Abstrict A structure for aligning a canopy for an exit sign with a standard
wall-mounted electrical junction box. The structure is constituted
of a separate plate which is adapted to be fastened to the back
cover of an exit sign so as to form a mounting structure adapted
for facilitating the attachment of the exit sign to a wall-mounted
electrical junction box, and which incorporates slots adapted to
be engaged by protuberances on the canopy for aligning the latter
with the junction box in predetermined selective orientations.
Claims What is claimed is:
1. A mounting arrangement for the self-aligning fastening of an
illumination canopy for an electrical fixture having a housing and
a planar back cover for said housing to an electrical junction box
which is located in a wall, said back cover having a centrally located
aperture, and latching means arranged about the perimeter of said
aperture; said self-aligning canopy mounting arrangement comprising:
(a) a plate member positionable over said aperture, latching elements
on said plate member for engaging said latching means so as to fasten
said plate member to the back cover, said plate member including
a center opening for the passage therethrough of electrical wiring
extending from the electrical junction box; means on said plate
member for mounting a canopy thereon in predetermined relationship
with a junction box; and a plurality of holes extending through
said plate member at predetermined locations to facilitate insertion
therethrough of fasteners for mounting said plate member to said
electrical junction box whereby the back cover is positioned in
closely spaced relationship with said electrical junction box; and
(b) an illumination canopy including structure engage able with
said canopy mounting means on said plate member for positioning
said canopy on said plate member in alignment with canopy attaching
structure in a junction box, said canopy mounting means on said
plate member comprising a plurality of spaced slots located about
the center opening in said plate member; said canopy mounting structure
comprising latch-forming protuberances on said canopy latchably
engageable into at least some of said slots for fastening said canopy
to said plate member in a specified orientation relative thereto.
2. A mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said slots
comprise two pairs of said slots arranged at right angles to form
a quadrangle about said center opening in said plate member, said
protuberances on said canopy engaging being selectively engageable
into one pair of said slots.
3. A mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 2 wherein apertured
bosses are formed in said plate member proximate the ends of adjacent
of said slots, and apertures are formed in said canopy proximate
said protuberances for the passage therethrough of fasteners for
connecting said canopy with a junction box.
4. A mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 2 wherein said protuberances
on said canopy comprise a pair of parallel spaced tongue-shaped
elements, each said pair of slots in said plate member extending
in parallel spaced relationship so as to engage able by said tongue-shaped
elements.
5. A mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 4 wherein each said
slot has inwardly tapered surfaces to facilitate insertion of said
tongue-shaped elements therethrough.
6. A mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 5 wherein each said
tongue-shaped element has a raised bead formed at the leading end
thereof to restrain said canopy from being pulled out of said plate
member.
7. A mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 4 wherein said canopy
is mountable on said plate member in different aligned orientations
relative to a junction box.
8. A mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 2 wherein said illumination
canopy comprises a rectangular housing having a front wall, said
protuberances extending from the rear surface of said front wall.
9. A mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said aperture
in said back cover is circular, a recessed annular surface portion
within said back cover extending about said aperture, and said latching
means comprising resilient clip elements extending from said recessed
annular surface portion and being located diametrically opposite
each other.
10. A mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 9 wherein said
plate member comprises a circular plate having a diameter substantially
the size of the diameter of said aperture, and including a plurality
of radially outwardly extending coplanar flange portions spaced
about the circumference of said plate member so as to be positioned
in surface contact with said recessed annular surface portion in
the back cover.
11. A mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 10 wherein said
latching elements on said plate member comprise diametrically oppositely
located resilient snap elements adapted to latchingly engage into
said clip elements for securing and locking said plate member to
the inner surface of said back cover.
12. A mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 11 wherein said
clip elements include openings for latchingly receiving said resilient
snap elements on said plate member.
13. A mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 10 wherein said
latching elements on said plate member are located on at least some
of the flange portions of said plate member.
14. A mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 9 wherein said
latching means on said back cover and the latching elements on said
plate member are releasably engage able for the detaching of said
plate member from said electrical fixture.
