Abstract:
A prepackaged mounting assembly for securing an electrical fixture to a sloped ceiling. The prepackaged assembly securely holds all the hardware needed for attaching the mounting block to an overhead beam, including fasteners, without the need for an outer wrap or separate packaging for each separate mounting assembly. The mounting assembly includes two embodiments, one for use with a cathedral ceiling and one for use with a vaulted ceiling. The mounting assembly includes a box having an open top, a closed bottom, a side wall, and an integral electrical wiring enclosure. Integral holsters are provided for temporary storage of threaded fasteners. The wiring enclosure includes a top wall having a seat thereon for flush fitting against an appropriate brace. The box is secured to a brace, the brace secured to an overhead rafter on a sloped ceiling, and an electrical fixture secured to the mounting assembly by removing the threaded fasteners from their respective holsters and securing them through the bracket of the electrical fixture, through receiving apertures in the mounting assembly, and into the brace.

Description:
This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/287,088 entitled “Prepackaged Mounting Assembly”, filed Nov. 4, 2002 still pending which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/012,584 entitled “Prepackaged Mounting Assembly, filed Nov. 7, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,509,524 and a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/017,571 entitled “Electrical Fixture Mounting Box and Mounting Assembly”, filed Oct. 22, 2001 still pending which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/784,981 entitled “Electrical Fixture Mounting Box and Mounting Assembly”, filed Feb. 16, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,355,883. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to devices and methods for mounting ceiling fans and other large and heavy electrical fixtures to sloped ceilings. More particularly, the present invention describes a mounting block that includes an integral electrical junction box for completing wiring connections, fasteners held in temporary storage locations for the purpose of securing the mounting block to a structural support, and fasteners held in temporary storage locations for the purpose of securing an electrical fixture to the mounting block. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Recently, in the hardware and construction industry, it has become desirable to include fasteners with each separate device used. Electrical mounting devices such as outlet boxes for example, are supplied by the manufacturer with fasteners attached to each separate device. This allows a hardware outlet to display and market a total package to the consumer, freeing the consumer from separately finding and purchasing the fasteners required to complete the job. It also eliminates the time and effort required for the consumer to locate the correct bin and obtain the correct fastener. By supplying the correct fasteners with each device, both the homeowner and professional installers are freed of the task of locating fasteners at the time of installation. Prepackaged fasteners therefore are very convenient and desirable in modern construction or remodeling projects. 
     One application that would benefit from prepackaged fasteners includes those homes and commercial buildings that include sloped ceilings. It is a common desire to hang electrical fixtures such as lights and fans from the sloped ceiling. Although many mounting devices have been proposed for this task, they typically do not include prepackaged fasteners as part of the mounting device. This forces the installer to obtain the fasteners separately and have them ready at the time of installation. In addition, if the fasteners are not conveniently located with the mounting device, it becomes quite tedious for an installer to hold the mounting device overhead while inserting a fastener, thread the fastener into a support structure, and tighten the fastener therein enough to secure the device to the structure. 
     Several manufacturers have sought to include fasteners with the mounting device by packaging the device in a container, such as a box, and including the fasteners in a separate container within the box, such as a plastic bag. This solves the problem of obtaining the fasteners separately, but is undesirable as the packaging adds to the cost of the device and the fasteners are not held in a location convenient to the job. The installer must typically remember to remove the bag of fasteners and carry it with the device to the installation site. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,762,223 to Kerr, Jr. (hereinafter the &#39;223 patent) provides a device for mounting ceiling-suspended electrical fixtures to a sloped ceiling that includes prepackaged fasteners. This disclosure proposes either a pair of transversely extending narrow grooves or bosses that cooperate with semi-circular dependent posts to store mounting screws during shipment and until ready for use. As the screws of the &#39;223 patent have very limited surface contact with the surrounding structure, the frictional fit is limited and therefore the mounting screws can easily be jarred loose during shipment. It therefore becomes necessary to wrap the mounting assembly or provide an outer package to hold the mounting screws inside the assembly during storage and shipment. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,355,883 to Gretz, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, therefore proposed a mounting assembly that included extended recesses and apertures the purpose and utility of which was to provide a location for the placement of mounting bolts or screws during shipment and prior to installation. As stated in this disclosure, the inclusion of mounting bolts or screws, frictionally engaged in apertures assures the immediate availability of such fasteners at the appropriate time to the installation process. 