CA2141887A1 - Electrical fixture installation assist method and means - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates generally to the installation of electrical fixtures carrying electrical devices, such as lighting, ceiling fans and the like. More particularly, the invention provides means for temporarily supporting a mountable electrical fixture during the installation thereof, said means further providing permanent support for the elctrical fixture once wired and installed.

Description

8 ~ 7 ELECTRICAL FIXTURE INSTALLATION ASSIST METHOD
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to the installation of eleetrieal fixtures earrying eleetrieal deviees, sueh as lighting, eeiling fans and the like, and more partieularly provides a method for assisting in the 5 installation of eleetrieal f ixtures by temporarily supporting a mountable eleetrieal fixture during the installation thereof and r~n;r~ ting the temporary support to pPr~nPntly support the eleetrieal fixture onee wired and installed.
10 BA~K~ uNL~ OF THE INVENTION
One of the eommon diffieulties eneountered during the installation of electrical fixtures, particularly where the fixture is suspended from the ceiling of an enclosure, is the difficulty in supporting the fixture during the 15 establ i ~ L of electrical connection to the electrical leads housed in an electrical junction box.
Whether installing an electrical fixture to a ceiling mounted junction box or to a wall mounted junction box, the eleetrieian is required manually to hold the fixture 20 temporarily while he j oins the eleetrieal lead wires housed in a previously installed eleetrieal junetion box to the electrical device carried by the f ixture . It is difficult and clumsy to hold a fixture and, at the same time, connect the wires. This activity must be performed 25 while the electrician installer must maintain balance often while standing upon a ladder at a distanee from ground level. While in sueh precarious position, the electrician must stretch and reach above his head, in installing ceiling mounted fixtures, while maintaining 30 such precarious position, guiding and feeding the s`~ ~ ~
2141~87 capping the connecting leads) and locating and guiding the bolt connectors which have been secured to the j unction box to the openings (passages) formed in the electrical fixture. The manipulations required are difficult due to the minimum available space ~etween the junction box and the fixture during the installation process, if the fixture were to be supported by coupling to said connecting bolts. Otherwise, during the conventional installation process, the fixture must be hand held temporarily by the electrician~ during the installation process. This procedure is difficult, clumsy and pre6ents considerable danger to the electrician.
The connecting bolts conventionally may be pre-installed in the tabs carried by the junction box. In such installations, the fixture itself must be moved into position, aligned with and engaged with said connecting bolts. As the electrical ro~n-~ctions have been made, and the electrical fixture is moved closer to the junction box, the view of the openings carried by the junction box which must be aligned with the said bolts, becomes at least partially blocked and often fully blocked from view.
Likewise, the connecting bolts themselves, often become blocked from view by the fixture. This requires the electrician to probe, often "blindly", by touch sensitivity and trial and error, to locate and align the fixture or~n; ng~ with the connecting bolts--all at the same time maintaining balance, supporting the fixture with one hand and manipulating both f ixture and connecting bolt .
The problem to which the invention is directed has been recognized for some time but fails to come up with any device which i6 capable of supporting the f ixture temporarily during the installation stage, leaving sufficient space between the fixture and the electrical junction box so as to facilitate establishment of the S: 21~188~
electrical connection, as well as serving to align the respective holes in the fixture and junction box tabs, to guide the fixture into position for permanent attachment to the junction box. It would be most helpful further to 5 provide means which can also function p~ n~ntly to attach the fixture to the junction box, position the fixture in completed installation condition and as well to guide the junction box into such position, facilitating completion of the installation. Of course, the fixture 10 installation means provided should enable substantial reduction in the installation cost and time of installation while materially reducing the incidence of accidental fall and accompanying injury to the one performing th~ installation.
One example of an early prior approach to the installation of electrical fixtures to ceiling mounted junction boxes or the like include U.S. Patent 1,690,941 to Nickerson, which discloses an annulus engagable with a lamp socket carried by the f ixture and a bracket securable 2 0 on a depending stud carried by the outlet box . The bracket includes ~lep~nrl ~ ng toothed legs and the annulus includes resilient engaging means such as a slide for receiving the legs of the bracket. No means are provided by Nickerson which temporarily hold the fixture while 25 wiring ta]~es place. The adjustability of the Nickerson means is l imited .
