With Closure Patents (Class 220/3.8)
  • Patent number: 6350949
    Abstract: An environmentally sealed power distribution module is disclosed having a hybrid peripheral seal disposed around a power distribution panel and within an interface between a top housing and a base housing. The peripheral seal is comprised of a traditional o-ring type seal having an open segment and a gel pad type seal located within the open segment, thereby completing the peripheral seal. Plate-like power distribution bus bars are reliably sealed by the gel pad type seal as the bus bars exit the power distribution module. A sealed releasable cover is provided to access fuses and other electrical components of the power distribution module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corp
    Inventor: Kenneth Stokes Boyd
  • Patent number: 6346674
    Abstract: The present invention uses a plastic mounting device having an open front surface extending around an opening in a building wall integral with a closed electrical box extending at right angles therefrom rearward of the front surface and extending into the building wall. The mounting device has two turning screws adapted to turn flags which are inserted into the opening in a “closed” position and grab the far or inside surface of the building wall when the screws are rotated causing the flags to obtain their “open” position. An alternative embodiment incorporates a second set of flags positioned behind the first set for installatio in a wall too thick to permit engagement of the first set of flags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 6313404
    Abstract: A box structure for electric switches provided with an opening to allow assembling of the requisite parts for the switch in the body, wherein, two engaging grooves are provided respectively on the two external lateral sides of the body, the engaging grooves cooperate with engaging portions provided on engaging pieces having engaging lobes integrally connected therewith. The engaging pieces are made of material with better resiliency than that for the body. The engaging lobes have beveled surfaces that are coarse surfaces in order to make firm connection after the box structure is engaged in a switch receiving seat. The box structure is different from that of conventional box structures in the mode of assembling, a user can individually change the damaged parts by detaching and reassembling, especially the lobes and their related parts in the box structure which have the largest damage rate. In this way, money can be saved, and the requirement of the environmental protection can be satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Inventor: Tsung-Mou Yu
  • Patent number: 6310287
    Abstract: An electrical block trim assembly that has a mount, a decorative ring, and a separate electrical box is provided. The mount has a base adapted to be secured to an exterior surface of a structure. The mount also has a housing extending from the base with a top portion that has an opening. Exterior covering, or siding, is attached to the exterior surface to surround a portion of the mount. A decorative ring is secured to the mount over the siding to conceal the edges of the siding that are adjacent to the mount. The decorative ring has an inner perimeter that is adjacent to the housing. An electrical box having walls with an upper portion is securely received and retained within the opening. The electrical box is interposed between the exterior surface and the top portion. The electrical box may be constructed of a different material than the mount and decorative ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Tapco International Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Schiedegger, Aundrea Nurenberg, Clyde D. Allen, Michael C. Clark, J. Richard Logan
  • Patent number: 6307152
    Abstract: A fire-rated, poke-through floor fitting preferably for use in a three inch diameter bore within a floor. The fitting has an electrical receptacle that is sized to fit within the three inch bore. The receptacle preferably has two pairs of electrical outlets coupled to the electrical receptacle along with four voice/data jacks. The fitting provides a high number of electrical outlets and voice/data jacks, while maintaining a relatively low profile and easy accessibility. Each pair of electrical outlets can be separately connected to different power sources or each pair can be connected to the same power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Nelson Bonilla, Rajiv D. Katwala
  • Patent number: 6303863
    Abstract: An access cover assembly for use in removably covering an access opening of a utility pole, the opening having a width, a height which is longer than the width and a pair of side edges; the assembly includes a cover having edges configured for engaging the pole, being provided in a sufficient size to cover the opening, and a claw tool having a central portion and a pair of opposing ends, the central portion having a fastener chamber for lockingly engaging a threaded fastener, the fastener chamber constructed and arranged so that the fastener may be pushed axially into the chamber and held there to secure the cover to the pole to cover the opening, and so that the fastener may be removed by unthreading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Inventor: Jason J. Raasch
  • Patent number: 6279768
    Abstract: An outdoor enclosure for an electrical device includes a channel-shaped base plate, a five sided cover, and a flush-mount plate. The flush-mount plate has an opening that makes the front wall of the cover visible. The flush-mount plate allows the enclosure to be mounted flush indoors through a commercial building or a residential dwelling gypsum wall. The flush-mount plate has holes that are aligned with the threaded cylinders of the cover through which machine screws may pass to secure the cover to the flush-mount plate. The cover has no front flanges, and the bottom wall of the cover has slots, which allow the base plate to slide into the cover. The cover side flanges have holes and slots for side mounting. Additional side flanges that are bent from the top wall cover the upper parts of the side flanges of the cover, and prevent water from entering the enclosure from the top. A rear flange that is bent from the top wall prevents water from entering the top of the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony C. Mendoza, Henryk Dabrowski
  • Patent number: 6274811
    Abstract: An improved conduit box assembly for a large electric motor permits placement of busbar units and other such components at various locations therein. The conduit box has a main box in which fixed mounting bases are installed. Preferably, four L-shaped mounting bases are provided, one located in each of the respective corners. The mounting bases are configured to permit attachment of removable terminal support members on which the busbar units or other components are carried. Each terminal support member is mounted in a desired location within the main box across a pair of opposed base elements. Preferably, the support members can be placed in any one of a plurality of rotational and axial positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher A. Blalock
  • Patent number: 6265662
    Abstract: An apparatus for use with an electrical receptacle and a floor box. A first part of the apparatus defines a floor plate which is configured to fit over the floor box in an installed position. The floor plate has an inner edge surface defining an access opening for providing access to the receptacle. A second part of the apparatus defines an access door for closing the access opening. A detent structure is operative between the door and the floor plate to retain the door releaseably in the closed position. The detent structure includes an elongated spring which is mounted on one of the parts, and also includes a cam surface on the other part. A first end portion of the spring is anchored to the part on which it is mounted. A second end portion of the spring defines a cam follower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: The Lamson & Sessions Co.
