Electricity: conductors and insulators – Boxes and housings
Reexamination Certificate
2001-11-13
2004-03-23
Reichard, Dean (Department: 2831)
Electricity: conductors and insulators
Boxes and housings
C174S053000, C174S058000, C220S003200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06710245
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The claimed invention relates to electrical equipment. In particular, the invention relates to gangable electrical units which are positioned adjacent other electrical outlet units for the installation of electrical components therein.
BACKGROUND
Electrical outlets for powering electrical equipment are installed in electrical boxes within the walls of structures. Electrical outlets typically have a voltage output of 120 volts, for a standard electrical outlet, but can have higher outputs depending upon the output requirement. Such outlets are typically referred to as high voltage outlets. Electrical codes generally require an enclosed box for high voltage outlets. Standard electrical boxes may be any number of gangs, such as single, double, triple, etc. Electrical boxes are configured for installation to a wall stud during construction or remodeling.
Low voltage outlets have become increasingly necessary for installation in wall structures. Low voltage outlets are used for low voltage communication electrical equipment, such as telephone and cable, among others. Electrical codes generally do not require an enclosed receptacle for low voltage outlets.
It has become commonplace to install electrical outlets in close proximity to cable and phone lines, and often at numerous places within a single room. “Smart” homes often utilize equipment or appliances that require access to both a high voltage outlet and a low voltage outlet.
SUMMARY
The claimed invention is a gangable electrical unit for positioning an electrical component beside an electrical outlet box. The gangable electrical unit includes a bracket and means for mounting the wall structure of the bracket on a wall of an electrical outlet box. The bracket structure includes a wall structure that defines a front opening.
In one embodiment, the gangable electrical unit also includes a stop extending outwardly from the wall structure of the bracket. The stop includes a weakened portion positioned between the stop and the wall structure. The stop is configured to be broken away from the wall structure of the bracket with the application of a force sufficient to break the weakened portion. The weakened portion may include a plurality of perforations.
The wall structure of the bracket may include a top wall, a bottom wall, and an attachment side wall, with corners formed between the top and bottom walls and the attachment side wall. The corners are radiused in order to provide a gap for accepting a fastener head when the wall bracket is coupled to an electrical outlet box.
In another embodiment, the means for mounting the wall structure of the bracket on a wall of an electrical outlet box includes a clip. The clip is extends outwardly from the wall structure of the bracket. The clip is configured to engage a wall of an electrical outlet box. The clip may be configured to wrap around and grasp a front edge of a wall of an electrical outlet box. The clip may be resilient. In addition, two clips may be provided that are spaced apart from one another.
The clip may be L-shaped, with a first leg of the L-shaped clip being attached to the wall structure of the bracket and extending perpendicularly away from the wall structure. The second leg of the L-shaped clip extends perpendicularly away from the first leg of the clip. This second leg is configured to engage an inner surface of a wall of an electrical outlet box. The second leg of the L-shaped clip may include a recess positioned at a point along the length of the second leg, and an appendage extends inwardly on one side of the recess at an angle relative to the remainder of the second leg, with the recess acting as a hinge. The appendage is configured for resiliently abutting an inner surface of a wall of an electrical outlet box. The second leg may also include a self-centering protrusion for centering the gangable electrical unit on an electrical outlet box unit. The self-centering protrusion is configured to abut a wall of the electrical outlet box unit.
An adhering element may be coupled to the wall structure of the bracket. The adhering element is positioned to adhere the bracket to a wall of an electrical outlet box.
The wall structure of the bracket includes a top wall, a bottom wall, an attachment side wall, and an open back. The clips and the adhering element are associated with the attachment side wall and together adjoin the bracket to an electrical outlet box.
In another embodiment, the means for mounting the wall structure of the bracket on a wall of an electrical outlet box includes an adhering element associated with the wall structure of the bracket on an outer surface thereof. The adhering element is positioned to engage a wall of an electrical outlet box.
The wall structure of the bracket may include a top wall, a bottom wall, an attachment side wall, and an open back, with the adhering element being attached to the attachment side wall. Alternatively, the wall structure of the bracket may include three walls that partially surround the front opening. One of the walls of the bracket may be a partial side wall. The partial side wall has a front edge that is spaced from the front opening to define an opening in the partial side wall. The adhering element may be positioned on the partial side wall. Further, the wall structure of the bracket may include a partial side wall, only a portion of which extends to the front opening. A pair of clips may extend outwardly from the front opening of the bracket from the partial side wall. The clips may be configured to engage a wall structure of an electrical outlet box.
In another embodiment of the claimed invention, a gangable electrical unit is provided for positioning an electrical component beside an electrical outlet box. The gangable electrical unit includes a bracket having a wall structure that defines a front opening, and a clip. The clip is associated with the wall structure and extends outwardly from the wall structure of the bracket. The clip is configured to engage a wall of an electrical outlet box.
The clip may include a self-centering portion for centering the bracket on an electrical outlet box. The self-centering portion is a protrusion that extends from the clip. The protrusion is configured to abut a wall of an electrical outlet box.
A stop may extend outwardly from the wall structure of the bracket. The stop includes a weakened portion positioned between the stop and the wall structure. The top is configured to be broken away from the wall structure with the application of a force sufficient to break the weakened portion.
In a further embodiment, a gangable electrical unit is provided for positioning an electrical component beside an electrical outlet box. The unit includes a bracket having a wall structure that defines a front opening, and an adhering element. The adhering element is attached to the wall structure of the bracket and positioned for adhering the bracket to a wall of an electrical outlet box.
The gangable electrical unit may also include a stop extending outwardly from the wall structure of the bracket. The stop includes a weakened portion positioned between the stop and the wall structure. The stop is configured to be broken away from the wall structure with the application of a force sufficient to break the weakened portion.
An alternative embodiment is a ganged electrical outlet box assembly that includes a gangable electrical unit having a clip and an electrical outlet box. The electrical outlet box has a wall for contacting the gangable electrical unit, and the gangable electrical unit is attached to the electrical outlet box by the clip. The electrical outlet box has a wall structure that defines an outer periphery. When the electrical outlet box is adjoined to the gangable electrical unit, the ganged assembly has a continuous, rectangular outer periphery at the front openings. In addition, an adhering element is positioned on the wall structure of the ganged electrical unit and positioned to engage the wall of the electrical outlet box.
Another embodiment of the
Revlock, Sr. Dennis P.
Roesch Mark A.
Estrada Angel R.
Jones Day
Reichard Dean
The Lamson & Sessions Co.
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