15. A mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 9 wherein said
plate member comprises a blank mounting plate without holes therein
for closing the aperture in said back cover, said blank mounting
plate being a replacement for said electrical junction box mounting
plate member when the electrical fixture is intended to be side-mounted
or top-mounted.
16. A mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 9 wherein said
electrical fixture comprises an exit sign.
17. A mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 16 wherein said
housing is rectangular in shape, said back cover having a planar
back wall and said aperture being formed in the center of said back
wall.
18. A mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 9 wherein said
plurality of holes in said plate member each comprises an elongate
slotted hole to facilitate alignment thereof with fastening structure
in a wall-mounted electrical junction box.
Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a structure for the self-aligning
connection of a canopy for an exit sign to a mounting plate adapter
for a standard wall-mounted electrical junction box. More particularly,
the invention pertains to a structure constituted of a mounting
plate which is adapted to be fastened to the back wall of an exit
sign back cover so as to form a mounting structure adapted for facilitating
the attachment of the exit sign to a wall-mounted electrical junction
box, and wherein the mounting plate is adapted to be engaged by
a canopy so as to be in predetermined selective orientations therewith
and facilitate aligning of canopy mounting holes with the junction
box in a simple and easy manner.
The utilization of exit signs which may consist of essentially
rectangular box-like structures having housings with exit legends
illuminated by lighting fixtures arranged in canopies interiorly
of the exit sign is well known and widely employed in the particular
technology. In accordance with specific demands, exit signs may
be mounted on walls, wherein the rear surface or back wall of the
exit sign back cover is adapted to be located in surface contact
with the wall and fastened to a wall-mounted junction box, ordinarily
through the intermediary of screws or other suitable fastening devices,
and with electrical wires or conduits extending from the junction
box to the illuminating elements which are arranged within an exit
sign. Alternatively, the exit sign may also be side mounted or top
mounted and; for example, suspended from a ceiling or extending
outwardly at a generally angular orientation from a wall; for instance,
such as at a right angle thereto.
Ordinarily, the back wall of the back cover of an exit sign housing
when adapted to be essentially flush-mounted to a standard wall-mounted
electrical junction box necessitates that a customer must push or
punch out so-called "knockouts" formed in the back cover
by means of suitable weakening lines, and which initially cover
one or more potential holes which must align with mounting holes
formed in the electrical junction box to facilitate the passage
therethrough of fastening elements. This particular type of assembling
procedure for the components is extremely time-consuming, and is
at times difficult to implement even by experienced electricians
or sign installers. Furthermore, in some instances, complicated
mounting structure must be attached to an exit sign housing or the
like, in which an exit sign canopy bracket structure is designed
to be attached to an electrical junction box mounting plate and
thereafter affixed thereto through the intermediary of suitable
fastener devices.
The foregoing types of exit sign structures and arrangements for
mounting such exit signs to junction boxes, and for readily positioning
the canopy on the exit sign housing, particularly when mounting
the exit sign to a standard wall-mounted electrical junction box
in which the back cover of the exit sign is adapted to be essentially
flush with or closely extend against the wall surface having the
junction box mounted therein, has heretofore been either difficult
to install, or requires structural components which are complex
in nature and expensive to manufacture.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Johnstone, U.S. Pat. No. 5272605 discloses an exit sign incorporating
a device comprising a canopy mounting bracket wherein, particularly
for top mounting of the exit sign, the canopy bracket is temporarily
fastened to an electric box mounting plate for a wall-mounted or
ceiling mounted electrical junction box. Resilient or spring capture
barb members on the canopy mounting bracket are engaged with the
mounting plate for a junction box in order to provide at least the
temporary fastening prior to the exit sign and canopy being permanently
attached to the junction box. This type of structure can also be
applied to side-mounted exit signs; however, it is complex in nature
and difficult to align the canopy and junction box, and is not readily
adapted for mounting an exit sign flush against a wall having a
wall-mounted standard junction box arranged therein.
Teisen-Simony, U.S. Pat. No. 4813197 discloses a plate mounting
system, such as for sign posting arrangements, wherein the plate
elements interengage by means of suitable fastener or connecting
elements. There is no disclosure of being able to mount an exit
sign to a standard wall-mounted electrical junction box through
the intermediary of a detachably mounted back plate fastened to
the back cover of the exit sign.
