Adjustable outlet box assembly and method of application

• US 5,012,043 A
• Filed: 02/21/1989
• Issued: 04/30/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael R. Seymour
• Original Assignee: Michael R. Seymour
• Inventors: Seymour, Michael R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TONE, DAVID
• Application Number:
  US07/312,716
• Time in Patent Office: 798 Days
• Field of Search: 174/57, 220/3.7, 220/3.92, 220/3.94, 220/3.4, 324/133, 411/999
• US Class Current: 174/57
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/18 providing line outlets

Abstract

This invention relates to an adjustable outlet box assembly and method of application including an outlet box assembly with a box cover assembly mounted thereon and having a laterally extended receptacle box member to which is attached a variable depth ring assembly. The variable depth ring assembly includes a variable ring member having a keeper plate assembly mounted thereon to enclose adjustment bolt members which are engagable with the receptacle box member and operable to be rotated to provide adjusted movement of the variable ring member relative to the receptacle box member. An adjustable outlet box assembly is provided having a stud anchor plate assembly connectable to a support member and having a variable depth ring assembly connected thereto. A further embodiment utilizes the variable ring member having a groove portion about an outer periphery to receive a fire resistant caulking material therein. The method invention includes connecting an electrical receptacle member to a power supply cable and checking the system prior to installation of the sheetrock or paneling material. The method further provides for covering the electrical receptacle assemblies to prevent contamination and provides for the removal of the subject protective cover members and the adjustment of the variable ring members to place an outer surface thereof in a proper relationship to the installed sheetrock or paneling material.

Claims

1. An adjustable outlet box assembly secured to a support member adapted to receive a cover panel material secured to the support member and abutting said adjustable outlet box assembly, comprising:

(a) an outlet box assembly secured to the support member;

(b) a box cover assembly connected to said outlet box assembly having a receptacle box member extended outwardly toward the to be installed cover panel material; and

(c) a variable depth ring assembly having a variable ring member telescopingly mounted about said receptacle box member, a keeper plate assembly positioned adjacent said variable ring member, and a plate anchor assembly to anchor said keeper plate assembly against the variable ring member and adjustable connector means mounted between said keeper plate assembly and said variable ring member and engagable with said receptacle box member;

whereby said adjustable connector means is operable to move said variable ring member relative to said receptacle box member to place an outer surface of said variable ring member in a predetermined adjacent position relative to the cover panel member to be installed.

2. An adjustable outlet box assembly as described in claim 1, wherein:

(a) said keeper plate assembly having a pair of keeper plate members secured respectively to upper and lower outer portions of said variable ring member.

3. An adjustable outlet box assembly as described in claim 2, wherein:

(a) each of said keeper plate members having a threaded opening therein to receive a receptacle member to be attached thereto, a pair of spaced plate anchor holes with plate anchor screw to secure said keeper plate member to said variable ring member, and a pair of adjustment bolt openings therein to receive and engage said adjustable connector means held therein for positive movement outwardly of said variable ring member.

4. An adjustable outlet box assembly as described in claim 1, wherein:

(a) said adjustable connector means including an adjustment bolt member operable on rotation in one direction to positively engage said variable ring member and move same in a direction toward said receptacle box member.

5. An adjustable outlet box assembly as described in claim 4, wherein:

(a) said adjustment bolt member operable on rotation in a direction opposite said one direction to contact respective one of said keeper plate members to move said variable ring member in a direction outwardly from said receptacle box member.

6. An adjustable outlet box assembly as described in claim 1, including:

(a) a receptacle member connected to a power supply member and mounted to said keeper plate assembly; and

(b) a protective cover member mounted about said receptacle member and abutting said variable ring member in a sealed engagement to prevent dust and debris from entering thereto.

7. An adjustable outlet box assembly as described in claim 6, wherein:

(a) said protective cover member having an outer periphery size equal to or less than a size of an outer periphery of said variable ring member;

whereby the size relationship of said protective cover member relative to said variable ring member allows for the cover panel material to be installed about said variable ring member without any interference therewith.

