Supports – Suspended supports – Fittings
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-17
2001-12-25
Braun, Leslie A. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Suspended supports
Fittings
C248S906000, C248S200100, C248S057000, C220S003900
Reexamination Certificate
active
06332597
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to a mounting bracket and a supporting brace. More specifically, the invention relates to a bracket for supporting a fixture of a ceiling fan. The bracket can be attached to a brace; such as a telescoping brace, and provide both a locking mechanism and structural reinforcement for the brace.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Presently, the National Electrical Code permits ceiling light fixtures up to 50 pounds and ceiling fans up to 35 pounds. However, impending changes to the code will increase the acceptable weight of ceiling light fixtures to 80 pounds and the acceptable weight of ceiling fans to 70 pounds. Although various supports for supporting outlet boxes have been developed, the prior art devices were not designed for supporting the increased loading associated with the heavier lighting fixtures and ceiling fans. Thus, there is a need in the art for structures capable of supporting the heavier lighting fixtures and ceiling fans, especially structures that can be positioned between joists.
Examples of prior art supporting structures are disclosed in the following U.S. Pat. Nos.; 2,925,236 to Cook et al.; 2,945,661 to Appleton; 3,214,126 to Roos; 3,518,421 to Cogdill; 4,037,098 to Kowalski; to 4,050,603 to Harris et al.; 4,538,786 to Manning; Re. 33,147 to Reiker, 4,909,405 to Kerr, Jr.; 5,044,582 to Walters; and 5,303,894 to Deschamps et al.
Thus, there is a continuing need to provide an improved supporting structure, especially for supporting lighting fixtures and ceiling fans weighing up to 80 pounds and 70 pounds, respectively. This invention addresses these needs in the art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art once given this disclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One object of the present invention is to provide an improved supporting structure.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a structure for supporting lighting fixtures and ceiling fans, or electrical boxes for supporting fixtures and fans.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a structure for supporting lighting fixtures and ceiling fans, which are heavier than previously permitted.
A further object of the invention is to provide a bracket for reinforcing a brace.
Still a further object of the invention is to provide a bracket for reinforcing and locking a telescoping brace.
The foregoing objects are basically attained by providing a bracket comprising: a first portion having a first central axis in a first plane and a second central axis extending substantially perpendicular to the first central axis and being in a second plane, first and second sides, each of the first and second sides being spaced from the first central axis and facing outwardly from the first central axis, the first side facing in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the first central axis and the second side facing in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first central axis and substantially parallel to and opposite to the first direction, the first plane being positioned between the first and second sides, and a third side facing in a third direction substantially perpendicular to both the first and second central axes, the first portion further having a coupling element adapted to attach the bracket to a supported element; and a first extension coupled to the first portion and having fourth and fifth sides, each of the fourth and fifth sides being spaced from the first central axis and facing inwardly toward the first central axis, the fourth side facing in the second direction and the fifth side facing in the first direction, and a sixth side facing in a fourth direction substantially parallel to and opposite to the third direction, the first and fourth sides being separated from the second and fifth sides by the first plane, the sixth side being spaced further from the first central axis than the third side in the third direction, and the first portion and the first extension being integrally formed as a one-piece, unitary member.
The foregoing objects are also attained by providing supporting structure, comprising: a brace having an inside section, an outside section with a pair of vertical portions, and a slot extending through the inside and outside sections; a bracket coupled to the inside section of the brace and to each of the vertical portions of the outside section; and a coupling member attached to the bracket and adapted to secure a supported member against the brace to prohibit relative movement between the brace and the bracket.
The foregoing objects are rather attained by providing a supporting structure, comprising a brace having a hollow, elongated member with a longitudinal axis, an inside section, an outside section, and an elongated slot extending through the inside and outside sections; and a bracket having a first portion positioned within the elongated member and being directly connected to the inside section of the elongated member and a first extension attached to the first portion, extending through the elongated slot, and being directly connected to the outside section of the elongated member, the first portion and the first extension being integrally formed as a one-piece, unitary member, and the first portion further having a coupling element adapted to attach the bracket to a supported element.
The foregoing objects are further attained by providing a supporting structure, comprising: a brace having a hollow, elongated member with a longitudinal axis, an inside section with a horizontal bottom, an outside section with first and second vertical sides, and an elongated slot extending through the inside and outside sections; and a bracket having a first portion with first and second ends and a base, the first portion positioned within the elongated member and the base directly abutting the bottom of the brace, the bracket further having first and second extensions attached to the first and second ends of the first portion, respectively, the first extension being spaced from the second extension in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, each of the first and second extensions extending through the elongated slot and having a pair of vertical stiffeners, one of the stiffeners of each of the pair of stiffeners directly abutting the first vertical side of the brace, and another of the stiffeners of each of the pair of stiffeners directly abutting the second vertical side of the brace, and the first portion further having a coupling element adapted to attach the bracket to a supported element
The foregoing objects are still firer attained by providing a supporting structure, comprising: a brace having a hollow, elongated member with a longitudinal axis, an inside section, an outside section, and an elongated slot extending through the inside and outside sections; and a bracket having a first portion positioned within the elongated member and being directly connected to the inside section of the elongated member and a first extension attached to the first portion, the first extension extending through the elongated slot and being directly connected to the outside section of the elongated member, the first portion further having a plurality of coupling elements adapted to attach the bracket to a supported element, each of the plurality of coupling elements being spaced in a first direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.
Other objects, advantages, and salient features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses preferred embodiments of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: Re. 33147 (1990-01-01), Reiker
patent: 1133535 (1915-03-01), Cain et al.
patent: 1564609 (1925-12-01), Morgenstern
patent: 1567863 (1925-12-01), Sargent et al.
patent: 1568279 (1926-01-01), Herskovitz
patent: 1617184 (1927-02-01), Spott
patent: 1659404 (1928-02-01), Lipschutz
patent: 1699414 (1929-01-01), Weinstein
patent: 1782791 (1930-11-
Korcz Krzysztof W.
Swanson Richard
'Hubbell Incorporated
Bicks Mark S.
Braun Leslie A.
Goodman Alfred N.
Hoffman Tara L.
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