One-Piece Ceiling Brace With Sliding Box Mount
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ceiling fan and luminaire braces are cumbersome to install and often fail to provide adequate support for electrical boxes, complicating the mounting process.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece mounting brace with integrated rails and channels allows for easy connection to a bracket, which is removably attached to the brace using a sliding mechanism and secured by a catch, providing stable support for electrical boxes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional multi-piece braces are used, then manufacturing flexibility is maintained, but installation complexity increases and support stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (central body, connecting ends, and rails) into a single integrated one-piece construction. This merging eliminates the need for assembly during installation, directly resolving the contradiction by simplifying installation procedures while maintaining structural integrity and support stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If braces are designed with integrated mounting spaces, then electrical box support capability improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting spaces are pre-formed as integral features of the one-piece brace construction during manufacturing. This preliminary action allows the brace to be ready for immediate installation with pre-positioned mounting capabilities, resolving the contradiction by enabling electrical box support functionality without requiring complex post-manufacturing assembly or modification.
3Adaptability or versatility
If removable bracket connection is implemented, then adjustment flexibility improves, but connection reliability may decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket connection system is designed with removable features that allow for adjustable positioning and configuration during installation, while the one-piece construction provides inherent structural rigidity. This dynamic design resolves the contradiction by enabling flexibility when needed while maintaining connection reliability through the integrated structure that prevents misalignment and ensures stable support.
Data Source
AI summary
A brace for mounting an electrical box between supports includes a central body with a pair of elongated sides each having a first end and a second end. The central body also includes a top surface connected between each first end. Rails are connected to each second end and extend substantially along the length of the pair of elongated sides. The brace also includes a first connecting end connected to a first end of the central body and a second connecting end connected to a second end of the central body. The central body, the first connecting end, and the second connecting end are integrally formed in a one-piece construction. Each rail is spaced apart from at least one of the first connecting end and the second connecting end to form a mounting space.