Patent Publication Number: US-11025043-B2

Title: Adjustable mud ring assemblies

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED CASES 
     This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/535,599, filed on Jun. 13, 2017, which is a 371 of PCT Application No. PCT/US2015/066212 filed on Dec. 16, 2015, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/092,542, filed on Dec. 16, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     1. Field of the Disclosure 
     The present disclosure is related to mud rings. More particularly, the present disclosure is related to adjustable mud ring assemblies. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Electrical devices such as, but not limited to, electrical outlets, switches, and others are typically installed in a wall or ceiling. Here, a gang or junction box is secured to a stud or support beam inside of the wall or ceiling. The electrical device is then secured in the box in electrical communication with one or more electrical conductors so that the electrical device extends or protrudes from the wall or ceiling. In this manner, any exposed portion of the electrical conductor and its connection to the electrical device can be shielded within the box. 
     Various building, electric and/or fire codes have been enacted when the box, conductor, device combination is installed in walls or ceilings to ensure safety and functionality. For example, the National Electrical Code (NEC) requires that boxes employing a flush-type cover or faceplate must be installed so that a front edge of the box, or plaster ring, extension ring, or extender used therewith, is either flush with or not set back from the finished surface more than a predefined distance. 
     The plaster rings, extension rings, and extenders mentioned above, commonly known as mud rings, when used, are attached to the box prior to the installation of sheet rock, wall board, or other covering surface material. To avoid the need to select a mud ring of the correct depth, adjustable mud rings have also been developed. These adjustable mud rings allow the front edge to be extended or retracted to meet the necessary codes, to provide a guide during the wall covering trimming process, to prevent the box from being filled with drywall spackling paste (also known as mud), and other advantages. 
     Unfortunately, the prior art adjustable mud rings have proven costly to manufacture and/or difficult to use and/or assemble. Accordingly, it has been determined by the present disclosure that there is a need for adjustable mud ring assemblies that overcome, alleviate, and/or mitigate one or more of the aforementioned and other deleterious effects of prior art devices. 
     SUMMARY 
     An adjustable mud ring assembly is provided that includes a base plate, a movable ring, and an indexing screw configured to move the movable ring with respect to the base plate between a first position and a second position. The base plate has a junction box connecting portion, a support connecting portion, and a stationary ring. 
     In some embodiments alone or in combination with the afore or aft mentioned embodiments, the base plate has an offset distance (D 2 ) between the junction box connecting portion and the support connecting portion. 
     In some embodiments alone or in combination with the afore or aft mentioned embodiments, the offset distance is sufficient to allow the movable ring to move with respect to the stationary ring to the first position without protruding, at a lowermost point, into a junction box connected to the junction box connecting portion. 
     In some embodiments alone or in combination with the afore or aft mentioned embodiments, the junction box connecting portion can include a plurality of screw openings for connected to a junction box. 
     In some embodiments alone or in combination with the afore or aft mentioned embodiments, the stationary ring is a single gang and is positioned centrally in the support connecting portion so that that an electrical device, when installed in the movable ring, is offset by a predefined distance (D 1 ) from a support to which the support connection portion is connected. 
     In some embodiments alone or in combination with the afore or aft mentioned embodiments, the support connecting portion can include a plurality of screw openings for connecting to a support. 
     In some embodiments alone or in combination with the afore or aft mentioned embodiments, the base plate is a three piece metal stamping having a first part with the support and junction box connecting portions and two walls of the stationary ring and a second part with two remaining walls of the stationary ring. Here, the first and second parts can be welded together. 
     In some embodiments alone or in combination with the afore or aft mentioned embodiments, the support and junction box connecting portions and the stationary ring are formed of a one piece stamping. 
     In some embodiments alone or in combination with the afore or aft mentioned embodiments, the stationary ring include an indexing tab having a threaded opening that threadably receives the indexing screw. The indexing tab can be configured so that the indexing screw moves the movable ring between the first and second positions. 
