Mounting bracket for electrical fixtures

A mounting assembly for connecting a housing of an electrical fixture to an electrical junction box, in which a plate attached to the housing includes a locking member having an engager at a first end moveable relative to the plate between a first position and a second position. A locking post adapted for connecting to an electrical junction box includes a receiver for engaging the engager. The locking post secures the housing to the electrical junction box upon moving the locking member to the second position to engage the engager with the receiver of the locking post. A method of attaching a housing for an electrical fixture to an electrical junction box is disclosed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to electrical fixtures. More particularly, the present invention relates to mounting brackets for securing electrical fixtures to junction boxes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electrical fixtures typically attach to junction boxes for supporting the fixtures and for providing enclosures for electrical wiring connections between an electric current supply and the fixture. Junction boxes used for lighting often have an open side and a cross member attaches with screws to ears of the junction box. A stem extends from the cross member. The stem extends through an opening in the fixture. A nut threads on the stem to secure the fixture to the stem and thus to the junction box. In other fixtures, spaced-apart openings in the fixture receive screws that threadingly engage openings in the cross member.

While this has been useful in connecting fixtures to junction boxes, the installation of the fixture raises problems. The structure of the fixture is limited by the need to provide access to the stem or the separate screws for connecting the fixture to the junction box. In some fixtures, a separate connection is required to secure the fixture to a transition member that rigidly connects to the junction box or the cross member. It also takes some time and skill to properly align the fixture to the junction box and tighten the nut or the screws that secure the fixture to the junction box. Wiring connections between the fixture and the junction box also presents problems.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a mounting bracket for securing electrical fixtures to junction boxes. It is to such that the present invention is directed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the above-described problems in the prior art by providing a mounting assembly for mounting a housing of an electrical fixture to an electrical junction box with a plate adapted for connecting to the housing. A locking member defining an engager at a first end slidably engages the plate for movement of the locking member relative to the plate between a first position and a second position. A locking post adapted for connecting to the electrical junction box includes a receiver that engages the engager. The plate receives the locking post and secures the housing to the electrical junction box upon moving the locking member to the second position to engage the engager with the receiver of the locking post.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of attaching a housing for an electrical fixture to an electrical junction box, comprising the steps of:(a) attaching a locking post to an electrical junction box; and(b) moving a locking member coupled to a housing for an electrical fixture from a first position to a second position to engage the locking member to the locking post,whereby the locking member engaged with the locking post secures the housing to the electrical junction box.

Objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following detailed description of the invention and claims in view of the appended drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now in more detail to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views,FIG. 1illustrates in perspective view a mounting bracket10according to the present invention for securing a housing12of an electrical fixture to a junction box14attached to a joist16illustrated in a ceiling portion of a room. The mounting bracket10includes an upper assembly15and a lower hanging assembly17.

The lower hanging assembly17includes a plate18configured for being received by the housing12. A wall or flange20extends from an edge of a first side19of the plate18. The flange20includes portions21that each define an opening22. In the illustrated embodiment, the portions21are thickened relative to the flange20. The openings22are threaded for receiving screws23. The first side19of the plate includes support ribs24generally for rigidity. The plate18defines an opening26which in the illustrated embodiment is positioned central to the plate18. A plurality of arcuate flanges29extend from the plate18about the opening26. The flanges29are spaced-apart to define gaps31, for a purpose discussed below. The plate18further defines a second opening28and a third opening27that are each offset from the opening26, for purposes discussed below.

The housing12is configured for receiving the plate18. An edge portion of the housing18defines openings30that align with the openings22in the flange20when the plate18connects to the housing12. The screws23pass through the respective aligned openings30,22to secure the plate18to the housing12. The housing12encloses electrical components of an electrical fixture to be attached to the electrical junction box. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing12encloses a transformer (not illustrated) that provides electrical current to a ribbon-track lighting fixture generally34. An edge portion of the housing12defines a slot36. In the illustrated embodiment, one of the openings30is between the slot36and an edge of the housing12.

