Outlet box and hanger bar

Dec. 4, 1934.

1,982,957

J. KNELL

OUTLET BOX AND HANGER BAR

Filed Nov. 1, 1930

Sheets-Sheet 1

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Dec. 4, 1934.

J. KNELL

1,982,957

OUTLET BOX AND HANGER BAR

Filed Nov. 1, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2

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<img file="US1982957A_D0003.tif" />

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Patented Dec. 4, 1934

1,982,957

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

1,982,957

OUTLET BOX AND HANGER BAR

John Knell, Aurora, Hl., assignor to All-SteelEquip Company, Aurora, Hl., a corporation of Illinois

Application November 1, 1930, Serial No. 492,675

Claims. (Cl. 247—22)

This invention relates to outlet boxes and hanger bars and particularly to hanger bars having means for receiving or holding an outlet box.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a new and improved telescoping hanger bar which is provided with novel means whereby an outlet box may be connected to the hanger bar.

Another object of the invention is to provide a telescoping hanger bar for outlet boxes whereby the outlet box may be adjusted horizontally, laterally, and vertically.

Other important objects of the invention are 15 to provide a two-piece hanger bar, one of which telescopes with the other, and which is provided with novel means whereby the hanger bar may engage a rafter, stud, or joist for temporarily holding it in place; the provision of means for 20 adjustably supporting an outlet box and permitting lateral and vertical adjustment thereof; and the provision of means for temporarily supporting the hanger bar for permitting lateral adjustment of the hanger bar, for permitting 25 lateral adjustment of an outlet box on the hanger bar, and for permitting vertical adjustment of the hanger bar and outlet box relative to the supporting means.

Numerous other objects and advantages will 30 be apparent throughout the progress of the following specification.

The invention comprises in general a twopiece hanger bar, one of which slidingly engages the other whereby lateral adjustment of one 35 part is maintained relative to the other part. An outlet box slidingly engages the hanger bar to permit lateral adjustment of the outlet box relative to the hanger bar.

An end support is provided for temporarily 40 holding the hanger bar and its attached outlet box in position between joists. The ends of the hanger bar are interlockingly or interfittingly engaged with the end plate and the hanger bar may be adjusted vertically relative to the end 4₅ plate., The hanger bar and its cooperating outlet box is adapted to be temporarily supported in place, then finally adjusted to position, and then permanently fastened in adjusted position. The hanger bar permits horizontal, vertical, and 50 lateral adjustment.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a selected embodiment of the invention and the views therein are as follows:

Fig. 1 is a detail perspective view of an im55 proved hanger bar showing the manner in which it may be applied between joists, rafters or stuas.

Fig. 2 is a detail sectional view on the line 2—2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail longitudinal sectional view.

Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of a modi- ⁹⁰fled form of hanger bar and outlet box.

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view on the line 5—5 of Fig. 4, and showing a plaster ring arranged on the outlet box.

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective of the plate or 65 carrier shown in section in Fig. 5.

The particular hanger bar and outlet box as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, comprises a pair of U-shaped members 1 and 2 which when arranged together, form a supporting frame. The member 70 2 is provided with an end attaching portion 3 and inwardly extending legs 4 and 5. The member 1 has an end attaching portion 6 and inwardly extending legs 7 and 8 for telescopically receiving the legs 4 and 5 respectively of 75 the member 2. The member 1 has rolled-over upper and lower edges 9 for telescopically holding the legs 4 and 5 of the member 2. The member 2 has its upper and lower edges rounded as indicated at 10, Fig. 2, for permitting free slid- 80 ing movement of the member 2 relative to the member 1.

An outlet box 11 is provided with a plate or carrier 12 which has rolled-over edges 13 which engage the legs 7 and 8 of the member 1 and 85 is freely slidable thereon. The box 11 and its cooperating carrier or plate 12 may be made as a single unit, or the box may be made separately and fastened to the plate 12 in any desirable manner. The box and its cooperating 90 carrier is provided with knock-outs 14 through which the electric conduit or cable extends in the usual manner. If the carrier is made as a separable unit, knock-outs are arranged in both the carrier and box, and these knock-outs are 95 adapted to be brought into alinement for the reception of the conduit or cable.