     In some embodiments alone or in combination with the afore or aft mentioned embodiments, the stationary ring further comprises a biasing tab that is normally biased into contact with the movable ring so that the stationary ring remains in electrical contact with the movable ring. 
     In some embodiments alone or in combination with the afore or aft mentioned embodiments, the movable ring includes a draft angle at least on a side that contacts the biasing tab, the draft angle being sufficient so that, when the movable ring moves with respect to the stationary ring, the movable ring urges the biasing tab outward to simplifying assembly. 
     In some embodiments alone or in combination with the afore or aft mentioned embodiments, the stationary ring includes a first protrusion and the movable ring includes a second protrusion. The first and second protrusions form a space sufficient to receive a screw that secures an electrical device to the movable ring. 
     In some embodiments alone or in combination with the afore or aft mentioned embodiments, the movable ring includes an indexing screw opening and an indexing screw retention member. The indexing screw being received in the indexing screw opening in a rotatable manner with a shoulder of the indexing screw being retained by the indexing screw retention member. 
     In some embodiments alone or in combination with the afore or aft mentioned embodiments, the indexing screw retention member having a pair of members stamped from the movable ring proximate the index screw opening. 
     In some embodiments alone or in combination with the afore or aft mentioned embodiments, the indexing screw retention member including a clip having a pair of retention tabs and a tightening opening. The movable ring has a pair of slots adjacent to the indexing screw opening. The retention tabs being in the pair of slots and securing the clip to the movable ring with the shoulder held therebetween and the tightening opening allowing access to a head of the indexing screw. 
     In some embodiments alone or in combination with the afore or aft mentioned embodiments, the indexing screw has a terminal end that mitigates inadvertent withdrawal of the indexing screw from the opening. 
     The above-described and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of an adjustable mud ring assembly an adjustable mud ring assembly according to the present disclosure is use; 
         FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of the adjustable mud ring assembly of  FIG. 1  before use in a first or retracted position; 
         FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of the adjustable mud ring assembly of  FIG. 1  in a second or extended position; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded or disassembled view of the adjustable mud ring assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged top perspective view of an indexing screw of the adjustable mud ring assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of the adjustable mud ring assembly of  FIG. 1  illustrating the indexing screw in use; 
         FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of an adjustable mud ring assembly according to the present disclosure in the first or retracted position having an alternate exemplary embodiment of an indexing screw retention member; 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged view of the adjustable mud ring assembly of  FIG. 7  illustrating the indexing screw in use; 
         FIG. 9  is a top perspective view of a movable ring of the adjustable mud ring assembly of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a top perspective view of the retention member of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a top perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of an adjustable mud ring assembly according to the present disclosure in the first or retracted position; 
         FIG. 12  is a top perspective view of the adjustable mud ring assembly of  FIG. 11  in the second or extended position; 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded or disassembled view of the adjustable mud ring assembly of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a top perspective view of an adjustable mud ring assembly according to the present disclosure in the first or retracted position having an the alternate exemplary embodiment of the indexing screw retention member; 
         FIG. 15  is a top perspective view of a movable ring of the adjustable mud ring assembly of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a support connecting portion according to the present disclosure securing a junction box to a support prior to assembly with an adjustable mud ring assembly of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 17  illustrates the support connection portion of  FIG. 16  after installation with adjustable mud ring assembly and the electrical device; 
