Flush-mount electrical junction box

• US 6,268,563 B1
• Filed: 08/13/1999
• Issued: 07/31/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Arlington Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Arlington Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Gretz, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reichard, Dean A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nino, Adolfo
• Application Number:
  US09/373,429
• Time in Patent Office: 718 Days
• Field of Search: 174/53, 174/57, 174/50, 174/65.R, 220/3.2, 220/3.3, 220/4.02, 52/60, 522/208, 248/906, 248/220.2, 439/535
• US Class Current: 174/53
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/006 the coupling part being secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. duplex wall receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/14 Fastening of cover or lid to box

Abstract

The unitary flush mount electrical junction box of the present invention includes about its periphery a pair of axially extending flanges, an interior and an exterior flange, separated by a gap adequate to receive siding applied to the structure in which it is installed. The interior flange while adequate for resistance to water permeation is scored for easy removal in the situation where the electrical junction box is being installed in an existing sided structure and it is necessary to install the junction box through the existing siding. In order to accomplish attachment with the interior flange removed, apertures are provided in the rear of the junction box for insertion of fasteners appropriate to attach the junction box to the structure. The electrical junction box extends beyond the plane of the exterior flange to permit attachment of a variety of electrical fixtures or devices thereto.

Claims

1. A flush-mount electrical junction box comprising:

a) an electrical box having a rear wall, side walls and an open face;

b) an axially extending interior flange about said rear wall and having a score line adjacent to and about the periphery of said rear wall;

c) an axially extending exterior flange parallel to said interior flange about the periphery of said side walls, between said rear wall and said open face and spaced a distance from said interior flange to provide a gap between said interior flange and said exterior flange, said gap being adequate to receive siding when said flush-mount electrical junction box is installed on a structure having siding.

2. The unitary flush-mount electrical junction box of claim 1 wherein said interior flange is substantially coplanar with said rear wall and includes said score line about said side wall.

3. The unitary flush-mount electrical junction box of claim 2 further including apertures in said rear wall for insertion of fasteners for attaching said flush-mount electrical junction box to said structure.

4. The unitary flush mount electrical junction box of claim 3 further including reinforcing ribs about the periphery of said apertures.

5. The unitary flush mount electrical junction box of claim 3 wherein said side walls have an interior surface and further including mounting blocks on at least two of said interior surfaces, said mounting blocks comprising a base member attached to or forming part of said interior surface, said base member having an aperture therein for frictional receipt of a screw for attachment of an electrical plate or fixture over said open face.

6. The unitary flush mount electrical junction box of claim 5 wherein said base extends from said open face to said rear wall.

7. The unitary flush mount electrical junction box of claim 3 wherein said side walls extend from said rear wall to and beyond said exterior flange, said side walls have an outer surface and said outer surface angles inwardly from said exterior flange to said open end.

8. The unitary flush mount electrical junction box of claim 2 fabricated from a polymeric material as a one-piece molded assembly.