Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02622331 2008-03-18
LARGE CAPACITY FLOOR BOX
This application is a divisional application of Canadian Patent File
No. 2,306,210 filed April 19, 2000.
Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to a large capacity electrical floor box. More
specifically, the invention relates to an electrical floor box having more
than four outlet
areas, an easily removable two-piece wire tunnel, and interlocking wiring
compartment
walls.
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Background of the Invention
Electrical floor boxes are strategically placed in the floor to provide
outlets for
electricity and communication. Typical electrical floor boxes have either two
or four
outlets around a rectangular or square center access cavity. However, the
increasing
demand for electrical and communication outlets requires -greater access to
electrical
and communication outlets then previously supplied. Thus, prior art floor
boxes are
becoming insufficient in supplying the quantity of outlets desired.
Additionally, prior
art electrical floor boxes commonly have wiring compartments formed from
exterior
walls of the box inherently limiting the number of wiring compartments and
outlets
within a given box.
Also, electrical floor boxes commonly have a wire tunnel that provide a
conduit for wires. During installation, and sometimes after installation, it
is necessary
to access wires within the wire tunnel. However, prior art wire tunnels are
generally
difficult to remove. Thus, prior art wire tunnels make it difficult to access
the wires
therein.
Examples of prior art electrical boxes are disclosed in the following U.S.
Patent Nos.: 2,611,500 to Martin; 5,285,009 to Bowmanet al.; 5,362,522 to
Whitehead; 5,468,908 to Arthur et al.; 5,673,522 to Schilham 5,697,193 to
Forslund, III
et al.; and 5,796,037 to Young et al.
Thus, there is a continuing need to provide electrical boxes having a large
quantity of electrical and communication outlets. Additionally, there is a
continuing
need to provide electrical boxes that are easily assembled and permit easy
access to
the wires and other elements contained therein. This invention addresses these
needs
in the art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled
in the art
once given this disclosure.
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Summary of the Invention
The present invention seeks to provide an improved electrical floor box.
Further, the invention seeks to provide an electrical box providing an
increased
quantity of electrical and communication outlets.
Still further, the invention seeks to provide an electrical box that is easily
assembled.
Further still, the invention seeks to provide an electrical box that provides
easy
access to the wiring and other elements contained within the box.
The invention in one aspect provides an electrical box comprising a base
having a
support and a perimeter wall, the perimeter wall being coupled to the support
and
extending away from the support. There are first, second, third, fourth and
fifth faceplates
and first, second, third, fourth and fifth walls. The first, second, third,
fourth and fifth
walls fonn first, second, third, fourth, and fifth compartments, each of the
first, second,
third, fourth and fifth walls being coupled to the perimeter wall and
extending from the
perimeter wall to at least two of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth
faceplates, and
each of the compartments is separated from each of the other of the
comparhnents by at
least one of the first, second third, fourth and fifth walls.
Another aspect of the invention provides an electrical box, comprising a base
having a support and a perimeter wall coupled to and extending around the
support and
defining a central cavity. First and second partitions are releasably
connected to the base
and positioned within the central cavity, the first and second partitions and
the perimeter
wall form first and second compartments, the first partition having a first
slot and the
second partition having a first tab removably positioned within the first
slot.
Further, the invention comprehends an electrical box comprising a base having
a
support and a perimeter wall coupled to and extending away from the support
with
first and second compartments formed within the base. A tunnel member is
positioned on
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the support and has first and second tunnel portions, each of the tunnel
portions being
removably replaceable from the base and having a platform spaced from the
support
forming a tunnel cavity, at least one of the tunnel cavities forming a first
passageway from
the first compartment to the second compartment, and the first tunnel portion
having a first
access element for removal of the first tunnel portion from the base.
Still further the invention provides a method of forming an electrical box,
comprising the steps of providing a base having a support and a perimeter wall
coupled to
and extending away from the support, releasably attaching a first partition to
the base,
releasably attaching a second partition to the first partition and to the
base, with the first
and second partitions forming first and second compartments and each of the
first and
second partitions being directly coupled to the perimeter wall and the
support, and each of
the first and second compartments being separated from the other of the first
and second
comparhnents by one of the first and second partitions, placing a cover over
the first and
second partitions to secure the first and second partitions to the base.
