Abstract:
A method of assembling a hanger assembly for mounting to a fan housing in a building includes, providing a first bracket having a first end and a second end, the first end having a first flange and a second flange, providing a second bracket having a first end and a second end, the second end having a first flange and a second flange. The method further includes inserting the second end of the first bracket in a first direction into a first end of a third bracket, inserting the first end of the second bracket in a second direction, opposite the first direction, into a second end of the third bracket, and coupling at least one spacer to the third bracket, the spacer extends from the third bracket in a third direction, substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/330,041, filed Jan. 11, 2006, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to hanger assemblies and, more particularly, to a hanger assembly for mounting a fan housing in a building. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    Some embodiments of the invention provide a hanger assembly configured to mount a fan housing in a building including a first support having a lower surface and a second support. In some embodiments, the hanger assembly includes a body having a first end engageable with the first support and a second end engageable with the second support, the body being connectable to the fan housing to support the fan housing between the first support and the second support and being adjustable to change a length defined between the first end and the second end. In these embodiments, the first end can include an outwardly extending flange, which is engageable with the first support to orient the body and the fan housing relative to the lower surface of the first support and to maintain a predetermined distance between the lower surface of the first support and a lower surface of one of the fan housing and the hanger body. 
         [0004]    In addition, the invention provides a hanger assembly configured to mount a fan housing to a support in a building, the support having a first surface and a second surface substantially normal to the first surface. In these embodiments, the hanger assembly can include a body connectable to the fan housing and having a first flange and a second flange, the first flange being engageable with the first surface of the support and the second flange being engageable with the second surface of the support to secure the hanger body and the fan housing to the support. 
         [0005]    The invention also provides a method of mounting a fan housing to a support in a building, the support having a side surface and a lower surface substantially normal to the side surface. Some embodiments include the acts of providing a hanger assembly including a body having an end, the end having a first outwardly extending flange and a second outwardly extending flange, securing the fan housing to the hanger body, connecting the first flange to the side surface of the support to secure the hanger body and the fan housing to the support, and connecting the second flange to the second surface of the support to orient the hanger body and the fan housing relative to the lower surface of the first support and to maintain a predetermined distance between a lower surface of the fan housing and the lower surface of the support. 
         [0006]    Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a fan housing and a hanger assembly according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the fan housing and the hanger assembly shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is bottom perspective view of the fan housing and hanger assembly shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view of the hanger assembly shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 5A  is a side view of a first mounting bracket of the hanger assembly shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 5B  is a top view of the first mounting bracket shown in  FIG. 5A . 
           [0013]      FIG. 5C  is a side view of a portion of the second mounting bracket shown in  FIG. 5A . 
           [0014]      FIG. 6A  is side view of a second mounting bracket of the hanger assembly shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 6B  is a top view of the second mounting bracket of the hanger assembly shown in  FIG. 6A . 
           [0016]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of a third mounting bracket of the hanger assembly shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 7B  is an end view of the third mounting bracket shown in  FIG. 7A . 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the mounting bracket shown in  FIG. 7A . 
           [0019]      FIG. 9A  is side view of a fastener shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 9B  is an enlarged side view of a portion of the fastener shown in  FIG. 9A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” and “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. 
         [0022]    Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. 
         [0023]    In addition, it is to be understood that phraseology and terminology used herein with reference to device or element orientation (such as, for example, terms like “front,” “rear,” “top,” “bottom,” “lower”, “up,” “down,” etc.) are only used to simplify description of the present invention, and do not alone indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation. The elements of the present invention can be installed and operated in any orientation desired. In addition, terms such as “first”, “second,” and “third” are used herein for purposes of description and are not intended to indicate or imply relative importance or significance. 
         [0024]      FIGS. 1-9B  illustrate a hanger assembly  10  and a portion of a fan housing  12  according to some embodiments of the present invention. The hanger assembly  10  can be installed or used with any structure capable of ventilation, such as, for example, a home, a commercial building, and the like. 
         [0025]    The fan housing  12  can have any shape desired, such as a round shape, a rectangular, triangular, or other polygonal shape, an irregular shape, and the like. By way of example only, the fan housing  12  of the illustrated embodiment has a generally rectangular shape, and has sidewalls  16 ,  18 , a front wall  20 , and a back wall  22 . Together, the front wall  20 , sidewalls  16 ,  18 , and back wall  22  at least partially define an interior space  24  for a fan, a fan motor, and/or other elements of a building ventilation system (e.g., electrical conduits, heating elements, filters, and the like). In addition, in some embodiments, the fan housing  12  can have a relatively small profile so that the fan housing  12  can be installed or located in relatively confined areas. 
         [0026]    The fan housing  12  can be mounted in any orientation, such as in a vertical orientation installed in a wall, a horizontal orientation installed in a ceiling, or in any other orientation desired. The fan housing  12  can be secured within a wall, ceiling, or other building structure in a partially or fully recessed position. In such cases, the fan housing  12  can be received within an aperture or recessed portion of the wall, ceiling, or other building structure. Alternatively, the fan housing  12  can be secured to a building structure in a non-recessed position. 
         [0027]    In other embodiments, the fan housing  12  can be partially supported within an aperture of a wall, ceiling, or other building structure and can extend outwardly a predetermined distance from the wall, ceiling, or other building structure. In these embodiments, a grill or face plate can be secured to an exterior side of the fan housing  12 . 
         [0028]    In order to secure the fan housing  12  with respect to a wall, ceiling, or other building structure as described above, the fan housing  12  can include outwardly extending mounting flanges  34 , and fasteners  30  (e.g., pins, screws, nails and other conventional fasteners, magnets, and clips) can be inserted through attachment holes  36  in the mounting flanges  34  for securing the fan housing  12  to a structural support  32  of the building structure. Alternatively and as described in greater detail below, the fasteners  30  can connect any part of the fan housing  12 , such as, for example, the side walls  16 ,  18 , the back wall  22 , or the front wall  20 , to the hanger assembly  10  and can extend through attachment holes  36  in the fan housing  12  for this purpose. As used herein and in the appended claims, the term “structural support” includes any building structural element to which a fan or ventilation system can be mounted, and includes without limitation joists, sub-joists, studs, I-beams or beams having other shapes, struts, rafters, headers, girders, trusses, and the like. 
         [0029]    The fan housing  12  of the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3  is oriented substantially vertically, with the front wall  20  substantially normal to a structural support  32 . In alternate embodiments, the fan housing  12  can have other orientations with respect to the building structure and its structural support(s)  32 , typically determined at least in part by space constraints, the orientation of the structural support(s)  32 , the spacing between structural supports  32 , and/or whether the fan housing  12  is mounted in a wall or in a ceiling. 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the hanger assembly  10  can include a first mounting arrangement  40  and a second mounting arrangement  42  for connecting the fan housing  12  to a building structural support  32  and/or for supporting the fan housing  12  between two or more structural supports  32 . More particularly, in some embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 1-4 , opposite ends of a first mounting arrangement  40  can be secured to two adjacent supports  32 , opposite ends of a second mounting arrangement  42  can be secured to the same or other supports  32 , and a fan housing  12  can be supported between the first and second mounting arrangements  40 ,  42  and between the supports  32 . In other embodiments, a single mounting arrangement  40  may be used to support the fan housing  12  in a building. 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-9B , each of the first and second mounting arrangements  40 ,  42  can include a first mounting bracket  46 , a second mounting bracket  48 , and a third mounting bracket or slide  50 . Each of the first mounting bracket  46 , the second mounting bracket  48 , and the third mounting bracket  50  of the first and second mounting arrangements  40 ,  42  can be manufactured from sheet-metal, steel, other metals, ceramics, composite materials, plastic, and the like. Because the first and second mounting arrangements  40 ,  42  and their respective first, second, and third brackets  46 ,  48 ,  50  are substantially similar, the following description refers only to the first mounting arrangement  40 . However, it should be understood that the second mounting arrangement  42  is substantially similar and is not described in detail hereafter only for reasons of clarity and brevity. 
         [0032]    The first mounting bracket  46  includes an outer end  56  and an inner end  58 . The outer end  56  includes a first outwardly extending flange  60  and a second outwardly extending flange  62 . The first flange  60  extends outwardly from the outer end  56  of the first mounting bracket  46  and is oriented at an angle α (shown in  FIG. 5C ) of between about 80 degrees and about 100 degrees with respect to the first mounting bracket  46 . In other embodiments, the first flange  60  can be oriented at other angles α with respect to the outer end  56  of the first mounting bracket  46 , such as, for example, between about 120 degrees and about 100 degrees, between about 60 degrees and about 80 degrees, or between about 40 degrees and about 60 degrees. In still other embodiments, the first flange  60  can be substantially co-planar with the outer end  56  of the first mounting bracket  46 . 
         [0033]    Fasteners  30  can be inserted through apertures  66  in the first flange  60  to connect the first mounting bracket  46  to a side surface of a structural support  32 . In some embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 1-5C , the first flange  60  can include two or more apertures  66  to provide multiple mounting locations. 
         [0034]    Alternatively or in addition, in some embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 1-5C , fasteners  30  can be mounted on the first flange  60  and can be maintained in a first or retracted position, in which an outer end or tip of the fastener  30  is retracted or substantially retracted with respect to an outer surface of the first flange  60 . In these embodiments, a retainer, such as, for example, a washer a clip, and the like, can be used to mount the fastener  30  on the first flange  60  and to maintain the fastener  30  in the retracted position. In other embodiments, the fastener  30  can include outwardly extending threads, ribs, or other protrusions for frictionally engaging the first flange  60  to maintain the fastener  30  in the retracted position. As explained below in greater detail, after positioning the hanger assembly  10  in a structure and after positioning the first flange  60  adjacent to a support  32 , an operator can move the fastener  30  from the retracted position toward an extended position, in which the fastener  30  engages the support  32  to secure the first mounting bracket  46  to the structural support  32 . 
         [0035]    In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 1-5C , the second flange  62  extends outwardly from the first flange  60  and is oriented in a plane which is substantially normal to the first flange  60  and substantially normal to the body of the first mounting bracket  46 . Fasteners  30  can also or alternately be inserted through apertures  66  in the second flange  62  to connect the second mounting bracket  48  to a lower surface  68  of a structural support  32 . In some embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 1-5C , the second flange  62  can include two or more apertures  66  to provide multiple mounting locations. 
         [0036]    In some embodiments, fasteners  30  can be mounted on the second flange  62  and can be maintained in a first or retracted position, in which an outer end or tip of the fastener  30  is retracted or substantially retracted with respect to an outer surface of the second flange  62 . 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIGS. 4-5C , the first mounting bracket  46  can have a substantially C-shaped cross-section and can include an upwardly extending lip or rail  69 , a downwardly extending lip or rail  70 , and a central rib  72  extending along the first mounting bracket  46  between the outer and inner ends  56 ,  58 . In other embodiments, the first mounting bracket  46  can take a number of different forms and can have a number of different cross-sectional shapes, including without limitation a D-shaped cross-sectional shape, a square cross-sectional shape, a triangular cross-sectional shape, a strip having a dimpled, ribbed, or other varying cross-sectional shape, and the like. Alternatively or in addition, the first mounting bracket  46  can have one, three, or more outwardly extending rails  69  located on the upper, lower, side, rear, or front surfaces of the first mounting bracket  46 . 
