Electrical Box

Abstract

A joist has a front surface and first and second opposite side surfaces. The side surfaces extend in a rearward direction from the front surface. They also extend in a lateral direction perpendicular to the rearward direction. An electrical box has a hole configured to receive a fastener that fastens the box to the first side surface. The box defines a cavity that is isolated from the hole by the box. The cavity is configured to contain electrical connections and to extend along the first side surface rearwardly beyond the hole and in the lateral direction beyond the hole.

1 . An apparatus for use with a joist having a front surface and first and second opposite side surfaces, the side surfaces extending in a rearward direction from the front surface and also in a lateral direction perpendicular to the rearward direction, the apparatus comprising: 
 an electrical box having a hole configured to receive a fastener that fastens the box to the first side surface of the joist, the box defining a cavity that is isolated from the hole by the box, the cavity being configured to contain electrical connections and to extend along the first side surface rearwardly beyond the hole and in the lateral direction beyond the hole.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the cavity is further configured to extend along the second side surface of the joist.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the box has a second hole configured to receive a second fastener that fastens the box to the second side surface of the joist.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the cavity is further configured to extend along the second side surface rearwardly beyond the second hole and in the lateral direction beyond the second hole.  
   
   
       5 . An apparatus for use with a joist having a front surface and first and second opposite side surfaces, the side surfaces extending in a rearward direction from the front surface and also in a lateral direction perpendicular to the rearward direction, the apparatus comprising: 
 an electrical box having a hole configured to receive a fastener that fastens the box to the first side surface of the joist, and further having a side wall extending about and bounding a cavity and a rear wall rearwardly bounding the cavity, the cavity being isolated by the box from the hole and configured to contain electrical connections and to extend along both joist side surfaces of the joist, with the side wall extending in the lateral direction beyond the hole and the rear wall located rearwardly beyond the hole.    
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the cavity is configured to extend along the first side surface both rearwardly beyond the fastener hole and laterally beyond the fastener hole.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the box has a second hole configured to receive a second fastener that fastens the box to the second side surface of the joist.  
   
   
       8 . An apparatus for use with a joist having a front surface and first and second opposite side surfaces, the side surfaces extending in a rearward direction from the front surface and also in a lateral direction perpendicular to the rearward direction, the apparatus comprising: 
 an electrical box having a side wall extending about and bounding a cavity that is configured to extend along both side surfaces of the joist and to contain electrical connections, the box further having, in a recess in the side wall, a hole that is isolated from the cavity by the box and configured to receive a fastener that fastens the box to the first side surface.    
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the recess is in a cylindrical section of the side wall.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the box further has, in a second recess in the side wall, a second hole that is isolated from the cavity by the box and configured to receive a second fastener that fastens the box to the second side surface.