Electric box with connecting flanges
OwnerJeff R. Justis, Robert H. Osborn +1inventors
InventorsJeff R. Justis, Robert H. Osborn, William T. Custead
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Connecting flanges are provided for use with an electrical box and a structural bracket. The connecting flanges have a side portion that is attached to the side of the electrical box. The connecting flanges also have a front portion that engages the structural bracket to secure the electrical box to the structural bracket. The connecting flanges may be used in pre-assembled and pre-wired electrical assemblies to simplify wiring at a building site.
Claims22
A connecting flange for an electrical box, comprising:
- a side portion adapted to engage a side surface of the electrical box;
- a hole extending through the side portion and adapted to attach the side portion to the side surface of the electrical box;
- a front portion extending generally orthogonal from the side portion;
- wherein the front portion is adapted to engage a structural bracket to secure the electrical box to the structural bracket.
A method of using a pre-assembled and pre-wired electrical assembly, comprising:
- assembling and wiring an electrical assembly comprising a closed-back electrical box, connecting flanges attached to opposing side surfaces of the closed-back electrical box, a structural bracket, a front portion of each connecting flange securing the electrical box to the structural bracket, a front cover plate attached to the structural bracket with screws and having an opening in communication with an inside of the closed-back electrical box, an electrical device attached to the front cover plate within the opening thereof, a front portion of the electrical device extending outside of the front cover plate and a rear portion of the electrical device extending inside the closed-back electrical box, and electrical leads connected to the electrical device, the electrical leads being housed within the closed-back electrical box without being connected to wiring of a building;
- shipping the electrical assembly to a building site;
- installing the electrical assembly in a building structure at the building site;
- removing the front cover and electrical device from the structural bracket, the connecting flanges retaining securement of the electrical box to the structural bracket;
- connecting the leads to building wiring;
- and
- reassembling the front cover plate and electrical device to the structural bracket.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.