Electrical accessories and associated methods of use and manufacture

• US 9,819,167 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2013
• Issued: 11/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CANTEX, Inc. (Mitsubishi Corporation)
• Original Assignee: CANTEX, Inc. (Mitsubishi Corporation)
• Inventors: Kummer, Randy Deon
• Primary Examiner(s): Castellano, Stephen
• Application Number:
  US14/068,588
• Publication Number:
  US 20140054286A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,475 Days
• Field of Search: 220 32, 220 33, 220 37, 220 39, 220 392, 220 394, 220 402, 220 35, 2 32, 2 33, 2 37, 2 39, 2 392, 2 394, 2 402
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 1/14 for joining or terminating cables
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/08 Distribution boxes; Connection or junction boxes
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/081 Bases, casings or covers
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/085 including knock-out or tear-out sections
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/086 Assembled boxes
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/12 for flush mounting
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/14 Fastening of cover or lid to box
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49194 Assembling elongated conductors, e.g., splicing, etc.

Abstract

Electrical accessories and associated methods of use and manufacture are provided. In one embodiment, an electrical accessory can be provided. The electrical accessory can include a frame including two side walls in parallel relation to each other, and two end walls in parallel relation to each other, and disposed between the two side walls. The electrical accessory can also include at least one positioning arm mounted to at least one of the end walls, wherein the at least one positioning arm comprises a support leg mounted to the at least one end wall, and a prong substantially perpendicular to the at least one positioning arm, wherein a side wall portion of an adjacent electrical accessory can be positioned between the prong and at least one side wall.

Claims

1. An electrical accessory comprising:

a frame comprising;

two side walls in parallel relation to each other;

two end walls in parallel relation to each other, and disposed between the two side walls, wherein a frame face is defined by upper edges of the two side walls and the two end walls;

a rear wall connected to and extending perpendicularly between a frame bottom defined by lower edges of the two side walls and two end walls;

at least one stud guide molded in and positioned at a junction between at least one side wall and at least one end wall and adjacent to the frame face, wherein the at least one stud guide is operable to maintain a predefined distance between the frame face and a face of an adjacent stud or wall and the frame during installation of the electrical accessory; and

at least one nail guide mounted to at least one end wall, the nail guide being extended to rest against the stud to maintain box shape during nailing, the nail guide operable to facilitate mounting the frame to at least one wall stud or wall.

2. The electrical accessory of claim 1, further comprising a bridge along a length of at least one side wall, wherein the bridge is operable to provide added material thickness to a portion of the at least one side wall.

3. The electrical accessory of claim 2, wherein the bridge is approximately 0.040 inches tall.

4. The electrical accessory of claim 1, wherein a bottom end of the at least one nail guide is aligned parallel with, connected to and extends perpendicularly away from a top surface of the at least one end wall.

5. The electrical accessory of claim 4, wherein the at least one nail guide extends from the at least one end wall and past a portion of an adjacent side wall, wherein the at least one nail guide is operable to contact a wall stud or wall during installation of the electrical accessory, wherein the at least one nail guide is further operable to maintain the approximate shape of the electrical accessory during installation.

6. The electrical accessory of claim 1, wherein the at least one nail guide comprises a plurality of guide portions including at least an upper guide portion and a lower guide portion.

7. The electrical accessory of claim 1, further comprising at least one radiused corner between at least one end wall and the lower wall.