Abstract:
An electrical junction box for mounting an electrical fan or other fixture to a structure including a channel having longitudinal teeth for engaging a rafter or other structural member to which the fan is to be attached. The engagement of the mounting box channel with the rafter resists lateral movement in a more substantial fashion thereby assuring that less stress is placed on the electrical box mounting screws. The longitudinal teeth positively engage the rafter when the electrical box is slideably inserted over the rafter. A hole is provided for further securing the electrical box to the rafter with a more conventional screw. A mounting assembly including holsters for providing temporary storage of mounting fasteners is also described. The mounting fasteners may be removed at the job site and used to complete the installation of a fixture to the junction box.

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/784,981 filed Feb. 16, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,355,883, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/373,431 filed Aug. 13, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,191,362. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to electrical device mounting assemblies and methods for their installation, and more particularly to a mounting assembly or block for ceiling fans, light fixtures and the like that require stable, heavy duty mounting structures. A preferred embodiment includes a pre-packaged mount assembly that includes fasteners that are securely fastened to the mount assembly for shipment and are easily driven in place into a support member or repositioned and used to secure a fixture to both the mount assembly and a support member. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Mounting structures for electrical devices have met increasing demands for strength and stability with the advent and common installation of ceiling fans particularly lighted such devices, and large chandeliers. While each of these electrical fixtures or devices has its own unique set of mounting problems, ceiling fans with their large heavy motors and often the addition of lighting devices, have posed a particular issue because of the large static loads which they represent when hung from a ceiling. Additionally, the fan rotation provides a dynamic load that also requires consideration when mounting such devices. 
     There have been numerous efforts in the prior art to provide adequate structure for the hanging or mounting of large electrical devices that represent large static and/or dynamic loads. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,892,211 To Jorgensen describes a ceiling box for mounting and supporting a ceiling fan on a ceiling. The ceiling box includes a top wall portion with a side wall portion surrounding the periphery of the top wall portion. The box is open at the end opposite the top wall portion and the side wall portion has a pair of flanges extending normal thereto into the open end of the box. These flanges have holes in them for receiving fan-supporting screws. In a first embodiment, a pair of threaded mounting screw holes is formed in the top wall portion and are each axially aligned with an unthreaded hole that extends through the respective flange. In a second embodiment, the holes in the flanges are also threaded for added support. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,183,233 to LaPalomento, describes a support for hanging an electrical fixture from a ceiling or wall and a method for suspending the fixture. The support comprises a panel that is intended to be affixed to the grid work of a house and a support affixed to the panel that holds the electrical fixture. A slot is provided on the rear of the panel to hold the panel flush against a flat surface and to allow electrical wiring to connect to the electrical fixture. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,119 to Jorgensen et al, describes a plastic ceiling box adapted to support a ceiling fan and designed to be mounted on a structural member, such as a ceiling joist. The ceiling box comprises a body member having a lower wall and a pair of sidewalls defining a recess for snugly receiving a ceiling joist. Box mounting holes for receiving box mounting fasteners are located at opposite sides and ends of the lower wall for attaching the ceiling box to the joist. Openings for receiving fan supporting fasteners are formed in the body member adjacent the box member and aid in attaching the body member to the joist. This overall arrangement provides sufficient support and strength to resist dynamic loads imposed by the ceiling fan even though the ceiling box is made of plastic. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,577 to Roesch describes a mounting assembly for supporting a ceiling fan that includes a support beam located inwardly of the ceiling surface a predetermined distance. An electrical box having a bottom wall is directly joined to and supported from the support beam. The box has sidewalls extending from the bottom wall through the ceiling substantially to the exposed ceiling surface and terminating in an open end. A rigid metal plate or disk member adapted for supporting and mounting a ceiling fan is positioned over the open end of the box. The disk member is of a size sufficient to have a peripheral portion extending radially beyond the side walls of the box and a plurality of mounting screws extend from the metal disk member through the interior of the box into connected engagement with the beam. The mounting screws support the disk member from the beam without reliance on the electrical box for support. 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/927,614 entitled “Ceiling Medallion Assembly” filed Sep. 11, 1997 in the name of Thomas J. Gretz describes a mounting assembly for holding an electrical device in place on a joist or stud. The assembly includes an electrical box having a planar base, preferably with three planar surfaces of different depths, a fastener device for temporarily securing an electrical box in place, a ceiling medallion for covering the electrical box, a second fastener device for temporarily securing the ceiling medallion to the electrical box and a fixation device for securely fastening the electrical box and a ceiling bezel to the joist or stud. The electrical box for mounting on the joist or stud includes: a generally rectangular housing with two opposite sides having a stepped appearance defining three different depths of the housing with a third side at a first shallow depth and a fourth side at a third deepest depth, a first back piece spanning the opposing sides at a first depth approximately equal to the thickness of the ceiling material, a second back piece spanning the opposites sides of the second depth that is greater than the first depth of the first back piece, the second depth being approximately equal to twice the thickness of the ceiling material and a third back piece spanning the opposite sides at a third depth that is greater than the second depth of the second back piece. 
