Adjustable Electrical Box Bracket With Spring-Biased Jaws
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical box mounting systems lack flexibility and ease of adjustment along mounting bars, making it difficult to position electrical boxes precisely and securely without requiring complex fastening mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A bracket with movable front and rear jaws, biased by a spring member, that can grip a channel-shaped mounting bar at any selected position, allowing for adjustable placement and secure attachment of electrical boxes, while also providing a mechanism for attaching the box to the bracket.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a bracket with movable jaws and spring member is used, then ease of operation and adjustability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket employs movable jaws that can transition between open and closed positions, allowing dynamic adjustment along the mounting bar. The spring member provides automatic return to the closed position, enabling easy repositioning while maintaining secure attachment when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket is divided into distinct functional components: front jaw for contacting the web, rear jaw for reception between flanges, and a spring member for biasing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while contributing to the overall adjustability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the bracket is designed to be adjustable along the mounting bar, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring member automatically biases the jaws to the closed position, providing self-adjusting clamping force. This eliminates the need for precise manual adjustment mechanisms while ensuring consistent attachment at any position along the mounting bar.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket allows change in position parameter along the mounting bar while maintaining constant clamping force through the spring mechanism. The spring's elastic properties enable the system to adapt to different positions without requiring precision manufacturing at each location.
3Reliability
If the jaws are biased toward the closed position by a spring member, then reliability of attachment is improved, but force requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring member acts as a counterbalancing force that automatically applies clamping pressure to maintain reliable attachment. This eliminates the need for additional fastening forces while ensuring the jaws remain securely closed on the mounting bar.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables easy and precise positioning of electrical boxes along mounting bars, ensuring secure attachment and allowing for repositioning without compromising the depth of the box or the mounting bar, while maintaining a compact design and sufficient clamping force.
Implementation Method 1
A spring member extends from the front jaw to the rear jaw for biasing said jaws toward the closed position
Data Source
AI summary
A bracket is disclosed for mounting an electrical box on a mounting bar. The bracket comprises a front jaw and a rear jaw. The jaws are movable toward an open position for allowing movement of the bracket relative to the mounting bar and toward a closed position for gripping the mounting bar at a selected position along the mounting bar. The jaws are biased toward the closed position. An electrical box is attached to the front jaw. In one embodiment, the front jaw, rear jaw and a spring for urging the jaws closed are integrally formed from a single piece of sheet metal.