Electrical junction and outlet box

• US 4,438,859 A
• Filed: 07/29/1983
• Issued: 03/27/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/1982
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Thomas & Betts International Incorporated (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: Commander Electrical Materials, Inc. (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Solek, Leszek
• Primary Examiner(s): Price, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): Elkins, Gary E.
• Application Number:
  US06/517,935
• Time in Patent Office: 242 Days
• Field of Search: 220/3.2-3.94, 220/62, 174/52 R, 174/53, 174/57, 174/58
• US Class Current: 220/3.2
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/081 Bases, casings or covers

Abstract

Unitary folded metal electrical wiring boxes having the strength and rigidity of drawn one-piece boxes without the need for weld points comprise a flat polygonal base with sidewalls provided with mated extended portions and indented portions at the corners. Tabs on one sidewall extension fold over the top edge of the adjacent sidewall, engaging a notch on the second sidewall to interlock the sidewalls at each corner.

Claims

1. A unitary folded metal electrical wiring box comprising:

a generally flat base portion having a polygonally shaped periphery defined by a plurality of angularly disposed straight edges;

an equal plurality of sidewall portions;

said plurality of sidewall portions comprising first and second adjacent sidewall portions, each having a first and second edge;

each of said sidewall portions disposed generally perpendicularly to said base portion and integrally joined thereto along a portion of said first edge, said first edge being a fold line coincident with a straight edge of said base portion;

said first and second sidewall portions disposed at an angle with one another to form a corner region;

said first sidewall portion providing an indented portion adjacent to said corner region, said corner region being rounded;

said indented portion being indented inwardly and extending from said first edge to said second edge of said first sidewall portion;

said second sidewall portion providing an extended portion extending from said first edge to said second edge of said second sidewall portion and being folded around the corner at said corner region to lie generally parallel to said first sidewall portion and mate with said indented portion of said first sidewall portion creating a flat surface;

said extended portion of said second sidewall portion having means engaging said first sidewall portion;

said means for engaging comprising a tab disposed on said extended portion of said second sidewall portion, said tab being folded inwardly over said second edge of said first sidewall portion gripping said first sidewall portion;

further including tab engaging means in said second edge of said first sidewall portion for receiving said tab to prevent lateral movement of said tab along said second edge;

said tab engaging means comprising a notch in said second edge of said first sidewall portion at said indented portion.