Patent Publication Number: US-2023135614-A1

Title: Between-Stud Bracket with Auto-Height System

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/275,645, filed Nov. 4, 2021, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     In some contexts, it may be useful to support electrical boxes or other objects relative to building structures. In some installations, telescoping electrical brackets can be used to support electrical boxes or other objects in a space between adjacent studs. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the invention can provide improved brackets for supporting electrical boxes or other equipment between studs. In some embodiments. a method of installing a telescoping bracket system can be provided to support an object in a stud cavity between a first stud and a second stud. A bracket that includes telescoping rails that extend between first and second mounting flanges can be arranged in an installation orientation. In the installation orientation the bracket can extend substantially vertically along the first stud and a shoulder of the bracket that is adjacent to the second mounting flange rests on a floor track that extends between the first stud and the second stud. The bracket can be secured to the first stud in the installation orientation with a first fastener received through a pivot opening on a pivot tab that extends integrally from the first mounting flange. With the bracket secured to the first stud at the pivot opening, the bracket can be pivoted from the installation orientation to a support orientation. The telescoping rails can be extended so that the bracket extends substantially horizontally to span the stud cavity, with the first mounting flange overlaying the first stud and the second mounting flange overlaying the second stud. The bracket can be secured to the second stud with a second fastener received through the mounting opening. 
     In some embodiments, a telescoping bracket system can be provided, which can include a bracket. The bracket can include a first mounting flange, a second mounting flange, telescoping rails, and a pivot tab. The second mounting flange can include a mounting opening. The telescoping rails can extend between the first and second mounting flanges. The pivot tab can extend integrally from the first mounting flange and can include a pivot opening arranged to secure the bracket to a first stud to be pivotable between a substantially vertical installation orientation of the telescoping bracket system and a substantially horizontal support orientation of the telescoping bracket system. In the installation orientation, the bracket can be secured to the first stud at the pivot opening and can extend along the first stud so that a shoulder of the bracket that is adjacent to the second mounting flange rests on a floor track that extends along a floor between the first stud and a second stud. In the support orientation, the first mounting flange can overlay the first stud and the second mounting flange can overlay the second stud, with the bracket secured to the first stud at the pivot opening and to the second stud at the mounting opening to span a stud cavity between the first stud and the second stud. 
     In some embodiments, a bracket can support objects between studs of a building. A first telescoping member can include a first rail, a second rail, and a first side body that connects the first rail to the second rail. The first side body can include a first mounting flange with a first mounting opening to receive a first fastener to secure the first telescoping member to a first stud, and a pivot tab that extends from the first mounting flange and includes a pivot opening to receive a second fastener to secure the first telescoping member to the first stud. A second telescoping member can include a third rail, a fourth rail, and a second side body that connects the third rail to the fourth rail, the second side body defining a shoulder and including a second mounting flange with a second mounting opening to receive a third fastener to secure the second telescoping member to a second stud that is spaced apart from the first stud. The first telescoping member can telescopically engage the second telescoping member to provide a range of between-stud lengths for the bracket, with the first rail slidingly engaging the third rail and the fourth rail slidingly engaging the second rail to define an interior area. The pivot tab can extend from the first mounting flange so that the bracket is pivotable about the pivot opening, when the second fastener secures the first telescoping member to the first stud. The bracket can pivot about the pivot opening between an installation orientation and a support orientation. In the installation orientation, the shoulder of the second side body can be seated on a floor track that spans the first and second studs, to define an installation height for the bracket. In the support orientation the first mounting opening can be aligned to be secured to the first stud with the first fastener and the second mounting opening can be aligned to be secured to the second stud with the third fastener, with the bracket at the installation height. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of embodiments of the invention: 
         FIG.  1    is a front elevation view of a between-stud bracket according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  2 A  is a front elevation view of a first telescoping member of the bracket of  FIG.  1   , 
         FIG.  2 B  is a front elevation view of a second telescoping member of the bracket of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3 A  is front elevation view of the bracket of  FIG.  1    in a telescoping bracket system, staged in an installation orientation for installation between studs; 
