Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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This invention relates to a mount structure. In one
facet, it relates to a structure for containing electrical
connections, i.e., what is commonly known as a junction
box. Such junction boxes contain electrical connections
which may be switches, light bulbs, or electrical outlets.
In another facet, it relates to an air outlet structure,
i.e., for the discharge of gases from a clothes drier.
One common type of electrical junction box is in the
form of a flush casing for electric switches, consisting of
a shell provided with externally-projecting perforated
ears, situated diametrically opposite each other. The box
also has external projections and recesses, a peripheral
flange and a lid which is adapted to be secured to the
shell. When such junction box is mounted to the siding of
an exterior wall, the cover leaves gaps underneath itself
at uneven or low areas of the siding. These gaps require
thick, unattractive beads of silicone to keep out moisture
and insects.
It would be desirable, and it is therefore a principal
object of this invention to provide a mount structure for
a junction box that could be used to solve such problems.
An object of another aspect of thie invention is the
provision of a mount structure which can enhance the
appearance of electrical or other types of fixtures, or
exterior sideways, while simplifying the task of the
installer, i.e., an electrician.
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An object of yet another aspect of this invention is
to provide a mount structure for an air outlet structure
for the discharge of gases from a clothes drier.
By the present invention, a mount structure is
provided comprising: a principal polygonal structure having
a bottom, a top, and a plurality of side walls; a lower,
external perimetral flange encircling the outer reaches of
the polygonal structure at the bottom of the walls of the
polygonal structure; an upper perimetral flange encircling
the inner reaches of the polygonal structure at the top of
the walls of the polygonal structure; and a secondary
structure depending from the upper peripheral flange into
the principal polygonal structure, such secondary structure
being provided with inlet connection means and outlet
connection means.
The present invention also provides a mount for an
electrical fixture, the mount comprising: a principal
rectangular structure having four walls, a bottom, the
bottom being defined by a lower external perimetral flange
encircling the lower reaches at the bottom of the walls of
the rectangular structure, and a top, the top being defined
by an upper internal perimetral flange encircling the upper
inner reaches at the top of the walls of the rectangular
structure; and a secondary structure comprisin~ an
electrical junction box depending from the upper perimetral
flange into the principal rectangular structure, such
junction box including inlet means for an electrical
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conduit and electrical and structural connection means for
an electrical fixture.
The present invention also provides a mount for a one-
way air outlet box for the exhaust of gases from a clothes
drier, the mount comprising: a principal rectangular
structure having four walls, a bottom, the bottom being
defined by a lower external perimetral flange encircling
the lower reaches at the bottom of the walls of the
rectangular structure, and a top, the top being defined by
an upper internal perimetral flange encircling the upper
inner reaches at the top of the walls of the rectangular
structure; and a secondary structure comprising a one-way
air outlet box depending from the upper perimetral flange
into the principal rectangular structure, the one-way air
outlet box including inlet means for exhaust from a clothes
drier, and structural connection means for a one-way flap
valve.
In one variant of this invention the principal
polygonal structure may be made of metal or of a synthetic
plastic material.
By one variant thereof, the electrical junction box is
a rectangular receptacle box, which preferably is integral
with the upper perimetral flange.
By another variant thereof, the electrical junction
box is an octagonal fixture mount, which preferably ~is
integral with the upper perimetral flange.
In more general terms, the mount structure of aspects
of the present invention provides a plumb, flat surface to
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enable easy connection to a fixture or receptacle. The
mount of aspects of this invention makes it easier for an
electrician at the time of ~rough-in" as he would only have
to put a wire through the wall in the general location of
the fixture/receptacle instead of mounting an octagonal or
rectangular box into the wall itself.
If the mount of an aspect of this invention is made of
metal, the octagonal fixture mount or rectangular
receptacle box may be stamped into the mount construction
at the time of manufacturing. If the mount of an aspect of ;~
this invention is made of synthetic plastic material, the
secondary structure may be moulded thereinto at the time of
manufacture.