         FIG. 18  is a partial sectional view of the assembly of  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a top perspective view of the adjustable mud ring assembly of  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a top view of the adjustable mud ring assembly of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 21  is an end view of the adjustable mud ring assembly of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 22  is a partial sectional view of the adjustable mud ring assembly of  FIG. 19  during adjustment, taken along line A-A of  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 23  is a partial sectional view of the adjustable mud ring assembly of  FIG. 19  after adjustment, taken along line A-A of  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIGS. 24-26  illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a retainer for an adjustment screw of the adjustable mud ring assembly of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIGS. 27-28  illustrate an exemplary embodiment of an adjustment screw of the adjustable mud ring assembly of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 29  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a clamping screw of the adjustable mud ring assembly of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 30  is a top view of an alternate exemplary embodiment of an adjustable mud ring assembly according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 31  is a partial sectional view of the adjustable mud ring assembly of  FIG. 30  before/during adjustment, taken along line C-C of  FIG. 30 ; 
         FIG. 32  is a partial sectional view of the adjustable mud ring assembly of  FIG. 30  after adjustment, taken along line C-C of  FIG. 30 ; 
         FIG. 33  is a top view of the adjustable mud ring assembly of  FIG. 19  including an optional extension ring according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 34  is an end view of the adjustable mud ring assembly and of extension ring  FIG. 33 , taken along line N-N of  FIG. 33 ; 
         FIG. 35  is a partial sectional view of the adjustable mud ring assembly and extension ring of  FIG. 33 ; 
         FIG. 36  is a top perspective view of the extension ring of  FIG. 33 ; 
         FIG. 37  is a top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of another adjustable mud ring assembly according to the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 38-40  illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a retainer for an adjustment screw of the adjustable mud ring assembly of  FIG. 37 ; 
         FIGS. 41-42  are top perspective views of another exemplary embodiment of a support connecting portion according to the present disclosure in use; 
         FIG. 43  is a rear perspective view of the support connecting portion of  FIG. 41 ; 
         FIG. 44  is a front view of the support connecting portion of  FIG. 41 ; 
         FIG. 45  is a side view of the support connecting portion of  FIG. 41 ; 
         FIG. 46  is a top view of the support connecting portion of  FIG. 41 ; 
         FIG. 47  is a top view of the support connecting portion of  FIG. 41  in use with an open space bracket; and 
         FIG. 48  is a magnified view of a portion of the support connecting portion of  FIG. 47 , taken at circle A of  FIG. 47 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to the drawings and in particular to  FIGS. 1-3 , an exemplary embodiment of an adjustable mud ring assembly according to the present disclosure is shown and is generally referred to by reference numeral  10 . Here, mud ring assembly  10  is shown in use securing an electrical device  12  such as, but not limited to an electric outlet, to a junction box  14  and a support  16 . 
     Advantageously, assembly  10  includes a base plate  18 , a movable ring  20 , and an indexing screw  22 , which can be used to move the movable ring with respect to the base plate between a first or retracted position ( FIG. 2 ) and a second or extended position ( FIG. 3 ) in an easy and repeatable manner. 
     Assembly  10  is now described in more detail with simultaneous reference to  FIGS. 1-6 . 
     Base  18  includes a junction box connecting portion  24 , a support connecting portion  26 , and a stationary ring  28 . Support connecting portion  26  is also referred to herein as a mounting bracket or bracket. In the illustrated embodiment, movable ring  20  is shown as being internal to stationary ring  28  by way of example only. Of course, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for assembly  10  to be configured so that stationary ring  28  is internal to movable ring  20 —examples of which are illustrated in embodiments of  FIGS. 16 through 41  herein below. 
     Junction box connecting portion  24  includes a plurality of screw openings  30 , which allow assembly  10  to be connected to junction box  14  in a known manner. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , junction box  14  is shown as a double-gang. Thus, connecting portion  24  is shown configured for connection to such a double-gang box. Of course, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for connecting portion  24  to be configured for connection to box  14  of any desired size (single, double, etc.). 
     Further, connecting portion  24  is shown in use with stationary ring  28  that is sized as a single gang—namely for receipt of a single electrical device  12 . Of course and as will be described in more detail herein, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for stationary ring  28  to be configured for use with any desired number of electrical devices  12 —single, double, or more. 
