Abstract:
The disclosed inventions relate generally to electrical boxes that may be installed to a ceiling, and more particularly to electrical box ancillary devices, such as brackets, plates and struts, that permit the carrying of heavy ceiling appliances such as ceiling fans and lighting fixtures. Disclosed herein are structural plates and other devices for attachment of ceiling fans and heavy lighting fixtures to structural members, such as trusses and joists, against the load of these fixtures. Also disclosed herein, explicitly or implicitly are methods of using and installing these plates and or brackets, devices and boxes. Detailed information on various example embodiments of the inventions is provided in the Detailed Description below.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of provisional U.S. Application No. 60/994,905 filed Sep. 22, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONS 
       [0002]    Known in the art are electrical boxes intended to enclose wiring and connectors, those boxes also include mountings for securing a lighting fixture. Certain of those boxes are suitable for mounting overhead just above a ceiling, attaching to a truss, joist or other structural support member. In a typical new installation, metal or more frequently plastic light-duty boxes are installed, those being the most inexpensive type suitable for carrying a light-weight lighting fixture, for example a fixture housing a single medium-base bulb. It is often the case that a homeowner will wish to later install a heavier fixture, such as a ceiling fan or chandelier, to the originally installed electrical box. Many homeowners are not aware of the unsuitability of these light-weight boxes for those applications, and many install these heavier fixtures improperly and dangerously without upgrading the supporting structure. 
         [0003]    A Ceiling fan creates stress on the electrical box it is attached to due to torque. If attached to a light-duty box, these forces may carry through the fan support to the electrical box, which may cause the box to twist slightly on each rotation of the fan. Over time this motion may cause the nails, or other fasteners used to secure the electrical box to move and/or loosen, which may lead to failure of the electrical box supporting structure. Additionally, if the box structure is not sufficiently rigid, forces may be transferred to the drywall, or other material of the ceiling. Now drywall, plaster, paneling and most other ceiling materials are not designed to carry dynamic loads. These materials may carry a dynamic load briefly, but over time this may lead to an unpredictable failure of the material. If both the electrical box supporting structure and the ceiling material fail, the result is a fixture falling at an unpredictable time. This can lead to property damage, personal injury and litigation against the makers of the ceiling fan, lighting fixture, electrical box manufacturer as well as other involved parties. 
         [0004]    In many areas earthquakes are a concern. A non-moving ceiling fixture mounted to a light-weight box may carry a load sufficiently well under static conditions for many years. Earthquakes are unpredictable events that may occur at any time and in some locations with such severity as to cause large thrust and oscillatory motions on the lighting fixture and electrical box. A homeowner may be completely unaware of a dangerously supported fixture until a tremor causes it to fall. The danger of inadequately supported lighting fixtures therefore encompasses more fixtures than ceiling fans. 
         [0005]    Now there are several electrical box types which will support a relatively heavy load, of which several are represented in U.S. patents. A usual type, represented by U.S. Pat. No. 6,242,696 utilizes flanges attached to the side of the electrical box for attach to a structural member. This type requires installation prior to the installation of a finished ceiling to avoid damage thereto. Another type, represented by U.S. Pat. Nos. RE 38,120, 6,107,568, 6,191,362, 6,207,897 and 6,355,883 envisions a ceiling electrical box that attaches to an overhead structural support member from underneath through the use of screws or other fasteners generally driven upward through the top of the box and into the structural member. Those boxes either include a slot fitting the support member, or are designed to fit in a space between the support member and the surface of the finished ceiling. All of those designs have the disadvantage of reduced internal box volume, by which the number of electrical connections and wires is restricted over a common side-mounted electrical box. Another type, represented by U.S. Pat. Nos. RE 33,147, 6,098,945, 6,465,736, and 6,595,479 utilizes an extendable rod or other structure fittable between the space of two joists or structural members. 
         [0006]    This type of electrical box, although avoiding impacts into the volume of the electrical box, carries a number of disadvantages. First, the use of the rod introduces a substantial lever arm; the rod must therefore be fairly heavy to avoid bowing under the fixture load. This type of box is typically constructed of steel or other metal, as the plastic supports would be very thick in comparison. These boxes are more complex and require more materials and building steps to fabricate. The cost of this type of box tends to be much higher to the end user. A final type, represented in U.S. Pat. Nos. RE 34,603 and 6,100,469, utilizes fasteners through a metal electrical box sidewall into the adjacent structural member. This type relies on the strength of the sidewall to avoid the fastener head pulling through the sidewall material under load, and is therefore unsuitable for plastic materials. Furthermore, this type relies on the box structure to resist a downward force, which may place strain on welds and joints. Additionally, fasteners driven in a substantially horizontal direction limit the amount of driving force that can be applied to the fastener and may make installation difficult without specialized tools. And none of these box types provide a method of upgrading a ceiling electrical box to carry additional load after initial installation. 
         [0007]    Thus, some of these boxes are relatively expensive to produce and install, while others may be installed only by creating new holes in a ceiling or otherwise causing new damage that must be repaired. The current products and methods do not provide for upgrading of boxes for a heavier fixture. There is therefore a need for products which can create a box or structural device capable of supporting more than a light load which can be installed without causing damage to an existing ceiling. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONS 
       [0008]    The disclosed inventions relate generally to electrical boxes that may be installed to a ceiling, and more particularly to electrical box ancillary devices, such as brackets, struts and plates, that permit the carrying of heavy ceiling appliances such as ceiling fans and lighting fixtures. Disclosed herein are mounting bases that are used to attach a ceiling fan to structural members, such as trusses and joists, against the load of fixtures including ceiling fans and lighting fixtures. Additionally these mounting bases sitting between an electrical box and a ceiling fan and need not be attached to an electrical box for any support when installed. In a sense, an electrical box only acts as a wire holding device as a fan is not necessarily supported by any portion of the electrical box. The strength in the attachment of the ceiling fan is carried through to the ceiling fan mounting base with fasteners and then to the structural member through the base itself. Also disclosed herein are methods to orient the mounting base to many types of electrical boxes that are commonly installed today. 
         [0009]    A hole pattern in the mounting base may allow for the temporary attachment of a mounting base to an electrical box, which allows for the subsequent orientation to align it with the longitudinal center of the adjacent structural member in relation to the electrical box. After the location of the fan mounting bases to the structural member is found the alignment screws are removed and the ceiling fan mounting base is permanently installed to the adjacent structural member. A trim piece may be placed over the mounting base to hide the mounting base from view. Once alignment screws are removed, the attachment to the electrical box is severed allowing for the ceiling fan to be held independently of the electrical box to the structural member through the mounting base. Additionally disclosed herein, explicitly or implicitly are methods of using and installing those bases, devices and boxes. Detailed information on various example embodiments of the inventions is provided in the Detailed Description below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  shows a metal electrical box attached to a truss with a mounting base below the electrical box. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  shows the installation sequence of several electrical boxes. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 3   a,    3   b  and  3   c  show a mounting base in different orientations and one mounting hole pattern. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 4   a,    4   b,    4   c  and  4   d  show a metallic electrical box with a mounting base installed. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 5   a,    5   b,    5   c  and  5   d  show a plastic electrical box with a mounting base installed. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 6   a,    6   b,    6   c  and  6   d  show a plastic electrical box with a mounting base installed. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  shows an alternate installation with an ordinary ceiling joist of dimensional lumber with the electrical box attached to the structural member and a mounting base. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 8   a,    8   b,    8   c  and  8   d  show a trim piece for use with a mounting base after installation. 
       
    
    
       [0018]    A discussion of several embodiments in accordance with the invention now follows. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Disclosed herein are mounting bases useful for installing ceiling fans or heavy lighting fixtures to an ordinary electrical box adjacent to a structural member, such as to a truss or joist.  FIG. 1  is an example of a metallic electrical box  12  installed against a truss type structural member  13  and the ceiling fan mounting base  11  in the installed position. Mounting base  11  sits between the electrical box  12  and a ceiling fan or fixture, with mounting base  11  being secured to the structural member with several large diameter screws that are driven vertically into the lower plate of the truss or joist along or near its central longitudinal axis. Mounting base  11  includes two largely planar portions, top portion  17  which sits below the lip of the metallic electrical box  12  and ceiling surface  14 , in this case drywall though ceilings can also be covered in paneling, lath and plaster or other ceiling treatments. Planar portion  17  forms a parallel surface to the bottom of an electrical box and ceiling surface  14 . 
         [0020]    Truss  13  is shown as a typical installation in many newer housing and office structures that have been built within the last ten years. Electrical box  12  has been installed against the lower plate of truss  13  through flange  16  with fasteners driven through the mounting holes and is typically installed with nails or screws. The common ceiling surface of gypsum board, drywall or other ceiling surface  14  is installed to form an enclosed ceiling. After ceiling surface  14  is installed access to the metallic box is usually restricted to only the removal of any lighting plates, trim pieces or fixtures that have been installed to cover the open portion of the electrical box. Removal of electrical box  12  without damage to ceiling surface  14  is normally not possible. Mounting base  11  may have a rounded outer lip  15  to accommodate a trim piece and be hidden after installation. 
         [0021]    Since the method of attachment for electrical box  12  or other type electrical boxes does not allow easy access to any of the structural members after ceiling surface  14  has been installed other methods must be used to gain access to a structural member for the safe installation of ceiling fans or heavy lighting fixtures. 
         [0022]    Mounting base  11  of  FIG. 1  may be fashioned utilizing ordinary sheet-metal die-processing and stamping procedures to make the various holes and shapes on the base. Preferred materials for reinforcing brackets, bases and struts, such as mounting base  11 , include zinc-plated mild steel, due to that material&#39;s strength, durability, widespread availability and manufacturing facilities. Other metals may be used, such as aluminum, brass or “pot” metals, keeping in mind that different thickness may be required to achieve the strength and bracing characteristics. Preferred materials for spacer  28  and threaded bushing fastener  33   a  can be made from zinc plated, hot or cold rolled steel and can be either, swaged, press fit or spot welded in position after location holes have been created on mounting base  11  for these components. 
         [0023]    Shown in  FIG. 2  is a three and one half inch plastic electrical box  20 , a four inch plastic electrical box  21 , and a 3.5 inch metallic electrical box  12  with mounting base  11  in position to be installed between the one of the electrical boxes.  FIG. 2  is an exploded isometric view of all of the components that a typical ceiling fan installation would require, using the most popular electrical boxes  12 ,  21  or  20  in use today. The different types of electrical boxes are shown for illustrative purposes which are the major types that are commonly installed in homes and most commercial buildings; electrical box  12  is shown in the installed position. Electrical boxes  20 ,  21  and  12  include an aperture through which access is permitted to manipulate wires inserted into the electrical box and to make connections thereto. 
         [0024]    Electrical boxes  20 ,  21  and  12  includes flanges, metal flange  16  is for holding electrical box  12  in a relative position whereby nails or screws may be driven into truss  13  to secure electrical box  12  into position. This is done prior to the ceiling surface  14  being installed. The size and type of these flanges vary between the different types of electrical boxes though they all serve the same basic purpose. Screw boss  29  is used to secure an ordinary light fixture, which can also be used to temporarily hold mounting base  11  in position to mark the location for fasteners  22 . This marking may be made by inserting a punch or similar tool through spacers  28  on the ceiling surface or truss. In the example, the spacer includes a passage through which a fastener may be attached. That is not necessary; a spacer must merely serve the function of providing an abutment to a structural member through a ceiling covering such as drywall. However, it is convenient that a spacer include a fastener attachment feature whereby a base may be attached to a structural member, for example through a structural fastener into the structural member such as a pilotless screw or bolt. When mounting base  11  is in an installed position, the top planar surface  17  rests against or is in close proximity to the electrical box bottom lip surface  26 , and parallel to ceiling surface  14 . Fasteners  22  are driven through ceiling surface  14  into truss  13  at approximately its central longitudinal axis to secure mounting base  11  into its installed position. 
