IP Library Granted Patent US 6,956,172
Granted Patent B2
US 6,956,172 · App. 10/963,135 · Granted Oct 18, 2005

Adjustable electrical outlet box assembly

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,956,172
App. No.
10/963,135
Granted
Oct 18, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

An adjustable outlet box assembly provides for attachment of an outlet box to a wall stud. The assembly includes an outlet box and a box bracket which is adjustably positioned to the outlet box. The box bracket includes a box attachment portion having a deflectable finger for resilient engagement with a side wall of the box. The bracket further includes a stud attachment portion for engagement with the stud. The bracket is adjustably positioned on the box so that the box may be adjustably positioned with respect to the wall stud.

Claims (24)

1. An adjustable outlet box assembly for attachment to a wall stud comprising:

an outlet box having a side wall and an open front face; and

an box bracket, said bracket including a stud attachment portion for fixing said bracket to said wall stud and a side wall attachment portion for slidable attachment to said side wall of said outlet box;

said side wall attachment portion including an engagement member biasingly positioned for engagement with said side wall for biting engagement with said side wall so as to fix the position of said side wall attachment portion with respect to said side wall;

said engagement member being releaseable from said engagement with said side wall to permit movement of said side wall attachment portion with respect to said side wall to adjustably position said open face of said box with respect to said stud.

2. An adjustable outlet box assembly of claim 1 wherein said engagement member includes a deflectable finger.

3. An adjustable outlet box assembly of claim 2 wherein said deflectable finger includes at least one tooth.

4. An adjustable outlet box assembly of claim 1 wherein said side wall attachment portion includes an extending lance for biting engagement with said stud upon attachment of said bracket to said stud.

5. An adjustable outlet box assembly of claim 1 wherein said stud attachment portion includes at least one barb for engagement with said stud.

6. An adjustable outlet box of claim 1 wherein said stud attachment portion includes a hook shaped portion for attachment to said stud.

7. An adjustable outlet box of claim 6 wherein said hook shaped portion includes a plurality of barbs for biting engagement with said stud.

8. An adjustable outlet box of claim 1 wherein said outlet box side wall includes a pair of spaced apart rails for slidably accommodating said side wall attachment portion.

9. An adjustable outlet box assembly for attachment to a wall stud comprising:

an outlet box having a side wall and an open front face; and

an box bracket, said bracket including a stud attachment portion for fixing said bracket to said wall stud and a side wall attachment portion for slidable attachment to said side wall of said outlet box;

said side wall attachment portion including an engagement member biasingly positioned for engagement with said side wall for fixing the position of said side wall attachment portion with respect to said side wall;

said engagement member being releaseable from said engagement with said side wall to permit movement of said side wall attachment portion with respect to said side wall to adjustably position said open face of said box with respect to said stud;

wherein said side wall includes a plurality of transversely extending longitudinally spaced ribs, said engagement member being adjustably positionable between two adjacent said ribs for fixing the position of said side wall attachment portion.

10. An adjustable outlet box assembly for attachment to a wall stud comprising:

an outlet box having a side wall and an open front face; and

an box bracket, said bracket including a stud attachment portion for fixing said bracket to said wall stud and a side wall attachment portion for slidable attachment to said side wall of said outlet box;

said side wall attachment portion including an engagement member biasingly positioned for engagement with said side wall for biting engagement with said side wall so as to fix the position of said side wall attachment portion with respect to said side wall;

said engagement member being releaseable from said engagement with said side wall to permit movement of said side wall attachment portion with respect to said side wall to adjustably position said open face of said box with respect to said stud;

wherein said side wall attachment portion includes a plurality of inwardly directed dimples for frictional engagement with said stud.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 5, 2014
From: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL LLC
Reel/Frame 032388/0428 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 12, 2004
From: DINH, CONG THANH
To: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 015891/0899 →