Patent Publication Number: US-2016226232-A1

Title: Electrical box and sleeve assembly

Description:
This application is a Divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/745,034, filed Jan. 18, 2013, which is a provisional application 61/587,957, filed Jan. 18, 2012 on behalf of inventors Jean-Guy Gagne and James Rogers, is claimed under 35 U.S.C. 119(e). 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     This disclosure is related to installation of electrical components in building walls, more particularly, to installation of support structure for line voltage and low voltage devices and the like. Existing electrical codes require containment of electrical switches and receptacles within electrical boxes. In new house or building construction, line current electrical boxes typically are attached to wall studs or joists before drywall or equivalent sheet material is applied to enclose the wall space. An opening is cut in the sheet material to accommodate the box or boxes that have been mounted in known positions. According to code, the enclosure of a line voltage electrical device must be in continuity with the wall substrate. Although low voltage applications, such as network communications, need not meet line voltage box requirements, means must be provided in the wall to provide appropriate access to internal wiring. 
     As the wall substrate, such as drywall, is fixed to the wall stud structure before installation of an electrical device can be completed, needs exist for efficiently locating and creating an opening in the substrate and for engaging the device in its enclosure. Cutting an opening in the wall substrate that is appropriately sized and placed can be time consuming. Difficulties exist in accurately locating a template to meet this need. 
     Conventionally, an electrical box is mounted to the wall stud so that the outer edge of the box is flush with the outer surface of the wall substrate, thereby meeting the code requirement for continuity. The installer must accurately locate the position of the box based on the wall substrate thickness. As various wall substrate thicknesses are in common use, a mounted box may need to be removed and reposition if the substrate thickness is not compatible. 
     The conventional procedures for installation of electrical boxes and formation of substrate openings therefore thus involve a considerable expenditure of time and effort. Needs exist for a more accurate and easier way to facilitate installation of electrical devices in building walls, both in the formation of the substrate opening and in the provision of support for the electrical devices. 
     SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE 
     The needs described above are fulfilled, at least in part, by an assembly including a box and a removable sleeve that is engageble with the box and with a wall substrate to secure tight contact between the wall substrate and the box structure, irrespective of the thickness of the wall substrate. The sleeve is configured to be coupled to an electrical device having a corresponding configuration for insertion in the box. 
     The box has a front side formed with a cutout segment having a periphery that defines the opening to be made in the wall substrate. The surface of the front side of the box is positioned even with the edge of the wall stud, thereby being flush with the inner surface of the wall substrate. The dimensional area of the front surface of the box extends beyond the cutout segment so that the volume of the box enclosure is greater than the volume bounded by the cutout segment alone. The cutout segment periphery may be formed with an inwardly directed flange that serves as a template guide for cutting the wall substrate opening. 
     The sleeve is insertable in the box through the opening in the wall substrate and the cutout segment of the front side of the box. Areas of the front side of the box at opposite locations of the cutout segment contain slots or like openings though which are linked retainers for mating with an outer longitudinal surface of the sleeve. The outer longitudinal surface of the sleeve contains teeth spaced along its extent that mate with the box retainers. A flange at the outer end of the sleeve overlaps the wall opening to abut the outer surface of the wall substrate as the sleeve is inserted in the box to form a tight engagement between the wall substrate and the box. One or more runner elements formed along the outer sleeve surface stabilize the position of the sleeve within the box structure. The sleeve includes a provision for disengaging the box structure retainer from the teeth so that the sleeve for removal of the sleeve. A retractable pull mechanism may be provided in the box to facilitate removal. For example, a pull member may be slidably engaged with a slot in a side of the box. 
     An inner longitudinal surface of the sleeve is configured to hold the electrical device that is inserted therein. The electrical device comprises a housing containing an electrical component therein and an apparatus for tightly engaging the housing within the sleeve. The device is latched to the sleeve flanged when inserted to its extent. A sprung latch is configured with a sloped surface which yields contact with the flange of the sleeve until travel of the device clears the latch of the flange inner surface. A flat surface of the latch then maintains flush contact with the flange surface. One or more ribs on the exterior of the housing stabilize the position of the device within the sleeve. The device apparatus has provision for retracting the latch from the sleeve for removal of the device. 
     The assembly may accommodate a plurality of electrical devices. The box may contain a divider plate separating compartments for enclosing devices such as line voltage devices and communication devices. The divider plate may have an offset portion for abutment with a divider plate in the sleeve to compartmentalize the enclosures. 
     The sleeve flange may be configured with indented areas for engaging a coverplate for the electrical device to permit a snap-on engagement thereof. The electrical device housing may include an electrical connector integral to its exterior for coupling wiring to the electrical component therewithin. The connector is can mate with a wiring connector within the box. The connectors can be non-conductive, thereby avoiding a shock hazard. The device housing may contain a plurality of electrical wiring contacts in addition to the electrical connector as an alternative means of wiring connection. For example, a plurality of ports in the housing exterior can provide access to respective electrical wires of the box, the ports including retainers for the wires. 
     Additional advantages of the present disclosure will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description, wherein only the preferred embodiments of the invention are shown and described, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated of carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       Various exemplary embodiments are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which: 
         FIG. 1 a    is a perspective view of a line voltage electrical device installation; 
         FIG. 1 b    is an exploded view of the assembly shown in  FIG. 1   a;    
         FIG. 1 c    is a top plan view of the assembly shown in  FIG. 1   a;    
         FIG. 1 d    is a section view taken from  FIG. 1   c;    
         FIG. 1 e    is an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 1   d;    
         FIGS. 2 a - e    are various views of the cover plate of  FIG. 1 b   , shown in detail; 
         FIG. 3 a    is a perspective view of the device shown in  FIG. 1   b;    
         FIG. 3 b    is a front view of the device shown in  FIG. 3   a;    
         FIG. 3 c    is a section view taken from  FIG. 3   b;    
         FIG. 3 d    is an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 3   c;    
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a portion of the assembly of  FIG. 1   a;    
         FIG. 5 a    is a perspective view of an alternative device embodiment; 
         FIG. 5 b    is a side view of the device shown in  FIG. 5   a;    
         FIG. 5 c    is a section view taken from  FIG. 5   b;    
         FIG. 5 d    is an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 5   c;    
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of removal of the device of  FIG. 5   a;    
         FIG. 7  is a rear perspective of the device of  FIGS. 3 a    and  5   a;    
         FIG. 8  is a view of a male electrical connector shown in  FIG. 1   b;    
         FIG. 9 a    is front view of the sleeve shown in  FIG. 1   b;    
         FIG. 9 b    is a perspective view of the sleeve shown in  FIG. 1   b;    
         FIG. 9 c    is a top view of the sleeve shown in  FIG. 1   b;    
         FIG. 9 d    is a section view taken from  FIG. 9   a;    
         FIG. 10 a    is a side view of the box shown in  FIG. 1   b;    
         FIG. 10 b    is a section view taken from  FIG. 10   a;    
         FIG. 10 c    is a detail view taken from of  FIG. 10   b;    
         FIG. 10 d    is a perspective view of the box shown in  FIG. 1   b;    
         FIG. 10 e    is an enhanced perspective view of the box shown in  FIG. 10   d;    
         FIG. 10 f    is a detail view taken from  FIG. 10   e;    
         FIG. 11 a    is a perspective view of an alternative electrical device installation; 
         FIG. 11 b    is an exploded view of the assembly in  FIG. 11   a;    
         FIG. 12 a    is a modified partial perspective view of the assembly shown in  FIG. 11   a;    
         FIG. 12 b    a side view of the assembly shown in  FIG. 12   a;    
         FIG. 12 c    is a detailed perspective view of an element of the assembly shown in  FIG. 12   a;    
         FIG. 13 a    is a modified partial perspective view of a modification of the assembly shown in  FIG. 11   a;    
         FIG. 13 b    a side view of the assembly shown in  FIG. 13   a;    
         FIG. 13 c    is a detailed perspective view of an element of the assembly shown in  FIG. 13   a;    
         FIG. 14 a    is a front view of a portion of the assembly shown in  FIG. 11   a;    
         FIG. 14 b    is a section view taken from  FIG. 14   a;    
         FIG. 14 c    is a detail view taken from  FIG. 14   b;    
         FIG. 15  is a view of a tool operable with the assembly of  FIG. 11   a;    
         FIG. 16 a    is a perspective view of application of the removal tool shown in  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 16 b    is a front view of the assembly shown in  FIG. 16   a;    
         FIG. 16 c    is a section view taken from  FIG. 16   b;    