     Although the foregoing methods and apparatus have all attempted to solve the problem of adequately mounting the increased loads of electrical fixtures, particularly fans, that place significant stresses upon the mounting structure as they rotate none provides for more than screw-type attachment of the electrical box to the rafter or other supporting structure. It would therefore be desirable to provide an electrical fan mounting assembly that because of its design and attachment scheme resists lateral movement that can result in loosening of the mounting screws. 
     Additionally, when an installer is preparing to install mounting structures and their associated electrical devices, he must frequently locate the proper size fasteners for the job. The mounting structures are typically mounted overhead, so it becomes very cumbersome and causes delays if an installer climbs a ladder with a mounting structure and finds that he does not have the proper fasteners for the job or he did not bring enough fasteners. There have been some attempts in the prior art to provide an electrical box that includes prepackaged fasteners to simplify the installation task. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,107,568 to Schnell et al. describes an electrical box and a holding device for use therewith. The holding device can be a flexible plastic bag with fixture mounting screws temporarily secured therein. A box mounting screw extends completely through the plastic bag and can be used to temporarily secure the electrical box and plastic bag to a joist. The fixture mounting screws can then be removed from the plastic bag and can be used to further fix the electrical box and fixture to the joist. 
     Others have captured screws with clips. The clips, which are typically integral projections from the electrical box, typically hold the screws with a frictional fit. 
     Prior art references that have attempted to simplify the installation of electrical boxes by providing fixture mounting screws in a separate container have several disadvantages. These include the possibility of the container either becoming separated from the electrical box or tearing, resulting in lost fasteners. Adding a container requires that a separate item be manufactured and provided with the electrical box therefore adding to the expense of the box. Additionally, the container must be disposed of after it is opened, thereby creating waste. 
     Clips used in prior art devices rely upon a frictional fit to temporarily hold the fastener. By relying upon a frictional fit, these clips also have the disadvantage that fasteners are capable of falling out during storage or shipping. 
     It would therefore be desirable to provide an electrical device mounting assembly that provides prepackaged fasteners that are not as easily separated from the assembly as prior art devices, are easily removed when put into use, and do not require a separate container that adds to expense and must be disposed of after use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention, there is provided an electrical junction box for mounting an electrical fan to a structure which junction box includes a channel further including longitudinal teeth that engage the rafter or other structural member to which the fan is to be attached. The engagement of the mounting box channel with the rafter resists lateral movement in a more substantial fashion thereby assuring that less stress is placed on the electrical box mounting screw(s). The longitudinal teeth positively engage the rafter when the electrical box is slideably inserted over the rafter. A hole is provided for further securing the electrical box to the rafter with a more conventional screw. A preferred embodiment of the electrical junction box provides prepackaged fasteners that are temporarily secured to the box. An installer can easily secure the box to a rafter with a self-contained initial fastener, make wiring connections, and then remove the self-contained fixture fasteners and secure the fixture and electrical box to a rafter. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a bottom view of the electrical junction box of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of the electrical junction box of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a partially phantom side view of the electrical junction box of the present invention installed over a rafter or other structural member. 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical junction box of the present invention along the line A—A of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 5 is a top view of a second embodiment of the electrical junction box of the present invention incorporating prepackaged mounting fasteners. 
     FIG. 6 is a partially phantom side view of the electrical junction box of FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 7 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the electrical junction box of the present invention incorporating prepackaged mounting fasteners. 
     FIG. 8 is a partially phantom side view of the preferred embodiment of the electrical junction box as viewed from the bottom of FIG.  7 . 
     FIG. 9 is a partially phantom side view of the preferred embodiment of the electrical junction box as viewed from the right side of FIG.  7 . 
     FIG. 10 is a side view depicting the electrical junction box of FIG. 7 installed on a joist. 
     FIG. 11 is a side view depicting the electrical junction box of FIG. 7 installed on a joist and showing a portion of a ceiling fan installed on the box. 
     FIG. 12 is a side sectional view of a screw-retaining boss located in the channel bottom for insertion of a screw that serves to initially fasten the electrical box of FIG. 7 to a rafter. 
     FIG. 13 is a side sectional view of the screw-retaining boss of FIG. 12 with a screw inserted partially in the boss. 
     FIG. 14 is a side sectional view of a screw-retaining holster located in the top of the, electrical box of FIG.  7 . 
     FIG. 15 is a side sectional view of the screw-retaining holster of FIG. 14 with a screw inserted partially therein. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Table of Nomenclature 
               