         FIG.  3 B  is an enlarged front elevation of a pivot tab of the bracket of  FIG.  1   , with the telescoping bracket system in the installation orientation of  FIG.  3 A ; 
       FIG. 4 A is side elevation view of the bracket of  FIG.  1    staged with the telescoping bracket system in the installation orientation of  FIG.  3 A ; 
         FIG.  4 B  is an enlarged side elevation of a shoulder of the bracket of  FIG.  1   , with the bracket oriented as shown in  FIG.  4 A ; 
         FIG.  5    is front elevation view of the telescoping bracket system of  FIG.  3 A  being pivoted from the installation orientation of  FIGS.  3 A- 4 B  toward a support orientation during installation between studs; 
         FIG.  6    is a front elevation view of the bracket of  FIG.  1    with the telescoping bracket system in the support orientation of  FIG.  5   ; 
         FIG.  7    is front elevation view of the telescoping bracket system of  FIG.  3 A  in an extended-length support orientation, as installed between studs; 
         FIG.  8    is a front elevation view of a between-stud bracket according to an embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG.  9    is a front elevation view of a between-stud bracket according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     The discussion herein is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use embodiments of the invention. Various modifications to the illustrated embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles herein can be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from embodiments of the invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not intended to be limited to embodiments shown, but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. The following detailed description is to be read with reference to the figures, in which like elements in different figures have like reference numerals. The figures, which are not necessarily to scale, depict selected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of embodiments of the invention. Skilled artisans will recognize the examples provided herein have many useful alternatives and fall within the scope of embodiments of the invention. 
     As noted above, between-stud brackets can be used to support electrical boxes or other components between studs (e.g., between standard-size metal studs). In some installations, building codes or other considerations may require that electrical boxes or other components be supported at least a particular height above a floor. Further, in some cases, installation processes may be generally improved if all electrical boxes (or other components) are supported at a common height above the floor. 
     Conventional between-stud brackets can help to align the brackets at a predetermined height above a floor. However, conventional designs may be unwieldy to use, may require a large number of fasteners for secure installation, or may tend to become caught or bound on studs or floor tracks that extend between studs, among other shortcomings. 
     Embodiments of the disclosed invention can provide improvements over conventional between-stud brackets, including by providing brackets with auto-height systems that are easy to use, can be secured with only two or three fasteners, and do not tend to catch or bind on building structures. In some embodiments, a pivot tab can extend from a mounting flange of a telescoping bracket to support the telescoping bracket for pivotal movement relative to a stud (e.g., a standard commercial stud with a width of 1.25″). 
     In some embodiments, a pivot tab and associated mounting flanges to secure a bracket to studs can be coplanar, so that the bracket can more reliably pivot between orientations without the tabs catching on edges of a stud. In some embodiments, other aspects of the geometry of the mounting flanges can further prevent portions of the mounting flange from catching on edges of a stud during installation, or from catching on a floor during rotation of the bracket. For example, mounting flanges can define a trapezoidal profile that tapers inwardly as a distance from a body of the bracket increases. Thus, when the bracket is swung into position (e.g., as shown in  FIG.  5   ) a corner of the flange does not extend from the flange to catch on the floor or on the stud, before the body of the bracket is appropriately aligned. In some embodiments, a pivot tab can be oriented to facilitate easy installation (e.g., can be oriented at the top right of a bracket during staging, from the perspective of a user, and at a bottom right of the bracket once the bracket is installed). 
     As another example, some embodiments can be formed that do not include protruding tabs that are not substantially coplanar with a corresponding mounting flange. For example, some brackets can include a substantially planar mounting flange with a substantially planar pivot tab extending therefrom, but may not include any tabs or other formations at a periphery of the mounting flanges that protrude out of the reference plane of the mounting flange. 
     In some embodiments, a shoulder on a bracket can be configured to rest on a top surface of a floor track (e.g., a standard commercial track with a height of 1.25″) to define a predetermined installation height without contacting the floor or an underside of the floor track. This arrangement of a shoulder, particularly in combination with a pivot tab configured as disclosed herein, can further assist users in quick and snag-free installation. For example, seating the shoulder of a bracket on a floor track, as opposed to the potentially debris-filled floor of a work site, can allow users to more easily and reliably ensure that the bracket is staged at an appropriate height during installation. Further, the shoulder can help to support the bracket for installation of a pivot screw into a stud, to further ensure the repeatability of a pre-determined height for this pivoting connection point. 
