With Box Or Housing Mounting Means Patents (Class 174/58)
  • Patent number: 7319192
    Abstract: An electrical box assembly including a frame member and an outlet box assembly with an outlet box and a hinged cover. The frame member includes a peripheral flange and inward sloping sidewalls that extend to a rear panel having a central opening therein. The outlet box includes a flange and a rearward extending sidewall portion. The frame member can be secured to a wall and the rearward extending sidewall of the outlet box inserted into the central opening of the frame member until the flange of the outlet box seats against the rear panel of the frame member. The rear panel of the frame member is recessed a substantial distance from the front edge of the frame member, thereby ensuring that the outlet box assembly and hinged cover in a closed configuration will be recessed within the outer surface of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 7312396
    Abstract: An electrical wiring component including an adjustable mount having a bracket, a junction box and a plaster ring. The junction box is adapted to receive at least one electrical cable in communications with a power source. The plaster ring is removably attached to the junction box. The bracket is adapted to attach to a wall stud, and the junction box is mounted to the bracket. A wiring module adapted to connect to a power source is attached to the plaster ring. The wiring module is configured to accept any one of a variety of functional modules so as to distribute electrical power from the power source via the functional modules. The mount is adjustable so as to provide a variable position for the wiring module within a wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: ProtectConnect, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Gorman
  • Patent number: 7312393
    Abstract: A box for electrical and communication receptacles is mounted in an opening in a furniture unit, and in particular, the top surface of an office conference table. The box has an opened top, and a cover is pivotably mounted to the opened top and movable between an opened position for providing access to the electrical and communications receptacles within the box, and a closed position in which access to within the box is restricted. The electrical receptacles within the box are coupled to an external source of electrical power by an electrical cord, and the communication receptacles within the box are coupled to external communication lines. The box is electrically grounded by the electrical cord coupling the box to the external source of electrical power. A wire is coupled between a surface of the grounded box and the pivotable cover to be in permanent engagement with the pivotable cover for providing continuous electrical grounding of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Premier Manufacturing Group, Inc.
    Inventor: David G. McCarthy
  • Patent number: 7312394
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a protective shutter assembly for use within a cover assembly of an electrical wiring device. The assembly includes a frameless shutter sub-assembly movable between a closed position and an open position. The frameless shutter sub-assembly is configured to move from the closed position to the open position in response to engaging at least one plug blade having a predetermined plug blade geometry. A spring member is disposed within the frameless shutter sub-assembly. The spring member is configured to bias the frameless shutter sub-assembly in the closed position. At least one retainer element is disposed in the frameless shutter sub-assembly. The at least one retainer element being configured to retain the spring member within the frameless shutter sub-assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Pass & Seymour, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Weeks, Dejan Radosavljevic, Thomas N. Packard, Steven C. Thibault
  • Patent number: 7312395
    Abstract: An adjustable electrical outlet box assembly for mounting a duplex receptacle or similar electrical device within a wall. The adjustable box assembly includes a metal outlet box and a bracket that can slide 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 the stud it is secured to and thereby adjust the face of the outlet box so that it is substantially flush with the wall surface. The bracket portion of the adjustable box assembly, which may be simply stamped and formed from sheet metal, provides a front plate for securing to the front of a stud and a side plate having widely spaced 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 7307212
    Abstract: An electrical box with sidewalls having a front edge and a flange extending transversely from the sidewalls at a set distance from the front edge. Knockouts in the sidewalls include multiple removable sections, which can be removed selectively as desired to create large or small openings for electrical cables. The sidewalls of the electrical box include an opening therein and a panel that can be inserted into the opening. The panel includes an internal mounting arrangement with captive fasteners for securing the electrical box to a stud. The flange provides a sealing surface for contacting the vapor barrier surrounding the box and thereby seals around the periphery of the electrical box. Duct seal is applied around the periphery of the cables at the knockout areas to provide an airtight seal for the electrical cables entering the electrical box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 7307213
    Abstract: An electrical box with a snap fit panel including a mounting arrangement. The panel can snap fit against an opening in the sidewall of the electrical box to form an electrical enclosure with an internal mounting arrangement for mounting the electrical box in either new work or old work applications. Providing a mounting arrangement integral with the panel instead of integral with the box provides a significantly larger internal volume than prior art one-piece molded electrical boxes with integral internal mounting arrangements. The internal mounting arrangement provides fasteners internal to the electrical box, thereby enabling retrofitting an old box with no disruption to the surrounding wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 7307214
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for securing an electrical fixture to a ceiling in an airtight fit. The mounting assembly includes a pair of box members connected by a bridge. A flange is provided coplanar with the bridge and extending outward transversely around the periphery of the box members. A channel is provided between the bridge and box members and mounting fasteners are frictionally held within temporary storage receptacles in the mounting assembly. The mounting fasteners are removed from the temporary storage receptacles and secured through the bridge to secure the mounting assembly to the beam. The flange provides a sealing surface for sealing against air infiltration around the periphery of the electrical box. Duct seal may be applied around the periphery of the cables at the knockout areas to provide an airtight seal for the electrical cables entering the electrical box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 7304236
    Abstract: An electrical box assembly for providing electrical service including line voltage and signal line hookups for a television or home entertainment center. The electrical box assembly recesses electrical components including plug ends of electrical cords within the wall to make them unobtrusive and out of the way. The box assembly includes an integral electrical box for housing two line voltage electrical components and connection points for several low voltage components. The low voltage connection points are capable of accepting standard jacks for broadband cable, direct TV, surround sound cabling, or phone systems. The electrical box assembly includes a box member, a frame member, and a flange on the frame member to enable secure mounting to a pair of studs. A separate embodiment includes the box and frame members in one piece. The electrical box assembly enables easy consolidation of electrical and signal hookups for TV or home entertainment systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 7304235
    Abstract: An electrical box assembly for providing electrical service and signal line hookups to a television or home entertainment center. The electrical box assembly can be recessed within the wall to make it unobtrusive and out of the way. The box assembly includes an integral electrical box for housing line voltage connections and connection points for several low voltage openings. The low voltage connection points are capable of accepting standard jacks for broadband cable, direct TV, surround sound cabling, or phone systems. The electrical box assembly enables easy consolidation of all the various electrical and signal hookups for TV or home entertainment systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 7301099
    Abstract: An electrical box assembly includes an adjustable electrical box cover. The cover includes a base plate having a central opening and a collar encircling the central opening. A sleeve slides through the collar and is adjusted by a plurality of adjustment screws. In one embodiment, the adjustment screws are positioned between the sleeve and the collar. In another embodiment, the sleeve and collar have inwardly extending tabs to receive the adjustment screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: Krzysztof W. Korcz
  • Patent number: 7294781
    Abstract: A recessed electrical outlet assembly for recessing a duplex receptacle or similar electrical device within a wall. The recessed electrical outlet assembly includes an electrical box and a frame member. The electrical box includes sidewalls and a back wall defining a cavity therein. The cavity is capable of receiving an electrical device therein. The frame member includes a laterally extending flange and a rearward-extending collar that is received within the sidewalls of the electrical box. Alignment tabs are provided on the sidewalls of the electrical box to enable easy alignment against a stud in either a new work or retrofit situation. Bosses provided on the outer sidewalls of the electrical box are angled away from the sidewalls and toward the front of the electrical box and include captive fasteners to simplify the installation of the recessed electrical outlet assembly to a wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 7290376
    Abstract: A wall device for supporting fittings includes a plurality of horizontal and vertical uprights (2), which can be assembled together to form the wall device. The horizontal and vertical uprights are mutually coupled together by at least one first adjustable fixing device (10), with connection elements (20) used for joining the fittings. The uprights (2) include at least a first channel section (5) and a second channel section (6), each including, starting from a respective bottom side (50), two respective opposed side parts (51) nearly orthogonal to the bottom side (50), and two respective first portions (52), parallel to the bottom side (50). The sides, parts and portions (50, 51, 52) of at least the first channel section (5) and the second channel section (6) define a respective cavity (55) and longitudinal openings (8) for the first fixing device (10) and for the connection elements (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: DE Agency S.R.L.