         [0038]    In some embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 1-9B , the second mounting bracket  48  can have a substantially similar shape to the first mounting bracket  46 . As shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  6 A, and  6 B, the second mounting bracket  48  includes an outer end  78  and an inner end  80 . The outer end  78  includes a first outwardly extending flange  82  and a second outwardly extending flange  84 . The first flange  82  extends outwardly from the outer end  78  of the second mounting bracket  48  and is oriented at an angle β of between about 80 degrees and about 100 degrees with respect to the second mounting bracket  48 . 
         [0039]    In other embodiments, the first flange  82  can be oriented at other angles β with respect to the outer end  78  of the second mounting bracket  48 , such as, for example, between about 100 degrees and about 120 degrees, between about 60 degrees and about 80 degrees, or between about 40 degrees and about 60 degrees. In still other embodiments, the first flange  82  can be substantially co-planar with the outer end  78  of the second mounting bracket  48 . 
         [0040]    The second flange  84  extends outwardly from the first flange  82  and is oriented in a plane which is substantially normal to the first flange  82  and substantially normal to the body of the second mounting bracket  48 . 
         [0041]    Fasteners  30  can be inserted through apertures  66  in the first flange  82  to connect the second mounting bracket  48  to a side surface  85  of a structural support  32  and/or through apertures  66  in the second flange  84  to connect the second mounting bracket  48  to a lower surface  68  of the structural support  32 . In some embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 4 ,  6 A, and  6 B, the first flange  82  and/or the second flange  84  can include two or more apertures  66  to provide multiple mounting locations. 
         [0042]    In some embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 4 ,  6 A, and  6 B, fasteners  30  can be mounted on the first flange  82  and the second flange  84  and can be maintained in a first or retracted position, in which an outer end or tip of the fastener  30  is retracted or substantially retracted with respect to outer surfaces of the first flange  82  and the second flange  84 , respectively. In these embodiments, a retainer, such as, for example, a washer a clip, and the like, can be used to mount the fastener  30  on the first and second flanges  82 ,  84  and to maintain the fastener  30  in the retracted position. In other embodiments, the fastener  30  can include outwardly extending threads, ribs, or other protrusions for frictionally engaging the first and second flanges  82 ,  84  to maintain the fastener  30  in the retracted position. As explained below in greater detail, after positioning the hanger assembly  10  in a structure and after positioning the first and second flanges  82 ,  84  adjacent to a support  32 , an operator can move the fastener(s)  30  from the retracted position toward an extended position, in which the fastener(s)  30  engages the support  32 . 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  6 A, and  6 B, the second mounting bracket  48  can have a substantially C-shaped cross-section and can include an upwardly extending lip or rail  88 , a downwardly extending lip or rail  90 , and a central rib  92  extending along the second mounting bracket  48  between the outer and inner ends  78 ,  80 . In other embodiments, the second mounting bracket  48  can take a number of different forms and can have a number of different cross-sectional shapes, including without limitation a D-shaped cross-sectional shape, a square cross-sectional shape, a triangular cross-sectional shape, a strip having a dimpled, ribbed, or other varying cross-sectional shape, and the like. Alternatively or in addition, the second mounting bracket  48  can have one, three, or more outwardly extending rails  88  located on the upper, lower, side, rear, or front surfaces of the second mounting bracket  48 . 
         [0044]    As shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  7 A,  7 B, and  8 , the third mounting bracket  50  can have a substantially C-shaped cross-section and can include two inwardly extending tabs  96 , which together define a channel  98  extending along an exterior surface  100  of the third mounting bracket  50 . In other embodiments, the third mounting bracket  50  can take a number of different forms and can have a number of different cross-sectional shapes, including without limitation a D-shaped cross-sectional shape, a square cross-sectional shape, a triangular cross-sectional shape, a strip having a dimpled, ribbed, or other varying cross-sectional shape, and the like. 