     Stationary ring  28  is, in the illustrated embodiment, positioned centrally in connecting portion  24 . In this manner, assembly  10  is configured so that electrical device  12 , when installed, is offset by a predefined distance (D 1 ) from support  16 . Of course, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for stationary ring  28  to have any desired position on connecting portion  24 . 
     Support connecting portion  26  is illustrated by way of example have a trace mount configuration, namely to trace around two sides of support  16 . Portion  26  includes a plurality of screw openings  32 , which allow the portion to be connected to support  16  in a known manner. Additionally, the trace mount configuration provides base  18  with an offset distance (D 2 ) between junction box connecting portion  24  and support connecting portion  26 . For reasons that will described in more detail below, offset distance (D 2 ) is believed by the present disclosure to allow movable ring  20  to with respect to stationary ring  28  to the first or retracted position without protruding, at this lowermost point, into box  14 . 
     In its most basic form within the scope of the present disclosure, offset distance (D 2 ) is a distance between an outer face of support  16  (or an rear face of the wall board secured to the support) and a top face of box  14 . Thus, offset distance (D 2 ) is effective to offset the box  14  from the rear face of the wall board. 
     It has been found by the present disclosure that incorporating support connecting portion  26  integrally into assembly  10 —namely integrally forming junction box connecting portion  24  and support connecting portion  26 —ensures proper and repeatable placement of the assembly on support  16 . 
     Stated another way, it is believed by the present application that the trace mount configuration of base  18 , which includes portions  24 ,  26  integral with one another resolves, in a simple manner, multiple issues in prior art devices such as, but not limited to, preventing movement of movable ring  20  into box  14 , ensuring placement of assembly  10  at position on support  16  that does not extend past the maximum throw of movable ring  20  at the second or extended position, and others. 
     However and is disclosed in various embodiments herein below, it is further contemplated by the present disclosure for support connecting portion  26  to be secured to or integral with junction box  14 , with base  18  connected thereto. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 4 , base  18  is, in this embodiment, formed as a three piece metal stamping—that includes a first part having connecting portions  24 ,  26 , and two walls  28 - 1 ,  28 - 2  of stationary ring  28 , and two additional parts that form the remaining two walls  28 - 3 ,  28 - 4  of the stationary ring. During manufacture, the three parts of base  18  are joined together by any desired process. For example, walls  28 - 3 ,  28 - 4  can be joined to walls  28 - 1 ,  28 - 2  and/or base  18  by one or more welds or another connection device or method. 
     Of course, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for base  18  to be formed in any desired manner such as, but not limited to, casting, metal injection molding, additive manufacturing, and others. 
     Stationary ring  28  further includes an indexing tab  34 , a biasing tab  36 , and a first protrusion  38 . In the illustrated embodiment, stationary ring  28  includes tabs  34 ,  36  and protrusion  38  on opposing sides thereof. However for ease of description, only one side will be discussed herein. 
     Indexing tab  34  has a threaded opening  40  to receive indexing screw  22 , which as described in more detail below allows the indexing screw to move movable ring  20  between the first and second positions. 
     Biasing tab  36  and protrusion  38  are configured to allow screws ( FIG. 1 ) that secure electric device  12  to movable ring  20  to pass therethrough. In some embodiments, biasing tab  36  can be biased into contact with the screws that secure electric device  12  to movable ring  20  to guide the screws during assembly and disassembly. 
     Additionally, biasing tab  36  is advantageously configured to be normally biased into contact with movable ring  20 . In this manner, biasing tab  36  ensures that stationary ring  28  remains in desired electrical contact with movable ring  20 . In some embodiments, movable ring  20  can include a draft angle  42  ( FIG. 4 ) at least on the sides that contact biasing tabs  36 . In this manner, draft angle  42  of movable ring  20 , when the movable ring positioned with respect to stationary ring  28 , allows the movable ring to urge biasing tab  36  outward, simplifying assembly. 
