Universal junction box

• US 6,929,140 B2
• Filed: 09/09/2002
• Issued: 08/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Frank P. Rose
• Original Assignee: Frank P. Rose
• Inventors: Rose, Frank P.
• Primary Examiner(s): CASTELLANO, STEPHEN J
• Application Number:
  US10/237,635
• Publication Number:
  US 20040045960A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,072 Days
• Field of Search: 220 33- 37, 220/3.9
• US Class Current: 220/3.7
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/08 Distribution boxes; Connection or junction boxes
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/083 Inlets
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/086 Assembled boxes
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/12 for flush mounting
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/126 with supporting means for mounting on a single wall stud
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/906 Electrical outlet box support

Abstract

A universal junction box, which includes multiple methods for securing cables, various kinds of wires and conduits and multiple methods for securing the box within a wall cavity. The front side of the box which can be positioned flush with the installed wall covering includes fittings for attaching a wall plate, switches, plugs, connectors, and electrical/electronic devices to the box. The junction box allows the addition of an extension to the rear of the junction box for a between-wall design for the installation and attachment of similar devices on an opposing wall surface through the same junction box. The junction box also engages extensions to the side of the junction box allowing two or more ganged box configurations, which share the multiple methods for securing the junction box within a wall cavity.

Claims

1. A universal junction box comprising:

(a) a continuous peripheral wall with an internal surface and an external surface and defining at least one planar facet, the wall defining opposite sides, a top wall connecting the sides and a bottom wall connecting the side and four corner edges of a generally rectangular box; and

(b) a mounting tab having a length, the length extending outwardly and vertically from the external surface of the top wall or bottom wall of the peripheral wall adjacent to and in coplanar alignment with the at least one planar facet and a frangible seam interconnecting the mounting tab to the top wall or bottom wall of the peripheral wall.

2. The universal junction box of claim 1 further comprising an alignment tab connected to the peripheral wall.

3. The universal junction box of claim 2, wherein the alignment tab is setback from an edge of the peripheral wall.

4. The universal junction box of claim 3, wherein the setback is approximately a ½

′

from the edge of the peripheral wall and the tab has a width of approximately ⅛

′

.

5. The universal junction box of claim 1, wherein the planar facet defines three collinear openings.

6. The universal t claim 1 further comprising an integral fastening lug on the internal side, the fastening lug defining a fastener-engaging cavity.

7. The universal junction box of claim 6, wherein the integral fastening lug further comprises at least two non-collinear attachments openings.

8. The universal junction box of claim 6, wherein the fastening lug further includes an anchor slot adjacent to the internal side of the peripheral wall, the anchor slot further comprising a string engager.

9. The universal junction box of claim 1, wherein the peripheral wall further defines at least one slanted oblique engaging cavity.

10. The universal junction box of claim 1, further comprising a conduit attachment.

11. The universal junction box of claim 1, wherein the continuous peripheral wall includes a retaining finger.

12. The universal junction box of claim 11, wherein the retaining finger includes a frangible tip.

13. The universal junction box of claim 11, wherein the retaining finger includes a spring bias.

14. The universal junction box of claim 1, further comprising a retaining bar extending from the peripheral wall.

15. The universal junction box of claim 1 further comprising a mounting aperture in the peripheral wall, the mounting aperture including at least one parallel channel terminating at an ending aperture.

16. The universal junction box of claim 15, wherein the ending aperture includes a bulbous portion.

17. The universal junction box of claim 1 further comprising a wallboard attachment means comprising at least one slot in the external surface.

18. The universal junction box of claim 1, further comprising an integral fastening lug extending from the peripheral wall, the lug comprising a first fitting for attaching a rear extension, the rear extension comprising:

(a) a rear continuous peripheral wall with an internal side and an external side, and defining at least one planar facet; and

(b) a second integral fastening lug extending from the rear peripheral wall.

19. The universal junction box of claim 1 further comprising a locking tab extending from the peripheral wall.

20. The universal junction box claim 1, further comprising an integral fastening lug extending from the peripheral wall, the lug comprising a first fitting for attaching a rear extension, the rear extension comprising an integral fastener for attaching a side extension, the side extension comprising:

(i) a second continuous peripheral wall with an internal side and an external side, and defining at least one planar facet; and

(ii) a second integral fastening lug extending from the second peripheral wall.