Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02591548 2007-06-29
2
ELECTRICAL BOX EXTENSION
BACKGROUND
This invention generally relates to electrical equipment for housing
electrical devices
such as switches and outlets, and particularly to electrical box extensions.
Electrical boxes are commonly used to provide electrical service at convenient
locations
within buildings. The electrical boxes are commonly formed of plastic or metal
and are
usually securely fastened by screws or nails to the framework of a structure
being
prepared for electrification. In newly constructed buildings, the open face of
the electrical
box, within which an electrical device such as an outlet or switch will be
mounted, is
usually flush with the surface of the wall or ceiling in which it is
installed.
When buildings are renovated or restored or otherwise modified from their
original wall
and ceiling surfaces, it is common for renovators to lay down new shccet stock
such as
sheet rock, paneling, and the like, over the existing ceilings or walls. This
process of
layering causes the existing elecxrical boxes to become recessed within the
built-up wall
by the thickness of the new sheet stock. A need for extension therefore occurs
when the
box or rnud ring has been placed and then tile, brick or some other waLl
covering is added
thereby causing the screw mounts for plugs andlor switches to be recessed
within the
wall.
CA 02591548 2007-06-29
3
To solve this problem, box extenders of several different types have been
developed. One
type relies on a friction fit to hold the box extender in the existing
electrical box. This
extender does not provide a secure attachment to the existing box and may
allow an
attached electrical device to slide further within the box as the extender
will slide based
on an external force.
Another type of extender consists of an extension having walls of
approximately the
same configuration as the existing box and of fixed depths of cxtcnsion. The
extender is
available in several depths to accon nodate several different sheet stock
thicknesses.
Although there are several depths available, they depth is not continuously
variable
resulting in an inability to consistently provide a depth extension bringing
the existing
box flush with the outer wall surface. Another type of extender includes a
body portion
having at least one wall and open faces. The extender includes sidc flanges
having holes
that align with brackets that are connected to the electrical box. This
extender is difficult,
to use and install as brackets must be firmly attached to the electrical box
and then two
screws are used to attach each flange of the extender to the electrical box.
There remains a need to extend the electrical box with a minimal number of
parts that
provide ready height adjustment while maintaining rnecltanical and structural
soundness
and electrical connectivity including ground, and thereby compensate for add-
ons to a
wall that cause depth to be added betwccn the box or ring and the outer wall.
CA 02591548 2007-06-29
4
SUMMARY
Disclosed is an electrical box extension including an extending member with
one or more
fastening brackets, one or more fastening brackets and one or more elevating
fasteners
such as a double reverse screw or a standard threaded screw with attached
grommet for
mechanically connecting and, in thc case of the double reverse screw
electrically
connecting, the extending member and the box via the fasteners, brackets,
and/or ridges
and thereby providing sufficient mecha.nical resistance to support the
adjustable elevation
of the extending member and providing a flush surfacc for surface mounted
sockets,
switches and their associated plates. Where a standard threaded screw is used
or in
embodiments without elevating fasteners or without loaded springs, the
extending
member provides electrical connectivity via one or more protrusions or
projections from
the sleeve against an electrical box and/or adapting member.