Further still the invention comprehends a method of accessing wires in an
electrical
box, comprising the steps of providing a base having a support and a perimeter
wall
coupled to and extending away from the support, providing the base with a
tunnel member
having first and second tunnel portions, the first tunnel portion being
separate from the
second tunnel portion, each tunnel portion having a platform spaced from the
support
forming a tunnel cavity, and the first tunnel portion having an access element
for rernoval
of the first tunnel portion, providing the base with first and second
compartments facing
the tunnel member, and the tunnel cavity forming a passage way from the first
compartment to the second comparlment, providing a faceplate covering each of
the first
and second compartments, rernoving the faceplates, and removing one of the
first and
second tunnel portions by hand, without the use of a tool, and accessing the
wires.
Another aspect of the invention provides an electrical floor box, comprising a
base,
a perimeter wall coupled to the base and defining a central cavity, the
perimeter wall
substantially enclosing a portion of the base so that the portion of the base
traverses a
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majority of the central cavity, a first partition is coupled to the perimeter
wall, and a
second partition is coupled to the first partNtion, the first and second
partitions forming
first and second compartments, and each of the first and second compartments
being
separated from one another by one of the first and second partitions.
Still further, the invention pertains to an apparatus comprising a floor box
having a
base, a cavity above the base, and at least five compartments disposed around
and being
accessible through the cavity. There are first and second tunnel portions, the
first tunnel
portion having a first access element for removal from the cavity, and the
first and second
tunnel portions are supported above the floor box base to form a tunnel
between the base
and the tunnel portions, and between at least two of the at least five
compartments.
Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description,
which,
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taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses preferred
embodiments of
the invention.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original
disclosure.
Fig. I is an explode, perspective view of the electrical box in accordance
with
the invention with the exterior cover and mounting cover separated from the
base and
with one socket attached to the base;
Fig. 2 is a top, plan view of the box of the invention with the exterior cover
removed and with five sockets attached to the base;
Fig. 3 is a top, plan view of the box of the invention similar to Fig. 2, but
with
the exterior cover and mounting cover removed and with five sockets attached
to the
base;
Fig. 4 is a top, plan view of the base of the box of the invention similar to
Fig.
3, but with the base being empty;
Fig. 5 is a top, plan view of the base of the box of fhe invention similar to
Fig.
4, but with the base having two wiring compartment partitions inserted
therein;
Fig. 6 is a top, plan view of the base of the box of the invention similar to
Fig.
5, but with the base having four wiring compartment partitions inserted
therein;
Fig. 7 is a top, plan view of the base of the box of the invention similar to
Fig.
6, but with the base having six wiring compartrnent partitions inserted
therein forming
six wiring compartments;
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the base of the box of the invention, with the
base having six wiring compartment partitions inserted therein forming six
wiring
compartments; Fig. 9 is a front, elevational view of a first wiring
compartment partition;
Fig. 10 is a front, elevational view of a second wiring compartment partition;
Fig. 11 is a front, elevational view of a third wiring compartment partition;
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Fig. 12 is a top, plan view of the base of the box of the invention similar to
Fig. 7, but with the wire tunnel in position with electrical wires passing
there through;
Fig. 13 is a top, plan view of the two-piece wiring tunnel in accordance with
the invention, with the two pieces removed from the box and separated;
Fig. 14 is a side elevational view of one of the pieces of the wiring tunnel
of
the invention;
Fig. 15 is a bottom, perspective view of one of the pieces of the wiring
tunnel
of the invention; and
Fig. 16 is a bottom, perspective view of one of the pieces of the wiring
tunnel
of the invention similar to Fig. 15, but with knockout panels removed and with
electrical wires passing there through.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
As seen in Figs. 1-3, electrical junction box 10 in accordance with the
invention includes a base 12, partitions 14, outlets 16, a wire tunnel member
18,
faceplates 20, a cover assembly 22, and electrical wires 24. Box 10 is a floor
junction
box preferably intended for use in concrete floors. Basically, in use, base 12
is
preferably embedded in concrete with outlets 16 being accessible to users
through
cover assembly 22, the top of which is generally level with the top of the
floor. The
manner of installing junction boxes in concrete floors is well known in the
art and will
not be discussed in detail herein.
