ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES AND ASSOCIATED METHODS OF USE AND MANUFACTURE

• US 20140054286A1
• Filed: 10/31/2013
• Published: 02/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CANTEX, Inc. (Mitsubishi Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Southwire Company
• Inventors: Kummer, Randy Deon
• Granted Patent: US 9,819,167 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 220/3.9
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 1/14 for joining or terminating cables
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/08 Distribution boxes; Connection or junction boxes
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/081 Bases, casings or covers
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/085 including knock-out or tear-out sections
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/086 Assembled boxes
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/12 for flush mounting
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/14 Fastening of cover or lid to box
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49194 Assembling elongated conductors, e.g., splicing, etc.

Abstract

Electrical accessories and associated methods of use and manufacture are provided. In one embodiment, an electrical accessory can be provided. The electrical accessory can include a frame including two side walls in parallel relation to each other, and two end walls in parallel relation to each other, and disposed between the two side walls. The electrical accessory can also include at least one positioning arm mounted to at least one of the end walls, wherein the at least one positioning arm comprises a support leg mounted to the at least one end wall, and a prong substantially perpendicular to the at least one positioning arm, wherein a side wall portion of an adjacent electrical accessory can be positioned between the prong and at least one side wall.

Claims

1. An electrical accessory comprising:

a frame comprising;

two side walls in parallel relation to each other; and

two end walls in parallel relation to each other, and disposed between the two side walls;

at least one positioning arm mounted to at least one of the end walls, wherein the at least one positioning arm comprises a support leg mounted to the at least one end wall, and a prong substantially perpendicular to the at least one positioning arm, wherein a side wall portion of an adjacent electrical accessory can be positioned between the prong and at least one side wall.

2. The electrical accessory of claim 1, further comprising at least one stop tab mounted to at least one side wall or one end wall, the at least one stop tab operable to contact the adjacent electrical accessory when the adjacent electrical accessory is positioned between the prong and the at least one side wall.

3. The electrical accessory of claim 1, further comprising at least one notch in at least one of the side walls to accommodate the adjacent electrical accessory when the adjacent electrical accessory is positioned between the prong and the at least one side wall.

4. The electrical accessory of claim 1, further comprising at least one side wall flap operable to fold adjacent to at least one side wall, and further operable to mount the frame to an adjacent wall or wall stud.

5. The electrical accessory of claim 4, further comprising:

a hinge operable to permit folding of the at least one side wall flap adjacent to the at least one side wall; and

at least one latch operable to maintain the at least one side wall flap in a folded position adjacent to the at least one side wall.

6. The electrical accessory of claim 1, wherein the support leg comprises:

an initial portion operable to mount to at least one of the end walls;

an angled portion which extends outward from the initial portion and the frame; and

an extension from the angled portion which overhangs an adjacent region for mounting the adjacent electrical accessory between the prong and at least one side wall.

7. An electrical accessory comprising:

a frame comprising;

two side walls in parallel relation to each other;

two end walls in parallel relation to each other, and disposed between the two side walls, wherein a frame face is defined by upper edges of the two side walls and the two end walls;

a lower wall between the two side walls and two end walls; and

at least one stud guide positioned at a junction between at least one side wall and at least one end wall, wherein the at least one stud guide is operable to maintain a predefined distance between the frame face and a face of an adjacent stud or wall and the frame during installation of the electrical accessory.

8. The electrical accessory of claim 7, further comprising a bridge along a length of at least one side wall, wherein the bridge is operable to provide added material thickness to a portion of the at least one side wall.

9. The electrical accessory of claim 8, wherein the bridge is approximately 0.040 inches tall.

10. The electrical accessory of claim 7, further comprising at least one nail guide mounted to at least one end wall, the nail guide operable to facilitate mounting the frame to at least one wall stud or wall.

11. The electrical accessory of claim 10, wherein the at least one nail guide extends from the at least one end wall and past a portion of an adjacent side wall, wherein the at least one nail guide is operable to contact a wall stud or wall during installation of the electrical accessory, wherein the at least one nail guide is further operable to maintain the approximate shape of the electrical accessory during installation.

12. The electrical accessory of claim 7, wherein the at least one nail guide comprises a plurality of guide portions including at least an upper guide portion and a lower guide portion.

13. The electrical accessory of claim 7, further comprising at least one radiused corner between at least one end wall and the lower wall.

14. A method for mounting a pair of electrical accessories comprising:

providing a frame comprising;

two side walls in parallel relation to each other;

two end walls in parallel relation to each other, and disposed between the two side walls; and

at least one positioning arm mounted to at least one of the end walls, wherein the at least one positioning arm comprises a support leg mounted to the at least one end wall, and a prong substantially perpendicular to the at least one positioning arm; and

mounting a side wall portion of an adjacent electrical accessory between the prong and at least one side wall.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the frame further comprises at least one stop tab mounted to at least one side wall or one end wall;

and the method further comprises manipulating the adjacent electrical accessory relative to the frame, wherein the at least one stop tab contacts the adjacent electrical junction box when the adjacent electrical accessory is positioned between the prong and the at least one side wall.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the frame further comprises at least one side wall flap, and the method further comprises manipulating the side wall flap adjacent to at least one side wall prior to mounting the frame to an adjacent wall or wall stud.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the frame further comprises a hinge operable to permit folding of the at least one side wall flap adjacent to the at least one side wall.