Patent Publication Number: US-10333288-B2

Title: Mounting brace assembly for mounting an electrical box

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of prior-filed, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/488617, is now U.S. Pat. No. 9,899,817, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/284,976, is now U.S. Pat No. 9,627,867, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/533,709, is now U.S. Pat. No. 9,470,360, filed Nov. 5, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/781,021, is now U.S. Pat, No. 8,889,984, filed Feb. 28, 2013. The entire contents of these documents are incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure is directed to a mounting brace assembly for an electrical box. The disclosure is particularly directed to a brace assembly for attaching to a first ceiling support and having a mounting bracket for suspending the brace from a second support. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Ceiling fan and support braces for ceiling fans and luminaires are known for the support various outlet boxes. The braces are typically installed between supports such as trusses and joists in the ceiling or other overhead structures. Braces are also known for connecting to the bar supports used in suspended ceilings. Such braces can be awkward to install and may not provide the needed support for the intended device to be mounted to the electrical box. 
     Examples of electrical boxes and braces for mounting electrical boxes include U.S. Pat. No. 5,938,157 to Reiker which discloses a fan brace slide support for attaching two opposing faces of adjacent ceiling joists. The brace has an open channel on the bottom face for receiving a mounting member with downwardly extending screws. The screws extend through openings in the bottom wall of the electrical box for supporting the weight of the ceiling fan so that the weight of the ceiling fan is applied to the brace and not to the electrical box. The electrical box is attached to the brace by a threaded nut. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,191,994 to Johnson et al. discloses a brace assembly for ceiling fans having an open U-shaped channel on the bottom side of the brace. A mounting bracket is received within the channel for supporting the electrical box. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,355,118 to Gretz discloses an electrical box mounting assembly. The assembly includes a brace extending between adjacent ceiling joists where the brace has a downwardly open channel. An inner clamping member is received within the brace having threaded holes for receiving a coupling screw. An outer clamping member is coupled to the bottom of the brace by the screw. The electrical box is attached to the outer clamping member by a plurality of screws threaded into the outer bracket. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,631 to Becker et al. discloses a hanger bar assembly having an open channel on a bottom face. The assembly includes two telescopically connected brace members that can be adjusted to fit between the adjacent ceiling joists. A fastener plate slides into the channel. The electrical outlet box is secured to the plate by screws extending through the bottom wall of the electrical box. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,857,275 to de la Borbolla an adjustable electrical box hanger bar assembly having two telescopically connected brace members. A U-shaped bracket fits over the top edge of the brace and is attached to the electrical box by coupling screws. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,346,909 to Blackburn discloses a support for draperies and the like having a generally U-shape with an open channel on the bottom face with a sliding member received within the channel. 
     While these devices are generally suitable for the intended uses, there is a continuing need in the industry for improved mounting assemblies for mounting an electrical box. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure is directed a brace assembly for supporting an electrical box and an electrical device. In particular the disclosure is directed to a brace assembly having a structure for mounting to a ceiling bar mounting assembly commonly used in suspended ceilings. The brace assembly is configured for supporting electrical devices such as, for example, a ceiling fan, luminaire or other lighting fixture. 
     Accordingly, a primary aspect of the disclosure is to provide a brace assembly having a structure that is suitable for supporting the weight of an electrical fixture such as a ceiling fan or lighting fixture where the brace assembly is positioned above the ceiling panels or ceiling tiles. The brace is coupled to the ceiling support so that the weight of the electrical device is supported by the brace rather than the ceiling panels. 
     Another feature of the disclosure is to provide a brace assembly having a hanger member that is removably coupled to a brace and that can be moved along the length of the brace to selectively position the hanger member and electrical box with respect to the brace assembly and the support. 
     A further feature of the disclosure is to provide a brace assembly that can be mounted to a T-bar shaped ceiling support or ceiling grid used for a suspended ceiling where the brace assembly includes a hanger member that can be coupled to a secondary support for increasing the load capabilities of the assembly. The brace can have indicia to identify a load rating of the brace and the electrical box. The hanger member and/or the rear wall of the electrical box can have a window or other opening that aligns with the indicia so that the load rating is visible after installation of the hanger member on the brace. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure is to provide a brace assembly having a brace and a hanger member that is slidable along the length of the brace. The brace has a mounting bracket at each longitudinal end for coupling to a support, such as a ceiling grid or ceiling bar support. The brace has a longitudinal slot in a bottom side formed by inwardly turned edges and side walls forming a longitudinal channel. A bar having a plurality of screw holes is provided in the channel for coupling the hanger member to the brace and for supporting the electrical box. 
