Article of manufacture for reinforcing a ceiling electrical box

Abstract

The claimed inventions relate generally to electrical boxes that may be installed to a ceiling, and more particularly to electrical boxes that incorporate a rigid member between the box top and side that provide resistance to a compressive force therebetween, providing structural support to the box when the rigid member is secured to a structural framing member. Disclosed herein are brackets and other devices for reinforcing ceiling electrical boxes to structural members, such as trusses and joists, against the load of fixtures including ceiling fans and lighting fixtures. Also disclosed herein are ceiling electrical boxes having built-in reinforcement. Additionally disclosed herein, explicitly or implicitly, methods of using and installing those brackets, devices and boxes. Detailed information on various example embodiments of the inventions are provided in the Detailed Description below, and the inventions are defined by the appended claims.

1 - 19 . (canceled)  
   
   
       20 . An electrical box comprising: 
 a top;    a side configured to be positioned adjacent to a structural member;    a rigid member in proximity with said side providing resistance to a compressive force applied between said top and said side;    a mating feature in communication with said rigid member, said feature configured for mating a fastener providing an attachment point for at least one fastener; said feature set to position the fastener at an upward angle from the horizontal when said box is mounted to an adjacent vertical structural support surface at said side; and    wherein said rigid member and said mating feature are oriented in a position relative to said electrical box such that a mated fastener may be installed through the access aperture to secure said device to a structural member in structural adjacency to the electrical box.    
   
   
       21 . An electrical box according to  claim 20 , wherein said side has fashioned therein a hole for passage of a fastener mated to said mating feature and in installed position in the structural member.  
   
   
       22 . An electrical box according to  claim 20 , further comprising flanges exterior to the enclosure of said box, said flanges configured to receive fasteners installable to the structural member.  
   
   
       23 . An electrical box according to  claim 22 , wherein the fasteners of said flanges are configured to enter the structural member in a different axis than the fastener of said mating feature, thereby providing resistance to box rotation.  
   
   
       24 . An electrical box according to  claim 20 , wherein said top, said side and said rigid member are formed of metal.  
   
   
       25 . An electrical box according to  claim 20 , wherein said mating feature for a fastener is set to position a fastener at about 60 degrees from the vertical when said box is mounted to a vertical structural support surface.  
   
   
       26 . An electrical box according to  claim 20 , wherein said mating feature for a fastener is configured to position a fastener such that a driving force may be directly applied thereto by a tool external to the electrical box.  
   
   
       27 . An electrical box according to  claim 20 , wherein a downward force on the electrical box is converted partially to a horizontal force vector in the direction of the structural member.  
   
   
       28 . An electrical box according to  claim 20 , wherein said mating feature for a fastener may accept a pilotless screw, and further that said mating feature for a fastener is set at an angle that permits the turning of the screw with a straight-shafted screwdriver without angle changing adapters, the handle of the screwdriver being outside the confines of the electrical box.  
   
   
       29 . An electrical box according to  claim 20 , wherein said rigid member includes a strut-like portion between said top interface and said said interface.  
   
   
       30 . An electrical box comprising: 
 a plastic enclosure including a top and a side configured to be positioned adjacent to a structural member;    a rigid member molded in said enclosure, said rigid member further being in proximity with said side providing resistance to a compressive force applied between said top and said side;    a mating feature in communication with said rigid member, said feature configured for mating a fastener providing an attachment point for at least one fastener; and    wherein said rigid member and said mating feature are oriented in a position relative to said electrical box such that a mated fastener may be installed through the access aperture to secure said device to a structural member in structural adjacency to the electrical box.    
   
   
       31 . An electrical box according to  claim 30 , further comprising ribbing providing structural integrity to said rigid member against forces applied by the installation of a fastener into the structural member through said mating feature.  
   
   
       32 . An electrical box according to  claim 30 , further comprising flanges exterior to the enclosure of said box, said flanges configured to receive fasteners installable to the structural member.  
   
   
       33 . An electrical box according to  claim 32 , wherein the fasteners of said flanges are configured to enter the structural member in a different axis than the fastener of said mating feature, thereby providing resistance to box rotation.  
   
   
       34 . An electrical box according to  claim 30 , wherein said mating feature for a fastener is set to position a fastener at about 60 degrees from the vertical when said box is mounted to a vertical structural support surface.  
   
   
       35 . An electrical box according to  claim 30 , wherein said mating feature for a fastener is configured to position a fastener such that a driving force may be directly applied thereto by a tool external to the electrical box.  
   
   
       36 . An electrical box according to  claim 30 , wherein a downward force on the electrical box is converted partially to a horizontal force vector in the direction of the structural member.  
   
   
       37 . An electrical box according to  claim 30 , wherein said mating feature for a fastener may accept a pilotless screw, and further that said mating feature for a fastener is set at an angle that permits the turning of the screw with a straight-shafted screwdriver without angle changing adapters, the handle of the screwdriver being outside the confines of the electrical box.  
   
   
       38 . An electrical box according to  claim 30 , wherein said rigid member includes a strut-like portion between said top interface and said said interface.  
   
   
       39 . An electrical box comprising: 
 a top;    a side configured to be positioned adjacent to a structural member;    a rigid member in proximity with said side providing resistance to a compressive force applied between said top and said side;    a mating feature in communication with said rigid member, said feature configured for mating a fastener providing an attachment point for at least one fastener; said feature set to position the fastener at an upward angle from the horizontal when said box is mounted to an adjacent vertical structural support surface at said side; and    wherein said mating feature for a fastener may accept a pilotless screw, and further that said mating feature for a fastener is set at an angle that permits the turning of the screw with a straight-shafted screwdriver without angle changing adapters, the handle of the screwdriver being outside the confines of the electrical box.