Quick connecting universal electrical box and wiring system

• US 6,857,903 B2
• Filed: 02/21/2001
• Issued: 02/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Electric Limited
• Original Assignee: Electric Limited
• Inventors: Hyde, Douglas
• Primary Examiner(s): TA, THO DAC
• Application Number:
  US10/220,448
• Publication Number:
  US 20030124905A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,462 Days
• Field of Search: 439/598, 439/828, 439/597, 439/540.1, 439/587, 439/446, 439437-438, 439440-441, 439290-295, 439/284, 439/674, 439/677, 439/680, 439/682
• US Class Current: 439/598
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/123 in thin walls
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/906 Electrical outlet box support

Abstract

A quick connecting universal electrical box system for the mounting of electrical sockets, switches or any electronic or communication component that is typically installed into a wall is disclosed. The system comprises a mounting frame and an electrical box, which can be pre-wired with any socket unit or component, such that installation of the electrical box into a wall is greatly simplified. The mounting frame is first inserted into a wall, followed by insertion of the electrical box into the mounting frame. The action of inserting the electrical box into the mounting frame forces flaps in the mounting frame to engage and lock the mounting frame into the wall. Retaining studs formed on flexible side panels of the electrical box then engage with corresponding openings in the mounting frame to secure the electrical box within the mounting frame. Secure installation of this electrical box is simple and quick without the need for any tools or fastening screws.

Claims

1. A connector module for receiving a wiring cable comprising:

a base;

a prong insertable into the base, the base having an opening shaped for fittingly seating the prong and a wiring access hole for passing the wiring cable to the prong, the wiring access hole being smaller than the opening; and

,

a connector for locking the prong within the base, the connector being one of a male and a female connector of complementary shape and construction for engagement with the other of the male and female connector.

2. The connector module of claim 1, wherein the prong includes a male prong and the connector is a female connector.

3. The connector module of claim 2, wherein the prong includes a female prong and the connector is a male connector.

4. The connector module of claim 3, wherein the female connector includes a female connector shroud for surrounding the male prong and receiving the male connector.

5. The connector module of claim 4, wherein the male connector includes a male connector body for surrounding the female prong and fitting into the female connector shroud.

6. The connector module of claim 4, wherein the female prong and the male prong have complementary shapes, and the male connector body and the female connector shroud have complementary shapes.

7. The connector module of claim 1, including at least two prongs, each having a longitudinal axis.

8. The connector module of claim 7, wherein the longitudinal axes are parallel and an orientation of one prong is different than an orientation of the other prong.

9. A modular electrical connector system for interconnecting wiring cable comprising:

a connector module for receiving wiring cable, the connector module comprising;

abase;

a prong insertable into the base, the base having an opening shaped for fittingly seating the prong and a wiring access hole for passing the wiring cable to the prong, the wiring access hole being smaller than the opening; and

a connector for locking the prong within the base, the connector being one of a male and a female connector of complementary shape and construction for engagement with the other of the male and female connector; and

a receptacle shaped for interconnecting the connector module to one of a cable and an electrical box.

10. The modular electrical connector system of claim 9, wherein the connector module includes a female connector.

11. The modular electrical connector system of claim 9, wherein the connector module includes a male connector.

12. The modular electrical connector system of claim 11, wherein the male and female connectors have complementary keyed shapes.

13. The modular electrical connector system of claim 9, wherein the receptacle includes a female plug casing.

14. The modular electrical connector system of claim 13, wherein the female plug casing includes a female hook element for engaging a male hook element of another receptacle.

15. The modular electrical connector system of claim 9, wherein the receptacle includes a male plug casing.

16. The modular electrical connector system of claim 15, wherein the male plug casing includes a male hook element for engaging a female hook element of another receptacle.

17. The modular electrical connector system of claim 9, wherein the receptacle is a receptacle base for receiving at least one connector module.

18. The modular electrical connector system of claim 17, wherein the receptacle base is shaped to receive at least two connector modules.

19. The modular electrical connector system of claim 17, wherein the receptacle base includes a structure for mounting to an electrical box.