     One feature of the disclosure is to provide a brace assembly having a hanger member for coupling an electrical box to the brace. The hanger has a bottom side with at least one hole for receiving a mounting screw or other fastener that extends through the rear wall of an electrical box and into the brace. The screws extend through holes in the electrical box and the hanger member and into a threaded hole in a bar within the brace so that the hanger member and the associated electrical box can slide along the length of the brace to a selected position. The hanger member encloses the brace and is provided with an upper end that can be coupled to a secondary support such as a ceiling to support the middle portion of the brace and the weight of the electrical box. 
     Another feature of the disclosure is to provide a brace made from a single sheet of steel that is folded to form a substantially inverted T-shape. The brace has a pair of parallel side walls forming a longitudinal cavity. Outwardly extending legs have a hollow interior that forms a longitudinal channel between the legs to receive a mounting bar and mounting screws from the electrical box to couple the electrical box to the brace. A slot is formed in the bottom side that enables the electrical box, mounting screws and mounting bar to slide along the length of the brace. The shape of the brace provides a very strong and rigid structure that can be made efficiently from a sheet metal blank. 
     The aspects of the disclosure are basically attained by providing a brace and electrical box assembly comprising a brace member having a top surface, an internal longitudinal channel, and a bottom side with an opening communicating with the channel. A bar is received in the channel and has a threaded hole aligned with the opening in the brace member. A hanger member is coupled to the brace and has a bottom side adapted for coupling to and supporting an electrical box. A top end with a coupling member is adapted for coupling to a support for supporting the hanger member and brace member. The electrical box has an aperture receiving a mounting screw passing through the opening in the brace member and threaded into the bar to couple the electrical box to the brace and electrical box assembly. 
     The various features of the disclosure are also attained by providing a brace assembly for supporting an electrical device, comprising a brace member having a top surface, a longitudinal internal channel, and a bottom defining a longitudinal slot open to the channel. The brace is adapted for coupling to a first support. A bar is received in the channel. The bar has a threaded hole aligned with the longitudinal slot. A hanger member with a bottom wall overlies the longitudinal slot and has an aperture aligned with the threaded hole in the bar. Side walls have a bottom end coupled to the bottom wall and a top end with a coupling member adapted for coupling the hanger member to a second support. The aperture in the bottom wall is adapted for receiving a coupling screw passing through an aperture in an electrical box and threaded into the threaded hole to couple the brace assembly and clamping the position of the electrical box to the brace assembly. 
     The objects and advantages of the disclosure are further attained by providing a brace assembly for supporting an electrical box, comprising a brace member having a top surface, an open bottom defining a longitudinal slot, and a longitudinal internal channel. A bar is received in the internal channel and has a threaded hole. A hanger member with a substantially U-shape with a bottom wall overlies the longitudinal slot in the brace member. Side walls extend upwardly adjacent the brace member. The hanger member has an aperture aligned with the threaded hole in the bar for receiving a screw passing through a hole in an electrical box and threaded into the bar to couple the electrical box to the brace assembly and clamping the position of the electrical box to the brace assembly. 
     Other aspects, objects and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of the disclosure, which in conjunction with the annexed drawings discloses various embodiments of the disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following is a brief description of the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the brace assembly in one embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the brace assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the brace assembly showing the ceiling with a raised panel and the spacer between the electrical box and the brace; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of the electrical box and spacer coupled to the brace; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of the end bracket coupled to the ceiling support; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross section side view of the assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross sectional end view of the assembly taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross sectional side view of the assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross sectional end view of the assembly taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the assembly with a chain support; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the body of the brace assembly; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross sectional view of the body of the brace; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the end bracket; 
         FIG. 14  is an end view of the end bracket of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the hanger member; 
         FIG. 16  is an end view of the hanger member of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a top view of the hanger member of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the spacer assembly in one embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 19  is a front elevational view of the spacer assembly of  FIG. 18 ; and 
         FIG. 20  is an end view of the spacer assembly of  FIG. 13 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure is directed to a brace assembly adapted for coupling to an overhead support and for supporting an electrical box. The disclosure is particularly directed to a brace assembly for mounting to a ceiling bar support and to a secondary support member to support the electrical box. 