Smith, U.S. Patent 1,129,024, had suggested the use of an elongate adjusting screw to enable internal wiring - to be achieved prior to positioning of the fixture base to 30 the junction box but afforded no mean5 for temporarily supporting the f ixture during the wiring process leaving the hands free to accomplish the wiring. The problems involved in the wiring process was recognized by Smith but the solution was left wanting.
35 Littleton, U.S. Patent 1,129,024, ~lso clearly `` 21~1887 delineated the problems but offered a solution by providing a slotted bar carrying depending adjusting screws and a vertical toothed bar slidably engaged through the slot, the bar being carried by a threaded cup 5 engagable on a nipple extending into the junction box.
Raising and lowering of the fixture is accomplished by manipulation of the adjusting screw6. However, no temporary support is provided for the fixture as taught by Littleton .
The Zientowski et al U.S. Patent 2,671,821 discloses holding means comprising a threaded sleeve mounted on an elevated stud, the sleeve carrying a hook which is coupled to a cooperative hook carried by the f ixture . The junction box is provided with an electric plug receptacle 15 for receiving an electrical plug leading to the lighting unit. The fixture canopy can be lowered sufficiently to seat the electrical plug in the receptacle and the sleeve manipulated to rai5e the fixture. Elowever, this combination is very expensive, difficult to use and still 20 would not leave enough space free to enable the wiring connections to be made and secured properly.
Additionally, its use is limited to installation of merely a few, highly speciallized fixtures.
Buckels, U.S.Patent 2,808,172, provides an extension 25 which i5 mounted to the interior of a wall mounted outlet box and ex~ends thereacros6. The extension is provided with a drilled and tapped hole serving as a switch mounting, the e~tension being provided with plural scores spaced therealong so that when properly installed, excess 30 portions of the extension can be broken off so as to avoid contact with the electical wire5 interior of the box.
Again, no provision is made which could be applied in the installation of an electrical fixture temporarily to support same during installation yet be capable of 35 functioning permanently to secure the fixture to junction . . 2141887 box subsequent to the completion of the wiring process.
Wolar U.S. Patent 2,967,928, provides a support for elements of a lighting fixture such as a globe, which facilitates cleaning, removal and replacement of the globe 5 but which does not contribute to t~Rch; n~q to providing temporary support for the fixture during the process of wiring same to a ceiling mounted electrical junction box.
The means provided by Wolar comprises a hanger including a L-shaped bracket member having a horizontal leg and a 10 vertically disposed leg. A threaded rod extends through the horizontal leg for attachment to a bracket inturn secured to the fixture. A second leg is slidably attached to the L-shaped leg. The globe can be lowered along the threaded rod so as to gain access to the lamp. However, 15 access to the junction box is not provided, nor is there any provision offered for holding the fixture temporarily during the wiring process.
Nore recently, Propp et al, U.S. Patent 4,988,067, provides support for a load support member but does not 20 approach a solution to the problem of supporting a load temporarily while sufficient access is provided for enabling manipulation, say of wires at a location above the load being supported which manipulation would have to take place without visible access to the elements being 25 r-n~r~ ted, such visibility being blocked by the load.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the invention provides electrical fixture installation means for assisting in the installation of an electrical f ixture of the type having a 30 mounting surface carrying at least a pair of through passages spaced along the mounting surface and to a structurally mounted electrical junction box of the type including mounting tabs carrying f irst threaded openings capable of receiving threaded bolt means therethrough, the 35 fixture passages capable of being aligned with the tab i 2141887 openings ~or receiving the bolt means therethrough, said installation assist means comprising the bolt means formed as at least a partially threaded elongate rod member having at least one end capable of engagement within the tab np~nin~c and an opposite end. Separation means, such as a weakened portion such as a "knock-off notch" is formed at a selected location along the rod for separating the rod at a pr~ t~orTn;n~d distance from the tabs of the junction box at a time subsequent to completion of the electrical connection between the electrical device carried by the fixture and the electrical leads carried by the junction box. The fixture is constructed and arranged for slidable movement along the rod past the separation means at a time subsequent to completion of the electrical connection and retaining means are provided at the opposite end of the rod for supporting the fixture temporarily prior to completion of the electrical connection and capable of supporting the fixture permanently when the fixture has been positioned for p~ n"~t installation subsequent to operation of the separation means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TE~E DRAWINGS
FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic elevational view of the electrical fixture installation assist means of the invention illustrated in the course of wiring of a lighting fixture to the pre-installed ceiling mounted electrical junction box during the installation thereof, portions of the FIGURE being shown in sectional representation .