    Inventor: Fausto Emiliani
  • Patent number: 7288717
    Abstract: An electrical box assembly for a solar energy module that includes a lid having outer flanges and a box having slide chutes. The electrical box is assembled by gliding the outer flanges of the lid into the chutes of the box. Using a method, the object will not easily come apart. After the lid has been assembled with the box and covers the box, the through holes of the lid will corresponded to the fastener receiving apertures of the box allowing the fasteners to fix together. A set of shelves includes a first shelf and a second shelf, which can be secured into the first slot and the second slot of the box individually, allowing for electrical parts or devices to be installed on the shelves. In addition, the box, the lid and the shelves are all made of aluminum alloys which can enhance the efficiency of the heat radiation, accomplishing the goal of high heat conductivity and low rate of malfunction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Jin Hsin Ho Mold Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chang Chi Lee
  • Patent number: 7285009
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring system. The system includes a plug connector device that is configured to terminate a plurality of wires. A portion of the plurality of wires are configured to transmit electrical power provided by an electrical power distribution system. An electrical wiring device is configured to provide the electrical power to a load. The electrical wiring device includes a receptacle disposed therein. The receptacle is configured to receive the plug device, such that electrical continuity is established between the electrical wiring device and the plurality of wires when the plug device is inserted into the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Pass & Seymour, Inc.
    Inventors: John Benoit, Gerald R. Savicki, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7285722
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mounting bracket having a plurality of apertures on both sides of a main body of the mounting bracket and a turning surface disposed at an angle of 90 degrees from a rear end of the main body. The invention is characterized in that the main body includes a positioning member at a predetermined position of the main body for temporarily fixing a nail or a screw, and the positioning member includes an accommodating space therein for receiving the nail or a screw and fixing the nail or a screw onto the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: P-Sun International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Punch Shyr
  • Patent number: 7282646
    Abstract: Apparatus and systems for holding and locating one or more wires within a structure are disclosed. A wire support in accordance with the present invention may include a foldable or bendable body including one or more apertures configured to receive an elongated member therethrough. The wire support may include mounting tabs for attaching the wire support to a structural member such as a wall stud or ceiling joist. The mounting tabs may includes several arcuate-shaped flaps adapted to bend or flex about the ends of the body. In use, the wire support can be configured to attach to a structure in a generally flat configuration, or may be folded or bent to a desired shape such as a polyhedron or an L.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Professional Partners, Ltd.
    Inventor: Steven Neujahr
  • Patent number: 7279635
    Abstract: A quick connecting universal electrical box system for the mounting of electrical sockets, switches or any electronic or communication component that is typically installed into a wall is disclosed. The system comprises a mounting frame and an electrical box, which can be pre-wired with any socket unit or component, such that installation of the electrical box into a wall is greatly simplified. The mounting frame is first inserted into a wall, followed by insertion of the electrical box into the mounting frame. The action of inserting the electrical box into the mounting frame forces flaps in the mounting frame to engage and lock the mounting frame into the wall. Retaining studs formed on flexible side panels of the electrical box then engage with corresponding openings in the mounting frame to secure the electrical box within the mounting frame. Secure installation of this electrical box is simple and quick without the need for any tools or fastening screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Electec Limited
    Inventor: G. Douglas Hyde
  • Patent number: 7276661
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical box mud ring member adapted to either receive an electrical device or receive an extending member adapted to both receive an electrical device and be elevated relative to the mud ring via one or more elevating fasteners. Either the mud ring member or the extending member, or both, have protrusions that maintain mechanical and electrical contact between the two members. The electrical box mud ring member preferably has frangible electrical device mounting plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Inventors: Wesley Gene Wegner, Paul Brett Wegner
  • Patent number: 7276660
    Abstract: A latch structure disposed in a casing having a first opening and a second opening includes a pressing member, an elastic member, a hook member and a guiding member. The pressing member is disposed in the first opening. The elastic member has one side connected with the casing and the other side connected with the pressing member. The hook member pivoted with the pressing member has a hook portion and a protrusion. The guiding member has a multi-route circle groove, which has a first route, a second route, a third route, and a fourth route in turn. A step exists between two adjacent routes. The moved pressing member moves the protrusion along the first route, the second route, the third route and the fourth route such that the hook portion passes through the second opening to be exposed from the casing or be hidden inside the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: ASUSTeK Computer Inc.
    Inventors: Jung-Kun Lai, Chi-Chung Ho, Liang-Ying Lin
  • Patent number: 7273982
    Abstract: An extender and a method for making an extender for an electrical box is provided. The extender includes: a side wall having a length with first and second ends and a width with first and second edges, wherein the side wall is configured so that the first and second ends are in contact with each other. The extender also includes: a first member extending from the first end; a first embossed area on the first end; a second member extending from the second end; and a second embossed area on the second end. The first member is bent so that it contacts the second embossed area and the second member is bent so that it contacts the first embossed area to connect the first and second ends. The extender can have a pair of tabs extending from the first edge on opposing wall sections and each tab can have a mounting screw aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Lalancette
  • Publication number: 20070215372
    Abstract: A fastening device for mounting an electrical fixture suspended from an electrical junction box in a ceiling. When a mounting bracket assembly suspends the electrical junction box between two joists, the fastening device is an overlay positioned adjacent to each end-plate of the support bar. When the electrical junction box attaches directly to a joist, the fastening device is an overlay positioned inside a cavity of the electrical junction box. The overlay includes fastener openings that position a preset fastener to attach the end-plates to the spaced joists, or openings in the top wall of the cavity to attach the electrical junction box to a joist in the ceiling. The overlay also includes radial incisions, cut in a star pattern, that surround each fastener opening. When an installer tightens all of the fasteners, the star patterns open and allow the installer to easily pull-out and remove the overlay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Applicant: Angelo Fan Brace Licensing LLC
    Inventor: Jack Russell Kerr
  • Patent number: 7271336
    Abstract: An adjustable mounting bracket assembly for mounting an electrical box that includes: (a) a mounting bracket that includes a mounting plate having a first opening for receiving an electrical box and a rail having a first aperture; a mounting bracket attaching end; a mounting bracket mating end; a first pair of side walls and a pair of tabs; (b) an adapter plate that includes: a base plate having a track with a second aperture; an adapter plate attaching end; an adapter plate mating end; and a second pair of side walls; and (c) a fastener. The mounting bracket mating end slidably receives the adapter plate mating end and the first aperture in the rail aligns with the second aperture in the track. The fastener is inserted in the first and second apertures and tightened to secure the mounting bracket to the adapter plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Cong Dinh
  • Patent number: 7271335
    Abstract: A mounting system for securing an electrical box within a wall of a building. The electrical box is of typical construction having an open side thereof. The mounting system consists of an elongated bracket having one end region secured to the wall structure and a generally rectangular opening therein sized to permit access to the open side of the electrical box. An adapter plate is mounted to the bracket with this adapter plate having a central opening that is also sized to permit access to the open side of the electrical box. The adapter plate is further configured with box mounting structure to secure the electrical box to the adapter plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Cong Dinh
  • Patent number: 7259327
    Abstract: Electrical boxes are attached to a beam using a single fastener, such as a screw or nail. The boxes may be old for work, new work, dual purpose and for dual purpose vertical or horizontal attachment to a vertical beam. The fastener used is guided through a hole in an interior bracket setting the fastener at an appropriate oblique angle to exit at the beam attachment hole on the exterior side. To prevent rotation while using a single fastener, molded extending tabs are provided on the mounting wall to properly align the box with the beam to which the box is to be attached. The tabs prevent the box from being rotated on the fastener during the fastening process. After box attachment, the tabs are folded over and torn off at their weakened attachments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Inventor: Greg Herth
  • Patent number: 7257466
    Abstract: A control device operates to selectively provision power. The control device can be implemented as part of an electrical apparatus, such as a computer, television, VCR, hairdryer or other device which operates on AC power. The control device can be also implemented as part of a common power outlet or breaker system typically found in businesses and households.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventor: Barrett Kreiner
  • Patent number: 7250571
    Abstract: An electrical box assembly for nail-free mounting to a stud. The assembly includes an electrical enclosure and a bracket affixed to the enclosure, the bracket defining a stud receiving cavity and a clamping leg. The clamping leg extends into the stud-receiving cavity. The leg is being movable between a first stud-receiving position and a second stud-securing position whereupon insertion of the stud into the cavity moves the clamping leg from the stud-receiving position to the stud-securing position thereby securing the enclosure to the stud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Joey Magno
  • Patent number: 7235739
