Outlet Box Patents (Class 439/535)
  • Publication number: 20120220164
    Abstract: A portable outlet box encompasses an electrical box housing an AC outlet with a short flexible three conductor electrical cord emanating from it. The electrical cord has the outer covering stripped away from the end revealing a white, a black, and a green insulated pigtail, each terminated in an insulating boot covering a connector spring clip. The clips for the white (neutral) and black (hot) pigtails are larger general purpose clips, while the clip attached to the green (ground) pigtail is a smaller boot-covered alligator clip to emphasize that it is different from the other two. The pigtails are electrically clipped to terminals of the unit being serviced. The electrical box has attached flat ceramic magnets on the back side to permit removably mounting it to any ferromagnetic surface. Preferably, the outlet is supplied through an integral GFI interrupter for safety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventor: Jason Flynn
  • Patent number: 8253018
    Abstract: A pre-fabricated ferromagnetic loop having a footprint characterized by a continuous wire shaped according to a predetermined planar pattern. In some embodiments, the predetermined planar pattern can be multiple contiguous polygons within a larger footprint used for establishing a sensor for the detection of moving vehicles. The footprint may include one of a triangle, a square, a rectangle, a rhombus, a parallelogram, an ellipse, or a circle, and/or other shapes or configurations. Similarly, each of the multiple contiguous polygons may include one of a triangle, a square, a rectangle, a rhombus, a parallelogram, and/or other shapes or configurations. A loop sensor housing is arranged to enclose a continuous loop sensor wire configured in the predetermined planar pattern. The prefabricated loop sensor is inserted in a groove web pre-cut in a receiving medium to match the predetermined planar pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: United Toll Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jim Allen
  • Patent number: 8253017
    Abstract: An electrical box includes a back portion including a back wall and various side walls. Coupled to the back portion is an sliding ring portion including various side walls. The sliding ring portion is slidably mounted on the back portion such that there is an extended position with a first depth and a collapsed position with a second depth where the first depth is greater than the second depth. Prior to installation, the electrical box would be in the collapsed position in order to minimize the space occupied by the electrical box. When installed, the electrical box would be used in the extended position, such that the full depth of the electrical box can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard L. Cleghorn, Jeffrey P. Baldwin, Iven Dieterle, Marcus J. Shotey
  • Patent number: 8247692
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing, at least two latching members, an inner frame received in the housing, and at least two bonding films. The latching members are fixed to the inner frame by the bonding films, the housing defines at least two locking portions latched with the at least two latching members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zi-Ming Tang
  • Patent number: 8247691
    Abstract: A connecting member includes a cable, an enclosure, a shaft assembly member and an elastic member. The cable surrounds the shaft assembly member. The shaft assembly member is rotatablely mounted in the enclosure. The elastic member includes a first end and a second end. The first end is secured to the shaft member, and the second end is secured to the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhan-Yang Li, Xu Yang
  • Patent number: 8242360
    Abstract: An electrical junction box adapted for mounting on a drywall without attachment to a stud. The junction box carries four tabs that pivotally move between a retracted position inside the junction box and an extended position extending through respective slots formed in the junction body sidewalls. The tabs are turned by a turning screw into a position contacting the drywall. A pair of flange members is secured to a front edge of the box for engaging the interior surface of the drywall. The tabs and the flanges support the weight of the junction box on the drywall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventor: Rowland Bercy, Sr.
