Low voltage cable rough-in plate
A rough-in plate to facilitate installation of cabling, such as low voltage cables, the rough-in plate having two opposing surfaces, a sidewall, and a hollow bushing connected to one surface at a through hole through the two opposing surfaces. Inside the hollow bushing can be a cable clip to temporarily hold the cabling while wall finishes are installed around the bushing of the rough-in plate. The rough-in plate is connected to a piece of framing by fastening one surface and the sidewall to the piece of framing so that the bushing projects perpendicularly to the wall finish when the wall finish is installed.
1 . A method of installing a low voltage cable at a rough-in stage of construction of a building prior to installation of a wall finish, the method comprising the steps of:
a) providing a rough-in plate, comprising a plate body, comprising a perimeter edge, a first surface bound by the perimeter edge, and a second surface opposite the first surface and bound by the perimeter edge; a hole defined through the first surface and the second surface, the hole defined by an interior edge and defining a center; a bushing extending away from first surface, the bushing coaxially aligned with the center of the hole and in fluid communication with the hole, the bushing comprising an outer wall and an inner wall defining a hollow interior; and a cable clip connected to the interior edge of the hole or the inner wall of the bushing and projecting radially inwardly into the hole;
b) placing the rough-in plate against a piece of framing with the second surface against a front side of the piece of framing;
c) fastening the plate body to the front side of the piece of framing;
d) connecting cabling throughout the building;
e) passing the cabling into the hole; and
f) securing the cabling with the cable clip.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising installing the wall finish around the bushing of the rough-in plate so that the cabling is accessible.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein a hole is created in the wall finish that corresponds with a location of the bushing.
4 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising completing installation of the cabling.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the rough-in plate further comprises a sidewall connected to the second surface of the plate offset from the hole, the sidewall comprising a lateral side facing away from the hole, and a medial side facing towards the hole; wherein the method further comprises placing the sidewall against a lateral side of the piece of framing, and fastening the sidewall to the lateral side of the piece of framing.
6 . The method of claim 5 , further comprising breaking the bushing along a scoreline circumscribing the bushing.
7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the scoreline has at a height of about 0.625 inch from the first surface.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the bushing has a height of about 1.25 inch from the first surface.
9 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the perimeter edge comprises at least a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge, and a third edge adjacent to the first edge and the second edge.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the sidewall is adjacent the third edge.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein a shortest distance from the sidewall to the center of the hole is about 1.625 inch.
12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the sidewall is set medially inwardly about 0.75 inch from the third edge.
13 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the step of fastening the plate body to the front side of the piece of framing comprises inserting a fastener through a first boss and a second boss,
a) the first boss projecting from the medial side of the sidewall, the first boss defining a first hole that defines a longitudinal axis that is non-perpendicular to the medial side; and
b) the second boss projecting from the medial side of the sidewall opposite the first boss, the second boss defining a second hole that defines a longitudinal axis that is non-perpendicular to the medial side.