Recessed electric outlet assembly with cover plate

• US 5,257,946 A
• Filed: 01/06/1993
• Issued: 11/02/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donald A. Macmillan, Richard J. Shields
• Original Assignee: Donald A. Macmillan, Richard J. Shields
• Inventors: Shields, Richard J., MacMillan, Donald A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Paumen, Gary F.
• Application Number:
  US08/001,569
• Time in Patent Office: 300 Days
• Field of Search: 220/3.4, 220/3.5, 220/3.7, 220/3.92, 220/3.94, 174/53, 174/67, 439/535-537, 439/538, 439/539
• US Class Current: 439/535
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/76 with sockets, clips or analogous contacts and secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. to a wall
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/14 Fastening of cover or lid to box

Abstract

A recessed electric outlet assembly with cover plate is provided for a wall having a sheet rock panel and wall studs, and consists of an outlet box placed through an aperture in the sheet rock panel, which is secured to one side of one of the wall studs. An electric outlet is electrically connected to wiring from within the wall and is mounted to the outlet box, so that the electric outlet is recessed with respect to the sheet rock panel. A recessed cover plate is also provided with a back portion connected to the electric outlet. A front portion of the recessed cover plate is generally flush with the sheet rock panel, so that plugs on electric cords can be inserted into the electric outlet and not protrude from the wall to be accidentally dislodged therefrom.

Claims

1. A recessed electric outlet assembly with cover plate for a wall having a sheet rock panel and wall studs, which comprises:

a) an outlet box placed through an aperture in said sheet rock panel;

b) means for securing said outlet box to one side of one of said wall studs;

c) an electric outlet electrically connected to wiring from within said wall;

d) means for mounting said electric outlet to said outlet box, so that said electric outlet is recessed with respect to said sheet rock panel;

e) a recessed cover plate; and

f) means for connecting a back portion of said recessed cover plate to said electric outlet, with a front portion of said recessed cover plate overlying said sheet rock panel, so that plugs on electric cords can be inserted into said electric outlet and not protrude from said wall to be accidentally dislodged therefrom;

wherein said outlet box includes a rear partition, a top partition, a bottom partition, a pair of side partitions and having an open front end to receive said electric outlet;

wherein said securing means includes a plurality of fasteners, each extending through one said side partition of said outlet box and into one of said wall studs;

wherein said recessed cover plate includes;

a) a sleeve sized to fit through said aperture in said sheet rock panel;

b) a flange about a front edge of said sleeve to fit against said sheet rock panel about said aperture; and

c) a rear panel on a back edge of said sleeve, said rear panel having openings therein, so that said rear panel can fit against said electric outlet and said plugs can be inserted into said electric outlet;

wherein said connecting means is a cover plate screw extending through said rear panel of said recessed cover plate and threaded into said electric outlet;

wherein said mounting means includes;

a) a first mounting tab recessed within said outlet box and extending downwardly from said top partition;

b) a second mounting tab recessed within said outlet box and extending upwardly from said bottom partition and in alignment with said first mounting tab; and

c) a pair of mounting screws for retaining said electric outlet to said first mounting tab and said second mounting tab, so that said sleeve will now fit into said open front end of said outlet box to allow said rear panel to fit against said electric outlet;

further including three spring clips each mounted to the exterior surface of said top partition, said bottom partition and said side partition opposite from said side partition with said fasteners, so that said spring clips will help retain said outlet box to said sheet rock panel;

further including said rear partition of said outlet box having a back flap formed therein, with a top edge of said back flap hinged thereto, so that said back flap can be opened to gain access into said outlet box to reach the back of said electric outlet and said wiring from within said wall.

2. A recessed electric outlet assembly with cover plate as recited in claim 1, further including:

a) a latch on an inner surface of said back flap opposite from said hinge, so as to retain said back flap thereto when closed; and

b) a handle on said outer surface of said back flap opposite from said hinge, so that said back flap can be opened.

3. A recessed electric outlet assembly with cover plate as recited in claim 2, further including said bottom partition having a vertical indent adjacent said rear partition of said outlet box, so that said wiring from within said wall can pass through said vertical indent and be electrically connected to the back of said electric outlet, enabling said back flap to close flush with said rear partition of said outlet box.

4. A recessed electric outlet assembly with cover plate as recited in claim 3, further including:

a) a front door sized to cover said flange of said recessed cover plate; and

b) a spring hinge between a top edge of said front door and an upper edge of said flange of said recessed cover plate, so as to normally bias said front door closed.

5. A recessed electric outlet assembly with cover plate as recited in claim 4, further including said flange having a plurality of vertical slots in its lower portion, so that said electric cords extending from said plugs can pass through said vertical slots, enabling said front door to close flush against said flange of said recessed cover plate.