Telescoping Reinforcement Bracket for Long-Span Electrical Box Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional telescopically adjustable brackets for supporting electrical boxes or other components between building structures can flex, bend, or fail when the structures are spaced far apart, limiting their application scope.

Innovation Solution

A support assembly with a telescopically adjustable support bracket and separate reinforcement rails that can be easily installed to mitigate flexing and provide additional strength, allowing the brackets to be secured to building structures spaced further apart.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional telescopically adjustable brackets are used to support electrical boxes between building structures, then the brackets can be adjusted to fit various spacing, but they flex, bend, or fail when structures are spaced far apart

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability to various spacingVSAvoidresistance to flexing and bending

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket is divided into multiple telescoping segments that can extend and lock at different positions. This segmentation allows the bracket to adapt to various spacing requirements while maintaining structural integrity through multiple locking points along the extended length

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bracket employs nested telescoping members where smaller components are housed within larger ones. This nesting arrangement allows for compact storage and easy installation while providing extended reach without compromising strength, as each nested layer can provide structural support

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional telescopically adjustable brackets are used, then they can be installed between building structures, but their application scope is limited when structures are spaced far apart

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidapplication scope for various spacing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket incorporates dynamic telescoping mechanisms that allow it to change its effective length and configuration during installation. This enables a single bracket design to adapt to various spacing requirements between building structures, expanding its application scope while maintaining ease of installation through simple extension and locking actions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Length of stationary object

If the bracket length is increased to reach structures spaced further apart, then the application scope expands, but the bracket becomes less stable and more prone to failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebracket lengthVSAvoidstability and resistance to failure

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The extended bracket is segmented into multiple lockable sections, each contributing to overall stability. This segmentation allows the long bracket to maintain rigidity by providing multiple support points and locking mechanisms along its length, preventing flexing and failure even when spanning large distances between building structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250174971A1Reinforcement bracket for support of electrical devices

Publication Date: 2025.05.29 ERICO INTERNATIONAL CORP

AI summary

A bracket assembly can be utilized to support electrical devices relative to building structures. The bracket assembly may include a support bracket including a first bracket member slidably nested with a second bracket member to adjustably provide a range of extension lengths of the support bracket to support an electrical device between a first building structure and a second building structure. The bracket assembly may further include a reinforcement bracket secured to the first bracket member and the second bracket member. The reinforcement bracket may include a first reinforcement member telescopically movable relative to a second reinforcement member to provide a range of reinforcement lengths of the reinforcement bracket.