               
                 The following is a listing of part numbers used in the drawings 
               
               
                 along with a brief description: 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Part Number 
                 Description 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 10 
                 electrical junction box 
               
               
                   
                 12 
                 side wall 
               
               
                   
                 14 
                 top 
               
               
                   
                 15 
                 bottom surface (of electrical box) 
               
               
                   
                 16 
                 knockout 
               
               
                   
                 17 
                 aperture (at knockout) 
               
               
                   
                 18 
                 low profile connector 
               
               
                   
                 20 
                 volume 
               
               
                   
                 21 
                 dimension 
               
               
                   
                 22 
                 channel 
               
               
                   
                 24 
                 channel bottom 
               
               
                   
                 26 
                 channel side wall 
               
               
                   
                 28 
                 channel side wall 
               
               
                   
                 30 
                 rafter 
               
               
                   
                 32 
                 longitudinal teeth 
               
               
                   
                 32A 
                 abbreviated teeth 
               
               
                   
                 34 
                 longitudinal teeth 
               
               
                   
                 34A 
                 abbreviated teeth 
               
               
                   
                 36 
                 front surfuce (of teeth) 
               
               
                   
                 38 
                 front surface (of teeth) 
               
               
                   
                 40 
                 rear surface (of teeth) 
               
               
                   
                 42 
                 rear surface (of teeth) 
               
               
                   
                 43 
                 under surface (of channel) 
               
               
                   
                 44 
                 hole 
               
               
                   
                 44A 
                 elongated apertures 
               
               
                   
                 46 
                 fixture mounting screw 
               
               
                   
                 48 
                 screw-retaining boss 
               
               
                   
                 50 
                 initial mounting screw 
               
               
                   
                 52 
                 final hole 
               
               
                   
                 54 
                 grounding screw 
               
               
                   
                 56 
                 holster 
               
               
                   
                 57 
                 label 
               
               
                   
                 58 
                 ceiling fan 
               
               
                   
                 62 
                 base (of ceiling fan) 
               
               
                   
                 64 
                 central bore (of boss) 
               
               
                   
                 66 
                 length of bore (of boss) 
               
               
                   
                 68 
                 top inner bore (of holster) 
               
               
                   
                 68A 
                 inner wall (of top inner bore) 
               
               
                   
                 70 
                 bottom inner bore (of holster) 
               
               
                   
                 70A 
                 inner wall (of bottom inner bore) 
               
               
                   
