Ceiling fan mounting assembly

Abstract

A ceiling fan mounting assembly includes a readily installed specially shaped hanger bracket which provides direct high load and torque resistant support for the ceiling fan assembly, as well as providing support for the electrical junction box.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A ceiling fan mounting assembly for providing a high load capability, vibration resistant, and torque resistant connection through a ceiling opening between an electrical ceiling fan support housing and a joist structure adjacent the opening, comprising: (a) hanger bracket assembly means engaging the joist structure and providing rigid support between the joist structure and a ceiling fan assembly support housing,   (b) the hanger bracket assembly means including two widely spaced downwardly extending support elements rigidly supported at their upper end, which extend through a ceiling opening and directly support the ceiling fan support housing,   (c) an electrical junction box having a relatively flat upper surface and a lower peripheral surface, positioned immediately below the hanger bracket assembly means with at least two diametrically opposed sections of said upper surface rigidly engaging the hanger bracket assembly means,   (d) a ceiling fan support housing having a structural member which is disposed directly below and in firm engagement with the lower surface of the junction box,   (e) a ceiling fan support housing structural member having retaining sections with openings therein,   (f) said support elements extending along the outside of the internal periphery of the junction box and through the openings of the retaining sections,   (g) fastening means for engaging the lower end of the downwardly extending elongated support elements for holding the ceiling fan support housing in firm contact against the junction box whereby the junction box is pressed into firm engagement against the hanger bracket assembly means and acts as a firm intermediate support element for the ceiling fan assembly support housing.   
     
     
       2. The ceiling fan mounting assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein: (a) the hanger bracket means includes a horizontal support rod extending between the joist structure and a generally U-shaped member which extends over and around the horizontal support rod and has a fastening element on each of its lower free ends.   
     
     
       3. The ceiling fan mounting assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein: (a) the hanger bracket means includes a horizontally disposed hanger bracket with a central upwardly extending fastener receiving recess section, and   (b) the upper middle surface of the central section provides a flat engaging surface to permit rigid engagement with a supporting flat surface.   
     
     
       4. The ceiling fan mounting assembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein: (a) the hanger bracket means includes an elongated flat strip of metal having two outer downwardly extending fastener receiving recess sections at each end thereof for receiving the ceiling fan support elements.   
     
     
       5. The ceiling fan mounting assembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein: (a) the hanger bracket means has outer sections which have an upwardly extending flange for engaging the support surface associated with the joist structure.   
     
     
       6. The ceiling fan mounting assembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein: (a) the hanger bracket means has an end recess section and its outer end thereof provides a lower surface against which the upper surface of the function box rests, and which is sufficiently downwardly displaced to provide clearance for the fastening means disposed in the fastener receiving recess section of the bracket so as to avoid contact with the upper surface of the junction box.   
     
     
       7. The ceiling fan mounting assembly as set forth in claim 6, wherein: (a) each outer end of the hanger bracket means is integrally connected at one end thereof to one of the elongated downwardly extending support element.   
     
     
       8. The ceiling fan mounting assembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein: (a) the hanger bracket means is an elongated piece of metal with a central upwardly recessed fastener receiving section, and two adjacent outer downwardly extending recess sections, and   (b) the recess sections being in direct lateral alignment with each other and of substantially the same depth to provide recessed areas for fastening elements with sufficient clearance at the hanger bracket means so its outer upper surface can contact and firmly engage the support surface can contact and firmly engage the support surface and the lower surface of the outer extremedies can provide support for a junction box.   
     
     
       9. The ceiling fan mounting assembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein: (a) the hanger bracket means is an integral single piece including a connecting element which is shaped to engage the supported rod, and the fastening means which engages the downwardly elongated support elements includes a lock nut which engages the support rod to hold the hanger bracket means in position.   
     
     
       10. The ceiling fan mounting assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein: (a) the junction box is a two-piece assembly having upper and lower sections which meet along a common horizontal line, and   (b) at least one of the sections of the junction box having a plurality of open electrical cable receiving slots extending from the common line to permit cable to be directly pressed into the cable slots, and the opening subsequently closed when the lower section of the box is mounted in position along the common line.   
     
