Telescoping weather resistant box

• US 7,431,594 B2
• Filed: 11/14/2006
• Issued: 10/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Noest, Marc, Castaldo, Cosmo, Galluci, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, THANH TAM T
• Application Number:
  US11/559,875
• Publication Number:
  US 20070128915A1
• Time in Patent Office: 693 Days
• Field of Search: 439/135, 439/136, 439/142, 439/144, 174/67, 220/242
• US Class Current: 439/135
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/447 Shutter or cover plate
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5213 Covers
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6395 for wall or panel outlets
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/652 with earth pin, blade or socket
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/78 with additional earth or shield contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/006 the coupling part being secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. duplex wall receptacle

Abstract

A weather resistant telescoping enclosure for enclosing a receptacle or other device is provided that comprises a telescoping cover over an enclosed base portion and an irregularly shaped cutout on its mounting surface that permits positioning of the base portion over an existing device installation with increased mobility.

Claims

1. A weather resistant enclosure for housing an electrical device comprising:

a base portion, said base portion comprising a back wall, said back wall having an irregularly shaped cutout portion having mounting slots integrated therein;

a pair of opposing side walls projecting from said back wall each having a protrusion defining an elongated recessed channel for receiving a hinge pin therein, each of said protrusions defining for each channel an inner surface, each of said inner surfaces being co-planar with a respective one of said side walls;

a pair of opposing end walls projecting from said back wall, at least one of said end walls having at least one projection;

a cover having a front portion, a pair opposing end walls projecting from the front portion and a pair of opposing side walls projecting from the front portion;

each one of said walls further having the hinge pin formed near one end;

said end walls further comprising a locking tab,

wherein, when said hinge pins on said cover are brought into corresponding contact with said elongated recessed channels in the pair of opposing side walls projecting from the back wall each of said hinge pins is friction fit to one of said side walls and forms a floating hinge having rotation and sliding ability between said cover and said base,

wherein, the configuration of each of said elongated recessed channels permits each of said hinge pins to translate upwardly or downwardly along said elongated recessed channels without binding; and

wherein, the cover can pivotly open and close about the base portion and simultaneously or separately telescope toward and away from the base portion to decrease and increase the distance between the back wall of the base portion and the front portion of the cover.

2. The weather resistant enclosure for housing an electrical device according to claim 1, wherein the inner surface is arcuate.

3. The weather resistant enclosure for housing an electrical device according to claim 1, wherein said base portion includes at least one cutout for enabling at least one wire to pass there through and enter the enclosure.

4. The weather resistant enclosure for housing an electrical device according to claim 1, wherein said cover is domed.

5. The weather resistant enclosure for housing an electrical device according to claim 1, wherein said locking tab includes at least two projections.

6. The weather resistant enclosure for housing an electrical device according to claim 1, wherein said locking tab of said cover is configured to prevent said cover from rotating around said hinge.

7. The weather resistant enclosure for housing an electrical device according to claim 1, wherein said locking tab of said cover is configured to engage said at least one projection when said cover is in a closed position.

8. The weather resistant enclosure for housing an electrical device according to claim 1, wherein the cover is configured to be raised and lowered along an axis perpendicular to said base portion to vary the profile of said enclosure.

9. The weather resistant enclosure for housing an electrical device according to claim 1, wherein said base portion is configured for receiving at least one mounting member for mounting said base portion to a surface.