Concrete, Lath Or Plaster Engaging Means Patents (Class 220/3.4)
  • Patent number: 11715942
    Abstract: An edge adapter for electrical box extension rings or extenders operably configured to prevent injury or damage to electrical circuit wires and individuals manipulating the same, and comprising an adapter body of a polymeric material, with a front edge, a rear edge, a sidewall, and enclosing and defining an adapter channel, and with a first plurality of retention flanges radially projecting from, and disposed in a tightly-spaced configuration on, an outer wall surface on a first side of the adapter body, the first plurality of retention flanges defining a first retention slot; and a second plurality of retention flanges radially projecting from, and disposed in a tightly-spaced configuration on, an outer wall surface on a second side of the adapter body opposing the first side of the adapter body, the first and second plurality of retention flanges selectively removably coupled to the electrical box extension ring in a retained configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Inventor: Robert G. Nichols
  • Patent number: 11223189
    Abstract: An improved junction receptacle press fits to a surrounding drywall, or other sheet material, has at least one side wall and back wall defining front opening, and at least one flange extending laterally from the side wall adjacent a font edge of the side wall. At least one pivotal wing is formed in the sidewall having a forward end which can be biased outward from the side wall and spaced from the flange about a distance equal to a thickness of the drywall. The wing has a rear end substantially continuous with the side wall surface to permit the insertion of the junction box into a cutout of drywall surface slightly larger than the sidewall dimension and when so inserted compresses the wing inward where upon the forward end passing through the cutout can bias back to lock the junction box in place with the drywall between the flange and wing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Inventor: Dwight Ken Lee
  • Patent number: 11089924
    Abstract: A system is provided comprising a recessed, wall-mounted cabinet for sanitary and discreet storage of items and internal flanges along at least one of a top and a bottom interior cabinet edge. The system also comprises external flanges situated around an entire perimeter of the cabinet, a hinged door, and a magnetic latch. The cabinet is mountable in a wall. The cabinet stores cleaning tools and toilet cleaning agents. The cabinet comprises containers for hosting the tools and the agents. The internal flanges promote prevention of the containers from falling from the cabinet. The containers promote prevention of a toilet brush from contacting surfaces of the cabinet. The cabinet is installable with one of right-door and left-door opening capability. The cabinet is constructed from galvanized steel. The galvanized steel does not absorb bacterial and is powder coated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Inventor: Brenda F. Music
  • Patent number: 11005247
    Abstract: Various components and subcomponents of a pluggable modular system for electrical junction boxes are described herein. In various embodiments, a jbox interface chassis is configured to be wired and fastened within an electrical junction box to provide a hot-swappable pluggable interface between the wires in the electrical junction box and each of a plurality of hot-swappable pluggable modular devices. The jbox interface chassis may include a front pluggable interface configured to electrically mate with a corresponding rear pluggable interface on a casing of each pluggable modular device. As an example, the jbox interface chassis may include a plurality of slots or holes to receive a corresponding plurality of blades or pins on the casing of each pluggable modular device. Additionally, device adapters are described herein to convert a wide variety of legacy electrical devices into pluggable modular devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: JPoint Innovation LLC
    Inventors: Anthony James Booyse, Samuel Esteban Albornoz, Robert Thomas Berry, Andrea Diane Booyse
  • Patent number: 10821462
    Abstract: A stackable shield removably insertable in an opening to an interior of a recessed light fixture receptacle is disclosed. The unit is characterized by a v-shaped divider structure defined by first and second divider walls extending between opposite parts of the outer wall. Configuration of the outer wall is alterable by urging the divider walls toward one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Inventor: Charles A. Lujan
  • Patent number: 10707661
    Abstract: A disposable protective cover for gang boxes prevents paint, drywall and building material from entering the gang boxes during finishing operations, improves the stability of mounted switches and outlets, and provides aesthetically pleasing drywall to gang box edges. The cover is foldable from a stamped planar sheet of various materials and includes upwardly-protruding tabs. The cover is universally dimensioned to cover conventionally-sized openings of single, double, triple and quadruple gang boxes forming an interior friction fit therewith. The cover is easily removed by use of a utility knife to break the barrier of the drywall mud against the cover. Once removed the gang box interior edges can be easily shaved and sanded clean of excess drywall mud, to reveal a perfect completed wall mounted gang box, ready for the installation of switches and outlets when convenient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Inventor: Harry Audell