     Referring to the drawings, the brace assembly  10  of the present disclosure includes a brace  12 , a hanger member  14 , and an electrical box  16 . The brace assembly  10  is adapted for mounting the electrical box  16  and supporting the weight of an electrical fixture, such as a ceiling fan, luminaire or other electrical device. The brace  10  assembly is particularly directed to an assembly that can be coupled and mounted to a ceiling bar support  18  commonly used for suspended ceiling tiles  20 . The ceiling bar support  18  is attached to the walls and/or ceiling above the living area of the building as known in the art. 
     The ceiling bar support  18 , as known in the art, generally has a substantially inverted T-shape with a vertical section  22  and outwardly extending legs  24  at a bottom end for supporting the ceiling tiles  20  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . The vertical section  22  of the ceiling bar  18  has a head portion  23  with a width greater than the body of the vertical section  22  providing strength and support for the ceiling panels  20  and the brace assembly  10  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . 
     The brace  12  in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12  has an inverted T-shape with a main body portion  26  with a top end and two outwardly extending legs  28  at a bottom end. As shown in  FIG. 12 , the side wall portions  29  of the main body portion  26  have a height to provide the strength sufficient to support the weight of the electrical box  16  and the electrical fixture. The sidewall portions  29  are spaced apart by a top wall  37  a distance to form a longitudinal cavity  30 . The legs  28  have a top portion  31  and a bottom return portion  32  to form a longitudinal channel  33  between the top portions  31  and the bottom return portions  32  and to define a substantially T-shape. The inner edges of the bottom return portions  32  are spaced apart a distance to form an opening forming a longitudinal slot  34  in the bottom side of the brace  12  that extends the length of the brace  12 . In the embodiment shown, the brace  12  is made from a single sheet of cut steel that is bent and folded into the end shape as shown. The inverted T-shaped provides a very rigid and strong structure that can be made efficiently from a steel blank by folding to the shape shown in the figures. The brace  12  includes a plurality of markings or indicia  35  on the side wall portion  29  for spacing and positioning the hanger  14  and the electrical box  16  in the desired location along the length of the brace. The indicia  35  are generally markings of the distance from the ends to assist in the location of the electrical box on the brace  12 . The indicia are typically provided in 1 inch and ½ inch increments. The brace can also have markings or indicia identifying a load rating for the brace and the electrical box after installation. 
     The longitudinal ends  36  of the main body portion  26  of brace  12  have an aperture  38  extending through both side walls  29  of the main body  26 . A fastener  40 , typically in the form of a nut, is received in each aperture  38 . The nut  40  has a threaded hole extending through that is aligned with the longitudinal cavity  30  of the main body portion  26 . The faces of the longitudinal ends  36  of the main body portion  26  of the brace  12  have a plurality of prongs  42  for projecting outwardly along the axis of the brace  12 . An end bracket  44  is coupled to each longitudinal end of the main body  26  of the brace  12  for mounting the brace assembly  12  to a support surface such as the ceiling support  18 . The end brackets  44  have a screw hole  46  for receiving a coupling screw  48  that extends through the end bracket  44  and into the longitudinal cavity  30  where the screw  48  is screwed into the nut  40  to secure the end bracket  44  to the main body  26  of the brace  12 . The end brackets  44  include a plurality of apertures to receive the prongs  42  for stabilizing the end bracket  44  on the end of the body  26  of the brace  12 . 