         FIG. 16 d    is a detailed view taken from  FIG. 16   c;    
         FIG. 17 a    is a rear perspective view of an alternate device embodiment; 
         FIG. 17 b    is perspective view a removal operation of the device shown in  FIG. 17   a;    
         FIG. 17 c    is a front view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 17   a;    
         FIG. 17 d    is a section view taken from  FIG. 17   c;    
         FIG. 17 e    is a detail view taken from  FIG. 17   d;    
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment; 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a portion of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 20  is an exploded view of another assembly embodiment; 
         FIG. 21 a    is a perspective view of a portion of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 21 b    is a side view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 21   a;    
         FIG. 22 a    is an exploded view of an additional assembly embodiment; 
         FIG. 22 b    is a front view of the assembly shown in  FIG. 22   a;    
         FIG. 22 c    is a vertical section view taken from  FIG. 22   b;    
         FIG. 22 d    is a horizontal section view taken from  FIG. 22   b;    
         FIG. 22 e    is a detail view taken from  FIG. 22   c;    
         FIG. 22 f    shows a detail view taken from  FIG. 22   d;    
         FIG. 23 a    is a side view of a bracket element of the assembly shown in  FIG. 22   a;    
         FIG. 23 b    is a front view of the bracket shown in  FIG. 23   a;    
         FIG. 23 c    is a perspective view of the bracket shown in  FIG. 23   a;    
         FIG. 23 d    is a top view of the bracket shown in  FIG. 23   a;    
         FIG. 23 e    is an upper detail view taken from  FIG. 23   c;    
         FIG. 23 f    is a lower detail view taken from  FIG. 23   c;    
         FIG. 24 a    is a side view of an alternative box for the assembly shown in  FIG. 1   a;    
         FIG. 24 b    is a front view of the box shown in  FIG. 24   a;    
         FIG. 24 c    is a perspective view of the box shown in  FIG. 24   a;    
         FIG. 24 d    is a top view of the box shown in  FIG. 24   a;    
         FIG. 24 e    is a detail view taken from  FIG. 24 c   ; and 
         FIG. 24 f    is a detail view taken from  FIG. 24   d.    
     
    
    
     DETAILED DISCLOSURE 
       FIGS. 1 a - e    show electrical box  3  mounted on stud  1  with fasteners  17 . Drywall  5  is mounted on the studs  1 . Hole  6  in drywall  5  or other wall substrate may be cut using a rotating cutting tool with a guide point running along box front inside perimeter wall  31  disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/690,849, filed Nov. 30, 2012. Sleeve  7  can be pushed through hole  6  in drywall  5  into box  3  until sleeve flange  8  contacts the front surface of drywall  5  or other wall substrate with any thickness such as, for example between one quarter inch to one and one quarter inch or greater. Sleeve  7  with perimeter wall, or flange surface,  63  serves to completely enclose the line voltage volume of the installation through the thickness of drywall  5  as is typically required by the electrical code regardless of whatever drywall  5  and cladding may be installed later. Sleeve  7  thus replaces the need to install a conventional electrical box proud of stud  1  by the thickness of drywall and cladding to be installed at a later time. Teeth  27 , on the top and bottom of sleeve  7 , ratchet beneath sprung retainers  29  on the top and bottom of the opening in box  3 . Sprung retainers  29  are recessed within box  3 , beyond perimeter wall  31 , to avoid interference with a rotating cutting tool running along perimeter wall  31 . Wires  13 , whose routing out of box  3  has been truncated for clarity, can be pushed into connector  15  which is plugged into the back of electrical device  9 . Electrical device  9  can be pushed into the opening in sleeve  7 . Device guide ribs  21 , shown on the top and bottom, locate device  9  within sleeve  7  as they contact horizontal guide surfaces  25  and vertical guide surfaces  26 . Sprung latches  19 , located on the four corners of device  9  retract as they slide beneath surface  23  and retain the device after expanding behind surface  24 . 
     Additional views of sleeve  7  are shown in  FIGS. 9 a - d   . Cover plate  11  is installed over device  9 . Four sprung arms  33  that extend from the backside of cover plate  11  have retainer  34  that snap fit on surface  35 . 
       FIGS. 2 a - e    show cover plate  11  with sprung arms  33  and retainers  34 . Retainers  34  have a steep angled release surface  36  that allows cover plate  11  to be removed by inserting a screwdriver or the like through recess  37  and prying cover plate  11  from sleeve  7 . 
