Combination Slant or Cathedral Ceiling Fan or Fixture Mounting Apparatus

Abstract

Mounting apparatus for fixtures and fans adapted for mounting on a slant ceiling or peak of a cathedral ceiling. Apparatus provides an enclosure for suspending an electrical box in a horizontal disposition so a fixture or fan can be suspended from the apparatus with the weight of the fixture transferred to a joist/beam. Apparatus includes a first enclosure having a bottom opening, a second enclosure adapted for attachment to the first enclosure, providing for extension of a vertical height of the mounting device, a junction box adapted for location within the bottom opening, and a mounting plate adapted for attachment to the junction box, the first enclosure, and the joist/beam. The fixture hangs from the joist/beam by attachment of the fixture to the junction box, attachment of the junction box to the mounting plate, and attachment of the mounting plate to the joist/beam.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/906,524, filed Mar. 13, 2007, entitled “Combination Slant or Cathedral Ceiling Fan or Fixture Mounting Apparatus,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is applicable to the field of enclosures for making electrical connections for household lighting and/or ceiling fans, in particular for hanging either light fixtures or ceiling fans from slanted or cathedral ceilings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mounting boxes for making electrical connections from light fixtures and ceiling fans to household electrical wiring are known. There are boxes designed for use on slanted or cathedral-style ceilings, but each suffer from certain limitations. Some are limited to use on ceilings that slant at a forty-five degree angle only. Some are incapable of adapting to mounting at the peak of a cathedral-style ceiling. An electrical connection box that can be adapted for mounting on most angled ceilings and that can also adapt to being mounted at the peak of a cathedral ceiling would address most needs in one apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a ceiling mounted box apparatus that can be adapted to mount flush against the ceiling through a wide range of ceiling angles, and can be adapted for mounting at the peak of a cathedral ceiling where two angled ceiling surfaces meet.

In one aspect of the invention, a mounting device for hanging an object from a joist/beam of a ceiling area includes a first enclosure having a bottom opening and a second enclosure adapted for attachment to the first enclosure, the second enclosure providing for extension of a vertical height of the mounting device in relation to the vertical height of the mounting device with the first enclosure alone. The device also includes a junction box adapted for communication with or location within the bottom opening of the first enclosure; and a mounting plate adapted for attachment to the junction box, attachment to the first enclosure, and attachment to the joist/beam.

The mounting plate can be located within the first and the second enclosures when attached to the junction box and attached to the first enclosure. The object hangs from the joist/beam by attachment of the object to the junction box, attachment of the junction box to the mounting plate, and attachment of the mounting plate to the joist/beam. The first and second enclosures can be supported, in relation to the ceiling area, by attachment of the second enclosure to the first enclosure, and by attachment of the mounting plate to the first enclosure.

In another aspect of the invention, the first and second enclosures, when attached, together provide four upstanding walls. In this aspect, there is a first set of two opposing side walls, with each of the first set of side walls having a top edge. The top edge of a first wall of the first set of side walls can be shorter in relation to the bottom of the first enclosure than a top edge of a second wall of the first set of side walls. This aspect also includes a second set of two opposing side walls, with each of the second set of opposing side walls extending angularly between respective top edges of each of the first set of opposing side walls. The top edge of each of the angularly extending second set of opposing side walls generally could be configured to generally follow a pitch of the joist/beam of the ceiling area.

In a further aspect of the invention, the second enclosure would not be necessary. In this aspect, the first enclosure includes four upstanding walls, including a first set of two opposing side walls, with each of the first set of side walls having a top edge and being of approximately similar height. This aspect also includes a second set of two opposing side walls, with each of the second set of opposing side walls extending angularly upward from a respective top edge of one of the first set of two opposing side walls to a apex point, then extending angularly downward from the apex point to a respective top edge of the other of the first set of two opposing side walls. Here, the top edge of each of the angularly extending second side walls could generally follow a contour of a peak of a cathedral ceiling. The apex point could be horizontally centrally located, or could be offset from center.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of the mounting apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded view of the mounting apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second form of the mounting apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a partially exploded view of the mounting apparatus of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the mounting apparatus of FIG. 3 adapted for and installed on a slanted ceiling beam;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the mounting apparatus of FIG. 3 from below;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the mounting apparatus of FIG. 1 from below;

