Electrical connection box

• US 7,306,482 B1
• Filed: 07/31/2006
• Issued: 12/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Cheetah USA Corp
• Inventors: Kidman, Brent L.
• Primary Examiner(s): DINH, PHUONG K
• Application Number:
  US11/496,266
• Time in Patent Office: 498 Days
• Field of Search: 439/535, 439/536, 439/538, 174/66
• US Class Current: 439/538
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/73 Means for mounting coupling parts to apparatus or structures, e.g. to a wall
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/006 the coupling part being secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. duplex wall receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/086 Assembled boxes
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/14 Fastening of cover or lid to box
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/18 providing line outlets

Abstract

A connection box assembly includes an electrical connection box with one end shaped to receive a fastener for securing the connection box to a stud or other structural member. The other end is secured to a slide. A spacer is inserted within the slide to register the connection box with respect to any sheathing, sheetrock, or paneling material applied to a back side of the stud or other structural member. The slide engages the spacer with a uni-directional ratchet controlling the extension of the spacer from the connection box.

Claims

1. A connection box defining longitudinal, lateral, and transverse directions substantially orthogonal to one another, the connection box comprising:

first and second wall segments spaced from one another in the lateral direction to form the sides of the connection box;

third and fourth wall segments spaced from one another in the longitudinal direction to form the top and bottom of the connection box;

a fifth wall segment forming the back of the connection box;

a first receiver connected to the third wall segment and comprising

a channel having a first end, a second end, and a plurality of interior surfaces forming a rectangular interior cross-section,

an engagement mechanism extending into the interior of the channel, and

at least two of the plurality of interior surfaces being substantially planar, parallel to one another, and continuous from the first end to a location beyond the engagement mechanism; and

the first receiver comprising a monolithic and homogeneous unit.

2. The connection box of claim 1, further comprising a second receiver connected to the fourth wall segment and comprising a channel having a rectangular interior cross-section and an engagement mechanism extending into the interior of the channel.

3. The connection box of claim 2, wherein the second receiver comprises a monolithic and homogeneous unit.

4. The connection box of claim 3, wherein the first wall segment, second wall segment, third wall segment, fourth wall segment, first receiver, and second receiver comprise a monolithic and homogeneous unit.

5. The connection box of claim 4, wherein the first wall segment, second wall segment, third wall segment, fourth wall segment, first receiver, and second receiver are monolithically and homogeneously molded of a material selected from the group consisting of a polymer, a filled polymer, and a reinforced polymer.

6. The connection box of claim 5, wherein the first wall segment, second wall segment, third wall segment, and fourth wall segment combine to form a connection box of generally rectangular shape.

7. The connection box of claim 6, wherein at least one of the first wall segment, second wall segment, third wall segment, and fourth wall segment includes an aperture sized to receive a line proceeding from a signal source to terminate within the connection box.

8. The connection box of claim 7, further comprising third and fourth receivers, each comprising a channel having a rectangular interior cross-section and an engagement mechanism extending into the interior of the channel.

9. The connection box of claim 8, wherein the third receiver comprises a monolithic and homogeneous extension of the third wall segment and the fourth receiver comprises a monolithic and homogeneous extension of the fourth wall segment.

10. The connection box of claim 1, wherein the first wall segment, second wall segment, third wall segment, fourth wall segment, and first receiver comprise a monolithic and homogeneous unit.

11. The connection box of claim 1, wherein the first wall segment, second wall segment, third wall segment, and fourth wall segment combine to form a connection box of generally rectangular shape.

12. The connection box of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first wall segment, second wall segment, third wall segment, and fourth wall segment includes an aperture sized to receive a line proceeding from a signal source and to terminate within the connection box.

13. The connection box of claim 1, further comprising:

a third receiver connected to the third wall and comprising a channel having a rectangular interior cross-section and an engagement mechanism extending into the interior of the channel, the third receiver comprising a monolithic and homogeneous unit; and

a fourth receiver connected to the fourth wall and comprising a channel having a rectangular interior cross-section and an engagement mechanism extending into the interior of the channel the fourth receiver comprising a monolithic and homogeneous unit.

14. A connection box comprising:

first and second wall segments spaced from one another to form the sides of the connection box;

third and fourth wall segments spaced from one another to form the top and bottom of the connection box;

a fifth wall segment forming the back of the connection box;

a first receiver connected to the third wall segment and comprising

a non-threaded channel having a first end, second end, and at least two planar, interior surfaces parallel to one another,

an engagement mechanism extending into the interior of the non-threaded channel between the first and second ends, and

the at least two planar, interior surfaces each being continuous from the first end to a location beyond the engagement mechanism; and

the first receiver comprising a monolithic and homogeneous unit.

15. The connection box of claim 14, further comprising a second receiver connected to the third wall segment and comprising a channel having a rectangular interior cross-section and an engagement mechanism extending into the interior of the channel.

16. The connection box of claim 15, wherein the second receiver comprises a monolithic and homogeneous unit.

17. The connection box of claim 16, wherein the first wall segment, second wall segment, third wall segment, fourth wall segment, first receiver, and second receiver comprise a monolithic and homogeneous unit.

18. The connection box of claim 17, wherein the first wall segment, second wall segment, third wall segment, fourth wall segment, first receiver, and second receiver are monolithically and homogeneously molded of a material selected from the group consisting of a polymer, a filled polymer, and a reinforced polymer.

19. The connection box of claim 18, wherein the first wall segment, second wall segment, third wall segment, and fourth wall segment combine to form a connection box of generally rectangular shape.

20. A connection box comprising:

first and second wall segments spaced from one another to form the sides of the connection box;

third and fourth wall segments spaced from one another to form the top and bottom of the connection box;

a fifth wall segment forming the back of the connection box;

first and second receivers each comprising

a channel having a first end, second end, non-circular interior cross-section, and at least two planar, interior surfaces parallel to one another,

an engagement mechanism extending into the interior of the channel between the first and second ends, and

the at least two planar, interior surfaces each being continuous from the first end to a location beyond the engagement mechanism;

the first receiver comprising a monolithic and homogeneous extension of the third wall segment; and

the second receiver comprising a monolithic and homogeneous extension of the fourth wall segment.