8. An adjustable outlet box assembly as described in claim 7, wherein:

(a) after installation of the cover panel material, said protective cover member can be removed and said adjustable connector means can be operated to move said variable ring member inwardly or outwardly to place an outer surface thereof in a desired adjusted position relative to a parallel outer surface of the installed cover panel material.

9. An adjustable outlet box assembly as described in claim 1, wherein:

(a) said keeper plate assembly being a clip-on keeper plate assembly having a main clip body to be clamped about a portion of said variable ring member and operable to secure and hold said adjustable connector means thereto; and

(b) said adjustable connector means having an adjustment bolt member threadably connected to said receptacle box member for rotational movement to adjust the position of said variable ring member relative to said receptacle box member.

10. An adjustable outlet box assembly as described in claim 1, wherein:

(a) said keeper plate assembly being a ring clip plate member which is attachable to said receptacle box member and having an anchor ear section to which variable ring member is connected by said adjustable connector means.

11. An adjustable outlet box assembly as described in claim 10, wherein:

(a) said ring clip plate member having clip sections operable to connect to a portion of said receptacle box member.

12. An adjustable outlet box assembly as described in claim 1, wherein:

(a) said variable ring member having a groove portion about an outer forward periphery thereof;

whereby said groove portion is adapted to receive a fireproof caulking material therein to seal against an adjacent portion of the cover panel material to form a fire control seal therebetween.

13. An adjustable outlet box assembly secured to a support member operable to receive a cover panel material mounted about said adjustable outlet box assembly, comprising:

(a) a stud anchor plate assembly secured to the support member;

(b) a variable depth ring assembly having a variable ring member connected to said stud anchor plate assembly by an adjustable connector means to position an outer surface thereof in a parallel adjacent, adjusted position relative to an outer surface of the cover panel material when installed.

14. An adjustable outlet box assembly as described in claim 13, wherein:

(a) said stud anchor plate assembly having an anchor body member provided with a threaded opening thereof to receive an adjustment bolt member connected to said variable depth ring assembly to provide for the adjustable movement thereof on rotation of said adjustment bolt member.

15. An adjustable outlet box assembly as described in claim 13, wherein:

(a) said variable depth ring member having a groove portion about an outer forward periphery area adapted to receive a caulking material thereon to provide a seal between said variable ring member and the cover panel material.

16. An adjustable outlet box assembly as described in claim 13, including:

(a) an electrical receptacle member mounted against said variable ring member and connected to an electrical cable to supply electrical power thereto;

(b) an electrical test cover assembly releasably connected to said electrical receptacle member; and

(c) said electrical test cover assembly having a power test assembly which is engagable with said receptacle member and having an external visual signal member to indicate when an electrical power supply is presently available in said electrical receptacle member;

whereby said electrical receptacle member can be connected to the electrical cable and checked through said visual signal member when receiving electrical power thereto and said electrical test cover assembly can remain on said variable ring member during application of the cover panel material thereabout to prevent dirt and debris from entering said variable ring member and cause contamination and possible electrical failure of the electrical receptacle member.

17. An adjustable outlet box assembly as described in claim 16, wherein:

(a) said electrical test cover assembly having an outer periphery equal to or slightly less than the outer periphery of said variable ring member whereby dirt and debris cannot gain access to the interior of said variable ring member to cause electrical failure therein.

18. An adjustable outlet box assembly as described in claim 13, wherein:

(a) said variable depth ring assembly includes a non-conductive electrical conduit box having an indent section at each corner thereof and said adjustable connector means is attached to said stud anchor plate assembly outside of the interior of said variable ring member to prevent electrical shorting with said adjustable connector means thus providing a fire safety feature.

19. An adjustable outlet box assembly as described in claim 13, including:

(a) a temporary plate cover assembly having a cover plate member releasably connected to said variable ring member to enclose an electrical outlet switch member and hold a switch portion thereof in the on or off condition to provide a safety feature and prevent dirt and debris from entering said variable ring member.