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of a plumb notch in a side of the mounting apparatus;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the mounting apparatus;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the apparatus from the rear; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the mounting apparatus adapted for and mounted at the peak of a cathedral ceiling.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a mounting apparatus for electrical fixtures and/or ceiling fans that can be adapted for mounting on a slant ceiling or at the peak of a cathedral ceiling. The apparatus provides an enclosure for suspending an electrical connection box in a horizontal disposition such that an electrical fixture or ceiling fan can be suspended from the entire assembly with the weight of the fixture or fan transferred to a joist or beam in the ceiling. The wiring connections for the fixture or fan are made within the electrical connection box that is suspended within the mounting enclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, the elements of the mounting enclosure can be identified and the disposition of an electrical connection box within the mounting enclosure is illustrated. The electrical connection box may be provided separately from the mounting enclosure or it may be included.

FIGS. 1 through 4 illustrate an embodiment of the invention configured to be mounted to a joist on a slanted ceiling. The mounting apparatus 10 comprises an enclosure in two segments 20, 21 fitted together. The two segments 20, 21 are held together by screws 38 that engage threaded channels in long bosses 39 on the walls of the enclosure 20, 21. A mounting plate 30 can be secured to the enclosure 20, 21 by screws 32 that engage bosses 33 inside the enclosure. An electrical junction box 40 (FIG. 1) 41 (FIG. 3) may be suspended from the mounting plate 30 by screws/rivets 34 that pass through holes in the lower flange of the mounting plate 30 and engage channels (not shown) in the junction box 40, 41.

The mounting apparatus 10 is adaptable to slanted ceilings where the slant angle is forty-five degrees or some angle more or less than forty-five degrees. One segment 21 of the two segment enclosure 20, 21 has a wall section 44 (FIGS. 2 & 4) formed in short segments that can be broken out one at a time to accommodate the passage through the apparatus 10 of a joist that is angled at one of a number of angles while permitting the mounting apparatus to be suspended from the joist with the bottom surface in a horizontal disposition.

See FIGS. 9 and 10 for exploded views of the apparatus 10 that depict the segmented wall section 44 most clearly. There is a slot 52 provided in the long wall 54 of the enclosure 20, 21 through which the joist or beam to which the mounting apparatus is attached passes. The size of the opening in that slot 52 is adjusted by breaking out one or more of the segments in the segmented wall section 44 that occupies the slot 52. Changing the size of the opening permits the mounting apparatus 10 to be hung from a joist/beam 50 such that the lower opening is disposed in a horizontal (level) plane for mounting a fixture or fan.

FIG. 5 illustrates the attachment of the complete mounting apparatus 10 to a joist or beam 50 that angles upward on a slant. The joist or beam 50 (referred to hereafter as “beam”) rests on the lower edge 19 of one section 20 of the two segment enclosure 20, 21. The beam 50 can rest on the upper edge of the segmented wall section 44 or, to accommodate differing ceiling pitch angles, one or more segments of the segmented wall section 44 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) can be broken away to change the upper edge on which the beam 50 rests on the higher side of the enclosure 20, 21.

Referring again to FIG. 5, the mounting procedure for the complete apparatus 10 is conducted with the entire apparatus 10 assembled together. Affixing the ceiling junction box 41 to the mounting plate 30, then securing the mounting plate/ceiling box assembly to the enclosure 20, 21 ensures that the ceiling box 41 is properly oriented with the opening in the bottom of the two segmented enclosure 20, 21. When the apparatus 10 is properly mounted on the beam 50, the ceiling box 41 will be correctly disposed in relation to the room below.

To mount the entire apparatus 10 to a slanted ceiling, it is necessary to determine the proper angle for the beam 50 to pass through the segmented wall section 44 of the enclosure 20, 21. Referring again to FIG. 5, it is then necessary to ensure that the apparatus 10 suspends the ceiling box 41 above the room as close to horizontal as possible for proper mounting of a light fixture or fan. To accomplish this, a plumb bob 60 could be suspended from a notch 56 (see also FIG. 8) in the side wall 62 of the enclosure 20, 21. When a plumb line 61, from which the plumb bob 60 is suspended, bisects a center of the bottom of the side wall 62 of the enclosure, the bottom opening of the apparatus 10 (and the ceiling box 41) is level with the floor below (not shown). The apparatus 10 is secured in place by first hammering mounting prongs 37 of the mounting plate 30 into the beam 50. These prongs 37 hold the apparatus 10 in place until nails or screws (not shown) are driven into the beam 50 through the holes 39 in the mounting plate 30.

