Clips for coupling devices to support members extending between structural members

Abstract

Clips for coupling devices, such as electrical junction boxes, to support members are provided. In one example, a clip for coupling an electrical junction box to a support member includes a coupling member and a flange. The coupling member is adapted to engage the support member and includes a first member, a second member spaced-apart from the first member, and a third member extending between and engaging the first and second members. The first, second and third members together define a receptacle adapted to receive the support member therein. The flange extends from the coupling member and defines a fastener opening therein adapted to receive a fastener for coupling the clip to the electrical junction box.

1 . A clip for coupling a device to a support member, the clip comprising:
 a coupling member adapted to engage the support member and including a first member, a second member spaced-apart from the first member, and a third member extending between and engaging the first and second members, wherein the first, second and third members together define a receptacle adapted to receive the support member therein;   a flange extending from the coupling member and defining a fastener opening therein adapted to receive a fastener for coupling the clip to the device; and   a first projection and a second projection extending from the first member into the receptacle and a third projection and a fourth projection extending from the second member into the receptacle, wherein the first member defines a first aperture therein between the first projection and the second projection, and wherein the second member defines a second aperture therein between the third projection and the fourth projection.   
     
     
         2 . The clip of  claim 1 , wherein the clip is unitarily formed as one-piece. 
     
     
         3 . The clip of  claim 1 , wherein the first member is substantially parallel to the second member and the third member is substantially perpendicular to both the first member and the second member. 
     
     
         4 . The clip of  claim 1 , wherein the flange extends from and is substantially perpendicular to the second member, and wherein the flange is substantially parallel to the third member. 
     
     
         5 . The clip of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener opening is a first fastener opening, the flange further defining a second fastener opening therein adapted to receive a fastener for coupling the clip to the device. 
     
     
         6 . The clip of  claim 1 , wherein the flange is a first flange extending from the second member, the clip further comprising a second flange extending from the first member. 
     
     
         7 . The clip of  claim 6 , wherein the first flange and the second flange are substantially co-planar and substantially parallel to the third member. 
     
     
         8 . The clip of  claim 6 , wherein the second flange includes a projection adapted to insert into an opening defined in the device. 
     
     
         9 . The clip of  claim 8 , wherein the projection extends forward and downward from the second flange. 
     
     
         10 . The clip of  claim 6 , wherein the fastener opening in the first flange is a first fastener opening, and wherein the second flange defines a second fastener opening defined therein adapted to receive a fastener for coupling the clip to the device. 
     
     
         11 . The clip of  claim 6 , wherein the first flange includes a first surface and the second flange includes a second surface, wherein the first surface and the second surface are adapted to be generally co-planar with a surface of the support member with the clip coupled to the support member. 
     
     
         12 . The clip of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling member includes a first rolled over edge and the flange includes a second rolled over edge. 
     
     
         13 . The clip of  claim 1 , wherein the clip is included in a system, wherein the system further comprises the device and the support member, and wherein the device is an electrical junction box and the support member is a telescoping bar adapted to couple at each of its two ends to a vertical wall stud. 
     
     
         14 . The clip of  claim 1 , wherein the flange includes a surface adapted to be generally co-planar with a surface of the support member with the clip coupled to the support member. 
     
     
         15 . A clip for coupling a device to a support member, the clip comprising:
 a coupling member adapted to engage the support member and including a first member, a second member spaced-apart from the first member, and a third member extending between and engaging the first and second members, wherein the first, second and third members together define a receptacle adapted to receive the support member therein;   a first flange extending from the coupling member and defining a fastener opening therein adapted to receive a fastener for coupling the clip to the device, wherein the first flange extends from the second member; and   a second flange extending from the first member, wherein the second flange includes a projection adapted to insert into an opening defined in the device, and wherein the projection extends forward and upward from the second flange.   
     
     
         16 . The clip of  claim 15 , wherein the clip is unitarily formed as one-piece. 
     
     
         17 . The clip of  claim 15 , further comprising a first projection and a second projection extending from the first member into the receptacle and a third projection and a fourth projection extending from the second member into the receptacle, wherein the first member defines a first aperture therein between the first projection and the second projection, and wherein the second member defines a second aperture therein between the third projection and the fourth projection. 
     
     
         18 . The clip of  claim 15 , wherein the first flange and the second flange are substantially co-planar and substantially parallel to the third member. 
     
     
         19 . The clip of  claim 15 , wherein the second flange defines a second fastener opening therein adapted to receive a fastener for coupling the clip to the device. 
     
     
         20 . The clip of  claim 15 , wherein the clip is included in a system, wherein the system further comprises the device and the support member, and wherein the device is an electrical junction box and the support member is a telescoping bar adapted to couple at each of its two ends to a vertical wall stud. 
     
     
         21 . The clip of  claim 15 , wherein the first flange includes a first surface and the second flange includes a second surface, wherein the first surface and the second surface are adapted to be generally co-planar with a surface of the support member with the clip coupled to the support member. 
     
     
         22 . A clip for coupling a device to a support member, the clip comprising:
 a coupling member adapted to wrap around at least a portion of the support member, the coupling member including a portion adapted to insert into a channel defined in the support member; and   a flange extending from the coupling member and including a first projection adapted to insert into an opening defined in the device and a second projection adapted to engage a rear surface of the device.   
     
     
         23 . The clip of  claim 22 , wherein the second projection is resilient and moveable relative to the flange, and wherein the first projection extends forward and upward from the flange. 
     
     
         24 . The clip of  claim 22 , wherein the first projection extends forward and downward from the flange. 
     
     
         25 . The clip of  claim 22 , wherein the device is an electrical junction box and the support member is a telescoping bar adapted to couple at each of its two ends to a vertical wall stud.