Wall plate assembly

• US 7,214,878 B2
• Filed: 08/17/2005
• Issued: 05/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas & Betts International Incorporated (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: Thomas & Betts International Incorporated (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Dinh, Cong Thanh
• Primary Examiner(s): Estrada; Angel R.
• Application Number:
  US11/206,317
• Publication Number:
  US 20060037774A1
• Time in Patent Office: 629 Days
• Field of Search: 174/50, 174/53, 174/57, 174/58, 174/66, 174/67, 174/48, 174/17.CT, 174/59, 174/481, 174/480, 220/3.2, 220/3.3, 220/3.4, 220/3.5, 220/3.6, 220/3.7, 220/3.8, 220/3.9, 220/4.02, 220/241, 220/242, 248/906, D13/156, 439/536, 439/537, 439/535, 439/538, 439/539, 439/135, 439/195, 439/139
• US Class Current: 174/66
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/14 Fastening of cover or lid to box
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/906 Electrical outlet box support

Abstract

A wall plate assembly includes a front faceplate having two lateral openings. A rear faceplate is connected to the front faceplate such that the rear faceplate is recessed from the front faceplate and access to the rear faceplate is provided through one of the lateral openings. The rear faceplate has a low voltage port. A clamp is connected to a rear surface of the front or rear faceplates for securing the front faceplate to a wall structure.

Claims

1. A wall plate assembly comprising:

a front faceplate having two lateral openings;

a rear faceplate connected to said front faceplate such that said rear faceplate is recessed from said front faceplate and access to said rear faceplate is provided through one of said lateral openings, said rear faceplate having a low voltage port, wherein said low voltage port has a forward end which intersects with a forward surface of said rear faceplate, said forward end having a circular cross-section, said low voltage port having a rear end which intersects with a rear surface of said rear faceplate, said rear end having a hexagonal cross-section; and

a clamp connected to a rear surface of said front or rear faceplates for securing said front faceplate to a wall structure.

2. A wall plate assembly comprising:

a front faceplate having two lateral openings;

a rear faceplate connected to said front faceplate such that said rear faceplate is recessed from said front faceplate and access to said rear faceplate is provided through one of said lateral openings, said rear faceplate having a low voltage port; and

a clamp connected to a rear surface of said front or rear faceplates for securing said front faceplate to a wall structure, wherein said front faceplate has an outer periphery, said clamp having an arm which may be swung between a retracted position in which said arm is within said outer periphery and a secured position in which said arm extends beyond said outer periphery such that said arm does not obstruct insertion and retraction of said rear faceplate through an opening in the wall structure when said arm is in said retracted position, said arm obstructing retraction of said rear faceplate through the opening in the wall structure when said arm is in said secured position and the wall structure is secured between said arm and front faceplate.