Base 12 has a bottom or support 40 surrounded by a perimeter wa1142. Both
bottom 40 and wall 42 are preferably made from the same single piece of sheet
metal,
preferably, galvanized steel. Wall 12 has long wall sections 41 and short wall
sections
43, all of which are all integral and unitary with base 12. Long wall sections
41 are
folded relative to base 12 until they are approximately perpendicular to the
plane 30 in
which base 12 lies. Then, short sections 43 are bent inwards about axes that
are
generally perpendicular to the plane 30 of base 12 until each of the short
sections 43
contact a respective, adjacent short section 43. The adjacent, contacting
short sections
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43 are then secured by welding or other typical methods. The end result is
a generally square bottom 40 with eight sections of wa1142 completely
encircling the inner area of bottom 40.
As seen in Fig. 4, bottom 40 has a series of slots 44 and fastener
holes 56, each extending completely through bottom 40. Slots 44 are for
receiving elements extending fiom partitions 14 to properly locate and
secure partitions 14 as discussed below. Fastener holes 56 provide openings
for a fastener to extend through both a partition 14 and bottom 40 to further
locate and secure partitions 14 to bottom 40. At each of its four corners,
bottom 40 has a leveling screw 54 to aid in properly leveling base 12 and
box 10 during installation of box 10 in the floor.
Each of the longer wall sections 43 has at least one and preferably
two knockout panels 48 as known in the art for permitting a connection
point for conduits and an entry point for wires or cables for ultimate
connection to the outlets 16.
Additionally, one of the two shorter wall sections 45 for each pair of
joined sections 45 has an integral, bent flange 50 with a fastener hole 52
extending completely through flange 50. Fastener holes 52 are preferably
threaded and permit fasteners to securely fasten cover assembly 22 to base
12.
Base 12 can take other alternative forms. For example, base 12 can
be made of material other than metal, such as plastic, can be made of
multiple, separate parts, or can be formed indifferent shapes.
Partitions 14 are inserted into base 12 to form separate wire
connection compartments 60. Preferably, six oompartments 60 are formed.
each compartment 60 provides an isolated area for the location of a single
outlet 16 and the wire or cable connections associated with that outlet 16.
Partitions 14 are arranged so that each compattment 60 is formed by a
portion of wall section 43 having at least one knockout panel 48. As seen
in Fig. 1, each comparhnent 60 preferably has two knockouts 48 for wire
access into the compartments 60.
Partitions 14, as illustrated most clearly in Figs. 5-11,
preferably include three shapes of partitions: a single-section parti-
tion 70, a double-section partition 72, and a
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triple-section partition 74. Each of the sections 70, 72, and 74 have
similarities and
differences that allow the sections 70, 72, and 74 to interlock'with each
other and with
base 12 to securely form compar'tments 60 without the use of separate
fasteners; such
as, welding or other adhesives, or screws. The partitions 14 are each
preferably made
by being folded to their final shape from a single piece of metal, such as
galvanized
steel, although other materials can be used, such as plastic. Although three
different
partition sections are disclosed, fewer than three or more than three types of
sections
can be used. Also, the partition sections can take various configurations,
possibly
different from any of those disclosed herein, resulting in any number of
wiring
compartments. The exact configuration, orientation and number of partitions is
merely one example of the numerous possibilities.
Each partition section 70, 72, and 74 has an inner side 80 that faces toward
the
center of base 12 when fully assembled. Inner side 80 is the ultimate
attachment area
of an outlet 16 and/or a faceplate 20. Each inner side 80 includes inclined
supporting
walls 82 with circular holes 84 and slots 86 for attaching outlets 16 and
faceplates 20,
a grounding flange 88 for a grounding screw hole 90, a fastener leg 94 having
a hole
96, and wire openings 98. As seen in Fig. 3, the inner sides 80 form a
generally
hexagonal area and form six areas for attaching various outlets 16 to box 10.
The
hexagonal orientation of the inner sides 80 enables a relatively high number
of outlets
to be secured to a box 10 without exceeding an excessive overall dimension of
the box
10.
When partitions 14 are in position in base 12, supporting walls-82 of inner
sides 80 are inclined with respect to the upper flat surface of bottom 40 to
allow for
easier access to the outlets 16 that are ultimately attached to the various
inner sides 80.