BR1EF DF.SCRIPTION OF'THE DRAWINGS
For a more complete understanding of the present invention and for further
features and
advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in
conjunction with
the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a tap view of a reverse screw embodiment of the present invention;
CA 02591548 2007-06-29
FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of a reverse screw embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of a reverse screw embodiment of the present
invention
in partial extension;
5 FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view of an alternative reverse screw embodiment
of the
present invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a reverse screw embodiment of the present
invention
mounted on an electrical box;
FIG. 4 is a top view of a reverse screw embodiment of the present invention
mounted on
an electrical box;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a reverse screw embodiment of the present
invention
mounted on an electrical box;
FIG. 6A is a side view of a reverse screw used in an embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 6B is a top view of a reverse screw used in an embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the present
invention
having a bracket attached to the electrical box;
FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of an altemative embodirn.ent of the present
invention
engaging an electrical box;
FIG. 7C is a cross-sectional view of an atternative embodiment of the present
invention
engaging an electrical box;
CA 02591548 2007-06-29
6
FIG. 7D is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the present
invention
engaging an electrical box;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an exteinding member of an alternative
embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 9 is a top view of a mud ring member of an alternative embodiment of the
present
invention;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an extending member within a mud ring member
of an
alternative embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 11A is a top view of an assembly of an altemative embodiment of the
present
invention;
FIG. 11B is a top view of an assembly of an alternative embodiment of the
present
invention;
FIG. 12A is a cross-sectional view of an assembly of an alternative embodiment
of the
present invention;
FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view of an assembly of an alternative embodiment
of the
present invention;
FIG. 12C is a cross-sectional view of an assembly of an altemative embodiment
of the
present invention;
FIG. 12D is a cross-sectional view of an assembly of an altenaative embodiment
of the
prcscnt invention;
FIG. 13A is a perspective view of an extending member of an alternative
embodiment of
the present invention;
CA 02591548 2007-06-29
7
FIG. 13B is a perspective view of an extending member portion of an altemative
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an extending member of an aiternative
embodiment of
the present invention;
FIG. 15 is a top view of an assembly of an alternative embodiment of the
present
invention;
FIG. 16 is a planforin view of an extending member of an alternative
embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 17 is an extending member of an alternative embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 18 is a planform of a mud ring member of an alternative embod'unent of
the present
invention;
FIG. 19 is a top view of a mud ring member of an alternative embodiment of the
present
invention;
FIG. 20A is a perspective view of an ext:ending member within an adapting
member of an
alternative embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 20B is a perspective view of an extending member within an adapting
member of an
altemative embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 21 is a top view of an assembly of an altemative embodiment of the
present
invention;
FIG. 22 is a t.op view of a washer of an altenaative embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 23A is a cross-sectional view of an assembly of an altemative embodiment
of the
present invention;
CA 02591548 2007-06-29
8
FIG. 23B is a cross-sectional view of an assembly of an altetnative
ernbodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 24 is a top view of an adapting member of an alternative embodiment of
the present
invention;
FIG. 25 is a top view of an assembly of an alternative embodiment of the
present
invention;
FIG. 26 is a top view of an adapting member of an altetnative embodiment of
the present
invention;
FIG. 27 is a perspective view of an extending member of an alternative
embodiment of
the present invention;
FIG. 28 is a perspective view of an assembly of an alternativic embodiment of
the present
invention;
FIG. 29 is a perspective view of an extending member of an alternative
embodiment of
the present invention;
FIG_ 30 is a perspective view of an assembly of an altemative embodiment of
the prcscnt
invention;
FIG. 31A is a front view of an elevating fastener of an alternative embodiment
of the
present invention;
FIG. 31B is a top view of an elevating fastener of an alternative embodiment
of the
present invention;
FIG. 3 1C is a side view of an elevating fastener of an alternative embodiment
of the
present invention;
CA 02591548 2007-06-29
9
FIG_ 31D is a perspective view of an elevating fastener proximate to receiving
brackets
of an alternative embodiment of the present invcntion;
FIG. 31E is a perspective view of an elevating fastener within receiving
brackets of an
atternative embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 1E is a perspective view of an elevating fastener inserted within
receiving brackets
of an alternative embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 31 F is a perspective view of an elevating fastener engaged between
receiving
brackets of an altemative embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 31G is a perspective view of an elevating fastener engaged between
receiving
brackets of an alternat.ive embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 32 is a top view of two-gang extending member embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 33 is a top view of two-gang adapting member embodiment of the present
invention; and
FIG. 34 is a top view of two-gang assembly embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The extending member, or sliding tubular niember, is an attachable or
otherwise
adjustable element of an assembly comprised of the cxtending member and a mud
ring,
adapting member or electrical box. A first embodiment has at Ieast two sets of
mounting
CA 02591548 2007-06-29
brackets, placed in each of two diametrically opposed cotners. One bracket is
placed at
the base of the ring and extends into the open portion of the ring. The second
bracket is
preferably placed at proximatc to the base of the extending rnember to
maximize
screw/extending member travel. An alternative embodiment has the second
bracket
5 approximately nudway between the base and top of the extending member. Each
bracket
has a tapped entry for a combination left-right thread screw. By turning
either screw, the
extension is elevated or lowered such that the outer edge of the extension is
made
substantially flush with the wall surface. The design of the brackets and
screw mounting
effects a soiid ground and satisfies the electrical grounding requirements.
