second flange having a width substantially the same as the width of the mounting member and extending perpendicular thereto.
13. A side wall as claimed in claim 12, which includes securing means adjacent the top and bottom edges of the side wall portion, for securing the side wall into an electrical box.
14. A side wall as claimed in claim 13, wherein the securing means comprises a notch and a protuberance for accommodating a screw adjacent one of the top and bottom edges, and a notch with a securing tab adjacent the other of the top and bottom edges.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002121450A CA2121450C (en) | 1994-04-15 | 1994-04-15 | Electrical box with integral support member |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002121450A CA2121450C (en) | 1994-04-15 | 1994-04-15 | Electrical box with integral support member |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2121450A1 CA2121450A1 (en) | 1995-10-16 |
| CA2121450C true CA2121450C (en) | 2000-02-01 |
Family
ID=4153396
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002121450A Expired - Lifetime CA2121450C (en) | 1994-04-15 | 1994-04-15 | Electrical box with integral support member |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2121450C (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AU2007234520B2 (en) * | 2002-08-05 | 2008-09-04 | Outsun Pty Ltd | A junction box |
| AU2003249769B2 (en) * | 2002-08-05 | 2007-09-13 | Outsun Pty Ltd | A junction box |
| NZ556260A (en) * | 2002-08-05 | 2008-07-31 | Outsun Pty Ltd | A junction box |
-
1994
- 1994-04-15 CA CA002121450A patent/CA2121450C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2121450A1 (en) | 1995-10-16 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 20140415 |