The mount construction of aspects of this invention
may be made of either a synthetic plastic material, e.g.,
vinyl, or of metal, in either case being in colours
selected to coincide with the different colours of the
siding. The thin mounting lower flange around the lower
perimeter enables easy securement, e.g., by nailing, to the
wall before the siding is installed. It has been found
that the appearance of the fixtures and receptacles is
greatly increased by the use of the mount construction of
this invention. ! ;~
In the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the mount of one
embodiment of this invention in one of its uses;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
mount of the present invention;
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Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the ~mbodiment of Fig. l;
Fig. 4 is a section along the line IV-IV of Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of
the mount of the present invention;
Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the embodiment of Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 is a section along the line VII-VII of Fig. 6;
and
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the mount of another
embodiment of this invention in one of its uses.
As seen in Fig. 1, the mount 10 of one embodiment of
this invention is secured to a wall 11 and an electrical
fixture 12 is secured to the mount 10. The siding 13 of
the wall is secured to the wall 11 and surrounds the mount
10 .
As seen in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the mount construction
200 includes a principal polygonal structure namely a
rectangular box 210 including two side walls 211,212, and
two end walls 213,214. An open bottom 215 is defined by a
lower external perimetral flange 216 encircling the lower
outer reaches at the bottom of walls 211,212,213,214 of the
box 210. The top is defined by an upper internal
perimetral flange 217 encircling the upper inner reaches at
the top of walls 211,212,213,214 of the box 210, thereby
definlng an open top 218. While the box 210 is shown as
being rectangular, any polygonal shape may be used,
provided there is a bottom, a lower, external perimetral
flange, a plurality of walls, and an upper, internal
perimetral flange.
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2107403 -: :
Secured to, or integrally moulded with, upper
perimetral flange 217 is a secondary structure, namely an
octagonal receptacle box 220, including a floor 221, two
end walls 222,223, two side walls 224,225, and four corner
walls 226,227,228,229. Corner walls 228,229 are provided
with bent-over ears 230,231 provided with tapped apertures
232,233, to accept a conventional cover (not shown). The
receptacle box 220 is otherwise of conventional
construction, including the electrical and structural
connection means and the apertures to accept electrical
conduits (not shown).
As seen in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, the mount construction
500 includes a principal polygonal structure namely a
rectangular box 510 including two side walls 511,512, two
end walls 513,514 and an open bottom 515 defined by a lower
external perimetral flange 516 encircling the lower outer
reaches at the bottom of walls 511,512,513,514 of the
rectangular box 510. The top is defined by an upper
internal perimetral flange 517 encircling the upper inner
reaches at the top of walls 511,512,513,514 of the
rectangular box 510, thereby defining an open top 518.
While the box 510 is shown as being rectangular, any
polygonal shape may be used, provided there is a bottom, a
lower external perimetral flange, a plurality of walls, and
an upper, internal perimetral flange.
Secured to, or integrally moulded with, upper
perimetral flange 517 is a secondary structure, namely a
rectangular receptacle box 520, including a floor 521, two
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side walls 522,523 and two end walls 524,525. The two end
walls 524,525 are provided with bent-over ears 530,531,
provided with tapped apertures 532,533, to accept a
conventional cover (not shown). The receptacle box 520 is
otherwise of conventional construction, including the
electrical and structural connection means and the
apertures to accept electrical conduits (not shown).
As seen in Fig. 8, the mount 800 is secured to a wall
801 and the siding 802 is applied thereover. The mount 800
includes a principal polygonal structure, namely square box
810 including four walls 811,812,813,814 and a lower
external perimetral flange 816 encircling the lower outer
reaches at the bottom of the walls 811,812,813,814 of the
square box 810. The top includes an upper internal
lS perimetral flange 817 encircling the upper inner reaches at
the top of walls 811,812,813,814 of the square box 810,
thereby defining open top 818. Secured to the upper
perimetral flange 817 is a conventional one-way air outlet
819, namely a trianguloid structure including a pair of
triangular side walls 820, 821 and a sloping face 822. The
upper internal perimetral flange wall 817 is provided with
a circular aperture 823 to which an outlet tube 824 from a
clothes,drier (not shown) is attached. The,outlet tube 824
opens to a one-way flap valve 825 which allows exhaust to
exit through open bottom 826.
In use the junction box construction may be secured to
the exterior sheathing (by means of the flange) on top of
an electrical wire protruding from such sheathing. The
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wire can be fed through knockout holes in the sides of the :~
electrical connection box for the usual electrical ~ :
connections. The receptacle and/or the fixture is mounted
in the conventional manner. :
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