Abstract: A modular receptacle includes opposing contacts as well as receiving portions. The receptacle slidably receiving a switch or plug therein. The switch or plug having opposing contacts which contact the opposing contacts on the receptacle and also having indented and protruding portions which cooperate with the receiving portions in the receptacle. Thus, switches or plugs can be selectively removed or inserted from the modular receptacle without the need to remove the receptacle from a wall on which the receptacle is mounted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new device for protecting wires and tubes that must be placed thru the apertures in building panels or studs made of steel or the like. The protection device disclosed herein includes a single piece, plastic body having a wall surface which is bowed on opposing sides and flanged along its periphery. On opposing sides of the outer surface of the body's wall is arranged a single protruding ridge or a plurality of protruding, angled pins or male nubs which securely hold, in the gap formed between the wall flange and the ridge/male nubs, the opposing rims of an aperture in a metal stud that this device is designed to be securely attached to. The body of this device can be of any size or shape, including but not limited to square, rectangular, oval or cathedral shaped.

Abstract: A partition for dividing an electrical or telecommunications device box having a substantially planar dividing member with at least one retaining member extending therefrom for cooperating with a mounting post on the base member of the box to support the dividing member substantially perpendicularly to the base member. The partition is removably retained in the box by the retaining member frictionally engaging the post. The retaining member has a specific amount of interference to cause the spring action in the material and to create gripping forces around the mounting post.

Abstract: A safety plate assembly for use with a conventional electric outlet of the type adapted to be fitted in a panel opening and including an outlet box and an outlet mounted in the box and including a receptacle defining a pair of sockets receiving the prongs of an electric plug. The assembly includes an annular mounting plate of open frame configuration positioned against the panel in surrounding relation to the opening and a cover plate positioned over the mounting plate and lockingly secured thereto by coacting locking finger and tab on the plates. A slide is mounted on the cover plate for movement between a safety position in which slide apertures overlie solid portions of the cover plate and an operative position in which the slide apertures are aligned with open areas of the cover plate and with the sockets of the receptacle so as to allow the prongs of the electric plug to be passed through the slide apertures and through the open areas of the cover plate for insertion in the receptacle sockets.

Abstract: A durable, economical, and aesthetically pleasing terminal enclosure (2) for housing standardized terminal blocks (50). The terminal enclosure (2) includes a base section (30) formed as an open-faced trough with integral perpendicular end panels (24, 34). The terminal enclosure (2) also has a pair of gull-wing doors (10, 20) which may be closed to cover the base section (30). The doors (10, 20) are formed with a curvature to provide a continuous arching cover over the base section (30), and a plurality of legs (12-1 . . . 5, 22-1 . . . 5) is angled downwardly and inwardly from each door for pivotal attachment to the underside of the base section (30). The combined curvature of the legs (12-1 . . . 5, 22-1 . . . 5) and the doors (10, 20) allows opening without a need for frontal clearance. In addition, the legs (12-1 . . . 5, 22-1 . . . 5) are pivoted to the base section (30) in such a way that they may be locked in the full-open position, thereby freeing both hands for servicing.

Abstract: A wiring box assembly for an electrical fixture. The wiring box assembly includes a box structure, wherein the wires of an incoming electrical cable are retained within the box structure at a set orientation and position. A dielectric insert is positionable within the box structure. The dielectric insert envelops a plurality of conductive elements within the insert. Screws are driven through the insert into the incoming wires. The screws are conductive and therefor electrically couple the wires to the conductive elements within the dielectric insert. Backing off these screws, breaks the contact, thereby providing a safe, local disconnect point. The leads of the electrical fixture being mounted within the wiring box are joined to the dielectric insert with secondary screws. The secondary screws are driven into the insert and engage the conductive elements within the insert, thereby electrically coupling the leads of the electrical fixture to the incoming wires.

Abstract: This patent discloses a floor box for use with in-floor service distribution systems. The floor box defines wiring compartments in which connectors may be mounted and is constructed so that conductors can be routed through the floor box from one wiring compartment to another. The floor box also accepts barriers that are selectively positioned in the floor box to separate conductors in separate wiring compartments. The floor box accepts connectors of different services is constructed to facilitate assembly of connectors and mounting hardware as well as routing conductors through the floor box.

Abstract: An electrical outlet box assembly for separating and insulating high voltage power wires from low voltage communication wires. The electrical outlet box assembly includes a housing adapted to be embedded into a poured concrete floor, an electrical shielding assembly coupled within the housing, a leveling assembly for coupling and leveling an electrical receptacle to the housing, a floor plate or carpet flange, and a receptacle cover. The electrical shielding assembly includes a wiring enclosure releasably coupled to the housing by a snap fit having an interior passage for receiving and separating the high voltage power wires from the low voltage communication wires which pass over the exterior of the wiring enclosure, and a receptacle insulator member adapted to surround a receptacle mounted in the housing.

Abstract: A face plate assembly, to be decoratively and functionally secured over an electrical switch or output source, the assembly including a frame structure having at least one opening in a flat central area thereof which is structured and disposed to surroundingly engage an electricity control casing protruding therethrough, and a plurality of decorative key plates, each having a pair of protruding pegs structured and disposed to be snugly, yet removably fitted into correspondingly positioned protruding apertures in the frame structure, and at least one utility key plate having a pair of protruding pegs positioned so as to correspondingly position the utility key plate over the electricity control casing and being structured to enable an electricity control within the electricity control casing to be functional.

Abstract: Covers for outlets in an electrical floor box are connected with an access plate by snap-fit hinge connections. The covers are swingable through arcs greater than 90.degree. during movement from a closed position to an open position or to an inward storage position. Cooperating pimples and dimples on the covers and plate releasably retain the covers in their closed or storage positions.