  • Patent number: 10451076
    Abstract: A ventilating fan includes a frame, a casing in which a fan motor is mounted, an adapter connected to an air outlet of the casing, a switch, and a junction box for connection of electric wires, where the frame has a bottom surface formed with an air inlet and a side surface provided with an air outlet, wherein any one of surfaces of the junction box is formed with an opening for mounting of the switch and the switch is fixed directly to the opening of the junction box. With the ventilating fan according to the embodiments of the present invention, although a switch is disposed, the cost is not increased and the area of an air path is not narrowed, and the switch can also be conveniently operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignees: PANASONIC ECOLOGY SYSTEMS GUANGDONG CO., LTD., PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yefan Weng, Shouyong Gao, Bodong Zhong, Zhengnan Zeng, Min Long, Daisuke Tsubosa
  • Patent number: 10230228
    Abstract: A cutting device for assisting in the cutting of wallboard openings for electrical boxes. A plurality of spikes project from a base frame in a spike pattern that defines a periphery of an opening to be cut. When driven into the wallboard, the spikes perforate the wallboard in the spike pattern. The spikes can be fixed or slidable relative to the base frame. The spike pattern can be rectangular with adjacent spikes closely spaced. The spikes can have an effective maximum lateral dimension, such as an effective diameter of a spike shank, and the distance between adjacent spikes can be less than the effective maximum lateral dimension of the spikes. A cover can be retained relative to an electrical box with a guide, such as a pin. The base frame can have a corresponding guide, such as an aperture, for selectively engaging the guide retained by the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Inventor: John Pesce
  • Patent number: 10201224
    Abstract: A device for fixing a frame in a through-hole extending between two opposite faces of a panel the frame including a peripheral wall having an upper and lower edges and configured to cover a structure of the panel delimiting the through-hole the upper edge including an edge configured to rest against a first face of the panel, wherein the device includes a clamping element including an arm integral with a perpendicular tab and an assembly structure configured to secure the tab on the second face of the panel in the vicinity of the through-hole, the arm configured to exert, a force on the peripheral wall adapted to flatten the peripheral wall against the structure of the panel defining the through-hole and to exert a force on a stop of the peripheral wall adapted to flatten the ledge of the frame against the first face of the panel when the tab is fixed on the second face of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Dutertre
  • Patent number: 10193318
    Abstract: An improved installation system for electrical hardware, such as power outlets, electrical switches, light fittings, ceiling fans and the like, whereby the cutting of their installation access holes in drywall panels is accomplished much faster than prior art methods and with a high degree of accuracy by the use of the hole cutting system, comprising the magnetic block assembly, corresponding magnetic template assembly and the hole cutter. In conjunction with the aforementioned; the electrical hardware's associated electrical boxes are wired directly to their electrical supply and the hardware is in turn, electrically connected to them by their respective sets of electrical terminals which make simultaneous contact with each other upon their installation. Additionally, the latching pawl mechanism and alignment device supports the weight of heavy light fittings and ceiling fans and aligns their electrical connections while they're being fixed into their installed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventor: Stephen A. Hitchman
  • Patent number: 10129992
    Abstract: An anti-topple device for preventing a cabinet from swaying or falling over includes a pedestal, a screw, a first adjusting member, a second adjusting member, and a connecting member. The pedestal is fixed on a floor and the screw is fixed to the pedestal. The first adjusting member and the second adjusting member are slidably mounted on the screw to make the cabinet height adjustable. The connecting member secures onto two beams of the cabinet positioned at a bottom of the cabinet to hold the cabinet firmly against the floor. The two beams flank the screw on opposite sides to firmly fix the cabinet to the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: ScienBiziP Consulting (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jian-Gang Xiao
  • Patent number: 10069288
