US1592990A - Supporting means for switch boxes and the like - Google Patents

Description

July 20, 1926. 1,592,990 J G. RAQUETTE ET AL SUPPORTING MEANS FOR SWITCH BOXES AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 21. 1923 Patented July 20, 1926.

UNITED STATES v 1,592,999 EATENT orrics.

JOSEPH G. RAQUETTE AND JOSEPH MORGENSTERN, CF CLEVELAND, OHIO; SAID MORGENS'IERN ASSIGNOR TO THE SILVER AND MORGENSTERN ELECTRIC COM- PANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

SUPPORTING MEANS FOR SVJ'ITCH BOXES'AND THE LIKE.

Application filed February 21, 1923.

This invention relates to improvements in that class of receptacles which are used for housing switches, wall sockets and the like in electrical wiring installations of build ings; and it has to do more particularly with an improved means for supporting and properly positioning such receptacles.

The primary aim of the invention is to provide, in combinatioma receptacle of the aforesaid character and a support therefor of such nature as will greatly facilitate the placement of the receptacle and insure its being properly positioned within the wall and effect a considerable saving of time over prevailing methods of installing such recep tacles.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in combination, a receptacle and support having cooperating or interengaging parts by means of which the receptacle may be conveniently attached to the support in various adjusted positions with respect thereto, the support having means for readily securing it to variably spaced studding or other structural. elements.

A further object is to provide, in a combination of the aforesaid nature, a support which will accommodate one or more receptacles, thus making it suitable for an installation involving either a single receptacle or what is known as a gang receptacle, the latter being made up of two or more units.

A still further object is to provide, in a combination of the character above set forth, a support which may be applied directly to the studding or other structural elements and which is so designed and proportioned that the open front orface of each receptacle supported thereby is in the ,plane of the outer surface of the wall.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a receptacle of practically standard construction modified in a simple and inexpensive manner to be suited to the purpose in view; and to provide in combination therewith a simple and cheap support which will serve to rigidly sustain the receptacle in proper position.

The foregoing objects, with others hereinafter appearing, are attained in the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and while we shall proceed to de scribe the present embodiment in detail, it is to be understood that we do not limit our- Serial No. 620,465.

selves to the structural features thereof: further than is required by the terms of the appended claims as interpreted in the light of the prior art.

In the drawing, Fig l is a perspective view of a receptacle and support constructed in accordance with our invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the receptacle and support;-and Fig. 8 shows in plan a gang receptacle sustained by the support from studding or other structural elements.

The receptacle, generally, is designated A and the support B. The receptacle, so far its main elements or constituents are concerned, may be 01" any approved type and comprises a body portion 1 and side walls 2 and 3, the side walls and body portion having interengaging parts l by means of which the walls are removably attached to the body portion. This is in accordance with the usual practice. The "front of the receptacle is open, and ears extend from the trout edges or" the top and bottom of the body port-ion 1 flush with the open front of the receptacle. These ears have threaded apertures for the reception of screws for screwing the usual face plate to the receptacle. The top and bottom of the body portion are joined to the rear wall 8 by diagonal walls 9 having the customary knock-outs 10 which, when removed, provide openings for the insertion of the conduits through which the electrical wires are led into the receptacle.

In the present QHlbOClllUGllt, tongues are struck from and are offset rearwardly with respect to the rear wall 8. and their cepending portions are substantially parallel to said wall. The spacing of said dependii'ig portions from the rear wall. is substantially equal to the thickness of the bar from which the support B is formed, so that by engaging the tongues over the bar and pressing the receptacle downwardly until the rearwardly directed portions of the tongues rest upon said bar, the receptacle will be held quite firmly in place. A screw it) is threaded through the rear wall 8 between the free ends of tongueslQ and at a point whereat will come immediately below the support 8. Thus the screw constitutes a lock for preventing the upward withdrawal of the receptacle from the bar. However, by retracting the screw until its end lies flush with the outer surface oi? the rear wall 8, the receptacle may be readily removed from the bar by lifting it the required distance to'disengage the tongues 12. I

It will he observed that the support 13 is made up or a central oii'set portion 15, in the form of a yoke, and from the opposite ends of which attaching portions 16 extend.

support of the aforesaid length and providing an-ample number of holes at each end. the support is susceptible to a liheral range of lateral adjustn'ient when used in connection with structural elements or studding of standard spacing. 20 of the central yoke-like portion 15 0t tl support are spaced apart a distance su'fiicien to accon'imodate between them given number portions 1. with a side wall applied to each end of the assembly. According to the present illustration, the support will acconr modate a gang of three units. When a lesser number than that required to fill tl e space between the branchesQO is employed,

The end branches the unit or units may be shifted to any de sired position along the portion 15 of the support, affording; adjustment in addition to that previously mentioned wherein the sup-- port itself is slii ted endwise.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is:

1. In combination, a receptacle of the character set forth, and a supportingbar, the receptacle hating tongues struck :iroui =15 its rear wall and offset rearwardly with respect thereto and substantially parallel therewith for lateral engagement over said bar. anda men'iber projected through th rear wall of the receptacle and arranged to cooperate with the edge'ot the bar opposite that over which said tongues are disposed thereby to prevent the withdrawal of the receptacle from the ba 2. In combination. a supporting bar. and a receptacle of the character set forthharii -ii laterally spaced tongues struck tron! its re wall and offset rearwardly with r thereto and parallel therewith, said to. k being adapted to be engaged over the suppo'rting'bar. and a screw threatled thro the rear wall of the box hetween the ends of said touches and arraugedto engage the bar and preYen-t the removal oi the receptacle therefrom.

In testimony whereof, we hereunto :ifiix our signatures.

JOSEPH G. IAQUETE 1 1. JOSEPH MORGENS ERR

Images