     The end brackets  44  as shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14  have a main body portion  50  with a substantially planar configuration. A first and a second leg  52  extend from the longitudinal ends of the main body portion  50 . As shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the legs  52  are off-set from the main body portion  50  a distance corresponding substantially to the width of the ceiling support bar  18 . The legs  52  include a bent portion  54  extending from the main body  50  forming a support surface for engaging the top surface of the ceiling support bar  18 . As shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 13 , an outwardly extending flange on the legs  52  include upwardly extending prongs  56  for gripping the bottom edge of the enlarged top edge  23  of the vertical section  22  of the ceiling support  18 . The bottom end  58  of each leg  52  is offset inwardly toward the main body  50  as shown for coupling to the ceiling support  18  as shown. 
     The electrical box  16  as shown in  FIG. 1  can be a conventional electrical box capable of supporting the weight of the intended electrical fixture. The electrical box  16  in the embodiment shown has a rear wall  60  with a plurality of screw holes  62  for receiving mounting screws  64 . The electrical box  16  includes a side wall  66  with an open end for receiving the electrical wiling device. In the embodiment shown, a flange  68  at the open end includes threaded holes for receiving coupling screws for attaching the electrical fixture to the electrical box  16 . The rear wall  60  can have an opening forming a sight window for viewing a load rating on the hanger  14  or the brace  12  after the electrical box is installed. 
     The hanger  14  in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 15-17 , has a substantially U-shape with a bottom wall  70  and side walls  72  extending upwardly from the bottom wall  70 . Side walls  72  are substantially parallel to each other with a bottom end integrally formed with the bottom wall  70  and having a free top end  74 . Referring to  FIG. 7 , the bottom wall  70  of hanger  14  has a width corresponding substantially to the width of the bottom end of the T-shaped brace  12 . The side walls  72  are spaced-apart a distance corresponding substantially to the width of the legs  28  of the brace  12  to prevent the separation or spreading of the legs  28  under the weight of the electrical fixture. The side walls  72  have a lower portion  76  and an upper portion  78  spaced outwardly from the lower portion  76  by an offset portion. The lower portion  76  has an opening  80  defining a window for aligning with the indicia  35  on the vertical section  22  of the brace  12  to position the hanger  14  in the selected location. The top end  7   4  of each side wall  72  includes a plurality of holes  82  defining a coupling for coupling with a support such as a chain  116  shown in  FIG. 10 . A centrally positioned hole  83  is formed in each side wall  72  for coupling a mounting bracket  84  as shown in  FIG. 6 . The bottom wall  70  has a plurality of screw holes  71  aligned with the screw holes  62  in the electrical box. 
     In the embodiment shown, the opening  80  has substantially triangular shape where the apex of the triangle can be aligned with markings  35  on the brace  26  to position the hanger  14  in a selected position. The openings  80  allow inspection of the indicia or markings  35  after installation of the hanger  14  and mounting of the electrical box. In one embodiment, the brace can have marking indicating a load rating for the brace. The load rating markings are preferably visible for inspection and verification after installation of the hanger  13  and the electrical box  16 . The load rating marking can be visible through the opening or window in an opening in the hanger  14  or in the rear wall  60  of the electrical box  16 . 
     A bar  86  is provided for coupling the electrical box  16  to the hanger member  14 . The bar  86  as shown in  FIG. 2  is a substantially flat plate having a length and width corresponding substantially to the width of the longitudinal channel  33  formed by the legs  28  of the brace  12 . The bar  86  includes a plurality of threaded holes  88  for receiving the mounting screws  64  extending through the rear wall  60  of the electrical box  16 . The bar  86  has a dimension to fit within the longitudinal channel  33  and slide along the length of the brace  12  as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The bar  86  and the hanger  14  are able to slide along the length of the brace  12  to adjust the position of the electrical box  16  on the brace  12 . In the preferred embodiment of the disclosure, the bar  86  is captured within the channel  33  so that upward and downward movement of the bar  86  is limited by the top portions  31  and bottom portion  32  of the legs  28 . The bar  86  is retained in the bottom portion of the brace with the face of the bar  86  and the screw holes  88  aligned with the slot  34 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 15-1   7 , the bottom wall  70  of hanger  14  includes a plurality of holes  71  having a dimension to receive the mounting screws  64  and to allow the mounting screws  64  to pass through for screwing into the bar  86 . In the embodiment shown, four screw holes  71  are provided that complement the screw holes  62  in the rear wall  60  of the electrical box  16  and the threaded holes  88  in the bar  86 . The screw holes  71  and  62  can be arranged to accommodate different orientations of the electrical box with respect to the brace  12 . In one embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , two mounting screws  64  are provided for coupling the electrical box  16  to the brace assembly  12 . Alternatively, more than two mounting screws can be used depending on the electrical box and the number or arrangement of the screws in the rear wall of the electrical box. 
     The bottom wall  70  of the hanger  14  also includes a tab  140  that is cut from the bottom wall  70  and bent upwardly to extend perpendicular to the plane of the bottom wall  70 . The tab  140  extends through a centrally located hole  142  in the bar  86  to position the bar  86  and the respective holes aligned with the holes  71  in bottom wall  70  of the hanger  14 . 
     The side walls  72  of the hanger  14  have a height to extend above the top end of the brace  12  as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the mounting screws  64  extend through the screw holes  62  in the rear wall  60  of the electrical box  16  and extend through a corresponding screw hole  71  in the bottom wall  70  of the hanger  14  and into the threaded holes  88  of the bar  86 . The bar  86  and the electrical box  16  slide along the length of the brace  12  to the desired position. The mounting screws  64  are tightened to damp the bar  86  against the bottom flanges  32  of the brace  12  to secure the electrical box  16  to the brace  12  in a fixed position on the brace assembly  12 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the mounting screws  64  are screwed upwardly through the bottom side of the brace  12  and through the bar  86  to extend in to the channel  30 . 
     The bottom wall  70  of the hanger  14  has a width corresponding substantially to the width of the bottom end of the brace  12  as shown in  FIG. 7 . The side wall  72  of the hanger  14  capture the side edges of the bottom end of the brace  12  to prevent the bottom end and the slot  34  from spreading apart and opening due to the weight of the electrical box  16  and the electrical fixture. 
     The mounting bracket  84  is removably coupled to the hanger  14  for connecting the hanger bracket  84  to a secondary support for providing additional support for the electrical box  16 . The mounting bracket  84  in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2  has a substantially inverted U-shape with a top wall  90  and side walls  92  with an open bottom end  94 . The side walls  92  are spaced apart a distance to fit within the side walls  72  of the hanger  14  as shown in  FIG. 7 . Each side wall  92  has a hook-shaped slot  96  to receive a bolt  98  or other fastener. As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the bolt  98  passes through a central hole  83  at the upper end of the side walls  72  of the hanger  14  and is coupled to the mounting bracket  84  by a nut  100 . A sleeve  102  is provided on the bolt  98  to position and prevent inward bending of the sidewalls  92  of the mounting bracket when the nut is tightened. The mounting bracket  84  is removably coupled to the hanger by moving the slots  96  over the bolt  98  to the position shown in  FIG. 6 . The sleeve  102  spaces the side walls  92  against the side walls  72  of the hanger  14  and provide a clamping surface when the nut  100  and bolt  98  are tightened to secure the mounting bracket  84  to the hanger  14 . 
     The top wall  90  of the mounting bracket  84  includes a central aperture  104  shown in  FIG. 2 . A support rod  106  having a threaded end  108  receives a pair of nuts  110  and a washer  112  for coupling the rod  106  to the top wall  90  as shown in  FIG. 7 . The rod  106  extends upwardly to a support  150  such as a ceiling to provide additional support for the electrical box as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     During use, the electrical box  16  is attached to the brace  12  by the mounting screws  64 . The end brackets  44  are coupled to the ceiling support  18  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The mounting bracket  84  is coupled to the hanger  14  with the rod  106  fixed to a ceiling  150  or other support. 
     In an alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , the mounting bracket  84  can be removed from the hanger  14 . The outermost apertures  82  in the top end of the side walls  74  of the hanger  14  can receive a pin  114  or bolt for coupling a chain  116 . The chain or other support member extends upwardly and is fixed to the ceiling or support  150  to support the weight of the electrical device and electrical box. 
     The brace assembly  12  is adapted for supporting the electrical box in various positions and for positioning the electrical box at a selected height with respect to the ceiling support  18 . Typically, the brace assembly  12  positions the open end of the electrical box  16  flush with the outer face of the ceiling tile  20  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The assembly of the disclosure can accommodate different forms or thicknesses of the ceiling tile or ceiling panel. For example,  FIG. 3  shows a ceiling tile  20  having an outwardly beveled face so that the outer face of the ceiling tile is spaced further from the brace assembly  12  compared to the ceiling tile of  FIG. 1 . 
     In one embodiment of the disclosure, one or more spacers  120  can be positioned between the rear wall  60  of the electrical box  16  and the bottom wall of the hanger  14 . The spacer  120  has a predetermined thickness to position the electrical box  16  to correspond to the location of the opening in the ceiling. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the spacer  120  has a thickness to position the open end of the electrical box  16  within the hole  122  and the ceiling tile to be flush with the outer surface of the ceiling tile  20 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the spacer  120  has a length and width corresponding substantially to the length and width of the bottom wall  70  of the hanger  14 . The spacer  120  preferably has a plurality of holes or slots aligned with the mounting screws  64  so that the spacer  120  is clamped between the electrical box  16  and bottom wall  70  of the hanger  14 . 
     In one embodiment, a plurality of spacers are provided as a kit or assembly with the brace assembly  12 . The spacer assembly  122  can be an assembly shown in  FIGS. 13, 14 and 15  having three spacers  124 ,  126  and  128 , each having a different thickness to accommodate different depths or spacing of the outer face of the ceiling to the brace  12 . By way of example, the spacers  124 ,  126  and  128  can have a thickness of about 0.125 inch, 0.188 inch and 0.250 inch, respectively. The spacers can be used alone or in combination to space the electrical box  16  a desired distance from the brace  12 . Each spacer has a plurality of open slots  130  on a longitudinal side for sliding over the mounting screws  64  during assembly. The slots  130  have a first portion  132  with a width to accommodate the mounting screw  64  and an inwardly extending projection  134  forming a generally key-hole shaped slot for retaining the spacer on the mounting screws  64  by an interference fit. The spacers are typically made of a plastic material to enable the spacers to snap onto the screws  64  by sliding between the bottom wall  70  of the hanger  14  and the rear wall  60  of the electrical box  16 . 
     In the embodiment shown, each spacer has four slots  130  to align with the respective openings in the rear wall  60  of the electrical box  16  and the threaded holes  88  in the bar  86 . In one embodiment of the disclosure, the spacers are provided as a single unit coupled by frangible tabs  136  between the spacers as shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 . During use, the spacers are separated from each other by bending and breaking the tabs  136 . The spacers can be used individually or stacked together to provide the desired thickness for positioning the electrical box with respect to the ceiling. 
     During use and assembly, the brace  12  is coupled to the ceiling support  18  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . The hanger  14  slides upwardly from the bottom side of the body  26  of the brace  12  with the holes  71  in the bottom wall  70  of the hanger aligned with the holes in the bar  86 . The mounting screws  64  are passed through the rear wall  60  of the electrical box  16  as shown in  FIG. 6 , and threaded into the bar  86 . The electrical box  16  and the hanger  14  are able to slide along the longitudinal length of the main body  26  of the brace  12  to the desired position. The mounting screws  64  can then be tightened to damp the electrical box  16  to the bar  86  and the brace  12 . One or more spacers  120  or one or more spacers of the spacer assembly  122  can be positioned between the rear wall  60  of the electrical box  16  and the bottom wall  70  of the hanger to space the electrical box from the hanger. In the embodiment shown, the spacers slide over the mounting screws  64  by sliding between the bottom wall  70  of the hanger and the rear wall  60  of the electrical box  16 . The screws are than tightened to clamp the electrical box to the brace as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
     In one embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , chains  116  or other support members can be coupled to the top end of the hanger  14  and fixed to the ceiling  150  or other vertical support to provide additional support for the electrical box  16  and to support the weight of the electrical device coupled to the electrical box. In an alternative embodiment, the mounting bracket  84  can be hooked onto the bolt  98  extending through the center hole of the side walls  72  of the hanger  14 . The rod  106  or other support member can be coupled to the top end of the hanger  14  and coupled to the ceiling or other overhead support as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     While various embodiments are shown to illustrate the disclosure, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure as defined in the appended claims.