US3127145A - Recessed fixture mounting means - Google Patents

Description

March 31, 1964 w. K. M GINTY ETAL RECESSED FIXTURE MOUNTING MEANS Filed Oct. 9 1961 i Hm nmllfillllllll jizvezz ora.

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United States Patent 3,127,145 RECESSED FIXTURE MGUNTING MEANS William K. McGinty, Fort Atkinson, and Douglas L.

Stamrn, Whitewater, Wis, assignors to Thomas Industries Ind, Louisville, Ky, a corporation of Delaware Filed Get. 9, 1%1, Ser. No. 14$,Q22 8 Claims. (Ci. 248-216) The present invention relates to mounting means for recessed electrical fixtures, and more particularly to an improved hanger strap for mounting such fixtures.

Electrical lighting fixtures of the type which are mounted in recessed relation in ceilings or walls are commonly supported and fixed in place by means of metal bars or hanger straps which are secured to the fixture by screws to project outwardly therefrom. These bars or straps are apertured to allow the driving of nails or screws therethrough into the wooden joists or studs which they overlie, it being understood that the fixtures are disposed in the spaces between adjacent joists or studs with the straps extending therefrom for a sufiicient distance to engage over these timbers. This conventional mounting arrangement requires considerable time and labor, thus adding to the costs of installation of the fixtures by the necessity for using screws and/ or nails, but more importantly consumes time in applying these fastening means, and in addition results in more loss of time and materials, particularly in the case of overhead or ceiling installations, by screws or nails falling or being dropped before they can be securely driven home.

. 3,127,145 Patented Mar. 31, 1964 tion of the fixture relative to the support without requiring adjustment or relocation of the drivable elements.

Other and further objects, advantages, and features of our invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a hanger strap according to the present invention secured on a fixture to be mounted thereby;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken substantially as indicated by the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1, showing the hanger strap in plan;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken substantially as indicated by the line 33 in FIG- URE 2, showing the hanger strap in end elevation and illustrating the engagement thereof with the fixture;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view showing the tongue provided on the hanger strap as illustrated in FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 5 is a transverse sectional View taken substantially as indicated by the line 55 of FIGURE 4.

Our invention overcomes these difficulties inherent in the fixture mounting means heretofore known, and effects a great saving in time and labor in the installation of such fixtures, as well as saving of materials. The invention achieves these results by providing a hanger strap which is very quickly, simply, and easily secured to the fixture and which has spikes or prongs thereon which may easily and quickly be driven into a joist or the like support to secure the hanger strap thereto for mounting the fixture in the desired position. The hanger strap of our invention makes provision for assuring that the hanger strap can be secured to a support regardless of what particular spacing may be desired between the fixture and the support for centering or otherwise specifically positioning the fixture.

t is an important object of the invention to provide a hanger strap for mounting of recessed electrical fixtures which is quickly and easily secura'ole to the fixture without need for tools, or need for screws or similar fastening elements.

Another object is the provision of a hanger strap for mounting electrical fixtures readily attachable to a fixture and bitingly engageable therewith for the increased security of attachment.

Another object is the provision of a hanger strap for mounting electrical fixtures which has secured thereon prongs or spikes readily drivable into a support to secure the hanger strap thereto.

Another object is the provision of a hanger strap for mounting electrical fixtures having fixed thereon fastening elements readily drivable into a support, in which the drivable elements are spaced in such relation as to assure that at least one thereof will engage in the support regardless of the particular spacing of the fixture from the support.

It is another object of the invention to provide a hanger strap for mounting electrical fixtures on spaced supports between which the fixture is disposed, which has fixed thereon projecting drivable elements for engagement with the support to secure the strap thereto and thereby mount the fixture in place, which permits adjustment of the posi- Referring to the drawings, the hanger strap of the invention is indicated generally at 10, and is shown as secured to an electrical lighting fixture generally designated F. More specifically, the bracket is shown as secured to an outwardly projecting leg L of a mounting bracket B adjustably secured to the fixture so as to provide for variable vertical positioning of the fixture relative to the ceiling. The bracket illustrated is of the type disclosed in McGinty Patent No. 2,898,075 of August 4, 1959. Mounting brackets are generally employed with electrical fixtures of this type, whether of the fixed position type or the adjustable type illustrated. Such brackets commonly are of angled form, providing a portion extending along a side wall of the fixture and a leg such as the leg L extending outwardly from the wall. A mounting projection similar to the leg L may be provided on a fixture otherwise than by a bracket.

