Water-resistant while-in-use electrical box

• US 8,530,757 B2
• Filed: 02/03/2012
• Issued: 09/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: Thomas & Betts International Incorporated (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Dinh, Cong Thanh
• Primary Examiner(s): Estrada, Angel R
• Application Number:
  US13/365,702
• Publication Number:
  US 20120222880A1
• Time in Patent Office: 585 Days
• Field of Search: 174/480, 174/481, 174/50, 174/53, 174/57, 174/58, 174/66, 174/67, 174/535, 174/559, 174/60, 174/64, 174/482, 174/484, 174/486, 174/490, 220 32- 39, 220/4.02, 220/241, 220/242, 522/201
• US Class Current: 174/481
• CPC Class Codes: H02B 1/28 dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof or flameproof
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/088 Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof casings or inlets
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/14 Fastening of cover or lid to box
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/185 Floor outlets and access cups
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

An electrical box may include a panel that is coupled to a top side of the electrical box. The panel may include a wall on one side of the panel, the wall surrounding a well, in the first panel, into a space in the electrical box. The panel may also include a cap to be placed over the wall and the well. The cap and the well may be configured to form a first bend and a second bend on a cable that extends from outside of the electrical box to an inside space of the electrical box. The first bend may include a locally lowest point on cable portions that are outside of an area under the cap.

Claims

1. An electrical box, comprising:

a housing enclosing a space and including an inner opening to the enclosed space; and

a cover panel over the inner opening, the cover panel including;

a wall projecting from one side of the cover panel, the wall surrounding a panel opening in the cover panel,

a shielding cap, having an open side therein, to be placed over the wall and coupled to the one side of the cover panel when the electrical box is in a first configuration, and

a sealing door to block the panel opening at the other side of the cover panel when the electrical box is in a second configuration,

wherein the cover panel is configured to;

cover the housing, the one side of the cover panel facing outside of the electrical box when the electrical box is in the first configuration; and

cover the housing, the other side of the cover panel facing the outside of the electrical box when the electrical box is in the second configuration.

2. The electrical box of claim 1, wherein the shielding cap is configured to allow a cable passing from the outside of the electrical box through the panel opening surrounded by the wall on the one side of the cover panel and through the inner opening into the enclosed space of the housing when the electrical box is in the first configuration.

3. The electrical box of claim 2, wherein the shielding cap and the cover panel are configured to bend a cable, at first and second segments of the cable, that extends from the outside of the electrical box to the enclosed space of the housing via the panel opening and the inner opening, the first segment including a first bend and the second segment including a second bend.

4. The electrical box of claim 3, wherein when the electrical box is in substantially horizontal position, the first bend includes a locally lowest point of the cable, and the second bend includes a point higher than the locally lowest point, and

wherein water that migrates along the cable toward the electrical box from an exterior of the electrical box falls from the locally lowest point due to gravity and does not enter the electrical box.

5. The electrical box of claim 4, wherein the cable includes an end connected to an electrical connector and wherein the housing includes, in the enclosed space, the electrical connector.

6. The electrical box of claim 3, wherein the shielding cap includes a portion that engages the wall, the open side of the shielding cap in a direction toward one of:

a front of the electrical box;

a back of the electrical box;

or

one of sides of the electrical box.

7. The electrical box of claim 1, wherein the shielding cap is further configured to:

dislodge the sealing door from blocking the panel opening and open a passageway into the enclosed space when the shielding cap is coupled to the one side of the cover panel.

8. The electrical box of claim 7, further comprising:

a wire, cord, string, spring, or cable that couples the shielding cap, through the panel opening and the inner opening, to the sealing door.

9. The electrical box of claim 7, wherein the sealing door is configured to prevent water or another substance from entering the electrical box through the panel opening.

10. The electrical box of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a plurality of sides, one of the sides including a support panel and other sides including a body of the housing,

wherein the support panel includes the inner opening to the enclosed space and a recessed surface that is parallel to a top of the support panel,

wherein the cover panel and the support panel are configured to:

form a moisture-proof seal when the one or the other side of the cover panel is placed flat against the recessed surface of the support panel, and

provide clearance for passage of a cable into the enclosed space through the panel opening and the inner opening when the one or the other side of the cover panel is placed flat against the recessed surface of the support panel.

11. The electrical box of claim 10, wherein the support panel includes a flap, when in position, applies pressure on the cover panel and the support panel to form the moisture-proof seal.

12. The electrical box of claim 1, wherein the housing includes holes through which water can escape from the electrical box.

13. The electrical box of claim 1, wherein the housing includes at least one of:

an electrical outlet;

a communication device;

or

a switch.

14. The electrical box of claim 1, wherein the wall includes an internal surface forming a channel into the panel opening, the internal surface including a slot perpendicular to the one side of the cover panel, the slot configured to engage a portion of the shielding cap when the shielding cap is placed over the wall and coupled to the one side of the cover panel.

15. An electrical box comprising:

a panel coupled to a top side of the electrical box, the panel including;

a wall on one side of the panel, the wall surrounding a well, in the first panel, into a space in the electrical box; and

a cap to be placed over the wall and the well,

wherein the cap and the well are configured to form a first bend and a second bend on a cable that extends from outside of the electrical box to an inside space of the electrical box, the first bend including a locally lowest point on cable portions that are outside of an area under the cap.

16. The electrical box of claim 15, wherein the panel includes a door, configured to seal the well at the other side of the panel when the panel is reassembled to the electrical box such that the other side of the panel faces the outside of the electrical box.

17. The electrical box of claim 16, wherein the electrical box includes a wire, cord, string, spring, or cable that couples the cap to the door.

18. The electrical box of claim 15, wherein the panel includes a gasket,

wherein the panel is configured form a moisture-proof seal via the gasket when the panel is coupled to the electrical box.

19. The electrical box of claim 15, wherein the electrical box includes a flap,

wherein the flap is configured to apply pressure on the one side of the panel to press the other side of the panel against the electrical box.

20. A method, comprising:

opening a cover panel of an electrical box, the cover panel having one side with an opening surrounded by a wall projecting from the cover panel;

inserting a cable through the opening into an enclosed space of the electrical box;

placing the cover panel over the electrical box such that the one side faces outside of the electrical box, and

placing a shielding cap over the wall to attach the shielding cap to the one side of the cover panel, wherein the placing the shielding cap comprises;

pressing the shielding cap to drive a bottom edge of the shielding cap, against a first segment of the cable toward the one side of the cover panel, forming a first bend on the first segment, and

pressing the shielding cap to push a second segment of the cable against a top of the wall, forming a second bend on the second segment; and

wherein the second segment of the cable connects to a cable portion in the enclosed space of the electrical box.