         [0025]    Holes  27  may be created into the ceiling surface  14  to provide clearance and pilot holes for the fastener spacer  28 . These holes may be created by using a drill bit that is sized appropriately and using a drill collar that is adjustable to limit depth and removal of the ceiling surface. This can also be accomplished by using a custom drill bit that includes a small drill on the end to create a pilot hole for fastener  22  along with a depth collar which removes ceiling surface  14  at the same time. Spacer  28  also prevents mounting base  11  from crushing the ceiling surface and allows a rigid connection to the structural member that will not loosen over time due to breakdown of the ceiling surface. Drywall in particular being a gypsum material that is sandwiched between two kraft paper outer layers is subject to material breakdown over time if it is held in a compressed state and subject to oscillatory forces. By placing spacer  28  against the structural member, the loosening of fasteners  22  is unlikely to occur over time. Spacer  28  is also sized to the prevalent height of one half inch which is the thickness of most ceiling surfaces in use today. Spacer  28  can also be used with washers when additional thickness is needed. Trim piece  23  is shown in the ready to install position between the ceiling fan installation bracket  24  and mounting base  11 . Trim piece  23  may be held in place by friction or other means between installation bracket  24  which is a ceiling fan mounting bracket with screws  25 . Trim piece  23  could also be held in position by a lighting fixture supplied by the components manufacturer and installs to mounting base  11  with screws  25  as well. If friction fit is used trim piece  23  could be moved around and cover mounting base  11  to best advantage, since some installations will need minor adjustment to allow alignment to a fan or lighting trim components. 
         [0026]      FIG. 3   a  shows mounting base  11  in an isometric view of planar surface  17  that rests on ceiling surface which may make contact with an electrical box when in the installed position or planar to and/or against ceiling surface. Spacers  28  are shown in there installed position and allow fasteners to pass through into the structural member, such as truss  13  of  FIG. 1 . The bottom of fastener  28  has a ledge feature  32   a  that rests on a structural member after pilot holes have been created. This keeps mounting base  11  from crushing the ceiling material if mounting base  11  is installed in conjunction with a ceiling surface. 
         [0027]    Spacers  28  may be advantageously made from zinc plated steel or other appropriate non-rusting materials and may be press fit, welded or staked into position to provide a secure fit to mounting base  11 . In this example fasteners  33   a  are threaded bushing type fasteners and are staked in position by press fit or other means and are positioned on mounting base  11  to provide the correct distance for the attachment of ceiling fans and lighting fixtures. This distance is set by common practice by the lighting and electrical box manufacturers. For example, fasteners  33   a may be sized for No.  10 screws, which allow a greater load bearing capability than No. 8 fasteners that are standard on most all electrical boxes. Screws are may be inserted into mounting base  11  by starting the screw from the opposite side from planar surface  17 . 
         [0028]    Aperture  34   a  is a through hole that allows the ceiling fan or lighting fixture wires to pass inside the electrical box through mounting base  11  and make connection to the electrical cable or wiring inside an electrical box. Through slots  35   a  and  36   a  are included as a hole pattern for mounting base  11 ; these holes are positioned to allow an electrical box such as  12  from  FIG. 1 , to be positioned to the mounting base aligning spacers  28  with the center longitudinal axis of a structural member. This is done by placing mounting base  11  against ceiling surface  14  with spacers  28  pointing towards the floor. The mounting base is shown in the correct orientation when temporarily installed in  FIG. 3   c,  inserting two fasteners through top surface of mounting base  11  using planar surface  17  into slots  35   a  and into the screw threads of threaded bosses  29  of  FIG. 2  to temporarily fasten in place. 
