US2802634A - Supporting means for outlet boxes - Google Patents

Description

Filed July 14, v1955 lltllllllrvl INVENToR. LEMUEL H fl/EEETT 4free/rays United States Patent O SUPPORTING MEANS FOR OUTLET BOXES Lemuel H. Everett, Edmonds, Wash.

Application July 14, 1955, Serial No. 522,093

1 Claim. (Cl. 248-300) This invention relates to supporting and securing means for outlet boxes as used for the usual electric wiring of residences, shops, stores and the like. More particularly, it has reference to a simple form of clamp adapted to be easily applied to the outlet box and then nailed to a supporting stud or joist for the functional placement of the box. l

It is the principal object of this invention to provide a box securing clamp, made from a single strip or strap of sheet metal that can be easily and readily applied to the box, and then nailed in place for the permanent and rigid securement of the box to the supports.

It is also an object of the invention to so design the box securing clamp that, in the nailing operation, it is drawn tightly and securely about the box.

Further objects of the invention reside in the details of construction of the clamp and its mode of application to and its combination with the outlet box, as will hereinafter be fully described.

In accomplishing the above mentioned and other objects of the invention, I have provided the improved details of construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective view showing the present supporting and securing clamp as applied to an outlet box preparatory to securement of the box to a support.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the clamp as prepared from a single piece of metal strapping ready for application to a box.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view through the clamp and a box, showing the relationship of parts before the securing nails have been fully driven into the support.

Fig. 4 is a similar sectional view of the box and clamp showing the clamp drawn taut about the box by the securing nails.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

The present securing clamp is shown in its entirety in Fig. 2 and as formed ready for being applied to an outlet box. In Fig. l an outlet box is designated in its entirety by reference numeral 11. The outlet box is typical of outlet boxes now in use and is formed of sheet metal and is substantially of square formation. As seen best in Figs. 3 and 4, the box has a flat top wall 12 and parallel opposite sidewalls 13-13, and it is open at the underside. Also, the box walls are provided with the usual knock outs 14 for leading wires into or from the box.

The clamp 11 is formed from a single and continuous strip or strap of sheet metal. When shaped to form and ready for application to a box, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, it comprises a straight inside leg portion 15 that terminates at its lower end in a short, inwardly and upwardly turned hook 16. From the upper end of leg 15, the strap is turned downwardly, and extends at a slight angle relative to leg 15 forming a straight leg portion 17, which is about onehalf the length of leg 15. At the lower end of the leg portion 17, the strap curves away from leg 15, as at 18, and continues as a substantially horizontal ice arm 19 having a length substantially equal to the distance across the top of an outlet box. At the outer end of the arm 19 the strap is downwardly directed, providing a leg 20 having a length equal to the height of the side of the box, and terminating at its lower end in an inwardly and upwardly turned hook 21.

It is to be noted, by reference more particularly to Fig. 3 that the upper end portion of leg 15 is formed with a plurality of holes 24 for nailing. The part 17 is likewise formed with holes 25 in registration with those in the leg for receiving nails 26 therethrough, as has been shown in Fig. 3.

To use the present box securing clamp member 11, it is applied to the box 10 by inserting the box, open side down, below the arm 19, and between the legs 15 and 20, and seating the lower edges of the opposite box walls which engage these legs, in the upturned hooks 16 and 21. The parts will then assume the relationship in which they are shown in Figs. 1 and 2. It is to be observed in these views, that the arm 19 is spaced at its inner end above the top wall of the box, and the leg 17 inclines away from leg 15. For securement of the box to a support, such as a joint or stud, as designated at 30 in Figs. 3 and 4, the clamp is placed with its leg 15 flatly against a side of the stud. Then a nail 26 is passed through registering holes in the leg 15 and part 17 close to the bend 18, and is driven into the stud. By this nailing, the part 17 is pulled back and atly against the leg 15 drawing the arm taut and down tightly against the top wall of the box. Thus the box wall edges are seated tightly in the hooks and the box and clamp rendered relatively rigid. Other nails, as thought necessary, may then be driven through the parts 17 and 15, as in Fig. 4, to positively and rigidly secure the clamp to the joist.

Clamps of this kind are relatively simple, easy to apply to a box, and when properly applied and nailed to a support, will operate to hold the box secure.

An advantage in use of such clamps resides in the fact that it is unnecessary to cut and iit headers between joists or studding for the nailing of the boxes thereto; time is saved, and expense avoided. Furthermore, boxes may be more easily located in position for use and secured more accurately in position.

Such clamps may be made to fit boxes of the different standard sizes.

Having thus described `my invention, what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A securing clamp adapted for mounting outlet boxes 0r the like comprising a metal strap that is bent, intermediate its ends, in a manner to provide an intermediate portion and two substantially parallel leg portions, spaced to receive an outlet box or the like between them, said leg portions terminating in inwardly and upwardly turned hooks at their outer ends, one of said legs being of substantially greater length than the length of the other leg, the inner ends of said legs being joined by the intermediate portion of said strap, said intermediate portion comprising a rst part and a second part, said first part being substantially at right angles to said legs when the clamp is secured in position and said second part being substantially parallel to the longer leg, and said second part of the intermediate portion and the longer leg having perforations therein to receive nails therethrough for the securement of the device to a support and the drawing of the clamp tightly about an outlet box or the like.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,417,261 Morehouse Mar. 11, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS 601,442 France of 1926

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