3 0 FIGURE 2 illustrates the completed installation of FIGURE l;
FIGURES 3 through 10 are diagrammatic illustrations of several modified embodiments of the inventon.
DESCRIPTION OF l'K~ ;KK~;I) EMBODIMENTS
The invention provides a method and means for . . 2141887 assisting the installation of an electrical fixture, here being a ceiling mounted f ixture, but useful in the installation of a wall mounted fixture (not illustrated).
The installation assist means according to the 5 invention is designated generally in FIGURE 1 by the reference character 10, said assist means being illustrated utilized in the installation of electrical lighting fixture 12. The installation process involves the making of an electrical connection between the wires 10 14 of electrical cable 16 housed within electrical junction box 18 and extending therefrom, and the electrical lead wires 20 leading from an electrical device, such as lamp-socket 22 carried by the fixture 12.
The conventional junction box 18 can be octagonal, 15 hexagonal, rectangular in configuration. When installed, the junction box conventionally is downwardly opening toward the fixture being installed. Conventionally, there are a pair of opposite, generally parallel walls which are provided with inwardly directed, generally coplanar 20 attachment tabs 26, also generally referred to as ears, formed on the said walls 24 adjacent the open end of the junction box 18. The junction box 18 is provided with at least a pair of inwardly directed attachment tabs 26 on a pair of the opposite walls 24 adjacent the open end of the 25 junction box 18. Each tab 26 also referred to by the art as ears, carries an attachment hole 28, usually threaded, for receiving an attachment bolt 30. It should be understood that in the description of the installation of the electical fixture, reference will be made to one 30 attachment bolt. E~owever, at least two of such bolts are required, one for each junctlon box tab.
Likewise, the openings provided in the fixture are at least two in number, one for each attachment bolt. At strap (not shown) may be used for certain installations to 35 provide varying sized attachment holes for installation of ~ 21~1887 different fixtures. Where provided, the straps are secured to the attachment tabs, such as tabs 26, and extend across the opening of the junction box. The attachment bolts the are secured to selected ones of the 5 attachment holes provided on such strap.
The junction box 18 is mounted in an opening 32 constructed or otherwise formed between joists or sheetrock 34, for example, forming the ceiling of a room where the fixture 12 is to be installed. Electrical cable 16 is coupled to one of the walls 24 of junction box 18 and extends therein, say through a conventional punch-out 36 formed in the wall 24. The tabs 26 extend parallel to the floor 38 of the ~unction box 18 and in opposite directions inwardly of the opening 40 of the junction box 18. The cable 16 carries the electrical leads 14 i.e. the power leads, terminating in lead wires 14 ' . Grounding wires (not shown) also are introduced within the junction box 18. The tabs 26 each carry an attachment hole 28, generally threaded, for receipt of attachment bolts used 20 for mounting the fixture 12. The junction box 18 conventionally can be pre-installed so that the tabs 26, as well as the open ended box 18 has its walls 24 flush with the opening 32 defined in the ceiling.
The electrical f ixture 12, here is represented by 25 dish-shaped housing 42 having vertical walls 44 and a base or floor 46. As fihown in FIGURE 1, a lamp socket 22 is mounted through the floor portion 46 of the fixture 12, the light bulb 48 being illustrated installed therein.
The floor 46 of the fixture 12 constitutes the mounting 3 o surface thereof and is provided with suitable spaced openings 50 which are to be aligned with the attachment holes 30 carried by the tabs 26 of the junction box 18.
The attachment holes 3 0 and openings 50 must be aligned when the fixture 12 has been wired (the electrical 35 connection est:ablished) and mounted securely positioned i 2141887 with its walls 44 engaged with the ceiling, r~ n~ntly installed thereat. One must understand that the length of the electrical wires 14 extending out of junction box 18 and the length of the wires 20 extending from the lamp 5 socket 22 carried by the fixture 12 is kept to a minimum, so as to enable seating thereof in the junction box 18 and in the fixture 18 respectively without shorting, overcrowding and the like which may arise when the engaged wires are pushed back into the said junction box or fully 10 ac_ ~ted within the junction box and the fixture.