End plates 15 are provided for attaching the hanger bar and its cooperating outlet box to joists or studs 16. The plates 15 each com- 100 prise a body portion' 16 which is bent at 17 to provide the inturned flange 18. Integral upstanding prongs 19 are formed on the flange 18 and are adapted to be driven into the joist 15' for temporarily supporting the hanger bar and 105 its cooperating outlet box. Upper and lower lugs 20 are struck out from the body 15' of the end plates 15 and are adapted to receive the ends 6 and 3 of the members 1 and 2 respectively. The ends 3 and 6, Fig. 2, may be provided with HO

1,982,987 oppositely disposed notches 21 to permit vertical adjustment of the hanger bar relative to the plates 15 as the width of the ends 3 and 6 at the notches is less than the distance be5 tween the attached ends 22 of the lugs 20. The plates 15 are also provided with spaced elongated slots 23 to receive nails or other fastening means 24 for permitting fastening of the plate to the joists.

Ears 25 may be struck up from the body of the outlet box plate 12 for fastening the outlet box permanently to the hanger bar when the outlet box is arranged in adjusted position.

In arranging an outlet box in position, the 15 plates 15 are first driven in position due to the engagement of the prongs 18 with the joists 16. The outlet box 11 is then shifted along the hanger bar until it attains the proper horizontal position desired. The hanger bar may then 20 be shifted laterally in the end plates until the proper position of the outlet box laterally is obtained. The hanger bar and its cooperating outlet box can then be moved vertically due to the free movement provided between the lugs •25 20 and the ends of the hanger bar. After the proper vertical position of the outlet box is attained the nails 24 may be then driven in position, thereby rigidly holding the hanger bar in proper position relative to the joists 16. The 30 ears 25 are then crimped, such as by pinching with pliers, to maintain the outlet box rigid with the hanger bar and to prevent slidable movement thereon.

The hanger bar and outlet box shown in Figs. 35 4 to 6, includes the U-shaped members 1 and 2 which telescope with each other to provide a supporting frame as set forth in the specification relative to Figs. 1 to 3. The legs 4 and 5 of the member 2 are crimped or bent as clear40 ly shown in Fig. 2 to reinforce the member and to permit it to slide freely in the member 1. The carrier or plate 12, which may be a separate member or an integral part of the box 11, slides within the frame as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, in45 stead of engaging the outside of the frame as shown in Figs. 1 to 3. The carrier and box are also provided with knock-outs as previously described relative to the carrier and plate shown in Figs. 1 to 3. The inner sliding plate 12 50 shown in Fig. 6 is slit at 30 and then bent along the lines 31 to provide the upper and lower lugs or ears 32 and 33 respectively. These lugs or ears form means which are received in the frame and permit slidable movement of the box and 55 its integral or cooperating carrier relative to the frame.

The box 11, Fig. 5, may be provided with an inwardly extending peripheral flange 34 to which a cooperating plaster ring 35 is attached &lt;50 in any convenient manner such as by the screws 36. The plaster ring is for the purpose of reducing the outlet box opening and is required by ordinance in some localities. The plaster 37 comes flush with the lower end of the ring as 65 clearly shown in Fig. 5. Regardless of whether or not the plaster ring is employed, the box may be shifted vertically as well as horizontally, by moving the frame upwardly or downwardly or by using the end attaching plates or members 15. 70 The frame is preferably made of heavy sheet iron or stamped steel and is designed to carry a suspended load of two hundred pounds or more as required by ordinance in many jurisdictions.

The hanger bar may be fastened directly to 75 the supporting members by directly fastening the end members 3 and 6 directly to the supporting members or the hanger bar may be mounted in the end plates 15, if desired.

The particular outlet boxes herein shown are smaller than the distance between the legs of 80 the frame but it is to be understood that the box may be made considerably larger, if desired. The box shown in Fig. 1 could be made as wide as desired and could extend beyond the legs of the frame. While the term “outlet box” has 85 been used to explain the invention, this term is to be given its broadest interpretation and includes any kind of an electrical receptacle, such as a switch box.

The invention provides a rigid and durable 90 hanger bar capable of carrying a relatively heavy load and permits the outlet box to be moved vertically, horizontally, and laterally for adjustment. The telescoping of one member of the hanger bar relative to its cooperating 95 member permits end adjustment between joists, and the end plate construction permits the · hanger bar to be temporarily supported in place, allowing for vertical adjustment of the hanger bar. The nails hold the hanger bar securely in 100 adjusted position and the bending of the lugs on the outlet box maintains the outlet box in proper adjusted position. The entire structure is strong and durable in construction, may be quickly and readily applied, and may be readily 105 and economically manufactured.

Changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the various parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages, and the no right is hereby reserved to make all such changes as fairly fall within the scope of the following claims.