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/017,571, filed Oct. 22, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, proposed a mounting assembly for a level ceiling including a junction box and at least one holster included with the box. The holster comprised an integral tubular projection from the box with the tubular projection open to and communicating with the interior volume at a first end joining the box and either open or closed at a second end away from the box. This disclosure therefore proposed an electrical device mounting assembly that provided prepackaged fasteners. The prepackaged fasteners are provided in temporary storage receptacles during storage and shipment of the box. At the assembly site, the fasteners are typically moved to the appropriate location for anchoring the box. 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/012,584, filed Nov. 7, 2001, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/287,088, filed Nov. 4, 2002, both incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, provided an L-shaped mounting assembly for flush mounting on a level rafter. The mounting assemblies included integral holsters as temporary storage locations for fasteners during storage and shipment. The holsters provide a temporary storage location for the fasteners, protect their ends while storing them therein, and hold the fasteners securely until they are purposely removed by the user. 
     Although the above referenced inventions and disclosures provide various mounting assemblies, they do not provide an adequate prepackaged mounting assembly for a sloped ceiling including an arrangement for temporary storage of fasteners. What is therefore needed to overcome deficiencies in the prior art is a prepackaged mounting assembly for mounting electrical fixtures on sloped ceilings. 
     The mounting assembly of the present invention will therefore include all required mounting fasteners with the assembly. 
     The mounting assembly will furthermore provide a means of holding the fasteners very securely, so that there will be no loss or displacement of fasteners during storage or shipment. 
     The mounting assembly will hold the fasteners in a manner that the ends of the fasteners are protected during storage and shipment. 
     The present invention therefore provides a mounting assembly that does not require separate packaging enclosing it or enclosing fasteners provided separately with the assembly. 
     The present invention will furthermore provide a mounting block including an integral junction box for wiring connections. 
     The mounting assembly of the present invention also provides an assembly that allows easy mounting of electrical fixtures to sloped ceilings. 
     These, and other advantages will be apparent to a person skilled in the art by reading the attached description along with reference to the attached drawings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention, there is provided a mounting assembly for securing an electrical fixture, such as a ceiling fan, light fixture, or similar device to a sloped ceiling. The mounting assembly includes two embodiments, one for use with a cathedral ceiling and one for use with a vaulted ceiling. The mounting assembly includes a box having an open top, a closed bottom, a side wall, and an electrical wiring enclosure integral with the closed bottom. Provided with the box are integral holsters for temporary storage of threaded fasteners. The electrical enclosure includes a top wall having a seat thereon for flush fitting against an appropriate brace and an initial fastening screw partially secured in a boss below the seat. The box is secured to a brace using the initial fastening screw, the brace is secured to an overhead rafter on a sloped ceiling, and an electrical fixture installed to the mounting assembly by removing the threaded fasteners from their respective holsters and securing them through the bracket of the electrical fixture and into the brace. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a prepackaged mounting assembly for mounting an electrical fixture to a cathedral ceiling, showing the mounting assembly secured to a rafter and electrical cable and wiring fed into the integral electrical box. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a prepackaged mounting assembly for mounting an electrical fixture to a vaulted ceiling, showing the mounting assembly secured to a rafter and electrical cable and wiring fed into the integral electrical box. 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the prepackaged mounting assembly of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the prepackaged mounting assembly taken along lines  4 — 4  of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the prepackaged mounting assembly taken along lines  5 — 5  of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a boss integral with the top wall of the electrical junction box. 
     FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the boss of FIG.  6  and showing a fastener secured therein. 
     FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of a holster according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the holster of FIG.  8  and showing a threaded fastener secured therein. 
     FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the prepackaged mounting assembly of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the prepackaged mounting assembly taken along lines  11 — 11  of FIG.  10 . 
     FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the prepackaged mounting assembly taken along lines  12 — 12  of FIG.  10 . 
    
