Adjustable two-tier cover assembly for an electrical box

• US 7,259,328 B1
• Filed: 11/20/2006
• Issued: 08/21/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arlington Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Arlington Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Gretz, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Estrada; Angel R.
• Application Number:
  US11/602,026
• Time in Patent Office: 274 Days
• Field of Search: 174/480, 174/481, 174/50, 174/53, 174/57, 174/58, 174/66, 174/67, 174/559, 174/503, 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, 439/535, 439/536
• US Class Current: 174/57
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/086 Assembled boxes
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/12 for flush mounting

Abstract

A two-tier cover assembly for a field service box. The two-tier cover assembly can be retrofitted to an existing field service electrical box to protect the electrical device that is housed therein. The cover assembly provides two configurations for protecting the electrical box, including an expanded and a collapsed configuration. In the expanded configuration, the cover assembly provides two cord openings that are accessible with the cover plate closed. In the collapsed configuration, the cord openings are completely closed to seal all openings and thereby protect the electrical device from rain, dirt, insects and other hazards.

Claims

1. An adjustable cover assembly for covering an electrical box comprising:

an inner frame member including a peripheral wall having an inner surface and a front edge;

an outer frame member including a peripheral wall having an outer surface and a rear edge;

said inner frame member nesting within and slideable with respect to said outer frame member;

said adjustable cover assembly including a compressed configuration and an expanded configuration;

a locking arrangement for locking the cover assembly in an expanded configuration;

a cover member hinged to said outer frame member; and

said locking arrangement including an outward extending lip on said front edge of said inner frame member, an inward extending lip on said rear edge of said outer frame member, an inward-extending ramp extending from said inner surface of said peripheral wall of said outer frame member, and an outward-extending ramp extending from said outer surface of said peripheral wall of said inner frame member.

2. The adjustable cover assembly of claim 1 including

a limiting arrangement for limiting the forward travel of said outer frame member with respect to said inner frame member;

said limiting arrangement including an outward extending lip on said front edge of said inner frame member; and

an inward extending lip on said rear edge of said outer frame member.

3. The adjustable cover assembly of claim 1 including

a rear panel on said inner frame member;

and

an opening centered in said rear panel.

4. The adjustable cover assembly of claim 3 wherein said rear panel includes

slots;

and

electrical device mounting apertures surrounding said opening.

5. The adjustable cover assembly of claim 1 including

posts extending from said outer surface of said outer frame member;

ears extending from said cover member; and

apertures in said ears of said cover member,

whereby said posts of said outer frame member extend through said apertures in said ears enabling said cover member to rotate with respect to said outer frame member.

6. The adjustable cover assembly of claim 1 wherein

said inward-extending ramp on said outer frame member includes an outer edge and an inner edge;

and

said inward-extending ramp slopes inward from said outer edge to said inner edge of said inward-extending ramp.

7. The adjustable cover assembly of claim 1 wherein

said outward-extending ramp on said inner frame member includes an outer edge and an inner edge;

and

said outward-extending ramp slopes outward from said inner edge to said outer edge of said outward-extending ramp.

8. The adjustable cover assembly of claim 1 including

U-shaped slots in said cover member;

U-shaped slots in said outer frame member; and

circular cord openings formed by said U-shaped slots in said cover member and said U-shaped slots in said outer framer member when said cover member is closed upon said outer frame member.

9. The adjustable cover assembly of claim 1 including

a latch member on said cover member;

an opening in said latch member;

a tab extending from said front edge of said outer frame member; and

said tab of said outer frame member received in said opening of said latch member when said cover member is closed upon said outer frame member.

10. The adjustable cover assembly of claim 1 wherein said outer frame member, said inner frame member, and said cover member are each molded of plastic in one piece.

11. The adjustable cover assembly of claim 1 wherein

said inner frame member includes a rear edge and an outward extending projection near said rear edge;

and

said outward extending projection contacts said outer frame member when said adjustable cover assembly is in a compressed configuration, said outward extending projection dampening vibration of said outer frame member with respect to said inner frame member.

12. An adjustable cover assembly for covering an electrical box comprising:

an inner frame member including a peripheral wall having an inner surface, a front edge, and a rear edge;

an outer frame member including a peripheral wall having an outer surface and a rear edge;

said inner frame member nesting within and slideable with respect to said outer frame member;

said adjustable cover assembly including a compressed configuration and an expanded configuration;

a locking arrangement for locking the cover assembly in an expanded configuration;

a cover member hinged to said outer frame member;

an adapter plate; and

an attachment arrangement for securing said adapter plate to said rear edge of said inner frame member.

13. The adjustable cover assembly of claim 12 wherein

said inner frame member includes a rear panel having slots therein;

said adapter plate includes tabs extending therefrom;

a hook extending laterally from said tab; and

said tabs on said adapter plate capable of aligning with said slots in said rear panel of said inner frame member.

14. The adjustable cover assembly of claim 13 including

a sloping front surface on said hook;

and

said sloping front surface biasing said tab inwards when said adapter plate is aligned with said slots in said rear panel of said inner frame member and pushed thereon.

15. An adjustable cover assembly for covering an electrical box comprising:

an inner frame member including a peripheral wall having an inner surface, a front edge, and a rear edge;

an outer frame member including a peripheral wall having an outer surface and a rear edge;

said inner frame member nesting within and slideable with respect to said outer frame member;

said adjustable cover assembly including a compressed configuration and an expanded configuration;

a locking arrangement for locking the cover assembly in an expanded configuration;

a cover member hinged to said outer frame member;

said inner frame member includes an outward extending ledge near said rear edge of said inner frame member; and

said ledge of said inner frame member contacts said rear edge of said outer frame member when said adjustable cover assembly is in a compressed configuration, said ledge locking said outer frame member with respect to said inner frame member.