Ruskouski, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5416679 discloses a mounting
base assembly which is employed for a lighting device installed
in an exit sign. In that instance, a plurality of illuminating elements
are arranged in elongate base members within electrical sockets
and are constituted of light emitting diodes. Such structure can
be employed in any exit sign irrespective as to the type of installation
thereof, but is not concerned with the mounting of self-aligning
canopies.
Lee, U.S. Pat. No. 4263739 discloses a bracket which is attached
to the end edge of an exit sign which is adapted to extend from
a wall or ceiling, and which provides a tamperproof connection to
a junction box installed within the wall. As in the above-mentioned
patents, there is no disclosure of a self-aligning canopy structure
which is attachable to a wall-mounted junction box.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, in order to improve upon the concepts and aspects
of mounting an exit sign on a wall, particularly to facilitate alignment
thereof with a standard wall-mounted electrical junction box, and
to concurrently facilitate the attaching of a canopy to the junction
box in a self-aligning manner, pursuant to the present invention,
a back cover for the exit sign housing includes a large circular
aperture having a rim-like surface portion extending thereabout
which includes clip-type latching elements arranged diagonally opposite
each other adjacent the edge of the circular aperture. In order
to provide for the simple attachment of the back cover of the exit
sign housing to the wall-mounted electrical junction box, there
is provided a round junction box mounting plate which includes radially
outwardly extending annular flange portions each equipped with snap-like
latching elements adapted to engage in openings formed in the clip-type
elements on the back cover response to being rotated through a small
rotational angle, whereby the junction mounting plate will be fixedly
engaged and locked on the back cover. The junction box mounting
plate is provided with suitable slot structures disposed so as to
be able be engaged by through-extending projections or protruding
tongues formed on a canopy, wherein the canopy is mounted so as
to be in a self-aligning mode with respect to mounting hole provided
in the electrical junction box. The canopy can be mounted in different
angularly rotated orientations so as to be either parallel to or
perpendicular to a wall containing or mounting the electrical junction
box.
The junction box mounting plate may possess a central opening for
passage thereto of electrical wiring extending into and through
the canopy for the illumination elements within the exit sign from
the electrical junction box which is mounted in the wall, and is
provided with junction box mounting holes dispersed about the perimeter
of the mounting plate which are adapted to be in alignment with
mounting holes in the electrical junction box such that screws or
similar fasteners can extend therethrough for attaching the junction
mounting plate and the back cover of the exit sign which is fastened
thereto to the electrical junction box.
The structure and functioning of the mounting and fastening structure
for mounting the junction box mounting plate on the back cover of
the exit sign and thereafter to the junction box is also described
in applicants' copending application Ser. No. 09/124781 (Attorney
Docket 740-133 US; 11060), the disclosure of which is incorporated
herein by reference.
When it is desired to have the exit sign either side mounted or
top mounted; in essence, when no electrical junction box mounted
in a wall is adapted to have the sign mounted in a flush relationship
thereon, but rather in which the exit sign is adapted to extend
outwardly from a wall or ceiling, instead of attaching a junction
box mounting plate to the back cover, there is provided a similarly
shaped but essentially blank plate which does not possess any openings
for the passage therethrough of electrical wiring, junction box
mounting holes or canopy mounting structure. In this instance, the
cooperating clip-like latching elements on the back cover and the
snap-like latching elements on the blank plate will merely fastened
the blank plate to the back cover so as to form a closure for the
aperture in the back cover.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide
a novel mounting plate arrangement for attaching the back cover
of an exit sign to a standard wall-mounted electrical junction box,
and which incorporates a means for engaging and attaching the canopy
structure and to facilitate aligning the canopy with mounting holes
in the junction box mounting plate.
Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a junction
box mounting plate which is adapted to be mounted so as to extend
over a large central aperture formed in the back wall of a back
cover for an exit sign housing, and wherein interengageable latching
elements fasten a canopy for illumination elements to the junction
box mounting plate in predetermined relationship so as to align
mounting holes in the canopy with mounting holes of the junction
box.