20. An adjustable outlet box assembly secured to a support member adapted to receive a cover panel material secured to the support member and abutting said adjustable outlet box assembly, comprising:

(a) an outlet box assembly secured to the support member;

(b) a box cover assembly connected to said outlet box assembly having a receptacle box member extended outwardly toward the cover panel material;

(c) a variable depth ring assembly adjustably connected to said receptacle box member for lateral movement relative thereto;

(d) said variable depth ring assembly having a variable ring member with a keeper ring assembly connected thereto;

(e) said keeper ring assembly having at least one keeper ring member having a ring body member with a bolt opening provided therein;

(f) said keeper ring member mounted within a respective adjustment opening in said variable ring member and engagable with opposite sides of said variable ring member about said adjustment opening; and

(g) an adjustable bolt member mounted through said bolt opening in said keeper ring member and engagable with a threaded opening in said box cover assembly operable to move said variable depth ring assembly on rotation of said adjustable bolt member to position an outer surface of said variable depth ring assembly to a desired plane relative to the cover panel material when installed.

21. An adjustable outlet box assembly as described in claim 20, wherein:

(a) said keeper ring member having a ring groove section engaged with said adjustable bolt member to restrict axial movement in either direction without conjoint movement of said keeper ring member and said variable ring member;

whereby rotation of said adjustable bolt member engages said ring groove section and operable to achieve movement of said variable depth ring assembly relative to said box cover assembly.

22. An adjustable outlet box assembly secured to a support member adapted to receive a cover panel material secured to the support member and abutting said adjustable outlet box assembly, comprising:

(a) an outlet box assembly secured to a support member;

(b) a box cover assembly connected to said outlet box assembly having a receptacle box member extended outwardly toward the cover panel material;

(c) a variable depth ring member having a variable ring member telescopingly mounted about said box member; and

(d) a power circuit test lamp assembly mounted within said variable ring assembly and connected to a power inlet cord having a test lamp member thereon;

whereby energization of the power inlet cord acts to illuminate said test lamp member to indicate the presence of a power supply thereto.

23. An adjustable outlet box assembly as described in claim 22, wherein:

(a) said power circuit test lamp assembly includes a test lamp member within a main housing having a cord anchor assembly mounted therein; and

(b) said cord anchor assembly includes connector prongs to engage the power inlet cord, a connector block positioned above said connector prongs, and an actuator button engagable with said connector block to electrically connect said connector prongs to the power inlet cord to provide an electrical circuit to the test light assembly to indicate when electrical power is present;

whereby said test lamp member is operable to be attached to an electrical circuit prior to installation of the cover panel material and especially desirable to check out three-way light fixture systems.

24. A method of installing and testing electrical circuits in a building construction system prior to installation of a cover panel material over a wall and ceiling support assembly thereto, comprising the steps of:

(a) connecting an outlet box assembly to a support member;

(b) securing a box cover assembly to said outlet box assembly having a receptacle box member projected toward a plane to be occupied by the cover panel material;

(c) connecting a variable depth ring assembly to said cover box assembly having a variable ring member which can be adjustably movable relative to said receptacle box member;

(d) mounting an electrical power supply through said electrical box member, said box cover assembly, and into the interior of said variable depth ring assembly;

(e) connecting the electrical power supply to an electrical receptacle member mounted against said variable depth ring assembly;

(f) testing the electrical circuit to see whether power supply is available to said electrical receptacle member; and

(g) covering said electrical receptacle member with a protective cover member mounted against and about said variable depth ring member to provide a seal therewith to prevent contact with the electrical power supply and said electrical receptacle member;

whereby the cover panel material can then be secured against the support member and about the variable ring member without hinderance thereto to complete the next step of construction.