    Abstract: A junction box extension method and apparatus for creating additional space proximate an existing junction box without having to remove the existing junction box. The junction box extension has an open box with a lip on one side and a rim on the other, a flange for holding the box proximate the existing junction box where the lip of the open box protrudes beyond the wall, and a cover to provide a finished appearance as the junction box extension engages the junction box to provide additional useable space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Inventors: Lloyd Herbert King, Jr., Michael Belgeri, James C. Keeven, William Hiner
  • Patent number: 7232951
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a junction box having a housing and a plurality of straps. The housing includes a plurality of ribs with posts extending therefrom. Each one of the straps has a plurality of receiving areas defined by a contiguous radial surface, such as a countersink surface. The posts extend through the receiving areas and securingly retain the straps against the housing. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the posts are substantially frustoconical prior to assembly and may be characterized as deformed frustrums after assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Mulberry Metal Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Janos Kovacs
  • Patent number: 7227085
    Abstract: A conduit body assembly that can easily be reconfigured at a job site into any of several specific conduit body configurations, depending on the particular requirements at the site. The assembly includes a conduit body and one or more hubs that may be secured to the conduit body to form various conduit bodies such as LB, C, T, LL, or LR. The conduit body includes a bottom, side walls, end walls, and a top cover. The bottom, side walls, and end walls each include one or more threaded apertures and a threaded blank installed in each aperture. The hubs each include a threaded inner end. One or more blanks may be removed from the apertures on the conduit body and replaced by a hub at each such aperture to form various conduit bodies such as LB, C, T, LL, or LR. The conduit body assembly of the present invention makes it very simple for an installer to configure a conduit body to fit a particular need at the job site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 7214876
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an integrally molded wall box unit that includes an electrical box configured to receive at least one electrical device. The electrical box includes a front face portion configured to accommodate the at least one electrical device and an opposing back wall portion configured to accommodate electrical wiring. A gripper member includes a flange member, an arm member and a tooth member. The flange member is connected to a first side of the electrical box and extends outwardly in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first side. The arm member is connected to the flange member at a first end and extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the flange member. The electrical box, the flange member, and the arm member are configured to receive a structural member disposed therebetween. The tooth member is disposed at a second end of the arm member. The tooth member extending in a direction toward the electrical box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Pass & Seymour, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew M. Haberek, Richard M. Rohmer
  • Patent number: 7214877
    Abstract: This invention pertains to an electrical box assembly for securing to a stud using an adhesive. The assembly includes an electrical enclosure, a bracket and at least one pair of opposed pads. The bracket is affixed to the enclosure and defines a stud-receiving cavity extending along an edge of the enclosure. The at least one pair of opposed pads are substantially disposed within the cavity and have a portion thereof for engaging the stud. The pads are sized and configured to receive the adhesive on the portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Ian Rubin de la Borbolla
  • Patent number: 7214875
    Abstract: A two-piece electrical box including a box member having a channel formed in one sidewall. An insert can be locked into the channel to form an electrical enclosure. The insert includes an internal mounting arrangement for mounting the electrical box in either new work or old work applications. The combined box member and insert with the internal mounting arrangement provides an electrical box having a significantly larger internal volume than prior art one-piece molded electrical boxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 7211727
    Abstract: The present invention overcomes the deficiencies with respect to the prior art devices by providing a plurality of straps joined together with frangible members which can be separated to form a gang of one or more straps which are coupled together for mounting wiring modules to wall boxes. The number of straps in a gang of straps used to couple the wiring modules to the wall boxes is determined by the number of wall boxes that are being used. Each strap of the present invention has a single opening defined by two side members where each side member has projections interposed with recesses for capturing and holding a wiring module. The modular strap accurately positions, aligns and locates all of the wiring modules relative to each other and positions them to a flat plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Inventors: James Pearse, legal representative, Paul Kadar, James N. Pearse, deceased
  • Patent number: 7208679
    Abstract: A combination electrical box and mounting bracket assembly is provided which includes an electrical box and a mounting bracket attached to the electrical box. The mounting bracket is configured and dimensioned for enabling the mounting bracket to be secured to a truss joist, especially to a floor truss joist, such as a TGI floor I truss joist. The mounting bracket is contoured to resemble the shape of a portion of the floor truss joist at which the mounting bracket is secured to. The combination assembly significantly reduces the force applied to the electrical box by electrical equipment and/or devices connected to wires/cable received by the electrical box as compared to prior art mounting brackets by distributing the force to a larger surface area of the mounting bracket and truss joist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Inventor: Michael Phillips
