Electrical junction assemblies for coupling electrical fixtures to suspending ceiling grids

Abstract

A T-bar clip assembly that securely couples to T-bar structures that are used to construct suspended ceiling is disclosed. The T-bar assembly is configured to support one or more electrical fixtures and provide power feeds to the one or more electrical fixtures. The T-bar clip assembly comprises support brackets that secure to the T-bar structures and one or more housing structures that attach to a portion of the support brackets to form one or more corresponding junction box enclosures. The junction box enclosures provide the power feeds to the one or more electrical fixtures at locations that are substantially flush with support flanges of the T-bar structure, an outer surface of the removable ceiling tiles or both.

1 . A clip assembly comprising:
 a) support brackets for securing around a T-bar structure of a suspended ceiling grid; and   b) a housing structure for coupling to at least one of the support brackets and thereby forming a recessed junction box enclosure located above the suspended ceiling grid for supporting electrical connections and providing a power feeds wherein a bottom portion of the recessed junction box enclosure formed is substantially flush with support flanges of the T-bar structure.   
   
   
       2 . The clip assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the housing structure includes a receiving aperture for coupling to a conduit. 
   
   
       3 . The clip assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the housing structure includes power feed support flanges to support power feed wires. 
   
   
       4 . The clip assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the housing structure includes mounting tabs for coupling to at least one of the support brackets. 
   
   
       5 . The clip assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the support brackets comprises a flange tab that forms a top portion of the junction box enclosure. 
   
   
       6 . The clip assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the flange tab includes a receiving aperture for coupling to a conduit. 
   
   
       7 . The clip assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the bracket structures includes a canopy stud for securing to an electrical fixture. 
   
   
       8 . The clip assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the support brackets include means for securing to a building support. 
   
   
       9 . An electrical junction assembly comprising: a) a vertical housing support that securely couples to a T-bar structure of a suspended ceiling grid; and c) a housing structure configured to attach to the vertical housing support and form a junction box enclosure with a bottom portion that has a power feed outlet substantially even with support flanges of the T-bar structure. 
   
   
       10 . The electrical junction assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the vertical housing support is formed from a first support bracket and a second support bracket that secure around the T-bar structure of the suspended ceiling grid. 
   
   
       11 . The electrical junction assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the housing structure includes a receiving aperture for coupling to conduit. 
   
   
       12 . The electrical junction assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the housing structure includes power feed support flanges to support power feed wires. 
   
   
       13 . The electrical junction assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the housing structure includes mounting tabs for coupling to the vertical housing support. 
   
   
       14 . The electrical junction assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the vertical housing support comprises a flange tab that forms a top portion of the junction box enclosure. 
   
   
       15 . The electrical junction assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the flange tab includes receiving aperture for coupling to conduit. 
   
   
       16 . The electrical junction assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the vertical housing support includes means for attaching and supporting an electrical fixture. 
   
   
       17 . The electrical junction assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the vertical housing support includes means for securing a building support. 
   
   
       18 . A method of making a T-bar clip assembly for securing to a T-bar structure comprising a vertical support structure and horizontal support flanges, the method comprising; a) forming a support structure configured to secure to a T-bar structure and form a vertical housing support that is parallel with the vertical support structure of the T-bar structure; and b) forming a housing structure configured to securely couple to the vertical housing support and form a junction box enclosure that provides one or more power feeds below the vertical support structure and substantially flush with the horizontal support flanges. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein forming the support structure comprises forming a first support bracket and a second support bracket that secure around a cross-section of the T-bar structure. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein forming a housing structure comprises cutting a receiving aperture for coupling to a conduit. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein forming a support structure comprises cutting a flange tab that can be adjusted to form a portion of the junction box enclosure.