Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/662,801, filed Sep. 15, 2003; and a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/725,987, filed Dec. 2, 2003, which claims priority to U.S. Pat. No. 6,710,245, issued on Mar. 23, 2004, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This technology relates to electrical brackets and electrical boxes. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A low-voltage electrical frame is used to attach an electrical device, such as a cable jack, to a wall stud. This is done by first fastening the frame to the stud. Next, the device is inserted into the frame and fastened to the frame with screws. 
     SUMMARY 
     An electrical bracket embodying the example technology is for mounting an electrical device to a wall stud. The bracket comprises a rectangular frame having first and second opposite end walls and first and second opposite side walls. The bracket further comprises a front opening surrounded by the end walls and side walls for inserting an electrical device into the frame. The frame has an end-mounted position in which the first end wall faces the stud. A fastening structure, connected to the frame, is configured to be fastened to the stud when the frame is in the end-mounted position. An extension extends from the first end wall to a location rearward from the side walls. A stabilizer extends from the extension into abutting contact with the stud at a location rearward from the side walls when the frame is in the end-mounted position. 
     Preferably, the abutting contact by the stabilizer is with a side surface of the stud, and the fastening structure extends from the first end wall in a direction away from the second end wall for being fastened to a front surface of the stud. The extension is a plate extending rearward from, and parallel to, the first end wall. The stabilizer is a plate that is perpendicular to the first end wall. The location of the abutting contact is spaced from the first end wall in a direction away from the second end wall so as to space the first end wall from the stud when the frame is in the end-mounted position. 
     In a second embodiment, the frame has an end-mounted position in which the first end wall faces a side surface of the stud. A fastening tab extends from the first end wall in a direction away from the second end wall. The fastening tab is configured to be fastened to a front surface of the stud when the frame is in the end-mounted position. A spacer extends from the first end wall in a direction away from second end wall. The spacer is configured to abut the side surface of the stud and space the first end wall from the side surface when the frame is in the end-mounted condition. 
     Preferably, the spacer is a fastener support configured to capture a stud-penetrating fastener that fastens the bracket to the stud when the frame is in a side-mounted position in which the first side wall faces the stud. The spacer is configured to abut the side surface of the stud along a transversely extending line of abutment. 
     In yet another embodiment, an electrical bracket comprises a wall structure defining a front opening and at least one mounting member coupled to the wall structure for attaching the wall structure to a stud. The at least one mounting member is coupled to the wall structure along a weakened portion that is configured to be broken away from the wall structure with the application of a force sufficient to break the weakened portion. 
     In another embodiment, an electrical bracket comprises a wall structure defining a front opening and a first mounting member for mounting the wall structure to a stud in a first orientation. The first mounting member is coupled to the wall structure of the bracket along a weakened portion that is positioned between the first mounting member and the wall structure. The first mounting member is configured to be broken away from the wall structure of the bracket with the application of a force sufficient to break the weakened portion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example bracket, shown alongside an electrical device that can be fastened to the bracket and also alongside a wall stud to which the bracket can be fastened; 
         FIG. 2  is a view of the bracket taken at line  2 — 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a view of the bracket taken at line  3 — 3  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a view of the bracket taken at line  4 — 4  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the bracket, shown mounted to the stud in a first side-mounted position; 
         FIG. 6  is a view taken at line  6 — 6  of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the bracket, shown mounted to the stud in a second side-mounted position; 
         FIG. 8  is a view taken at line  8 — 8  of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the bracket, shown mounted to the stud in an end-mounted position; and 
         FIG. 10  is a view taken at line  10 — 10  of FIG.  9 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     The apparatus  1  shown in  FIG. 1  has parts which, as described below, are examples of the elements recited in the claims. 
     The apparatus includes an electrical bracket  10 . The bracket  10  is used for mounting a low-voltage electrical device, such as a cable jack  12 , to a wall stud  14  with front and side surfaces  16  and  18 . The bracket  10  includes a rectangular frame  20  for enclosing the electrical device  12 . The frame  20  is centered on perpendicular longitudinal  21  and lateral axes  23 . The frame  20  has longitudinally-extending first and second opposite side walls  32  and  34 . The frame  20  further has transversely-extending first and second opposite end walls  36  and  38 . The walls  32 ,  34 ,  36  and  38  define a cavity  41  and surround a front opening  43  through which the electrical device  12  can be inserted into the cavity  41 . 