       FIGS. 3 a - d    show electrical device  9  with latches  19 . Guide ribs  21  have chamfer  22  which facilitate insertion and centering of device  9  in sleeve  7  shown in  FIGS. 1 a - e   . In a multi-gang installation having devices spaced appropriately on the sleeve, this allows for ease of installation of the cover plate without adjustment. Device  9  has conventional mounting plates  52  on the top and bottom to permit mounting using screws in the conventional manner to a conventional box, as an alternative to box  3  and sleeve. A conventional cover plate can be fastened with screws to mounting plate  52  of device  9  in the conventional manner Latches  19  cooperate with springs  20  and release buttons  39 . When buttons  39  are pushed springs  20  are compressed, thereby retracting latches  19  and disengaging them from the sleeve to permit removal of device  9  from sleeve  7 .  FIG. 4  shows the removal of device  9  from sleeve  7  using needle-nose pliers  41  on buttons  39  to retract latches  19 . 
     An alternative embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 5 a - e   . Device  43  differs from device  9  in its removal means. Latches  19  of device  43  are retracted by rotating clockwise slotted shaft  45  with pinion  47 , which drives racks  49 . Rack  49  is directly connected to latch  19  which is spring loaded in the same manner as device  9  shown in  FIG. 3 d   .  FIG. 6  shows the removal means of device  43  from sleeve  7  by using slotted screwdriver  51  to rotate shaft  45 . 
       FIG. 7  shows the backside of device  9 , which provides three means of wiring access to the box. While screws  53  may be conventional wire clamps, the screws may be non-conductive to avoid shock hazard. Push-in wire sockets  57  clamp the suitably sized wire upon insertion. Barbed retainers (not shown) in sockets  57  retain the wire. Female connector  55 , integral to device  9 , is mateable with male connector  15  shown in  FIG. 8 . Male connector  8  is shown with truncated push-in wires  13 . In this instance, since the connectors may be non-conductive, device  9  can be replaced from the installation without exposure to live contacts, as screws  53  can be insulated when formed of a thermoplastic or thermoset material or the like. Alternatively, screw  53  may be made of an electrically conductive material with a head whose top surface is a non-conductive material. Alternately, a conventional screw  53  can be isolated electrically from the device with a non-conductive plate which compresses the contact but isolates screw  53 . 
     Multiple views of plastic injection molded sleeve  7  are visible in  FIGS. 9 a - d   . Ratchet threads  59  facilitate mounting of conventional electrical devices by allowing mounting screws to be pushed in and tightened with a screwdriver. Outboard of the ratchet threads are clearance holes  61  that provide clearance for conventional cover plate mounting screws on the taped holes of conventional electrical device. Clearance holes  61  and keyway  62  also provide access for sleeve  7  removal as shown in  FIGS. 16 a - d   . Guide rails  65  ensure that sleeve  7  remains vertically positioned with box  3 . 
     Box  3  shown in  FIGS. 10 a - f    contains additional volume at the top and bottom portions in comparison with conventional wide device boxes. The additional volume facilitates wiring and device installation and provides clearance for sleeve  7  insertion without interference with conduit fittings or wire cladding strain relief in the top and bottom of box  3 . Sprung retainers  29  may be made of spring steel and inserted through slots  28 . Sprung retainer  29  is held in position by flange  67  and sprung detent  32  on either side of box front surface  4 . Alignment tabs  30  allow box  3  to be located on the stud so that the front surface  4  is flush with stud  1  shown in  FIGS. 1 a   - e.    