                 72 
                 point (of fixture mounting screw) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As shown in the bottom view of the electrical junction box  10  of the present invention in FIG. 1, the junction box  10  comprises an outer periphery defined by side wall  12  and a top  14  of which the bottom surface  15  is visible. The electrical junction box  10  includes a knockout  16  and a low profile connector  18  inserted into knockout aperture  17 . Low profile connector  18  may be replaced with a more conventional knockout, if desired. Similarly, a second low profile connector may be used in lieu of knockout  16 . The particular shape of electrical junction box  10  is not critical and a square or octagonal configuration is similarly useful providing the channel defined hereinafter is appropriately located therein. 
     Top  14  and consequently volume  20  of electrical box  10 , as defined by top  14  and side wall  12  and as shown in FIG. 1, are bisected by channel  22 , as shown in FIG.  2 . The channel  22  includes a channel bottom  24  and generally parallel channel side walls  26  and  28 . Channel side walls  26  and  28  extend orthogonally or at right angles from top  14  toward the interior of electrical box  10  and bisect the interior volume of the box  10 . The distance between channel side walls  26  and  28  is approximately equal to the width of a rafter  30  or other structural member to which electrical box  10  will be applied, as shown in FIG.  3 . The electrical junction box  10  of the present invention can be constructed in various sizes, depending on users&#39; preferences, but, for a 16 cubic inch volume electrical box, the side wall(s)  12  are about 2.625 inches deep and the channel  22  is about 2.0 inches deep. The electrical junction box  10  of the present invention can be constructed to accommodate various internal volumes, depending on users&#39; preferences, in which case the side walls and channel depth would vary appropriately. 
     As shown in the attached drawings, channel  22  is depicted as being “flared”, i.e. its extremities are wider, dimension  21 , than the width of the central portion of channel  22 , dimension  23 , that is designed to engage rafter  30 . This “flaring” or widening of channel  22  at its extremities is preferred for ease of installation. 
     As shown in FIG. 3, the interior side of channel side walls  26  and  28  include longitudinal teeth  32  and  34  that are shaped to slide over rafter  30  upon application of electrical box  10  over rafter  30  as shown in FIG. 3, but to “bite” into rafter  30  when force is applied to withdraw electrical box  10  from rafter  30 . Teeth  32  and  34  accordingly have front surfaces  36  and  38  that present an angle of about 30° to rafter  30  upon application thereto and rear surfaces  40  and  42  that present an angle of about 90° to rafter  30  when an attempt is made to remove electrical box  10  from rafter  30  after application of electrical box  10  over rafter  30  as shown in FIG.  3 . As will be apparent to the skilled artisan, multiple longitudinal teeth or a suitable configuration of short teeth could also be used to accomplish the objectives of the present invention, and all of these alternatives should be considered equivalents of the “longitudinal teeth” described herein. 
     As shown most clearly in FIG. 4, the under surface  43  of the channel bottom  24  includes at its extremities in the area of side wall(s)  12 , a pair of holes  44  of a size and spacing to receive fixture mounting screws  46  of a subsequently installed electrical fan (not shown). Holes  44  are typically slightly less than 0.25 inches to frictionally engage screws  46  that are typically #10 and about 0.25 inches in diameter. Holes  44  are preferably about 0.50 inches deep as this is the depth needed to hold screws  46  in the typical installation. 
     The under surface  43  of channel bottom  24  also includes a screw-retaining boss  48  for insertion of initial mounting screw  50  that serves to initially fasten electrical box  10  securely to rafter  30  after application thereof to rafter  30 . 
     A final hole  52  is preferably provided for frictional engagement of a grounding screw  54  that is used in the final installation of the electrical fan (not shown). 
     Referring now to FIG. 5, a top view of a second embodiment of the electrical junction of the present invention, i.e. a prepackaged electrical junction box  10  or mounting assembly includes, in addition to the elements previously described, a pair of holsters  56  defined by extended recesses in top  14 , best seen extending from the electrical box  10  in the side view of FIG.  6 . Additionally, apertures  44 A, in lieu of being round are now preferably elongated to form slots to permit variability in the location of fixture mounting screws or bolts  46  mounted therein as previously described. Also, teeth  32 A and  34 A in FIGS. 5 and 6 are abbreviated versions of elongated teeth  32  and  34  previously described that provide the same utility but with less material while rendering installation somewhat easier. 