Sufficient space must be provided for accommodating the electrical connection caps, insulation, shields, etc. (not shown). The connecting bolts are to be each passed through the respective aligned holes 28 and openings 50 15 when the fixture properly electrically connected, is lifted and positioned with the walls 44 engaging the ceiling. This task is usually performed by the electrician, who heretofore ha6 held the fixture with one hand and effected the manipulations required to tie the 20 wires 14 and 20' together to establish the electrical wire connection. ~eretofore, instead of having the attachment bolts premounted on the junction box, i.e. in the tab holes 28, threaded bolts are inserted after the holes carried by the tabs and the op~n; ngC carried by the 25 fixture floor have been aligned. Of course, the attachment holes 28 carried by the junction box tabs 26 are hidden from the electrician's view by the fixture and the mounted lamp socket. The electrician must "poke" by touch and/or trial and error to effect proper alignment 3 0 and introduction of the bolts . One could not make the bolts extra long to enable facile location and alignment of the proper attachment holes with the fixture openings since there would remain too much space between the fixture and the ceiling. One must avoid necesitating the 35 extension of the bolts visibly from the fixture _g_ Foreshortened bolts would avoid the extension of the bolts out from the visible portion of the mounted fixture but the problem of avoiding the alignment limitations and simultaneous awkward physical holding of the fixture would 5 remain.
The l~ho~ t of the invention illustrated in FIGURES 1 aND 2 provides attachment bolts 30 formed as elongate rods, each being threaded at opposite ends 52 and 54. Each rod (now designated by reference character 30) carries a notch 56 of depth to constitute the notch 56 as a knock-off notch capable of being severed from the rod easily and thus defining a weakened portion, but, nevertheless, the rod, even with the said notch 56, having strength sufficient to support the fixture 12. one end 52 15 of the rod 30 is secured through attA~hr L hole 28 of tab 26, the rod 30 extending vertically downward, as illustrated. The opposite end 54 is passed through the opening 50 carried by the fixture 12. A fastener 58, such as a quick-nut, is engaged on the opposite end 54 (which 20 extends through opening 50). The length of the rod 30 is selected to offer sufficient space to enable the electrician to perform the manipulations necessary to effect the joining, as by tying, of the wires 14 and 20' respectively while the fixture is hanging free of the 25 electrician's grasp and supported by the fasteners.
When the wires 14 and 2 0 ' have been connected to establish the electrical connection, the fixture 12 is lifted toward the junction box 18, the fasteners 58, - quick-nuts, being manipulated to enable the f ixture 12 to 30 be slidably moved along the length of the rods, the floor passing the notch 56 of each rod 30, the notch 56 having been located at a selected location chosen to be the desired distance between the fixture 12 and the ceiling when the fixture 12 is properly positioned in the 35 installed condition. When the floor 46 of the fixture 12 21~ 88~
passes the notches 56 carried by the respective rods 30, the quick-nuts are manipulated so that they can be slidably moved to a location above the notches 56, i.e.
above the selected location. Now, the rods 30 are severed 5 at the notches 56, the quick-nuts self-tighten to secure same in place supporting the fixture 12. The fixture 12 is held fixedly and, effectively, pt~nently~ preferably, flush against the ceiling and supported by the fastener 58 (quick nuts).
Referring to FIGURE 3, a modified ~ ?nt of the invention is designated by reference character 60. The upper end 64 of threaded rod 62 is secured in attachment hole 28 formed in the tab 26 of the junction box 18 and depends vertically downwardly toward the f ixture 12 . The 15 rod 62 supplemented by hollow internally threaded bolt 66 which is threadably engagable with the lower end 68 of said rod 62 after said bolt 66 is passed through opening 50 of the fixture. The connection between the rod 62 and the bolt 66 can be defined as the selected location at 20 which the 5eparation can be made between the rod 62 and hollow bolt 66, said location being chosen on the same basis as the selected location was chosen for the notch 56 formed on rod 30, the combined rod 62 and hollow bolt 66 defining the attachment bolt of the invention. The hollow 25 bolt 66 carries a head 70 large enough to support the fixture temporarily during the installation process of the fixture .
Generally the length of the hollow bolt 66 det~ n~:
the distance required to afford suffient space between the 30 fixture 12 and the junction box 18 to enable the manipulations to be made by the electricial in the process of effecting the electrical connection ease and without strain . When the wiring is completed, i . e. the electrical connection established, the fixture 12 ls slidably, 35 upwardly pushed along the hollow bolt 66 until reaching .

