Expandable electrical outlet box

• US 5,596,174 A
• Filed: 10/04/1994
• Issued: 01/21/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joseph Sapienza
• Original Assignee: Joseph Sapienza
• Inventors: Sapienza, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Kincaid, Kristine L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): REICHARD, DEAN ALAN
• Application Number:
  US08/323,440
• Time in Patent Office: 840 Days
• Field of Search: 174/57, 174/53, 220/3.7
• US Class Current: 174/57
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/086 Assembled boxes

Abstract

This invention provides an expandable electrical outlet box that fits into the same size wall opening as a removed to be replaced box. The present box, being expandable, provides about double the capacity as a smaller non-expandable box. Thus, more conductors can be provided in the present box using the same space opening as the box being replaced. One section of the box is slidably or movably positioned in a main section of the box, both sections having openings for installing electrical wiring.

Claims

1. An expandable electrical outlet box comprising a main compartment, a movable expandable compartment, wall connecting means and wire insertion means, said wire insertion means in each of said main and expandable compartments, said expandable compartment movably fitting into said main compartment and when in a closed mode providing a space between said main and said expandable compartments for a user to easily move said expandable compartment into and out from said main compartment, said main compartment comprising a top section and a bottom section, said movable expandable compartment also comprising a top section and a bottom section, said wire insertion means comprising tab openings in outer corners of both said top and bottom sections of said main compartment and said movable expandable compartment, and said tab openings being in alignment when said expandable electrical outlet box is in said closed mode.

2. The outlet box of claim 1 wherein said main compartment and said expandable compartment have locking means to hold them together when in an expanded mode.

3. The outlet box of claim 1 wherein said main compartment comprises means for receiving electrical components outlets including electrical.

4. The outlet box of claim 1 wherein said main compartment has wall connecting means, electrical outlet connecting means and compartment locking means integral therewith.

5. The outlet box of claim 1 wherein said expandable compartment has locking means, said locking means being capable of mating with and locking with a locking means in said main compartment.

6. The outlet box of claim 1 wherein said main compartment has externally positioned wall connecting-adjusting means, said adjusting means used to connect said box to a wall or other supporting structure.

7. The outlet box of claim 1 wherein said main compartment has a gusset ramp positioned at a lower corner, said gusset ramp having means to open an aligned hingable tab cover positioned at a lower corner of said expandable compartment.