Pop-up service fitting

• US 5,023,396 A
• Filed: 03/10/1989
• Issued: 06/11/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Square D Company (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Square D Company (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Chapman, Donald L., Bartee, Edward C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TONE, DAVID
• Application Number:
  US07/321,927
• Time in Patent Office: 823 Days
• Field of Search: 174/48, 174/57, 220/3.7, 439/131, 439/925, 52/221
• US Class Current: 174/486
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/185 Floor outlets and access cups

Abstract

An electrical service fitting apparatus includes a base frame having a frame opening defined therethrough. An extensible service fitting is disposed through the frame opening and movable relative to the base frame between a retracted position and an extended position. The base frame has a plurality of grooves defined therein which open into the frame opening. The service fitting has a plurality of elongated ribs defined thereon which are received in the grooves so that the ribs may slide in the grooves to guide the service fitting as it moves between its retracted and extended position. A pair of coiled tape springs are connected between the base frame and the service fitting to bias the service fitting toward its extended position. Two sliding latches are provided to lock the service fitting in its retracted position. A top plate of the service fitting has access openings defined therein through which attachment devices can be accessed so as to mount the apparatus on a duct placed in a concrete floor.

Claims

1. An electrical service fitting apparatus, comprising:

a base frame having a generally rectangular frame opening defined therethrough;

an extensible service fitting disposed through said frame opening and movable relative to said frame between a retracted position and an extended position;

said base frame having a plurality of grooves defined therein, said grooves opening into and communicating with said frame opening;

said service fitting having a plurality of elongated ribs defined thereon, said ribs being received in said grooves so that said ribs may slide in said grooves to guide said service fitting as it moves between said retracted and extended positions, at least one groove and associated rib being located on each end of two opposite sides of said frame opening; and

spring biasing means for biasing said service fitting toward said extended position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

at least one of said ribs has an outwardly extending lip defined on a lower portion thereof for abutting said base frame and defining said extended position of said service fitting relative to said base frame.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein:

said one rib having said lip defined thereon is laterally resilient so that said lip can initially pass through the groove associated with said one rib to permit said service fitting to be assembled with said base frame.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said spring biasing means includes two spring members, one of said spring members located at each end of said two opposite sides of said frame opening.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein:

at least two spaced grooves and associated ribs are located on each of said two opposite sides of said frame opening and one of said spring members being located between each said two spaced grooves and associated ribs on each side of said frame opening.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein:

each of said two spring biasing means is a coiled tape spring.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising:

two latch means for latching said service fitting in its said retracted position, one of said latch means being located adjacent each of said two opposite sides of said frame opening.

8. An electrical service fitting apparatus comprising:

a base frame having a frame opening defined therethrough;

an extensible service fitting disposed through said frame opening and movable relative to said base frame between a retracted position and an extended position; and

first and second spring means, located at opposing positions adjacent said frame opening and connected between said base frame and said service fitting, for biasing said service fitting toward its said extended position.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein:

each of said first and second spring means is a coiled tape spring means.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein:

each of said coiled tape spring means has a coil mounted on said service fitting and a free end attached to said base frame.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein:

said frame opening is generally rectangular in shape; and

said first and second coiled tape spring means are located adjacent first and second opposite sides of said frame opening.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein:

each of said first and second coiled tape spring means are located substantially on a center line of said service fitting, said center line spanning said first and second opposite sides of said frame opening.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:

first and second latch means for latching said service fitting in its said retracted position, said first and second latch means being located adjacent said first and second opposite sides respectively, of said frame opening and being substantially centered on said center line.

14. An electrical service fitting apparatus to use with a duct to be placed in a floor, comprising:

a base frame having a frame opening defined therethrough and having an uppermost surface and a recessed upward facing surface, said recessed surface being adjacent said frame opening and extending laterally beyond said frame opening to an outer perimeter of said recessed surface;

a plurality of attachment means for attaching said base frame to said cut, said attachment means being located within said outer perimeter of said recessed surface; and

an extensible service fitting movable relative to said base frame between a retracted position and an extended position, said service fitting having a vertically oriented portion received through said frame opening and having an upper plate attached to said vertically oriented portion and dimensioned to fit closely within said outer perimeter of said recessed surface and o fit flush with said uppermost surface when said service fitting is in said retracted position, said upper plate having a plurality of access openings defined therein through which said plurality of attachment means can be accessed so that said apparatus can be mounted on said duct.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein:

said upper plate of said extensible service fitting has a lateral recess defined therein and has a laterally outwardly extending lip located below said lateral recess; and

said base frame includes a latch means, adapted to engage said laterally outwardly extending lip, for latching said service fitting in its said retracted position.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:

spring biasing means, operably associated with said base frame and said service fitting, for resiliently biasing said service fitting toward its said extended position.