     Correspondingly, in some cases, a mounting flange at one end of a bracket (e.g., to engage a first stud) can be not co-planar with a mounting flange at another end of the bracket (e.g., to engage a second stud across a stud cavity from the first stud). For example, a reference plane of a substantially planar first mounting flange can be offset from a reference plane of a substantially planar second mounting flange in a direction that extends out of a stud cavity (with the bracket installed in the stud cavity). Thus, for example, when the bracket is staged in an installation orientation (e.g., to assist in securing a pivot tab), the outward offset of the first mounting flange can allow the first mounting flange to overlay a floor track that is installed over the front of the relevant studs without requiring the bracket to be notably deformed or tilted. This arrangement, in turn, can thus assist users in more accurately placing a pivot fastener to then pivot the bracket to a support orientation at a desired height. 
     In this regard, further benefits can also accrue from the absence of protruding tabs as noted above. For example, contact between protruding tabs and a front face of a stud structure during staging operations can cause a bracket to bend or otherwise become angled relative to vertical. This misalignment can result in corresponding lack of precision with regard to any initial fastener connection (e.g., for pivoting or final support), with corresponding loss of reliability for horizontal installation of the bracket at a pre-defined installation height. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates an example between-stud bracket  100  for supporting objects between studs of a building. In the embodiment shown, the bracket  100  is formed from two telescoping members  114 ,  116  (see  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , in particular), which include respective side bodies  102 ,  104  connected telescopically by sets of rails  106 ,  108 . In some cases, telescoping members can be substantially identical, which may, for example, reduce manufacturing steps necessary to produce dissimilar parts, generate material savings in the manufacturing process, and simplify packaging and transportation of telescoping members. In some cases, telescoping members can be substantially identical except for a limited number of features (e.g., a pivot tab, as further discussed below). In some cases, a telescoping member can be formed as an integral component (e.g., as formed in a single piece using stamping operations on a metal blank). 
     Generally, electrical boxes, and other components may be installed in an interior area  110  defined by the perimeter of the side bodies  102 ,  104  and the sets of rails  106 ,  108 . The side body  102  includes a mounting flange  120  with a mounting opening  122 , and the side body  104  includes a mounting flange  126  with a mounting opening  124 . The mounting openings  122 ,  124  are vertically offset from each other and from a horizontal centerline of the bracket  100  in the example shown (i.e., not vertically centered relative to the interior area  110 ), and can be rotationally symmetric in this regard in some cases. 
     The mounting flanges can be shaped to prevent corners of the flanges from catching on a floor or on edges of studs during installation, and can further be shaped to provide ease of manufacturing. For example, as shown in  FIG.  1   , each of the mounting flanges  120 ,  126  can define a trapezoidal shape. As illustrated, a proximal side of each of the mounting flanges  120 ,  126  that is most proximate to the interior area  110  can be longer than a distal side of the corresponding mounting flange  120 ,  126  most distant from the interior area  110 , and the distal side and the proximal side can be parallel. Thus, lateral sides of the mounting flanges  120 ,  126  can angle inwardly from the proximal side to the distal side, which can reduce a probability that a corner of the respective mounting flange  120 ,  126  catches on a floor, a stud or, or another object during installation. Further, this configuration can provide ease of manufacturing, as lateral sides of the respective mounting flanges  120 ,  126  can be cut at identical angles relative to either or both of the proximate and distal sides, and manufacturing steps (e.g., shifting, rotating, or repositioning side bodies  102 ,  104 ) can be reduced. 
     As further shown in  FIG.  1   , the trapezoidal profile of mounting flange  120  can be substantially centered relative to side body  102 , while the trapezoidal profile of mounting flange  126  can be offset relative to side body  104 , so that a portion of the mounting flange  126  extends outwardly from the bracket  100  in an elongate direction of the mounting flange past the rail  108 . The portion of the mounting flange  126  (e.g., the mounting flange comprising a trapezoid that is offset relative to the side body  104 ) that extends outwardly can comprise a pivot tab  112 , as further described below. The proximal side and the distal side of each of the mounting flanges  120 ,  126  can be centered relative to each other, so that lateral sides of the trapezoids defined by each of the mounting flanges  120 ,  126  can be substantially identically dimensioned (e.g., a length and angle of opposite lateral sides of a trapezoidal mounting flange can be identical within a margin of error). 