     The purpose and utility of the holsters  56  is to provide a location for the placement of mounting bolts or screws  46  during shipment and prior to installation. As is well recognized by those employed in the electrical trades, mounting bolts or screws for the attachment of ceiling fans or other electrical fixtures are often misplaced or left at a position remote from the installation site, for example on the floor, requiring time and effort to locate the screws or bolts or the acquisition of replacements to complete an installation. The inclusion of mounting bolts or screws, frictionally engaged in the holsters  56  assures the immediate availability of such fasteners at the appropriate time in the installation process. Similarly, it is contemplated that initial mounting screw  50  that is used to initially fasten electrical junction box  10  securely to a rafter (not shown) be similarly included by frictional engagement in boss  48  during shipping and prior to installation as shown in FIG.  6 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 7, a third and preferred embodiment of the a prepackaged electrical junction box or mounting assembly  10  includes one or more holsters  56  (two shown) similar to the second embodiment, but unlike the second embodiment the holsters  56  both project from one side of the junction box  10 . As shown in FIG. 7, if there is more than one holster  56 , they should be positioned in the box  10  in an unambiguous manner, such as spaced closely together and at one side of the box  10 . The holsters  56  in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 are typically 1.25 inches or less apart and located on one side of the box  10  as shown. The holsters  56  are intended to provide temporary storage receptacles for the fixture mounting screws  46  (one shown in FIG. 8) during storage and shipment of the box  10  and are not meant to be a position for anchoring the screws  46  into a support member (not shown). Efforts should therefore be made when constructing the box  10  to position the holsters  56  on one side of the box and relatively close together to dissuade a homeowner from attempting to use the holsters  56  as a position to anchor the box  10  to a support member. The fact that the end of the holster  56  is capped and extends from the box also makes it highly unlikely that a homeowner would mistakenly use the holsters  56  as a position to anchor the fixture mounting screws. 
     FIG. 8, a partially phantom side view of the preferred embodiment of the electrical junction box  10  as viewed from the bottom of FIG. 7, depicts the holsters  56  on one side of the electrical box  10  (one holster is obscured behind the forward one in this view) nearer to the channel  22  than the side wall  12 . 
     FIG. 9, a partially phantom side view of the preferred embodiment of the electrical junction box as viewed from the right side of FIG. 7, shows the holsters  56  extending from the top  14  of the electrical box  10 . The heads of the fixture mounting screws  46  are visible on the bottom  15  of the electrical junction box  10  as is the initial mounting screw  50  used for initially securing the box  10  to a support structure. Since there are no loose members when storing and shipping the electrical box, a label may be attached to the box  10 . Placing a label on the box eliminates the need to have the box  10  in a separate package with instructions included in the package. The label  57  is preferably attached to the side wall  12  of the electrical box adjacent the holsters  56  as shown in FIG.  9 . Locating the label  57  as shown places it in the most conspicuous position for viewing by an installer as the box  10  is positioned on a rafter (not shown in FIG.  9 ). The label  57  preferably contains instructions listing the steps involved in correctly installing the box  10  including 1) securing the box to a rafter with the initial mounting screw  50 , 2) installing wiring per NEC and local code, 3) drilling two ⅛-inch diameter holes through the elongated apertures  44 A (shown in FIG.  7 ), 4) removing two long fixture mounting screws  46  to mount the box  10 , 5) mounting the fan/fixture bracket (not shown) into the drilled holes, and 6) mounting the fax/fixture per the manufacturer&#39;s instructions. 
     When the preferred embodiment of the electrical box  10  is mounted on a rafter  30 , as shown in FIG. 10, the holsters  56  extend vertically along one side of the rafter  30 . As the holsters  56  are located near the channel (not shown in FIG.  10 ), they are nearly out of sight when viewed from below, which is the typical perspective of the box  10  after it has been mounted overhead. The initial mounting screw  50  and fixture mounting screws  46  are shown, in phantom lines, extending into the rafter  30 . 
     Referring to FIG. 11, a side view is shown of the electrical junction box  10  of FIG. 7 installed on a rafter  30  with a portion of a ceiling fan  58  installed on the box  10 . The preferred embodiment of the electrical junction box  10  of the present invention will come as a prepackaged unit including the initial mounting screw  50  (in phantom lines) and the fixture mounting screws  46  (in phantom lines). The end portion of initial mounting screw  50  is screwed into a boss (not shown in FIG. 11) and the end portions of the fixture mounting screws  46  are screwed into the holsters  56 . The electrical junction box  10  is typically constructed of a tough plastic such as polycarbonate, and, with the proper construction of the boss (not shown) and holsters  56 , this material typically holds the screws  46 ,  50  tightly when only an end portion is screwed in. The installer therefore receives the electrical junction box  10  with the initial mounting screw  50  and fixture mounting screws  46  affixed to the box  10  by their end portions. As a result, the installer does not need to search for a properly sized screw or, after locating the screws, risk misplacing the screws or losing them prior to installation. The installer simply places the junction box  10  against a rafter  30  so that the rafter  30  rests in the channel (not visible in FIG. 11) of the box  10  and then drives screw  50 , which is preinstalled in its boss, fully into the rafter  30  thus securing it to the rafter  30  and freeing the installer&#39;s hands. The ceiling fan  58  or other device can then be positioned near the junction box  10  and electrical connections can be completed. Holes in the ceiling fan base  62  are then aligned with elongated apertures (not visible in FIG. 11) in the electrical box  10  and fixture mounting screws  46  are installed through the fixture base  62  and driven into the rafter  30 . With the initial mounting screw  50  and the fixture mounting screws  46  both tightened into the rafter  30 , the electrical box  10  is capable of supporting fixtures weighing up to 70 pounds. For supporting a 70 pound load, the initial mounting screw  50  is typically a #8×¾-inch and the fixture mounting screws typically are #12×2-inch sheet metal screws. 