A more specific object of the invention resides in the provision
of a junction box mounting plate of the type described which is
adapted to be fastened to an exit sign back cover to extend over
a large central aperture formed in the wall of the back cover, and
wherein the junction box mounting plate includes slots formed therein
which will facilitate the insertion therethrough of projections
or tongues formed on a canopy so as to align the canopy with mounting
holes in the junction box and enabling the canopy to be mounted
in selective orientations relative to the junction box.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Reference may now be had to the following detailed description
of a preferred embodiment of the invention, taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings; in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective front and side view of the back
cover and housing frame of an exit sign in accordance with the present
pursuant to the invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the back cover and housing frame
of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 illustrates a rear view of the back cover and housing frame
of the exit sign of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of a junction box mounting plate
pursuant to the invention which is adapted to be mounted on the
back cover of the exit sign;
FIG. 5 illustrates a blank mounting plate adapted to be mounted
on the back cover instead of the junction box mounting plate of
FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of the back cover of the exit sign,
shown with the junction box mounting plate of FIG. 4 being mounted
thereon;
FIG. 7 illustrates a rear view of the arrangement of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the back cover and housing
frame for the exit sign as in FIG. 1 shown with the junction box
mounting plate of FIG. 4 being positioned thereon and fastened thereto;
FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of the illumination canopy;
FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of the opposite side of
the canopy of FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 illustrates a sectional view of the canopy, taken along
line 11--11 in FIG. 9;
FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of a modified back cover;
FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate, respectively, front and back perspective
views of a modified junction box mounting plate;
FIG. 15 illustrates a modified blank plate for the back cover;
and
FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of an alternate arrangement
for attaching the canopy to the exit sign.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now in particular to FIGS. 1 to 3 there is disclosed
the back cover 10 and housing frame 12 of an exit sign 14. The housing
frame is of an essentially rectangular peripheral configuration
having upper and lower walls 16 and 18 and side walls 20 and 22
so as to form an encompassing exit sign frame structure, as is well
known in the art. The housing frame 12 includes latching elements
24 adapted to engage complementary latching elements 26 on the upper
and lower flange structures 28 30 forming parts of the peripheral
ledge 32 of the back cover 10. The back wall 34 of the back cover
10 is of an essentially flat or planar configuration.
The housing frame 12 may also be provided with suitable latching
structures 36 at the forward edges of the upper and lower walls
16 18 for latching engagement with a front cover (not shown) of
the exit sign 14. Furthermore, suitable apertures 38 and 39 may
be formed in the upper housing wall 16 and apertures 40 and 41 in
the one housing side wall 20 which, as may be required, will enable
the exit sign 14 to be, respectively, either top-mounted or side-mounted;
in essence, mounted either suspended from a ceiling or extending
outwardly from a wall surface. This type of exit sign mounting is
known in the technology, having reference to the above-mentioned
U.S. Pat. No. 5272605.
In the present instance, in order to facilitate the mounting of
the back cover 10 on a standard wall-mounted electrical junction
box (not shown) which is normally mounted flush with or recessed
within a wall, rather than providing so-called "knockouts"
which have been heretofore incorporated in the back covers, and
which must be punched or pushed out to form openings in alignment
with mounting arrangements in the junction box, which is difficult
to implement, pursuant to the invention, the back wall 34 of the
back cover 10 is provided with a large centrally located round aperture
44. Extending about the aperture 44 is an annular recessed surface
portion 46 in the interior surface 48 of the back wall 34 and mounting
latching elements 50 52 for the attachment of a junction box mounting
plate 54 as described in detail hereinbelow.
The latching elements 50 52 are arranged diametrically opposite
each other on the surface of the annular recessed surface portion
46 adjacent the circumference of the round aperture 44. Each latching
element comprises an essentially C-shaped clip with the open end
of each clip facing along the circumference, and in which the outer
leg portion 56 of each latching element clip including a through-opening
58 for engaging a complementary latching element on the junction
box mounting plate 54.
When it is intended to mount the exit sign 14 with its back cover
10 flush against or close to a wall, in which the back cover 10
is to be fastened to a standard wall-mounted electrical junction
box (not shown), the junction box mounting plate 54 as shown in
FIG. 4 of the drawings, is adapted to be fastened to the back cover
so as to extend the aperture in the back wall 34 of the back cover
10 as shown in FIGS. 6 through 8 of the drawings.
