Dual Switch Box Bracket Layout for Opposing Stud-Side Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for mounting electrical boxes on opposing sides of a wall stud are inefficient, as single brackets interfere with each other's installation, requiring additional time and creating unsightly bumps in the wall covering when trying to align boxes horizontally.
Innovation Solution
A double-mounted dual switch box bracket with a flat center section, offset base plates, flanged ends, and flange necks allows for side-by-side mounting of low and high voltage devices using a single bracket, featuring bendable members and tabs for adjustable installation on various stud types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single bracket is used to mount an electrical box on one side of a wall stud, then the box can be securely mounted, but the clamp occupies all available space on the stud, preventing a second box from being mounted on the opposite side at the same elevation
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is divided into two distinct mounting sections: a first clamp section for mounting on one side of the stud and a second clamp section for mounting on the opposite side. Each clamp section can independently secure an electrical box, allowing simultaneous mounting of boxes on both sides at the same elevation without interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The second clamp section is positioned within the structural envelope of the first clamp section, with both clamps sharing a common mounting interface on the stud. This nested arrangement allows both clamps to coexist on the same stud without requiring additional stud real estate, as one clamp is effectively positioned inside the spatial footprint of the other.
2Productivity
If two separate brackets are screwed to the stud to mount opposing boxes, then both boxes can be installed in the same plane, but this doubles the installation time and creates an undesirable bump in the final wall covering
Solution Approach 1:
Two separate bracket functions are merged into a single integrated bracket structure. The first and second clamp sections are combined with a shared mounting interface, allowing both electrical boxes to be mounted simultaneously using one bracket assembly rather than two separate brackets, thereby halving the installation time and eliminating the bump problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The single bracket performs multiple mounting functions that would traditionally require two separate brackets. It can simultaneously secure electrical boxes on opposite sides of the stud at the same elevation, providing multi-functional capability in a single device that reduces both installation steps and potential surface irregularities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If electrical boxes are vertically aligned on the same wall stud, then they can be easily attached, but this does not accommodate the desired horizontal alignment for low and high voltage devices
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket extends in multiple spatial dimensions to accommodate horizontal alignment requirements. By projecting clamp sections to opposite sides of the stud while maintaining the same elevation, the bracket utilizes the horizontal dimension (width across the stud) rather than requiring vertical stacking, thus enabling side-by-side mounting of low and high voltage devices at the same height.
Data Source
AI summary
A double-mounted electrical box mounting bracket for mounting to a wall stud that includes: a substantially flat center section having a top surface, a bottom surface, a pair of opposing sides and one or more center mounting holes for securing the bracket to a structure; a pair of substantially flat base plates, each having a first end and a second end, an opening having a periphery for receiving an electrical box, and a bendable member extending into the opening from the periphery; a pair of offsets connecting the opposing sides of the center section and the first ends of the base plates; and a pair of substantially flat flanged ends connected to the second sides of the base plates by a pair of flange necks, wherein the base plates are offset and recessed from the center section and flanged ends.