         [0045]    In some embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 4 ,  7 A,  7 B, and  8 , the third mounting bracket  50  includes outwardly extending spacers  104  positioned along an interior surface  106  of the third mounting bracket  50 . In other embodiments, the third mounting bracket  50  can have one, three, or more spacers  104 . 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , outer ends of the spacers  104  can be connected to one of the side walls  16 ,  18  of the fan housing  12  to secure the fan housing  12  to the hanger assembly  10 . In other embodiments, the spacers  104  can also or alternately be connected to the front and back walls  20 ,  22  of the fan housing  12  to secure the fan housing  12  to the hanger assembly  10 . The spacers  104  can be sized to provide clearance between other elements of the hanger assembly  10  (e.g., the first, second, and the third mounting brackets  46 ,  48 ,  50 ) and the mounting flanges  34  and/or other elements supported on the exterior of or extending outwardly from the fan housing  12 . In this manner, the hanger assembly  10  can be used to mount a number of differently configured fan housings  12  in structures without requiring substantial modification to the hanger assembly  10  or the fan housings  12 . 
         [0047]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the first and second mounting brackets  46 ,  48  slidingly engage the third mounting bracket  50  and are movable relative to the third mounting bracket  50  to adjust a length  105  of the first mounting arrangement  40  measured between the outer end  56  of the first mounting bracket  46  and the outer end  78  of the second mounting bracket  48 . More particularly, the upwardly and downwardly extending rails  60 ,  62  of the first mounting bracket  46  slidingly engage the inwardly extending tabs  96  of the third mounting bracket  50  to slidingly connect the first and third mounting brackets  46 ,  50  and the upwardly and downwardly extending rails  88 ,  90  of the second mounting bracket  48  slidingly engage the inwardly extending tabs  96  of the third mounting bracket  50  to slidingly connect the second and third mounting brackets  48 ,  50 . In addition and as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 , and  4 , in some embodiments, the inner end  80  of the second mounting bracket  48  can be moved across and into overlapping engagement with the inner end  58  of the first mounting bracket  46  to further adjust the length  105  of the first mounting arrangement  40 . 
         [0048]    In operation, an installer inserts fasteners  30  through the exterior surface  100  of the third mounting bracket  50 , through the spacers  104 , and into the fan housing  12 . The operator then inserts the inner end  58  of the first mounting bracket  46  into the channel  98  of the third mounting bracket  50  and slidingly engages the upwardly and downwardly extending rails  69 ,  70  and the inwardly extending tabs  96  of the third mounting bracket  50 . Next, the installer inserts the inner end  80  of the second mounting bracket  48  into the channel  98  of the third mounting bracket  50  and slidingly engages the upwardly and downwardly extending rails  88 ,  90  and the inwardly extending tabs  96  of the third mounting bracket  50 . 
         [0049]    After the first mounting arrangement  40  is secured to the fan housing  12 , the installer positions the first mounting arrangement  40  and the fan housing  12  in a building structure adjacent to one or more supports  32 . The installer can then move the first and/or second mounting brackets  46 ,  48  along the channel  98  and relative to the third mounting bracket  50  to adjust the length  105  between the outer ends  56 ,  78  of the first and second mounting brackets  46 ,  48  to fit the first mounting arrangement  40  between adjacent supports  32 . In alternate embodiments, an installer can assemble the first, second, and third mounting brackets  46 ,  48 ,  50  and can then secure the third mounting bracket  50  and/or the spacers  104  to the fan housing  12 . 
         [0050]    The installer can then position the first flange  60  of the first mounting bracket  46  on a side surface  85  of a support  32  and position the second flange  62  of the first mounting bracket  46  on a lower surface  68  of the support  32 . The installer positions the first flange  82  of the second mounting bracket  48  on a side surface  85  of an adjacent support  32  and positions the second flange  84  of the second mounting bracket  48  on the lower surface  68  of the same support  32 . In this manner, the installer can orient the first mounting arrangement  40  and the fan housing  12  in a desired orientation with respect to the lower surface  68  of the supports  32  so that at least one of the first mounting arrangement  40  and the fan housing  12  can be recessed a predetermined distance  108  (e.g., three-eighths of an inch, half an inch, seven-eighths of an inch) from the lower surface  68  of the support  32  to provide clearance for drywall, plaster, or other wall coverings or wall forming elements without requiring the installer to manually measure the distance  108  between the lower surface  68  of the supports  32  and the lower surface of the fan housing  12  and/or the distance between the lower surface  68  of the supports  32  and the first mounting arrangement  40 . 