     The frame  20  can be mounted to the stud  14  in three positions. In a first side-mounted position of the frame  20 , the first side wall  32  faces and abuts the side surface  18  of the stud  14 . In a second side-mounted position of the frame  20 , the second side wall  34  faces and abuts the side surface  18  of the stud  14 . In an end-mounted position of the frame  20 , the first end wall  36  faces, but is spaced from, the side surface  18  of the stud  14 . Adjoining the frame  20  are various structures for securing the device  12  to the frame  20 , attaching the frame  20  to a stud  14  and stabilizing the frame  20  relative to the stud  14 . These structures are described as follows. 
     Two mounting bosses  60  extend inward from respective end walls  36  and  38 , adjacent to the front opening  43 . Each boss  60  has a bore  61  for securing the electrical device  12  to the frame  20 . This is done by inserting two self-threading screws  62  through a yoke  64  of the device  12  and screwing the screws  62  into the bores  61 . 
     Each wall  32 ,  34 ,  36  and  38  shown in  FIG. 1  has a front end  72 ,  74 ,  76  and  78  located at the front opening  43  of the frame  20 . The front ends  72 ,  74 ,  76  and  78  are defined by edges of the walls  32 ,  34 ,  36  and  38 . Each of the walls  32 ,  34 ,  36  and  38  further has a rear end  82 ,  84 ,  86  and  88  located at a rear opening  89  of the frame  20 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a length L of the frame  20  is defined by the end walls  36  and  38 . A width W of the frame  20  is defined by the side walls  32  and  34 . A depth D of the frame  20  is defined by and between the front and rear ends  72  and  82  of the side walls  32  and  34 . The rear ends  82  and  84  of the side walls  32  and  34  are defined by edges of the side walls  32  and  34 . However, the rear ends  86  and  88  of the end walls  36  and  38 , denoted by a dashed lines in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , do not correspond to a visible structural feature. That is due to first and second extension plates  90  and  91  extending seamlessly from the rear ends  86  and  88 -of first and second end walls  36  and  38 . The extension plates  90  and  91  extend rearward from, and parallel to, the respective end walls  36  and  38  to a location rearward from the side walls  32  and  34 . 
     Each extension plate  90  and  91  has a pass-through hole  92 . The hole  92  is for passing electrical wires from outside the frame  20  to the device  12  in the frame  20 . A semicircular first perforation  93  in the plate  90  encircles the hole  91  to define a first knock-out  94  that is larger than, and concentric with, the hole  91 . A semicircular second perforation  95  in the plate  90  encircles the first knock-out  94  to define a second knock-out  96  that is larger than, and concentric with, the first knockout  94 . 
     A first side tab  102  is best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 . It extends orthogonally from the first side wall  32  in a direction transversely away from the second side wall  34 . The first side tab  102  is configured to overlie the front surface  16  of the stud  14  when the frame  20  is being mounted in the first side-mounted position. A rear surface  103  of the first side tab  102  is spaced rearwardly from the front end  76  of the first side wall  32  by a distance T equal to the thickness of drywall (not shown) that will overlie the- stud  14 . This is so that, when the tab  102  overlies the front stud surface  16 , the front edges  72 ,  74 ,  76  and  78  of the fame  20  will be flush with the front surface of the drywall. The first side tab  102  has a perforation  104  along its line of adjoinment  105  with the frame  20 . This enables the tab  102  to be removed from the frame  20  for applications where the tab  102  is not needed. 
     A second side tab  112  extends orthogonally from the second side wall  34  in a direction transversely away from the first side wall  32 . The second side tab  112  is configured to overlie the front surface  16  of the stud  14  when the frame  20  is mounted in the second side-mounted position. A rear surface  113  of the side tab  112  is spaced rearwardly from the front opening  43  by the distance T equal to the thickness of the drywall. This is so that, when the tab  1   12  overlies the front stud  14  surface, the front edges  72 ,  74 ,  76  and  78  of the frame  20  will be flush with the front surface of the drywall. 
