Partition for dividing a device box

• US 5,486,650 A
• Filed: 11/15/1993
• Issued: 01/23/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Inventors: Yetter, Karl
• Primary Examiner(s): Kincaid, Kristine L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TONE, DAVID
• Application Number:
  US08/151,916
• Time in Patent Office: 799 Days
• Field of Search: 174/48, 174/53, 220/3.2, 220/529
• US Class Current: 174/53
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/10 for surface mounting on a wall
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/18 providing line outlets

Abstract

A partition for dividing an electrical or telecommunications device box having a substantially planar dividing member with at least one retaining member extending therefrom for cooperating with a mounting post on the base member of the box to support the dividing member substantially perpendicularly to the base member. The partition is removably retained in the box by the retaining member frictionally engaging the post. The retaining member has a specific amount of interference to cause the spring action in the material and to create gripping forces around the mounting post.

Claims

1. A partition dimensioned to be releasably coupled to a pair of mounting posts of a device box for dividing the device box into at least two sections to separate different incoming wiring systems, said partition comprising:

a dividing member having a top edge, a bottom edge and a pair of side edges extending between said top and bottom edges;

a pair of brackets coupled to and extending outwardly from said dividing member; and

a pair of gripping members coupled to said dividing member via said brackets and configured to be releasably coupled to the pair of mounting posts of the device box for supporting said dividing member within the device box to divide the device box into said at least two sections.

2. A partition according to claim 1, wherein

each of said gripping members has a slot for at least partially frictionally engaging one of mounting posts to detachably support said dividing member within the device box.

3. A partition according to claim 2, wherein

said dividing member is formed of a thin, substantially flat material.

4. A partition according to claim 2, wherein

said dividing member is formed from a substantially nonconductive material.

5. A partition according to claim 4, wherein

said dividing member, said brackets and gripping members are formed as a one-piece, unitary, integral member.

6. A partition according to claim 1, wherein

each of said gripping members has a slot for slidably receiving one of the mounting posts therein to removably support said dividing member in the device box.

7. A partition according to claim 7 6, wherein

each of said gripping members is configured to at least partially circumscribe one of the mounting posts to engage at least two surfaces thereof.

8. A partition according to claim 13 1, wherein

said dividing member is dimensioned such that said bottom edge is adapted to abut against a base member of the box and said top edge is adapted to engage a lid coupled to the base member when said divider member is installed within the device box.

9. A partition for dividing a device box having a base member with a mounting post secured thereto into at least two sections to separate different incoming wiring systems, said partition comprising:

a dividing member; and

retaining means, coupled to said dividing member and configured to cooperate with the mounting post of the device box, for supporting said dividing member against the base member of the device box, said retaining means being slidably receivable around the mounting post to removably support said dividing member substantially perpendicularly to the base member of the device box, said retaining means comprising a gripping member fixedly secured to said dividing member and extending outwardly from said dividing member, said gripping member comprising a pair of oppositely facing contacting members for frictionally engaging two surfaces on the mounting post, respectively, said gripping member being configured to at least partially circumscribe the mounting post to engage at least said two surfaces of the mounting post.

10. A partition according to claim 9, wherein

said contacting members comprise a pair of oppositely facing contact surfaces sloping away from each other to form a diverging slot for accommodating the mounting post of the device box when the mounting post has a tapered surface such that the cross-section of the post decreases gradually away from the base member.

11. A partition for dividing a device box having a base member with mounting post secured thereto into at least two sections to separate different incoming wiring systems, said partition comprising:

a dividing member; and

retaining means,coupled to said dividing member and configured to cooperate with the mounting post of the device box, for supporting said dividing member against the base member of the device box, said retaining means being slidably receivable around the mounting post to removably support said dividing member substantially perpendicularly to the base member of the device box, said retaining means comprising a gripping member fixedly secured to said dividing member and extending outwardly from said dividing member, said gripping member being configured to at least partially circumscribe the mounting post to engage at least two surfaces of the mounting post said gripping member being formed from resilient material with contacting surfaces forming a slot that increases in width for slidably receiving the mounting post when the mounting post has a tapered surface such that the cross-section of the mounting post decreases gradually away from the base member.

12. A partition for dividing a device box having a base member with a mounting post secured thereto into at least two sections to separate different incoming wiring systems, said partition comprising:

a dividing member having a top edge portion which is offset from a bottom portion for providing additional space on one side of said dividing member along said top edge portion than the other side of said dividing member; and

retaining means, coupled to said dividing member and configured to cooperate with the mounting post of the device box, for supporting said dividing member against the base member of the device box.

13. A device box assembly for housing electrical and telecommunications devices, comprising:

a first substantially planar base member having at least two mounting posts extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom;

a partition with a pair of retaining members for engaging said mounting posts to detachably support said partition to said base member; and

a lid detachably coupled to said base member for defining with said base member an interior of said device box assembly,

said partition being supported by said mounting posts to divide said interior into at least two sections.

14. A device box assembly according to claim 13, wherein

said partition is coupled to said base member to divide said interior into two substantially equal sections.

15. A device box assembly according to claim 14, wherein

an upper portion of said partition is offset from a lower portion of said partition to accommodate a larger device in one of said sections than the other of said sections.

16. A device box assembly according to claim 15, wherein

said lid abuts against said partition to apply a retaining force for maintaining said partition stationary relative to said base member when said lid is attached to said base member.

17. A device box assembly according to claim 16, wherein

said partition is constructed from a resilient material.

18. A device box assembly according to claim 13, wherein

each retaining member is configured to at least partially circumscribe one of the mounting posts to engage at least two surfaces thereof with the mounting post.

19. A device box assembly according to claim 18, wherein

said partition includes a thin, substantially flat dividing member.

20. A device box assembly according to claim 19, wherein

each of said retaining member at least partially frictionally engages one of the mounting posts to detachably support said dividing member adjacent the base member of the device box.

21. A device box assembly for housing electrical and telecommunications devices, comprising:

a base member having at least two mounting posts extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom;

a partition with a pair of retaining members for engaging said mounting posts to detachably support said partition to said base member; and

a lid detachably coupled to said base member for defining with said base member an interior of said device box assembly,

said partition being supported by said mounting posts to divide said interior into at least two sections.

22. A device box assembly according to claim 21, wherein

said lid has a top wall with four downwardly extending sides.

23. A device box assembly according to claim 22, wherein

said base member has four of said mounting posts extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom.

24. A device box assembly according to claim 21, wherein

said lid abuts against said partition to apply a retaining force for maintaining said partition stationary relative to said base member when said lid is attached to said base member.

25. A device box assembly according to claim 21, wherein

said partition includes a thin, substantially flat dividing member with said retaining members extending from one side of said dividing member.