  • Patent number: 8235748
    Abstract: The modular electrical wiring device includes an electrical wiring device and an external plug that is electrically coupled by one or more wires to the wiring device. The modular plug is releasably coupled to a connector in a male-female relationship. Both the modular plug and connector include internal contacts for electrically coupling one to the other. The connector is electrically coupled to and directly terminates one or more building wires, which are used to provide power to one or more of the wiring devices. The external plug is removably coupled to the connector to provide electrical power to the wiring device by establishing and electrical pathway from a source of electrical power, through the building wires, the connector and the modular plug to the wiring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Darron Kirby Lacey, Erik Jeffrey Gouhl, Kejie Chen, Chuan Chuan Zhuang, Jim A. Vaccaro, Denis Pierre Chardac, Rajesh D. Patel
  • Publication number: 20120184132
    Abstract: A plug is adapted to be connected to a DC outlet to supply a DC power to the plug. The plug includes plug pins and a substantially quadrangular-shaped surrounding wall for surrounding the plug pins. The DC outlet includes: an outlet main body having an outlet unit to which the plug is adapted to be connected. The outlet unit includes a plug-receiving portion having pin-inserting holes into which the plug pins are inserted; an insertion groove formed to surround a periphery of the plug-receiving portion, the insertion groove being adapted to receive the surrounding wall; and pin-receiving pieces for being connected with the plug pins that are respectively inserted through the pin-receiving holes. Two pin-receiving holes corresponding to the pin-receiving pieces are arranged along a reference side of the plug- receiving portion and offset closer to the reference side than an opposite side to the reference side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Katou, Maki Kondou, Takashi Kawamoto, Toshiyuki Takii, Satoru Ueno
  • Patent number: 8221158
    Abstract: A socket having a replaceable module includes a socket panel and a replaceable module. The socket panel is provided with socket units. The replaceable module is detachably provided on the socket panel. The replaceable module is provided with socket subunits. The edge of the replaceable module is provided with a trough located between the replaceable module and the socket panel. The present invention further provides a replaceable module for a socket. The replaceable module can be replaced according practical demands, which makes it more versatile. Further, the replaceable module has a better safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Inventor: Sheng-Hsin Liao
  • Patent number: 8217263
    Abstract: An electrical switchgear cabinet for an electrical service distribution panel includes a rear wall having four corners and four side edges and a peripheral L-shaped first bent edge disposed on each of the four side edges; a first side wall with at least two bent edges; a base wall with at least two bent edges; and a first attachment part disposed at a first corner of the rear wall and insertable behind the first bent edges of two of the four side edges, wherein the first attachment part has two longitudinally running slots, a first slot receiving one of the at least two first side wall bent edges and a second slot receiving one of the at least two base wall bent edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: ABB AG
    Inventor: Michael Roth
  • Publication number: 20120164877
    Abstract: An access point which is installed over the standard electronic wall box and provides access to different types of existing cables in a standard electronic wall box is disclosed. The access point includes at least one pass-through slot which houses a pass-through port. The pass-through port supports different types of connectors for different types of cables installed in the standard electronic wall box. The pass-through slot is used to expose the different types of connectors on the access point. The access point also includes a connection port to connect the access point to a wall cable which is a network uplink cable for connecting the access point to a network. The access point further includes an expansion slot to connect an expansion module to the access point. When the access point is installed on the standard electronic wall box, the pass-through slot is used to expose a cable that is different from the wall cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: SYMBOL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Patrick J. Wallace, Daran G. Hermans, John R. Marum, Harold H. Webber
  • Patent number: 8203076
    Abstract: To provide an electrical junction box having a novelty structure that may be detachably attached with a sufficient fixing force to a place where a bolt-fastening work may be in a difficult condition. An attaching projection may be provided with an abutting portion to be superimposed on a front surface of a vehicle body panel. An engagement projection protrudes from the abutting portion in a slanting position in a superimposing direction to the vehicle body panel. The engagement projection may be inserted into an attaching hole provided in the vehicle body panel so that the engagement projection may be engaged with a peripheral edge portion around the attaching hole at a rear surface of the vehicle body panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shunsuke Mizukami
  • Patent number: 8198532
    Abstract: A media distribution hub including a housing including a first housing member and a second housing member configured for releasable sealing engagement with one another. A sleeve is disposed about the housing, and is configured to lock the first housing member and the second housing member together and to provide a seal about the first and second housing members. A media retaining mat is disposed within the housing. A plurality of fasteners are also included, at least one of the fasteners configured for engagement with the first housing member, and at least one of the fasteners configured for engagement with the second housing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: David Zhi Chen, Mark Anthony Ali
  • Patent number: 8193446
    Abstract: An electrical box mountable within a wall and installable from outside the wall. The box has a pan that includes a front flange for contacting an outer wall surface that extends outwardly from a sidewall. A back bracket is positioned opposite the front flange and adjacent to the back wall and a fastener having a shaft extends through the back wall to movably secure the back bracket to the back wall. No portion of the shaft extends behind the back bracket. The back bracket is movable relative to the pan between a first position adjacent to the back wall and a second position spaced farther from the back wall. The bracket and front flange are adapted for clamping a portion of a wall located between the front flange and back bracket when the back bracket is in its first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventor: Michael J. Taylor
  • Patent number: 8193444
    Abstract: A conduit box includes a first rear wall and a second rear wall spaced apart form the first rear wall to form a stair-stepped rear wall of the conduit box. The conduit box also includes a top wall, bottom wall, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall. The top and bottom walls have a substantial ā€œLā€-shape. The second sidewall has a length that is greater than the length of the first sidewall. The conduit box also include a rear sidewall extending from the first rear wall to the second rear wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Big Sky Eight, LLC
    Inventor: Lee Michael Rodenberg
  • Publication number: 20120129365
    Abstract: An electrical box is mounted on a wall stud, and a wiring panel is installed within the electrical box so as to partition the interior of the electrical box into a user inaccessible wiring compartment and a user accessible module compartment. A protective cover is attached to the wiring panel so as to protect the wiring panel during a makeup phase of wall panel installation and painting. After the makeup phase, the protective cover is removed from the wiring panel and a module having a user operable electrical function is mounted to the wiring panel within the user accessible module compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: PROTECTCONNECT, INC.
    Inventor: Michael P. Gorman
  • Publication number: 20120122338
    Abstract: Devices in the form of flush-mounting plates are disclosed which are adapted to connect, for example, one or more receptacles to an electrical box that is disposed inside of a wall. Such flush-mounting plates include a back side that is adapted to be connected to the electrical box through a set of screws disposed through corresponding apertures located in the flush-mounting plate and electrical box, and a front side that is adapted to be connected to the one or more receptacles and a cover plate having a planar exterior surface. The one or more receptacles are positioned between the flush-mounting plate and the cover plate, such that the cover plate, one or more receptacles, and flush-mounting plate are connected to the electrical box in a manner that the exterior surface of the cover plate is substantially flush with an outer wall that surrounds the electrical box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventor: Jair Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 8163995
    Abstract: An electrical box includes a top side wall, a right side wall, a bottom side wall, a left side wall, and a rear side wall. At least one check valve is disposed in an opening through at least one of the top side wall, the right side wall, the bottom side wall, the left side wall, or the rear side wall. The check valve defines a central opening through which insulation may be introduced to fill an air gap at least one of behind or around the electrical box. A method for introducing insulation through the electrical box also is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: Roger Donaldson
  • Publication number: 20120094511
    Abstract: A ā€œquickā€ receptacle system comprising a rough housing and duplex insert capable of being installed in minimal steps without multiple screws. Multiple top wire quick connects span a width of the rough housing attached to the rear, with each top wire quick connect further comprising a top stud hole defined therein open to the front and an interior means for conductively engaging wire conductors within the junction box. A conducting plate in contact with the interior means conductively connects each the top wire quick connects to a bottom-residing conductor point. Finally, a duplex insert having a duplex body is sized to be accommodated within the housing body of the rough housing multiple conducting studs projecting from a duplex rear of the duplex body, each conducting studs adapted to align and respectively seat within each the top stud hole of the rough housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventor: Greg D. Sil
  • Patent number: 8158883
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to provide a computing system comprises plurality of apparatii mounted on the wall or floor adjacent to or embedded inside the LAN jack or a main power outlet. The apparatii are connected at the back side through Ethernet cable, optical fiber or main lines to the building LAN and connected at the front side through cables or wirelessly to display, keyboard, mouse or other peripheral devices. In a typical embodiment of the present invention power to the computing apparatus is supplied through the LAN cable. Another embodiment of the present invention utilizes a wall or floor mounted housing part comprising of an integrated LAN connector. This common housing enables easy installation of the said computing apparatus module and plurality of other compatible devices that may be plugged into that same housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Chip PC Israel Ltd.