     Like the first side tab  102 , the second side tab  112  has a perforation  114  along its line of djoinment  115  with the frame  20 , as shown in FIG.  3 . This enables the second side tab  112  to be removed from the frame  20  if the second side tab  112  is not needed. The tab  112  has two nail holes  118  for fastening the tab  112  to the front surface  16  of the stud  14  with nails. The tab  112  further has a staple hole  119  for fastening the frame  10  to the stud  14  with a staple (not shown). The staple can be hammered into the stud  14 , with one leg of the staple passing through the stapling hole  119 , and the other leg of the staple passing through one of the nail holes  118 . 
     An end tab  122  is best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 . It extends orthogonally from the first end wall  36  in a direction longitudinally away from the second end wall  38 . The end tab  122  is configured to overlie the front surface  16  of the stud  14  when the frame  20  is mounted in the end-mounted position. As with the other tabs  102  and  112 , a rear surface  123  of the end tab  122  is spaced rearwardly from the front opening  43  by the thickness T of the drywall. The end tab  122  has nail holes  128  for fastening the end tab  122  to the front stud surface  16  with nails. 
     A pair of first nail supports  142  and  144  are best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . The first supports  142  and  144  extend from the first end wall  36  in a direction away from the second end wall  36 . The supports  142  and  144  adjoin the first end wall  36  at transversely opposite sides of the first end wall  36 . Each support  142  and  144  has a groove surface  146  and  148  configured to support and retain a first nail  149  in an orientation in which the nail  149  extends alongside the first end wall  36  and into the side surface  18  of the stud  14  when the frame  20  is in the first side-mounted position. Each support  142  and  144  further has a distal end defined by a stud abutting edge  152  and  154  that is parallel to the first end surface  36  and spaced a stand-off distance S from the first end wall  36 . The stud abutting edge  152  and  154  is configured to abut the side surface  18  of the stud  14  along a transversely-extending line of abutment that is spaced from the first end wall  36  in a direction toward the stud  14  when the frame  20  is in the end-mounted position. The nail supports  142  and  144  thus space the frame  20  longitudinally away from the side surface  18  of the stud  14 . 
     A pair of second nail supports  162  and  164  extend from the second end wall  38  in a direction away from the first end wall  36 . The second nail supports  162  and  164  adjoin the second end wall  38  at transversely opposite sides of the second end wall  38 . Each support  162  and  164  has a groove surface  166  and  168  configured to support a second nail  169  in an orientation in which the nail  169  extends alongside the second end wall  38  and into the side surface  18  of the stud  14  when the frame  20  is in the first side-mounted position. 
     Two nail retainers  172  and  174  are best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The retainers  172  and  174  extend longitudinally from the second end wall  38  in a direction away from the first wall  36 . The two nail retainers  172  and  174  are transversely spaced from each other and are respectively adjacent the two second nail supports  162  and  164 . The nail retainers  172  and  174  are configured to urge the second nail  169  ( FIG. 1 ) against the groove surfaces  166  and  168  of the second nail supports  162  and  164 , to retain the second nail  169  in the groove surfaces  166  and  168 . The second nail  169  is thus captured between the nail retainers  172  and  174  and the groove surfaces  166  and  168 . 
     Two front spacers  182  and  184  are best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . They extend from the first end wall  36  in a direction longitudinally away from the second end wall  38 . The front spacers  182  and  184  adjoin the first end wall  36  adjacent transversely opposite sides of the end tab  112 . Each front spacer  182  and  184  is in the form of a plate that is approximately parallel to the side walls  32  and  34  and orthogonal to the end walls  36  and  38 . 
     Each front spacer  182  and  184  has a stud abutting edge  192  and  194 . The stud abutting edges  192  and  194  extend rearward from transversely opposite edges  196  of the end tab  112 . The stud abutting edges  192  and  194  are spaced from the first end wall  36  by the stand-off distance S. Each stud abutting edge  192  and  194  is configured to abut the side surface  18  of the stud  14  along a line of abutment when the frame  20  is in the end-mounted position. The front spacers  182  and  184  stabilize and space the frame  20  longitudinally away from the side surface  18  of the stud  14 . 
