Provisions for securement of an electrical box

• US 8,344,249 B1
• Filed: 10/04/2010
• Issued: 01/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Inventors: Baldwin, Jeffrey P., Shotey, Marcus J., Miserendino, Thomas A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Dhirubhai R
• Application Number:
  US12/897,285
• Time in Patent Office: 820 Days
• Field of Search: 174/50, 174/58, 174/17.R, 248/906, 439/535, 220/4.02, 361/600
• US Class Current: 174/50
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/166 Electrical connectors
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/169 Structural door designs
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/123 in thin walls

Abstract

An electrical box including at least four sides extending from a bottom to an open top and a front surface, a first outer tab extending from one of the at least four sides and proximate the front surface, a second outer tab extending from one of the at least four sides opposite the first outer tab and proximate the front surface, a first aperture adjacent the first outer tab, a second aperture adjacent the second outer tab, a first locking tab mounted within the first aperture, a second locking tab mounted within the second aperture, and wherein the first and second locking tabs slide towards the front surface for securing a mounting wall between the first outer tab and the first locking tab and between the second outer tab and the second locking tab.

Claims

1. An electrical box comprising:

at least four sides extending from a bottom to an open top and a front surface;

a first outer tab extending from one of the at least four sides and proximate the front surface;

a second outer tab extending from one of the at least four sides opposite the first outer tab and proximate the front surface;

a first aperture adjacent the first outer tab;

a second aperture adjacent the second outer tab;

a first locking tab slidably mounted to a first track at the first aperture;

a second locking tab slidably mounted to a second track at the second aperture; and

,

wherein the first and second locking tabs slide towards the front surface coupled to the respective first or second track for securing a mounting wall between the first outer tab and the first locking tab and between the second outer tab and the second locking tab.

2. The electrical box of claim 1 wherein each of the tracks further comprises a plurality of track teeth.

3. The electrical box of claim 2 wherein the first and second locking tabs each further comprise a plurality of tab teeth communicating with the plurality of track teeth of the respective first or second track.

4. The electrical box of claim 2 wherein the plurality of track teeth are located on an outer surface of the respective tracks.

5. The electrical box of claim 1 wherein the first and second locking tabs each further comprise an opening in a bottom portion.

6. The electrical box of claim 5 wherein an installer manipulates the locking tabs from within the open top.

7. The electrical box of claim 5 wherein an installer manipulates the respective locking tabs from within the respective locking tab opening.

8. The electrical box of claim 1 wherein the first and second locking tabs further comprise a locking wall spaced from each respective locking tab, and wherein when the first and second locking tabs slide towards the front surface, the locking wall contacts the mounting wall.

9. The electrical box of claim 1 wherein the first locking tab is spring biased towards the first outer tab and the second locking tab is spring biased towards the second outer tab.

10. The electrical box of claim 1 wherein the first locking tab extends above the first outer tab and the second locking tab extends above the second outer tab.

11. The electrical box of claim 1 further comprising a third outer tab located on a common side with the first outer tab and a fourth outer tab located on a common side with the second outer tab.

12. The electrical box of claim 1 wherein the first and second locking tabs are removable from the first and second apertures.

13. The electrical box of claim 1 wherein the first and second apertures are sized to receive electrical wire therein.

14. The electrical box of claim 1 wherein the track is integral with the electrical box.

15. A method of installing an electrical box comprising the steps of:

providing an electrical box including;

at least four sides extending from a bottom to an open top and a front surface;

a first outer tab extending from one of the at least four sides and proximate the front surface;

a second outer tab extending from one of the at least four sides and proximate the front surface;

a first aperture adjacent the first outer tab;

a second aperture adjacent the second outer tab;

a first locking tab; and

,

a second locking tab;

locating the first locking tab partially within the first aperture on a first track;

locating the second locking tab partially within the second aperture on a second track;

inserting the electrical box within a mounting wall until the first and second outer tabs contact the mounting wall; and

,

moving the first and second locking tabs into contact with the mounting wall along the respective first or second track.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of pushing the first locking tab through the first aperture and the second locking tab through the second aperture after inserting the electrical box within the mounting wall.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of engaging the first and second locking tabs with the respective track in the first and second apertures.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of moving the first and second locking tabs further comprises the step of an installer inserting a finger into an opening in each of the respective locking tabs to manipulate the respective locking tab.

19. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of engaging the first and second locking tabs with a plurality of teeth in the first and second apertures.