Two-gang adjustable mud ring

• US 7,645,936 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2008
• Issued: 01/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: Thomas & Betts International Incorporated (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Magno, Joey D. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Estrada; Angel R
• Application Number:
  US12/046,586
• Publication Number:
  US 20080223600A1
• Time in Patent Office: 671 Days
• Field of Search: 174/480, 174/481, 174/50, 174/53, 174/57, 174/58, 174/66, 174/67, 174/135, 220 32- 39, 220/4.02, 220/241, 220/242, 335/28, 33D/IG.10
• US Class Current: 174/53
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/14 Fastening of cover or lid to box

Abstract

This invention pertains to an adjustable cover for an electrical outlet box. The cover is configured having a generally planar mounting plate with a collar surrounding an opening through this mounting plate. An extension sleeve moves within this opening and adjacent the collar. At least one fastener is located adjacent the opening and is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The fastener operates a locking device that engages a wedge against the extension sleeve when the fastener is in the locked position and disengages a wedge against the extension sleeve when the fastener is in the unlocked position.

Claims

1. An adjustable cover for an electrical outlet box comprising:

(a) a mounting plate having a collar surrounding an opening, said collar having a distal end region remote from said mounting plate, said collar including at least one tab protruding into said opening;

(b) an extension sleeve sized to move within said opening adjacent said distal end of said collar, said extension sleeve including a U-shaped channel along an exterior sidewall of said extension sleeve to allow said at least one tab to travel within said channel;

(c) at least one fastener extending through said tab and movable between a locking and an unlocking position; and

(d) a locking device operable by said fastener, said locking device configured to selectively engage and disengage said extension sleeve so as to selectively lock and unlock said extension sleeve with respect to said mounting plate.

2. The adjustable cover as set forth in claim 1 wherein a first said fastener and locking device is located through a first said tab and a second said fastener and locking device is located through an opposing tab.

3. The adjustable cover as set forth in claim 1 wherein said locking device includes a wedge, said fastener extends through said wedge.

4. The adjustable cover as set forth in claim 3 wherein said at least one tab includes an interior threaded aperture.

5. The adjustable cover as set forth in claim 4 wherein said wedge is sandwiched between said at least one tab and a head of said fastener.

6. The adjustable cover as set forth in claim 5 wherein said extension sleeve is configured with mating surfaces for engagement thereof by said wedge.

7. The adjustable cover as set forth in claim 5 wherein said wedge has a generally U-shaped configuration, two sides of said sides being angled downward toward said at least one tab.

8. An adjustable cover for an electrical outlet box comprising:

(a) a mounting plate having an inner rim, said inner rim defining an opening, said inner rim including two opposing tabs on opposite sides of said inner rim and protruding into said opening;

(b) an extension sleeve extending adjacent to said inner rim and said opening, said extension sleeve extending generally perpendicular to said mounting plate, said extension sleeve being freely movable within said inner rim, said extension sleeve including a U-shaped channel on an exterior sidewall;

(c) two locking devices, each device including a fastener and a wedge, each fastener extending through one of said wedges and one of said two tabs, said locking devices configured to selectively engage and disengage said extension sleeve so as to selectively lock and unlock said extension sleeve with respect to said mounting plate.

9. The adjustable cover as set forth in claim 8 wherein each of said tabs include a threaded portion for mating with each of said fasteners.

10. The adjustable cover as set forth in claim 9 wherein said wedge is sandwiched between said mounting plate and a head of said fastener.

11. The adjustable cover as set forth in claim 10 wherein said extension sleeve is configured with mating surfaces for engagement thereof by said wedge.

12. The adjustable cover as set forth in claim 11 wherein said wedge has a generally U-shaped configuration.

13. The adjustable cover as set forth in claim 12 wherein said wedge is configured with at least one end region for engagement thereof with a surface of said extension sleeve to facilitate locking said extension sleeve to said mounting plate at a desired position.