Quick connect electrical box
First Claim
1. A means for wiring a branch circuit comprising:
- an electrical box which is pre-wired with a terminal element forming at least one of a junction, an outlet operable to receive a standard AC line plug and a switch, the electrical box having an outer surface with at least one connector having at least one of a male or female contact, wherein the contact and at least one of the outlet, switch and junction are electrically coupled,an insulated electrical cable having at least one end and at least two individually insulated conductors which are encased in an outer sheath, the at least one end being unstripped, the insulated conductors and the outer sheath fully extending to the end of the electrical cable,a female or male plug complementary to said at least one of a male or female contact, the plug being connectable to the unstripped end of the electrical cable, wherein the plug has at least one terminal that is electrically coupled to the conductor, the plug being operable to mate with the connector, the terminal making an electrical connection with the contact, thereby electrically connecting the conductor to at least one of the junction, the outlet and the switch.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electrical box is pre-wired with a duplex receptacle, a light switch, a junction or the like. The box has a number of connectors, each having electrical contacts. The connectors receive complementary plugs having terminals which make an electrical connection between the pre-wired box and the conductors of the electrical cable. The plug is attached to an unstripped end of an electrical cable, preferably by crimping to engage through the sheathing and conductor insulation. The connectors are pre-wired for a range of functions and are labeled with indica symbolizing the function assigned to the connector. During construction, preferably prior to installation of a wall panel, electrical cables are run from a power source to locations designated to receive an electrical box. A hole is made in the wall and the previously installed cable is located and pulled out through the hole. The plugs are installed on the ends of cables to be coupled to the box and the plugs are inserted into the appropriate connector on the box. The box has a retaining means which is operable to retain the box within the hole cut into the wall. The box is inserted into the hole and the retaining means is engaged with the wall panel to fix the box in the wall.
113 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A means for wiring a branch circuit comprising:
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an electrical box which is pre-wired with a terminal element forming at least one of a junction, an outlet operable to receive a standard AC line plug and a switch, the electrical box having an outer surface with at least one connector having at least one of a male or female contact, wherein the contact and at least one of the outlet, switch and junction are electrically coupled, an insulated electrical cable having at least one end and at least two individually insulated conductors which are encased in an outer sheath, the at least one end being unstripped, the insulated conductors and the outer sheath fully extending to the end of the electrical cable, a female or male plug complementary to said at least one of a male or female contact, the plug being connectable to the unstripped end of the electrical cable, wherein the plug has at least one terminal that is electrically coupled to the conductor, the plug being operable to mate with the connector, the terminal making an electrical connection with the contact, thereby electrically connecting the conductor to at least one of the junction, the outlet and the switch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A means for wiring a branch circuit comprising:
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an electrical box which is pre-wired with a terminal element forming at least one of a junction, an outlet operable to receive a standard AC line plug and a switch, the electrical box having an outer surface with at least one connector having at least one of a male or female contact, wherein the contact and at least one of the outlet, switch and junction are electrically coupled, an insulated electrical cable having at least two individually insulated conductors which are encased in an outer sheath, the insulated electrical cable having at least one end formed by a substantially transverse cut, the insulated conductors and the outer sheath fully extending to the end of the cable to form an unstripped end of the electrical cable, a female or male plug complementary to said at least one of a male or female contact, the plug being connectable to the unstripped end of the electrical cable, wherein the plug has at least one terminal that is electrically coupled to the conductor, the plug being operable to mate with the connector, the terminal making an electrical connection with the contact, thereby electrically connecting the conductor to at least one of the junction, the outlet and the switch.
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Specification