Patent US4677659A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3617044A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3617044A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical outlet box installation tool
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1969-09-25
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Granted: 1971-11-02
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Expires: 1989-09-25
Abstract
Abstract A handtool with opposed movable jaws adapted to grip an electrical outlet box and position same in forwardly offset relationship to a wall stud for subsequent attachment thereto. A plate member carried by one of the jaws carries an adjustable guide bar to position the outlet box on the tool to accomplish the desired forward offset from the wall stud. The offset distance is to accommodate the thickness of wallboard to be applied to the wall stud. A portion of the plate member abuts the front surface of the wall stud for positioning in one vertical plane while the outlet box itself, securely held in the tool, abuts a side surface of the wall stud during attachment of the box to the stud.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward A Strange
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 11:29
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25B; B25B7/00; B25B7/02; B25B7/12; B25B7/123; H; H05; H05K; H05K13/00; H05K13/0007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
299 words
In combination with a plier-type tool having opposing jaws and locking means for retaining the jaws in clamped relationship, the improvement providing a tool for holding an electrical outlet box in a forwardly offset relationship to a wall stud to facilitate securement of the outlet box thereto, the improvement comprising, a first plate member of right-angular configuration affixed crosswise to one of the tool''s jaws and having first and second perpendicularly orientated portions, said first portion forwardly offset from the jaw and adapted to abut a wall stud to which an electrical outlet box is to be installed, said second portion adapted for clamping engagement against the outlet box to be installed and defining a pair of parallel slotted areas, a second plate member affixed in a crosswise manner to the other jaw of the tool, a guide bar adjustably carried by said second portion of the first plate member and having a pair of projections slidably carried in said slotted areas, means carried by said projections for locking said guide bar to said second portion at a selected distance from said first portion of the first plate member with said projections retaining the guide bar at all times in parallel-spaced relationship to said first portion, and said first and second plate members adapted to be clamped and locked to opposite sides of a wall of an electrical outlet box with a forward edge of said box bearing against said guide bar with the setting of said bar thereby determining the forward offset of the outlet box from the wall stud when said first portion of the plate member is in abutment with the wall stud, said jaws of the tool securely clamping the outlet box to facilitate positioning of the box during its attachment to the wall stud.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
299 words
In combination with a plier-type tool having opposing jaws and locking means for retaining the jaws in clamped relationship, the improvement providing a tool for holding an electrical outlet box in a forwardly offset relationship to a wall stud to facilitate securement of the outlet box thereto, the improvement comprising, a first plate member of right-angular configuration affixed crosswise to one of the tool''s jaws and having first and second perpendicularly orientated portions, said first portion forwardly offset from the jaw and adapted to abut a wall stud to which an electrical outlet box is to be installed, said second portion adapted for clamping engagement against the outlet box to be installed and defining a pair of parallel slotted areas, a second plate member affixed in a crosswise manner to the other jaw of the tool, a guide bar adjustably carried by said second portion of the first plate member and having a pair of projections slidably carried in said slotted areas, means carried by said projections for locking said guide bar to said second portion at a selected distance from said first portion of the first plate member with said projections retaining the guide bar at all times in parallel-spaced relationship to said first portion, and said first and second plate members adapted to be clamped and locked to opposite sides of a wall of an electrical outlet box with a forward edge of said box bearing against said guide bar with the setting of said bar thereby determining the forward offset of the outlet box from the wall stud when said first portion of the plate member is in abutment with the wall stud, said jaws of the tool securely clamping the outlet box to facilitate positioning of the box during its attachment to the wall stud.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-01 | 1975-05-03 | 1975-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-01 | 1979-05-03 | 1979-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-01 | 1983-05-03 | 1983-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |