Hangar Mounting Assembly With Adjustable Height Gages

Abstract

A mounting assembly for supporting an electrical box between two supports. The mounting assembly includes two elongated members, each elongated member having an end mount. The elongated members are slidably coupled to each other, thereby allowing the mounting assembly to be telescopically extended. Each elongated member also includes an adjustable height gage located at the end of each end mount. A vertical position of the height gage is capable of being adjusted relative to the mounting assembly. Electrical boxes of various standard sizes may be accommodated by adjusting the height gages.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This utility application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/367,523 filed Jul. 26, 2010 by Jack R. Kerr, Jr., which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to support assemblies. Specifically, and not by way of limitation, the present invention relates to a hangar mounting assembly having adjustable height gages for supporting electrical boxes between supports.

2. Description of the Related Art

In construction of houses and buildings, it is quite common to have electrical boxes mounted to the walls or ceilings. These electrical boxes provide support and storage of various wiring devices, lighting fixtures, fans, and many other devices useful in a building. Electrical boxes also provide a space for electrical connections between the wiring device or fixture and the wiring of the building. These electrical boxes are normally attached to one or more structural supports, such as joists or studs. Often the electrical boxes include brackets for directly attaching the electrical box to the support member, while other electrical boxes are attached to a hanger or other support assembly which extends between a pair of adjacent structural supports.

There are various mounting assemblies which are currently used for supporting ceiling fans or other fixtures between a pair of structural supports. These assemblies are usually attached to the ceiling joists by a brace, a bar hanger or other suitable member extending between the joist. FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of an existing mounting assembly 10. FIG. 2 is a side view of the mounting assembly 10 of FIG. 1. The mounting assembly includes two elongated members 12 and 14 interconnected in such a manner as to telescopically extend. The elongated members include end mounts 16 and 18 located on opposing ends of the mounting assembly. The end mounts 16 and 18 typically extend perpendicular to the elongated members. An electrical box 20 is slidably attached to a bottom side 22 of the elongated members.

The elongated members are expanded to engage adjacent structural supports or joists (not shown). The elongated members are expanded until the end mounts 16 and 18 frictionally engage the structural supports or ceiling joists. Other mounting braces may also include sharp prongs or teeth which are driven into the joists by force.

Although the existing mounting assemblies are acceptable in many applications, the installation of such devices can be extremely difficult and time-consuming. The existing mounting assemblies suffer from the disadvantage of lacking easily adjustable gages for the end mounts 16 and 18. The mounting assembly 10 includes the end mounts which must be sized in a height of X depending on the size of the electrical box. Currently, there are several standard electric boxes having various depths. With each different depth, the height X of the end mounts must be altered, thereby allowing the electrical box to lie flush with whatever surrounding surface is located. To facilitate the change of height, each end mount includes a plurality of horizontally aligned slots 30 (see FIG. 1) located in vertical rows. If necessary, an installer may remove a portion of the end mount to change the height of the end mount. However, the installer typically must attach pliers or other grappling device to grasp the end mount and repetitively bend back and forth the end mount at the select row of slots until a portion of the end mount breaks off. Obviously, this process can be extremely cumbersome when an installer is attempting to affix the mounting assembly to a location above the installer's head.

Therefore, it would be advantageous to have a mounting assembly with adjustable height gages allowing ease in changing the vertical position of the height gage. It is an object of the present invention to provide such an apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention is a mounting assembly for supporting an electrical box between two supports. The mounting assembly includes two elongated members, each having an end mount. The elongated members are slidably coupled to each other, thereby allowing the mounting assembly to be telescopically extended. Each elongated member also includes an adjustable height gage located on each end mount. A vertical position of the height gage is capable of being adjusted relative to the mounting assembly. Electrical boxes of various standard sizes may be accommodated by adjusting the height gages.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to an end mount affixed to a mounting assembly for supporting an electrical box between two supports. The end mount is affixed to a support. The end mount includes an adjustable height gage. The vertical position of the height gage relative to the mounting assembly may be adjusted. In one embodiment, the end mount includes a retaining bracket having a slot for retaining the height gage. In addition, the height gage may include a screw receiving section sized and shaped to engage a screw affixed to the end mount. The screw may be engaged in the screw receiving section and turned to adjust a vertical position of the height gage. In another embodiment, the end mount may include a plurality of slots for receiving and retaining the height gage. Positioning the height gage in a specific slot defines the vertical position of the height gage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 (prior art) is a bottom perspective view of an existing mounting assembly;