    
     TABLE OF NOMENCLATURE 
     The following is a listing of part numbers used in the drawings along with a brief description: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Part Number 
                 Description 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 20 
                 prepackaged mounting assembly 
               
               
                   
                 21 
                 rafter 
               
               
                   
                 22 
                 box 
               
               
                   
                 24 
                 open top 
               
               
                   
                 26 
                 closed bottom 
               
               
                   
                 28 
                 bottom surface 
               
               
                   
                 30 
                 side wall 
               
               
                   
                 30A 
                 short wall 
               
               
                   
                 30B 
                 extended wall 
               
               
                   
                 31A 
                 short wall 
               
               
                   
                 31B 
                 high wall 
               
               
                   
                 31C 
                 extended wall 
               
               
                   
                 32 
                 electrical enclosure 
               
               
                   
                 34 
                 top wall of electrical enclosure 
               
               
                   
                 36 
                 top surface of top wall 
               
               
                   
                 38 
                 bottom surface of top wall 
               
               
                   
                 40 
                 first aperture 
               
               
                   
                 42 
                 bosses 
               
               
                   
                 44 
                 initial fastener 
               
               
                   
                 46 
                 holster 
               
               
                   
                 48 
                 tube-like receptacles 
               
               
                   
                 50 
                 threaded fastener 
               
               
                   
                 52 
                 fastening arrangement 
               
               
                   
                 54 
                 side wall of electrical enclosure 
               
               
                   
                 55 
                 aperture 
               
               
                   
                 56 
                 tubular walls 
               
               
                   
                 58 
                 frangible wall section 
               
               
                   
                 60 
                 cable fitting 
               
               
                   
                 64 
                 integral tang 
               
               
                   
                 66 
                 interior volume of electrical enclosure 
               
               
                   
                 68 
                 wall section 
               
               
                   
                 70 
                 top inner bore 
               
               
                   
                 72 
                 bottom inner bore 
               
               
                   
                 74 
                 smooth interior side wall 
               
               
                   
                 75 
                 central bore of holster 
               
               
                   
                 76 
                 open end of holster 
               
               
                   
                 77 
                 closed end of holster 
               
               
                   
                 78 
                 point of threaded fastener 
               
               
                   
                 80 
                 prepackaged mounting assembly 
               
               
                   
                 81 
                 central peak 
               
               
                   
                 82 
                 seat 
               
               
                   
                 84 
                 brace 
               
               
                   
                 86 
                 apex 
               
               
                   
                 88 
                 electrical cable 
               
               
                   
                 90 
                 knockout 
               
               
                   
                 92 
                 peak 
               
               
                   
