Bracket for drop ceiling mounting brace
A bracket for mounting an electrical box to a brace includes a body portion with a first end, a second end, and a channel disposed between the first end and the second end that extends along a channel axis. A first foot extends from the first end in a direction substantially perpendicular to the channel axis. A second foot extends from the second end in a direction substantially perpendicular to the channel axis. A first tab extends from the channel in a first tab direction substantially perpendicular to the channel axis. The first foot and the second foot can be received within the electrical box and support a weight of the electrical box without any additional fasteners. The first tab is bendable to a second tab direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first tab direction and to the channel axis.
1 . A bracket for mounting an electrical box to a brace, the bracket comprising:
a body portion including a first end with a first edge, a second end with a second edge, and a channel disposed in a channel plane between the first end and the second end and extending along a channel axis located in the channel plane, wherein the channel axis extends in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to a direction along which the first edge extends and to a direction along which the second edge extends;
a first foot extending from the first edge in a direction substantially perpendicular to the channel plane;
a second foot extending from the second edge in a direction substantially perpendicular to the channel plane; and
a first tab formed as a cantilever member with a fixed end, connected to a first channel edge perpendicular to the first edge, and a free end, the first tab extending from the channel in a first tab direction substantially perpendicular to the channel plane;
wherein the first tab is bendable to a second tab direction where the first tab is located outside of the channel, the second tab direction—is substantially perpendicular to the first tab direction and to the channel axis; and
wherein the body portion is substantially U-shaped, and wherein the first edge and the second edge are collinear.
2 . The bracket of claim 1 , further comprising a second tab extending from the channel in a direction substantially parallel to the first tab direction.
3 . The bracket of claim 1 , further comprising a second tab extending toward a center of the channel in a direction substantially perpendicular to the channel axis.
4 . The bracket of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second tab extending toward a center of the channel in a direction substantially perpendicular to the channel axis;
a third tab extending from the channel in a direction substantially parallel to the first tab direction; and
a fourth tab extending from the channel in a direction substantially parallel to and opposite from the third tab.
5 . The bracket of claim 4 , wherein the second tab extends from a second channel edge that is parallel to the first channel edge.
6 . The bracket of claim 1 , wherein the body portion includes an opening with a center along the channel axis, the opening configured to receive a hanger to support the bracket.
7 . The bracket of claim 1 , wherein the first foot extends in a first foot direction and the second foot extends in the first foot direction.
8 . The bracket of claim 1 , wherein the body portion is substantially U-shaped, wherein the channel has a rectangular shape with an open perimeter that is formed by the first channel edge, a second channel edge parallel to the first channel edge, and a back edge perpendicular to the first channel edge and the second channel edge.
9 . A bracket for mounting an electrical box to a brace, the bracket comprising:
a body portion including a first end, a second end, and a channel disposed between the first end and the second end and extending along a channel axis;
a first foot extending from the first end in a direction substantially perpendicular to the channel axis;
a second foot extending from the second end in a direction substantially perpendicular to the channel axis;
a first tab extending from the channel in a first tab direction substantially perpendicular to the channel axis;
a second tab extending toward a center of the channel in a direction substantially perpendicular to the channel axis;
a third tab extending from the channel in a direction substantially parallel to the first tab direction; and
a fourth tab extending from the channel in a direction substantially parallel to and opposite from the third tab;
wherein the first tab is bendable to a second tab direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first tab direction and to the channel axis; and
wherein the first tab, the third tab, and the fourth tab are each formed as a cantilever member each having a fixed end and a free end, wherein the fixed end of each of the first tab, the third tab, and the fourth tab are connected to a first channel edge, and wherein the first channel edge is parallel to the channel axis.
10 . The bracket of claim 9 , wherein the body portion is substantially U-shaped, wherein the channel has a rectangular shape with an open perimeter that is formed by the first channel edge, a second channel edge parallel to the first channel edge, and a back edge perpendicular to the first channel edge and the second channel edge.
11 . The bracket of claim 9 , wherein the second tab extends from a second channel edge parallel to the first channel edge.
12 . The bracket of claim 9 , wherein the first foot extends in a first foot direction and the second foot extends in the first tab direction.
13 . The bracket of claim 9 , wherein a hanger opening extends through the body and is oriented along the channel axis.
14 . The bracket of claim 9 , wherein the body portion is substantially U-shaped.
15 . A bracket for mounting an electrical box to a brace, the bracket comprising:
a body portion including a first end with a first edge, a second end with a second edge, and a channel disposed in a channel plane between the first end and the second end and extending along a channel axis located in the channel plane, wherein the channel axis extends in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to a direction along which the first edge extends and to a direction along which the second edge extends;
a first foot extending from the first edge in a direction substantially perpendicular to the channel plane;
a second foot extending from the second edge in a direction substantially perpendicular to the channel plane; and
a first tab formed as a cantilever member with a fixed end, connected to a first channel edge perpendicular to the first edge, and a free end, the first tab extending from the channel in a first tab direction substantially perpendicular to the channel plane;
wherein the first tab is bendable to a second tab direction where the first tab is located outside of the channel, the second tab direction—is substantially perpendicular to the first tab direction and to the channel axis; and
wherein the body portion is substantially U-shaped, wherein the channel has a rectangular shape with an open perimeter that is formed by the first channel edge, a second channel edge parallel to the first channel edge, and a back edge perpendicular to the first channel edge and the second channel edge.
16 . The bracket of claim 15 , further comprising:
a second tab extending toward a center of the channel in a direction substantially perpendicular to the channel axis;
a third tab extending from the channel in a direction substantially parallel to the first tab direction; and
a fourth tab extending from the channel in a direction substantially parallel to and opposite from the third tab.
17 . The bracket of claim 15 , wherein the first foot extends in a first foot direction and the second foot extends in the first foot direction.
18 . The bracket of claim 15 , wherein the body portion includes an opening with a center along the channel axis, the opening configured to receive a hanger to support the bracket.
19 . The bracket of claim 15 , further comprising a second tab extending from the channel in a direction substantially parallel to the first tab direction.