Electricity: conductors and insulators – Boxes and housings – With electrical device
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-29
2001-03-27
Reichard, Dean A. (Department: 2831)
Electricity: conductors and insulators
Boxes and housings
With electrical device
C248S906000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06207897
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a fixture mounting assembly and a junction box for installation on wall, floor, or ceiling joists.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional junction boxes are known for mounting to elongated supports, such as ceiling joists and studs in walls.
There have even been a few prior art designs for attaching junction boxes to ceiling joists that are intended to carry the weight of an electrical fixture, such as a chandelier or ceiling fan. Such fixtures are becoming heavier nowadays, and building codes are becoming more strict. In addition, the marketplace is becoming increasingly competitive. Furthermore, homeowners are doing more retrofit installations of such junction boxes and fixtures, and easily and accurately installed devices are especially appropriate for use by lay people.
Thus, there is a need for a junction box which is suitable for carrying large static and dynamic loads, is easy to install, is inexpensive to manufacture, and can be installed regardless of the shape and profile of the horizontal joist or vertical stud.
There is likewise a need for a junction box which can be attached in various positions relative to a joist, such as on the side of a joist and on the face of a joist. There is likewise a need for a single thickness junction box which can be installed on a mounting assembly that accommodates different thicknesses of drywall while maintaining the desired face of the junction flush with the outer face of the drywall or plaster board or sheetrock.
Thus, it can be seen that there is a need for an electrical fixture mounting assembly having an electrical box that is engineered for use under high static and dynamic load conditions, which is easy to install, and simple and inexpensive to manufacture, which transfers the weight and forces of static loads (e.g., chandeliers) and dynamic loads (e.g., ceiling fans) directly to the support (e.g., the stud or joist) and substantially without applying forces to the electrical box. There is also a need for a mounting assembly which provides for installation of the same electrical box associated with the same mounting bracket, yet which accommodates a variety of thicknesses of drywall or sheetrock and which provides for flush mounting of the electrical box with the face of the various thicknesses of drywall.
There is likewise a need for a mounting assembly of the abovedescribed types which provide for “hands-free” installation, i.e., which may be temporarily attached and then permanently or detachably attached while the temporary attachment allows the use of both of the installers hands.
Still further, there is a need for mounting brackets suited for attachment to irregularly shaped joists.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an electrical fixture mounting assembly which overcomes the drawbacks and disadvantages of the prior art devices.
A further object of the invention is to provide an electrical fixture mounting assembly which is suited for use in walls, floors, and ceilings, regardless of the configuration of the stud or joist to which the electrical fixture mounting assembly is attached.
Another object of the invention is to provide an electrical fixture mounting assembly which can be inexpensively manufactured.
A still further object of the invention is to provide an electrical fixture mounting assembly having a junction box that is engineered so that large static and dynamic loads are transferred directly to the joist or stud on which the junction box is installed, as opposed to transferring forces to the junction box itself.
A further object of the invention is to provide an electrical fixture mounting assembly suited for use in new construction as well as for retrofitting in existing walls and ceilings.
Another object of the invention is to provide an electrical fixture mounting assembly which is more resistant to oxidation and rusting then earlier devices.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide an electrical fixture mounting assembly which is easier and faster to install and to use than conventional devices.
Yet a further object of the invention is to provide an electrical fixture mounting assembly having an attachment site to which fixtures can be more readily attached than with conventional devices.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide an electrical fixture mounting assembly which can be temporarily attached, as well as permanently attached, to a variety of supports.
A still further object of the invention is to provide an electrical fixture mounting assembly which is suited for “singlehanded” installation.
Another object of the invention is to provide an electrical fixture mounting assembly which can be readily installed by one person.
Another object of the invention is to provide an electrical fixture mounting assembly which is quicker to install than conventional electrical fixture mounting assemblies.
A further object of the invention is to provide an electrical fixture mounting assembly which transfers the weight and forces of static loads and dynamic loads substantially directly to the support to which it is attached a fixture which it supports and without applying such static and dynamic forces to its associated electrical box.
Another object of the invention is to provide an electrical fixture mounting assembly which provides for installation of the same electrical box associated with a mounting bracket of the assembly, yet which assembly accommodates a variety of thicknesses of drywall and which provides for flush mounting of the electrical box with the face of the various thicknesses of drywall.
A still further object of the invention is to provide an electrical fixture mounting assembly having spaced apart fixture fasteners for supporting the load of a fixture, such as a chandelier or ceiling fan.
Another object of the invention is to provide an electrical fixture mounting assembly which has indicators for guiding the installer as to the manner in which the assembly should be used for accommodating different thicknesses of sheetrock or drywall or another finishing material.
A further object of the invention is to provide an electrical fixture mounting assembly having one or more of temporary attachment elements, detachable permanent attachment elements, and permanent attachment elements for attaching the assembly to a joist and the like.
A yet still further object of the invention is to provide an electrical fixture mounting assembly that has an associated junction box which may be attached to the side of a bracket for mounting on the side of a stud or joist as opposed to mounting on the outer face of a stud or joist facing toward an open room.
In summary, therefore, the invention is directed to an electrical fixture mounting assembly which is strong, easily and speedily used, and which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art devices.
In one embodiment of the invention, there is provided an electrical fixture mounting assembly having a junction box, the junction box including a wall defining a junction box cavity therein. There is means disposed on the wall for engaging the junction box with opposite sides of an irregularly shaped joist.
In another embodiment of the invention, there is provided an electrical fixture mounting assembly including a junction box having a wall defining a junction box cavity therein. There is a first mounting bracket on the wall that is configured for attaching to a joist. A second mounting bracket is provided that is likewise configured for attaching to a joist. The first and second mounting brackets are spaced apart and configured and positioned relative to each other for engaging opposite sides of an irregularly shaped joist.
In yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided an electrical fixture mounting assembly including a junction box. The junction box has a wall defining a junction box cavity therein, and means is disposed on the wall for adhering the junction box to opposite sides of a joist.
In yet anoth
Reichard Dean A.
Reiker Enterprises of Northwest Florida Inc.
Shlesinger & Arkwright & Garvey LLP
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