COVERED IN-FLOOR RECEPTACLE BOX

• US 20100051308A1
• Filed: 08/28/2008
• Published: 03/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FSR Incorporated
• Original Assignee: FSR Incorporated
• Inventors: Hansen, David, Macaluso, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,989,710 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 174/50.500
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/185 Floor outlets and access cups

Abstract

An in-floor receptacle or electrical conduit box with a compartment divider removably attached to a gang-plate divider, a gang-plate divider removably attached to a gang-unit holder, at least one gang-unit holder removably attached to the inside of the box, and at least one knockout located on each side or floor of the box. The in-floor electrical conduit box enables the connection of permanent cables, wires or cords to temporary cables, wires or cords.

The in-floor electrical conduit box further comprises a lid with at least one removable door whereby the removal of the door permits cable access to the box while the box is still covered.

Claims

1. A user-configurable in-floor electrical conduit box comprising:

a. a gang-unit holder removably fixed within said box;

b. at least one receptacle in at least one gang-unit of space removably attached to said gang-unit holder;

wherein said in-floor electrical conduit box enables the connection of permanent cables, wires or cords to temporary cables, wires or cords through at least one of the receptacles located in said gang unit.

2. The user-configurable in-floor electrical conduit box of claim 1 further comprising at least one gang-plate divider removably attached to said gang-unit holder, wherein said at least one gang plate divider is optionally attached to a removable gang-compartment divider.

3. The user-configurable in-floor electrical conduit box of claim 1 further comprising at least one removably mounted gang compartment divider.

4. The user-configurable in-floor electrical conduit box of claim 3 wherein said at least one removably mounted gang compartment divider interlocks with a stabilizer trap via an integral length.

5. The user-configurable in-floor electrical conduit box of claim 3 wherein at least one center divider plate, perpendicular to said gang compartment dividers, is interlocked with either two stabilizer traps or one stabilizer trap and an interlocking slot on a wall of the conduit box wall.

6. The user-configurable in-floor electrical conduit box of claim 1 comprising a plurality of specifically-sized gang-unit spaces, which are user-adaptable via the gang unit holder to at least one configuration selected from the group consisting of 1G, 1GX1G, 1GX2G, 1GX3G, 1GX4G, 1GX5G, 2G, 2GX1G, 2GX2G, 2GX3G, 2GX4G, 3G, 3GX1G, 3GX2G, 3GX3G, 4G, 4GX1G, 4GX2G, 5G, 5GX1G and 6G.

7. The user-configurable in-floor electrical conduit box of claim 1 wherein said gang-unit holder comprises an open area for holding receptacles, wherein said receptacles are attached to said gang-unit holder by an attachment means wherein said attachment means are located about ⅓

-gang-space (about 0.604 inches) apart, along a single centerline.

8. The user-configurable in-floor electrical conduit box of claim 1 wherein said receptacles are selected from the group consisting of coaxial cable connections, F-connectors, electrical and/or power outlets, duplex outlets, RCA jacks, telephone jacks, positive and negative speaker connectors, optical connections, audio jacks, video jacks, USB ports, Ethernet ports, audio/video jacks and combinations thereof.

9. The user-configurable in-floor electrical conduit box of claim 1 further comprising at least one knockout located on a side or floor of said box.

10. The user-configurable in-floor electrical conduit box of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of legs wherein each of said plurality of legs can be adjusted to vary the height of said in-floor electrical conduit box.

11. The user-configurable in-floor electrical conduit box of claim 1 further comprising a lid.

12. The user-configurable in-floor electrical conduit box of claim 11 wherein said lid further comprises an integrated flange attached to the top of said lid for securing flooring materials to the top of said lid.

13. The user-configurable in-floor electrical conduit box of claim 11 wherein said lid further comprises at least one door located on said lid and wherein the removal of said door provides a door hole through which temporary cables, cords and wires may enter the in-floor electrical conduit box.

14. The user-configurable in-floor electrical conduit box of claim 13 wherein said door removably secures said lid to said in-floor electrical conduit box.

15. The user-configurable in-floor electrical conduit box of claim 13 wherein said door is provided with a latch for securing said door to said lid.

16. The user-configurable in-floor electrical conduit box of claim 15 wherein said latch further comprises:

a. a bail handle attached to a latch pivot;

b. said latch pivot further comprising a stem that engages a latch cam;

c. and a wave spring inserted between a stem end-cap and said latch cam.

17. The user-configurable in-floor electrical conduit box of claim 13 wherein said door further comprises a curved door pad fitted to the bottom of said door casting.

18. The user-configurable in-floor electrical conduit box of claim 11 further comprising a waterproof barrier between said box and said lid.

19. The user-configurable in-floor electrical conduit box of claim 6 wherein said configuration uses from about 4⅔

to about 4¾

gang-unit spaces.

20. The user-configurable in-floor electrical conduit box of claim 17 wherein said curved door pad provides a waterproof barrier.

21. The user-configurable in-floor electrical conduit box of claim 14 wherein said lid further comprises a top surface upon which a flooring material may be applied.

22. The user-configurable in-floor electrical conduit box of claim 13 wherein said door comprises a waterproof barrier selected from the group consisting of gaskets, washers, O-rings wave springs, end-caps and combinations thereof.

23. The user-configurable in-floor electrical conduit box of claim 18 wherein said waterproof barrier is a seal.

24. The user-configurable in-floor electrical conduit box of claim 23 wherein said seal is neoprene-foam.