     Movable ring  20  includes an indexing screw opening  44 , an indexing screw retention member  46 , a second protrusion  48 , and a threaded opening  50 . Similar to the discussion above with respect to stationary ring  28 , movable ring  20 , in the illustrated embodiment, includes opening  44 , retention member  46 , recess  48 , and threaded opening  50  on opposing sides thereof. However for ease of description, only one side will be discussed herein. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , indexing screw  22  is received in opening  44  in a rotatable manner with shoulder  52  of the screw retained by retention member  46 . The indexing screw  22  is th readably received in threaded opening  40  of indexing tab  34 . In this manner, rotation of indexing screw  22  in a first direction causes shoulder  52  to act on movable ring  20  to move the movable ring with respect to stationary ring  28  towards the first or retracted position. Conversely, rotation of indexing screw  22  in a second, opposite direction causes shoulder  52  to act on movable ring  20  to move the movable ring with respect to stationary ring  28  towards the second or extended position. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, retention member  46  includes a pair of members stamped from movable ring  20  around opening  44 . During assembly, retention members  46  can be deformed over shoulder  52  after insertion of screw  22  into opening  44 . Of course, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for opening  44  to be formed as a slot so that screw  22  can be inserted laterally with shoulder  52  passing under retention member  46 . 
     In some embodiments, screw  22  can have a terminal end  54  that mitigates inadvertent withdrawal of the screw from opening  50  at the fully extended or upper most position of movable ring  20 . 
     Threaded opening  50  threadably receives the screw that secure electric device  12  to movable ring  20  with the screws passing between movable and stationary rings  20 ,  28  in the space formed between first and second protrusions  38 ,  48 . It has been determined by the present disclosure that passing these screws between movable and stationary rings  20 ,  28  prevents the screws from passing into a space occupied by any exposed, live electrical contacts (i.e., within movable ring  20  and/or junction box  14 ). Further, it has been determined by the present disclosure that passing these screws between movable and stationary rings  20 ,  28  prevents the screws from binding or contacting on wall surface material or mud that may abut assembly  10  during assembly of electrical device  12  to the movable ring. 
     Accordingly, assembly  10  is advantageously configured to allow the user to easily and repeatably locate junction box  14  on support  16  at a position that is within the allowable movement of movable ring  20  between its first and second positions, while preventing the movable ring  20  from protruding into the space of the junction box at the fully retracted position and ensuring that any screws that secure electrical device  12  in the movable ring extend into the space between the movable and stationary ring. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7-10 , an alternate exemplary embodiment of an adjustable mud ring assembly according to the present disclosure in the first or retracted position is shown and is generally referred to by reference numeral  110 . Component parts having similar or analogous features are labeled in multiples of 100 to those in  FIGS. 1-6 . 
     Assembly  110  has an alternate exemplary embodiment of an indexing screw retention member  146  that secures indexing screw  122 , via shoulder  152 , to movable ring  120 , allowing the rotation of the screw to move the movable ring, with respect to stationary ring  128  in the manner described above. 
     In this embodiment, retention member  146  includes a clip  160  having a pair of retention tabs  162  and a tightening opening  164 . Retention member  146  also includes a pair of slots  166  defined in movable ring  120  adjacent indexing screw opening  144 . Retention tabs  162  are received in slots  166  to secure clip  160  to movable ring  120 , with shoulder  152  held therebetween. Tightening opening  164  allows access to the head of screw  122  to allow the screw to be tightened and loosened as needed. 
     Accordingly, assembly  110 , like assembly  10 , is advantageously configured to allow the user to easily and repeatably locate the junction box on the support at a position that is within the allowable movement of movable ring  120  between its first and second positions, while preventing the movable ring  120  from protruding into the space of the junction box at the fully retracted position and ensuring that any screws that secure the electrical device in the movable ring extend into the space between the movable and stationary ring. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 11-13 , another alternate exemplary embodiment of an adjustable mud ring assembly according to the present disclosure is shown and is generally referred to by reference numeral  210 . Component parts having similar or analogous features are labeled in multiples of 200 to those in  FIGS. 1-6 . 