When suspended from the enclosure 20, 21 the ceiling junction box 40, 41 preferably protrudes about ⅜ to 1/2 inch below the bottom surface of the enclosure 20, 21 such that a sheet rock ceiling panel surrounding the box will leave a flush surface, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. A fan or fixture can then be mounted to the ceiling box 40, 41. It can be seen from FIGS. 1, 3 and 5 that the weight of the suspended fan or fixture suspended from the ceiling box 40, 41 is transferred through screws or studs 34 directly to the mounting plate 30 and into the beam 50. The enclosure 20, 21 bears only its own weight and none of the fan or fixture burden.

The same apparatus 10, modified as described herein, can be used to suspend a ceiling junction box 40, 41 from an apex of a cathedral ceiling. Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the two-part (two segment) enclosure 20, 21 is separated for cathedral apex application. The upper section 21 of the two segment enclosure 20, 21 is removed by removing screws 38 from the bosses 39 in the side walls of the lower section 20 of the two segment enclosure 20, 21. The lower section 20 of the enclosure 20, 21 then presents a peaked outer wall on two sides (as shown in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11).

Referring to FIG. 11, mounting the cathedral ceiling apparatus proceeds much the same way as for a slant ceiling. A weighted plumb line 61 can be suspended from the notch 56, located at the peak of the side wall of the lower section 20 of the enclosure. With the mounting plate 30 held against the beams 50 that come together at the peak of the cathedral ceiling, the apparatus is level when the plumb line 61 bisects a center of the base of the enclosure. The mounting prongs 37 are driven into the beams 50 to set the apparatus in place and the apparatus is then secured with nails or screws through the holes 39 in the mounting plate 30.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A mounting device for hanging an object from a joist/beam of a ceiling area, comprising:

a first enclosure having a bottom opening;

a second enclosure adapted for attachment to the first enclosure, the second enclosure providing for extension of a vertical height of the mounting device in relation to the vertical height of the mounting device with the first enclosure alone;

a junction box adapted for communication with or location within the bottom opening of the first enclosure; and

a mounting plate adapted for attachment to the junction box, attachment to the first enclosure, and attachment to the joist/beam, wherein the mounting plate is located within the first and the second enclosures when attached to the junction box and attached to the first enclosure, wherein the object hangs from the joist/beam by attachment of the object to the junction box, attachment of the junction box to the mounting plate, and attachment of the mounting plate to the joist/beam.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and the second enclosures are supported, in relation to the ceiling area, by attachment of the second enclosure to the first enclosure, and by attachment of the mounting plate to the first enclosure.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and the second enclosure, when attached, together provide four upstanding walls, comprising:

a first set of two opposing side walls, wherein each of the first set of side walls has a top edge, and wherein the top edge of a first wall of the first set of side walls is shorter in relation to the bottom of the first enclosure than a top edge of a second wall of the first set of side walls; and

a second set of two opposing side walls, wherein each of the second set of opposing side walls extends angularly between respective top edges of each of the first set of opposing side walls, whereby a top edge of each of the angularly extending second set of opposing side walls generally follows a pitch of the joist/beam of the ceiling area.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the first enclosure includes four upstanding walls, comprising:

a first set of two opposing side walls, wherein each of the first set of side walls has a top edge and each is of approximately similar height;

a second set of two opposing side walls, wherein each of the second set of opposing side walls extends angularly upward from a respective top edge of one of the first set of two opposing side walls to a apex point, then extends angularly downward from the apex point to a respective top edge of the other of the first set of two opposing side walls, whereby a top edge of each of the angularly extending second side walls generally follows a contour of a peak of a cathedral ceiling.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the apex point is vertically aligned with the midpoint of a bottom edge of the respective side wall of the second set of two opposing side walls, whereby a line connecting the apex point and the midpoint of the bottom edge would be perpendicular to the bottom edge.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein the apex point is other than vertically aligned with the midpoint of a bottom edge of the respective side wall of the second set of two opposing side walls, whereby a line connecting the apex point and the midpoint of the bottom edge would be perpendicular to the bottom edge.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the mounting plate is fixedly attached to the junction box.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the second enclosure includes a slot adapted for passage therethrough of the joist/beam.