    Inventor: Aviv Soffer
  • Publication number: 20120088400
    Abstract: A modular electrical receptacle wherein more than one of the modular electrical receptacles can be connected to form a larger receptacle connected to a single source of power. The modular electrical receptacle includes a housing having a front surface with a first and a second electrical outlet. The housing further includes a first tab extending from a first end and a second end extending from a second end for securing the modular receptacle to an in-wall electrical box. The housing further includes a power link, such as a conductive extension, for connecting directly to another module and providing the other module with access to the single source of power. The power link can be three links for connecting a positive line, a neutral line and a ground line to another module. The housing also includes a coupler for connecting the housing to a power link of another module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventor: Chrestos T. Pyrros
  • Publication number: 20120088399
    Abstract: An architecture is presented that provides a detachable outlet system for switching and changing outlets and switches with ease. The detachable outlet system comprises a receptacle, wherein a male adapter is secured to the receptacle. The detachable outlet system also comprises a gang box wired to comprise a female adapter, wherein the female adapter is positioned internal to the gang box. The gang box can further include a protective plate secured to the front of the gang box, and a spacer plate secured to the protective plate. The male adapter is then aligned with the female adapter of the gang box, and a user exhibits a pushing force to insert the receptacle into the gang box. Once the female and male adapters are matingly secured together in electrical communication, a faceplate can be positioned over the receptacle and secured into place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventor: Mark Perritt
  • Patent number: 8143518
    Abstract: An electrical box is disclosed, wherein the electrical box includes a lid hingedly attached to a back wall of the electrical box. The lid is adapted to be selectively moved between an open and a closed position, wherein the lid covers at least a portion of an opening into the interior of the electrical box when in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Allied Moulded Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas L. Elberson
  • Patent number: 8138418
    Abstract: A junction box having a sheathed cable retainer structure is disclosed. The junction box contains pry outs that cover openings at corners of the junction box wherein the pry outs are removed and a sheathed cable or like electrical wiring can pass therethrough. A strain relief bracket having segmented distal bends at opposite ends thereof engages the cable and under bias pushes the cable against an indent formed on a wall inside the junction box opposite the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Cordelia Lighting, Inc.
    Inventors: Dwight D. Santiago, Dan Dix, Huan Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8134254
    Abstract: An electrical power distribution system has fixed stations with AC power to DC power conversion circuitry at these stations. The converter(s) are switchable ON/OFF at outlet ports or sockets where the socket configuration permits. Standardized DC sockets accommodate a variety of voltage requirements typical of portable digital devices. In some embodiments feedback circuitry is provided to regulate the power to these devices in accordance with parameters programmed in the portable devices or in the sensing circuitry provided at each station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: The Wiremold Company
    Inventor: Mark Makwinski
  • Patent number: 8129617
    Abstract: An electric distribution box includes a resin exterior cover which houses an interior component and has an opening for resin-molding the exterior cover on a bottom wall of the exterior cover, and a resin cap which is fit into the opening to close the opening. A flange formed on an outer periphery of the resin cap is kept in intimate contact with the bottom wall of the exterior cover. A molding hole for forming a locking piece by resin molding is provided on the flange. The locking piece locks the resin cap to the opening of the exterior cover. A swell is formed at an entire peripheral edge of the molding hole of the resin cap. An outer face of the interior component is kept in intimate contact with the swell so that the molding hole of the resin cap is closed by the outer face of the interior component and the flange is kept in intimate contact with the bottom wall of the exterior cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Nakayama, Shinichi Hamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8127126
    Abstract: An integrated power supply and network connection control device for a cord set includes a power device having a main outlet and a plurality of auxiliary outlets, the main outlet is kept power-on permanently, and the plurality of auxiliary outlets is controlled to be on/off by a control device; a network connector (RJ45) is disposed on the power device for connecting with a network cable and is also controlled to be on/off by the control device; the control device is coupled with a computer host via a USB cable for a user to set a cursor idle time, a sleep time, a standby time and a shutdown time for the computer host; when the cursor doesn't move for more than the cursor idle time, the control device will force the network connector to turn off the network connection; if the computer host is in a sleep, standby or a shutdown mode, the control device will force the plurality of auxiliary outlets of the power device to be power-off to save energy and to prevent computer hacking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Inventor: Li-Chun Lai
  • Patent number: 8113874
    Abstract: The modular electrical wiring device includes an electrical wiring device and an external plug that is electrically coupled by one or more wires to the wiring device. The modular plug is releasably coupled to a connector in a male-female relationship. Both the modular plug and connector include internal contacts for electrically coupling one to the other. The connector is electrically coupled to and terminates one or more building wires, which are used to provide power to one or more of the wiring devices. The external plug is removably coupled to the connector to provide electrical power to the wiring device by establishing and electrical pathway from a source of electrical power, through the building wires, the connector and the modular plug to the wiring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Copper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Darron Kirby Lacey, Erik Jeffrey Gouhl, Jim A. Vaccaro, Denis Pierre Chardac, Rajesh D. Patel
  • Patent number: 8109785
    Abstract: A device is configured to be secured to a connection box. The device includes a fixture and a face plate. The fixture includes a main body and at least one flange extending from the main body. The at least one flange defines a fixture securement aperture configured to receive a fastener for securing the fixture to the connection box. It also defines at least one face plate engagement aperture configured to receive a prong extending from the face plate in a manner that secures the face plate to the fixture. The face plate is configured to at least partially cover the fixture. The face plate includes a body having a front face and an opposite rear face. The at least one prong extends outwardly from the rear face of the body. The at least one prong is configured to be inserted into the aperture in the flange of the fixture to secure the face plate to the fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Cheetah USA Corp.