     Assembly  210  is shown in  FIG. 11  in the first or retracted position, in  FIG. 12 , in the second or extended position, and in  FIG. 13  in an exploded or disassembled stated. Here, assembly  210  is shown configured for use with a double gang or junction box (not shown) and for use with two electrical devices (also not shown). 
     Assembly  210  includes base plate  218 , movable ring  220 , and indexing screw  222 , which can be used to move the movable ring with respect to the base plate between the retracted position and extended position in an easy and repeatable manner. 
     Base  218  includes junction box connecting portion  224 , support connecting portion  226 , and stationary ring  228 . As a result of the configuration of this embodiment of assembly  210 —namely where both junction box connecting portion  224  and stationary ring  228  are configured for use in a double gang construction, the offset distance (D 1 ) of assembly  10  ( FIG. 1 ) is not required. Of course, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for stationary ring  228  to have any desired position on connecting portion  224 . 
     Support connecting portion  226  provides base  218  with offset distance (D 2 ) between junction box connecting portion  224  and support connecting portion  226 . For the reasons discussed above, offset distance (D 2 ) is believed by the present disclosure to allow movable ring  220  to move into stationary ring  228  to the first or retracted position without protruding, at this lowermost point, into the junction box. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 14 , base  218  is, in this embodiment, formed as a single piece metal stamping—that includes connecting portions  224 ,  226 , and all four walls  228 - 1 ,  228 - 2 ,  228 - 3 ,  228 - 4  of stationary ring  228 . Of course, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for base  218  to be formed in any desired manner such as, but not limited to, casting, metal injection molding, additive manufacturing, and others. 
     Stationary ring  228  includes indexing tab  234  and—since it is configured for use with two electrical devices—two biasing tabs  236  and two first protrusions  238 . In the illustrated embodiment, stationary ring  228  includes tabs  234 ,  236  and protrusions  238  on opposing sides thereof. However for ease of description, only one side will be discussed herein. 
     Indexing tab  234  has threaded opening  240  to receive indexing screw  222 , which allows the indexing screw to move movable ring  220  between the first and second positions. 
     Biasing tabs  236  and protrusions  238  are configured to allow the screws that secure the electric devices to movable ring  220  to pass therethrough. In some embodiments, biasing tabs  236  can be biased into contact with the screws that secure the electric device to movable ring  220  to guide the screws during assembly and disassembly. Additionally, biasing tabs  236  are advantageously configured to be normally biased into contact with movable ring  220  to ensure that stationary ring  228  remains in desired electrical contact with the movable ring  20 . In some embodiments, movable ring  220  can include a draft angle  242  ( FIG. 13 ) at least on the sides that contact biasing tabs  236 . In this manner, draft angle  242  of movable ring  220 , when the movable ring is positioned with respect to stationary ring  228 , allows the movable ring to urge biasing tabs  236  outward, simplifying assembly. 
     Movable ring  220  includes indexing screw opening  244 , indexing screw retention member  246 , second protrusion  248 , and threaded opening  250 . Similar to the discussion above with respect to stationary ring  228 , movable ring  220 , in the illustrated embodiment where assembly  210  is configured for receipt of two electrical devices, includes opening  244 , retention member  246 , two recesses  248 , and two threaded openings  250  on opposing sides thereof. However for ease of description, only one side are discussed herein. 
     Indexing screw  222 , as discussed above with respect to assembly  10 , is received in opening  244  in a rotatable manner with shoulder  252  of the screw retained by retention member  246 . The indexing screw  222  is threadably received in threaded opening  240  of indexing tab  234 . In this manner, rotation of indexing screw  222  in a first direction causes shoulder  252  to act on movable ring  220  to move the movable ring with respect to stationary ring  228  towards the first or retracted position. Conversely, rotation of indexing screw  222  in a second, opposite direction causes shoulder  252  to act on movable ring  220  to move the movable ring with respect to stationary ring  228  towards the second or extended position. 