Embodirnenis
10 without the fasteners use protrusions from the extension and/or the ring to
maintain thc
electrical grounding. Additionai sets of mounting brackets may be required
depending
primarily upon the ring/box size. For example, an example two-gang article has
mounting
brackets on the middle portion of each of the opposite inner sides of the
adapting
member.
FIG. 1 illustrates the upper screw mounting plates 4 or brackets and lower
screw
mounting ptates 5 or brackets of the present invention that are placed such
that fastener
such as a reverse thread scrcw 3 connects the least two brackets, the upper
bracket 4 and
the lowcr bracket 5, and when rotated, the screw 3 works to lower and raise
the sleeve or
extending member 2 relative to the mud ring or adapting member 1. While a
reverse
thread screw 3 is shown as the fastener, other fasteners of adjustable height
that provide
mechanical and electrical connectivity may be substituted. The extending
member 2,
CA 02591548 2007-06-29
11
extension or sleeve is showrz is a tubular member with a transversal slxape
that is
substantially rectangular. The transversal shape of the cxtension may also be
circular,
oval or multifaceted depending upon the adapting member to which it is
attachcd. The
switch/plug screw plates 6 are a part of the extension 2 or the extension 2 is
embodie.d
altcmatively such that the end portions of the extension 2 fit about the
plates 6. tn the
preferred embodirnent, the lower bracket 5 is fixcdly attached to the adapting
member 1.
Altcrnatively, the lower bracket 5 may br Fxedly attached to an electrical box
(not
shown) or simiiar housing. .
FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view 8 of FIG. 1 that illustrates the manner in
which a screw
3 engages the upper mounting bracket 4 and lower mounting bracket 5. The lower
bracket 5 is fixedly attached to the mud ring or adapting member 1. The upper
bracket 4
is fixedly attached to the sleeve, extension, or extending member 2.
By t.uniing the one or more screws 3, the extension 2 rises or falls along the
axis of
extension and retraction 80 depending upon the dircction of turn of the one or
more
screws 3. An extending member elevatcd with respect to the adapting member is
illustrated in FIG. 2B. An alternative cmbodiment illustrated in FiG. 2C, the
lower
bracket 5 is attached to the ring 1, but configured tivith an extending
portion to support
gt-edl.er screw travel and longer reverse thread screws 3.
CA 02591548 2007-06-29
12
FIGS. 3-5 illustrate an embodiment of the present invention from various
perspectives as
it is mounted on an electrical box 7. FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of an
embodiment of the present invention mounted on an electrical box 7. The
extending
member 2 is shown within the flange of the adapting 1. A screw 3 as an example
fastener
is visible mechanically connecting the extension 2 to the ring 1 by way of a
lower bracket
5 fixedly attached to the ring 1 and an upper bracket 4 fixedly attached to
the extending
rnember 2. The upper and lower brackets are also referred to as a set or pair
of brackets 4
and S. FIG. 4 provides a top view of the present invention mounted on an
electrical box
and shows the preferred embodiment with a screw 3 and pair of brackets 4 and 5
diagonally opposed from a second screw 3 aud pair of brackets. The lower
bracket 5 may,
in an alternative embodiment, be fixedly attached to the box 7 and is
illustrated below
(FIG. 7A) in cross-sectional view 89. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an
embodiment of
the present invcntion mounted on an electrical box and illustrating a typical
travel of the
extending member 2 relative to the remaining screw thread.
