Divided standard device inch box

• US 6,218,613 B1
• Filed: 08/19/1998
• Issued: 04/17/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Estanislao, Danilo F., Tansi-Glickman, Selin, Stewart, Stephen, Justiniano, Joseph G.
• Primary Examiner(s): REICHARD, DEAN ALAN
• Application Number:
  US09/136,579
• Time in Patent Office: 972 Days
• Field of Search: 174/50, 174/67, 220/3.8, 220/242, 220/3.92, 220/3.94, 220/4.02
• US Class Current: 174/50
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/081 Bases, casings or covers

Abstract

To separate the chamber of a standard device box into two compartments, one for high voltage power conductors and the other for low power signal conductors a deflectable isolation barrier is employed. In a first form the barrier, its supporting means and attaching means are formed as an integral unit and fastened to the inside surface of a wall plate. The barrier takes a position in the box based upon the depth of the box. In a second form the deflectable isolation barrier is formed as an extension of the side wall of a box insert to be placed in the device box.

Claims

1. Apparatus for dividing an interior chamber of an industry-standard 4{fraction (11/16)}×

4{fraction (11/16)} inch box capable of housing an electrical device or the like and having a base member, integral first and second parallel, spaced apart walls, and integral third and fourth parallel, spaced apart side walls, said base member and said four integral wall forming a box open at its top surface and said first wall being formed with at least two apertures, said apparatus comprising;

a) a deflectable isolation barrier disposed within said box so as to divide an interior chamber defined by said box into two compartment and having a first end, a free second end, a first width, a first surface and a second surface; and

b) support means coupled to said first end of said deflectable isolation barrier to position said free second end adjacent an interior surface of said base member, to form a first compartment between said first surface and interior surfaces of said first and second walls, an adjacent side wall and said base member, and a second compartment between said second surface and interior surfaces of said first and second walls, an adjacent side wall and said base member, said support means beings bonded to said wall plate.

2. An apparatus, as defined in claim 1, wherein said first width, is equal to a separation between the interior surfaces of said first and second walls.

3. An apparatus, as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a) a wall plate closing the open top surface; and

b) said support means coupled to an interior surface of said wall plate.

4. An apparatus, as defined in claim 3, further comprising:

a) an access door in said wall plate to permit access to wires which may be disposed in one of said two compartments.

5. An apparatus, as defined in claim 3, wherein said support means is welded to said wall plate.

6. An apparatus, as defined in claim 3, wherein said support means is attached to said wall plate with glue.

7. An apparatus, as defined in claim 3, wherein said support means is brazed to said wall plate.

8. An apparatus, as defined in claim 3, wherein said support means has two arms fastened to said wall plate.

9. An apparatus, as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a) an insert placed in and coupled to said box; and

b) said deflectable isolation barrier extending from said insert into said chamber of said box.

10. An apparatus, as defined in claim 9, wherein said insert is a five sided box open at a top surface and composed of a front wall positioned adjacent said box first wall, a rear wall positioned adjacent said box second wall, a base member positioned adjacent said box base member, a first insert side wall positioned adjacent one of said side walls of said box and a second insert side wall positioned intermediate space between interiors of said two side walls.

11. An apparatus as defined in claim 9, further comprising means for coupling said insert to said box.

12. An apparatus, as defined in claim 10, wherein said deflectable isolation barrier is coupled to a joint between said base member of said insert and one of said side walls of said insert.

13. An apparatus, as defined in claim 1, wherein the position of said deflectable isolation barrier is determined by a line of contact between said free second end of said deflectable isolation barrier and an interior surface of said box base member.