     Accordingly, assembly  210 , like assemblies  10  and  110 , is advantageously configured to allow the user to easily and repeatably locate the junction box on the support at a position that is within the allowable movement of movable ring  220  between its first and second positions, while preventing the movable ring  220  from protruding into the space of the junction box at the fully retracted position and ensuring that any screws that secure the electrical device in the movable ring extend into the space between the movable and stationary ring. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 14-15 , another alternate exemplary embodiment of an adjustable mud ring assembly according to the present disclosure is shown and is generally referred to by reference numeral  310 . Component parts having similar or analogous features are labeled in multiples of 300 to those in  FIGS. 1-6 . 
     Assembly  310  is configured much like assembly  210 —namely for use with a double gang box (not shown) and with two electrical devices (also not shown). However, assembly  310  lacks has the alternate exemplary embodiment of the indexing screw retention member  146  described with respect to assembly  110  of  FIG. 7 . 
     Specifically, assembly  310  includes indexing screw retention member  346  that has clip  360  with retention tabs (not shown) and tightening opening  364 . Retention member  346  also includes slots  366  defined in movable ring  320  adjacent indexing screw opening  344 . Slots  366  receive the retention tabs to secure clip  360  to movable ring  320 , with the shoulder (not shown) of indexing screw  322  held therebetween. 
     Accordingly, assembly  310 , like assemblies  10 ,  110 , and  210 , is advantageously configured to allow the user to easily and repeatably locate the junction box on the support at a position that is within the allowable movement of movable ring  220  between its first and second positions, while preventing the movable ring  220  from protruding into the space of the junction box at the fully retracted position and ensuring that any screws that secure the electrical device in the movable ring extend into the space between the movable and stationary ring  328 . 
     It should be recognized that the embodiments of the adjustable mud ring assemblies disclosed herein above included, by way of example only, base  18  having junction box connecting portion  24  and stationary ring  28  attached to or forming a common or integral member with support connecting portion  26 . Of course, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for support connection portion  26  to be secured directly to or forming a common or integral member with junction box  16 . Examples of this embodiment are now described with reference to the embodiments of  FIGS. 16 through 41 . To the extent that any of the aspects of the various embodiments disclosed herein are described separately, it is intended by the present disclosure for these aspects to be incorporated into one another in any desired manner. 
     Another exemplary embodiment of an adjustable mud ring assembly according to the present disclosure is shown in  FIGS. 16-29  and is generally referred to by reference numeral  410 . Component parts having similar or analogous features are labeled in multiples of 400. 
     Assembly  410  is shown securing electrical device  12  in junction box  14  and securing the junction box to support  16  with an exemplary embodiment of a support connecting portion  426  according to the present disclosure. Here, portion  426  is secured to junction box  14  and does not form an integral part base  18  as in the prior embodiments. Portion  426  provides assembly  410  with offset distance (D 2 ) as discussed above. 
     Assembly  410  is shown having portion  426  on two opposite edges, but of course, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for assembly  410  to have only one portion  426 . Portion  426  can be integral to box  14 , permanently secured to the box, or removably secured to the box in any known manner. 
     Assembly  410  includes base  418 , movable ring  420 , stationary ring  428 , and indexing screws  422  (two shown). Indexing screw  422  is configured to move movable ring  420  between the first and second positions with respect to stationary ring  428 . In this embodiment, movable ring  420  is external to or covers stationary ring  428 . Here, base  418  can prevent movable ring  420  from passing into a space occupied by any exposed, live electrical contacts (i.e., within stationary ring  428  and/or junction box  14 ). 