FIG. 2 (prior art) is a side view of the mounting assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a photograph illustrating a bottom perspective view of a mounting assembly in the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view illustrating a top side of the mounting assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the mounting assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an isolated side view of the height gage on the end mount of the mounting assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the end mount and adjustable height gage;

FIG. 8 illustrates a lower perspective end view of the end mount and the height gage;

FIG. 9 is an end perspective view of a mounting assembly in an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 illustrates the height gage removed from the end mount.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a hangar assembly for supporting electrical boxes between supports having adjustable height gages. FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view illustrating a mounting assembly 100 in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The mounting assembly includes two elongated members 112 and 114 interconnected to telescopically extend. Preferably the perimeter of one of the elongated members is slightly larger than the perimeter of the second elongated member to allow the members 112 and 114 to be slidably extended. The elongated members include end mounts 116 and 118 located on opposing ends of the mounting assembly. The end mounts 116 and 118 typically extend perpendicular to the elongated members. An electrical box or any other item may be attached to a bottom side 122 of the elongated members by an attachment device, such as a bracket. The mounting assembly 100 includes two adjustable height gages 130 and 132 located on each end mount. FIG. 4 is a top perspective view illustrating a top side 134 of the mounting assembly of FIG. 3. The mounting assembly is preferably constructed of a strong rigid material, such as metal. The mounting assembly is designed to be used with different depths of electrical boxes such they can be correctly mounted relative to the thickness of the plasterboard. The electrical boxes typically come in various standard sizes (e.g., pancake, 1 and ½ inch, and 2 and ⅛ inch) for which the mounting assembly may accommodate by adjusting the height gages.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the mounting assembly 100 of FIG. 3. The height gages 130 are each attached to a threaded bolt or screw 140. Turning the screw 140 lowers or raises the height gage. The height gage is held in place alongside the end mounts by a retaining bracket 142. Preferably the bracket includes a slot sized and shaped to enable the height gage to slide vertically.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the height gage 130 on one of the end mounts 118. The height gage includes a foot section 160 which enables a support structure (e.g., joist, dry wall section, etc) to lie flush against the attached mounting assembly. Additionally, the height gage includes a screw receiving section 162 which includes an orifice (not shown) for receiving and retaining the screw 140. The screw is position through a portion of the end mount and into the screw receiving section.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the end mount 116 and adjustable height gage 130. As shown, the screw includes a hexagonal head 170 which may be turned by use of a wrench, pliers, etc. In an alternate embodiment, the screw may include a circular head for grasping by a thumb and finger of the user. However, the present invention may utilize any screw or bolt with any type of head.

FIG. 8 illustrates a lower perspective end view of the end mount 116 and the height gage 130. As illustrated, the bottom side 122 may include an open slot 180 running the entire length of the elongated members 112 and 114.

With reference to FIGS. 3-8, the operation of the mounting assembly 100 will now be explained. The elongated members 112 and 114 are expanded to engage adjacent structural supports or joists (not shown). Specifically, the elongated members are expanded until the end mounts 16 and 18 frictionally engage the structural supports or ceiling joists. The adjustable height gages 130 and 132 are vertically adjusted by turning each screw 140 in the appropriate direction. As the height gages moves vertically up and down, the bracket 142 guides the height gage. The foot section 160 moves vertically with the height gage. The foot section is positioned to lie flush with the support structure (e.g., joist, dry wall section, etc.). The screw may be easily turned by use of pliers or a wrench or by twisting the head of the screw with the installer's hand.

FIG. 9 is an end perspective view of a mounting assembly 500 in an alternate embodiment of the present invention. The mounting assembly may include an adjustable height gage 502 which is adjustable in height by positioning the height gage upon selected slots 504, 506, or 508 in the end mount 116. As depicted in FIG. 9, the height gage 502 is positioned in the middle row of slots 506. FIG. 10 is a front perspective view illustrating the height gage 502 removed from the end mount 116. The height gage 502 includes a foot section 510 and two opposing prongs 512 for engagement with the slots 504, 506, or 508.