                 94 
                 rib 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A perspective view of a first embodiment of a prepackaged mounting assembly  20  is shown in FIG.  1 . The mounting assembly of FIG. 1 is used to secure an electrical fixture (not shown) to rafters  21  at the apex of a cathedral ceiling. The mounting assembly  20  includes a box  22  having a top  24 , a closed bottom  26  with a bottom surface  28 , and a side wall  30 . An electrical enclosure  32  is integral with the closed bottom  26 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 3-5, the integral electrical enclosure  32  includes a top wall  34  having a top  36  and a bottom surface  38 . The top wall  34  of the electrical enclosure  32  includes first apertures  40 . Surrounding each first aperture  40  and integral with the bottom surface  38  are bosses  42  with initial fasteners  44  held securely therein. Integral with and extending from the top surface  36  of the electrical enclosure  32  are holsters  46 , which include tube-like receptacles  48  for receipt of threaded fasteners  50 . The top wall  34  also includes a fastening arrangement  52  near the side wall  54  of the electrical enclosure  32 . The fastening arrangement  52  includes apertures  55  surrounded by tubular walls  56 . Any fastener inserted within the fastening arrangement will be insulated from the electrical enclosure  32  by the tubular walls  56 . Frangible wall sections  58  are also provided in the top wall  34 . The frangible wall sections  58  may be removed and electrical cable fittings  60  secured therein. The cable fittings  60  typically include flexible integral tangs  64  facing inward and downward of the top wall  34  such that the tangs  64  project into the electrical enclosure  32 . The bottom surface  28  of the box  22  is a planar surface. As shown in the sectional view of FIG. 5, the top wall  34  and side walls  54  of the integral electrical enclosure  32  define an interior volume  66 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the boss  42  is integral with the top wall  34  and extends from the bottom surface  38  of the top wall. The first aperture  40  is formed within the boss and includes a wall section  68  that is self-threaded by the initial fastener  44  as it is rotated therein. The box  22  is typically formed of a rigid plastic in an injection molding operation and the rigid wall sections  68  therefore are capable of being self threaded by initial fastener  44 . 
     With reference to the sectional views of FIGS. 8 and 9, the holsters  46  include tube-like receptacles  48  having a top inner bore  70  and a bottom inner bore  72  with the top inner bore  70  of a larger diameter than the bottom inner bore  72 . Both the top  70  and bottom  72  inner bores have smooth interior side walls  74 . As shown in FIG. 9, the holster  46  provides a temporary storage location for a threaded fastener  50 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, a side sectional view is shown of a screw-retaining holster  46  that will be used to hold a fixture mounting screw for shipment with the prepackaged mounting assembly to a job site. As used within this disclosure, a holster  46  is defined as an enclosure integral with a fixture mounting box for frictionally holding a threaded fastener  50  so that it does not become separated from the box during storage and shipment, including a central bore  75  open on at least one end  76  for receipt of the threaded fastener  50  and preferably closed on its second end  77  for protecting the end of the threaded fastener. The central bore  75  of the holster  46  includes a top inner bore  70  and a bottom inner bore  72  with the top inner bore  70  of a larger diameter than the bottom inner bore  72 , as shown in FIG.  8 . Both the top  70  and bottom  72  inner bores include smooth interior side walls  74 . 
     Referring to FIG. 9, with a #12×3-inch sheet metal screw used as the threaded fastener  50 , the top inner bore  70  of the holster  46  typically measures 0.250 inch and the bottom inner bore  72  typically measures 0.190 inch. Preferably, the interior wall  74  of the top  70  and bottom  72  inner bores of each holster  46  is smooth. A smooth surface on the top inner bore  70  enables the threaded fastener  50  to easily slip into the holster  46  presenting no obstruction to the fastener as it moves therein. A smooth surface on the bottom inner bore  72  enables the threaded fastener  50  to rapidly and easily self-tap and make its own thread. The combination of the smooth surface and dimensions of the top inner bore  70  allows the threaded fastener  50 , with a nominal major thread diameter of 0.2115 inch, to enter the top inner bore easily. The threaded fastener  50  can then be screwed partially into the bottom inner bore  72 , where it makes its own threads in the smooth surface  74 , and can be advanced until it is held securely for shipment. The threaded fasteners  50  can then easily be removed by an installer at the job site and repositioned to the apertures  55  in the fastening arrangement  52 , shown in FIGS. 3 and 10, to secure a ceiling fan or other fixture to a sloped ceiling. 
     As shown in FIG. 9, once inserted in the holster  46 , the point  78  of the threaded fastener  50  is enclosed within and protected by the holster  46 . The holsters  46  therefore protect the ends or points  78  of the threaded fasteners  50  during storage and shipment of the box. The holsters also therefore provide protection to the installer, as the sharp points of the fasteners are covered until the installer is ready to transfer the fasteners to their eventual usage positions in the fastening arrangement. 
