Adjustable Outlet Mounting Bracket for Variable Drywall Openings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing outlet mounting devices do not effectively secure electrical outlets in drywall panels with adjustable width adjustments to accommodate varying outlet hole sizes.

Innovation Solution

A bracket with a slidably adjustable arm and a fixed arm, featuring adjustable width, secured by a screw, allows the outlet to be mounted in an electrical box surrounded by an outlet hole in a drywall panel, ensuring stability across different hole sizes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed-width bracket is used to mount electrical outlets, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot accommodate varying outlet hole sizes in drywall panels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of varying outlet hole sizesVSAvoidbracket structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket incorporates a slidable arm mechanism that allows the width of the bracket to be dynamically adjusted. The arm can move along the bracket body and be secured at different positions using adjustment holes and fasteners, enabling the bracket to adapt to various outlet hole sizes while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the bracket width is made adjustable to fit different hole sizes, then adaptability improves, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustable width for different hole sizesVSAvoidbracket manufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket is divided into distinct segments including a fixed arm, a slidable arm, and a body portion with adjustment holes. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using standard fabrication processes, and then assembled together, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving adjustability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If a simple bracket design is used, then manufacturing is easy, but the bracket may fall through the outlet hole without proper securing mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of bracket falling through outlet holeVSAvoidsecuring mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket design includes pre-positioned feet that extend beyond the arm ends to contact the drywall surface, and pre-configured adjustment holes that allow for preliminary positioning and securing. These features are built into the bracket structure beforehand, ensuring reliable prevention of the bracket falling through the outlet hole without requiring complex additional securing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12463408B2Electrical outlet mounting device

Publication Date: 2025.11.04 GENDILL JIM

AI summary

An electrical outlet mounting device includes a bracket and fixed arm attached to the bracket and a slidably adjustable arm that is slidable in the bracket such that the bracket has an adjustable width. The bracket is positionable to extend laterally across an outlet opening in a drywall panel. A screw is extendable through the slidably adjustable arm and threadably engages the bracket to retaining the slidably adjustable arm at a selected position in the bracket. A mounting screw of an electrical outlet is extendable through the slidably adjustable arm for attaching the electrical outlet to the bracket. In this way the bracket can mount the electrical outlet in an electrical box that is surrounded by the outlet opening in the drywall panel.