214~8~7 the desired installation position, that is, above the engagement of rod 62 and bolt 66. The bolt 66 then is removed and a fastener, e.g. a simple conventional hex nut 68, is engaged with the rod 62, permanently supporting 5 the fixture 12. The bolt 66 can be thereafter disgarded or reused.
Another modified ~ t of the invention is illustrated in FIG~RE 4 and designated generally by reference character 72. The installation assi8t means 72 10 according to the invention, is formed of a threaded rod 74 and a top-opening hollow bolt 76. The threaded rod 74 is of slightly greater diameter than rods 30 and 62, since the attachment hole 28 ' is of greater diameter than the attachment hole 28. The rod 74 is provided with a narrow 15 diameter extension 74 ' at its lower end 78 and is engaged at its upper end 80 within att~oh~ t hole 28 ' carried by the tab 26 of the junction box 18. The top-opening hollow bolt 76 is provided with an internal threaded formation 76' adjacent its open end 82 conforming to the threaded 20 extension 74 ' to enable f~ L of said extension 74 ' with the hollow bolt 76. The hollow bolt 76 and the rod 74 are of the same diameter, less than the diameter of the opening 50 formed in the floor 46 of the fixture 12. A
fastener, such as hex nut 84 is seated on the head 77 of 25 the hollow bolt 76, and serves temporarily to support the fixture 12 during the installation process. The selected location for the "weakened portion" constituting the separation means of the installation assist means 70 according to the invention, is constituted by the junction 30 of the rod 74 and its reduced diameter threaded extension 74 ' . The overall length of the combined rod 74 and hollow bolt 76 providing, when applied, sufficient space to enable and facilitate completion of the electrical connection. When the electrical connection has been 35 completed, the fixture 12 is raised slidably along the : 21~1887 hollow bolt 76 to a position above the extension 74 ' and the nut 84 also is slidably moved, said lower end 78 extending through the opening 50 in the fixture 12. Then the hex nut 84 is engaged with the lower end 78 of the rod 5 74, completing the installation, said hex nut 84 serving to support the fixture 12 permanently. After the engagement of the nut 84 with the lower end 78 of the rod 74, the hollow lbolt 76 is disengaged from the rod 74 and the extension 74 ' severed from the rod 74 . The 10 installation thus is completed.
Referring to FIGURE 5, a further modified embodiment installation assist means according to the invention is illustrated and designated generally by reference character 86. The installation assist means 86 comprises 15 an elongate threaded rod 88 having opposite ends 88 ' and 88". The upper end 88' of rod 88 is engaged through attachment hole 28 carried by tab 26 of the junction box 18. The rod 88 is selected to be of a length sufficient to pass through the opening 50 of the fixture 12 so as to 20 enable the lower end 88" to extend through the floor 46 leaving a portion 87 capable of being return bent to a hook-like configuration, said portion 87 having sufficient strength to support the fixture 12 ', there being enough space between the fixture and the junction box 18 to 25 enable easy manipulations to be performed for effecting the electrical connection without strain. When the electrical connection has been completed, the fixture 12 is simply raised along the length of the rod 88 until the walls 44 of the fixture 12 engage the ceiling or otherwise 30 the fixture reaches the desired installed position relative to the ceiling. The rod 88, including portion 87, then is severed, leaving a r~ in~nt end 92' ~in broken outline) protruding from the fixture. The remainent end 92 ' is bent to a generally U-shaped portion 35 92 which serves permanently to fix the position of the : 21~1887 fixture and support same thereat.
Referring to FIGURE 6, another modif ied embodiment of the invention is illustrated and designated generally by reference character 94. The attachment bolt 94 according 5 to the invention comprises elongate threaded rod 96 having a thin rod portion 98 (or wire) unitary with the lower end 100 of said rod 96. The upper end 102 of rod 96 is engaged with the attachment hole 28 carried by the tab 26 of the junction box 18. The length of the rod 96 and the 10 thin rod portion 98 together is selected to be equal to the distance required to position the fixture relative to the ceiling to be assumed when the installation is completed. The length of the thin rod portion 98 is selected to enable said thin rod portion 98 to pass 15 through the opening 50 of the fixture and be return bent to form a hook-like formation 104, the end 106 thereof engaging the undersurface of the floor 46 of the fixture 12, the hook-like formation 104 being of sufficient strength to support the f ixture 12 temporarily during the 20 installation process. A fastener, such as hex nut 108 is carried by the hook-like formation 104.
When the electrical connection has been established, the fixture is raised along the thin rod portion 98 sufficiently to enable the nut 108 to be engaged onto the 25 lower end of the rod 96. The thin rod portion 98 is snipped off from the rod 96 at its juncture therewith.
The thin rod portion 98 may be formed as a wire.