     FIG. 2 depicts a second embodiment of the prepackaged mounting assembly  80  that is used for securing an electrical fixture to a rafter  21  on the sloped portion of a vaulted ceiling. The mounting assembly  80  includes a box  22  having a top  24 , a closed bottom  26  with a bottom surface  28 , and a side wall  30 . An electrical enclosure  32  is integral with the closed bottom  26 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 10-12, the integral electrical enclosure  32  of the second embodiment of the prepackaged mounting assembly  80  includes elements analogous to those in the first embodiment, including a top wall  34  having a top  36  and a bottom surface  38 . The top wall  34  of the electrical enclosure  32  includes first apertures  40  and bosses surrounding each first aperture  40  with initial fasteners secured therein. Holsters  46  include tube-line receptacles  48  that are integral with and extend from the top surface  36  of the electrical enclosure  32 . The tube-like receptacles  48  receive threaded fasteners  50  therein. As in the first embodiment, the prepackaged mounting assembly  80  includes apertures  55  and frangible wall sections  58  which may include an electrical cable fittings  60  secured therein. The bottom surface  28  of the box  22  is a planar surface. As shown in the sectional view of FIG. 12, the top wall  34  and side walls  54  of the integral electrical enclosure  32  define an interior volume  66 . 
     The prepackaged mounting assembly of the present invention has the advantage of providing an installer all of the fasteners required to secure an electrical fixture to either the apex or non-apex area of a sloped ceiling. The first embodiment of the prepackaged mounting assembly  20  shown in FIG. 4, for example, includes two opposing short walls  30 A and two opposing extended walls  30 B, one of which is shown, that have a central peak  81 . An inverted V-shaped top peripheral edge is therefore formed by the extended walls  30 B. As shown in FIG. 5, one or more initial fasteners  44  are securely held within bosses  42  and one or more threaded fasteners  50  are securely held within holsters  46 . The central portion of the top surface  36  of the integral electrical enclosure  32  defines a seat  82 . A brace  84 , typically consisting of a short piece of wood such as a 2×4, is measured to span between two rafters  21  at the apex  86  of a ceiling, such as shown in FIG.  1 . The box  22  of the prepackaged mounting assembly  20  is typically inverted, placed against brace  84  such that the planar bottom surface  28  of the box  22  is level, and secured thereto by tightening the initial mounting screws  44  completely into the integral bosses  42  and into the brace  84 . The box  22  and brace  84  are then inverted as shown in FIG. 1, and the brace  84  secured to the rafters  21  in the desired position. An electrical cable  88  is then fed through a knockout  90  created by removal of a frangible area in the top wall  34  of the electrical enclosure  32  and into the interior volume  66  of the electrical enclosure  32 . The bracket (not shown) of an electrical fixture is then raised into close proximity of the box  22 . The spacing between the axial centers of the apertures  55  of the fastening arrangement  52  matches the apertures on a typical bracket of an electrical fixture. Furthermore, the fastening arrangements  52  are typically centered below the seat area on the top of the integral junction box. With the box  22  secured to the brace  84  and the brace secured to the rafters  21  as shown in FIG. 1, pilot holes may be drilled in alignment with the apertures  55  of the fastening arrangement  52 . The installer then simply unscrews the threaded fasteners  50  from their respective holsters, centers the apertures of the electrical fixture bracket on the apertures  55  of the fastening arrangement  52 , passes the threaded fasteners through the apertures  55  of the fastening arrangement  52 , and partially screws the fasteners  50  into the brace  84 . Wiring connections can then be completed and the wiring placed into the electrical enclosure  32 . The threaded fasteners  50  are then screwed firmly into the brace  84  thereby securing the fixture bracket and the fixture to the box  22 . 
     As should be understood by the above description, all of the hardware required to mount the box  22  of the prepackaged mounting assembly  20  to the apex of a cathedral ceiling is temporarily secured to the box  22 . The initial fasteners  44  are secured firmly into their bosses  42  and the threaded fasteners  50  are secured firmly into the holsters  46 . The fasteners  44 ,  50  are tightly secured therein to prevent their loosening or falling out during storage and shipment of the assembly  20 . However, once ready to be used, the initial fasteners  44  are easily screwed and driven further into their bosses  42  and thence into the brace  84 . The threaded fasteners  50  are easily removed from their temporary storage in the holsters  46  by a manual or mechanized screwdriver, and thence moved to the fastening arrangements  52  and driven into the brace  84 . It should be understood that this type of arrangement, using integral tube-like receptacles  48  for temporary storage of fasteners, has inherent advantages over prior art storage devices, such as storing fasteners in plastic bags or a frictional fit between pins or clips. 