As illustrated, the outer diameter 60 of the essentially round
and flat junction box mounting plate 54 is substantially equal to
the diameter of the aperture 44 in the center of the back cover
10 and wherein four (or more) coplanar arcuate tab portions 62
64 66 and 68 extend radially outwardly therefrom, each of which
subtends a short angular extent and is of a radial width substantially
equal to the radial width of the annular recessed surface portion
46 mounting the latching elements 50 52.
As shown in particular in drawing FIG. 4 two diametrically oppositely
located of the tabs 62 66 which each possess a radial width corresponding
essentially to the radial width of the recessed annular surface
portion 46 in the back cover 10 each include resilient snap elements
70 72 extending upwardly therefrom, which when the mounting plate
54 is positioned on the recessed surface portion 46 and rotated
within its plane, the snap elements come into latching engagement
with the openings 58 in the respective therewith associated clip
elements 50 52 formed on the back cover 10 so as to lock the junction
box mounting plate 54 into fixed engagement with the back cover
10 superimposed on aperture 44.
Proximate the snap elements 70 72 on the radially outward extending
tabs 62 66 of the junction box mounting plate 54 are electrical
wire retainer clips 74 76 which are adapted to engage electrical
wires which may be passed through a suitable center hole 78 formed
in the junction box mounting plate 54.
Inventively, the junction box mounting plate 54 is provided with
a plurality of junction box mounting holes 80 which may each be
of an elongate or slotted configuration, and which are suitably
spaced about the circumference of the junction box mounting plate
54 so as to allow for the insertion therethrough of suitable fastener
elements (not shown) for attaching the plate to an electrical wall-mounted
junction box (not shown).
The center region of the junction box mounting plate 54 is also
inventively provided with a plurality of inwardly beveled elongate
slot structures 82 and canopy mounting bosses 84 arranged about
the center hole 78 preferably in a quadrangular arrangement; i.e.
four of the slot structures at right angles to each other, and four
of the bosses at the corners between the adjacent slot ends, for
the mounting of an exit sign canopy, as is described hereinbelow.
The foregoing arrangement facilitates the easy mounting of the
junction box mounting plate 54 of FIG. 4 on the recessed surface
portion of the back cover 10 of the exit sign 14 as shown in FIGS.
6 to 8 of the drawings, and eliminates the need for providing knockouts
in the back wall of the back cover 10. When it desired to remove
the mounting plate 54 from the back cover, pressure may be applied
through openings 90 as shown in FIG. 7 so as to disengage the latching
elements, and to then rotate the mounting plate 54 opposite to the
previous direction of rotation.
Once the exit sign 14 is mounted to the electrical junction box,
the latching elements 50 52 facilitate the back plate being locked
into place on the back cover. This prevents the exit sign from being
intentionally or accidentally disengaged from the back plate and
thus from the electrical junction box. The fasteners through which
the junction box mounting plate 54 is mechanically attached to the
electrical junction box must first be removed in order to remove
the exit sign from the wall.
In order to mount the exit sign 14 in a side-mounted or top-mounted
mode, in which the aperture in the back cover is to be closed in
the absence of a junction box behind the back cover 10 instead
of the junction box mounting plate 54 of FIG. 4 there is provided
a blank mounting plate 100 as shown in FIG. 5. This blank plate
has essentially the same overall dimensions and latching elements
70 72 as does the junction box mounting plate 54; in which elements
similar to those in plate 54 are identified by the same reference
numerals. The blank plate 100 eliminates all of the previous elements,
such as the junction box mounting holes, and any slot arrangements
or mounting arrangements for a canopy and the like.
When it is intended to mount the exit sign 14 as a side-mounted
or top-mounted unit, the junction box mounting plate 54 with the
apertures shown in FIG. 4 may be arranged in conjunction with a
canopy for mounting the exit sign to a junction box, whereas the
blank mounting plate 100 is positioned in the back cover 10 of the
exit sign 14.