In FIGURE 7, a still further modified ~rho~lir L of the invention is designed by reference character 110 30 and comprises a straight rod member 112 which is engaged through the attachment hole 28 formed in the ~unction box tab 26. The lower end 114 of rod member 112 is passed through the opening 50 of the fixture 12. The lower end 114 of rod member 112 extending below the fixture 12 can 35 be crimped so as to support the fixture temporarily during 21~1887 the installation. When the electrical connection is completed, the fixture 12 is raised along the length of the rod member 112 until it reaches its desired height for permanent installation When the wiring i8 completed, the fixture is slidably trAnsported upward, along the rod member 112. The excess portion, including the crimped portion, extending through the fixture 12 is severed from the rod member 112 and the ~. - inr~nt portion again is crimped, as shown at 116, leaving the crimp rr~rr-n~ntly to support the f ixture .
In the ' ~1 i r -nt of the invention illustrated in FIGURE 8, the upper end of elongate threaded rod 118 is engaged through the attarh- ~ hole 28 carried by tab 26 of the ~unction box 18 and is bent to form a hook-like formation 120. Instead of being threaded, the upper end of the rod 118 may be free of threads so as to increase the speed of engaging same in the att~( I hole 28. In fact, the entire length of rod 118 may be devoid of threads, the lower end of said rod merely being return bent to form a hook-like formation (not shown) if a nut is not to be employed, the hook-like formation offering the support for the fixture during the installation process.
In such case, after the electrical connection has been completed and tlle fixture raised along the rod 118 to its desired height, the portion of the rod extending downward from the fixture may be severed from the rod, leaving enough r~r .;nrl~r to be return bent to form another hook-like formation for permanently supporting the f ixture .
In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 9, a hollow threaded elongate rod 122 is engaged through the threaded attachment hole 28 carried by the tab 26 of junction box 18. The lower end 124 of rod 122 is passed through the opening 50" formed in the fixture. A nut 126 may be positioned on the rod 122 at a location just above the ~ 21~1887 selected location. The rod 122 includes a non-threaded portion 128 at the selected location, the portion 128 constituting the "weakened portion" and may be crimped temporarily to support the fixture after the electrical 5 connection is completed and the fixture 12 is lifted, sliding along the bolt until reaching its permanent position. A nut 130 may be engaged on the lower end 124 to support the f ixture temporarily during the installa-tion procedure, or, the weakened portion 128 may be 10 crimped to support the fixture during that period. A nut may be slidably moved along with the fixture after completion of the electrical connection and threadably engaged with the remainent threaded portion of the rod 122 subsequent to severance therefrom of the portion of said 15 rod below the "weakened portion" 128. The upper and lower positioned nuts 126 and 130 offer increased support and 8tability to the completed installation. Alternatively, the weakened portion 128 may be increased in length and a section thereof may be retained after severance, so that 20 it extends through the fixture attachment opening. This portion may be crimped with the crimp serving to provide the support for the installed fixture. Variations can be made from this, and the other examples of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the 25 invention. The through opening in the floor of the fixture may take the form represented by keyhole formation 50 ' in FIGURE ~ . The bolt or wire end extends through the larger portion of the hole and the fixture 12 in such case, being horizontally slidable to cause the re-~;n~ r 30 of said bolt or wire to pass through the narrow portion 50" of the keyhole formation 50'. A knock-off notch can be provided along at a suitable location along the length of the bolt 128.
In FIGURE 10, a considerably simplified embodiment of 35 the invention is provided by substantially fully threaded . . 21418~7 elongate rod 132. One end 134 of said rod 132 is threadably engaged through attachment hole 28 of the junction box 18. The opposite end, 136 of rod 132 is provided with hook formation 138, conveniently formed 5 simply by return bending said end from the generally straight end 138 ' represented in broken outline. A notch 140 is formed at a selected location along the length of the rod 132. A fastener, such a6 conventional hex-hut 142, can be provided as carried along the length of said rod 132, above the notch 140. The hook formation 138 is 6trong enough to support the fixture 12 during the course of its installation, i.e. wiring, etc. Once the wiring manipulations have been completed and the electrical connection thus made, the fixture 12 is slidable along the length of rod 132 until it is above the notch 140. The nut 142 is capable of passing through the larger diameter portion of the keyhole formation 50' and then, the rod 132 is severed at the "weakened portion" thereof, the notch 140, and the fixture then is slidably translated to place 20 the remainent portion of rod 132 within the narrow portion 50" of keyhole formation 50'. The fixture 12 thus is supported by the nut 142 in permanent installation.
Other variations from the described embodiments are contemplated and are capable of being made by one skilled 25 in the art without departing from the spirit and/or scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
What I Claim Is:
.