     Assembly  410  includes an indexing screw retention member  446  secured to movable ring  420 , which secures indexing screw  422  so that the shoulder of the screw is retained by the retention member and allows for movement of the movable ring  420  as disclosed above. In some embodiments, assembly  410  can further include a clamping screw  422 ′ (two shown) that prevents movement of movable and stationary rings  420 ,  428  with respect to one another. 
     Here, clamping screw  422 ′ is threaded through both rings  420 ,  422  so that the clamping screw must be loosened or backed off ( FIGS. 21-22 ) to allow indexing screw  422  to move movable ring  420  with respect to stationary ring  428 , at which time the clamping screw can be tightened ( FIG. 23 ) to prevent further movement of the rings with respect to one another. 
     Of course, other embodiments of clamping screw  422 ′ are contemplated by the present disclosure. For example, assembly  410  is shown in  FIGS. 30-32  having an alternate embodiment of clamping screw  422 ″. Here, clamping screw  422 ″ is threadably received in stationary ring  428  and a nut or threaded member  423 . Upon movement of rings  420 , 428  with respect to one another to the desired position using indexing screw  422  ( FIG. 31 ), clamping screw  422 ″ is tightened until nut  423  abuts stationary ring  428  and prevents further movement of the rings with respect to one another ( FIG. 32 ). 
     In some embodiments such as those shown in  FIGS. 33-36 , assembly  410  can further include an extension ring  470  removably secured to moveable ring  420  by one on more screws  472  (two shown). Extension ring  472  can include one or more locating tabs  474  that are received in openings  476  of movable ring  420 . 
     It should be recognized that assembly  410  is disclosed in  FIGS. 16-36  by way of example only as a single gang. Of course, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for the assembly to be configured as a double gang as shown in  FIGS. 37-41 , which is generally referred to by reference numeral  510 . Component parts having similar or analogous features are labeled in multiples of 500. 
     Assembly  510  is shown securing an electrical device in junction box  14  and securing the junction box to support  16  with an exemplary embodiment of a support connecting portion  526  according to the present disclosure. Here, portion  526  is secured to junction box  14  and does not form an integral part base  18  as in the prior embodiments. Portion  526  provides assembly  510  with offset distance (D 2 ) as discussed above. 
     Assembly  510  is shown having portion  526  on two opposite edges, but of course, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for assembly  510  to have only one portion  526 . 
     Assembly  510  includes base  518 , movable ring  520 , stationary ring  528 , and indexing screws  522  (two shown) that move the movable ring between the first and second positions with respect to the stationary ring. In this embodiment, movable ring  520  is external to or covers stationary ring  528 . 
     Assembly  510  includes an indexing screw retention member  546  secured to movable ring  520 , which secures indexing screw  522  to allow for movement of the movable ring  520  as disclosed above. In some embodiments, assembly  510  can further include a clamping screw  522 ′ (four shown) that prevents movement of movable and stationary rings  520 ,  528  with respect to one another. 
     Portion  526  can include one or more bendable supports  580  that can be bent into position to support the portion with respect to a wire, a stud, the wall board, other any other component. 
     Assembly  510  and portion  526  can be secured directly to the support  14  as shown in  FIGS. 41-42 . Alternately and as shown in  FIGS. 43-44 , portion  526  can be configured for use with an open space bracket  590 . Bracket  590  has ends  592  that can be secured to two supports  14  with portion  526  secured in any desired position therebetween. Bracket  590  can be configured so that a distance between ends  592  is adjustable to accommodate different distances between supports  14 . In some embodiments, portion  526  can include one or more bendable tabs  594  that allow the portion to be secured in position on bracket  590 . 
     The terms “first”, “second”, “third”, “upper”, “lower”, and the like may be used herein to modify various elements. These modifiers do not imply a spatial, sequential, or hierarchical order to the modified elements unless specifically stated. 
     The terms “first”, “second”, “third”, “upper”, “lower”, and the like may be used herein to modify various elements. These modifiers do not imply a spatial, sequential, or hierarchical order to the modified elements unless specifically stated. 
     While the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.