It should be understood, that any adjustable height gage using any mechanism which includes adjustable height gages on end mounts may be used and still remain within the scope of the present invention.

The present invention provides many advantages over existing mounting assemblies. The present invention enables an installer to easily adjust the mounting assembly to enable flush attachment to a wide range of thicknesses of the plasterboard to which the mounting assembly is attached. The present invention does not require the installer to bend a portion of the end mount to remove a portion of the end mount.

While the present invention is described herein with reference to illustrative embodiments for particular applications, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings provided herein will recognize additional modifications, applications, and embodiments within the scope thereof and additional fields in which the present invention would be of significant utility.

Thus, the present invention has been described herein with reference to a particular embodiment for a particular application. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the present teachings will recognize additional modifications, applications and embodiments within the scope thereof.

It is therefore intended by the appended claims to cover any and all such applications, modifications and embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A mounting assembly for supporting an electrical box between two supports, the mounting assembly comprising:

a first elongated member having a first end mount;

a second elongated member having a second end mount;

wherein the first and second elongated members are slidably coupled to enable a telescopic extension of the mounting assembly;

the first and second mounts each having an adjustable height gage, the height gage having means for adjusting a vertical position of the height gage relative to the mounting assembly.

2. The mounting assembly according to claim 1 wherein each height gage includes a foot section extending perpendicularly from the height gage, the foot section being positioned flush against one of the supports.

3. The mounting assembly according to claim 2 wherein the means for adjusting a vertical position of the height gage includes a retaining bracket having a slot for retaining the height gage and allowing vertical movement of the height gage within the bracket.

4. The mounting assembly according to claim 3 wherein the means for adjusting a vertical height includes a screw receiving section affixed to the height gage sized and shaped to engage a screw affixed to the end mount, the screw being turned to adjust a vertical position of the height gage.

5. The mounting assembly according to claim 1 wherein:

the first elongated member includes a first hollow interior and a first cross section perimeter; and

the second elongated member includes a second hollow interior and a second cross section perimeter sized and shaped to receive the first elongated member.

6. The mounting assembly according to claim 1 wherein the mounting assembly includes a bracket for supporting an electrical box upon the mounting assembly.

7. The mounting assembly according to claim 1 wherein the height gages are adjusted to accommodate electrical boxes of various depths.

8. The mounting assembly according to claim 1 wherein the height gages are adjusted to accommodate ceiling boards having different thicknesses, the mounting assembly being affixed to the ceiling board.

9. The mounting assembly according to claim 1 wherein:

the means for adjusting a vertical position of the height gage includes a plurality of slots on each end mount for receiving and retaining the height gage.

10. The mounting assembly according to claim 9 wherein each height gage includes a plurality of prongs sized and shaped for being retained in the slots of the end mount.

11. An end mount affixed to a mounting assembly for supporting an electrical box between two supports, the end mount comprising:

means for affixing the end mount to a support; and

an adjustable height gage, the height gage having means for adjusting a vertical position of the height gage relative to the mounting assembly.

12. The end mount according to claim 11 wherein the height gage includes a foot section extending perpendicularly from the height gage, the foot section being positioned flush against one of the supports.

13. The end mount according to claim 12 wherein the means for adjusting a vertical position of the height gage includes a retaining bracket having a slot for retaining the height gage and allowing vertical movement of the height gage within the bracket.

14. The end mount according to claim 13 wherein the means for adjusting a vertical height includes a screw receiving section affixed to the height gage sized and shaped to engage a screw affixed to the end mount, the screw being turned to adjust a vertical position of the height gage.

15. The end mount according to claim 11 wherein the height gage is adjusted to accommodate electrical boxes of various depths.

16. The end mount according to claim 11 wherein the height gage is adjusted to accommodate ceiling boards having different thicknesses, the mounting assembly being affixed to the ceiling board.

17. The end mount according to claim 11 wherein:

the means for adjusting a vertical position of the height gage includes a plurality of slots on each end mount for receiving and retaining the height gage.

18. The mounting assembly according to claim 17 wherein each height gage includes a plurality of prongs sized and shaped for being retained in the slots of the end mount.