9. The device of claim 8, further comprising a wall section for removable insertion within the slot, whereby the wall section can be removed for passage of the joist/beam through the slot or can be inserted to provide a complete upstanding wall in the second enclosure.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the wall section is segmented and configured for removal of individual segments, thereby providing for an adjustable slot size.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the mounting plate is aligned perpendicularly to the bottom of the first enclosure when the mounting plate is attached to the junction box and to the first enclosure.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the mounting plate is centrally located within the first enclosure when the mounting plate is attached to the junction box and to the first enclosure.

13. A mounting device for hanging an object from a joist/beam of a ceiling area, comprising:

a first enclosure having a bottom opening;

a second enclosure adapted for attachment to the first enclosure, the second enclosure providing for extension of a vertical height of the mounting device in relation to the vertical height of the mounting device with the first enclosure alone;

a junction box adapted for communication with or location within the bottom opening of the first enclosure; and

a mounting plate adapted for attachment to the junction box, attachment to the first enclosure, and attachment to the joist/beam, wherein: the mounting plate is located within the first and the second enclosures when attached to the junction box and attached to the first enclosure; the object hangs from the joist/beam by attachment of the object to the junction box, attachment of the junction box to the mounting plate, and attachment of the mounting plate to the joist/beam; the first and the second enclosures are supported, in relation to the ceiling area, by attachment of the second enclosure to the first enclosure, and by attachment of the mounting plate to the first enclosure; and the first and the second enclosure, when attached, together provide four upstanding walls, comprising: a first set of two opposing side walls, wherein each of the first set of side walls has a top edge, and wherein the top edge of a first wall of the first set of side walls is shorter in relation to the bottom of the first enclosure than a top edge of a second wall of the first set of side walls; and a second set of two opposing side walls, wherein each of the second set of opposing side walls extends angularly between respective top edges of each of the first set of opposing side walls, whereby a top edge of each of the angularly extending second set of opposing side walls generally follows a pitch of the joist/beam of the ceiling area.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the second enclosure includes a slot adapted for passage therethrough of the joist/beam.

15. The device of claim 14, further comprising a wall section for removable insertion within the slot, whereby the wall section can be removed for passage of the joist/beam through the slot or can be inserted to provide a complete upstanding wall in the second enclosure.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the wall section is segmented and configured for removal of individual segments, thereby providing for an adjustable slot size.

17. A mounting device for hanging an object from a joist/beam of a ceiling area, comprising:

a first enclosure having a bottom opening;

a junction box adapted for adapted for communication with or location within the bottom opening of the first enclosure; and

a mounting plate adapted for attachment to the junction box, attachment to the first enclosure, and attachment to the joist/beam, wherein the mounting plated is located within the first enclosure when attached to the junction box and attached to the first enclosure, wherein the object hangs from the joist/beam by attachment of the object to the junction box, attachment of the junction box to the mounting plate, and attachment of the mounting plate to the joist/beam;

wherein the first enclosure further includes: a first set of two opposing side walls, wherein each of the first set of side walls has a top edge and each is of approximately similar height; a second set of two opposing side walls, wherein each of the second set of opposing side walls extends angularly upward from a respective top edge of one of the first set of two opposing side walls to a apex point, then extends angularly downward from the apex point to a respective top edge of the other of the first set of two opposing side walls, whereby a top edge of each of the angularly extending second side walls generally follows a contour of a peak of a cathedral ceiling.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the apex point is vertically aligned with the midpoint of a bottom edge of the respective side wall of the second set of two opposing side walls, whereby a line connecting the apex point and the midpoint of the bottom edge would be perpendicular to the bottom edge.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the apex point is other than vertically aligned with the midpoint of a bottom edge of the respective side wall of the second set of two opposing side walls, whereby a line connecting the apex point and the midpoint of the bottom edge would be perpendicular to the bottom edge.

20. The device of claim 17, wherein the mounting plate is fixedly attached to the junction box.