     Referring to FIG. 11, the second embodiment of the prepackaged mounting assembly  80 , includes one short wall  31 A, a high wall  31 B opposite the short wall, and two opposing extended walls  31 C, one of which is shown, that angle upwards at a constant rate from the short wall  31 A to a peak  92  at the high wall  31 B. The top of the extended walls  31 C therefore form a top peripheral edge that conforms to the slope of a vaulted ceiling. As shown in FIG. 12, one or more initial fasteners  44  are securely held within bosses  42  and one or more threaded fasteners  50  are securely held within holsters  46 . The central portion of the top surface  36  of the integral electrical enclosure  32  defines a seat  82 . A brace  84 , typically consisting of a short piece of wood such as a 2×6, is cut to fit against a rafter  21 , such as shown in FIG.  2 . The box  22  of the prepackaged mounting assembly  80  is typically inverted, placed against brace  84  such that the planar bottom surface  28  of the box  22  is level, and secured thereto by tightening the initial mounting screws  44  completely into the integral bosses  42  and into the brace  84 . The box  22  and brace  84  are then inverted as shown in FIG. 1, and the brace  84  secured to the rafters  21  in the desired position. 
     The remainder of the installation procedure for the second embodiment of the prepackaged mounting assembly  80  is analogous to that described above for the first embodiment. An electrical cable  88  fed into the interior volume  66  of the electrical enclosure  32 . The bracket (not shown) of an electrical fixture is raised into close proximity with the box  22 . Pilot holes are drilled in alignment with the apertures  55  of the fastening arrangement  52 . The threaded fasteners  50  are then unscrewed from their respective holsters  46 , passed through the apertures  55  of the fastening arrangement  52 , and partially screwed into the brace  84  to secure the electrical fixture to the box  22 . Wiring connections are completed, and the fasteners  50  tightened completely into the brace  84  thereby securing the fixture bracket and fixture to the box  22 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 5 and 12, when mounted within the holsters  46  for shipment and storage, essentially the entire length of each threaded fastener  50  is recessed within and protected by the side walls  54  of the electrical enclosure  32 . 
     The purpose and utility of the holsters  46  is to provide a location for the placement of threaded fasteners  50  during shipment and prior to installation. The threaded fasteners  50  may be screws, bolts, or similar threaded fasteners. As is well recognized by those employed in the electrical trades, mounting bolts or screws for the attachment of ceiling fans or other electrical fixtures are often misplaced or left at a position remote from the installation site, for example on the floor, requiring time and effort to locate the screws or bolts or the acquisition of replacements to complete an installation. The inclusion of mounting bolts or screws, frictionally engaged in holsters  46  ensures the immediate availability of such fasteners at the appropriate time in the installation process. Similarly, it is contemplated that the initial mounting fastener  44  that is used to initially fasten the box  22  of the prepackaged mounting assembly to a brace through screw-retaining boss  42  be similarly included by frictional engagement in boss  42  during shipping and prior to installation, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 12. 
     By providing a prepackaged mounting assembly, the installer avoids having to search for the proper fasteners for the job. The correct fasteners are available with the mounting box when required. Additionally, the required fasteners are held securely within the mounting box until needed, thereby allowing the distributor to package a number of prepackaged mounting assemblies in a shipping container. It is very common and desirable for distributors to package a large number of electrical devices loosely in a shipping container, as it eliminates outer wrap or packaging for each individual device. This makes it easy for a contractor to purchase a container of prepackaged mounting assemblies and pull them out individually when needed. Since each individual device is loose in the shipping container, the contractor would not be inconvenienced with the task of removing outer wrap or individual packaging from each. Packing a number of the mounting assemblies loosely within a box is also attractive to the hardware superstores that prefer to place the opened containers on store shelves for easy access by store customers. Home owners benefit by having easy access to the prepackaged mounting assemblies and by not having to search for, or separately purchase, the proper fasteners. 
     As previously mentioned, the preferred threaded fasteners  50  are typically #12×3″ sheet metal screws, making the fasteners  50  the main anchoring means for supporting the static and dynamic loads created by a typical 70 to 100 pound ceiling fan or similar fixture. The initial mounting fastener  44  also assists in supporting the load and is preferably a #10×1′ sheet metal screw. 
     The box  22  of the prepackaged mounting assemblies  20 ,  80  of the present invention is typically injection molded in one piece from a suitable plastic. The preferred material of construction may be polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, ABS, polyethylene, nylon, or polypropylene. 
     Referring to FIGS. 5 and 11, integral ribs  94  may be provided with the box to stiffen the box  22  and make it sturdier. These ribs  94  can extend along the high walls such as wall  31 B along the right side of the box  22  in FIG. 11, or provide stiffness to a short wall such as wall  31 A on the left side of the box  22  in FIG.  11 . 
     As the invention has been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the same may be varied in many ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Any and all such modifications are intended to included within the scope of the appended claims.