         [0029]    Two sets of slots for electrical box  12  are provided since some manufacturers use a left to right configuration for threaded bosses  29  of  FIG. 2  and some use a right to left configuration shown as slots  36   a,  though they usually only two attachment points for lighting fixtures regardless of the configuration. Slots  35   a  and  36   a  allow mounting base  11  to be positioned and centered by eye within the aperture provided by electrical boxes  12 ,  20  &amp;  21  of  FIG. 2  which house the wiring and cables for these electrical boxes. Spacers  28  may then be used to slide a punch or similar marking tool to locate the position where holes  27  of  FIG. 2  are located. Clearance holes for spacers  28  may be created if needed as explained above. After marking, mounting base  11  may then be removed. Mounting base  11  may then be reversed and installed by passing screws through countersink  39   b  of  FIG. 3   b  and tightening the fasteners  22  until they are essentially flush with planar surface  40   b.    
         [0030]      FIG. 3   b  is an isometric view that shows mounting base  11  and the mating surface for a ceiling fan or a lighting fixture planar surface  40   b.  Countersink  39   b  is sized to allow screws to be flush with planar surface  40   b  of mounting base  11  when the fasteners are fully tightened avoiding interference with trim piece  23  of  FIG. 2  when installed. Slots  37   b  are used to position plastic electrical box  21  of  FIG. 2  with truss  13  of  FIG. 2  and its center longitudinal axis. Mounting base  11  is then installed in the same manner as outlined above by inverting it as shown in  FIG. 3   c  and locating and creating fastener holes as needed. Again two sets of slots  37   b  are provided to allow a mirrored configuration when the mounting base  11  is used to locate the central longitudinal axis of truss  13 , by inverting and temporarily installing mounting base  11  when installing to electrical box  21  of  FIG. 2 . Only one set of slots  38   b  is needed since mounting base  11  is intended to be inverted with planar surface  17  visible to the installer. When the base is inverted these slots will align with screw bosses that are supplied by the manufacturers and are centered on electrical box  20  of  FIG. 2 . Slots  38   b  are used for plastic electrical box  20  of  FIG. 2  with truss  13  to find its center longitudinal axis. The base is then installed in the same manner as outlined above by inverting mounting base  11  as shown is  FIG. 3   c  and locating and creating the fastener holes as previously described. 
         [0031]      FIG. 4   a  is a straight on view of mounting base  11  as installed on electrical box  12   a.  Slots  35   a  are aligned with a left to right configuration at the top of the view and show how they align with screw bosses  29 . This alignment sets the position for fasteners  22  along the longitudinal axis  41   a  which is approximately centered on the lower plate of truss  13 . Aperture  34   a  allows the passage of wires and cables between electrical box  12  and an installed ceiling fan or lighting fixture.  FIG. 4   b  shows a sectioned view shown by section line  1 - 1  of bushing fastener  33   a  with clearance  42   b  on each side of electrical box  12 . A ceiling fan or light fixture may be attached to mounting base  11  and not screw boss  29  using threaded bushings  33   a.    FIG. 4   c  is a detail view of the alignment of slot  35   a  and threaded screw boss  29  of the electrical box  12 . Notice how it automatically aligns the mounting base with the longitudinal axis  41   a  when temporarily attached to electrical box  12 , shown by detail  2  in  FIG. 4   a.    FIG. 4   d  shows installed electrical box  12  in a section view of the upper and lower plate of truss  13  and the edge view of mounting base  11 . Screws  25  are shown as they would be installed to mounting base  11 , a ceiling fan bracket or light fixture could install with these screw into threaded bushing fasteners  33   a  of  FIG. 4   b.    
