Overhead electrical accessory bracket
View Patent ↗An apparatus and method of assembling a bracket assembly on a cross-arm is disclosed. The bracket assembly comprises a bracket, adjustable plate, first accessory frame, and second accessory frame. First accessory frame and second accessory bracket are coupled to the bracket with captive nuts. The bracket assembly is secured to a cross-arm by the adjustable plate, which is coupled to the bracket with at least one guide pin and an adjustable plate bolt.
1. A bracket assembly configured to be securable to a cross-arm, the bracket assembly comprising:
a bracket comprising a substantially U shaped section with a first flat section and a second flat section;
an adjustable plate movably engaged with the first flat section of the bracket;
a bolt coupled to the first flat section of the bracket and coupled to the adjustable plate, the bolt configured to move the adjustable plate away from the first flat section of the bracket and towards the second flat section of the bracket when the bolt is tightened; and
at least one accessory frame fastener configured to removably couple an accessory frame to the bracket.
2. The bracket assembly of claim 1 , wherein the accessory frame is configured to couple to an electrical accessory.
3. The bracket assembly of claim 1 , wherein the adjustable plate comprises a substantially L-shape and at least one guide pin.
4. The bracket assembly of claim 3 ,
wherein the bolt is inserted into an opening in the bracket.
5. The bracket assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a moveable spacer.
6. The bracket assembly of claim 5 , wherein the moveable spacer is coupled to the bracket.
7. The bracket assembly of claim 4 , wherein the bolt comprises a head, a locking portion, and a threaded portion.
8. The bracket assembly of claim 4 , wherein the bolt comprises a shear head, a head, and a threaded portion.
9. A bracket assembly configured to be securable to a cross-arm, the bracket assembly comprising:
a bracket comprising a substantially U shaped section with a first flat section and a second flat section;
an adjustable plate movably engaged with the first flat section of the bracket;
a first guide pin coupled to the adjustable plate;
a second guide pin coupled to the adjustable plate;
a bolt engaged with the first flat section of the bracket and coupled to the adjustable plate, the bolt configured to move the adjustable plate away from the first flat section of the bracket and towards the second flat section of the bracket when the bolt is tightened;
a first accessory frame fastener coupled to the bracket and configured to removably couple a first accessory frame to the bracket; and
a second accessory frame fastener coupled to the bracket and configured to removably couple a second accessory frame to the bracket.
10. The bracket assembly of claim 9 , wherein the adjustable plate comprises a substantially L-shape.
11. The bracket assembly of claim 9 , further comprising a moveable spacer.
12. The bracket assembly of claim 9 , wherein the bolt comprises a head, a locking portion, and a threaded portion.
13. The bracket assembly of claim 9 , wherein the bolt comprises a shear head, a locking portion, and a threaded portion.
14. A method of securing a bracket assembly with an electrical accessory frame to a cross arm, comprising the steps of:
coupling an adjustable plate to a bracket with at least one guide pin;
coupling at least one accessory frame to the bracket;
positioning a length of the adjustable plate on a first side of the cross arm;
positioning a length of the bracket on a second side of the cross arm opposite the first side; and
securing the adjustable plate, the bracket, and the at least one accessory frame to the cross arm by tightening a bolt engaged with a hole in the bracket and in contact with the adjustable plate.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the step of coupling the at least one accessory frame to the bracket comprises utilizing at least one captive nut.
16. The method of claim 14 , further comprising the step:
positioning a movable spacer between the adjustable plate and the bracket.
17. The bracket assembly of claim 1 , wherein the adjustable plate comprises two guide pins.
18. The bracket assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one accessory frame fastener comprises a captive lock.
19. The bracket assembly of claim 9 , wherein the first accessory frame fastener comprises a captive lock.