    Inventor: Brent L. Kidman
  • Patent number: 8105107
    Abstract: An electrical box is mounted on a wall stud, and a wiring panel is installed within the electrical box so as to partition the interior of the electrical box into a user inaccessible wiring compartment and a user accessible module compartment. A protective cover is attached to the wiring panel so as to protect the wiring panel during a makeup phase of wall panel installation and painting. After the makeup phase, the protective cover is removed from the wiring panel and a module having a user operable electrical function is mounted to the wiring panel within the user accessible module compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: ProtectConnect, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Gorman
  • Patent number: 8105094
    Abstract: An electrical receptacle is disclosed. The electrical receptacle includes a housing and at least one socket at least partially disposed within the housing and having at least a pair of entry ports. The at least one socket is controllable by a radio frequency signal. The electrical receptacle also includes an antenna at least partially disposed within the housing configured to at least receive the radio frequency signal used to control the at least one socket. The electrical receptacle further includes at least one tamper resistant device at least partially disposed within the housing. The at least one tamper resistant device is configured to block the entry ports unless a mating electrical plug is inserted into the at least one socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Leviton Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Parimal R. Patel, Danilo F. Estanislao
  • Publication number: 20120015553
    Abstract: A housing for electrical components is formed by a series of extruded panels connected edge to edge. The first edge includes a slot defined by an inner wall and an outer wall and the second edge includes a blade inserted into the slot, the blade and the flexible wall including co-operating shoulders. The blade and slot are at an angle to the outer surface where a rib engages into an outer recess to seal the outer surface at the joint. A bridging member spans the joint to prevent spreading, while locking the flexible wall and carrying internal components. The housing can form a post or a receptacle on top of the post. The bridging members connect to end plates by screws extending though the plates so as to form an internal structure for the housing. Some of the connected panels can include cooling fins forming a cooling duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventor: Dean R. Rosendahl
  • Patent number: 8099610
    Abstract: A device for injecting electric power for an Ethernet network comprising at least one switch, one switching board, communication ports, and Ethernet cables, the device including a power supply, a power injecting circuit, a control circuit, and a module including a body bearing at least one Ethernet connector capable of being removably inserted in one of the network communication ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignees: Legrand France, Legrand SNC
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Cousy
  • Patent number: 8097805
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a ā€œwhile-in-useā€ electrical box device including an electrical box housing and pivotable cover which function as an integral unit and rotate on a fixed frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Drane, Cong T. Dinh, Joey D. Magno, Jr., Robert Kevin Jolly
  • Patent number: 8097806
    Abstract: An electrical outlet box assembly includes an electrical outlet box and a cable protector. The outlet box includes a box interior for accommodating an electrical fixture and an electrical cable terminated to the fixture. The outlet box includes a mounting tab having a threaded aperture therethrough. The mounting screws are insertable through the aperture of the mounting tab. The cable protector is positioned adjacent the mounting tab for separating the mounting screw from the interior of the box for preventing contact between the mounting screw and the cable terminated therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Lalancette, Yves Boucher, Ian Rubin de la Borbolla
  • Patent number: 8096826
    Abstract: A snap-on switch module assembly includes a plug connector adapted to be received by an electrical device. A second housing is connected to a first housing. A switch device is disposed between the first and second housings. At least one first opening is formed in the second housing. A plurality of wires pass through the at least one first opening and are connected to the switch device. Accordingly, the switch device protects and controls electrical apparatus connected to the electrical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: Sorin Ioan Mortun
  • Patent number: 8093495
    Abstract: An electrical box is disclosed, wherein the electrical box includes a back panel and an insulating material disposed thereon. The insulating material reduces the heat transfer through the back panel of the electrical box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Allied Moulded Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Bradford D. Rupp
  • Patent number: 8088998
