Preset insert housing for underfloor raceways

• US 6,072,121 A
• Filed: 12/14/1998
• Issued: 06/06/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Wiremold Co (Legrand SA)
• Original Assignee: Walker Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Penczak, John P., Russo, Thomas R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reichard, Dean A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, DHIRUBHAI R
• Application Number:
  US09/211,464
• Time in Patent Office: 540 Days
• Field of Search: 174/48, 174/49, 174/95, 174/58, 174/17 R, 174/63, 174/52.6, 52/220.1, 52/220.3, 52/220.5, 52/220.7, 220/3.2, 220/3.3, 220/3.6, 220/3.8, 220/3.94, 220/4.02, 220/4.08, 439/535
• US Class Current: 174/481
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/185 Floor outlets and access cups
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/283 in floors

Abstract

A preset is provided for providing access at selected locations to an underfloor electrical distribution system of the type consisting of at least one raceway panel adapted to be positioned in a concrete floor. The raceway panel defines an interior passage adapted to carry service cables and has an exterior wall defining a preset opening that provides access to the interior passage. The presets can be located at any location where an opening is punched in the raceway panel, with 12 inch or 24 inch intervals being mostcommon. The preset includes a housing having an interior compartment, a concrete cap, and a knockout section. The concrete cap and the knockout section can be removed to provide access to the interior compartment of the preset housing. The knockout is positioned to align with and lockingly engage with the preset opening to secure the preset to the raceway panel during pouring of the concrete floor. Upon hardening of the concrete floor, the concrete above the preset can be broken away to permit removal of the concrete cap. The knockout can then be removed to provide access to the interior passage of the raceway panel through the preset. Alignment clips are provided for securing and aligning presets carried by adjacent raceway panels. The side walls of the preset are beveled inwardly such that the base of the preset is larger than the top. This design further restricts vertical movement of the preset after the concrete has hardened.

Claims

1. A preset for providing access to an underfloor electrical distribution system, the underfloor electrical distribution system comprising at least one raceway panel adapted to be positioned in a concrete floor, the raceway panel defining an interior passage adapted to carry service cables and having an exterior wall defining a preset opening that provides access to the interior passage, the preset comprising:

a housing defining an interior compartment, the housing having bottom wall, a sidewall extending from the bottom wall and defining an upper opening to the interior compartment, and a concrete cap removably mounted in the upper opening, the bottom wall further including a removable knockout section positioned to align with the preset opening and, upon its removal, to provide access to the raceway passage through the preset interior compartment, the knockout section including a protruding portion that is configured to engage with the raceway opening to secure the preset housing to the raceway during pouring of the concrete floor.

2. A preset as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a locking tab extending from the bottom wall of the housing, the locking tab being adapted to slidably engage with the raceway panel as the knockout protruding portion of the section is engaged with the raceway opening to further secure the preset to the raceway panel.

3. A preset as set forth in claim 1, wherein the housing if formed of plastic.

4. A preset as set forth in claim 1, wherein the preset housing is formed of metal.

5. A preset as set forth in claim 1, further comprising ribs extending from the bottom wall of the housing, the ribs being adapted to engage against the surface of the raceway panel when the housing is mounted on the raceway panel to provide ground continuity between the raceway panel and the housing.

6. A preset as set forth in claim 1, wherein the housing is generally rectangular.

7. A preset as set forth in claim 1, further comprising wire retaining clips removable mountable in the interior compartment of the housing about the periphery of the knockout section.

8. A preset as set forth in claim 1, wherein the upper opening of the housing is adapted to receive an access assembly upon removal of the concrete cap.