Pursuant to another aspect, when it is adapted to provide a double-sided
exit sign 14; in effect, viewable from both sides thereof when either
side or top-mounted, in that instance, only the junction box mounting
plate 54 with the mounting holes as shown in FIG. 4 is employed
in conjunction with the canopy. The blank mounting plate 100 as
illustrated in FIG. 5 may then be readily discarded by a customer.
Reverting to the inventive structure of the canopy 110 which is
employed for illuminating elements, as illustrated in the drawing
FIGS. 9 through 11 the canopy consists of an essentially rectangular
or box-like housing structure having a front wall 112 having a forward
surface 114 from which bifurcated projections 116 extend towards
the forward portion of the exit sign housing. The canopy 110 in
this instance, has a rectangular or square configuration having
side walls 118 120 122 and 124 and intersecting reinforcing elements
126 128 extending interiorly thereof. This can be clearly ascertained
in the perspective views of FIGS. 9 and 10 and the sectional view
of FIG. 11.
The center of the canopy 110 includes an opening 129 for the passage
therethrough of electrical wiring which is conveyed from the electrical
junction box (not shown) and which wiring also passes through the
center hole 78 of the junction mounting plate 54 the latter of
which as previously indicated, is adapted to be mounted on the back
cover 10 of the exit sign housing.
As can be ascertained in detail from drawing FIGS. 10 and 11 the
canopy 110 is provided with a pair of parallel spaced tongue-like
protuberances 134 136 extending from the interior surface 138 of
wall 112 rearwardly and outwardly on opposite sides of opening 130.
Each protuberances 134 136 is essentially of a rectangular, flat-like
configuration in transverse cross-section, and has a tapered pointy
or arrowhead-shaped leading edge 140 in cross-section. On opposite
sides of the flat surfaces of each protuberances 134 136 proximate
the free end thereof, there is provided a bead 142 or increased
thickness portion extending over a substantial part
of the width of the protuberance, for a purpose described hereinbelow.
The interior of the canopy 110 at diagonally opposite edges of
the respective parallel spaced protuberances 134 136 includes upstanding
bosses or pads 144 146 each having a central through-hole 148 for
the insertion therethrough of fastening screws (not shown) for ultimately
securing the canopy 110 to the junction box mounting plate 54 via
two of the four canopy mounting bosses 84.
As indicated hereinabove, the junction box mounting plate 54 is
equipped with four slots 82 each having inwardly tapering opposed
surfaces 150 152 and which are spaced in parallel pairs and at
right angle orientation so as to provide the quadrangle arrangement
about the center hole 78. The spacing of each pair of slots 82 is
in correspondence with the spacing between the parallel extending
tongue-like protrusion pairs 134 136 of the canopy 110 and with
the gap between surfaces 150 152 of each slot 82 being substantially
equal to or only slightly larger than the thickness of each of the
protuberances, and the length of each slot 82 being substantially
equal to or only slightly wider than the width of each of the protuberances
on the canopy 110. In essence, a respective pair of parallel spaced
slots 82 in the junction box mounting plate 54 is adapted to have
inserted therethrough the pair of protuberances 134 136 such that
selectively, through rotation in its plane, the canopy may be mounted
in one orientation so as to be parallel to the wall mounting the
electrical junction box, or may be rotated 90.degree. about its
axis so that the protuberance extend through the other pair of slots
82 formed in the junction box mounting plate 54 at right angle to
the first pair of slots 82 so as to have the canopy oriented perpendicular
to or in a vertical aligned orientation relative to the wall mounting
the electrical junction box, and with the through-holes 148 being
in alignment with canopy mounting holes in the mounting plate 54.