     
       11. The ceiling fan mounting assembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein: (a) the hanger bracket means is directly fastened to a joist passing directly over the ceiling outlet opening by a plurality of wood screws, and   (b) the hanger bracket means being an elongated thin piece of metal having fastener receiving openings through the upper section of the hanger bracket through which the wood screws are received.   
     
     
       12. The ceiling fan mounting assembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein: (a) the hanger bracket means is an elongated piece of metal having a central section with fastener openings, and   (b) an outer support section adjacent each end thereof contains the upper section of the downwardly extending support elements.   
     
     
       13. The ceiling fan mounting assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein: (a) the junction box is a plastic structure which has an outer channel through which the downwardly extending support elements extend.   
     
     
       14. The ceiling fan mounting assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein: (a) fastener means extends through the junction box for independently connecting it to the hanger bracket assembly means.   
     
     
       15. A ceiling fan mounting assembly for providing a high load capability, vibration resistant, and torque resistant connection through a ceiling opening between an electrical ceiling fan support housing and the joist structure adjacent the opening, comprising: (a) hanger bracket assembly means engaging the joist structure and providing rigid support between the joist structure and a ceiling fan assembly support housing,   (b) an electrical junction box having a relatively flat upper surface and a downwardly extending side wall positioned immediately below the hanger bracket assembly means, the side wall having a lower peripheral surface displsed immediately below the hanger bracket assembly means,   (c) two spaced diametrically disposed elongated downwardly extending parallel bolts which are disposed close to and extend below the side wall,   (d) a horizontal metal plate support element with openings therethrough connected to the hanger bracket assembly whereby the bolts adjacent their upper end pass through the openings.   (e) each bolt having a head which engages a top surface of the support section and a lock nut which engages the underside of said section whereby the bolts are rigidly held in fixed position with respect to the section to provide a rigid immovable load carrying support element,   (f) a ceiling fan support housing have a structural member which is disposed directly below and in firm surface engagement with the lower periphery of the junction box,   (g) the structural member having retaining sections with openings therein through which the lower ends of the bolts extend, and   (h) fastening elements which are fitted on the lower end of the bolts and engage the lower surface a retaining section of the structural member to hold the ceiling fan support housing in a firm contact against the junction box to thereby provide a rigid unified fan support structure which is vibration-free and is torque and twist resistant.   
     
     
       16. The ceiling fan mounting assembly as set forth in claim 15, wherein: (a) the hanger bracket assembly includes a horizontally extending support member having a flat sided surface,   (b) a connecting clamp which immovably engages the flat surface and has two spaced downwardly extending threaded elements which receive a fastening elment and provide firm immovable support to the depending bolts and the junction box. .Iadd.   
     
     
       17.  A ceiling fan mounting assembly providing high load capability, and vibration and torque resistance for an electrical ceiling fan support housing connected with a joist structure adjacent an opening in the ceiling, the assembly comprising: (a) means for engaging the joist structure adjacent the ceiling opening and for providing a firm, torque resistant support structure above the ceiling opening;   (b) an electrical junction box having a relatively flat upper surface and side wall structure with a lower peripheral surface, said junction box in firm engagement with said joist engaging means for providing vibration and torque resistance;   (c) two widely spaced support elements operably associated with said box and extending downwardly therefrom substantially parallel to said side wall structure and terminating substantially below said peripheral surface;   (d) a ceiling fan supporting housing having a structural member disposed below and in firm engagement with said junction box lower peripheral surface, said structural member having a pair of widely spaced openings therein;   (e) said support elements extending through said openings and having an upper portion disposed above said upper surface; and,   (f) fastening means are mounted on the terminal end of each support element for maintaining said supporting housing structural member in firm engagement with said peripheral surface and for thereby providing vibration and torque resistance. .Iaddend. .Iadd.   
     