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a safety plate for electrical boxes are disclosed. An example embodiment includes: a safety plate for electrical boxes including: a safety plate shielding portion configured to protect a rear surface of an electrical box adjacent to which the safety plate is installed; and a safety plate stud bracket configured to attach to a structural element of a building. An example embodiment further includes: a wire support attachable to the safety plate, the wire support including: a wire support top portion including wire support knockouts, which provide an opening through which electrical wiring can be inserted and supported; and a wire support arm portion including a channel providing a wire support safety plate attachment guide configured to engage with or slide over tangs of the safety plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Inventor: Jack Andre Link
  • Patent number: 9968987
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an adjustment aid for a joining device having a punch and a counter-tool which can be oriented coaxially to one another and can be moved axially towards each other for a joining movement relative to one another. Furthermore, the present disclosure provides a method for adjusting a joining device with a punch and counter-tool. A grid marking is embossed in a reshaped test part with the assistance of an embossable grid marking on a punch surface or on a counter surface of the counter-tool. This grid marking is evaluable in comparison to the discernible impressions of the punch surface and counter surface of the counter-tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Böllhoff Verbindungstechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Dennis Henke, Mathias Heger, Andreas Jakobsche
  • Patent number: 9735557
    Abstract: An electrical box hanger assembly for hanging an electrical fixture from a ceiling. All hardware required for mounting the electrical device is included with the assembly. An adjustable mounting bar includes sliding tubular members with end flanges for spanning between adjacent overhead joists. An electrical box is connected to the adjustable mounting bar by a one-piece mounting bracket and a single box mounting fastener. The mounting bracket includes integral tensioner tangs on the mounting bracket prevent backing out of the box mounting fastener after it is secured in place. Bar fasteners are used to securely fasten the mounting bar to the joists. Load bearing device fasteners used to secure the mounting ring of an electrical fixture to the electrical box. Oversize openings are provided in the top wall of the electrical box to ensure that the suspended load is borne by the clamp and mounting bar and not the electrical box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: ARLINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 9711955
    Abstract: An improved installation system for electrical hardware, such as power outlets, electrical switches, light fittings, ceiling fans and the like, whereby the cutting of their installation access holes in drywall panels is accomplished much faster than prior art methods and with a high degree of accuracy by the use of the hole cutting system, comprising the magnetic block assembly, corresponding magnetic template assembly and the hole cutter. In conjunction with the aforementioned; the electrical hardware's associated electrical boxes are wired directly to their electrical supply and the hardware is in turn, electrically connected to them by their respective sets of electrical terminals which make simultaneous contact with each other upon their installation. Additionally, the latching pawl mechanism and alignment device supports the weight of heavy light fittings and ceiling fans and aligns their electrical connections while they're being fixed into their installed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Inventor: Stephen A. Hitchman
  • Patent number: 9478957
    Abstract: An electrical box location indicator system for use when installing a wall panel over a mounted electrical box. An electrical box is fixedly attached to a structural wall member such that a portion of a box sidewall is directly touching a member side face orthogonal to a member front face. A first tab and a second tab project outwardly and away from a box front lip such that both tabs are coplanar with the box sidewall and orthogonal to the member front face. The first tab and the second tab push against a rear panel surface of the wall panel to create a bow in the wall panel that indicates the location of the electrical box. The first tab and the second tab are snapped or cut off after processing of the wall panel is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventor: Richard K. Solomon
  • Patent number: 9328852
    Abstract: A device retains dangling electrical wire at a desired location during the construction process so subsequently hung drywall doesn't conceal the wire end that is intended to be exposed. The device includes a primary face and flange which are approximately perpendicular, and a channel protruding from the primary face. The primary face and flange hug the corner of a wall stud, and a loose end of electrical wire is threaded through the channel. When drywall is hung, a pre-measured and pre-cut drywall hole is positioned to surround the hole and wire segment so the wire end is available for use in wiring light fixtures and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Inventor: Jeffrey Bryan Satterwhite
  • Patent number: 9253900