As seen in Fig. 2, access to outlets 16 is achieved through the top of box 10,
that is,
through cover assembly 22. The inclination of walls 82 riot only enables for
an
insertion angle into each outlet 16 that is inclined with respect to the
planar top
surface of bottom 40, but the user can more easily see the outlet 16 attached
to each
wal182. Each inner side 80 has two supporting walls 82, one on each side of an
outlet
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opening 99. Each supporting wal182 preferably has one circular hole 84 and one
slot
86 for the attachment of either an outlet 16 or a faceplate 20. The manner of
attachment is generally known in the art. The outlet 16 or faceplate 20 for
attaching
to each inner side has holes that align with either the pair of holes 84 or
the pair of
slots 86 and a fastener; such as a screw, is passed through the appropriate
aligned
openings. An outlet 16 occupies the opening 99.
Fastener leg 94 is centrally positioned but is bent to form an abutment
portion
95, which lies flush with the top of bottom 40. Abutment portion 95 has a hole
96,
which aligns with one of the fastener holes 46 in bottom 40. A fastener can be
inserted through both the abutment portion 95 and the bottom 40 to further
secure the
respective partition 14 to the base 12. Additionally, fastener leg 94 enables
the
formation of wire openings 98. Openings 98 permit wire to travel through each
partition 14 by forming an aperture between bottom 40 and each partition 14.
Wire or
cable 24 can then travel between the rear of an outlet 16 within a compartment
60 to
the middle area of base 12 by proceeding into and through wire tunnel member
18 and
entering other compartments 60.
As best seen in Fig. 11, single-section 70 has two tabs 100 and two mounting
legs 92 in addition to those elements that are common to all partitions 14.
Each tab
100 is an extension of a supporting wal182, and is sized-for insertion into a
mating
slot of another partition as discussed below. Each mounting leg 92 extends
from a
supporting wal182 and abuts bottom 40 in order to form openings 98.
As best seen in Fig. 10, double-section 72 has one tab 106 and an angled wall
108 with a slot 110 and a bottom tab 112 in addition to those elements that
are
common to all partitions 14. Tab 106 is an extension of a supporting wall 82,
and is
sized for insertion into a mating slot of another partition as discussed
below. Angled
wall 108 is integral with the supporting wall 82 opposite to the one with tab
106 and
is not inclined with respect to bottom 40 when installed in base 12 as is
supporting
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wal182. Instead, angled wall 108 is preferably formed to be generally
perpendicular
to bottom 40, when attached thereto. Bottom tab 112 is sized to be inserted
into a
mating slot 44 in bottom 40 for securing the section 72 to base 12 as all
other tabs that
are inserted into one of the slots 44. Slot 110 is slightly V-shaped and is
sized to
receive a mating tab attached to a supporting wall 82 from another partition
14, such
as tab 100.
As best seen in Fig. 9, triple-section 74 has a fnst angled wall 118 with a
slot
120 and a bottom tab 122 and a second angled wal1126 with a slot 128 and a
bottom
tab 130 in addition to those elements that are common to all partitions 14.
First
angled wall 118 is integral with the supporting wall 82 and is not inclined as
supporting wall 82 when installed in base 12 as is supporting wall 82.
Instead, angled
wall 118 is formed to be generally perpendicular to bottom 40, when attached
thereto.
Bottom tab 122 is sized to be inserted into a mating slot 44 in bottom 40 for
securing
the section 74 to base 12 as all other tabs that are inserted into one of the
slots 44.
Slot 120 is slightly V-shaped and is sized to receive a mating tab attached to
a
supporting wa1182 from another partition 14, such as tab 106, similar to the
other V-
shaped slots in partitions 14. Second angled wall 126 is integral with the
supporting
wall 82 opposite to the first angled wall 126 and is not inclined as
supporting wall 82
when installed in base 12 as is supporting wal182. Instead, angled wall 126 is
formed
to be generally perpendicular to bottom 40, when attached thereto. Bottom tab
130 is
sized to be inserted into a mating slot 44 in bottom 40 for securing the
section 74 to
base 12 as all other tabs that are inserted into one of the slots 44. Slot 128
is slightly
V-shaped and is sized to receive a mating tab attached to a supporting wall 82
from
another partition 14, such as tab 100, similar to the other V-shaped slots in
partitions
14.