         [0051]    In other embodiments, the engagement between the second flange  62  of the first mounting bracket  46  and the lower surface  68  of a support  32  and between the second flange  84  of the second mounting bracket  48  and the lower surface  68  of an adjacent support  32  can orient the first mounting arrangement  40  and the fan housing  12  in a desired orientation with respect to the lower surface  68  of the supports  32  so that at least one of the first mounting arrangement  40  and the fan housing  12  extends outwardly a predetermined distance beyond the lower surface  68  of the supports  32  for engagement with a fan housing cover, a grill, or other similar structure. 
         [0052]    In still other embodiments, the engagement between the second flange  62  of the first mounting bracket  46  and the lower surface  68  of a support  32  and between the second flange  84  of the second mounting bracket  48  and the lower surface  68  of an adjacent support  32  can orient the first mounting arrangement  40  and the fan housing  12  in a desired orientation with respect to the lower surface  68  of the supports  32  so that the lower surface  68  of the support  32  is substantially aligned with the lower surface of the first mounting arrangement  40  and/or the fan housing  12 . In these embodiments, the predetermined distance  108  is substantially zero. 
         [0053]    By positioning the first and second flanges  60 ,  62  of the first mounting bracket  46  and the first and second mounting flanges  82 ,  84  of the second mounting bracket  48  on the side and lower surfaces  68  of adjacent supports  32 , the installer can also orient the first mounting arrangement  40  and the fan housing  12  to be square, true, and plumb with respect to the supports  32 . The installer can support the first mounting arrangement  40  and the fan housing  12  with one hand while using his second hand to adjust the length of the first mounting arrangement  40  and to position the flanges  60 ,  62 ,  82 ,  84  of the first and second mounting brackets  46 ,  48  on the supports  32 . 
         [0054]    The installer then secures the first mounting arrangement  40  to the supports  32 . In embodiments of the hanger assembly  10  having fasteners  30  pre-mounted on any of the flanges  60 ,  62 ,  82 ,  84  of the first and second mounting brackets  46 ,  48 , the operator can hold the first mounting arrangement  40  and the fan housing  12  in a desired position and in a desired orientation adjacent to the supports  32  with one hand while driving the fasteners  30  into the supports  32  with a second hand. 
         [0055]    In some embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 1-4 , the fan housing  12  can be supported by two mounting arrangements  40 ,  42  between two or more supports  32 . In these embodiments, the installer can secure the spacers  104  and the third mounting brackets  50  of both the first and second mounting arrangements  40 ,  42  to respective side walls  16 ,  18  of the fan housing  12 . The installer can then connect the first and second mounting arrangements  40 ,  42  to the supports  32  as described above with respect to the first mounting arrangement  40 . 
         [0056]    After the first mounting assembly (and the second mounting assembly  42  in embodiments having first and second mounting arrangements  40 ,  42 ) are connected to the supports  32 , the installer can secure the first, second, and third mounting brackets  46 ,  48 ,  50  of the first mounting arrangement  40  together by crimping the inwardly extending tabs  96  into engagement around the upwardly and downwardly extending rails  69 ,  70 ,  90 ,  92  of the first and second mounting brackets  46 ,  48  to reduce or prevent relative movement between the first, second, and third mounting brackets  46 ,  48 ,  50 . In a similar manner, the installer can also secure the first, second, and third mounting brackets  46 ,  48 ,  50  of the second mounting arrangement  42  together to reduce or prevent relative movement between the first, second, and third mounting brackets  46 ,  48 ,  50 . 
         [0057]    Various alternatives and embodiments are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.