In the preceding example embodiment, fasteners are used to provide mechanical
and
electrical contact and provide for the adjusting of the sliding or extending
member. FIGS.
6A and 6B illustrate side and top vicws 9 of the reverse thread screw 3 of an
embodiment
of the present invention. The screw length selected depends upon the
particular
embodiment used as is described in detail below. Rather than the one or more
lower
brackets 5 (FIG. 2A) being fixedly attached to the ring 1, in an altemative
embodiment of
the present invention, the one or more lower brackcts 5 (FIG. 2B) are fixedly
attached to
CA 02591548 2007-06-29
13
the box 7 shown in FIG. 7A in cross-section view 88 (FIG. 4). The extending
member 2
remains in electrical and mechanical contact with the box by way of the one or
more
screws 3 as disclosed above by engaging the one or morc upper brackets 4 and
the one or
more lower brackets 31. Depending on the dimensions of the box 7 relative to
the
extending member 2, a ring I or other adapting member thereby becomes optional
in this
altemative embodiment as a separate member and otherwise the functionality of
the ring
1 is taken on by the box 7. An alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7B
has at least
one tapped aperture 30 of the electrical box 7 rather than the one or more
lower brackets
31 for engaging the screw 3. FIG. 7C illustrates an embodiment where in place
of an
adapting member or ring, the electrical box has a mounting surface or bracket
31 and the
extending member or slider 2 is in close proximity to the walls of the box 7.
Mechanical
and electrical contact iliustrated in FIGS. 7C and 7D is enhanced where the
embodiments
include one or more protrusions 55 from the slider 2 outer surface contacting
at least one
of the inside walls of the box 7.
An alternative embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 8 has a
sliding
member 10 with a plurality of protrusions 14 stamped into the sliding member
wall. The
prottusion is produced by at least one of scvcral fabricating means including
beading the
extension, punching the extension and the build-up of electrically conductive
material. In
this embudiment, the sliding member is attached and its elevation relative to
a mounting
surface adjusted with fasteners (not shown) 13 inserted into attachment
stuface 11. A ring
12 is illustrated in FIG. 9 where additional attachment surfaces 13 are
provided by the
CA 02591548 2007-06-29
14
ring 12. Preferably, the mounting surfaces 13 are part of a stamped die
comprising the
ring 12 with extended tabs 13 that arc subsequently folded back and under the
main
portion of the ring 12 or stamped so as to protrude into the main aperture and
so as to be
aligned with the attachment surfaces 11 of the sliding member 10 (not shown).
FIG. 10 illustrates the sliding member 10 inserted into the main aperture of
the ring 12.
The protrusions of lhe sliding member 14 are in contact with the inner wall of
the ring 12
and thereby provide electrical and mechanical contact between the ring 12 and
the sliding
member. The apetture 31 of the attachment surfacc 11 of the sliding member 10
and the
aperture 32 of the attachment surface 13 of the ring 12 are aligned such that
fasteners 15
(not shown) such as machine screws are able to connect the surfaces by
insertion into the
apertures 31, 32 of the surfaces 11, 13. While both the apertures of the
attaclinient
surfaces I 1 of the sliding member 10 and the attachment surfaces 13 of the
ring 12 may
be tapped to engage a screw, a preferred embodiment has the attachment
surfaces 11 of
the sliding member 10 as a tapped aperture 32 and a smooth guiding aperture 31
for the
attachment surfaces 13 of the ring 12. An altemative embodiment has the
attachment
surfaces 1 i of the sliding member 10 as a smooth guiding aperture 32 and
tapped
aperture 31 for the attachment surfaces 13 of the ring 12.
FIG. 11 illustrates from a top view the interaction of the protrusions 14 oP
the sliding
member 10 with the inner walls of the ring 12. In this example, the fasteners
15 are in
place connecting surfaces of thc ring 10 and sliding member 12. FIG. 11B
illustrates a
CA 02591548 2007-06-29
similar embodiment where the brackets 11 are along the same sides as those
having the
plug-mounting bracket 6.