       FIGS.  4 A and  4 B  illustrate a side elevation view of the bracket  100  in an installation orientation (e.g., a vertical or substantially vertical orientation, as shown). As shown in  FIGS.  4 A and  4 B , mounting flanges  120 ,  126  extend out in a plane from a front (mounting) surface of the bracket  100  that extends along the sets of rails  106 ,  108 , to define a shoulder between each of the side bodies  102 ,  104  and each of the respective mounting flange  120 ,  126 . The shoulder  127  can be sized and shaped to at least partially receive a portion of a floor track  152  for a stud system when the bracket is in an installation orientation and the side body  102  is resting on a floor track  152 . The shoulder  127  can further be sized and shaped to engage a stud (e.g., seat against studs  150 ,  154  shown in  FIG.  7   ) when the bracket  100  is in a support orientation, as can help to ensure appropriate extension of the bracket  100  relative to a width of a stud cavity and also assist with staging the bracket  100  in a fully-extended horizontal orientation for insertion of a screw into the mounting flange  120 . 
     In the illustrated example, the internally facing surface of each of the mounting flanges  120 ,  126  is coincident with the front face of corresponding studs (e.g., studs  150  and  154  shown in  FIG.  7   ) when mounted, with the front surface of the sets of rails  106 ,  108  offset slightly behind the front face of the stud. As shown in  FIGS.  4 B and  7    in particular, the mounting flanges  120 ,  126  extend away from the side bodies  102 ,  104  by a distance D 1  that is smaller than a width of a stud and smaller than a height H 1  of the floor track  152  (e.g., by less than 1.25 inches, for standard commercial stud systems). As further discussed below, this arrangement can allow for easier installation than with conventional designs. 
     Referring back to  FIG.  1   , the mounting openings  122 ,  124  allow the bracket  100  to be mounted to studs using fasteners of various types (e.g., self-tapping screws or other threaded or non-threaded fasteners of known types). As illustrated, the mounting openings are substantially centered in the elongate direction of their respective side bodies (e.g., as measured between the exterior edges of rails  106  and  108  and between exterior lateral edges of a mounting flange on which the mounting opening is located), and are also vertically offset relative to each other. This may result in more stable mounting configurations in some cases, including with a relatively small number of fasteners (e.g., no more than two or three fasteners in total). 
     In different examples, different types of telescoping arrangements (e.g., rail profiles) can be used. In the illustrated example, as also noted above, the bracket  100  includes the two telescoping members  114 ,  116 . As shown in  FIG.  2 A , in particular, the member  114  includes rails  108   b ,  106   a , joined by the side body  102 . As shown in  FIG.  2 B , the member  116  includes rails  108   a ,  106   b , connected by the side body  104 . Further, the members  114 ,  116  are substantially identical (e.g., formed as integrally stamped substantially identical bodies), other than a pivot tab  112  included on the member  116  (e.g., the trapezoidal mounting flange  126  can be offset relative to side body  104  so that the pivot tab  112  overhangs the side body  104 ). The pivot tab  112  integrally extends outward in the elongate direction from the mounting flange  126 , away from the interior area  110 , and includes a pivot tab opening  130  which may be used in fastening the bracket  100  to a stud (e.g., stud  150  illustrated in  FIG.  5   ) for installation. In particular, when a support system with the bracket  100  is in the support orientation, the pivot tab  112  is arranged to extend to be vertically below the set of rails  108  (i.e., extend to a lower height than the lower rails of the set of rails  108 ). 
     Generally, the rails  106   a ,  106   b ,  108   a ,  108   b  are sized to engage each other as sets of telescoping rails to provide telescoping adjustability for the bracket  100 . While  FIG.  1    shows a system with two sets of telescoping rails, some embodiments could vary in this regard. 