    Abstract: Flush mount and surface mount sectional electrical box assemblies is provided. In the flush mount electrical box, the male section has a clamping member and a mounting bracket guide. The female section has a clamp guide, a mounting bracket, and a ramp. In the surface mount sectional electrical box assembly the base section fits inside the front section. Wire molding joining the surface mount box with a molding base having an integrally molded combination raceway and a molding cover. A further embodiment provided is a complete electrical box assembly with the clamp members biasing toward the ramps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Inventor: James M. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20110318957
    Abstract: A snap-on switch module assembly includes a plug connector adapted to be received by an electrical device. A second housing is connected to a first housing. A switch device is disposed between the first and second housings. At least one first opening is formed in the second housing. A plurality of wires pass through the at least one first opening and are connected to the switch device. Accordingly, the switch device protects and controls electrical apparatus connected to the electrical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: HUBBELL INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Sorin Ioan MORTUN
  • Patent number: 8084686
    Abstract: The power box can be stacked while limiting horizontal translation. The power box includes an electrical component box, a cover for the electrical component box, and a support assembly. The support assembly has feet that raise the electrical component box off of the ground. The cover includes one or more raised projections that restrict the horizontal translation of a power box positioned thereon, by dimensioning the projections apart by a distance slightly greater than an exterior width of the support assembly of the power box that rests upon the cover. Horizontal translation is further limited by dimensioning the feet such that, when placed on top of another power box, the interior dimension between two feet is slighting greater than the dimension of the cover. So, when the top power box attempts to slide, the feet of the top power box contact the cover of the bottom power box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Christopher Ladewig, Matthew William Conger
  • Patent number: 8084687
    Abstract: An electrical box assembly is provided for enabling an electrical box to be rapidly installed into a metal framework that supports an interior wall of a building. The assembly includes a supporting member which is attached to the metal framework, and an electrical box of square design having paired outwardly directed flanges. The flanges are positioned to fit into receiving brackets on the supporting member, thereby enabling the electrical box to engage the supporting member by a simple downward sliding motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventor: James P. Thurman
  • Patent number: 8084688
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a first housing, a second housing, and a sealing member. The first housing has a first sidewall, and the second housing has a second sidewall. The sealing member is positioned between the first housing and the second housing. The first sealing member is elastic, and defines a first assembly groove and a second assembly groove. The first sidewall is engaged in the first assembly groove and tightly attached to the sealing member. The second sidewall is engaged in the second assembly groove and tightly attached to the sealing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Wang, Chen-Li Kao, Chien-Ming Chih, Deng-Zhong Chen
  • Patent number: 8080732
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a first housing, a second housing, and a buffering member. The first housing has a first flange, and the second housing has a second flange. The buffering member is positioned between the first housing and the second housing. The buffering member includes a first buffering portion and a second buffering portion. The first buffering portion is positioned between the first housing and the second housing and separates the first and second housings. The second buffering portion protrudes between the first flange and the second flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Wang, Chen-Li Kao, Deng-Zhong Chen, Chien-Ming Chih
  • Patent number: 8076578
    Abstract: An adjustable outlet box assembly for mounting a receptacle or similar electrical device within a wall. The adjustable box includes an outlet box and a bracket that slides with respect to the box. An adjustment screw, accessible from the front of the assembly, can be rotated to move the box with respect to a stud to which the outlet box is secured thereby allowing adjustment of the outlet box face so that it is flush with the wall surface. The bracket provides a front plate for securing to the front of a stud and a side plate having ears for securing to the side of a stud. The adjustment screw engages straps that are bent outwards from the side plate to enable the bracket to slide with respect to the outlet box as well as a rearwardly located integral flange to which the adjustment screw is introduced upon tightening thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 8071877
