Receptacles – Outlet or junction box type – With support
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-05
2001-08-28
Pollard, Steven M. (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
Outlet or junction box type
With support
C220S003800, C220S003940
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279768
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an indoor/outdoor enclosure for electrical apparatus and more particularly pertains to a rain-tight enclosure.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Indoor/outdoor enclosures for electrical accessories are known. Various problems have been associated with them including rain-tightness and accessibility to the interior thereof. In addition, rain-light outdoor electrical enclosures usually lack provision for indoor flush-mount application. A flush-mount enclosure can be mounted on a commercial or residential dwelling gypsum wall with a flush-mount plate. The only viewable component is the flush-mount plate and a wall of the enclosure. With present rain-tight outdoor enclosures, made from bent sheet steel, the front of the enclosure has a bend in it. Consequently, if it is use indoors with a flush-mount plate, the flush-mount plate will not seat properly. An example of a prior art outdoor electrical enclosure can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,955,709 issued May 11, 1976, to Coley et. al. and assigned to the Westinghouse Electric Corporation of Pittsburgh, Pa., which is the predecessor in title of Eaton Corporation which is now the owner of that patent.
It would be advantageous if one enclosure could be found which functions for both indoor and outdoor applications.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It has been found in accordance with this invention that an improved indoor/outdoor enclosure may be provided. The present invention comprises:
An enclosure for electrical apparatus which includes a first enclosure for at least partially enclosing electrical apparatus. A second enclosure is provided which cooperates with the first enclosure for at least partially enclosing the electrical apparatus. The first enclosure has spaced, generally parallel, first plates with the enclosed region disposed therebetween. It also has an attached, angularly perpendicular, offset plate disposed between the parallel plates. There is an open region existing between one of the parallel plates and the offset plate. The second enclosure has a first plate generally perpendicularly offset from the first enclosure parallel plates and the offset plate. The second enclosure first plate has an attached second plate which is generally perpendicular to the first plate and which is generally parallel with said first enclosure parallel plates. It is disposed in the open region. The second enclosure parallel plate can be translated through the open region. Alternatively, the second enclosure parallel plate can be rotated through the open region. In addition, the second enclosure parallel plate can be translated and rotated simultaneously through the open region. This is beneficial in the assembly and disassembly process. The aforementioned opening may be an elongated slot. The first enclosure may be a box with five sides. The second enclosure may be U-shaped with the web portion thereof the second enclosure first slots amounting to a sixth side of the finished enclosure.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2250977 (1941-07-01), Walker
patent: 2265926 (1941-12-01), Pike
patent: 2297862 (1942-10-01), Bachmann
patent: 2330975 (1943-10-01), Jackson
patent: 2656948 (1953-10-01), McGee
patent: 2680533 (1954-06-01), Cole
patent: 3955709 (1976-05-01), Coley et al.
Dabrowski Henryk
Mendoza Anthony C.
Eaton Corporation
Moran Martin J.
Pollard Steven M.
LandOfFree
Indoor/outdoor electrical enclosure does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Indoor/outdoor electrical enclosure, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Indoor/outdoor electrical enclosure will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2436335