     Further, as illustrated in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , the rails  106   a ,  108   a  can have a larger cross-sectional profile than the rails  106   b ,  108   b , enabling the rail  106   a  to slidingly receive the rail  106   b , and enabling the rail  108   a  to slidingly receive the rail  108   b . Thus, the pivot tab  112  is arranged on the member  114  adjacent to the larger-profile rail  108   a . In particular, this arrangement may allow for more economical manufacturing of the bracket  100 , including with regard to the substantially identical configuration of the members  114 ,  116  (other than the pivot tab  112 ). However, other configurations are possible, including configurations with one or more pivot tabs located adjacent to other rails. For example, as shown in  FIG.  8   , a bracket  200  can include two pivot tabs  212 , each configured similarly to the pivot tab  112  (e.g., with each of the bracket members of the bracket  200  being thus having substantially identical configurations, including relative to the tabs  212 ). 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , when the members  114 ,  116  are telescopically joined, the side bodies  102 ,  104  are positioned opposite each other, and are both spaced apart and connected by the sets of rails  106 ,  108 . The members  114 ,  116  are telescopically joined when the rail  106   b  is slidingly received into the rail  106   a  to form the telescoping set of rails  106 , and the rail  108 b is slidingly received into the rail  108   a  to form the telescoping set of rails  108 . This arrangement allows the rails to extend telescopically to span a range of stud-lengths, while still strongly supporting one or more electrical boxes or other components between two studs. 
     As generally noted above, brackets in some embodiments can provide for easier and more reliable installation of brackets at predefined heights, in horizontal and extended orientations. In this regard, for example,  FIGS.  3 A through  7    illustrate a method of installing the bracket  100 . 
     In  FIG.  3 A , the bracket  100  is shown in an installation orientation relative to the floor, with the set of rails  108  abutting stud  150 , and the shoulder  127  defined by the side body  102  resting on the floor track  152  that spans between the stud  150  and an adjacent stud  154  (see also  FIG.  4 B ). In this configuration, the pivot tab  112  extends outward horizontally, overlying the outward facing surface of the stud  150 . In this illustrated arrangement, right-handed installation is easy, as the bracket may be held in place using the left hand while being fastened with the right. However, other configurations are possible, including configurations that allow the pivot tab  112  to extend leftward to overlie the stud to which it is fastened, thus enabling left-handed installation. Generally, the bracket  100  can be manually placed in the installation orientation shown in  FIG.  3 A  without the use of measurement tools, with the set of rails  108  and the shoulder  127  of the side body  102  providing locating features to ensure proper placement of the bracket  100  generally. Further, the bracket  100  can be thus arranged using a variety of orders of operations, including: first resting the shoulder  127  on the floor track  152  and then sliding the bracket  100  along the floor track  152  toward the stud  150 ; or first abutting the set of rails  108  against the stud  150  and then sliding the bracket  100  along the stud  150  toward the floor track  152 . In some embodiments, the trapezoidal shape of the mounting flange  120  can ensure that no portion of the mounting flange  120  extends from the side body  102  by a distance greater than the height H 1  of the floor track  152  with the bracket  100  oriented at any angle when the shoulder  127  is resting on a top surface of the floor track  152 . For example, if the mounting flange defined a rectangular profile, a corner of the flange could extend downwardly at a distance from a side body that is greater than the height of a floor track, and thus, differently shaped mounting flanges (e.g., with protruding peripheral features) could catch on a floor or other building structure (e.g. floor tracks) during rotation. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  4 A and  4 B , when the bracket  100  is in the installation orientation, the mounting flange  120  is coincident with and overlies the forward surface of the floor track  152 . Further as also noted above, the mounting flange  120  extends only partially down the height of floor track  152 , without reaching the floor (e.g., the distance D 1  is less than the height of the floor track H 1 ). In this position, the weight of the bracket prevents telescopic extension of rails  106  and  108  and thus the fully-compressed (or other) height between the pivot tab  112  and the shoulder  127  of the side body  102  can repeatably and automatically locate the pivot opening  130  at a fixed installation height H 2  relative to floor track  152 . Additionally,  FIGS.  4 A and  4 B  illustrate in particular the offset of the mounting flange  120  relative to the mounting flange  120 , in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the stud cavity (i.e., to the right in the illustrated example). As also discussed above, and shown in  FIG.  4 A  in particular, this arrangement can help to accommodate the offset of the floor track  152  relative to the studs  150 ,  154  (see also  FIG.  5   ) while preserving a vertical (or substantially vertical) orientation of the bracket  100  in the illustrated installation orientation. 