Claims (23)

1. Electrical fixture installation means for assisting in the installation of an electrical fixture of the type having a mounting surface carrying at least a pair of through openings spaced along the mounting surface and to a structurally mounted electrical junction box of the type including attachment tabs carrying attachment holes capable of receiving attachment bolt means therethrough, the through openings being alignable with said attachment openings for receiving the attachment means therethrough; said installation assist means comprising:
the attachment bolt means formed as an elongate rod member having at least one end capable of engagement within an attachment hole and at least an opposite end;
separation means at a selected location along the length of said rod spaced from the opposite end thereof for separating said rod at a predetermined distance from the tabs of the junction box at a time subsequent to completion of an electrical connection between the electrical device carried by the fixture and the electrical leads carried by the junction box;
the fixture being constructed and arranged for slidable movement along said rod past said separation means at a time subsequent to completion of an electrical connection between the electrical device carried by the fixture and the electrical leads carried by the junction box;
retaining means at the opposite end of said rod for supporting the fixture temporarily prior to completion of the electrical connection and capable of permanently supporting the fixture subsequent to operation of said separation means.

2. The electrical fixture installation assist means according to claim 1 in which the attachment holes are threaded, said elongate rod member is at least partially threaded and includes at least one threaded end, said threaded end engagable within the attachment holes.

3. The electrical fixture installation assist means according to claim 1 in which said separation means comprise a break-off notch formed in said rod at said selected location.

4. The electrical fixture installation assist means according to claim 2 in which said separation means comprise a weakened portion formed in said rod at said selected location and said retaining means comprise a threaded fastening member engagable with the remaining end of said rod.

5. The electrical fixture installation assist means according to claim l in which said selected location is chosen to allow a portion of the remaining end to extend through the openings carried by the fixture and said retaining means comprise a fastening member engagable with said remaining end .

6. The electrical fixture installation assist means according to claim l in which said separation means comprise a wire integral with said opposite end of said rod and constructed and arranged to be severed therefrom, the selected location being the junction of said opposite end and said wire, the retaining means comprise a nut engagable with said opposite end of the rod subsequent to the severance of said wire therefrom.

7. The electrical fixture installation assist means according to claim 5 in which said nut is carried by said wire .

8. The electrical fixture installation assist means according to claim 5 in which said nut is carried by the retained portion of said rod member and is capable of slidable movement along said rod following with the slidable movement of said fixture past said selected location subsequent to completion of said electrical connection .

9. The electrical fixture installation assist means according to claim l in which said opposite end includes a return bent formation.

10. The electrical fixture installation assist means according to claim 1 in which said retaining means comprise a return bent formation at the remaining opposite end of said rod.

11. The electrical fixture installation assist means according to claim 1 in which said rod includes a malleable portion defining a deformation at said selected location subsequent to completion of said electrical connection and the completion of said slidable movement of said fixture along said rod past said selected location, said deformation having size and strength sufficient to support said fixture.

