Metal-stud electrical box
US6198045A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 18, 1999 |
| Grant date | Mar 6, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 18, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S248/906
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The invention relates to the use of drill-pointed screws to attach electrical boxes to heavy gauge metal studs. The drill-pointed screws of the invention are at least two inches long and have a length to thread diameter ratio of at least 12 to 1. The electrical boxes of the invention have brackets that form a relatively steep angle to the stud, such a steep angle having proven necessary to get the drill-pointed screws to penetrate the metal. The electrical boxes may also include a second set of brackets that angle more shallow angle with the stud surface and are more suitable for use with nails. The electrical boxes are preferable made of extra-thick relatively shatter resistant engineered plastic and are preferably formed so that they can be vertically stacked in a nested fashion.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.