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hard-framed housing that provides a cover for electronic hardware components. According to one example, the housing may include a front cover portion that includes at least two spring loaded friction inducing side arms extending from a faceplate portion of the front cover portion at approximately a 90 degree angle. The housing may also include a rear cover portion that includes at least two receiving plates which provide a planar surface for the at least two spring loaded friction inducing side arms to rest when the front cover portion is engaged with the rear cover portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: AMX LLC
    Inventor: Phong Le
  • Patent number: 9217995
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for connecting one or more data networks to a plurality of communications devices in a premises, and methods of installing same. The system includes a hub located within the premises and connected to the data networks, as well as one or more conduits connected to the hub for connecting the data networks to one or more outlets in the premises. The outlets are adapted to connect to the communications devices to allow the user access to the networks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Inventor: Brian W. Karam
  • Patent number: 9193470
    Abstract: An aircraft fuel tank access cover comprises an inner door, an outer door and a clamping arrangement for clamping the doors together about an access aperture in the skin of the fuel tank. The clamping arrangement comprises a bolt in-molded in a generally central part of the inner door and or external nut. The doors have reinforcing rib arrangements to spread the clamping load to the peripheral edges thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: Chetan Korya, Timothy J. Sanderson
  • Patent number: 8944266
    Abstract: Implementations of the present invention relate to a floor-mounted container that includes a rigid lower container portion defining an upper opening and a rim of the container, a flange extending from the rim and configured to support the container on edges surrounding a hole in the floor, when the container is mounted in the floor, and a lid with one or more trap-doors, the lid pivotally mounted to the rigid lower container portion and configured to pivot approximately 180 degrees from a covering position to an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: DIRTT Environmental Solutions Ltd.
    Inventors: Henry Roemer, Gordon Almond, Conrad Marini, Marco Paesano
  • Publication number: 20140203013
    Abstract: An electrical enclosure for use in poured concrete construction having a peripheral wall with opposed longitudinally extending walls longer than opposed laterally extending walls and at least one physical support located substantially midpoint along the opposed longitudinally extended walls to resist deflection of the opposed longitudinal walls caused by the hydraulic pressure of concrete poured around the enclosure. The physical support can be a crossbar extending across the opening of the electrical enclosure with the ends of the crossbar fixed to the longitudinally extending walls. The physical support can also be fastening sleeves extending along at least a portion of the width of the longitudinal walls for receiving elongated fasteners which extend into the concrete form thereby resisting deflection of the opposed longitudinally extending walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: Younes Youssef, Adrian Paunescu
  • Patent number: 8701911
    Abstract: An electrical enclosure for use in poured concrete construction having a peripheral wall with opposed longitudinally extending walls longer than opposed laterally extending walls and at least one physical support located substantially midpoint along the opposed longitudinally extended walls to resist deflection of the opposed longitudinal walls caused by the hydraulic pressure of concrete poured around the enclosure. The physical support can be a crossbar extending across the opening of the electrical enclosure with the ends of the crossbar fixed to the longitudinally extending walls. The physical support can also be fastening sleeves extending along at least a portion of the width of the longitudinal walls for receiving elongated fasteners which extend into the concrete form thereby resisting deflection of the opposed longitudinally extending walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: IPEX Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Younes Youssef, Adrian Paunescu
  • Patent number: 8371465
    Abstract: A drywall extension sleeve for an electrical box includes a rectangular sleeve with upper and lower flanges. The extension box preferably has an outer dimension that mates with a drywall ring or box. The sleeve is preferably attached to a pre-wired assembly, which includes an electric cable and electrical box, drywall ring and the electrical component wired to the cable. The extension sleeve is positioned between the drywall ring or box and the electrical component. The electrical assembly is installed and drywall is then attached to the framed-in wall. An opening is provided through the drywall for the electrical component. The electrical component is then loosened and the extension sleeve and electrical component moved outwardly. Retention clips are placed in upper and lower flanges of the extension sleeve and the electrical component is tightened, drawing the extension and the component flush against the outer surface of the drywall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Denier Electric Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis J. Denier