12. The electrical fixture installation assist means according to claim 1 in which said rod has a malleable portion above the opposite end, said malleable portion defining a deformed formation subsequent to completion of the electical connection and the slidable movement of the fixture past the selected location, said deformed formation having sufficient strength and size to support said fixture, said opposite end being severable below the deformed formation.

13. The electrical fixture installation assist means according to claim 1 in which said rod is at least partially hollow.

14. The electrical fixture installation assist means according to claim lo in which said rod is at least partially hollow.

15. The electrical fixture installation assist means according to claim 1 in which said rod includes a hollow, elongate hollow at least partially threaded tubular portion having an enlarged end, said tubular portion capable of engagement with said rod, said tubular portion being removable subsequent to completion of the electrical connection and slidable movement of said fixture past said selected location, said fastening means being of size and construction to engage the threaded portion subsequent to completion of the electrical connection.

16. The electrical fixture installation assist means according to claim 2 in which said rod has a narrow diameter threaded extension integral therewith and includes a hollow, internally threaded tubular portion threadably engaged upon said extension, said tubular portion having an enlarged head and a generally uniform diameter body, said fixture capable of said slidable movement along the length of said tubular portion, said tubular portion carrying a threaded fastener, said threaded extension capable of being severed subsequent to completion of said electrical connection and said threaded fastener capable of being engaged with said rod subsequent to the slidable movement of said fixture past said selected location prior severance of said threaded extension therefrom.

17. The electrical fixture installation assist means according to claim 14 in which said hollow tubular member is released from said extension subsequent to engagement of said fastener with said rod.

18. The electrical fixture installation assist means according to claim 1 in which the one end of said rod is return bent to retain said rod engaged with the tabs of said junction box.

19. The electrical fixture installation assist means according to claim 1 in which said fixture passage has a keyhole configuration including a portion of size and configuration to accommodate the rod freely therethrough, and a narrow portion, a second fastener engaged with said rod slightly above said break-off portion, said fixture being slidable along said rod to said selected location above said break-off portion, said fixture being slidable to seat said rod within said narrow portion of said passage subsequent to said fastener reaching a location past said break-off notch and completion of said electrical connection.

20. A method of assisting the installation of an electrical fixture to a mounted junction box of the type having attachment tabs, each provided with openings adapted to receive attachment bolts therethrough and having electrical lead wires extending from said junction box for establishing electrical connection to an electrical device carried by said electrical fixture;
said method comprising the steps of:
providing elongate attachment rods having opposite threaded ends and a weakened portion at a selected location between said end providing selectively spaced passages in the electrical fixture;
passing the attachment through said attachment holes and said passages with one end engaged within said attachment holes and the opposite end extending from said fixture' applying a fastener to said opposite end with the fixture spaced a predetermined distance from the junction box to support the fixture thereat whereby to provide manipulative access to said junction box so as to enable establishment of the electrical connection;
establishment the electrical connection;
sliding the fixture along the length of said rod toward said junction box to reach above said selected location so that the fixture is in installed position;
moving the fastener along the length of said rod to a location also above said selected location;
severing the rod at the weakened portion; and applying the fastener to the remaining portion of the rod permanently to support the fixture in installed condition.

21. The method as claimed in claim 18 in which the attachment rod includes a thin extension at the other end thereof; the steps of passing the wire through the fixture passage, mounting the fastener on the wire, completing the electrical connection, raising the fixture along the wire and attachment rod to a location where the fixture is installed position, securing the fastener to the attachment rod and severing the wire from the attachment rod.

22 The method as claimed in claim 18 in which the attachment rod is installed on the junction box tabs and the attachment rod; the steps of passing a hollow, threaded bolt having an enlarged head through the fixture passage; engaging the hollow, threaded bolt with the attachment rod and supporting the fixture on the hollow bolt; completing the electrical connection; raising the fixture along the hollow bolt until reaching above the selected location with the fixture in installed condition;
sliding the fastener along the hollow bolt to engage the attachment bolt; and separating the attachment bolt from the hollow bolt.

23. The method as claimed in claim 20 in which the attachment bolt is provided with a reduced diameter threaded portion at the other end thereof and the hollow bolt is provided with a conforming threaded portion for engagement with said reduced diameter threaded portion.