Tltroughout FIGS. 12-12D, horizontal, substantially continual, protrusions 14
are
illustrated. Alternative embodiments have vertical, substantially cotlttnual
protrusions,
5 arrays of hemispherical protrusions, and other shapes protruding from at
least one of
extending member 10 outer walls. FIG. 12A is a cross-sectional view of FIG. I
lA at 16
illustrating the fastener 15 connecting with the bracket surface of the ring
13 and the
bracket surface of the sliding member surface 11. A grommet 17 is illustratcd
as attached
to the fastener 15 at a point below the sIiding member bracket surface 11 as
an example
10 of a ineans of constraining the travel of the sliding member bracket
surface 11 along the
fastener 15. Put another way, the gronunet 17 is used to force the extending
member 10
to travei and secures the screw 15 to which it is attached. FIG. 12B
illustrates an
embodiment where a spring is placed about the fastener 15 in tension between
the bracket
surfaces 11, 13. FIG. 12C is a cross-sectionat view of FIG. 11B al 86
illustrating the
15 fastener 15 connecting with the bracket surface of the ring 13 and the
bracket surface of
the sliding member surface 11. The grommet 17 is shown applying force to the
extending
member 10. FIG. 12D is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 11 B at 86 where the
fastener is
oriented in a direction opposite to that of the fastener described in FIG.
12C. The
gronunet 17 is shown securing the screw 15 travel.
An alternativc cmboclimcnt of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 13A
has a sliding
membcr 10 with a plurality protrusions 18 fixedly attached to the surface of
the sliding
CA 02591548 2007-06-29
16
mcmber 10 wall. For purposes of illustration, these piurality of protrusions
18 are shown
running in, i.e., parallel with, the direction of travel 88 of the extending
member 10. In
altetnative embodiments as illustrated in FIG. 13B with a portion of the
extending
membcr at least one protrusion 18 on at least one outer side of the extending
member
runs horizontal, i.e., perpendicular, to the direction of travel 88 of the
extending member
10. In these embodinients, the sliding member 10 is attached and its elevation
relative to
a mounting surface adjusted with fasteners (not shown) inserted into
attachment surface
11. in the several alternative embodiments of the invention, the plurality of
protrusions
18 are pimples, ridges, or segments of electrically conductive material
fixedly attached to
the surface of the sliding member 10 wall sufficiently raising the surface of
the sliding
member 10 wall to cause electrical and meektanical contact with the ritig 12
whcn the
sliding mcmber 10 is inserted into the ring 12.
An alterrtative embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 14 has
a extending
member 10 with a plurality of protrusions 18 fixedly attached to the outer
wall surface of
the sliding member 10 and sizcd in elevation from the surface of the extending
member
10 wall to cause fridion and tension mounting when inserted into the adapting
member or
ring 12 (not shown). In this example embodiment, rather than using fasteners
15, the tight
fitment and resulting stiction, i.e., the sticking friction between the
plurality of
protrusions 18 and the inner wall of the adapting member 12 sustain the
mechanical and
electrical contact with the adapting mcmber 12.
CA 02591548 2007-06-29
17
Alternative protrusion for this embodiment include pimples, ridges, or
segments of
electrically conductive material fixedly attached to the outer wall surface of
the extending
member 10.
Alternative embodiments have the adapting ring 12 with protrusions, stamped or
affixed,
or otherwise, either separately or in combination with the sliding member 10.
FIG. 15
illustrates stamped adapting member protrusions 21 of the adapting meniber 12
in
combination with stamped extending member protrusions 14 of the sliding member
10.
While some embodiments employ only the slider protrusions as shown in FIGS. 11
and
13 other embodinients employ only adapting member protrusions as shown in FIG.
15.
FIG. 16 illustrates an example form of an alternative embodiment of the
slider, or
extending member, before protrusions are stamped and other shaping has taken
place.
FIG. 17 illustrates the alternative elevation member 35, where the elevation
member 35 is
shaped into a tubular member and connected 36, the slider bracket, or upper
bracket is
formed 22, from a bcnt tab for example. The upper bracket has an aperture 23
that is
preferably reccivcs a threaded fastener.
