Electrical box assembly

• US 6,737,576 B1
• Filed: 05/16/2003
• Issued: 05/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: Thomas & Betts International Incorporated (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Dinh, Cong Thanh
• Primary Examiner(s): Reichard, Dean
• Assistant Examiner(s): Estrada, Angel R.
• Application Number:
  US10/440,284
• Time in Patent Office: 368 Days
• Field of Search: 174/50, 174/53, 174/54, 174/57, 174/58, 174/61, 174/62, 174/63, 174/48, 220/3.2, 220/3.3, 220/4.01, 220/4.02, 220/3.8
• US Class Current: 174/50
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/088 Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof casings or inlets
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/121 in plain walls
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/14 Fastening of cover or lid to box

Abstract

An electrical box assembly including a box having a base wall perimetrically bounded by a sidewall extending therefrom forming a housing adapted to receive an electrical component. The sidewall having an upper portion and a flange extending outwardly in a transverse direction from the upper portion. An electrical component attachment point is disposed adjacent the sidewall upper portion and adapted for securing an electrical component to the box. The flange is perimetrically bounded by a collar extending outwardly therefrom. A securement device disposed on the box for securing the box to a support structure is provided. A frame is further provided which is in telescopic engagement with the collar and movable relative thereto. The frame has an abutment surface for abutting against a facing surface. An adjustment device is provided for moving the frame relative to the box and urges the abutment surface against the facing surface.

Claims

1. An electrical box assembly comprising:

a box having a base wall perimetrically bounded by a sidewall extending therefrom forming a housing adapted to receive an electrical component, said sidewall having an upper portion and a flange extending outwardly in a transverse direction from said upper portion, an electrical component attachment point being disposed on said sidewall upper portion and adapted for securing an electrical component to said box, said flange being perimetrically bounded by a collar extending outwardly therefrom;

a securement device disposed on said box for securing said box to a support structure;

a frame being in telescopic engagement with said collar and movable relative thereto, said frame having an abutment surface for abutting against a facing surface, said frame being separate from said electrical component attachment point such that movement of said frame does not move said electrical attachment point; and

an adjustment device for moving said frame relative to said box and urging said abutment surface against the facing surface.

2. The electrical box assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said adjustment device extends between said frame and said box.

3. The electrical box assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein the adjustment device includes a pair of threaded members threaded engaged with said flange.

4. The electrical box assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said frame includes a wall ending in a face flange extending outwardly from said wall, said wall being insertable within an opening formed by said collar.

5. The electrical box assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein said wall includes a plurality of wall segments joined together to form a continuous structure.

6. The electrical box assembly as defined in claim 5, wherein said wall segments form a generally rectangular wall and said collar has a corresponding rectangular shape.

7. The electrical box assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein said abutment surface is disposed on said face flange.

8. The electrical box assembly as defined in claim 1, further including a gasket disposed on said frame adjacent said abutment surface.

9. The electrical box assembly as defined in claim 1, further including a cover pivotally secured to said frame by a hinge, the cover being movable between an open and closed position.

10. The electrical box assembly as defined in claim 9, wherein said hinge includes at least one clip for permitting said cover to be selectively removed and attached to said frame.

11. The electrical box assembly as defined in claim 9, wherein said cover includes at least one slot formed therein being adapted to permit a power cord to extend there through when said cover is in said closed position.

12. The electrical box assembly as defined in claim 9, wherein said cover includes a latch for securing said cover in said closed position.

13. The electrical box assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said securement device includes a fastener movably secured to said box said fastener being adapted for engagement with a support structure.

14. The electrical box assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the securement device includes a swing arm pivotally secured to said box and translatable with respect to said box.

15. The electrical box assembly as defined in claim 14, wherein the securement device includes a fastener movably secured to said box said fastener being adapted for engagement with a support structure.

16. The electrical box assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said telescopic engagement between said frame and said collar permits relative translation and generally restricts relative rotation.

17. The electrical box assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said frame is secureable to said electrical box independent of said electrical component attachment point.

18. A recessed electrical box assembly comprising:

a box having a base wall bounded by a sidewall extending therefrom forming a housing, said sidewall having an upper end forming a first opening;

a flange extending outwardly in a transverse direction from said box upper end portion, said flange being bounded by a collar extending outwardly therefrom, said collar forming a second opening, said second opening being larger than said first opening;

a frame having a second sidewall forming a third opening, said second sidewall being adjustably positionable within said second opening;

an adjustment device for moving said frame relative to said box, said adjustment member extending between said frame and said flange.

19. The electrical box assembly as defined in claim 18, wherein said adjustment device includes a first and second threaded members extending through a pair of apertures in said frame, said first and second threaded members threadedly engaging a pair of threaded openings disposed on said flange, wherein rotation of said first and second members moves said frame relative to said box.

20. The electrical box assembly as defined in claim 18, wherein said collar is in sliding relationship with said frame second wall.

21. The electrical box assembly as defined in claim 20, wherein said collar prevents rotation of said second sidewall relative to said box.

22. The electrical box assembly as defined in claim 18, further including a cover pivotally secured to said frame and movable between an open and closed position.

23. The electrical box assembly as defined in claim 18, wherein said box includes at least one electrical component attachment point fixed on said box sidewall for securing an electrical component to said box.

24. An electrical box assembly comprising:

a box having a base wall bounded by a sidewall extending therefrom forming a housing adapted to receive an electrical component, said sidewall having an upper portion and a flange extending outwardly in a transverse direction from said upper portion, an electrical component attachment point being disposed on said sidewall upper portion and adapted for securing an electrical component to said box, said flange being bounded by a collar extending outwardly therefrom;

a securement device disposed on said box having a movable member which is engagable with a support structure;

a frame being in telescopic engagement with said collar and movable relative thereto, said frame having an abutment surface for abutting against a facing surface, said frame being separate from said electrical component attachment point such that movement of said frame does not move said electrical attachment point; and

an adjustment device including a member extending between said frame and said box which is movable to translate said frame relative to said box and urging said abutment surface against the facing surface.

25. The electrical box assembly as defined in claim 24, wherein said frame includes a wall having a first end having face flange extending outwardly from said wall, said wall being insertable within an opening formed by said collar.

26. The electrical box assembly as defined in claim 24, wherein said face flange extends outwardly beyond said collar when said frame is engaged with said collar.

27. The electrical box assembly as defined in claim 24, wherein said frame is secureable to said electrical box independent of said electrical component attachment point.

28. The electrical box assembly as defined in claim 25, wherein said frame wall includes a second end opposite said first end and defines an opening to permit access to the electrical component.