The assembly of partitions 14 is illustrated in Figs. 5-8. As seen in Fig. 5,
two
triple-section partitions 74 are positioned on opposite sides of base 12 and
form two,
separate compartments 60. Each partition 74 is secured to bottom 40 by bottom
tabs
122 and 130 being inserted into the appropriate slot 44 in bottom 40. Also,
edges 132
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of partitions 74 abut wall 42 to stabilize the partitions 74,and to form a
complete
separation between adjacent compartments 60.
Then, as seen in Fig. 6, two double-section partitions 72 are positioned on
opposite sides of base 12 to form two additional compartinents 60 bringing the
total
number of compartments to four. The tab 106 of each double-section partition
72 is
positioned within the slot 120 of the adjacent triple section partition 74.
Each double-
section partition 72 is secured to bottom 40 by bottom tab 112 being inserted
into the
mating slot 44 in bottom 40. Also, each edge 114 of the double-section
partitions 74
abut wall 42 to stabilize the partitions 72 and to form a complete separation
between
adjacent compartments 60.
Next, as seen in Fig. 7, two single-section partitions 70 are positioned on
opposite sides of base 12 to form two further compartments 60, bring the total
number
of compartments to six. One tab 100 of each single-section partition 70 is
positioned
within the slot 110 of the adjacent double section partition 72 and the other
tab 100 of
each single-section partition 70 is positioned within the slot 128 of the
adjacent triple-
section partition 74. As a possible final step, each partition 14 can be
secured, if
necessary, to bottom 40 by appropriate fasteners extending through holes 96 in
abutment portions 95 and through bottom 40.
As best seen in Fig. 7, when partitions 14 are inserted into their appropriate
positions, a generally hexagonal cavity 140 is formed by the inner sides 80 of
each
partition 14. Hexagonal cavity 140 receives wire tunnel. member 18 as seen in
Fig.
12. Wire tunnel member 18 permits wires to pass between compartments 60 while
being insulated and separated from the access cavity 144, where outlets 16 are
accessed for use through cover assembly 22. Wire tunnel member 18 also permits
separation between data/communication lines and electrical lines.
As seen in Figs. 12-16, wire tunnel member 18 is formed from two tunnel
portions 150. Both tunnel portions 150 are identical, but have different
orientation,
one is orientated 180 degrees from the other. Thus, the description herein of
one
tunnel portion 150 will apply to both tunnel portions 150 forming wire tunnel
member
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18. Since both portions 150 are identical, savings can be realized in the
manufacturing of a single part.
Tunnel portion 150 has a substantially planar platform 152 forming a four-
sided shape, which is half of a hexagon. Platform 152 is raised above bottom
40 by
pillars 154, wall segments 156, and knockouts or breakaway walls 158, all of
which
extend from platform 152 in a substantially perpendiculair manner. The removal
of
one or all knockouts 158 permits, in use, wires or cable 124 to be passed into
the area
between platform 152 and bottom 40. Knockouts 158 are connected to the
remaining
elements of tunnel portion 150 by weakened areas 160, which aid in the removal
of
knockouts 158
If at least two knockouts 158 are removed, wire or cable 124 can pass between
compartments 60 and a isolated passageway or tunne1168 is fonned. Any
combination of knockouts 158 can be removed, if any at all, in order to
satisfy the
particular needs or desires of the user. It is possible to form to completely
isolated
tunnels 168 if a dividing wall 159 is maintained intact during use. Dividing
wall 159
is formed from wall segments 156 and the knockout 158'positioned there
between.
When a dividing wall 159 is maintained in one or both tunnel portions 150, two
isolated tunnels 168 are formed when the two tunnel portions are joined at
illustrated,
with abutting wall segments 156.
Platform 152 has a depression 162 and a protrusion 164 adjacent the dividing .
wall 159. Depression 162 is preferably smoothly shaped in the form of the
inside of a
hollow, spherical section. As seen in Fig. 16, the bottom of depression 170
extends
below platform 152. Protrusion 164 has a top surface 163, which is coplanar
with the
top of platform 152, and a bottom surface 166, which has an inclined edge
sized and
shaped to mate with a depression 162 on another tunnel portion 150.
When both tunnel portions 150 are joined as shown in Fig. 12 or 13, the wall
segments 156 of each the tunnel portions 150 oppose each other and tunnel
portions
150 form the wire tunnel member 18. Wire tunnel member 18 generally forms the
shape of a hexagon, and fills the hexagonal cavity 140. The protrusion 164 of
one
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tunnel portion 150 fits smoothly into the depression of the other tunnel
portion 150,
while maintaining the overall planar surface formed by the upper surfaces of
both
platforms 152.
As seen in Fig. 12, protrusion 164 is also sized to- permit a small, C-shaped
gap 166 to form between the edge of the protrusion 164 and the back surface of
depression 162. This gap 166 permits a finger of the user to be inserted
therein and
allows the user to pull one or both of the tunnel portions 150 up away from
the bottom
40 of base 12. In effect, by pulling on one of the protrusions 164, the tunnel
portions
150 are pivoted away from each other, with the pivot points being the sections
of
tunnel portions 150 that are opposite to the protrusions and depressions. The
two
piece nature of tunnel member 18 enables easy removal and replacement of
either one
or both tunnel portions 150 and permits easy access to the wires or cables
already
positioned in tunnels 168 or permits easy access to the tunnels 168 in
general.
Each tunnel portion 150 is preferably made of plastic material, but could be
made from other materials, including metal. Tunnel portions are preferably
inserted
into base 12 after wiring of the various outlets 16 and compartments has been
accomplished.
It should be understood that outlets 16 can be any type of data/communication
outlet or device; such as jacks for computers or telephones, or electrical
outlets or
devices, or other type of outlets needed or desired to be accessed in a
junction box.
Additionally, tunnels 168 can be used for electrical wires, data/communication
wires,
or the like.
Once partitions 14, the wires or cable 24, and tunnel member 18 are in place
and the outlets 16 are secured to partitions 14, the faceplates 20 can be
attached to the
partitions 14 as known in the art, with fasteners, such as screws. Since the
tunnel
member 18 abuts the six sides of the partitions 14 around cavity 140,
faceplates 20
protrude over tunnel member 18 toward the center of base 12 when installed on
partitions 14 over outlets 16. This positioning of the faceplates 20 acts as a
lock on
removal of tunnel portions 150 from their joined position. The positioning of
the
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faceplates 20 also prohibits the pulling up of tunnel portions 150 even if gap
166 is
employed. Thus, the user can be required to remove the faceplates 20 before
accessing wires or cables 24 in tunnels 168. Thus, the locking relationship
between
faceplates 20 and tunnel member 18 makes box 10 safer for using the box 10 and
accessing outlets 16.
The faceplate used can be any type of faceplate typically used to cover
outlets
16. The faceplates should be shaped to completely cover the portions of the
outlet 16
not intended to be accessed during regular use, and shaped to cover the inner
sides 80
of the respective partition 14. Sockets could have openings to mate with the
specific
adapters. If no adapter is used and a compartment 60 is empty, a blank
faceplate 176
can be used.
Once the base 12 is completely assembled, the cover assembly 22 is secured
on top of base 12. The cover assembly includes an upper-access, flange cover
180
and a mounting cover 182. A disposable concrete cover (not shown) is used
during
the pouring of the concrete floor around the box 10. The various parts of the
cover
assembly 22 can be made from plastic or other material.
The mounting cover 182 has a honeycomb peripheral surface 210 surrounding
an access opening 212. The honeycomb surface 210 is attached to flanges 50 by
appropriate fasteners. Access opening 212 provides access to the various
outlets 16.
Concrete cover is sized to be inserted within access opetiing 212 during the
pouring of
the concrete floor.
Flange cover 180 has a frame 191, which sits in a portion of access opening
212. A top 190 with handle 192 is pivotally coupled to frame 191 to provide
access to
the entire access cavity 144. Also, cord ports 194 are pivotally coupled to
top 190 to
provide a passageway in the form of cord port openings '195 for wires, cables,
cords
and the like to pass into box 12 when connected to an otitlet 16 during use.
While advantageous embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the invention,
it will be understood by those skilled in the art from this disclosure that
various
CA 02622331 2008-03-18
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changes and modifications can be made therein without depai-ting from the
scope of
the invention as defined in the appended claims.
