Integral box

• US 9,263,868 B2
• Filed: 09/02/2009
• Issued: 02/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sigma Electric Manufacturing Corporation
• Original Assignee: Sigma Electric Manufacturing Corporation
• Inventors: Sathyanarayana, Ashok Alilughatta, Shinde, Santosh Ganpat
• Primary Examiner(s): Chu, King M
• Application Number:
  US12/552,438
• Publication Number:
  US 20100051614A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,358 Days
• Field of Search: 220/3.8, 220/3.2, 220/3.3, 220/3.7, 220/4.02
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/081 Bases, casings or covers

Abstract

In one embodiment, an integral box comprises a base with walls, with plate(s) extending from a side wall(s). Opening(s) in the side wall(s) and/or the base allow wiring to pass into the box. This box is formed as a single, unitary component.

Claims

1. An integral box, comprising:

a base having a third wire access point;

a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, and a fourth wall, extending from the base to form a cavity, and having a first wire access point;

a first plate extending from the second wall and between the first wall and third wall; and

a second plate extending from the fourth wall and between the first wall and third wall;

wherein the base, first wall, second wall, third wall, fourth wall, first plate, and second plate, are formed as a single component;

wherein the second wall has a first conduit extending from the first wire access point into the cavity, and wherein the fourth wall comprises a second conduit extending into the cavity from a second wire access point; and

wherein the first conduit extends into the cavity a distance of greater than or equal to a distance that the first plate extends from the second wall, and wherein the second conduit extends into the cavity a distance of greater than or equal to a distance that the second plate extends from the fourth wall.

2. The integral box of claim 1, wherein the integral box comprises a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, castable grade metal, and combinations comprising at least one the foregoing.

3. The integral box of claim 1, wherein the first plate and the second plate are integrally formed with the first wall.

4. The integral box of claim 1, further comprising a gasket, grommet, or waterproof sealant disposed around wires located in the first wire access point, the second wire access point, and the third wire access point.

5. The integral box of claim 1, wherein the first plate and the second plate cover a portion of an opening to the cavity, opposite the base.

6. The integral box of claim 5, wherein the portion of the opening that is covered by the first plate and the second plate is less than or equal to 50% of the opening.

7. An integral box, comprising:

a base comprising a perimeter;

a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, and a fourth wall extending from the perimeter of the base to form a cavity;

a first opening in the first wall configured to accept wiring;

a second opening in the second wall configured to accept wiring;

a first plate extending from the first wall over the cavity, wherein the first plate is integrally attached to the third wall and the fourth wall;

a second plate extending from the second wall over the cavity, wherein the second plate is integrally attached to the third wall and the fourth wall;

wherein the integral box is formed from a single material composition.

8. The integral box of claim 7, wherein the integral box comprises a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, castable grade metal, and combinations comprising at least one the foregoing.

9. The integral box of claim 7, wherein the first plate and the second plate cover a portion of an opening to the cavity, opposite the base.

10. The integral box of claim 9, wherein the distance the first plate extends across the cavity from the second wall plus the distance the second plate extends across the cavity from the second wall is less than or equal to 50% of the length of the first wall.

11. The integral box of claim 7, further comprising a gasket, grommet, or waterproof sealant disposed around wires located in the first opening in the first wall and around wires located in the second opening in the second wall.