     Each front spacer  182  and  184  further has a longitudinally-extending nail abutting edge  202  and  204 . The nail abutting edges  202  and  204  are configured to urge the first nail  149  ( FIG. 1 ) against the groove surfaces  146  and  148  of the first nail supports  142  and  144 , to retain the first nail  149  in the groove surfaces  146  and  148 . The first nail  149  is thus captured between the groove surfaces  146  and  148  and the nail abutting edges  202  and  204 . 
     Two rear spacers  212  and  214  are best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . They extend from transversely opposite edges of the first extension plate  90  in a direction longitudinally away from the second extension plate  91 . Each rear spacer  212  and  214  is a plate that is approximately parallel to the side walls  32  and  34  and perpendicular to the end walls  36  and  38 . 
     Each rear spacer  212  and  214  has a stud-abutting edge  222  and  224  that is parallel to the end surface  36 . These stud-abutting edges  222  and  224  are spaced the stand-off distance S from the extension plate  90 , so as to be coplanar with the other stud-abutting edges  152 ,  154 ,  192  and  194 . Each stud-abutting edge  222 ,  224 ,  152 ,  154 ,  192  and  194  is configured to engage the side surface  18  of the stud  14  along a longitudinally extending line of contact when the frame  20  is in the end-mounted position. The rear spacers  212  and  214 , like the front spacers  182  and  184 , stabilize and space the frame  20  longitudinally away from the side surface  18  of the stud  14 . 
     The frame  20  can be mounted to the stud  14  in the first side-mounted position as follows. First, the second side tab  112  can, optionally, be tom away from the frame  20  along its perforation  114 , because the second side tab  112  is not needed for mounting the frame  20  in the first side-mounted position. Next, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the first side surface  32  of the frame  20  is held flat against the side surface  18  of the stud  14 , with the first side tab  102  abuttingly overlying the front surface  16  of the stud  14 . 
     The first nail  149  is inserted between the nail abutting surfaces  202  and  204  of the front spacers  182  and  184  and the groove surfaces  146  and  148  ( FIG. 3 ) of the first nail supports  142  and  144 . As indicated by an arrow  231 , the first nail  149  is hammered into the side surface  18  of stud  14 . The second nail  169  is similarly inserted between the nail retainers  172  and  174  ( FIG. 3 ) and the groove surfaces  166  and  168  of the second nail supports  162  and  164 . As indicated by an arrow  232 , the second nail  169  is hammered into the side surface  18  of stud  14 . With the frame  20  thus fastened securely to the stud  14 , the first side tab  102  can, optionally, be broken away from the frame  20  along its perforation  104 . This avoids the possibility of a bulge in the drywall that later covers the tab  102 . 
     The frame  20  can be mounted to the stud  14  in the second side-mounted position as follows. First, the first side tab  102  ( FIG. 1 ) can, optionally, be torn away from the frame  20  along its perforation  104 , because the first side tab  102  is not needed for mounting the frame  20  in the second side-mounted position. Next, as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the second side surface  34  of the frame  20  is held flat against the side surface  18  of the stud  14 , with the second side tab  112  abutting overlying the front surface  16  of the stud  14 . The second side tab  112  is fastened to the stud  14  by hammering nails  240  through the nail holes  118  of the second side tab  112  and into the stud  14 , as indicated by arrows  241 . 
     The frame  20  can be mounted to the stud  14  in the end-mounted position as follows. First, the side tabs  102  and  112  shown in  FIG. 1  can be tom away from the frame  20  along their perforations  104  and  114 , because the side tabs  102  and  112  are not needed for mounting the frame  20  in the end-mounted position. Next, as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the frame  20  is positioned such that the stud abutting edges  152 ,  154 ,  192 ,  194 ,  222  and  224  abut the side surface  18  of the stud  14 , and the end tab  122  abuttingly overlies the front surface  16  of the stud  14 . Next, the end tab  122  is fastened to the stud  14  by hammering nails  250  through the holes  128  of the end tab  122  and into the front surface  16  of the stud  14 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the bracket  10  further has two fastener loops  260  extending rearward from the rear edge  82  of the first side wall  32 . The fastener loops  260  define transversely-extending holes  261 . The holes  261  are configured to receive screws (not shown) for fastening the first side wall  32  to a side surface of a stud. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the subject technology, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the subject technology. The patentable scope of the subject technology is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

Technology Category: 4