The upper assembly15includes a cross-member40. The cross-member40defines opposing slots42and a central opening44, as illustrated in detailed break-away view. A locking post46attaches to the cross-member40. The locking post46defines a first threaded end48and an opposing flanged end50. The threaded end48extends through the opening44and engages a nut52to secure the locking post46to the cross member40. The flanged end50defines a recessed groove54extending about the exterior of the locking post46. The groove54is defined intermediate a distal flange51and a support flange53. The distal flange51is sized for being received in the opening26of the plate18. The support flange53extends radially outwardly to an extent that is greater than the edge of the distal flange51. A pair of opposing arms55project radially from the support flange53and are sized for being received in the gaps31defined by the arcuate flanges29on the plate18. The cross member40defines opposing openings57as well as an opening59for a conventional ground screw. A portion49of the locking post46adjacent the support flange53defines opposing flat faces for receiving a tool for holding the locking post46while tightening the nut52to secure the locking post to the cross member40.

The electrical junction box14is conventional and mounts with fasteners (not illustrated) to the joist16. As illustrated in cut-away view, the junction box14includes opposing ears56that define openings. Screws58extend through the openings57(or the slots42) in the cross member40as well as through the openings in the ears56to secure the cross-member40to the electrical junction box14. The electrical junction box14defines knock-outs or openings60for passage of a conduit58carrying electrical wires into the junction box14for connecting and supplying electrical current to an electrical fixture, such as the fixture34.

FIG. 2illustrates in perspective view an opposing side62of the plate18with a locking member63exploded away. A pair of flanges64extend from either side of the opening26to define a track66. The flanges64each have a pair of spaced-apart tabs68that extend towards the tabs68on the opposing flange64. Recesses70,71are defined in the inward face surfaces of the opposing flanges64. The recesses70,71in the illustrated embodiment are substantially in alignment with the tabs68. A stop72extends from the plate18beyond a distal extent of at least one of the flanges64and on an opposing side of the opening26. The stop72is disposed generally transverse to the track66. A open loop74extends from the plate18adjacent the opening27. A ring78attaches a chain80to the loop74. The chain80extends through the opening27. A hook82attaches to a distal end of the chain80.

The lower hanging assembly15further includes a locking member63adapted to be received on the track66for sliding movement guided by the opposing flanges64. The locking member63defines an engager86at a first distal end and a locking device88at an opposing distal end. The engager86includes a pair of spaced-apart arms92that extend longitudinally. The arms92define an arcuate slot94in the distal portion of the locking member63. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner edges of the arms92that define the slot94are arcuate to define at least a portion of a cylinder for engaging the groove54in the locking post46. A projection98extends from an outer edge of each arm92in a distal portion thereof. The projection98is detachably receivable in respective recesses70,71, as discussed below.

The locking device88includes a U-shaped handle or frame100that defines an opening102. The frame100extends from a main body portion of the locking device88. An arm104attaches at a first end to the main body portion as a cantilever inwardly of the frame100. The arm104tapers from a narrow thickness at the connection with the main body portion to a greater thickness in an intermediate portion of the arm. The arm104terminates in a tab106that extends longitudinally from a stop wall108at the intermediate portion of the arm towards an outer extent of the frame100. The arm104moves relative to the frame100, as indicated by the arrow109, as discussed below.

FIG. 3illustrates a perspective partial view of the locking member63slidably received by the plate18with the locking device88including the frame100and arm104extending from the slot36of the housing12. The locking member63is disposed in a first position for connecting the housing12to the junction box14, as discussed below.

FIG. 4illustrates in detailed perspective cut-away view the locking member63of the mounting bracket10in a second position engaged to the locking post46for securing the housing12to the junction box14. The arms92of the engager86extend beyond the opening26and the edges of the arms are received in the groove54of the locking post46. The support flange53(shown in partial cut-away) seats on the plate surface19about the opening26while the distal flange51is received within the opening26.

The mounting bracket10of the present invention secures the housing12to the junction box14. With respect toFIG. 2, the lower hanging assembly15assembles with the track66slidingly receiving the locking member63between the flanges64. The tabs68hold the locking member63in the track66and prevent the locking member from movement outside a plane relatively parallel to and in close proximity with the plate18. The recesses70,71receive the projections98as detents during longitudinal movement of the locking member84relative to the plate as guided by the flanges64.

With reference toFIGS. 1 and 3, the plate18is inverted for being received in the open end of the housing12. The electrical wires from the electrical device in the housing12(in the illustrated embodiment, a transformer) thread from the second side62of the plate through the opening28to the first side19of the plate. The chain80passes through the opening27and attaches with the ring78to the loop74. The locking device88of the locking member63inserts through the slot36. The screws23thread through the openings30in the housing12and the aligned openings22in the plate18to secure the plate18to the housing12.