  • Patent number: 8177086
    Abstract: A stand for an electrical box is provided to maintain an electrical box having at least one hub a predetermined distance from a concrete form prior to and during the concrete being poured. The stand has extensions with ribs thereon at different longitudinal positions from the base permitting the electrical box to be supported by the stand at different heights with respect to the concrete form to permit access to the hubs of the electrical box with electrical tubing and to accommodate concrete slabs of different thicknesses using the same height of electrical box. The electrical box and stand assembly have a locking mechanism to lock the electrical box to the stand at the selected predetermined distance from the form. The locking mechanism has hooks which engage indentations on mounting tabs of the electrical box. The mounting tabs have grooves which guide the hooks to the indentations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Ipex Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Guillaume Hugo Marquis-Martin
  • Patent number: 8052008
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention includes a cover assembly for a floor box supporting at least one receptacle mounted therein. The assembly comprises at least one cover plate, at least one lid and a lock. The cover plate for at least partially covering the floor box includes at least one lock receiving channel. The at least one lid is pivotally secured to the cover plate for movement between a closed position covering the receptacle and an open position permitting access to the receptacle. The lock retains the lid in the closed position. Also, the lock is disposed at least partially within the channel and moveable between a locking position for retaining the lid in the closed position and at least one release position wherein the lid is not retained by the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Drane, Robert K. Jolly
  • Patent number: 8022315
    Abstract: An extension tube for an electrical floor box that includes a first section and a second section. Each section has a curved wall with an interior surface and an exterior surface, a top portion, a bottom portion and first and second side edges. The bottom portion is offset radially outwardly from the top portion by a ledge and the side edges have connecting mechanisms which join the two sections together to form the extension tube. The extension tube includes a top portion and a belled bottom portion which are formed so that the top portion of one extension tube can be inserted into the bottom portion of another extension tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert K. Jolly
  • Patent number: 7677512
    Abstract: A rough-in bracket is provided consisting of a border with a central opening sized to fit one or more receptacles and one or more low voltage units. The bracket has a snap-off alignment bar to properly align the receptacle. Rearward protruding wiring flanges provides support for low voltage wires and cabling. Another embodiment has a removable via plastic nubs alignment tool snapped on and is snapped into the mounted receptacle to allow the border to be screwed into the stud. Then the alignment tool is removed. Screw in bases in the forward flange of the border provide a mount for a low voltage unit, whereby a single plastic cover can esthetically cover both the receptacle and the low voltage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: OEM Systems Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory H. Ford, Anthony L. Gable
  • Publication number: 20080236857
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for preventing intrusion of viscous poured concrete into electrical or telecom boxes using resilient members having a top surface that fills the surface opening of the box it is inserted into where the spring back of the resilient member insures a proper seal around the surface opening. An example method for preventing intrusion of poured concrete into a box comprises selecting a suitable member for insertion into the box, compressing the member, inserting it into the box, and pouring concrete around the box. The resilient member may subsequently be removed and reused in another box. In another example method, a supply of resilient members of different shapes and sizes is provided for insertion into differently sized boxes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: DDK Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: David T. KLEIN, Donald M. Klein
  • Patent number: 7111751
    Abstract: A plastic lined concrete tank includes a floor, an upright wall having a lower edge adjacent the floor, a plastic wall lining on an interior surface of the wall, and a plastic waterstop structure inhibiting penetration of water between said floor and said lower edge of the wall. The waterstop includes an anchor embedded in the floor and an upper flange which overlaps the lining. A sealed joint is provided between the upper edge of the flange and the lining. The flange and the lining are fused together to form a supporting structure at a position lower on the wall than the sealed joint, whereby outward bending of the flange away from the wall lining at said joint during shifting of the wall relative to the floor is inhibited and outward bending of the flange away from the wall lining at a location remote from said joint during shifting of the wall relative to the floor is promoted. The tank also includes a plastic floor liner and a floor liner attachment member fused to said anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: The Crom Corporation