The hanger strap 10 is formed of a flat sheet or strip 11 of metal or other appropriate material, of a width preferably greater through a major portion thereof than the width of the mounting bracket leg L, as clearly shown in FIGURE 2. The strap 10 is of sufiicient length to extend from the fixture into overlying or engaging relation with a joist or other support, such as indicated in dotted lines at S in FIGURES 1 and 2. Struck from the sheet or strip 11 to extend substantially perpendicularly from one face thereof is a plurality of spikes or prongs 12, in this case four, of a tapered configuration from their bases toward the free ends thereof. The prongs 12 are shown as having their free ends rounded, but it will be understood that they might be of more sharply pointed form if desired. The prongs are preferably spaced to both sides of the center line of the strap, and are also spaced longitudinally of the strap. The transverse spacing of the prongs is, of course, limited by the width of the strip 11, and it is for this reason that the width is as great as conveniently practical, since this minimizes any weakening of the hanger strap by the apertures 13 left therein by the formation of the prongs 12. The longitudinal spacing of the prongs is such that the longitudinal distance between adjacent prongs is less than the thickness, or the dimension lengthwise of the hanger strap, of the support S, as will be evident from FIGURES 1 and 2. By this arrangement, at least one of the prongs 12 will be disposed in position to enter the support, as will be obvious from FIGURES 1 and 2, regardless of the exact spacing of the fixture F from the support. This allows the location of the fixture F to be adjusted relative to the support S as may be desired, without involving the possibility of the hanger strap prongs being located out of engageable relation with the support. The prongs 12 serve as fastening elements which may be driven into the support by means of the blows of a hammer or like tool on the face of the strip 11 opposite that from which the prongs extend. A number of apertures 14 may be provided in the body of the hanger strap spaced longitudinal thereof, to accommodate fastening means auxiliary to the prongs, such as screws or nails, which may be driven into the support S if desired. Edge serrations or other means may be employed on the prongs, if thought desirable, for more secure attachment.

At one end, the hanger strap is of a width to correspond generally to the width of the mounting bracket leg L, as clearly shown in FIGURES 2 and 3. This end portion has projecting opposed side edge portions thereof bent toward each other over the body of the strip 11 to provide facing channels 16 adapted to receive opposite side edge portions of the leg L in snugly fitting secured relation, substantially as shown in FIGURE 3. The hanger strap 10 thus may be secured on the mounting bracket B, and thus on the fixture F, without need for tools, simply by pushing the strap onto the leg L with the side edges of the leg frictionally engaged in the channels 16.

A tongue 17 is struck from the plate or strip 11 adjacent the inner ends of the edge portions 15 and channels 16, directed toward the outer ends thereof. The free end of the tongue is bent away from the strip 11, and the intermediate portion thereof is more or less parallel to the strip. As appears from FIGURES 1 and 2, the tongue is so located and formed as to receive the free end edge of the leg L between the tongue and the strip 11 as the hanger strap is pushed into secured engagement on the leg as previously described, the tongue thus being adapted to limit the overlapping of the hanger strap 1t and leg L. The tongue 17, by reason of its overlying relation with the leg received therein, cooperates with the channel-forming portions 15 to prevent relative movement of the hanger strap and mounting leg L, as will be evident. The tongue 17 is also employed to lock the hanger strap on the bracket by a biting engagement with the leg L. As best shown in FIGURES 3 and 5, the tongue is formed to have a concave cross section at the portion thereof which is adapted to overlie the bracket leg L, so that side edge portions 18 are provided which are relatively sharp and extend in the direction of the strip 11. When the hanger strap 10 is pushed onto the mounting bracket leg L in the manner described, so that the side edges of the bracket leg are frictionally engaged in the channels 16 and the end edge of the leg is received between the tongue 17 and the adjacent surface of the strip 11, the sharp edge portions 18 cut or bite into the leg L to hold the hanger strap securely fastened on the bracket. Although the hanger strap may be readily removed from the leg L by an outward pull thereon, it is securely locked on the bracket leg for purposes of movement and handling therewith, and thus in effect is a part of the fixture. The fixture may thus be provided with the hanger straps in a very simple and expeditious manner, and then moved about therewith as a unit in positioning the fixture or adjusting its location without danger of the hanger straps falling off. When the fixture is located as desired, the several hanger straps 10 are struck on the prongless faces thereof with a hammer to drive at least one prong of each strap into a support S, as previously described.

