Mechanical depthsetting device

An apparatus for use by a worker in positioning a utility box having opposing sidewalls of a predetermined thickness along one side of a construction support comprising:

• a block first component having a plurality of sides, one of the plurality of block first component sides being adapted to engage the one side of the construction support;
• a wafer second component which attaches in sliding relation to said first component about one of the sides of the block component in such a manner as to define a longitudinal slot having a varying depth therebetween configured to accept one of the opposing sidewalls of said utility box and having a fixed width adapted to accept the one sidewall with an interference fit;
• wherein one of said components further includes a flange which projects outwardly and away from said one component toward the other of said components, wherein said other component further comprises a channel disposed thereon, said channel being adapted to receive said flange, and wherein said flange is received for slidable movement by the channel;
• means for selectively varying said depth of said longitudinal slot;
• and
• means for positioning said apparatus at a desired distance from an existing structure.

A method for positioning a utility box having opposing sidewalls and a peripheral edge common to said sidewalls along one side of a construction support, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a block first component having a top, a bottom and first and second pairs of opposing sides, said second pair of opposing sides being normal to said first pair of opposing sides;
• providing a wafer second component in attached, sliding relation to said first component such as to define a longitudinal slot having a varying depth therebetween;
• wherein one of said components further includes a flange which projects outwardly and away from said one component toward the other of said components, wherein said other component further comprises a recess disposed thereon, said recess being adapted to receive said flange, and wherein said flange is received for slidable movement by the recess;
• providing means for selectively varying said depth of said slot;
• inserting one of said sidewalls of said utility box into said slot such that said sidewall is interference fitted between said block first and said wafer second components;
• positioning one of said second pair of opposing sides in abutting relation with a side of said construction support normal to that side of said support along which said utility box is intended to be mounted;
• and
• adjusting said depth of said slot to correspond with a distance said peripheral edge of said utility box is desired to be disposed from said normal side of said construction support.