With Box Or Housing Mounting Means Patents (Class 174/58)
  • Patent number: 7619162
    Abstract: A recessed electrical outlet box which includes a body that is selectably connected to a cover by either a first or a second hinge assembly. The body includes a back wall, a face plate, a side wall and an interior, wherein the side wall extends between the back wall and face plate and the face plate has an opening for accessing the interior. The interior includes a recessed pair of bosses and a pair of mounting holes, which can be used for mounting electrical devices in the interior. The first and second hinge assemblies have a first hinge axis and a second hinge axis, respectively, and are attached to the face plate and cover so that the first hinge axis is substantially perpendicular to the second hinge axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Cong Thanh Dinh, Robert Kevin Jolly
  • Publication number: 20090272558
    Abstract: A temporary protective cover for an electrical box having an open front end. In some embodiments of the invention, the cover is constructed for attachment directly to a circular type electrical box and includes a circular plate of plastic having a pair of flexible wings for use in securing the cover to the electrical box and a pair of punch-outs for use in securing the cover to the electrical box. In some other embodiments of the invention the cover is constructed for attachment to a circular plaster ring which can be attached to a commercial type circular electrical box and include a pair of flexible wings for use in securing the cover to the plaster ring and a pair of punch-outs for use in securing the cover to the plaster ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventor: Carlo Compagnone, JR.
  • Patent number: 7612653
    Abstract: A network outlet fixture providing wall-mounted LAN jacks. The fixture may include an in-wall power supply and be configured for mounting within a conventional multi-gang wall box. The power supply may be directly connected to an adjacent wall outlet, which serves as a power source, in the same or an adjacent wall box. The fixture may include both network switching and fiber-to-copper media converter functionality. The fixture may be configured to disconnect the power source upon removal of a face plate of the fixture. Further, the fixture may be configured to allow mounting of the jack-supporting structure in any one of several different positions relative to a remainder of the outlet fixture. This allows for presentation of the LAN jacks in a certain preferred orientation while permitting the remainder of the outlet fixture to be mounted in several different orientations relative to a wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Richard D. Miller, Steven Charles Mongold, Keith James McKechnie
  • Patent number: 7608780
    Abstract: A back plate device is formed by a generally rectangular frame having an open front face a back plate which is recessed inwardly from the open front face, and at least one wall extending forward from the back plate to the open front face, the wall extending around at least part of the frame periphery. The back plate has a cable access opening and a ledge surrounding the opening against which a face plate can be seated. The outer dimensions of the frame are less than the inner dimensions of a network connection box in which it is to be mounted, and the back plate is spaced from a rear wall of the box when installed to define a concealed cable management area behind the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Holocom, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig McCarthy
  • Patent number: 7608781
    Abstract: A temporary protective cover which can be removably attached to a plaster ring which can be removably mounted onto an electrical box having an open front end includes a plate sized and shaped to be removably mounted onto the plaster ring, a pair of wings formed onto the plate for removably securing the cover onto the plaster ring and a pair of posts formed onto the plate for removably securing the cover onto the plaster ring. Each wing is shaped to include a flexible leg and a pair of feet one at each end of the wing. The posts are shaped and sized to be press fit into bores on the plaster ring. In use, the wings and the posts both serve to removably secure the cover to the plaster ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Inventor: Carlo Compagnone, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7605330
    Abstract: A retractable power and communication outlet apparatus for use with an article having a work surface. The apparatus has a power and communication outlet structure that is sized to fit into an opening in the work surface of the article. The outlet structure includes a shell having a perimeter, a top end and a bottom end. At least one power outlet and/or communication outlet is connected to the shell. A bottom plate member is attached to the bottom end of the shell and has portions thereof that extend beyond the perimeter of the shell. The bottom plate member has a top side and a bottom side. The apparatus also has a slide apparatus that has a stationary rail member and a movable member that slides upon the rail member. The movable member is attached to the bottom plate member so that the power and communication outlet structure can move between a retracted position and an extended position. The apparatus includes a mounting plate for attachment to the bottom of the work surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Premier Manufacturing Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Dave Black, Kimberly Golden, Glenn Golden, Russell Hayden
  • Patent number: 7604446
    Abstract: A method of attaching a housing (such as a security system device housing) to a wall. A housing is provided with at least one mounting portion that has a mounting hole surrounded by a substantially thin lip. The housing is held by the installer in the exact desired position on the wall. The installer the inserts a wall anchor through the mounting portion and into the wall, typically with a screwdriver. The wall anchor has a cylindrical body with a flanged end and an insertion end, with the body having an exterior thread disposed thereon and the insertion end having a generally flat pointed extension of the body. The flanged end of the anchor has a recess suitable for insertion of the screwdriver. The installer inserts the anchor by pushing the extension through the mounting hole of the mounting portion and into the wall with the screwdriver engaged in the recess such that the extension is substantially within the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Michael A Fonti
  • Patent number: 7601912
    Abstract: A panel and housing assembly includes a housing provided with a locking slot, a panel provided with a receiving space, and a locking tenon mounted between the housing and the panel and having a first end provided with an elastic portion received in the receiving space of the panel and a second end provided with a locking portion inserted into and locked in the locking slot of the housing. Thus, the panel is locked onto the housing by compressing the locking tenon and unlocked from the housing by pressing the press plate of the locking tenon so that the panel and housing assembly is assembled and disassembled easily and quickly without needing aid of any hand tool, thereby facilitating a user assembling and disassembling the panel and housing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Powercom Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen-Hung Tseng, Hong-Wei Jhuang, Ying-Yi Fan
  • Patent number: 7601913
    Abstract: A wire harness fixing device designed to enable convenient installation thereof within an inner liner of a refrigerator while effectively preventing leakage of a foam insulation material filled between the inner liner and an outer liner of the refrigerator. The wire harness fixing device includes a housing including an insert part provided at one end of the housing and inserted through a fixing hole formed in the inner liner, and an interior part positioned at the other end within the inner liner. A latch is provided on the insert part that engages an outer surface of the inner liner at the fixing hole when the insert part is inserted into the fixing hole, and a cover of a flexible material integrally formed to the housing at the interior part side to cover the fixing hole, the cover being subjected to elastic deformation to closely contact an inner surface of the inner liner at the fixing hole side when the latch is latched to and supported by the inner liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young Ryol Kim, Seung Weon Nam
  • Patent number: 7601922
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for assemblies and methods for mounting a patch panel rack to a wire cable management pathway. A waterfall base is mounted with respect to and in between a pair of mounting brackets. Each of the pair of mounting brackets includes a support surface defining a top portion and a bottom portion, a front side surface and a rear side surface. The top portion associated with the support surface includes at least one upwardly extending wire cable management pathway mounting feature adapted to securely mount the pair of mounting brackets with respect to a wire cable management pathway. The wire management pathway mounting feature can be at least one substantially curved mounting clip feature having a horizontally extending fold over tab defining a gap opening to receive at least one wire associated with a wire cable management pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Ortronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Lars R. Larsen, Stewart A. Levesque
  • Patent number: 7595447
    Abstract: In a dual-sided mounting bracket for electrical junction boxes, wherein the mounting bracket comprises first and second stud coupling members and first and second junction box receiving members adjacent the respective stud coupling members, and an offset portion interposed between the first and second junction box receiving sections, and wherein each junction box receiving section has two expansive sides and two lengthwise extending edges and is adapted for mounting an electrical junction box or electrical junction boxes to a given one of the expansive sides of such junction box receiving section, each junction box receiving section has two flanges, each extending along a given one of the lengthwise extending edges of such junction box receiving section and projecting from the other one of the expansive sides of such junction box receiving section, so as to project away from an electrical junction box or electrical junction boxes mounted to the given one of the expansive sides of such junction box receiving s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Inventor: Peter A. Vrame
  • Patent number: 7595448
    Abstract: A deep truncated cylindrical electrical box with angled molded-in internal mounting brackets on the flat side surface is mounted to the side of a wooden or metal beam. This internal mounting feature is especially of interest in old work to minimize the size of drywall cutout by limiting it to the outer contour of the electrical box. Any device, such as a paddle fan, will be directly supported by an exterior supportive L-bracket, not by the molded box itself. Replacing the L-bracket with a heavy-duty cold rolled steel bar bracket permits fastening between two beams. An alternate embodiment for the electrical box itself supports lighter loads by the electrical box itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Inventor: Greg Herth
  • Patent number: 7595446
    Abstract: A wire management box is sized to contained a high voltage plug and a low voltage terminal inward of a building wall surface. The box has an access opening that is sized for a user manually to reach through with the plug and the terminal. The box further has a high voltage wall that supports a high voltage outlet in an installed position spaced inward from the access opening, and a low voltage wall that supports a low voltage receptacle in an installed position spaced inward from the access opening adjacent to the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: The Lamson & Sessions Co.
    Inventors: Gregory D. Turcovsky, Dennis P. Revlock, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7592542
    Abstract: A support bracket article for enabling the adjustable positioning of an electrical box enclosure relative to the bottom of a framing member, and the supporting thereof in an interior wall section of a wall system under construction. The article is able to guide the adjustable positioning of the electrical box enclosure. It is also able to accommodate the supporting and adjustable positioning of the electrical box enclosure in a variety of framing studs and wall systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Fabworks, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph R. Gerardo
  • Patent number: 7589277
    Abstract: A multimedia patching box including a generally rectangular housing. The housing includes a first wall positioned opposite from a second wall. The housing also includes opposing third and fourth walls that extend between the first and second walls. A panel is mounted adjacent the front of the housing. The panel is mounted to pivot about a pivot axis between an open position and a closed position. The pivot axis is located adjacent to the third wall of the housing and extends generally along the third wall of the housing. A plurality of multimedia connectors are mounted on the panel. The housing defines at least one cable access opening defined through at least one of the first and second walls at a location adjacent the third wall. A cable management structure is connected to the back side of the panel. The cable management structure defines a cable guiding channel that extends generally along the pivot axis of the panel and generally aligns with the at least one cable access opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Scott Kessler, Jeffrey Scott Hartzler, Cory Lee Grabinger
  • Publication number: 20090223696
    Abstract: The exterior semi-recessed electrical junction box is used in conjunction with other building materials in the exterior walls of buildings to protect the building structure from water intrusion. A projecting flange integral to the junction box is sequenced with surrounding waterproofing materials to protect the opening made in wall sheathing for the junction box from water intrusion. A collar extending from the flange of the exterior semi-recessed electrical junction box accommodates various electrical devices and wall finish thickness, terminating with a flange for mounting and sealing a weatherproof junction box cover or electrical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventor: Douglas S. Gawoski
  • Patent number: 7586039
    Abstract: An electrical box assembly for mounting an electrical device or fixture on a wall. The electrical box assembly includes a box having a back wall and a sidewall defining an enclosure, and flanges and bosses extending outward from the sidewall. Teeth are provided along the outer sidewall of the box in alignment with and extending from each boss to the back wall. An elongated bracket with resilient legs is adjustably connected to the back wall of the box. After a hole is made in the drywall, the teeth rip a path for the bosses as the electrical box assembly is pushed into the hole. An adjustment arrangement including fasteners is provided for adjusting the distance of the bracket with respect to the box and securing the box to the wall. The clamping action of the bracket legs and flange on the drywall hold the electrical box assembly secure to the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 7582827
    Abstract: An adjustable electrical box assembly for providing electrical service on a brick or stone wall. The assembly includes a base member, anchoring members, and an electrical box. The base member includes sidewalls with a plurality of outward extending tabs and a top wall with a forward extending lip. The anchoring members are substantially L-shaped with a first leg for anchoring against the substrate of a structure and a second leg for securing to the sidewalls of the base member. The electrical box assembly enables easy mounting and leveling of an electrical fixture either flush with or at some predetermined offset from a brick or stone wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 7579547
    Abstract: A container suitable as an interface device is provided. The container includes a plurality of walls that define an internal space for storage. The walls include movable portions that correspond to a wiring area within the internal space. The container includes at least a first and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the wiring area is enclosed on at least three sides by the movable portions of the wall. In the second configuration, the movable portions are positioned such that the wiring area is accessible on at least three sides free of any impediments from the container. The container may include an adjustable storage capacity to optimize the overall size of the container to the equipment or other content stored within the container, i.e. minimizing the overall size of the container to match the stored equipment and expanding when needed to accommodate additional equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Verizon Services Corp.
    Inventor: Robert Edward Opaluch
  • Patent number: 7579549
    Abstract: A cover for an electrical box having a face plate, an elongate slot in the face plate, a lid support structure and a lid. The lid fits on the front of the face plate and over the opening and is pivotably movable between an open position, which allows access to the box interior, and a closed position, which prevents access to the box interior. When in the open position, the lid is slidably receivable by the slot and is stored in the lid support structure that extends from the back of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert K. Jolly
  • Patent number: 7576284
    Abstract: A ganged electrical device which supports electrical components. The ganged electrical device includes a housing having first and second opposed elongate side walls and a pair of end walls joining the side walls. The first and second side walls include cooperative attachment structure for attaching the first side wall of one housing to a second side wall of another identical housing to place the respective first and second side walls in side-by-side engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Cong Thanh Dinh
  • Patent number: 7572975
    Abstract: An electrical box with a mounting system is disclosed. The electrical box includes a main body having a back panel with a raised portion and a protuberance formed on an outer surface of the back panel. The mounting tab is configured for mounting the main body to a mounting structure. An electrical box assembly including the mounting tab having a first aperture that receives the protuberance of the main body, and a method for mounting the electrical box on a mounting structure, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Allied Moulded Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Ruihley
  • Patent number: 7572977
    Abstract: A modular electrical wiring component comprises a wiring module having a wiring portion for coupling to a source of electrical power and a user-accessible portion configured to accept and provide electrical power to a functional module that provides a selected electrical distribution function, wherein the wiring module is configured to accept the functional module without access to the wiring portion. The modular electrical wiring component also comprises an adjustable plaster ring configured to couple to the wiring module and to an electrical junction box, wherein the adjustable plaster ring provides a variable distance between the electrical junction box and the wiring module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: ProtectConnect
    Inventor: Michael P. Gorman
  • Patent number: 7572978
    Abstract: An electrical outlet box assembly system that allows contractors to more efficiently mark the location of an electrical box when installing drywall over the electrical box so that the proper area of drywall can be later cut out over the location of the electrical box. The system includes a first panel that is placed over an electrical box after the electrical box has been attached to a stud but before the drywall has been set in place. The first panel includes a hole in which a guide bar can be installed. After the drywall has been put in place, the guide bar will pass through the drywall, allowing an individual to mount a second plate over the guide bar. The second plate has a small centrally-located hole through which the guide bar can pass through. A wing nut can be attached to the guide bar to fasten the second panel in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Inventor: Otis S. Keith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7572976
    Abstract: There is provided a quick connect electrical box assembly that can be attached to a construction member such as a wall stud. The electrical box includes a box frame and a box back. The box frame and box back each include reciprocal snap connectors so that the frame can be joined to the back. Channels are configured in the box back, and conductor rails are positioned in these rails. Common electrical wires, such as are founded in three-strand bundled power lines, can be stripped of their insulation and placed in the rails. The rails, formed of conductive material such as copper, then form an electrical connection within the box. Using this box an electrician can quickly and efficiently bring power to a location during rough assembly. Later, during finish electrical work, the electrician can also plug devices such as switches and plugs into the box. The switches and plugs, configured with prongs, make electrical connection with the rails and thereby receive power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Inventor: Victor Merrill
  • Publication number: 20090197461
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring system for use in an AC electrical power distribution circuit including at least one first AC power conductor disposed between an upstream AC power element and a device box and at least one second AC power conductor disposed between the device box and a downstream AC power element. The at least one first AC power conductor and the at least one second AC power conductor are routed into an interior portion of the device box and accessible via a front open face of the device box. The system includes a connector device including a connector housing having a plurality of connector contacts disposed therein. The plurality of connector contacts are coupled to termination structures configured to couple the at least one first AC power conductor and the at least one second AC power conductor to corresponding contacts of the plurality of connector contacts. An electrical wiring device includes a device housing having a front portion and a rear portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: Pass & Seymour, Inc.
    Inventors: John Benoit, Gerald R. Savicki, JR., Richard Weeks
  • Patent number: 7569771
    Abstract: An electrical receptacle and junction box apparatus including a stud mounted electrical junction box with stud-attaching screw shoulders having wire apertures with retaining screws and retaining screw fittings for each wire aperture for receiving electrical wiring without wrapping the wiring around screws, a ground strip, a slide-in receptacle or slide-in switch received in the electrical junction box, an electrical connection between the electrical junction box and the slide-in receptacle or slide-in switch unit with elongated prongs, slotted terminals with slot apertures to allow the slide-in receptacle or slide-in switch to move in and out of the electrical junction box and non-conductive bases for embedding the terminals, the ground strip and the retaining screw fittings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Inventor: Andrew Nicholson
  • Patent number: 7569770
    Abstract: An extension assembly is provided for an enclosure coupled to a structure, such as a building wall. The enclosure includes a panel member, a plurality of sides extending outwardly from the panel member to define an interior having a depth and forming an opening for accessing the interior, and a cover. The extension assembly includes at least one extension member coupled to at least one of the sides of the enclosure, and having a depth, and an adapter collar. The adapter collar overlays the extension member(s) and includes a flange portion engaging the exterior surface of the wall, and an aperture extending through the flange portion. The flange portion receives the cover of the enclosure, in order to provide access to the interior of the enclosure through the aperture of the flange portion. The extension assembly increases the depth of the enclosure by the depth of the extension member(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Scot E. Remmert, Matthew D. Occhipinti
  • Patent number: 7566829
    Abstract: In an electrical junction box, an electrical junction box main body is housed in a housing case consisting of an under case member and an upper case member, and a wire harness having its one end connected to the electrical junction box main body is led out to the outside of the housing case. The under case member has a pair of holding arms provided therein, which temporarily hold the wire harness to be led out roughly in a desired lead-out direction, the wire harness being led out from the under case member, in a state where the electrical junction box main body is temporarily housed in the under case member. The upper case member has guide ribs provided therein, which guide the wire harness in the desired lead-out direction, the wire harness being led out roughly in the desired lead-out direction by the pair of holding arms in the under case member, in an assembled state of the under case member and the upper case member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Nakayama, Katsuya Hashimoto, Hirofumi Mizuno
  • Patent number: 7563980
    Abstract: An outlet cover with barrier wall, the cover for an outlet box mounted in a building wall including an outer wall with an outer opening; a surrounding wall integrally joined to and extending substantially normal to the outer wall; an L-shaped barrier wall integrally joined to and extending substantially normal to the outer wall, the barrier wall forming an inner opening opposite the outer opening to meet the outlet box, a portion of the barrier wall extending toward the plane of the inner opening, the barrier wall further forming a cover conduit port; an attaching flange integrally joined to the surrounding wall for being placed against the building wall, the attaching flange being a continuous flange about the surrounding wall; a display enclosure forming an interior and an enclosure conduit port; and a conduit having a conduit passage in communication between the cover conduit port and the enclosure conduit port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Inventor: Joseph W. Wimberly
  • Patent number: 7563978
    Abstract: An electrical outlet box for accommodating an electrical fixture which includes a generally rectangular box having a back wall, a perimetrical side wall surrounding said back wall defining an open front face and a box interior, said side wall includes a first and second set of generally parallel spaced apart wall portions; and a slidable extension nested within said generally rectangular box, that can be moved from within the generally rectangular box to an extended position beyond the open front face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Lalancette, Ioan Liviu Lupsa
  • Publication number: 20090178822
    Abstract: For a wall cut-out (100) defining a void (101) within a wall (102) for receiving a utility receptacle (104) wherein the cut-out has a perimeter edge (103) surrounding the void (101), the frame (10) includes an insert-flange (12) dimensioned to be inserted into and to sit within the void (101) adjacent the perimeter edge (103). The insert-flange (12) defines a through void frame opening (14) between opposed edges of the insert-flange (12). A wall-shelf (20) is secured to the insert-flange (12), and a mud-ridge (22) is secured to the wall-shelf (20) adjacent to and surrounding an interior perimeter (24) of the frame opening (14). The mud-ridge extends away from the wall-shelf (20) to facilitate application of a bonding compound and secure mounting of a receptacle component (106) within the utility receptacle (104).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventor: Morgan C. Davis
  • Patent number: 7557296
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for an electrical box repair cover have been described. A cover may be secured to an electrical box by various techniques including straps, clamps, etc. Additionally the cover may secure electrical devices to the electrical box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Inventor: Scott L. Lemke
  • Patent number: 7557309
    Abstract: A data and power distribution system for an electrical busway is provided. The system has a base plate and a data channel located adjacent to or proximate to the base plate. The data channel is structured to receive a number of data transport devices therein. An electrical busway is coupled to the base plate and a power channel is located adjacent to or proximate to the base plate. The power channel is structured to receive the electrical busway therein. The data channel is located proximate to the power channel and the base plate is a unitary component. The base plate may have a number of locations on the base plate that are structured to receive fasteners in order to directly attach the base plate to a mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Universal Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Steven L. Ross, Brian L. Hilgert, Russell Griffith
  • Patent number: 7554033
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring device for use in an ambient environment. The device includes a cover assembly characterized by a perimeter defining a user-accessible front face portion of the wiring device. The cover assembly includes at least one user-accessible control feature disposed therein. A body member is connected to the cover assembly. A circuit arrangement is disposed in the body member, at least a portion of the circuit arrangement being in operative communication with the at least one user-accessible control feature. A gasket structure is integrated into the cover assembly and disposed under the front face portion to substantially seal the circuit arrangement from the ambient environment. The gasket structure includes at least one gasket feature coupling the at least one user-accessible control feature and the at least a portion of the circuit arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Pass & Seymour, Inc.
    Inventors: Vikramsinh Bhosale, Dejan Radosavljevic, Richard Weeks
  • Patent number: 7554035
    Abstract: A lock mechanism for a rotatable cover adapted for use with a case is disclosed. The rotatable cover includes a fastener and a first positioning portion. The lock mechanism includes a first fixing element and a first elastic member. The first fixing element has a locking hole for engagingly receiving the fastener. The first fixing element includes a first board, a second board positioned opposite to the first board, a connecting portion and a protrusion portion. A slot is formed between the first board and the second board. The connecting portion is disposed above the first board and the second board and connected to the protrusion portion. The protrusion portion includes a pivot shaft and a second positioning portion. The pivot shaft is inserted into a pivot portion of the case. The first elastic member is located between the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Inventec Corporation
    Inventor: Po-Wen Chen
  • Patent number: 7554032
    Abstract: A multi-mount, multi-use commercial line electrical box includes first and second side walls, lower and upper walls forming a front opening into the electrical box, and a rear wall. The first side wall has one or more removable external flanges, each flange having a front surface flush with an edge of the front opening for accommodating one or more fasteners. The second side wall also has one or more removable external flanges for accommodating one or more fasteners. A slide-in plate is mounted in side recesses along an inner surface of one of the side walls. The slide-in plate has one or more angled screw guides for a fastener in registry with an exit hole in one of the side walls. One of said lower and upper walls accommodates external attachment nails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Inventor: Greg Herth
  • Patent number: 7547844
    Abstract: An electrical box includes a first wall and a second wall spaced from the first wall. A periphery wall joins the first and second walls and defines a box volume therebetween. An opening formed in the first wall provides access to the box volume. A collar extending outwardly from the first wall. The collar defines a collar volume for receiving a device mounted thereto. The box volume extends laterally beyond the collar to provide a box volume independent of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Inventor: Robert C. Forbis
  • Publication number: 20090145624
    Abstract: An outlet box arrangement having an adjustable capacity for receiving electric outlets includes an outlet box having a side wall, a top wall and bottom wall extending therefrom defining an outlet socket. A top flange and bottom flange extending from the top wall and bottom wall, respectively, on which flange mounting holes are provided for enabling the outlet box to assemble with an outlet box cover for protecting the electric outlets installed in the outlet socket. Further, the outlet box is adapted to assemble with another in an edge-to-edge manner by securing the flange mounting holes of the two outlet boxes with fasteners, thereby expanding the outlet socket to receive additional electric outlets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventor: Charles N. Chung
  • Patent number: 7544887
    Abstract: An electrical junction box includes a casing body and a lower cover to be attached to the casing body. Slant portions are provided on lower and upper end edges of opposite side walls of the casing body and lower cover. The slant portions extending downward from a first side to a second side. A double wall structure including an outer peripheral wall and an inner peripheral wall is formed on the casing body along the lower end edges including the slant portions of the casing body. A distal end of the inner peripheral wall projects over that of the outer peripheral wall. The inner peripheral wall is provided on the projecting-over section with guide ribs protruding toward the outer peripheral wall. An engaging rib that contacts a lower end of the outer peripheral wall is provided on upper end edges on opposite side walls of the lower cover. The upper end edges of the lower cover are opposed to the lower end edges on opposite sides of the casing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuya Iizuka
  • Patent number: 7544889
    Abstract: An adjustable outlet box assembly provides for attachment of an outlet box to a wall stud. The assembly includes an outlet box and a box bracket which is adjustably positioned to the outlet box. The box includes a flange which attaches to a linear set of teeth on the box bracket for resilient engagement with the side wall of the box. The bracket includes a stud attachment portion got engagement with the stud. The bracket is adjustably positioned on the box so that the box may be positioned with respect to the wall stud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Inventor: Angel Castillo Sanchez
  • Patent number: 7544888
    Abstract: An electrical junction box can be used as both a watertight type and a nonwatertight type by improving a fitting structure between a cover and a casing and restricting the cover and casing from rattling even in the nonwatertight configuration in which a rubber packing is not mounted on the box. An electrical junction box that can be used as a watertight type and a nonwatertight type includes a casing and a cover. Terminals connected to ends of electrical wires may be contained in the casing. The electrical wires may be drawn out from a bottom of the casing. An electrical element may be detachably connected to the casing through an upper opening in the casing to be coupled to the terminals. The cover is joined to the casing. A pair of clearance-filling ribs, which have recessed configuration in section, project from one side of a peripheral wall of the cover toward the casing. The casing is provided on an outer surface with fitting ribs adapted to engage the clearance-filling ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Ooi, Eiji Higuchi
  • Publication number: 20090139742
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring box assembly that includes an inner wall box including a peripheral inner wall bounded and enclosed by a rear wall and open at a front end of the inner wall box to form an inner volume. The inner wall box also includes an inner wall flange extending in a substantially perpendicular direction from an exterior surface of the peripheral inner wall at predetermined distance from the front inner wall box end. The inner wall flange includes a plurality of apertures formed therein. The inner wall box further includes a plurality of device mounting bosses extending in a substantially perpendicular direction from an interior surface of the rear wall. An intermediate box includes a peripheral intermediate wall portion configured to fit within the inner volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: PASS & SEYMOUR, INC.
    Inventor: Vikramsinh P. Bhosale
  • Patent number: 7541539
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a device in a wall box is provided. The apparatus includes a base plate formed by a front portion and a plurality of side portions extending to the rear to define a substantially open rear portion, and a latching mechanism coupled to the base plate. The front portion is connected to the device. The base plate is configured to be at least partially inserted into the wall box. The latching mechanism includes a frictional engagement member configured to frictionally engage with the wall box upon insertion into the wall box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: AMX LLC
    Inventor: Phong Le
  • Patent number: 7538270
    Abstract: Molded plastic commercial electrical boxes are provided with metal brackets to accept connectors for conduit or armored cable (BX). Using a sturdy molded plastic frame with metal brackets or regions is a cost-effective method to manufacture these electrical boxes. This type of construction can be used with electrical boxes having conventional attachment brackets or fastening extensions as well as electrical boxes with other variations of fastening methods. The metal brackets can accommodate one or more cable connector clamps therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Inventor: Greg Herth
  • Patent number: 7531742
    Abstract: An electrical junction box is disclosed for hanging a load such as an electrical fixture or a ceiling fan from a ceiling joist, wherein the junction box includes a substantially planar base member and an adjacent compartment for housing electrical leads, wherein the electrical junction box may be firmly attached to the joist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Allied Moulded Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Bradford D. Rupp
  • Patent number: 7531744
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring box that includes a wiring device interface portion having a substantially planar member configured to accommodate a structural member on a first side and a rim portion extending from a perimeter of the planar member from a second side thereof to form an enclosed volume. The rim portion has a rim width approximately equal to a width of a sheet of drywall. The wiring device interface portion also includes a plurality of fastener apertures. A fastener storage structure includes a plurality of fastener storage holders extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first side of the planar member. The fastener storage holders and the planar member are configured to accommodate the structural member therebetween. Each fastener storage holder includes a fastener holder opening accessible from the second side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Pass & Seymour, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard M. Rohmer
  • Patent number: 7531743
    Abstract: An electrical box assembly includes an adjustable electrical box cover. The cover includes a base 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 within the sleeve and the collar. The sleeve and collar have inwardly extending tabs to receive the adjustment screws allow adjustment of the sleeve with respect to the collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven J. Johnson, Krzysztof W. Korcz
  • Patent number: 7528322
    Abstract: An adjustable electrical box assembly for providing electrical service on a brick or stone wall. The assembly includes a flange member, box member, and a faceplate. The flange member includes a flange and a forward extending collar. The electrical box includes sidewalls that are telescopically received in the collar of the flange member and a fastening arrangement for securing the electrical box to the flange member. After installing an electrical fixture within the electrical box, a faceplate is secured to the front of the box member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 7527163
    Abstract: A top cover fixing structure for fixing opposing sidewalls of a top cover to respective opposing sidewalls of a bottom chassis with a single screw for each sidewall, thus reducing the number of parts and thereby reducing the man-hours for assembling, while maintaining the strength of the top cover and improving the design appearance. Screw insertion holes 2e are bored in recessed portions 2c provided in the front part of the right and left sidewalls 2a and 2b of the top cover 2, with screws 3 inserted into the screw insertion holes to fix the top cover to the bottom chassis 1, while recessed portions 2d provided in the rear of the right and left sidewalls 2a and 2b of the top cover 2 are in contact with rear portions of the right and left sidewalls 1a and 1b of the bottom chassis 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Miyamoto