Clamp for securing bar hanger to electrical wiring box

Abstract

A clamp for securing an adjustable bar hanger to a molded thermosetting plastic electrical wiring box. The clamp includes a generally U-shaped portion having a deformable tab directed into the region defined by the U-shaped portion and a pair of side flanges integral with and on opposite sides of the U-shaped portion. A bar hanger is positioned within the U-shaped portion of the clamp and the wiring box is oriented with respect to the clamp and bar hanger assembly so that the bar hanger is captured between the clamp and a rear wall of the wiring box and the clamp is spaced a slight distance from the rear wall of the wiring box. Screws are then inserted through openings provided in the rear wall of the wiring box and threaded into corresponding threaded openings provided in the flanges of the clamp. As the screws advance into the openings in the flanges, the clamp is drawn toward the wiring box, causing the deformable tab of the U-shaped portion to deform and move in a direction away from the wiring box and toward the U-shaped portion of the clamp. The deformation of the tab serves to distribute the torque or energy applied to the screws throughout the entire clamp in a manner so as to prevent damage to the wiring box, such as cracking or shattering.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.