With reference toFIG. 1, the mounting bracket10is used to support the housing12from the electrical junction box14. The cross member40with the locking post46attaches to the electrical junction box14. This is accomplished by passing screws through the holes57in the cross member40and into the openings in the ears56of the junction box14. The flanged end50of the locking post46extends downwardly from the junction box14in the ceiling.

The housing12closed by the plate18is then attachable to the cross member40and thereby to the electrical junction box14. First, the hook82attaches to the cross member40, such as by engaging one of the slots42. The chain80suspends the lower hanging assembly is including the housing12from the cross member40. The electric wires extending through the opening28, such as those associated with the transformer, are then wired to the electrical wires58extending from the junction box14. With the housing12suspended b by the chain80, the installer readily connects the electrical wires without having to hold the housing12.

Second, the hook82is disengaged from the cross member40while holding the housing12. It is to be appreciated that the chain80and its function of suspending the housing12facilitates wiring and installation, but is not a component or needed element of the mounting bracket10.

Being held, the housing12is then raised to a position generally below the cross member40. As illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4, the opening26is aligned with the locking post46depending from the cross member40. The flanged end50of the locking post46inserts into the plate18through the central opening26. The distal flange51fits into the opening26. The arms55align with and are received in opposing gaps31between the aracuate flanges29. The support flange53seats against the first side19of the plate18. The arms55in the gaps31prevent the locking post46from rotating relative to the plate18.

The plate18is then secured to the cross member40. With reference toFIGS. 3 and 4, this is accomplished by moving the locking member63from its first position (FIG. 3) with the locking device88outwardly of the housing12to a second position (FIG. 4) with only a tip portion of the locking device extending from the housing. The locking member63slidingly moves along the track66guided by the flanges66and the tabs68. This sliding movement causes the arms92to move into the groove54in the locking post46. The projections98detach from the detent recesses71as the locking member63moves longitudinally towards the opening26. The projections98contact distal ends of the flanges64. The groove54of the locking post46receives the arcuate portion of the slot94in the engager86and thereby the arms92engage the locking member63to the locking post46. This secures the housing12to the cross member40and thus to the electrical junction box14.

As indicated above, the arm104moves109relative to the frame100as the locking device88moves longitudinally through the slot36. The edge of the slot bears on the sloped surface of the arm and causes the arm104to move109in within the frame100. Once the stop wall108clears the wall of the housing12by continued longitudinal movement of the locking member63, the arm104moves in an opposite direction. The stop wall108then bears against an inner wall of the housing12. The tab106and a tip portion of the frame100remain extending out of the slot36. However, the stop wall108prevents the locking member63from independent opposing longitudinal movement out of engagement with the locking post46. As explained above, simultaneous with longitudinal movement of the locking member63, the arms92move into the groove54of the flanged end50of the locking post46. The locking post46thereby communicates the loading of the housing12to the cross member40and thus to the electrical junction box14. It is to be appreciated that the stop72prevents the locking member63from further movement.

The housing12may however be removed if necessary. This is accomplished by disengaging the mounting bracket10from the junction box14. First, the arm104is moved relative to the frame100until the distal edge of the stop wall108is disposed fully within the opening102defined by the frame100. This is accomplished by pushing the tab108, for example, with a flat blade device, such a screw driver. Pushing on the tab108causes the arm104to move and bring the distal edge of the tapered portion within the opening of the frame100. While the housing12is being held, the locking member80is then pulled outwardly away from the wall of the housing through the slot36. The face of the sloped portion of the arm104slides in contact with an edge of the slot36. As the locking member80moves outwardly, the arms92retract relative to the groove54and thereby disengage the slot94from the locking post46. The hook82is engaged to the cross member40, and the hosing allowed to suspend by the chain80. The electrical wires are then disconnected. The hook82is released from the cross member40and the housing12removed.

This specification has described the present invention that provides the mounting bracket for securing electrical fixtures to junction boxes, which mounting bracket readily attaches and detaches while holding the electrical fixture engaged to the junction box. It is to be understood, however, that numerous changes and variations may be made in the construction of the present wipe pad within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and that modifications and changes may be made therein without departing from the scope thereof as set forth in the appended claims.