Abstract: A bracket supports an electrical access floor module in an opening in a raised floor. The bracket includes an elongate member having a first surface positionable on the upper surface of the floor, and a second surface extending perpendicular thereto into the floor opening. The second surface of the bracket includes a pair of bendable legs adapted to be bent under the floor to lie along the under surface of the floor. This securely supports the bracket in the floor opening. The second surface of the bracket further includes a screw receiving member for accommodating a screw inserted from within the access floor module to secure the module in the opening. The screw accommodating member prevents relative lateral movement of said access floor module with respect to said opening.

Abstract: A safety plate assembly for use with a conventional electric outlet of the type adapted to be fitted in a panel opening and including an outlet box and an outlet mounted in the box and including a receptacle defining a pair of sockets receiving the prongs of an electric plug. The assembly includes an annular mounting plate of open frame configuration positioned against the panel in surrounding relation to the opening and a cover plate positioned over the mounting plate and lockingly secured thereto by resilient tabs on the mounting plate snappingly coacting with protrusions on the cover plate.

Abstract: A low voltage outlet mounting plate for interior wall construction includes an apparatus to affix the plate to the face and/or side of a stud at a selected height. The plate also includes a generally rectangular wall projecting outwardly from the face of the stud the approximate thickness of the drywall or finish installation, the outwardly projecting wall surrounding a rectangular opening. A pair of bendable tabs projects from the top and bottom edges of the opening and each is adapted to be bent horizontally inwardly to a direction perpendicular to the face of the stud. A hole is provided in the each tab adapted to receive wiring conduit or a tied loose wire. In this manner, when the wall is finished the wiring or conduit is convenient to the rectangular opening for final installation of the outlet.

Abstract: A method for installing electrical conduit in straight sections between a pair of non-adjacent electrical junction boxes where an interfering box is to be installed between the pair of boxes being connected and at the same elevation is provided. The method utilizes electrical junction boxes that are specifically shaped and designed to permit the use of the straight sections of conduit. The electrical junction boxes include at least one section of a greater depth than the remainder of the electrical junction box and the normally interfering electrical junction box is installed in an inverse orientation with respect to the electrical junction boxes being connected whereby the conduit connecting the pair of non-adjacent boxes passes behind the area of lesser depth and in juxtaposition thereto.

Abstract: A polymeric electrical enclosure has an electrical access knockout having a plurality of concentric grooves integrally molded into a wall section of reduced thickness. A plurality of angularly spaced, frangible flow leaders all bridge the outermost groove, with a lesser number bridging the remaining concentric grooves to facilitate the flow of material during molding to the knockout segments defined by the grooves. The concentric grooves are progressively deeper from the outermost to the innermost to aid in selective removal of inner segments without fracture of the outer segments. A flow leader which bridges all the grooves becomes narrower at the inner grooves, as less material need flow through that section of the flow leader, and the narrower section fractures sooner, thus aiding in selective removal of the inner segments of the knockout.

Abstract: An improved grounding stud/nut sub-assembly for use in automobiles and the like is provided wherein the nut has a thickened washer portion to facilitate assembly of the nut and washer together onto an automotive substrate. The nut also has a swagged, flattened or distorted thread to make it a prevailing torque nut to hold the final assembly securely in place, as well as to strip paint from the threads of the stud in an interim step during the assembly. The stud also has a washer portion to achieve an appropriate stand off of the ground wire from the substrate and to protect the weld gun collet from the heat of the welding.

Abstract: A simple, low-cost method and apparatus for supporting a lighting fixture, motion detector or the like while it is being electrically connected and mounted on a junction box in a side wall or ceiling. A disposable support link is provided for supporting the weight of the fixture during installation. The support link is easily attachable to the junction box and to the fixture without the need for tools, and can even be attached with only one hand. When the electrical connections are completed and the fixture is ready to be mounted on the junction box, the support link may simply be left in place in the junction box or in one embodiment may be removed with one hand as easily as it was attached. The support link is secured to the back side of the fixture in a position that will face the junction box when the fixture is in its installed configuration on the junction box.

Abstract: A nonmetallic electrical box which has mounting surfaces or contacting points, a pair of bosses and a pair of securing arms. The bosses extend from the center of the top and bottom walls of the box for mounting a wiring device within the box, and the securing arms extend from the top and bottom walls for securing the box within the opening of a wall or ceiling. The contacting points are spaced apart along the top and bottom walls, are coplanar and extend outwardly from the top and bottom walls a distance at least equal to the distance the bosses and arms extend outwardly from the top and bottom walls, thereby preventing any side to side rocking motion when the box is mounted within a rectangular opening.

Abstract: Apparatus for temporarily covering at least a portion of an electrical socket or switch having a housing includes a main panel and panels connected to the main panel and extending laterally from the main panel to form a recess. When a portion of the electrical socket or switch is positioned in the recess at least some of the panels are in clamping engagement with the electrical socket or switch. Accordion pleats integral with the main panel and panels connected to the main panel provide flexibility, enabling the apparatus to be connected to a variety of electrical sockets and switches.

Abstract: A hinged electrical outlet cover biased rotatably about the hinge axis by an M-shaped spring. In one arrangement, the cover is self-closing throughout its entire range of movement between fully open and fully closed positions. In another arrangement, the cover is positively held open in its fully open position and is self-closing over a limited range of movement from its fully closed position to an intermediate open position. The cover and a support member on which it is hinged are designed for quick snap assembly without requiring the use of special tools or separate fasteners.