         [0032]      FIG. 5   a  is a straight on view of mounting base  11  as it would be installed onto a plastic electrical box  21 . Slots  37   b  are aligned with a left to right configuration; from the top of the view it can be seen how these align with screw bosses  52   a  for the 8-32 fixture installation screws provided typically with an electrical box. This alignment sets the position for fasteners  22  along the longitudinal axis of  41   a  which is approximately centered on the lower plate of truss  13 . Aperture  34   a  allows the passage of wires and cables between electrical box  21  and an installed ceiling fan or lighting fixture.  FIG. 5   b  shows a section view shown by section line  3 - 3  of the threaded bushing fasteners  33   a  with clearance  53   b  on each side of electrical box  21 , as a ceiling fan of light fixture needs to be attached to mounting plate  11  and not threaded screw bosses  52   a.    FIG. 5   c  is a detail view of the alignment of slot  37   b  and threaded screw boss  52   a  of electrical box  21 , shown by detail  4  in  FIG. 5   a.    FIG. 5   d  shows the installed electrical box  21  as a section view of the lower plate of truss  13  and the edge view of mounting base  11 . Screws  25  are shown as they would be installed to mounting base  11 , a ceiling fan bracket or light fixture would install with these screws into threaded bushing fasteners  33   a  of  FIG. 5   b.    
         [0033]      FIG. 6   a  is a straight on view of mounting base  11  as it would be installed on plastic electrical box  20 . Slots  38   b  are aligned with a top to bottom configuration; from the top of the view it can be seen how these align with screw bosses  61   a  for the 8-32 fixture installation screws typically with an electrical box. This alignment sets the position for fastener  22  along the longitudinal axis  41   a  which is approximately centered on the lower plate of truss  13 . Aperture  34   a  allows the passage of wires and cables between the electrical box  20  and an installed ceiling fan or lighting fixture.  FIG. 6   b  shows a section view shown by section line  5 - 5  of the threaded bushing fastener  33   a  with clearance  62   b  on each side of electrical box  20 . A ceiling fan of light fixture is attached to mounting base  11  and not  61   a  using fastener bushing  33   a.    FIG. 6   c  is a detail view of the alignment of slot  38   b  and threaded screw boss  61   a  of electrical box  20 , shown by detail  6  in  FIG. 6   a.    FIG. 6   d  shows installed electrical box  20  as a section view of the lower plate of truss  13  and an edge view of mounting base  11 . Screw  25  is shown as they would be installed to mounting base  11 ; a ceiling fan bracket or light fixture would install with these screws into the threaded bushing fastener  33   a  of  FIG. 6   b.    
         [0034]      FIG. 7  shows an exploded side view of a typical installation using a mounting base  11  and a trim piece  23 . This figure illustrates that the system is capable of being used with an ordinary joist of dimensional lumber  71 , generally it does not matter what style of joists or trusses are used the result is the same as with truss  13 . Mounting base  11  aligns in the same manner as with truss  13  on the center of vertical axis  73 , shown here from the side. The sequence of installation is the same, mounting base  11  is located by using the hole pattern features of the screw boss alignment holes for the particular electrical box that is currently installed. Mounting base  11  is secured with screws  22  after creating pilot and spacer holes if needed. Trim piece  23  may be placed in position and secured in place by placing the ceiling fan bracket  24  or a light fixture and using screws  25  to hold both trim piece  23  and ceiling fan bracket  24  in position. It is intended that before final tightening of screw  25  that the trim piece would be shifted to center it on mounting base  11  and covering the mounting base to full advantage. Finally the bracket cover  72  is secured in position over the ceiling fan bracket  24  to finish the installation if supplied by the light fixture or ceiling fan manufacturer. 
         [0035]      FIG. 8   a  shows trim piece  23  with a raised edge around the outer circumference and has a larger diameter than mounting base  11 . This allows trim piece  23  to be shifted to completely cover mounting base  11  and center it with the ceiling fan or lighting fixture.  FIG. 8   b  is a detail view of the raised edge feature with edge  81   c  of  FIG. 8   c,  which edge is approximately equal in height to the thickness of mounting base  11  as shown detail  7  in  FIG. 8   b.    FIG. 8   d  shows trim piece  23  in the installed orientation with a thin appearance  82   d  on its edge. 