    Inventors: Charles H. Riedy, Dennis P. Revlock, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6259021
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a housing, in particular for an electric appliance, having a housing part (1) with a noncircular cross section closed by a detachable housing bottom (3). The housing bottom (3) includes an outer bottom (4) and an inner bottom (5) mounted for rotation in the outer bottom (4). In a closed condition, the inner bottom (5), the housing part (1) and the outer bottom (4) are joined together in particular by positive engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Fritsch, Karl Herzog, Gerhard Kressner
  • Patent number: 6259023
    Abstract: An electrical outlet box includes channels in a female member for receiving in spaced apart relationship three conductors of an uncut electrical cable. One or more sets of three receivers mounted in a male member for electrically engaging each conductor interconnects the conductors of the cable and defines an electrical socket of a socket assembly of the electrical outlet box. A cover is attachable to the male member for covering the space between the socket assembly and the surrounding wall board aperture. Fittings are included and formed as part of the electrical outlet box to permit back to back attachment of a pair of electrical outlet boxes and for side by side mounting in a ganged manner of two or more electrical outlet boxes. Routing of the cable in slots in the studs of a wall is described along with a retainer for retaining the cable in the slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Reiker Electric, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Kenneth H. Reiker
  • Patent number: 6250489
    Abstract: A junction box for routing at least one power wire and at least one data wire through a duct system. The junction box includes a bottom wall, a side wall bounding the bottom wall, and a cover member spaced apart from the bottom wall and supported by the side wall. A first access port is disposed in the cover member and a second access port is disposed in the cover member and adjacent the first access port. A first access region receives the data wire and is disposed below the first access port. A second access region receives the power wire and is disposed below the second access port and is adjacent the first access region. The first access region is sectioned from the second access region such that the power wire is inaccessible from the first access region and the data wire is inaccessible from the second access region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc. (DE)
    Inventors: Gary L. Littrell, John C. Saxon
  • Patent number: 6232553
    Abstract: A house-wiring junction box having most conventional properties (compositions, shapes, dimensions, components, abilities) but being unconventional largely in that all side-wall cable ports may be opened both axially and radially by virtue of the box's reversible assembly from bottom and top partial boxes, the bottom partial box having the floor and lower parts of the side walls of the junction box, the top partial box having the upper parts of the side walls and the open top face of the junction box, the assembly seam intercepting all side-wall cable ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Inventor: David M Regen
  • Patent number: 6184468
    Abstract: An electrical housing assembly is shown which is adapted to be affixed behind a finished surface such as a wall or ceiling and is designed to receive an electrical device which will be exposed outwardly from the finished surface wherein the housing assembly is comprised of an electrical box which has an open side to permit an electrician to easily inspect or conduct work on the wiring contained within the housing. The electrical box includes punch-outs which permit external wiring to be inserted within the box opening. A frame-shaped flat adaptor which is designed to affix an electrical device thereto is attached to the electrical box by a hinge assembly which permits the adaptor to remain coupled to the electrical box in both a closed position and an open position. A fastener, such as a snap-on clip, secures the adaptor to the electrical box in the closed position when desired by the electrician, but is also easily detachable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Inventor: Joseph L. Speziale
  • Patent number: 6184461
    Abstract: A remote power inlet arrangement for use with a portable generator having a power outlet, for providing auxiliary power to the main electrical panel or load center of a building. The power inlet arrangement includes a power inlet which is secured inside a power inlet enclosure. An electrical cord is attached at one end to the power inlet. The electrical cord has a plug at a second end which can be engaged with the power outlet of the portable generator. The electrical cord remains connected to and is stored with the power inlet inside the power inlet enclosure when not in use. A door having a peripheral resilient seal is attached to the power inlet enclosure to provide a weathertight seal when the door is in a closed position. A securing mechanism is provided to maintain the door in its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Reliance Controls Corporation
    Inventor: David D. Flegel
  • Patent number: 6179144
    Abstract: A weatherproof enclosure 10 with a side hinged cover 36 having a screwless cover latching means 52, which is not defeated by the pressure of expanding internal gases, is disclosed. The enclosure 10 includes a rain channel 76 located immediately adjacent a front edge of the box top 28. The rain channel 76 is generally J-shaped in cross-section and extends across the front of the box 14 and slightly beyond the two side walls 18 and 22 of the box 14 such that any liquid being received within the rain channel 76 will be directed over the side walls 18 and 22 of the box 14. The rain channel 76 cooperates with a downwardly extending flange 40 along the front edge of the box top 28 and an inwardly extending flange 60 along the top of the side hinged cover 36 to prevent the ingress of liquid at the top of the cover 36. Inwardly facing flanges 68 and 72 along the sides of the hinged cover 36 overlap the side walls 18 and 22 of the box 14 to prevent the ingress of liquid along each side of the cover 36.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Hamid S. Abroy, William K. Chambers, Norman M. Newsome, Gary H. Dodier
  • Patent number: 6177631
    Abstract: The figures show module carriers with one straight and one angled sheet metal cover (1, 2) which form an angle connection for a housing. Hooks (3) are bent out from the straight sheet metal lamina (1) on the inner side in order therein to receive a limb (4) of the angled sheet metal lamina (2). Elastic contact springs are formed on the hooks in order to produce a predetermined contact force on the inserted limb. The thickness of the sheet metal lamina and the dimensions of the contact springs and the hooks are matched to one another in such a manner that the hooks can be accommodated within a distance 1<16 mm from an edge (5) of the straight sheet metal lamina (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: ELMA Electronics AG
    Inventor: Walter A. Schindler