Water resistant electrical box

• US 20020134568A1
• Filed: 03/13/2002
• Published: 09/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thomas & Betts International Incorporated (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: Thomas & Betts International Incorporated (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Dinh, Cong Thanh, Drane, Mark R.
• Granted Patent: US 6,610,927 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 174/50
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/088 Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof casings or inlets
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/185 Floor outlets and access cups

Abstract

A water resistant electrical floor box includes a base, side walls, an open face defining an interior portion. The interior portion is divided into a receptacle interior and a drainage interior portion with a dividing wall. Substantially covering the open face is a cover assembly. The cover assembly includes a flange, and a cover pivotally attached thereto. The cover includes a pivotal door thereon to allow wires to exit. In addition, the box further includes a cover assembly with a channel to direct the water away from the receptacle interior portion.

Claims

1. A water resistant electrical floor box comprising:

(a) a box having an interior defined by a base, and side walls and an open, upper face defined by the side walls, said box including a dividing wall supported therein, wherein said dividing wall divides said interior into a receptacle interior portion and a drainage interior portion; and

(b) a cover assembly comprising;

(i) a flange supported on and extending around the side walls at the open upper face of said box; and

(ii) a cover pivotally attached to said flange and having sufficient expanse to substantially cover said open upper face, the cover comprising a pivotally openable door thereon to allow electrical wires therethrough and into at least said receptacle interior portion.

2. The box according to claim 1, wherein said dividing wall has an opening to allow electrical wires therethrough.

3. The box according to claim 2, wherein said box comprises a knockout in at least one of said side walls to allow an electrical wire therethrough.

4. The box according to claim 3, wherein said box has a hole in said base.

5. The box according to claim 3, wherein said box has a hole in said drainage interior portion thereof.

6. The box according to claim 5, wherein said door comprises a top wall, two depending side walls connected to said top wall, a cooperating track-like structure having a groove-like track in said depending side walls, and projections on the cover which mate to said grooves to permit the door to open and close in pivotal fashion.

28. The box according to claim 4, wherein said movable top wall comprises a handle seated into a channel of the top wall, wherein said handle is retractable within channel to lift and open the door.

29. The box according to claim 1, wherein said box is metal.

7. A water resistant electrical floor box comprising:

(a) a box having an interior defined by a base, and side walls and an open, upper face defined by the side walls, said box having a dividing wall supported therein, wherein said dividing wall divides said interior into a receptacle interior portion and a drainage interior portion; and

(b) a cover assembly comprising;

(i) a flange supported on and extending around the side walls at the open upper face of said box; and

(ii) a cover pivotally attached to said flange and having sufficient expanse to substantially cover said open upper face, the cover comprising a projecting portion into said interior portion of said box to engage an electrical wire therein, and a pivotally openable door thereon, said door being located in registry with the drainage interior portion of the box to allow electrical wires to exit said box.

8. The box according to claim 7, wherein said dividing wall has an opening to allow electrical wires therethrough.

9. The box according to claim 8, wherein said box comprises a knockout in at least one of said side walls to allow an electrical wire therethrough.

10. The box according to claim 9, wherein said box has a hole in said base.

11. The box according to claim 9, wherein said box has a hole in said drainage interior portion thereof.

12. The box according to claim 11, wherein said door comprising a top wall, two depending side walls connected to said top wall, a cooperating track-like structure having a groove-like track in said depending side walls, and projections on the cover which mate to said grooves to permit the door to open and close in pivotal fashion.

13. The box according to claim 7, wherein said projecting portion comprises a back wall and two side walls attached to said back wall, defining an inner projecting area wherein said pivotal door is adjacent to and opens to said projecting area.

14. The box according to claim 7, wherein said cover comprises a pivotal connection being located in registry with said side wall of said box of said receptacle interior portion, wherein said cover pivotally opens away from said drainage interior portion.

15. The box according to claim 14 wherein said door is positioned at a corner of said cover, and spaced from said pivot connection of said cover.

16. The box according to claim 15, wherein said dividing wall has an opening adjacent said open, upper face of said cover and remote from said door.

18. The box according to claim 17, wherein said channel is a continuous channel which extends partially around the cover assembly.

19. The box according to claim 18, wherein said dividing wall has an opening to allow electrical wires therethrough.

20. The box according to claim 19, wherein said box comprises a knockout in at least one of said side walls to allow an electrical wire therethrough.

21. The box according to claim 20, wherein said box has a hole in said base.

22. The box according to claim 20, wherein said box has a hole in said drainage interior portion thereof.

23. The box according to claim 22, wherein said door comprises a top wall, two depending side walls connected to said top wall, a cooperating track-like structure having a groove-like track in said depending side walls, and projections on the cover which mate to said grooves to permit the door to open and close in pivotal fashion.

24. The box according to claim 17, wherein said projecting portion comprises a back wall and two side walls attached to said back wall, defining an inner projecting area wherein said pivotal door is adjacent to and opens to said projecting area.

25. The box according to claim 17, wherein said cover comprises a pivotal connection being located in registry with said side wall of said box of said receptacle interior portion, wherein said cover pivotally opens away from said drainage interior portion.

26. The box according to claim 25 wherein door is positioned at a corner of said cover, and spaced from said pivot connection of said cover.

27. The box according to claim 26, wherein said dividing wall has an opening adjacent said open, upper face of said cover and remote from said door.

17. A water resistant electrical floor box comprising:

(a) a box having an interior defined by a base, and side walls and an open, upper face defined by the side walls, said box having a dividing wall supported therein, wherein said dividing wall divides said interior into a receptacle interior portion and a drainage interior portion; and

(b) a cover assembly comprising;

(i) a flange supported on and extending around the side walls at the open upper face of said box;

(ii) a cover pivotally attached to said flange and having sufficient expanse to substantially cover said open upper face, the cover comprising a projecting portion into said interior portion of said box to engage an electrical wire therein, and a pivotally openable door thereon, said door being located in registry with the drainage interior portion of the box to allow electrical wires to exit said box; and

(iii) a channel comprising extending ribs from said flange, and perimetrical grooves in said cover to accommodate said ribs, wherein said channel directs liquid away from said receptacle interior portion.