     For a particular compressed length of the bracket  100  and height H 1  of the floor track  152 , the pivot tab  112  can be fastened to the stud  150  at the installation height H 2 , which can, in turn allow the bracket  100  to be reliably vertically centered (or substantially centered) about a mounting height H 3  when the bracket is in a support orientation (e.g., when the bracket  100  is rotated about the pivot tab  112  to be installed in a horizontal or substantially horizontal orientation, as shown in  FIGS.  5 - 7   ). In some embodiments, the mounting height H 3  can be 17.25 inches (e.g., 17.25 inches above the floor track  152 ). In some embodiments, then, the bracket  100  can be sized and dimensioned to account for the height H 1  of the floor track (e.g., 1.25 inches) to install the bracket  100  at a mounting height H 3  (e.g., 17.25 inches) above the floor track, which in turn mounts the bracket at about 18.5 inches from a floor (e.g., the bracket is centered at a height that is the sum of H 3  and H 1  above the floor). In some embodiments, the fully-compressed height H 2  (e.g., from the shoulder  127  to the pivot opening  130 ) can be about 13.6 inches. In some embodiments, a bracket can be otherwise dimensioned to achieve other mounting heights (e.g., a mounting height of about 15 inches, 16 inches, 18 inches, 19 inches, 20 inches, or 21 inches). 
     Once the bracket  100  is appropriately aligned for an installation orientation of a bracket system, as shown in  FIG.  3 B , a fastener  160  can be used to connect the pivot tab  112  to the stud  150  through the pivot opening  130 . As illustrated in  FIGS.  5  and  6   , this allows bracket  100  to pivotally rotate about fastener  160  in a substantially planar fashion from an installation to a support orientation. In particular, the substantially planar configuration and absence of protruding peripheral tabs or corners from the mounting flange  120  supports free rotation of bracket  100  about the pivot opening  130 , without risk of catching the bracket  100  on the floor rail or studs during rotation and without the need to deform the bracket  100  to clear obstacles. Relatedly, the relatively short extension length of the mounting flange  120 , and the trapezoidal shape of the mounting flange  120  also helps to ensure that the bracket  100  can rotate freely, without risk of catching the mounting flange  120  on the floor. For example, the trapezoidal shape as shown in particular can reduce the chance of catching a stud with an edge of the bracket  100  (e.g., due to bent corners protruding from the mounting flange  120 ). 
     With the bracket secured to the stud  150  by the fastener  160 , the bracket  100  can be rotated from the installation (e.g., vertical) to the support (e.g., horizontal) orientation, as illustrated in  FIGS.  6  and  7   . From this position (or at other times), the bracket  100  can be telescopically extended to span the stud length between the stud  150 ,  154 , as illustrated in  FIG.  7   . Once extended, the side body  102  abuts the stud  154  and the mounting flange  120  overlies the stud  154 , coincident with the front surface of stud  154 . As also shown in  FIG.  7   , a fastener  162  can then be used to secure the bracket  100  to the stud  154  through the fastener opening  122  in the mounting flange  120 . The embodiment in  FIG.  7    also illustrates a fastener  164  securing the mounting flange  126  to the stud  150  through fastener opening  124 , providing additional stability to the installation. Other configurations are possible, however, and fastener  164  may be omitted. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the bracket  100  thus requires a minimum of two, and a maximum of three fasteners to secure the bracket to the studs  150 ,  154 . This can provide an improvement over conventional designs, which typically require a minimum of three, and a maximum of 4 screws for installation. The reduction in fastening hardware necessarily diminishes both material and labor costs as compared with conventional designs. Additionally, the positioning of the fastening openings  122  and  124  to be substantially centered on side bodies  102  and  104  provides a benefit in stability over prior art designs, in which fasteners are typically attached at the corners of a bracket. 
     In this regard, for example, the bracket  100  can be secured to the stud  150  at the pivot opening  130  (e.g., using fastener  160 ), and can be secured to the stud  154  at mounting opening  122  (e.g., using fastener  162 ). In this configuration, the bracket  100  can in some cases be reliably secured without the need to fasten the bracket  100  to stud  50  through mounting opening  124  (e.g., using fastener  164 ). Further, a vertical offset between the pivot opening  130  and the mounting opening  122  can provide greater stability to the bracket over systems that could require the bracket to be secured at opposite corners. The bracket  100  thus provides an improvement over some conventional systems, which can require a mounting bracket to be secured at three corners to achieve similar stability. 