     
       18.  The assembly of claim 17, wherein: (a) each of said support elements has a threaded lower end portion; and,   (b) each fastening means includes a lock nut. .Iaddend. .Iadd.19. The assembly of claim 18, wherein:   (a) a pair of widely spaced apertures are operably associated with said side wall structure; and,   (b) each of said support elements extends through an associated one of said   
     
     
        apertures. .Iaddend. .Iadd.20.  The assembly of claim 19, wherein: (a) each of said apertures terminates on a plane coincident with said lower   
     
     
        peripheral surface. .Iaddend.21. The assembly of claim 17, wherein: (a) each of said support elements is disposed proximate to and interior of said side wall structure.  .Iadd.22. The assembly of claim 21, wherein:   (a) each of said support elements has an upper portion disposed above said upper surface. .Iaddend. .Iadd.23. The assembly of claim 22, wherein:   (a) each upper portion includes means cooperating with and supported by said joist engaging means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.24. The assembly of claim 23, wherein:   (a) each support element includes a threaded bolt having a bolt head, said bolt head cooperating with and supported by said joist engaging means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.25. The assembly of claim 17, wherein said joist engaging means includes:   (a) a hanger bracket assembly operably secured to the joist structure for providing vibration and torque resistance; and,   (b) means extending from said assembly and engaged with said box for securing said box to said assembly. .Iaddend. .Iadd.26. The assembly of claim 25, wherein:   (a) said support elements include means for extending. .Iaddend. .Iadd.27. The assembly of claim 26, wherein:   (a) each support element includes a bolt means having head means and a threaded lower portion; and,   (b) each head means is carried by and supported by said assembly. .Iaddend. .Iadd.28. The assembly of claim 17, wherein said joist engaging means includes:   (a) a hanger assembly extending between two adjacently disposed joists;   (b) a hanger bracket assembly operably supported by said hanger assembly for torque and vibration resistance; and,   (c) means extend from said hanger bracket assembly for securing said box thereto in a torque and vibration resistant manner. .Iaddend. .Iadd.29. The assembly of claim 28, wherein:   (a) said hanger assembly is extensible along a first axis extending generally transverse to the joists; and,   (b) said hanger bracket assembly extends generally transverse to said first axis and parallel to the joists. .Iaddend. .Iadd.30. The assembly of claim 29, wherein:   (a) said means for securing includes said support elements. .Iaddend. .Iadd.31. The assembly of claim 30, wherein:   (a) each of said support elements includes bolt means having a threaded portion and a head means; and,   (b) each head means is carried and supported by said hanger bracket assembly. .Iaddend. .Iadd.32. The assembly of claim 28, wherein:   (a) said hanger bracket assembly includes a flat portion carried by and disposed above said hanger assembly. .Iaddend. .Iadd.33. The assembly of claim 28, wherein:   (a) said hanger bracket assembly includes first and second laterally spaced portions extending from and generally transverse to an intermediate portion;   (b) an aperture is disposed in said intermediate portion; and,   (c) said means for securing extend through said aperture. .Iaddend. .Iadd.34. The assembly of claim 32, wherein:   (a) said hanger assembly is polygonal in cross section so that said flat portion seats thereon; and,   
     
     
       (b) said box is comprised of plastic. .Iaddend. .Iadd.35.  A ceiling fan mounting assembly providing high load capability, and vibration and torque resistance for an electrical ceiling fan support housing connected with a joist structure adjacent an opening in the ceiling, the assembly comprising: (a) means for engaging the joist structure adjacent the ceiling opening and for providing a firm, torque resistant support structure above the ceiling opening;   (b) an electrical junction box having a relatively flat upper surface and side wall structure with a lower peripheral surface, said junction box in firm engagement with said joist engaging means for providing vibration and torque resistance;   (c) two widely spaced support elements operably associated with said box and extending downwardly therefrom substantially parallel to said side wall structure and terminating substantially below said peripheral surface;   (d) a ceiling fan supporting housing having a structural member disposed below and in firm engagement with said junction box lower peripheral surface, said structural member having a pair of widely spaced openings therein;   (e) said support elements having a support structure disposed above the lower periphery of the box for supporting the elements in fixed and immovable position, said support elements extending down through said widely spaced openings; and,   (f) fastening means are mounted on the terminal end of each support element for maintaining said supporting housing structural member in firm engagement with said peripheral surface and for thereby providing vibration and torque resistance. .Iaddend. .Iadd.36. The ceiling fan mounting assembly as set forth in claim 35, wherein:   (a) the support structure includes an integral outwardly extending section at the upper end of each support element which is held in tight friction engagement with its adjacent surface. .Iaddend. .Iadd.37. The ceiling fan mounting assembly as set forth in claim 35, wherein:   (a) the support elements also support the junction box. .Iaddend.