Universal back box for mounting in wall components and method of use

Abstract

The present invention provides a universal back box that allows installation of differently sized in-wall or in-ceiling components in a finished wall or ceiling. Such a configuration allows differently-sized speakers and other in-wall or in-ceiling equipment to be easily and accurately positioned at multiple locations between wall or ceiling supports. The present invention also provides a method for mounting of an in-wall or in-ceiling component between two supports using the back box of the present invention. The method generally includes coupling the back box to two wall or ceiling supports, installing drywall over the back box, forming an aperture in the drywall, and removing at least a portion of the filler material to receive the in-wall component therein.

1 . A universal back box for mounting of an in-wall component between two supports comprising:
 a housing having four side walls and a back wall wherein said four side walls and said back wall define a cavity configured to receive a filler material therein; and   a plurality of adjustable mounting tabs extending outwardly from said side walls;   wherein said filler material is configured to allow placement of said in-wall components in a plurality of locations.   
     
     
         2 . The universal back box of  claim 1  wherein said housing is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of metal, plastic, and wood. 
     
     
         3 . The universal back box of  claim 1  wherein the housing further includes a length ranging from about 12 inches to about 80 inches, a width ranging from about 12 inches to about 24 inches, and a depth ranging from about 2 inches to about 24 inches. 
     
     
         4 . The universal back box of  claim 3  wherein said length is about 22¼ inches, said width is about 14¼ inches, and said depth is about 3½ inches or about 7¼ inches. 
     
     
         5 . The universal back box of  claim 1  wherein said housing is substantially sealed. 
     
     
         6 . The universal back box of  claim 5  wherein the joints of said side walls and said back wall are welded. 
     
     
         7 . The universal back box of  claim 1  wherein said mounting tabs are bendable about ninety degrees. 
     
     
         8 . The universal back box of  claim 1  wherein said filler material is selected from the group consisting of fiberglass, foam, wood, wood products, cork, cotton, and cellulose. 
     
     
         9 . The universal back box of  claim 1  wherein said filler material is a spray foam. 
     
     
         10 . The universal back box of  claim 1  wherein said filler material is a vapor barrier. 
     
     
         11 . The universal back box of  claim 1  wherein said filler material is fire rated. 
     
     
         12 . A method of mounting an in-wall component between two supports comprising the steps of:
 (a) coupling a back box to said supports wherein said back box includes a housing and a plurality of mounting tabs, wherein said housing includes four side walls and a back wall, and wherein said side walls and said back wall define a cavity configured to receive a filler material, and wherein said filler material is configured to receive an in-wall or in-ceiling component at a plurality of locations;   (b) installing drywall over said back box;   (c) forming an aperture in the drywall by removing at least a portion of the drywall installed over the back box;   (d) removing at least a portion of said filler material wherein said filler material receives said in-wall component therein; and   (e) inserting said in-wall component through said aperture and into said filler material.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising installing a mounting template. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the housing is a material selected from the group consisting of metal, plastic, and wood. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said housing further includes a length ranging from about 12 inches to about 80 inches, a width ranging from about 12 inches to about 24 inches, and a depth ranging from about 2 inches to about 24 inches. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said housing is substantially sealed. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said filler material is selected from the group consisting of fiberglass, foam, wood, wood products, cork, cotton, and cellulose. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said filler material is a spray foam. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said filler material is a vapor barrier. 
     
     
         20 . A universal back box for mounting of an in-wall component between two supports comprising:
 (a) a substantially sealed metal housing having four side walls and a back wall wherein said four side walls and said back wall define a cavity configured to receive a filler material therein and wherein said housing further includes a length of about 22¼ inches, a width of about 14¼ inches, a depth selected from a group consisting of about 3½ inches and about 7¼ inches; and   (b) a plurality of adjustable mounting tabs extending outwardly from said side walls wherein said mounting tabs are bendable about ninety degrees;   (c) wherein said filler material is configured to allow placement of said in-wall components in a plurality of locations;   (d) wherein said filler material is spray foam and is a vapor barrier.