     In some cases, a fully centered mounting arrangement may not be optimal in general. For example, as shown in  FIG.  1   , the mounting openings  122 ,  124  are also vertically offset from each other with the bracket  100  in a support (e.g., horizontal) orientation, with corresponding benefits as similarly discussed above. In particular, as shown in the illustrated example, some embodiments can have neither of the mounting openings  122 ,  124  vertically centered on the bracket  100  in the support orientation. 
     In the illustrated example, the fully compressed height H 2  of the bracket  100  provides a distance between the pivot tab  112  and the shoulder  127  that seats on the floor track  152  that results in the bracket  100  being pivotable to a support orientation in which the bracket  100  is substantially vertically centered at mounting height H 3 , which, as discussed above, can be 17.25 inches above a top of the floor track  152 , or 18.5 inches above the bottom of the floor track  152 . Correspondingly, once carpet, tile, or other finished flooring is installed, the bracket  100  may be substantially vertically centered at least 18 inches above the finished flooring, as may satisfy code requirements in some jurisdictions. In other embodiments or installations, a fully compressed (or other) length of a bracket can allow for a bracket to pivot to different mounting heights for a support orientation, as desired. 
     In some cases, it may be beneficial for mounting flanges of a bracket to include only openings that are necessary for mounting the bracket to studs. For example, a user can choose to install the bracket on studs without using the auto-height capabilities, and in this case, the only necessary openings in the mounting flanges for mounting the bracket can be main (e.g., non-pivoting) mounting openings on the relevant mounting flanges. For example, some arrangements of the bracket  100  can include only the mounting openings  122 ,  124  (e.g., as may be substantially centered along an elongate direction of the respective mounting flanges as shown in  FIG.  1   ). Further in this regard,  FIG.  9    illustrates a bracket  300 , which, as shown, can include indicators that indicate positions through which fasteners can be placed to secure the bracket  300  to studs. (e.g., visual indicators formed as recessed or embossed markings that are etched or stamped into a surface of mounting flanges of the bracket  300 ). In some embodiments, similar indicators can be formed on the bracket  100 , in place of the illustrated mounting and pivot openings  122 ,  124 ,  130 , or in other locations on the bracket  100  (e.g., similar to as shown for the bracket  300 ). 
     The bracket  300  is generally similar to the bracket  100  and thus discussion of the bracket  100  above also generally applies to the bracket  300 , including relative to the disclosed installation operations. In this regard, for example, the bracket can include a pivot tab  312  on a mounting flange and telescoping bracket members that can be used to stage and then fully install the bracket  300  similarly to the bracket  100 . 
     Further, in the illustrated example, a pivot indicator  330  (e.g., a recessed marker stamped into the pivot tab  312 ) can indicate to an installer a location on the pivot tab  312  at which to place a fastener when using the auto-height functionality of the bracket  300  (e.g., with the bracket staged in an installation orientation as similarly shown in  FIG.  3   ). In some embodiments, installing the bracket  300  can require that a user create an opening in the bracket  300  at the pivot marking and insert a fastener through the pivot opening into a stud. In some embodiments, the fastener can be a self-tapping screw (e.g., like the fastener  160  of  FIG.  3 B ), and the user can create the pivot opening at pivot marking  330  by aligning the self-tapping screw with the pivot indicator  330  and then driving the screw through the mounting flange and into a stud positioned behind the flange. In some embodiments, a pivot indicator (e.g., the indicator  330 ) can indicate the location of a punch-out feature, which can be removed prior to installation of the bracket  300  to create a pivot (or other) opening at the pivot indicator. 
     In some embodiments, indicators can be used for other potential openings on a bracket. For example, mounting indicators  331  can be located at other positions along mounting flanges of the bracket  300 , to mark locations at which fasteners can advantageously be located to secure the bracket  300  to a stud. In some embodiments, as illustrated, the indicators  331  can be positioned at corners of the bracket  300 . In some embodiments, also as illustrated, the mounting indicators  331  can be provided at three corners of a bracket, with the pivot indicator  330  similarly located on the pivot tab  312  to indicate a location for a pivot opening or a location for a fourth mounting opening (e.g., if the auto-height functionality is not used). In some cases, of various included openings and indicators, only a pivot opening may be located above or below the rails of a bracket in a horizontal (e.g., support) orientation, including as shown for the pivot indicator  330  relative to other mounting indicators and openings of the bracket  300 . 