25. A method of the construction process as described in claim 24, wherein:

(a) removing said protective cover member from said electrical receptacle member;

(b) adjusting the position of said variable ring member relative to the installed cover panel material to place on outer portion thereof in an adjacent parallel plane with the cover panel material to meet fire safety codes; and

(c) after adjusting said variable ring member, placing a receptacle cover member on said electrical receptacle member to present a completed electrical receptacle installation.

26. A method of the construction process as described in claim 24, including:

(a) mounting an electrical test cover assembly on said variable ring member having a visual signal member thereon; and

(b) observing said visual signal member to ascertain whether an electrical power supply is available to said electrical receptacle member.

27. A method of the construction process as described in claim 24, including:

(a) securing a power circuit test lamp assembly to the power inlet cord being readily attachable thereto with said power circuit test lamp assembly having a visual signal thereon; and

(b) observing said visual signal assembly to ascertain whether electrical power is supplied thereto;

whereby said power circuit test assembly is operable to be readily attached and detached from a power inlet cord member and to provide a visual signal of electrical power being supplied and especially usable when testing three-way lamp fixtures for correct electrical wiring problems prior to installation of the cover panel material.

28. An adjustable outlet box assembly secured to a support member adapted to receive a cover panel material secured to the support member and abutting said adjustable outlet box assembly, comprising:

(a) an outlet box assembly secured to the support member;

(b) a box cover assembly connected to said outlet box assembly having a receptacle box member extended outwardly toward the to be installed cover panel material; and

(c) a variable depth ring assembly having a variable ring member telescopingly mounted about said receptacle box member, a keeper plate assembly connected to said variable ring member, and adjustable connector means mounted between said keeper plate assembly and said variable ring member and engagable with said receptacle box member;

whereby said adjustable connector means is operable to move said variable ring member relative to said receptacle box member to place an outer surface of said variable ring member in a predetermined adjacent position relative to the cover panel member to be installed.

29. A method of installing and testing electrical circuits in a building construction system prior to installation of a cover panel material over a wall and ceiling support assembly thereto, comprising the steps of:

(a) connecting an outlet box assembly to a support member;

(b) securing a box cover assembly to said outlet box assembly having a receptacle box member projected toward a plane to be occupied by the cover panel material;

(c) connecting a variable depth ring assembly to said cover box assembly having a variable ring member telescopingly mounted about said receptacle box member which can be adjustably movable relative to said receptacle box member;

(d) mounting an electrical power supply through said electrical box cover assembly, and into the interior of said variable depth ring assembly;

(e) connecting the electrical power supply to an electrical receptacle member mounted against said variable depth ring assembly;

(f) testing the electrical circuit to see whether power supply is available to said electrical receptacle member; and

(g) covering said electrical receptacle member with a protective cover member mounted against and about said variable depth ring member to provide a seal therewith to prevent contact with the electrical power supply and said electrical receptacle member;

whereby the cover panel material can then be secured against the support member and about the variable depth ring member without hinderance thereto to complete the next step of construction.

30. A method of the construction process as described in claim 29, wherein:

(a) removing said protective cover member from said electrical receptacle member to reveal said variable ring member; and

(b) adjusting the position of said variable ring member relative to said receptacle box member to place an outer surface in an adjacent plane with the cover panel material to meet fire safety codes.

31. A method of the construction process as described in claim 29, wherein:

(a) mounting an electrical test cover assembly on said variable ring member having a visual signal member being operably connected to said electrical receptacle member; and

(b) observing said visual signal member to ascertain whether said electrical receptacle member is electrically energized.

32. A method of the construction process as described in claim 31, wherein:

(a) securing a power current test lamp assembly having a visual signal assembly thereon to a power inlet cord; and

(b) observing said visual signal assembly to ascertain whether electrical power is supplied thereto.

33. A method of the construction process as described in claim 32, wherein:

(a) securing a plurality of electrical test cover assemblies and said power circuit test assemblies to respective ones of said variable ring assemblies and electrically connected to said electrical receptacle members; and

(b) observing said visual signal assemblies and visual signal members during an electrical inspection prior to installation of the cover panel material to ascertain whether proper electrical installation has been achieved.