         [0036]      FIG. 9   a  shows an alternate configuration a for mounting base  11  with an additional spacer  91   a  in a center location between and in addition to spacers  28 . This configuration will also place fasteners  22  of  FIG. 2  on each side of the approximate center longitudinal axis of truss  13  of  FIG. 1  and shown as line  41   a  in  FIGS. 4   a,    5   a  and  6   a.  The addition of spacer  91   a  allows for conditions where additional support is either needed or required as would be the case for the placement of a chandelier or other heavy lighting fixture and gives the installer more options when installing mounting base  11 . It also has the added benefit of being able to install a fastener if a defect such as knot in the support member was at the same location as the fasteners location giving the installer the option of using an alternate fastener location  39   b  in conjunction with spacer  91   a.  Spacer  91   a  also has the same features of spacers  28  with the same ledge  92   a  which is  32   a  for spacer  28  and serves the same purpose as described previously. 
         [0037]      FIG. 9   b  is an isometric view that shows mounting base  11  and the mating surface for a ceiling fan or a lighting fixture, planar surface  40   b.  Countersink  93   b  and  39   b  are sized to allow fasteners to be flush with planar surface  40   b  of mounting base  11  when the fasteners are fully tightened and will not interfere with trim piece  23  of  FIG. 2  when installed. Countersink  93   b  and  39   b  are sized for one quarter inch fasteners for added strength and support.  FIG. 3   c  is an edge view of mounting base  11  in the temporary installed position that is used for marking the location of the structural member. The addition of the third countersink and spacer are not all inclusive for example all that is needed is ones spacer and could be placed on mounting base  11  in various locations that the center longitudinal axis of the lower plate of truss  13  of  FIG. 1 . They may also be grouped together with two on each side with one or more in the center. Mounting base  11  may also be manufactured with embossed features or ridges that give the base additional rigidity and its size could also be increased for custom or specific applications where warranted. 
         [0038]    Now it is preferred that reinforcement brackets, devices, bases or features be designed to consume a minimal amount of the interior volume for attachment to an electrical box, so as to maximize the number of wires and electrical connections that can be made within the electrical box. The only intrusion of exemplary mounting base  11  is by threaded bushing fasteners  33   a.    
         [0039]    A kit containing a mounting base and fasteners may be advantageously assembled for the convenience of the installer. Such a kit might be included, for example, in the product packaging of an electrical appliance, for example a ceiling fan or lighting fixture, providing added convenience to the installer of the product in situations where the use of the ceiling fan mounting base is desirable. A fastener and drill bit with a suitable collar for depth suitable for insertion into a drill may also add to the convenience of the installer at a reasonable expense. 
         [0040]    A preferred fastener type for use with reinforcement devices, bases and brackets is the pilot less screw, as commonly used in decking, fencing and drywall applications. That type of screw can be driven into woods used for construction as well as many plastics with minimal splitting and/or stretching of the material. The use of that type of screw simplifies the installation of the mounting base by reducing the need for drilling pilot holes though they are the preferred method of installation, which under many circumstances will be awkward given the overhead working position. The use of screws is also preferred to mitigate the effects of thermal humidity cycles, which is a known problem with nails. Screws are not the only type of fasteners that could be used so as not to exclude the possibility of bolts or other types of anchors and fasteners. 
         [0041]    While reinforcing brackets, devices, bases, and electrical boxes containing reinforcement and the use of those have been described and illustrated in conjunction with a number of specific configurations and methods, those skilled in the art will appreciate that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the principles herein illustrated and described. The present invention as defined by the drawings and descriptions may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The configurations described herein are to be considered in all respects as only illustrative, and not restrictive. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalence of the disclosures are to be embraced within their scope.