FIG. 18 illustrates a form of an alternative adapting meruber 37 with bracket
portions 38
extended showing guiding apemires 39. Once stamped, the bracket portions are
extended
and shaped to provide a surfacc with a guiding aperture. A blank of an
adapting member
CA 02591548 2007-06-29
18
37 such as the example of FIG. 18 may be stamped or otherwise drawn into the
preferred
shape, particularly with respect to the flange portion with the mt-iunting
bracket 38
preferably bent into shape. FIG. 19 illustrates a top view of an alternative
adapting
member 37 having the flange portion bent into shape with bracket portions 38
having
guiding apertures 39.
FIG. 20A illustrates in a perspective view the extending member 35 inserted
into the ring
member 37 so that the aperture 23 of the upper bracket 23 is aligned with the
aperture 39
of the lower bracket 38. FIG. 20B illustrates in a perspective view the
extending member
35 inserted into the adapting member 37 so that the aperture 23 of the upper
bracket 23 is
aligned with the aperture 39 of an altemative lowcr bracket 38.
FIG. 21 illustrates in a top view the extending member 35 inserted into the
adapting
member 37 showing the tapped end of a screw 40 with the screw 40 cngaging the
upper
bracket 22 and the lower bracket 38. Also shown is a lock washer 41 for each
screw 40.
A top view of an exampl.e lock washer 41 is shown in FIG. 22.
FIG. 23A is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 21 at 50 illustrating the
engagement of the
upper bracket 22 and the lower bracket 38 via the elevating fasteners 40.
Where tapped
screws are used 40, lock washers 41 are also preferably used and grommets are
used in
alternative embodiments. FIG. 23B illustrates in cross-sectional view an
altemative
embodiment having springs 34 inserted betwccn the upper brackets 22 and the
lower
CA 02591548 2007-06-29
19
brackets 38. The springs 34 provide force to the extending member 35 and work
to aid in
the extension process.
[n several embodiments as illustrated in the example of FIG. 24, the adapting
member is
first installed with a bracket having an aperture 39 with later access 57. In
this example,
FIG. 25 illustrates the extending member is that is inserted into the adapting
member also
has apertute;s with lateral access 58. A fastener 40 having a washer 41 for
example may
be inserted into the aligned apertures laterally.
FIG. 26 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the adapting member 37
including at
least one plug/swit.ch mounting plate 59 and in this example, two plug/switch
mounting
platcs. The example embodiment of FIG. 26 satisfies the typical functions of a
mud ring
but additionally supports a number of extending members including the
following
extending member examples that may be subsequently installed. FIG. 27
illustrates an
extending member 61 where one or more walls of the extending rttember 61, and
in this
example two watts, are shaped so that the extending member passes around the
plug/switeh mounting plate by being substantially semicircular in transverse
cut 62 and
accordingly the extending member shape supports full travel extending member
61. FIG.
28 illustrates the extending member 61 of FIG. 27 inserted within the flange
portion of
the adapting member 37. An alternative extending member 63 illustrated in FIG.
29 has a
cut-out 64 along each of the one or more walls, and in this example two walls,
of the
CA 02591548 2007-06-29
extending member 63. FIG. 30 illustrates the extending member 63 of FIG. 29
inseited
within thc flange portion of the adapting member 37.
In several embodiments, one or more fasteners provide a mechanical means of
extending
5 and retracting t.he slider relative to the ring. While screws are preferred,
other
embodiments do not use fasteners and instead rely on the stiction provided by
the ring
and or slider protrusions acting against one another. An altemative to the
screw faster is
illustrated in FIGS. 31A-24F. In FIG. 31A, the front view of a comb pin 70 is
illustrated.
