KNOCKOUT BOX FOR AN ELECTRICAL SWITCH AND RECEPTACLE

• US 3,633,782 A
• Filed: 03/16/1970
• Issued: 01/11/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alvin R. Bellinger
• Original Assignee: Alvin R. Bellinger
• Inventors: Bellinger, Alvin R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wood, Jr., M. Henson
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mar, Michael Y.
• Application Number:
  US05/019,856
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• Field of Search: 220/3.2,3.3,3.4,3.5,3.6
• US Class Current: 220/3.5
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/123 in thin walls

Abstract

An outlet box is provided for mounting on a wall in the space between the usual spaced apart panels defining the wall structure. The outlet box has spaced apart pressure structures which, after insertion of the box through an opening in one of the panels into the space between the panels, are spread apart to make pressure engagement with the interior wall surfaces and firmly mount the outlet box in place.

Claims

1. An outlet box for mounting in a wall comprising spaced apart panels defining a space therebetween and with an opening in one of the panels, said outlet box comprising an open-faced casing having a backwall structure and a sidewall structure, first pressure structure positioned behind the backwall structure and spaced therefrom and adapted for only frictional surface to surface contact with the inner surface of one of the panels, means connecting said first pressure structure to the casing, second pressure structure positioned exteriorly of the casing sidewall structure adjacent to the open face of the casing and adapted for only frictional surface to surface contact with the inner surface of the other of the panels, means connecting said second pressure structure to the casing, one of the means connecting the first and second pressure structures to the casing being adjustable to permit exclusively relative spreading apart of the first and second pressure structures for pressure contact of the first and second pressure structures with the interior surfaces of the spaced apart panels of a wall after insertion of the casing and first and second pressure structures through said opening in one of the wall panels.

2. An outlet box as defined in claim 1, further characterized in that the means connecting said first pressure structure to the casing is adjustable, said first pressure structure comprising a pressure plate, a threaded shank extending from said pressure plate, a threaded opening in the backwall structure of the casing threadedly receiving said threaded shank, a portion of said threaded shank extending into the interior of the casing for manual manipulation.

3. An outlet box as defined in claim 2, further characterized in that said second pressure structure comprises a pair of angle clamps, two oppositely disposed sidewall portions of the sidewall structure of the casing each having a slot therein adjacent the Open face of the casing, said clamps each having one wall extending through one of the slots in a plane parallel to the plane of the wall panels for pressure engagement with the adjacent wall panels, and each of the clamps having a second wall at substantially right angles to the first wall for engagement with the adjacent casing sidewall portion.

4. An outlet box as defined in claim 3, and further characterized in that each of the clamps has a slot extending inwardly from each side thereof at the juncture of the two clamp walls, the slots in the casing sidewall portions each having a first elongated portion adjacent the open face of the casing to receive the first wall of the clamp and a second shorter portion immediately adjacent thereto and spaced rearwardly of the open facing of the clamp defining oppositely disposed lips over which the slotted portions of the clamps are received after insertion of said first clamp wall through the first elongated slot portion.

5. An outlet box as defined in claim 2, and further characterized in the provision of a detachable shim securable to the pressure plate to increase the thickness thereof.

6. An outlet box as defined in claim 3, and further characterized in the provision of outwardly extending apertured tabs extending from the edges of the open face of the casing for reception of screws to mount a receptacle in the casing, said first walls of said clamps being in alignment with said tabs and having openings therein for passage of the screws without engagement therewith.

7. An outlet box as defined in claim 1, further characterized in that the means connecting said first pressure structure is adjustable.

8. An outlet box as defined in claim 7, further characterized in that said first pressure structure comprises a pressure part having a threaded shank extending from said pressure part, and a threaded opening in the backwall structure of the casing threadingly receiving said threaded shank.

9. An outlet box as defined in claim 1, further characterized in that the said second pressure structure comprises a pair of angle clamps, two oppositely disposed sidewall portions of the sidewall structure of the casing each having a slot therein adjacent the open face of the casing, said clamps each having one wall extending through one of the slots in a plane parallel to the plane of the wall panels for pressure engagement with the adjacent wall panel, and each of the clamps having a second wall for engagement with the adjacent casing sidewall portion.

10. An outlet box as defined in claim 9, and further characterized in the provision of outwardly extending apertured tabs extending from the edges of the open face of the casing for reception of screws to mount a receptacle in the casing, said first walls of said clamps being in alignment with said tabs and having openings therein for passage of the screws without engagement therewith.