Adjustable outlet box bracket

Abstract

An adjustable outlet box bracket for attachment to studs or joists, which includes a first and a second telescoping rail portion with arms. At least one mounting bracket for outlet boxes is laterally positionable on the rail portions and fixable thereto. The arms are bendable to permit the degree to which the outlet box extends beyond the face of studs or joists to be adjusted.

1 . An adjustable outlet box bracket, comprising: 
 a first rail portion with a first rail portion support arm at one end;    a second rail portion with a second rail portion support arm at one end, wherein the first and second rail portions engage with each other to provide for adjustment between the distance between the first and second rail portion support arms; and    at least one mounting bracket that engages with at least one of the first and second rail portions and whose lateral position on the at least one of the first and second rail portions is adjustable.    
   
   
       2 . The adjustable outlet box bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one mounting bracket has an affixation device for attaching at least one outlet box thereto.  
   
   
       3 . The adjustable outlet box bracket of  claim 2 , wherein the affixation device comprises at least one screw or bolt that passes through at least one aperture in the at least one mounting bracket.  
   
   
       4 . The adjustable outlet box bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one mounting bracket has a mounting bracket locking device for affixing the lateral position of the at least one mounting bracket on at least one of the first and second rail portions.  
   
   
       5 . The adjustable outlet box bracket of  claim 4 , wherein the mounting bracket locking device comprises a screw or bolt that passes through an aperture in the mounting bracket and is adapted to impinge on at least one of the first and second rail portions.  
   
   
       6 . The adjustable outlet box bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the first rail portion and second rail portion are adapted to telescopically engage with each other.  
   
   
       7 . The adjustable outlet box bracket of  claim 1 , further comprising a locking device for preventing the first rail portion and second rail portion from being separated from each other.  
   
   
       8 . The adjustable outlet box bracket of  claim 7 , wherein the locking device comprises a tab on the first rail portion and a tab on the second rail portion which are adapted to interfere with each other.  
   
   
       9 . The adjustable outlet box bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second rail portion support arms each comprise a strip of material that extend from the first and second rail portion, with each strip of material having a free end that can be bent along a bend line to provide for a plurality of distances between the desired line and the first and second rail portions.  
   
   
       10 . The adjustable outlet box bracket of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of mounting brackets are provided for supporting a plurality of outlet boxes or oversized outlet boxes which require support by more than one mounting bracket.  
   
   
       11 . An adjustable outlet box bracket, comprising: 
 a first rail portion;    a second rail portion, wherein the first and second rail portions telescopically engage with each other to provide for adjustment of the total length of the engaged first and second rail portions; and    at least one mounting bracket that includes an outlet box affixation device for attaching at least one outlet box thereto, the mounting bracket being adapted to engage with at least one of the first and second rail portions and whose lateral position on the at least one of the first and second rail portions is adjustable and fixable thereon.    
   
   
       12 . The adjustable outlet box bracket of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second rail portions each have a support arm, the support arms comprising a strip of material having a free end that can be bent along a desired line to provide for a plurality of distances between the bend line and the first and second rail portions.  
   
   
       13 . The adjustable outlet box bracket of  claim 11 , further comprising a locking device for preventing the first rail portion and second rail portion from being separated from each other.  
   
   
       14 . The adjustable outlet box bracket of  claim 13 , wherein the locking device comprises a tab on the first rail portion and a tab on the second rail portion which are adapted to interfere with each other.  
   
   
       15 . The adjustable outlet box bracket of  claim 11 , wherein a plurality of mounting brackets are provided for supporting plurality of outlet boxes or oversized outlet boxes which require support by more than one mounting bracket.  
   
   
       16 . The adjustable outlet box bracket of  claim 11 , wherein the lateral position of the mounting bracket is affixed to the first and second rail portions by a screw or bolt that passes through an aperture in the mounting bracket and impinges on at least one of the first and second rail portions.  
   
   
       17 . The adjustable outlet box bracket of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one mounting bracket has a mounting bracket locking device for affixing the lateral position of the at least one mounting bracket on at least one of the first and second rail portions.