  • Patent number: 7208680
    Abstract: A bracket assembly for supporting an electrical enclosure. The bracket assembly includes a bracket extending from an electrical enclosure and a flange extending from the bracket. The flange is designed to support one or more biasing structures which engage the support structure, such as a stud, to secure the bracket assembly thereto. The bracket assembly may further include gripping teeth to provide further securement thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts, International, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark R. Drane
  • Patent number: 7208677
    Abstract: A fire resistant assembly, which may include a first layer having a lumen therein, a second layer adjacent the first layer, a first structural member disposed between the first and second layers, and a box having a cavity defined by a wall, a first opening in the wall, a second opening in the wall, a panel having a panel opening fastened to the box about the second opening, and a fixture installed in the cavity and having conduit extending through the second opening and the panel opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Inventor: Happy Moselle
  • Patent number: 7205476
    Abstract: An electrical outlet box and/or assembly is attachable to the wall stud. The assembly in one embodiment includes an outlet box having a perimetrical side wall, a back wall and open front face defining a box interior. The assembly may also include a communications frame or a ceiling light box. A mounting bracket is integrally formed with the box and extends from the side wall. The mounting bracket includes, integrally formed therewith, an attachment structure for directly securing the bracket to the stud and positionally fixing the bracket without the use of additional securement hardware. The bracket may be a U-shaped member having a planar face abutting the face of the stud and a pair of spaced apart arms extending therefrom for engagement with opposite sides of the stud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Cong Thanh Dinh, John Charles Archer
  • Patent number: 7195517
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a electrical wiring system that includes a plug connector having a plurality of plug contacts configured to terminate a plurality of wires. The system also includes an electrical wiring device having a cover member, a body member, a ground strap assembly disposed between the cover member and the body member, and a receptacle formed in a rear portion of the body member, the receptacle being configured to accept the plug connector. The ground strap assembly is configured to conform to at least one body member feature such that a distance from the ground strap assembly to a major rear surface of the body member is less than a predetermined distance. The receptacle includes a plurality of receptacle contacts configured to mate with the plurality of plug contacts when the plug connector is inserted into the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Pass & Seymour, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald R. Savicki, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7192302
    Abstract: An integrated sealable plate assembly for a sealable electrical or fiber optic connector can be used in industrial and other settings. The integrated sealable plate assembly has a plate with frame portions that are inserted into grooves of a gasket so that the plate and gasket can be coupled together as a unit for ready installation with the junction box. The gasket includes appendage portions with inner frame portions for sealing screw holes of the plate without need of conventional o-rings. When the plate and gasket are coupled together as a unit the appendage portions also serve to position and retain screws along with the plate and the gasket to further aid in installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip Phung, Patrick S. McNutt
  • Patent number: 7193153
    Abstract: Fire Stop devices, for walls having cables that run through a wall opening, are provided on exposed ends of a conduit placed in the wall opening. Each fire stop device has a hollow housing fitted to the exposed end of the conduit, and a front wall of the housing has moveable cable clamping jaws to minimize the size of the slot through which the cables are provided. Intumescent material is provided inside the hollow housing. The rear wall of the housing has a separable back plate that contacts the conduit at only limited abutment surface to minimize heat transfer from the conduit to the housing. In a retro-fit version of the device the housing has a separable top and bottom housing portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: The Wiremold Company
    Inventors: Jeffery Hemingway, Brian Takiff
  • Patent number: 7193152
    Abstract: A fire resistant assembly, which may include a first layer having a lumen therein, a second layer adjacent the first layer, a first structural member disposed between the first and second layers, and a box having a cavity defined by a wall, a first opening in the wall, a second opening in the wall, a panel having a panel opening fastened to the box about the second opening, and a fixture installed in the cavity and having conduit extending through the second opening and the panel opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Inventor: Happy Moselle
  • Patent number: 7189082