    Abstract: A box for accommodating an electric connection box is provided. The box includes a lower cover which has a plurality of walls for surrounding a space to accommodate the electric connection box toward a predetermined insertion direction, and an upper cover. The plurality of walls includes: a first wall which extends along the insertion direction; second and third walls which extend from the first wall in a direction intersecting the insertion direction and faces each other; a fourth wall which extends from the first, second and third walls at a deep side of the insertion direction so as to support the electric connection box; and a fifth wall which extends from the second and third walls along the insertion direction, and is substantially parallel to the first wall so as to press-sandwich the electric connection box by the first and fifth walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Nakayama, Shinichi Hamaguchi, Yutaka Sekiuchi
  • Patent number: 8072779
    Abstract: A removable, uni-body, low voltage device adapter clip for an electrical device housing having an opening that is sized to accommodate a standard N-gang outlet box, makes it possible to mount a low voltage device in the sized-opening. The clip includes a longitudinal body portion having opposite ends defining an N-gang length there between. The clip has a finger structure that is configured to engage a front and a rear surface of an edge of the sized opening. It further has N device mounting bores disposed between the opposite ends, each of which is aligned with a longitudinal centerline of each one of the N-gang-sized openings. An electrical device housing assembly includes an electrical device housing having a plurality of recessed walls, wherein at least one of the walls has an opening that is sized to accommodate a standard N-gang outlet box, and a pair of removable, uni-body, low voltage device adapter clips. The assembly may include a low voltage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Pass & Seymour, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew M. Haberek
  • Patent number: 8066527
    Abstract: A surge snap-on module assembly includes a plug connector adapted to be received by an electrical device. A second housing is connected to a first housing. A surge protection device is disposed between the first and second housings. At least one first opening is formed in the second housing. A plurality of wires pass through the at least one first opening and are connected to the surge protection device. Accordingly, the surge protection device protects electrical apparatus connected to the electrical device from electrical surges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: Sorin Ioan Mortun
  • Patent number: 8058552
    Abstract: An electrical wiring system for use in an AC electrical power distribution circuit including a plurality of AC electric power transmitting wires having termination ends disposed within a device box. The system includes a plug connector device configured to terminate the plurality of AC electric power transmitting wires. The system additionally includes an electrical wiring device including at least one AC electric circuit element and at least one electrical interface operatively coupled to the at least one circuit element. The electrical wiring device also includes a receptacle, wherein the receptacle is configured to receive the plug connector device such that electrical continuity is established between the AC electric circuit element and the plurality of AC electric power transmitting wires when the plug connector device is inserted into the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Russell E. Kruse, Russell L. Bryant
  • Patent number: 8053667
    Abstract: A housing of a Quad Small Form-Factor Pluggable transceiver module includes a metallic casing and a plurality of elastic grounding assemblies. The metallic casing has a lower casing, a plurality of partitions and an upper casing. The lower casing is connected to the upper casing. The partitions are provided between the lower casing and the upper casing at intervals, thereby separating the interior of the metallic casing into a plurality of accommodating spaces. The accommodating spaces each receives a connector of a transceiver module, thereby forming a plurality of ports. Thus, the connectors of the transceiver modules share the common housing, thereby reducing the occupied space on the circuit board and increasing the number of the transceiver modules arranged on the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Jess-Link Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Hua Chen, Chun-Hsu Chen
  • Patent number: 8043116
    Abstract: A socket having a replaceable module includes a socket panel and a replaceable module. The socket panel is provided with socket units. The replaceable module is detachably provided on the socket panel. The replaceable module is provided with socket subunits. The edge of the replaceable module is provided with a trough located between the replaceable module and the socket panel. The present invention further provides a replaceable module for a socket. The replaceable module can be replaced according practical demands, which makes it more versatile. Further, the replaceable module has a better safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Inventor: Sheng-Hsin Liao