    Inventors: James D. Copley, Clark Gunness
  • Patent number: 7038130
    Abstract: An electrical fitting for installation of electrical systems in poured concrete, includes a relatively flat body of material having an opening for receiving an electrical conduit, a number of equally spaced legs projecting from a side of the body where the legs are adapted to face a form wall opposing another form wall onto which an electrical box is mounted flush, and a tip disposed on a top of each leg. The tip of each leg is adapted to grip the form wall and provides a sturdy and solid base that holds an electrical box and a conduit in position during the pouring of concrete. The length of each spaced leg is sufficient to allow concrete to flow between the body and the form wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Inventor: Gary Sing Choy Yip, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6936765
    Abstract: An insert bridges a junction box to provide a continuous path between consecutive pipes of an electrical wiring guideway. The insert includes a generally tubular body having a first end and a second end. The insert has a length that is sized to bridge a gap across the junction box and a diameter that is sized for sliding into a pipe of the electrical wiring guideway. A first flange surrounds the generally tubular body and is spaced from the first end thereof. A second flange surrounds the generally tubular body and is spaced from the second end thereof. The flanges abut opposing inner walls of the junction box to ensure that the insert is not lost into a pipe. A slit extends along the length of the insert to allow for removal of the insert once the electrical wiring has been laid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Inventor: Jay Horner
  • Patent number: 6878877
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an adjustable electrical outlet box assembly comprising an outlet box, an electrical outlet assembly, and an adaptor. The adaptor is located between the box and the outlet assembly and is positioned at least partially within the box. The adaptor includes opposing mounting flanges and opposing outlet assembly support tabs that are displaced from the mounting flanges. The adaptor may be adjusted to different heights, relative to the outlet box, to accommodate different thicknesses for different floor or wall covering materials. Due to the offset between the adaptor mounting flanges and the outlet support tabs, the outer surfaces of the outlet assembly will lie generally in the same plane as, or slightly recessed from the plane of the mounting flanges. The resulting outlet box installation can be used with a flush mounted cover plate which protects and secures the electrical outlet assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Lew Electric Fittings Company
    Inventors: James S. Cozzi, John E. Romer
  • Patent number: 6774308
    Abstract: A system, device and method are claimed for installing electrical switches and electrical plug connectors in a wall, without the use of junction boxes. The system uses prefabricated switch assemblies and/or receptacle assemblies. These assemblies contain either a switch or a receptacle that is manufactured into a housing. On the rear of the housing are one or two protrusions. Wire connector ports are disposed within the areas defined by the protrusions. The wire connector ports are coupled to either the switch or receptacle within the housing. To install an assembly, at least one hole is drilled into a wall and a cable run through the hole. The wires from the cable are stripped and inserted into the wire connector ports within the protrusion on the rear of the assembly. The protrusion is then inserted into the hole in the wall and the assembly is mounted flush on the face of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Inventor: Steven Troyen
  • Patent number: 6740810
    Abstract: A container is provided, including a housing having a plurality of walls that define an inside and an outside of the housing; and at least one dual-sided outlet arranged on at least one of the walls, the dual sided outlet having a first electrical supply point arranged on the inside of the housing and a second electrical supply point arranged on the outside of the housing; wherein each of the first and second electrical supply points is configured to detachably couple to at least one respective electrical appliance, and each of the first and second electrical supply points is configured to provide electrical power to the at least one respective electrical appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventor: Alejandro S Regueiro
  • Patent number: 6657125
    Abstract: An electrical box for supporting sheathed electrical cables therein holds and supports electrical cables in a preferred arrangement. A cable clamp structure is used for clamping electrical cables to a surface of an electrical box. The cable clamp structure has an arched configuration and serrations on a cable contacting surface in order to more efficiently store electrical cables in an electrical box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles B. Thompson, Ioan L. Lupsa, Tomasz Bedkowski