In the present instance, the bracket leg L is shown as provided with an ear or projection P, but such a projection when provided is spaced from the side edges of the leg and does not interfere with reception of the leg in the channels 16 of the hanger strap 10, as clearly shown in FIGURE 2.

While the main or body portion of the strap 10 has been disclosed as considerably wider than the bracket leg L or similar projection on the fixture F, it will be understood that it might be of substantially the same width, or narrower, if material of sufi'icient strength were used to avoid undue weakening by the apertures 13, or if, alternatively, the prongs 12 were formed separately from the strip 11 instead of integrally therewith as disclosed, and welded or otherwise suitably secured thereto. The integral construction of the hanger strap as disclosed, however, provides an inexpensive device which nevertheless is completely eifective.

The side edge portions 15 providing the channels 16 and the tongue 17 are illustrated as projecting from the same face of the strip 11, or in the same direction, as the prongs 12. This is advantageous from the standpoint of having the bracket leg L resting on and supported by a substantially solid portion of the strip 11 over substantially the entire extent of the leg, when the fixture is installed in a ceiling, for more secure mounting. Corresponding mounting securement is obtained when the fixture is recessed in a wall. If desired, however, the side edge portions 15 may be bent to project from the face of the strip opposite that from which the prongs 12 project, and the tongue 17 may correspondingly be struck out from the strip in the opposite direction from that illustrated. The connection between the hanger strap and the bracket leg L then is made in substantially the same way as described hereinabove, assuming that the projection P is eliminated or accommodated in suitable fashion. In either case, of course, the hanger strap is mounted on the bracket leg or corresponding element of the fixture so that the prongs 12 extend toward the plane of the closed top or rear wall of the fixture, to dispose them in proper position for driving into the joists or studs as explained. It will be understood that the apertures 14 may be eliminated, if desired, since the mounting of the fixture by means of the prongs 12 of the hanger straps is more than adequately secure, but the provision of the apertures 14 may be advisable in the event individual contractors or other users of the device may Wish to be able to employ auxiliary securing or fastening means if they so desire.

It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention is illustrative and exemplary, and that the invention is not restricted to the particular forms and relationships set forth, since many variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the inventive concept.

We claim:

1. A recessed lighting fixture comprising a housing, a planar mounting projection extending from said housing, and a hanger strap formed of a substantially flat strip, said strip having a plurality of prongs struck therefrom in spaced relation to each other and extending substantially perpendicularly thereof, a pair of facing channels extending along opposed edges of the strip at an end portion thereof spaced from said prongs, having said fixture projection disposed in frictionally held engagement therein, said channels being defined by marginal portions of the strip bent to extend toward each other and being spaced and dimensioned for said frictional engagement with the projection, and a tongue struck from said strip adjacent the channels bent to extend toward said strip end portion in spaced relation to the strip receiving the end of the fixture projection, at least a portion of said tongue having a concave cross section providing relatively sharp edge portions biting into said projection.

2. A recessed lighting fixture comprising a housing, a planar mounting projection extending from said housing, and a mounting strap secured on and extending from said projection, said strap comprising a generally planar strip, a plurality of support-penetrating prongs fixed on said strip in spaced relation to each other, a pair of opposed marginal portions of the strip bent toward each other to define facing channels having said fixture projection frictionally held in engagement therein, a tongue struck from the strip bent to extend in spaced relation thereto and in the direction of the projection and having a portion overlying the end of the projection in securing relation, and at least one relatively sharp edge on said tongue biting into the projection.

3. A recessed lighting fixture comprising a housing, a planar mounting projection extending from said housing, a mounting strap fixed on said projection and extending therefrom, at least one prong on the strap adapted to be driven into a fixture support, and means securing said strap on the projection, said securing means comprising a pair of facing channels formed on said strap holding said projection frictionally therein and a tongue on the strap overlying the end of the projection in retaining relation, said tongue having at least one sharp edge portion biting into the projection.

