Patent · US Expired

Fastener for attaching electrical boxes to steel studs

US4362284A · kind A · utility

32Cited by
7References
2Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateNov 3, 1980
Grant dateDec 7, 1982
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 3, 2000

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T403/7117
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A stamped, sheetmetal fastener for attaching electrical boxes or the like to steel studs or the like includes a first portion designed for attachment to an electrical box and a second portion designed for attachment to one of the flanges of a metal stud. The electrical box attachment portion comprises a wide and flat strip of sheetmetal with its midportions struck out so as to form a leg parallel thereto that has teeth thereon for gripping the electrical box. The flat strip and its parallel leg together slip snugly over the edge of an electrical box sidewall, and the teeth on the leg bite into that sidewall to create a semi-permanent connection therewith. The metal stud attachment portion includes a pair of widely spaced appendages or fingers formed to fit over the inwardly turned lip at the outermost end of the stud flange, and also a third arm-like appendage between the widely spaced pair of fingers which acts in concert therewith so as to grip and push against the outer flange extremities to thereby lock the fastener, and thus the electrical box, to the metal stud.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.