       FIGS. 11 a - b    depict a two gang dual voltage device installation using two gang box  69  mounted to stud  1  with fasteners  17 . Divider plate  77 , used for isolation of differing voltage devices, is slid through slots  91  and held in place via screw  89  in tab  79  threaded into the back wall of box  69 . Opening  6  in drywall  5  or other wall substrate may be cut using a rotating cutting tool with a guide point running along box front inside perimeter wall  31 . Two gang sleeve  71  may be pushed through opening  6  in drywall  5  into box  69  until sleeve flange  8  contacts the front surface of drywall  5 . Sleeve  71  with perimeter wall  63  serves to completely enclose the line voltage volume of the installation through the thickness of drywall  5  as typically required by the electrical code. Sleeve  71  has integral divider plate  81  which, in conjunction with box divider plate  77 , serves to isolate the differing voltage devices, as shown more clearly in  FIGS. 14 a - c   . Integral divider plate  81  can be cut or broken away if desired. Sleeve  71  thus replaces the need to install a conventional electrical box proud of stud  1  by the thickness of drywall and cladding to be installed. Teeth  27 , on the top and bottom of sleeve  71 , ratchet beneath sprung retainers  29  on the top and bottom of the opening in box  3 . Wiring is not shown in this embodiment. Electrical device  9  is pushed into the left opening in sleeve  71  as described in  FIGS. 1 a - e   . Conventional low voltage device  73 , e.g. HDMI sockets, may be installed on the right hand side of sleeve  71  using fasteners  85  through device mounting plate  52  into ratchet threads  59 . Cover plate  75  is installed over devices  9  and  73  using screws  83  into the outside taped hole of device mounting plates  52 . Alternatively, a low voltage device with snap-in features similar to the latches on device  9  could be installed in sleeve  71 . A two gang version of snap-on cover plate  11  may be used in this installation regardless of whether conventional or snap-in devices are used. 
       FIGS. 12 a - c    illustrate a plastic injection molded pull  87  that ensures effective securing of sleeve  71  in box  69  by sandwiching drywall  5  between sleeve flange  8  and box front surface  4 . By pulling on pull  87  while pushing sleeve  71  into box  69 , the non-stud side of box  69  is held motionless allowing sleeve teeth  29  to be engaged by box sprung retainer  29  at full penetration. The stud side of the box is held motionless by stud  1 . Pull  87  has slider  95  that snaps-into and travels along slot track  93 . Sleeve  99  has slots  99  that pull  87  extends out from. Finger hole  97  in pull  87  facilitates pulling. Pull  87  retracts sufficiently to allow the rotating cutting tool to pass without obstruction and to permit the cover plate to be installed over it. After sleeve  71  is secured in box  69  pull  87  is pushed back into box  69 . This provision avoids the need for the conventional stand-off that is used on the non-stud side on the backside of a multi-gang electrical box to secure the box. 
     Alternatively to the illustrated pull  87 , a living hinge can be provided to permit retraction, as is shown in  FIGS. 13 a - c   . Pull  101  made of webbing or a strip of plastic sufficiently flexible to permit retraction or stuffing into box  103 . Pull  101  can either be pushed back into box  103  after insertion of sleeve  105  or alternatively can be cut off. Sleeve  105  has recesses  107  to facilitate passage of pull  103 . Sleeves  69  and  105  may be horizontally and vertically symmetrical to allow installation with either side against stud  1 . During box assembly, pull  101  can be inserted through hole  111  in the side of box  103  and retained in position by stop  109 . 
       FIGS. 14 a - c    illustrate a two gang box  69  with divider plate  77  mounted on stud  1  and two gang sleeve  71  with integral divider plate  81  sandwiching drywall  5 , as shown in  FIGS. 11 a - b    and  FIGS. 12 a - b   . Box divider plate  77  has jog offset  113  that allows it to run alongside integral sleeve divider plate  81  and compartmentalize left and right sides of the dual voltage installation regardless of drywall  5  thickness. 
       FIG. 15  shows sleeve removal tool  115  with prongs  117 . A screwdriver or similar tool can also be used to remove the sleeve.  FIGS. 16 a - d    show sleeve removal tools  115  with prongs  117  inserted through clearance holes  61  into keyways  62  on sleeve  69  to deflect and release sprung retainers  29  on box  69  from teeth  27  and permit removal of sleeve  71 . On a three or more gang installation, box sprung retainers  29  and sleeve teeth  27  may not be needed for each gang. For example, the middle gang of a three gang installation may not require retention, facilitating removal by only having to release two pairs of retainers. 
       FIG. 17 a    illustrates an alternate embodiment to the snap in devices shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 5 . Device  119  is installed in sleeve  121 , which is mounted in box  3  in the same manner as sleeve  7  shown in  FIGS. 1 a - e   . Device  119  has sprung latches  125  that are compressed as it is pushed into sleeve  121  and are retained on surface  129 . Removal of device  119  requires removal of sleeve  121  from box  3  to gain access to latch removal levers  127 . Removal of sleeve  121  from box  3  is accomplished by inserting prongs  124  of tool  123  into slots  122  to deflect and release sprung retainers  29  on box  3  from sleeve teeth  27 . By compressing lever  127  toward the middle of device  119  from the rear of the device, using opposing thumb and index finger or the like, latches  125  retract and device  119  can be removed from sleeve  121 . Device  119  can also be mounted with screws through plate  52  in a conventional manner into a conventional electrical box. Sleeve  121  can also accommodate a conventional electrical device. 