     FIG. 12 is a side sectional view of the screw-retaining boss  48  that will hold a screw (not shown) that serves to initially fasten the preferred embodiment of the electrical box to a rafter. For use with a #8 self-tapping machine screw the central bore  64  of the boss  48  typically measures 0.065 inch in diameter and the length  66  of the bore typically measures 0.050 inch. If constructed of a tough plastic such as polycarbonate, a self-tapping sheet metal screw can be screwed into the boss  48  to be available for use when the electrical box is installed. As shown in FIG. 13, a screw  50  inserted partially in the boss  48  will be held in place and ready to use until an installer places the top (not shown) of the electrical box against a rafter and drives the screw into the rafter. 
     Referring to FIG. 14, a side sectional view is shown of a screw-retaining holster  56  that will be used to hold a fixture mounting screw (not shown) for shipment with the electrical box to a job site. As used within this disclosure, a holster  56  is defined as an enclosure integral with an electrical box for frictionally holding a threaded fastener so that it does not become separated from the box, including a central bore open on at least one end for receipt of the threaded fastener and preferably closed on its second end for protecting the end of the threaded fastener. For use with a #12×2-inch sheet metal screw  46 , as shown in FIG. 15, the top inner bore  68  of the holster  56  typically measures 0.250 inch and the bottom inner bore  70  typically measures 0.187 inch. Preferably, the interior walls  68 A,  70 A of the top  68  and bottom  70  inner bores of the holsters  56  are smooth. A smooth surface  68 A on the top inner bore  68  enables the fixture mounting screw  46  to easily slip into the holster  56  presenting no obstruction to the screw  46 . A smooth surface  70 A on the bottom inner bore  70  enables the fixture mounting screw  46  to rapidly and easily self-tap and make its own thread. The combination of the smooth surface  68 A and dimensions of the top inner bore  68  allows the fixture mounting screw  46 , with a nominal major thread diameter of 0.2115 inch, to enter the top inner bore  68  easily. The fixture mounting screw  46  can then be screwed partially into the bottom inner bore  70 , where it makes its own threads in the smooth surface  70 A, and advanced until it is held securely for shipment. The fixture mounting screw  46  can then be easily removed by an installer at the job site and repositioned to the proper location to secure a ceiling fan or other fixture to a rafter through the elongated apertures (not shown in FIG.  15 ). 
     As shown in FIG. 15, once inserted in the holster  56 , the point  72  of the fixture mounting screw  46  is enclosed within and protected by the holster  56 . The holsters  56  therefore protect the ends  72  of the fixture mounting screws  46  during storage and shipment of the box. The mounting assembly  10  of this disclosure may have relatively deep side walls  12  as shown in FIG. 8 or it may be manufactured with deeper or shallower side walls as desired for the application. As previously mentioned and as depicted in FIG. 8, the points  72  of the fixture mounting screws  46  are protected by the holster  56  but essentially the entire length of the screw  46  is recessed within and protected by the side walls  12 . The side walls  12  can be made deeper if preferred to provide more space for electrical connections or shallower if desired. For shallower boxes, the holsters  56  typically extend farther from the  14  top of the box  10  and accommodate the point  72  and a greater length of the screw  46 . The holsters  56  can be provided with a number of electrical boxes, including thin mounting boxes (not shown) that do not include a channel for accommodating a rafter. 
     The purpose and utility of the holsters  56  is to provide a location for the placement of fixture mounting bolts or screws  46  during shipment and prior to installation. As is well recognized by those employed in the electrical trades, mounting bolts or screws for the attachment of ceiling fans or other electrical fixtures are often misplaced or left at a position remote from the installation site, for example on the floor, requiring time and effort to locate the screws or bolts or the acquisition of replacements to complete an installation. The inclusion of mounting bolts or screws, frictionally engaged in holsters  56  assures the immediate availability of such fasteners at the appropriate time in the installation process. Similarly, it is contemplated that initially mounting screw  50  that is used to initially fasten electrical junction box  10  to a rafter  30  through screw-retaining boss  48  be similarly included by frictional engagement in boss  48  during shipping and prior to installation as shown in FIG.  6 . 
     As will be apparent to the skilled artisan, the concept of prepackaging required fasteners with various electrical junction boxes and the like by frictional engagement of the fasteners in suitably designed and located apertures is also novel and forms part of the instant invention. 
     As the invention has been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the same may be varied in many ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Any and all such modifications are intended to included within the scope of the appended claims.