Electrical box extender mechanical fastener

• US 7,273,982 B1
• Filed: 12/22/2006
• Issued: 09/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: Thomas & Betts International Incorporated (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Lalancette, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Estrada; Angel R.
• Application Number:
  US11/644,378
• Time in Patent Office: 277 Days
• Field of Search: 174/480, 174/481, 174/50, 174/53, 174/57, 174/58, 174/17.R, 174/61, 174/62, 220 32- 39, 220/4.02, 439/535, 439/536, 439/537, D13/152
• US Class Current: 174/58
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/086 Assembled boxes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/906 Electrical outlet box support
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49 Method of mechanical manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4987 Elastic joining of parts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49876 by snap fit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49922 by bending over projecting prongs

Abstract

An extender and a method for making an extender for an electrical box is provided. The extender includes: a side wall having a length with first and second ends and a width with first and second edges, wherein the side wall is configured so that the first and second ends are in contact with each other. The extender also includes: a first member extending from the first end; a first embossed area on the first end; a second member extending from the second end; and a second embossed area on the second end. The first member is bent so that it contacts the second embossed area and the second member is bent so that it contacts the first embossed area to connect the first and second ends. The extender can have a pair of tabs extending from the first edge on opposing wall sections and each tab can have a mounting screw aperture.

Claims

1. An electrical box extender comprising:

a side wall having a length with first and second ends and a width with first and second edges, wherein the side wall is configured so that the first end contacts the second end;

a first member extending from the first end;

a first embossed area on the first end;

a second member extending from the second end; and

a second embossed area on the second end;

wherein the first member is bent so that it contacts the second embossed area and the second member is bent so that it contacts the first embossed area to connect the first and second ends.

2. The electrical box extender according to claim 1, wherein the side wall comprises four, six or eight lengthwise wall sections which are configured to form two, three or four pairs, respectively, of opposing and substantially parallel wall sections.

3. The electrical box extender according to claim 1, wherein the side wall is substantially round.

4. The electrical box extender according to claim 2, further comprising a pair of tabs extending from the first edge on opposing wall sections, wherein each tab has a mounting screw aperture.

5. The electrical box extender according to claim 1, wherein the first embossed area comprises a first aperture or a first depressed area and the second embossed area comprises a second aperture or a second depressed area, wherein the first member comprises a first raised portion and the second member comprises a second raised portion, and wherein the first aperture or the first depressed area engagingly receives the second raised portion and the second aperture or the second depressed area engagingly receives the first raised portion.

6. The electrical box extender according to claim 2, wherein the four, six or eight lengthwise wall sections are formed by bending the side wall by approximately 90, 60 or 45 degrees, respectively, at three, five or seven bending points.

7. The electrical box extender according to claim 1, wherein the first member has a first width and the second member has a second width and wherein both the first width and second width are less than one half the width of the side wall.

8. The electrical box extender according to claim 1, wherein the width of the side wall has a midpoint and the first member is located between the first edge and the midpoint of the side wall and the second member is located between the second edge and the midpoint of the side wall.

9. The electrical box extender according to claim 8, wherein the first embossed area is located between the second edge and the midpoint and the second embossed area is located between the first edge and the midpoint.

10. The electrical box extender according to claim 2, wherein the side wall further comprises three, five or seven grooves extending substantially perpendicular to the length.

11. An electrical box extender comprising:

a side wall having a length and a width and comprising a first end, a second end, a first edge and a second edge, wherein the side wall is configured so that the first end contacts the second end;

a first member extending from the first end;

a first embossed area on the first end;

a second member extending from the second end;

a second embossed area on the second end; and

a pair of tabs on the first edge of each extending away from each other, wherein each tab has a mounting screw aperture,

wherein the first member is bent so that it contacts the second embossed area and the second member is bent so that it contacts the first embossed area to connect the first and second ends.

12. The electrical box extender according to claim 11, wherein the side wall comprises four, six or eight lengthwise wall sections which are configured to form two, three or four pairs, respectively, of opposing and substantially parallel wall sections.

13. The electrical box extender according to claim 11, wherein the side wall is substantially round.

14. The electrical box extender according to claim 11, wherein the first embossed area comprises a first aperture or a first depressed area and the second embossed area comprises a second aperture or a second depressed area, wherein the first member comprises a first raised portion and the second member comprises a second raised portion, and wherein the first aperture or the first depressed area engagingly receives the second raised portion and the second aperture or the second depressed area engagingly receives the first raised portion.

15. The electrical box extender according to claim 12, wherein the four, six or eight lengthwise wall sections are formed by bending the side wall by approximately 90, 60 or 45 degrees, respectively, at three, five or seven bending points.

16. The electrical box extender according to claim 11, wherein the first member has a first width and the second member has a second width and wherein both the first width and the second width are less than one half the width of the side wall.

17. The electrical box extender according to claim 11, wherein the width of the side wall has a midpoint and the first member is located between the first edge and the midpoint of the side wall and the second member is located between the second edge and the midpoint of the side wall, and wherein the first embossed area is located between the second edge and the midpoint and the second embossed area is located between the first edge and the midpoint.