In the top view of the comb pin 70 (FIG. 31 B), a grove 71 is provided for
engagement
10 wilh a flat sc.rewdriver or equivalent tool. The side view (FIG. 31C) of
the comb pin 70
shows the pin to be substantially flat. In FIG. 3ID, the comb pin 70 is
positioned to
engage 76 representative upper 72 and lower brackets 74 having substantially
slotted
apertures 73, 75. The upper bracket 72 in this example is contiguous with an
extendiitg
member (not shown) and the lower bracket 74 is contiguous with a ring niember
(not
15 sbown). FIG. 3 1E illustrates the insertion of the comb pin through the
upper and lower
brackets. with a ninety degree tum 78 of the comb pin 70, the spacing 79
between the
upper 72 and lower brackets 74 is fixed by the comb pin as shown in a side
view in FIG.
31F_ The comb pin 70 thereby provides mechanical and electrical connectivity
between
the upper 72 and lower brackets 74. FIG. 31G illustrates an alternative
embodiment
2u wherem a spring 56 surrounds the portion of the eomb pin 70 between the
upper 72 and
lower brackets 74 and is tension between these brackets 72, 74 providing
additional
CA 02591548 2007-06-29
21
mechanical support to the extending member and eleetrical connectivity between
the
extending member (not shown) and the adaptor or ring member (not shown).
FIG. 32 illustrates an example two-gang extending member 90 embodiment of the
present invention. The switcli/plug mounting plates 91 are each positioned to
receive a
switch or a plug and together mount two such devices in tandem. The upper
brackets 92
of the elevating member 90 are, in this example, substantially aligned along a
line of
symmetry that also bisects the mounted plugs and/or switches. FIG. 33
illustrates an
example two-gang adapting member 93 embodiment of the present invention. The
lower
brackets 94 of the adapting member 93 are substantially along the same line of
symmetry
as the upper brackets 92 (FIG. 32) of the elevating member 90. FIG. 34
illustrates the
two-gang extending member inserted into the two-gang adapting member. As with
the
several embodiments of the single switch/plug clectrical box extenders
described above,
the two-gang embodimcnts include the various fastening and elevating means and
bracket
embodiments for laterally insertable fasteners as disclosed above.
Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill
in the art
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it
must be
understood that the illustrated embodiment has been set forth only for the
purposes of
example and that it should not bc taken as limiting the invention as defined
by the
following claims. Whilc illustrated as a single assembly, the adapting member
alid, as an
assembly, the extending member, are applicable to an array of attachable
electrical
CA 02591548 2007-06-29
22
devices and the adapting member and the assembly are applicable to an array of
assemblies mounted to electrical boxes of extended size (e.g., elongated
rectangles
receiving several assemblies).
The words used in this specification to describe the invcntion and its various
embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly
defined
meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification
structure, material or
acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus if an element can
be
understood in the context of this specification as including more than one
meaning, then
its use in a claim tnust be understood as being generic to all possible
meanings supported
by the specification and by the word itself.
The defmitions of the words or elements of the following claims are,
therefore, defined in
this specification to include not only the combination of elements which are
literally set
forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts for performing
substantially the same
function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same
result. While die
drawings reflect a electrical box, ring, or adapting member, and the sleeve,
or extending
member, all made of galvanized steel, the invention may be embodied with
members
each made of plastic, preferably fire resistant plastic, metal, preferably
galvanized steel,
ceramic or combinations thereof. In those embodiments having the electrical
box,
adapting member and extending member cach made of plastics and ceramics or
combinations thereof, it is preferred that electrical conductivity maintained
by reverse
CA 02591548 2007-06-29
23
thread screws as extending fasteners. In addition, the tenn electrical box is
used
generically to refer to groundcd electrical housing of three-dimensional
shapes including
boxes of rectangular sides, boxes of square sides, and boxes of cylindrical
shapes with
circular or oval tops and bottoms or other shapes acceptab3c in the electrical
applications
and the grounded electrical housing may accommodate one or more plugs and or
switches. In addition to the equivalents of the claimed elements, obvious
substitutions
now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defincd to be
within the scope
of the defined elements.
The clainis are thus to be understood to include what is specifically
illustrated and
described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously
substituted and
also what essentially incorporates the essential idea of the invention.