When it is desired to mount the canopy 110 to the electrical junction
box, the pairs of protuberances 134 136 are pushed through a respective
selected pair of slots 82 in the junction box mounting plate 54
(mounted to an electrical junction box via two (2) of the elongated
or slotted mounting holes 80), depending upon the desired orientation
of the canopy, whereby the beads or thickened portions 142 at the
leading end of each protuberance would be forced through the slots
82 and thereby provide a somewhat latching engagement therebetween,
preventing the canopy 110 from being retracted unless a strong pulling
action is applied to the canopy. The orientation of the slots 82
relative to mounting holes for the canopy 110 in the electrical
junction box is adapted to provide a substantially precise alignment
of the bosses 144 146 in the canopy with the bosses 84 provided
proximate each corner location between adjacent right angled pairs
of slots 82 in the junction box mounting plate 54 whereby it will
become easy to readily pass suitable fasteners or screws therethrough
so as to fixedly and in alignment connect the canopy 110 with the
electrical junction box via the junction box mounting plate. This
particular arrangement will permit the canopy to be mounted relatively
quickly and simply by the installer, inasmuch as the required alignment
between the components is inherent in the provision of the respective
slots 82 in the junction box mounting plate 54 relative to the electrical
junction box, and also the positioning of the slots to provide the
necessary alignment between the bosses in the canopy 110 and the
canopy mounting holes 84 passing through the junction box mounting
plate and those provided in the electrical junction box (not shown).
As can be ascertained from FIG. 12 of the drawings there is provided
a somewhat modified back cover 160 for an exit sign in comparison
with back cover 10 shown in the preceding embodiment of FIGS. 1
through 8 wherein similar or identical elements are identified
by the same reference numerals, and wherein reinforcing molded rib
elements 162 164 are provided interiorly thereof over the surface
of the back cover so as to prevent any undue deflection or distortion
of the back cover, the latter of which is of a relatively thin-walled
construction. This back cover 160 may also be employed in connection
with an exit sign incorporating battery power for the illumination
elements, and for the remainder is quite similar to the previously
disclosed back cover construction.
As an alternative to the junction box mounting plate 54 as described
with regard to FIGS. 4 and 5 in drawing FIGS. 13 and 14 there are
disclosed front end and rear perspective views of a somewhat modified
junction box mounting plate 170 in which similar or identical elements
as in the plate 54 are identified by the same reference numerals,
wherein the flanges 172 174 which extend radially outwardly from
the circumference 60 of the plate 170 are two (2) in number rather
than four (4) as previously, and subtend a greater arcuate extent
so as to provide a more extensive surface contact with the interior
wall of the back cover 160. In this instance, the modified junction
box mounting plate 170 also incorporates the two sets or pairs of
slots 82 through which the tongue-like protuberances 134 136 on
the canopy 110 are adapted to be pushed through, and possessing
four bosses 84 for mounting the canopy, of which two are respectively
utilized, depending upon the orientation of the canopy, and which
particular pair of slots 82 is employed for aligning the canopy
with the electrical junction box.
For the remainder with the exception of the positioning of the
slotted junction box mounting holes 180 and their reinforcing structure
182 on the rear of the plate, and positioning of the clips 76 for
engaging the wiring, this junction box mounting plate 170 is similar
to the mounting plate 54 of the previous embodiment.
Moreover, as shown in drawing FIG. 15 there is also shown a blank
plate 186 which may be utilized in lieu of the modified junction
box mounting plate 170 and which is employed in the same manner
as the blank plate 100 of the previous embodiment, the modifications
being only primary minor in nature, and the function being essentially
the same as in the previous embodiment.
Alternatively, pursuant to another aspect, as shown in FIG. 16
of the drawings, the canopy 110 may be attached to the exit sign
14 through the intermediary of locking tabs 116 in the form of the
bifurcated projections being inserted though apertures 39 in the
housing 12. In that instance, once the back cover (or an additional
front cover for a double-sided exit sign) and the front exit sign
cover are snapped onto the exit sign housing 12 screws or fasteners
which are employed to attach the canopy 110 to the junction box
mounting plate, through holes 148 are basically obscured from view.
This, resultingly enhances the aesthetic appeal of the exit sign
since no mounting screws are visible.
From the foregoing, it becomes readily apparent that the invention
is directed to a simple and inexpensive construction for aligning
a canopy 110 of an exit sign with a junction box through the intermediary
of the inventive junction box mounting plate 54 or 170 which may
be engaged by the protuberances 134 136 in different orientations
of the canopy.
While there has been shown and described what are considered to
be preferred embodiments of the invention, it will, of course, be
understood that various modifications and changes in form or detail
could readily be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.
It is, therefore, intended that the invention be not limited to
the exact form and detail herein shown and described, nor to anything
less than the whole of the invention herein disclosed as hereinafter
claimed. |