Electricity: conductors and insulators – Boxes and housings – With electrical device
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-06
2001-02-20
Reichard, Dean A. (Department: 2831)
Electricity: conductors and insulators
Boxes and housings
With electrical device
C174S059000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06191361
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to electrical receptacle outlet boxes and, more particularly, to an electrical receptacle outlet box including terminal connectors for allowing convenient pre-wiring of a receptacle box before installation of the electrical outlet.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the related art, many methods of securing an electrical receptacle within an outlet box in electronic communication with wiring systems are known. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,413,501 issued in the name of Munn, an electrical outlet box is disclosed having a clamp connector for securing incoming wiring, as well as including a specialized electrical receptacle for allowing quick and easy wiring of the receptacle. Such a device, however, does not appear to be capable of being used with conventional duplex receptacles.
Also, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,380,951, issued in the name of Comerci et al., an outlet assembly is disclosed utilizing specialized, flat ribbon cable.
Other disclosures are known which provide either ease of mounting, or ease of wiring for specialty applications. These include:
U.S. Pat. No. 5,243,134, issued in the name of Nattel, wherein a combination power and communication electrical wall terminal is disclosed;
U.S. Pat. No. 5,229,922, issued in the names of Muramatsu et al., wherein an electrical junction box with stacked insulating plates and bus-bars with stepped tabs is disclosed;
U.S. Pat. No. 5,415,564, issued in the name of Winter et al., wherein a junction box for quick release mounting of electrical circuit components is disclosed;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,627,684, issued in the name of D'Amato, wherein a housing for electrical connectors is disclosed; and
U.S. Pat. No. 4,172,962, issued in the name of Legerius et al., wherein a terminal box is disclosed intended to be used in combination with a socket outlet or the like.
Although effective in accomplishing their particular intent, none of these references allow a user to easily pre-wire conventional residential, commercial, or industrial wiring systems, especially prior to enclosing such wiring systems behind drywall or other interior wall finish, such that the remaining wiring of standard electrical receptacles can be easily completed. Consequently, a need has been felt for providing an apparatus and method which can be used to pre-wire an outlet box such that the outlet receptacles can be efficiently wired at a later time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved electrical receptacle outlet box which can be pre-wired to a conventional electrical system, such that individual receptacle outlets can be quickly and easily attached or reattached within the outlet box at a later time.
Briefly described according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, an electrical receptacle outlet box is provided having a box opening at its outer face for receiving a conventional electrical receptacle. Adjacent to either side of the box opening are front mounting panels upon which wiring terminals are mounted. By angling each front mounting panel away from the box opening, these wiring terminals are easily accessed, and allow for conventional wiring to be pre-terminated within the outlet box.
Generally, an advantage of the present invention is that electrical rough wiring in commercial or residential facilities can be pre-wired within each outlet box. Electrical finished wiring can then be accomplished at a later time.
Other benefits of these advantages are known and envisioned; however, it is felt that generally the present invention can ease installation of finished electrical wiring, as well as ease scheduling restrictions caused by conflicts among construction subcontractors.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3327176 (1967-06-01), Rexroad
patent: 3417192 (1968-12-01), Elm
patent: 3523156 (1970-08-01), Phillips, Jr.
patent: 3720778 (1973-03-01), Woertz et al.
patent: 3728470 (1973-04-01), Maier
patent: 4172962 (1979-10-01), Legerius et al.
patent: 4209154 (1980-06-01), Hehl
patent: 4232915 (1980-11-01), Hahn
patent: 4295018 (1981-10-01), Borrelli
patent: 4382155 (1983-05-01), Borin et al.
patent: 4414426 (1983-11-01), Burtelson
patent: 4627684 (1986-12-01), D'Amato
patent: 5052950 (1991-10-01), Wilson
patent: 5243134 (1993-09-01), Nattel
patent: 5380951 (1995-01-01), Comerci et al.
patent: 5413501 (1995-05-01), Munn
patent: 5717164 (1998-02-01), Shetterly
patent: 5721394 (1998-02-01), Mulks
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