       FIGS. 18 and 19  depict a hermetically sealed electrical box  133  with flange  135  and foam gasket  137  that seals vapour barrier membrane  131  when drywall  5  is installed thereon. Front inside perimeter wall  31  allows a rotating cutting tool to cut drywall and vapour barrier membrane  131  to the appropriate size and location as described with respect to  FIGS. 1 a - e   . Subsequently sleeve  7 , electrical device  9  and cover plate  11  are installed as shown in  FIGS. 1 a - e   . A conventional device and/or cover plate could be installed in/on sleeve  7 . 
       FIG. 20  and  FIGS. 21 a - b    illustrate an alternative embodiment in which bracket  139  is mounted on stud  1  with fasteners  17 . Drywall  5  is mounted in front of stud  1  and bracket  139 . Inside perimeter wall  31  acts as a template for cutting hole  6  in drywall  5  using a rotating cutting tool with guide tip. Electrical box  141  may be pushed into hole  6  and bracket  139  after box  141  is wired (not shown). Teeth  27  of box  141  are retained by sprung retainers  29  on bracket  139  and hold box  141  in position. Pull  101  is pulled on as box  141  is pushed-in to avoid deflection of bracket  139  and ensure secure retainment of box  141  in bracket  139  on drywall  5 . Recess  107  on box  141  allows access to pull  101 . After use, pull  101  may be cut off or pushed back into bracket  139 . Conventional electrical device  143  is installed through plates  52  with fasteners  85  into ratchet threads  59  of box  141 . Conventional cover plate  145  is mounted on device  143  with screws  83  in the conventional manner. Alternatively, a snap-in device, as shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 5 , can be employed with a slide-in box configuration similar to box  141  but with the same matching retainment and alignment surfaces as sleeve  7  shown in  FIGS. 1 a - e   . As an alternate embodiment, rather than inserting the slide in box, a sleeve can be used for a low voltage installation. A multigang version of this embodiment is envisioned. 
       FIGS. 22 a - f    illustrate a slide-on box  147  (shown in detail in  FIGS. 24 a - f   ) mounted on bracket  149  (shown in detail in  FIGS. 23 a - f   ). Bracket  149  is mounted to stud  1 . Box  147  has hems  151  on either side that slide on rails  153  on either side of bracket  149 . Box  147  can be installed from the top or bottom of bracket  149 . Sprung arm  155 , riveted to the side of box  147 , engages recess  159  of bracket rail  153  on the non-stud side of bracket  149  preventing box  147  from moving after installation. Chamfer  161  at the end of rails  153  facilitate alignment of mating features and allows sprung arm  155  on box  147  to flex and run on rail  153  until it drops into recess  159 . To remove box  147  from bracket  149 , sprung arm  155  is disengaged from recess  155  and box  147  is slid up or down. Flanges  153  of bracket  149  align with the top and bottom of box  147  to completely enclose the line voltage installation. Bracket  149  can be mounted as shown or rotated 180 degrees for mounting on the other side of stud  1 . Bracket  149  has interior perimeter wall  31  upon which the rotating drywall cutting tool guide runs. Sleeve  7 , as shown in  FIGS. 9 a - d   , is inserted into hole  6 , bracket  149  and box  147 . Snap-in electrical device  9  and snap-on cover plate  11  may be installed in sleeve  7  as shown in  FIGS. 1 a - e   . Bracket  149  may be used without box  147  for low voltage installation. A pull on bracket  149  may be employed to ensure a solid installation. Box  147  and bracket  149  may be of any size to facilitate multiple wires and/or conduits and/or additional volume for larger devices. 
     In this disclosure there are shown and described only preferred embodiments of the invention and but a few examples of its versatility. It is to be understood that the invention is capable of use in various other combinations and environments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein. It should be understood that the term “drywall” as used throughout the disclosure is representative of any wall substrate. Similarly, it should be understood that the concepts disclosed herein are applicable to other electrical devices, such as keypads, speakers, display devices, and the like and to supporting other elements or appliance within a building surface.