WIDE SAFETY STRAP FOR ELECTRICAL FIXTURES

• US 20100163267A1
• Filed: 11/02/2009
• Published: 07/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brent L. Kidman
• Original Assignee: Brent L. Kidman
• Inventors: Kidman, Brent L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,029,301 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 174/51
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/447 Shutter or cover plate
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/506 assembled by snap action of the parts
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/081 Bases, casings or covers
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/14 Fastening of cover or lid to box

Abstract

An electrical fixture having a front side and a back side and defining longitudinal, lateral, and transverse directions substantially orthogonal to one another. The electrical fixture may include a body, a flange, and at least one anchor. The body may have at least one terminal extending laterally to the exterior thereof. The flange may extend laterally and longitudinally from the body to substantially preclude transverse access to the terminal from the front side of the electrical fixture. The at least one anchor may transversely extend from the flange to provide securement with a connection box.

Claims

1. An assembly defining longitudinal, lateral, and transverse directions substantially orthogonal to one another, the assembly comprising:

a connection box;

a face plate having a plurality of engagement prongs extending therefrom, the face plate comprising an electrical conductor; and

an electrical fixture having an exterior and comprising

a body having at least one terminal extending to the exterior of the electrical fixture,

a flange extending in the longitudinal and lateral directions from the body and having a dividing plane extending in the longitudinal and transverse directions, the dividing plane dividing the flange into two portions,

the flange further comprising a plurality of engagement apertures, each receiving an engagement prong of the plurality of engagement prongs, at least one engagement aperture of the plurality of engagement apertures extending in the transverse direction through the flange within each of the two portions at a location spaced from the dividing plane, each engagement aperture of the plurality of engagement apertures comprising a rectangular perimeter,

the flange having a dimension in the lateral direction supporting installation of the electrical fixture in both single gang and multi-gang connection boxes, and

at least one anchor transversely extending from the flange and directly engaging the connection box.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the two portions are substantially minor images of one another.

3. The assembly of claim 1, herein the anchor comprises a threaded fastener passing through the flange.

4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the plurality of engagement apertures comprises four engagement apertures.

5. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the flange is formed as a continuous, homogeneous unit.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the flange is formed of a dielectric material.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein:

the body further comprises a front portion corresponding to a front surface and a back portion corresponding to a back surface; and

the back portion comprises the at least one terminal.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the flange is formed as a monolithic extension of the front portion.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the face plate comprises four engagement prongs, each comprising a plurality of extensions and engaging an engagement aperture of the plurality of engagement apertures.

10. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a grounding clip engaging the flange and extending from the flange to contact the electrical conductor.

11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of engagement apertures comprises four engagement apertures.

12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the flange is formed as a continuous, homogeneous unit.

13. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the flange is formed of a dielectric material.

14. The assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the body further comprises a front portion corresponding to a front side and a back portion corresponding to a back side;

the back portion comprises the at least one terminal; and

the flange is formed as a monolithic extension of the front portion.

15. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the face plate comprises four engagement prongs, each comprising a plurality of extensions and engaging an engagement aperture of the plurality of engagement apertures.

16. An electrical fixture defining longitudinal, lateral, and transverse directions substantially orthogonal to one another, the electrical fixture comprising:

a face plate comprising an electrical conductor;

a body having at least one terminal;

a flange extending in the longitudinal and lateral directions from the body and having a dividing plane extending in the longitudinal and transverse directions, the dividing plane dividing the flange into two portions;

the flange further comprising a plurality of engagement apertures positioned and sized to engage the face plate, at least one engagement aperture thereof extending in the transverse direction through the flange within each of the two portions at a location spaced from the dividing plane, each engagement aperture of the plurality of engagement apertures comprising a rectangular perimeter;

the flange having a dimension in the lateral direction supporting installation of the electrical fixture in both single gang and multi-gang connection boxes;

a grounding clip engaging the flange and extending from the flange to contact the electrical conductor; and

at least one anchor transversely extending from the flange to directly engage a connection box.