Patent US4750271A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4750271A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Template for locating electrical outlet boxes
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1987-09-21
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Granted: 1988-06-14
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Expires: 2007-09-21
Abstract
Abstract A template for use in positioning an electrical outlet box or switch box with respect to a building stud. The template releaseably supports the electrical box at a selected height and position forwardly of the face of the vertical stud.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric L. Ericksen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 09:35
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25B; B25B9/00; B25B5/00; B25B5/06; H; H02; H02G; H02G3/00; H02G3/02; H02G3/08; H02G3/12; H02G3/123; H02G3/125; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S269/00; Y10S269/904; Y10S33/00; Y10S33/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
An apparatus for use in positioning an electrical box such that the electrical box can be secured in place by fasteners, the electrical box including a pair of opposed sidewalls, a bottom and an open face, the apparatus for positioning the electrical box including: a base including a channel having a rear wall and a pair of spaced apart sidewalls projecting forwardly from the rear wall, a first flange projecting outwardly from a forward edge of one of the sidewalls, the flange having a rearward surface, means for releaseably clampingly engaging an electrical box, the means for clampingly engaging including a clamp member supported by the base, the clamp member including a portion movable toward and away from a sidewall of the base to releaseably clamp a sidewall of the electrical box against the sidewall of the base, spring means for biasing the clamp member into engagement with the sidewall of the electrical box, and means for supporting the base in elevated relation, the means for supporting the base including a vertical support member.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
174 words
An apparatus for use in positioning an electrical box such that the electrical box can be secured in place by fasteners, the electrical box including a pair of opposed sidewalls, a bottom and an open face, the apparatus for positioning the electrical box including: a base including a channel having a rear wall and a pair of spaced apart sidewalls projecting forwardly from the rear wall, a first flange projecting outwardly from a forward edge of one of the sidewalls, the flange having a rearward surface, means for releaseably clampingly engaging an electrical box, the means for clampingly engaging including a clamp member supported by the base, the clamp member including a portion movable toward and away from a sidewall of the base to releaseably clamp a sidewall of the electrical box against the sidewall of the base, spring means for biasing the clamp member into engagement with the sidewall of the electrical box, and means for supporting the base in elevated relation, the means for supporting the base including a vertical support member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the clamp member engages the sidewall of the electrical box such that the electrical box is positioned against the sidewall of the base and against the rear wall of the first flange.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 and further including a vertically extending sleeve or tube fixed to the base between the sidewalls, the vertical support member housed in the sleeve, the sleeve and base being supported on the vertical support member for selective vertical slideable movement, and detent means for releaseably locking the sleeve in a predetermined position on the vertical support member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein the detent means includes a notch formed in the vertical support member and spring means supported by the sleeve and engageable with the notch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
81 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the base further includes a lower portion, and further including a pair of flanges projecting outwardly from opposite sides of the lower portion of the base, the flanges being generally coplanar with the base, and the flanges each having an upper surface portion adapted to support the bottom of the electrical box when the electrical box is positioned against the sidewall of the base and against the rearward surface of the first flange.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 and further including means for supporting the clamp member for movement between a clamping position wherein the clamp member secures an electrical box against a sidewall of the base and a release position, the means for supporting the clamp member including a vertically extending slot in the base and housing a portion of the clamp member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
69 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 and further including a second flange projecting outwardly from a forward portion of a second sidewall, the second flange having a rearward surface adapted to support an electrical box on an opposite side of the base, and a second clamp member supported for pivotal movement between a position wherein the second clamp member can engage an electrical box and a release position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said spring means comprises a compression spring positioned between said clamp members and applying outward force on said clamp members away from one another.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
286 words
An apparatus for use in positioning an electrical box against a vertical stud having vertical sides and a planar face and such that the electrical box can be secured in place against a side of the stud by fasteners, the electrical box including a pair of opposed sidewalls, a bottom and a face, the face of the electrical box being positioned forwardly of the planar face of the stud, the apparatus for positioning the electrical box including: a base including a channel having a rear wall adapted to be positioned against the planar face of the stud, the rear wall having a width approximately equal to the width of the face of the stud, and a pair of spaced apart sidewalls projecting forwardly from the rear wall, a first flange projecting outwardly from a forward edge of one of the sidewalls, the flange having a rearward surface, the rearward surface being spaced forwardly of the face of the stud, means for releaseably clampingly engaging an electrical box such that a sidewall of the electrical box will be positioned against one of the vertical sides of the stud and with a portion of the face of the electrical box positioned against the rearward surface of the flange, the means for clampingly engaging including a clamp member supported by the base, the clamp member including a portion movable toward and away from a sidewall of the base to releaseably clamp a sidewall of the electrical box against the sidewall of the base, spring means for biasing the clamp member into engagement with the sidewall of the electrical box, and means for supporting the base in elevated relation, the means for supporting the base including a vertical support member.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
286 words
An apparatus for use in positioning an electrical box against a vertical stud having vertical sides and a planar face and such that the electrical box can be secured in place against a side of the stud by fasteners, the electrical box including a pair of opposed sidewalls, a bottom and a face, the face of the electrical box being positioned forwardly of the planar face of the stud, the apparatus for positioning the electrical box including: a base including a channel having a rear wall adapted to be positioned against the planar face of the stud, the rear wall having a width approximately equal to the width of the face of the stud, and a pair of spaced apart sidewalls projecting forwardly from the rear wall, a first flange projecting outwardly from a forward edge of one of the sidewalls, the flange having a rearward surface, the rearward surface being spaced forwardly of the face of the stud, means for releaseably clampingly engaging an electrical box such that a sidewall of the electrical box will be positioned against one of the vertical sides of the stud and with a portion of the face of the electrical box positioned against the rearward surface of the flange, the means for clampingly engaging including a clamp member supported by the base, the clamp member including a portion movable toward and away from a sidewall of the base to releaseably clamp a sidewall of the electrical box against the sidewall of the base, spring means for biasing the clamp member into engagement with the sidewall of the electrical box, and means for supporting the base in elevated relation, the means for supporting the base including a vertical support member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein the clamp member engages the sidewall of the electrical box such that the electrical box is positioned against the sidewall of the base and against the rear wall of the first flange.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 and further including a vertically extending sleeve or tube fixed to the base between the sidewalls, the vertical support member housed in the sleeve, the sleeve and base being supported on the vertical support member for selective vertical slideable movement, and detent means for releaseably locking the sleeve in a predetermined position on the vertical support member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein the detent means includes a notch formed in the vertical support member and spring means supported by the sleeve and engageable with the notch.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
81 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein the base further includes a lower portion, and further including a pair of flanges projecting outwardly from opposite sides of the lower portion of the base, the flanges being generally coplanar with the base, and the flanges each having an upper surface portion adapted to support the bottom of the electrical box when the electrical box is positioned against the sidewall of the base and against the rearward surface of the first flange.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 and further including means for supporting the clamp member for movement between a clamping position wherein the clamp member secures an electrical box against a sidewall of the base and a release position, the means for supporting the clamp member including a vertically extending slot in the base and housing a portion of the clamp member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
69 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 and further including a second flange projecting outwardly from a forward portion of a second sidewall, the second flange having a rearward surface adapted to support an electrical box on an opposite side of the base, and a second clamp member supported for pivotal movement between a position wherein the second clamp member can engage an electrical box and a release position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 15 wherein said spring means comprises a compression spring positioned between said clamp members and applying outward force on said clamp members away from one another.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-06-14 | 1991-12-14 | 1992-06-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-06-14 | 1995-12-14 | 1996-06-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-06-14 | 1999-12-14 | 2000-06-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |