Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Shallow electric box
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates generally to electrical equipment but more
particularly to a shallow electrical outlet or switch box.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] There are many types of electric boxes, most are made out of metal but
some are made out of plastic. In some instances, some of those boxes
are shallow. However, because of the way they are constructed, when
comes time to install them or run wires into them, there is the need to
cut holes through the polyethylene vapor barrier, which has an impact
on its properties.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
15[003] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known devices
now present in the prior art, the present invention, which will be
described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide objects and
advantages which are:
[004] To provide for a shallow electric box which connects its wires to the
side
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of the box itself in such a way that the box can be made very shallow
and installed over the vapor barrier.
[005] Another object of the present invention is to provide a way for wires
can
also run over the vapor barrier and thus eliminate any puncture in the
vapor barrier.
[006] In order to do so, the shallow electric box has a back wall, and top,
bottom, and opposite side walls perpendicularly connected to said back
wall to thereby form a box shape. A wire connector connected to an
interior surface of each of the side wall, and at least two tab members
that are adapted to be mechanically connected to an electrical unit to be
inserted within the electric box, and are adapted to frictionally engage
respective the wire connectors on respective interior surfaces of each
respective of the side wall, to thereby provide a quick and easy means
for electrically inserting and removing the electrical unit from the electric
box.
[007] The shallow electric box has at least two tab members having
connecting means on one end thereof adapted for removably attaching
to a the electrical unit, and have a curved configuration on an opposite
end configured such that the frictional engagement to each of the
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respective wire connector includes a bending and snapping movement,
to thereby provide a means for a stronger removable connection
between the electrical unit and the electric box.
[008] Each of the respective wire connector includes two wire connector
members separated by a link member such that each of the link member
is adapted to conduct electricity between respective wire connector
members, and wherein either of the link members can be cut to prevent
electricity flowing between its respective wire connector members and
thereby forming separate circuits.
10[009] The shallow electric box has four tab members, one respective tab
member for each the wire connector member, and wherein each of the
tab member is adapted to removably attach to a respective connector of
the electrical unit.
[0010] The shallow electric box has the top and bottom walls each include a
slit
at opposite end portions adapted to match up with adjacent slit
members of adjacent shallow electric boxes, and two hook connector
members adapted to fit snugly within and between the top and bottom
slits of an adjacent shallow electric box, to thereby provide means to
connect a plurality of shallow box members in a side-by-side
configuration.
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[0011] The shallow electric box has each of the side wall include at least one
wing let extending outward from an exterior surface therefrom, such that
when installing the electric box into a sheet of drywall the winglet
provides a means to properly position the electric box thereto.
[0012] The shallow electric box has deformable members on the top and
bottom walls to thereby provide a means for inserting and retaining
electrical wires therethrough.
[0013] The shallow electric box has a plurality of screw sockets in respective
corners of the electric box, and adapted to allowing screw members to
pass therethrough and connect the electric box to a wall stud.
[0014] In a preferred embodiment, a combination of a shallow electric box and
an electrical unit, the electrical unit comprising at least one outlet
connector on each side thereof; and the shallow electric box comprising
a back wall, and top, bottom, and opposite side walls perpendicularly
connected to the back wall to thereby form a box shape, a wire
connector connected to an interior surface of each the side wall, and at
least two tab members that are adapted to be mechanically connected
to respective outlet connectors of the electrical unit to be inserted within
the electric box, and are adapted to frictionally engage respective the
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wire connectors on respective interior surfaces of each respective of the
side wall, to thereby provide a quick and easy means for electrically
inserting and removing the electrical unit from the electric box.
[0015] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important
5 features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof
that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present
contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional
features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will
form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
10[0016] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the
invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited
in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements
of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in
the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of
being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be
understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are
for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0017] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception,
upon
which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the
designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the
several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that
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the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions
insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
[0018] These together with other objects of the invention, along with the
various
features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with
particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this
disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating
advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference
should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter
which contains illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] Fig. 1 Isometric view of the invention showing a switch installed.
[0020] Figs. 2a-b Side and front views of a double box.
15[0021] Figs. 3a-b Reverse angle isometric view of fig. 1 and top view of a
switch with tabs.
[0022] Fig. 4 Isometric view of a double box.
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[0023] Figs. 5a-b Front and side cutaway view of a box.
[0024] Figs. 6a-b Front and top cutaway view of a box.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0025] A shallow electric box (10) has four sides defined by a top wall (12),
a
bottom wall (14), and two side walls (16, 16). Resiliently deformable
members (22) create openings on the top and bottom walls (12, 14) that
are used for inserting and retaining electrical wires (not shown).
[0026] Once inserted, the wires (not shown) are mechanically fastened to wire
connectors (24) located on the interior side walls (16, 16'). These wire
connectors (24) operate much the same way as similar connectors used
in the art of electrical equipment in the sense that wires (not shown) are
mechanically tightened thereto. As shown, the wire connectors (24) are
linked together by a link (25) similar to that known in the art but which
usually form part of a switch or an outlet, and which can be cut so as to
separate into two circuits, for example. Screw sockets (26) located
inside the box (10) allow for the easy mechanical fastening of the
electric box (10) to a wall stud (not shown).
[0027] An electrical unit (28) which can be either a switch as shown or an
outlet, is mechanically fastened to the electrical box (10) in a fashion
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that is very similar to the standard method known in the art but where it
differs is that specially configured tab members (30) attached to the
existing switch or outlet screws (42) found on standard switches and
outlets. Those tab members (30) make a mechanical connection with
the wire connectors (24). In this manner, an electrical connection is
made between the electrical unit (28) and the wire connectors (24)
Additionally, bottom and top ears (31, 31') are used in making a ground
connection by bending the bottom ear (31) and pushing it into a stub
(33) while a bottom ground contact member (35) is inserted through the
bottom ear (31) and fastened with a lower ground screw (36). The top
ear (31') is not bent but still mechanically connected to an upper ground
screw (36') by way of an upper ground contact member (35').
[0028] Other features include winglets (32) which are used to position the
electric box (10) so that it lines up with a finished sheet of drywall (not
shown). Hook connectors (37) are removable and insertable into a slit
(38) so that two boxes (10) can be attached together as per fig. 4. This
is a new and novel way of connecting boxes (10) together. Mechanical
fasteners (40) inserted through the screw sockets (26) secure the box to
a stud (not shown).
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[0029] As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the
present invention, the same should be apparent from the above
description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of
usage and operation will be provided.
5[0030] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that
the
optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to
include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of
operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious
to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those
illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are
intended to be encompassed by the present invention. For example,
punch dies are the preferred tool used but other types of cutters such as
rotary drill cutters could be used and still achieve a similar result.
[0031] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and
changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to
limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and
described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents
may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