4. A hanger strap engageable on a lighting fixture mounting leg, comprising a substantially flat metal strip, a plurality of support-penetrating prongs struck from said strip adjacent one end thereof extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom, a pair of opposed marginal portions of the strip adjacent the other end thereof bent toward each other to define a pair of facing channels spaced to receive opposed edges of said leg therein, and a tongue struck from the strip at an intermediate portion thereof bent to receive the end of the leg, said tongue having a concave cross section providing relatively sharp side edge portions directed toward the strip for biting engagement with said leg end, and said prongs being spaced one from another along the strip by a distance less than the dimension of a support in the direction in which the strap extends.

5. A hanger strap engageable on a lighting fixture mounting leg, comprising a substantially flat strip, a plurality of support-penetrating prongs fixed on said strip extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom, a pair of facing channels on the strip spaced to receive opposed edges of said leg therein, and a tongue struck from the strip extending toward the leg and bent to receive the end of the leg, said tongue having a cross-sectional configuration providing at least one relatively sharp edge portion directed toward the strip for biting engagement with said leg end.

6. A hanger strap engageable on a mounting projection of an electric lighting fixture, comprising a substantially fiat strip, at least one prong on said strip adapted to enter a fixture support, and means on the strip for securing the strap to said mounting projection, said securing means including a tongue extending in a direction to overlie the end of the projection in retaining relation and having a cross-sectional formation providing a sharp edge portion directed toward the strip for biting engagement with the projection.

7. For use with a recessed lighting fixture having an outwardly projecting mounting leg, a hanger strap comprising a substantially fiat strip having an end portion of a width corresponding to that of said mounting leg, side edge portions of said end portion bent toward each other in spaced relation defining facing channels for frictional reception of side edges of said leg, a tongue struck from said strip adapted to overlie the end of the leg upon insertion of the leg in said channels, said tongue having a concave section providing relatively sharp edges directed toward the strip for lockingly biting into said leg end, and a plurality of prongs struck from the strip adapted to be driven into a support for the fixture, the length of said strip being sulficient to accommodate variations in spacing between the fixture and said support, said prongs being spaced one from another longitudinally of the strip by a distance less than the dimension of the support in the direction longitudinally of the strip.

8. For use with a recessed lighting fixture having an outwardly projecting mounting leg, a hanger strap comprising a strip, opposed edge portions of said strip bent inwardly toward each other defining facing channels for frictionally receiving said leg, a tongue on said strip adapted to overlie the end of the leg upon reception of the leg in said channels, at least one relatively sharp edge on said tongue directed toward the strip for lockingly biting into said leg end, and at least one prong on the strip adapted to be driven into a support for the fixture, the length of said strip being sufficient to accommodate variations in spacing between the fixture and said support.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,795,224 Mangin Mar. 3, 1931 1,801,550 Pullman Apr. 21, 1931 2,463,110 Johnson Mar. 1, 1949 2,695,658 Flint Nov. 30, 1954

Claims (1)

1. A RECESSED LIGHTING FIXTURE COMPRISING A HOUSING, A PLANAR MOUNTING PROJECTION EXTENDING FROM SAID HOUSING, AND A HANGER STRAP FORMED OF A SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT STRIP, SAID STRIP HAVING A PLURALITY OF PRONGS STRUCK THEREFROM IN SPACED RELATION TO EACH OTHER AND EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULARLY THEREOF, A PAIR OF FACING CHANNELS EXTENDING ALONG OPPOSED EDGES OF THE STRIP AT AN END PORTION THEREOF SPACED FROM SAID PRONGS, HAVING SAID FIXTURE PROJECTION DISPOSED IN FRICTIONALLY HELD ENGAGEMENT THEREIN, SAID CHANNELS BEING DEFINED BY MARGINAL PORTIONS OF THE STRIP BENT TO EXTEND TOWARD EACH OTHER AND BEING SPACED AND DIMENSIONED FOR SAID FRICTIONAL ENGAGEMENT WITH THE PROJECTION, AND A TONGUE STRUCK FROM SAID STRIP ADJACENT THE CHANNELS BENT TO EXTEND TOWARD SAID STRIP END PORTION IN SPACED RELATION TO THE STRIP RECEIVING THE END OF THE FIXTURE PROJECTION, AT LEAST A PORTION OF SAID TONGUE HAVING A CONCAVE CROSS SECTION PROVIDING RELATIVELY SHARP EDGE PORTIONS BITING INTO SAID PROJECTION.

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