    Abstract: An electrical connection box is to be attached to an attachment objective member. The electrical connection box includes: a circuit housing that accommodates a circuit substrate; a fuse box that detachably accommodates a fuse element, the fuse box being provided at an upper portion of the circuit housing in a state where the electrical connection box being attached to the attachment objective member; a plurality of bus bars that connect the circuit substrate and the fuse element; and a water-discharge channel that discharges water flowed into the fuse box to outside of the electrical connection box, the water-discharge channel being provided at a lower part of the bus bars in a state where the electrical connection box is attached to the attachment objective member, and at a position between the circuit housing and the fuse box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignees: Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hayato Fukushima, Shigeki Yamane, Tadashi Tomikawa, Shinji Kawakita
  • Patent number: 7189110
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring system that includes a plug connector including a plurality of plug contacts. The plug connector is configured to terminate a plurality of wires. An electrical wiring device includes a cover member, a body member, and a ground strap between the cover member and the body member. The body member including a receptacle configured to accept the plug connector and a plurality of device contacts. The plurality of device contacts are configured to mate with the plurality of plug contacts when the plug connector is inserted into the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Pass & Seymour, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald R. Savicki, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7186916
    Abstract: A receptacle for enclosing low-voltage electronic devices and maintaining the integrity of a vapor barrier. The receptacle forms a cavity having an open side. The receptacle may be mounted within a wall having a vapor barrier and an outer layer. The vapor barrier may be sealed to the receptacle and the outer layer and the vapor barrier may extend over the receptacle to enclose the space within the cavity, thereby forming an airtight enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Professional Partners Ltd
    Inventor: Craig A. Jacks
  • Patent number: 7186913
    Abstract: A square electrical box molded in one-piece of plastic material has three ENT connectors extending outwardly from each box sidewall. The connectors on each sidewall include a middle connector and two outer connectors. All of the middle connectors are sized for receiving one-half inch standard trade size ENT conduit. Both of the outer connectors one pair of opposite sidewalls are sized for receiving three-quarter inch standard trade size ENT conduit. The other pair of opposite sidewalls have one outer connector sized to receive three-quarter inch standard trade size ENT conduit and another outer connector sized to receive one-inch standard trade size ENT conduit. The box has attachment ears extending outwardly from the box corners along diagonal lines that extend across diagonally opposite ones of the box corners. An adapter attached to a front surface of the box has attachment ears aligned with the box ears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: The Lamson & Sessions Co.
    Inventors: Eric G. Hull, Charles H. Riedy, Robert M. Gudin
  • Patent number: 7186915
    Abstract: A square electrical box molded in one-piece of plastic material has three connectors extending outwardly from each box sidewall for receiving different sizes of electrical nonmetallic tubing. The box internal corners are occupied by bosses that extend the full height of the corners and have fastener receiving holes therein. Attachment ears extend outwardly from the box, and an adapter attachable to a front surface of the box has attachment ears aligned with the box ears. Fastener receiving holes through the ears are configured to receive fasteners that are inwardly inclined toward the box central longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: The Lamson & Sessions Co.
    Inventors: Eric G. Hull, Charles H. Riedy, Robert M. Gudin
  • Patent number: 7183483
    Abstract: A connection assembly includes a housing and a connector element. The connector element can be attached to the housing and the combined unit can be attached to an electrical box prior to affixing an electrical device thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Anderson, Curtis R. Davidson, Bojana Vojinovic
  • Patent number: 7183504
    Abstract: An electrical floor access system (100) is provided so as to be accessible to the electrical equipment of an office system (50). The electrical system (100) includes a number of access floor modules (102) jpositioned beneath an access floor (30). The electrical system (100) also includes junciton block cables (104) and junction blocks (108) which can be connected the junction block cables (104). The junciton blocks (108) serve to provide electrical interconnection and mounting for electrical receptacles and similar devices for interconnection with electrical equipment. The access floor modules (102) are substantially interchangeable with each other, and the junction block cables (104) are substantially interchangeable with each other so as to provide an electrical system as a modular system adapted to be sized and configured in a manner which does not require any substantial number of different types and/or sizes of cables and other electrical equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventor: Norman R. Byrne
  • Patent number: 7179994
    Abstract: An electrical box is disclosed for supporting and containing electrical devices and wiring including low voltage devices and wiring such as used for telephones, televisions, computers, and security systems, for example, wherein a rigidity of the box is maximized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Allied Moulded Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas L. Elberson