Universal junction box

• US 20050217887A1
• Filed: 05/27/2005
• Published: 10/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Frank P. Rose
• Original Assignee: Frank P. Rose
• Inventors: Rose, Frank P.
• Granted Patent: US 7,019,211 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 174/58
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/08 Distribution boxes; Connection or junction boxes
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/083 Inlets
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/086 Assembled boxes
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/12 for flush mounting
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/126 with supporting means for mounting on a single wall stud
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/906 Electrical outlet box support

Abstract

A universal junction box, which includes multiple methods for securing cables, various kinds of wires and conduits and multiple methods for securing the box within a wall cavity. The front side of the box which can be positioned flush with the installed wall covering includes fittings for attaching a wall plate, switches, plugs, connectors, and electrical/electronic devices to the box. The junction box allows the addition of an extension to the rear of the junction box for a between-wall design for the installation and attachment of similar devices on an opposing wall surface through the same junction box. The junction box also engages extensions to the side of the junction box allowing two or more ganged box configurations, which share the multiple methods for securing the junction box within a wall cavity.

Claims

1. A universal junction box comprising:

(a) a continuous peripheral wall with an internal side and an external side, and defining at least one planar facet;

(b) an alignment tab extending from the external side of the peripheral wall adjacent the planar facet, such that the alignment tab is coplanar with the planar facet; and

(c) a frangible seam interconnecting the alignment tab and the peripheral wall.

2. The universal junction box of claim 1, wherein the alignment tab includes a mounting tab.

3. The universal junction box of claim 1, wherein the alignment tab includes a frangible tip.

4. The universal junction box of claim 1, wherein the alignment tab includes a spring bias.

5. The universal junction box of claim 1, further comprising an integral fastening lug on the internal side, the fastening lug defining a fastener-engaging cavity, and the internal fastening lug defining at least two attachment openings, wherein the attachment openings are non-collinear.

6. The universal junction box of claim 5, wherein the fastening lug includes an anchor slot adjacent to the internal side of the peripheral wall, the anchor slot further comprising a string engager.

7. The universal junction box of claim 1, further comprising an integral fastening lug forming a fitting for attaching a front faceplate.

8. The universal junction box of claim 1, wherein the peripheral wall further defines at least one slanted oblique engaging cavity within the internal side of the peripheral wall.

9. The universal junction box of claim 1, further comprising a conduit attachment comprising:

(a) an opening in the peripheral wall, the opening surrounded by an edge; and

(b) a recess adjacent the edge.

10. A universal junction box comprising:

(a) a continuous peripheral wall with an internal side and an external side, and defining at least one planar facet;

(b) a locking tab extending from the peripheral wall; and

(c) an integral fastener for attaching a side extension, the side extension comprising;

(i) a second continuous peripheral wall with an internal side and an external side, and defining at least one planar facet; and

(ii) a second integral fastening lug extending from the second peripheral wall.

11. The universal junction box of claim 10, wherein the second peripheral wall defines at least one slanted oblique engaging cavity.

12. The universal junction box of claim 10, further comprising a side planar facet defining a side opening.

13. The universal junction box of claim 10, further comprising:

(a) wallboard attachment means including at least one slot in the external side and a channel.

14. The universal junction box of claim 10, further comprising:

(a) an integral fastening lug extending from the peripheral wall, the lug comprising a first fitting for attaching a rear extension, the rear extension comprising;

(i) a rear continuous peripheral wall with an internal side and an external side, and defining at least one planar facet; and

(ii) a second integral fastening lug extending from the rear peripheral wall.

15. The universal junction box of claim 10, further comprising:

(a) mounting aperture means including at least one parallel channel in the facet, the channel terminating at an ending aperture.

16. The universal junction box of claim 10, further comprising conduit attachment means including:

(a) an opening in the peripheral wall, the opening having an edge surrounding at least a portion of the opening; and

(b) a recess adjacent the edge.

17. A universal junction box comprising:

(a) a continuous peripheral wall with an internal side and an external side, and at least one planar facet of the peripheral wall further defining a side opening;

(b) an alignment tab extending from the external side of the peripheral wall adjacent the facet;

(c) a frangible seam between the alignment tab and the peripheral wall;

(d) an integral fastening lug, the fastening lug defining a cylindrical fastener-engaging cavity within the peripheral wall, extending from the peripheral wall and including an anchor slot, pair of attachment openings, and a fitting sized to attach a rear extension;

(e) a mounting aperture means comprising at least one parallel channel in the planar facet, the channel terminating at an ending aperture; and

(f) a wallboard attachment means comprising at least one slot in the external side and a channel.

18. The universal junction box of claim 17, further comprising:

(a) a continuous second peripheral wall with an internal side and an external side, the peripheral wall defining one or more slanted oblique engaging cavities.

19. The universal junction box of claim 17, further including cable securing means comprising:

(a) a slanted oblique cavity in the internal side;

(b) a spring extending from the peripheral wall; and

(c) a conduit attachment means defining an opening in the peripheral wall having an edge at least partially surrounding the opening and a recess adjacent the edge.

20. The universal junction box of claim 17, the peripheral wall further defining at least one slanted oblique engaging cavity in the peripheral wall, and at least three collinear openings in the peripheral wall, and comprising a conduit attachment means defining an opening in the peripheral wall having an edge surrounding the opening and a recess adjacent the edge.