     The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. 
     Also as used herein, unless otherwise limited or defined, “or” indicates a non-exclusive list of components or operations that can be present in any variety of combinations, rather than an exclusive list of components that can be present only as alternatives to each other. For example, a list of “A, B, or C” indicates options of: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; and A, B, and C. Correspondingly, the term “or” as used herein is intended to indicate exclusive alternatives only when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of” For example, a list of “one of A, B, or C” indicates options of: A, but not B and C; B, but not A and C; and C, but not A and B. A list preceded by “one or more” (and variations thereon) and including “or” to separate listed elements indicates options of one or more of any or all of the listed elements. For example, the phrases “one or more of A, B, or C” and “at least one of A, B, or C” indicate options of: one or more A; one or more B; one or more C; one or more A and one or more B; one or more B and one or more C; one or more A and one or more C; and one or more of A, one or more of B, and one or more of C. Similarly, a list preceded by “a plurality of” (and variations thereon) and including “or” to separate listed elements indicates options of multiple instances of any or all of the listed elements. For example, the phrases “a plurality of A, B, or C” and “two or more of A, B, or C” indicate options of: A and B; B and C; A and C; and A, B, and C. 
     Also as used herein, unless otherwise limited or defined, “substantially planar” indicates that a relevant component extends along a reference geometric plane over at least 95% of an areal extent of the component. For example, a tab is substantially planar if at least 95% of an area of the tab extends along a plane. 
     Also as used herein, unless otherwise limited or defined, “substantially parallel” indicates a direction that is within ±12 degrees of a reference direction (e.g., within ±6 degrees or ±3 degrees), inclusive. Correspondingly, “substantially vertical” indicates a direction that is substantially parallel to the vertical direction, as defined relative to the reference system (e.g., for a building, relative to a plumb vertical line as can generally correspond to the direction of in-wall studs), with a similarly derived meaning for “substantially horizontal” (relative to the horizontal direction, as can generally correspond to the direction that spaces adjacent in-wall studs apart from each other). 
     Also as used herein, unless otherwise limited or defined, “substantially identical” indicates that features or components are manufactured using the same processes according to the same design and the same specifications. In some cases, substantially identical features can be geometrically congruent. 
     Also as used herein, unless otherwise limited or defined, “substantially centered” indicates that a center of a feature or component relative to a reference direction is within 10% of center of another feature or component relative to the reference direction. For example, for a body having a length L relative to a first direction, a feature that is substantially centered on the body along a first direction has a center that is located at a distance of within 0.1*L of a midpoint of the body along the first direction. In contrast, unless otherwise limited or defined, “offset” indicates that a center of a feature or component is not substantially centered on another component. 
     Also as used herein, unless otherwise limited or defined, “integral” and derivatives thereof (e.g., “integrally”) describe elements that are manufactured as a single piece without fasteners, adhesive, or the like to secure separate components together. For example, an element stamped, cast, or otherwise molded as a single-piece component from a single piece of sheet metal or using a single mold, without rivets, screws, or adhesive to hold separately formed pieces together is an integral (and integrally formed) element. In contrast, an element formed from multiple pieces that are separately formed initially then later connected together, is not an integral (or integrally formed) element. 
     In some implementations, devices or systems disclosed herein can be utilized, manufactured, or installed using methods embodying aspects of the invention. Correspondingly, any description herein of particular features, capabilities, or intended purposes of a device or system is generally intended to include disclosure of a method of using such devices for the intended purposes, of a method of otherwise implementing such capabilities, of a method of manufacturing relevant components of such a device or system (or the device or system as a whole), and of a method of installing disclosed (or otherwise known) components to support such purposes or capabilities Similarly, unless otherwise indicated or limited, discussion herein of any method of manufacturing or using for a particular device or system, including installing the device or system, is intended to inherently include disclosure, as embodiments of the invention, of the utilized features and implemented capabilities of such device or system. 
     The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.