AU2018204298B2

AU2018204298B2 - Housing for an electrical fitting in a sliding door unit

Info

Publication number: AU2018204298B2
Application number: AU2018204298A
Authority: AU
Inventors: James Edward Beach
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-06-16
Filing date: 2018-06-15
Publication date: 2019-10-24
Anticipated expiration: 2036-08-04
Also published as: AU2018204298A1; AU2016210724A1

Abstract

A housing (2) for an electrical fitting for installation in a sliding door unit having a cavity, the housing including a first face (4) and a second face (6) connected to said first face (4), said second face (6) substantially parallel and spaced apart from said first face (4) to define a 5 space (7) therebetween, at least one aperture (18, 20) in either the first face (4) or the second face (6) for receiving wiring from said electrical fitting, wherein the electrical fitting wiring is retained in said space (7) such that no wiring is able to protrude into the cavity.

Description

This invention relates to a housing for an electrical fitting to be installed in a sliding door unit.

Background of the Invention

Typically it is not possible to house electrical fittings in a cavity of a sliding door unit that is designed to store a sliding door in the open position. An impediment to installing electrical fittings, such as switches and sockets, is that wires that come from the electrical fitting can be unprotected wires that obstruct the door sliding back and forth within the sliding door cavity. Furthermore the continuous sliding backwards and forwards can dislodge or disconnect wires from their mountings at the switch or socket, which presents the obvious hazard of electrocution.

The present invention seeks to overcome these disadvantages by providing an electrical fitting housing for a sliding door unit to enable the installation of electrical fittings on plaster board wall that forms part of the structure around a sliding door cavity.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a housing for an electrical fitting for installation in a sliding door unit having a cavity, the housing including:

a first face and a second face connected to said first face, said second face substantially parallel and spaced apart from said first face to define a space therebetween;

at least one aperture in either the first face or the second face for receiving wiring from said electrical fitting;

Preferably the electrical fitting wiring is retained in said space such that no wiring is able to protrude into the cavity. The housing may further include a first end and a second end, said second end blocked by a panel to prevent any wiring of the electrical fitting from extending through said second end. The first end may have an opening through which the wiring is able to protrude.

The housing preferably includes a first support member extending along the length of the housing between said first and second faces and defining one side of said space. The housing preferably includes a second support member extending throughout the housing between said first and second faces and defining a second side of said space such that said first and second support members are substantially parallel and spaced apart. Preferably at said second end said panel bridges respective ends of the first and second support members so that said space is entirely enclosed apart from said opening at said first end.

In a preferred embodiment, the housing includes a first channel defined by said first support member and part of each of said first and second faces. In a further embodiment, the housing further includes a second channel defined by said second support member and part of each of said first and second faces. Preferably either said first channel or said second channel is affixed to a part of said sliding door unit. Preferably the at least one aperture has a frangible panel covering said aperture prior to installation of the housing, said frangible panel being removable to enable said wiring to protrude into said space, wherein further said electrical fitting is adapted to be secured to said face having said at least one aperture.

The at least one aperture may be shaped for either a vertically oriented fitting or a horizontally oriented fitting. The housing may further include at least one aperture and corresponding frangible panel on said first face and at least one aperture and corresponding frangible panel on said second face. Preferably the at least one aperture and corresponding frangible panel on said first face is/are horizontally oriented to fit at least one respective horizontally oriented electrical fitting and said at least one aperture and corresponding frangible panel on said second face is/are vertically oriented to fit at least one respective vertically oriented electrical fitting, or vice-versa.

The housing preferably enables a user to choose between vertically or horizontally oriented apertures to fit an electrical fitting that is either horizontal or vertical in orientation. Preferably the at least one aperture on either said first face or said second face is located closer to said second end blocked by said panel than said first end. The housing preferably is able to be cut to size to fit a particular sliding door unit. The electrical fitting is preferably a switch or a socket for receiving an electrical plug.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of installing an electrical fitting housing in a sliding door unit having a cavity, said housing having a first face and a second face connected to said first face, said second face substantially parallel and spaced apart from said first face to define a space therebetween, the method including:

positioning and securing the housing against a part of said sliding door unit and selecting an aperture from at least one aperture in either the first face or the second face to fit an electrical fitting such that wiring from said electrical fitting extends through said selected aperture;

retaining the electrical fitting wiring in said space such that no wiring protrudes into said cavity.

Brief Description of the Drawings

A preferred embodiment of the invention will hereinafter be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view from above of an electrical fitting housing that is adapted to fit within a cavity of a sliding door unit, showing two alternative views of the housing;

Figure 1A is a perspective view of the housing of Figure lfrom two different angles;

Figure 2A is an exploded perspective view of forward and reverse orientations of the housing of Figures 1 and 1A;

Figure 2B is a pair of views showing the housing with one face having options for vertically orientated electrical fittings;

Figure 2C is a front view of a face of the housing of Figures 1 and 1A having vertically arranged apertures;

Figure 2D shows a view of a part of the housing with one face having options to fit electrical fittings that are generally horizontal, such as electrical sockets;

Figure 2E is a front view of another face of the housing of Figures 1 and 1A having horizontally arranged apertures;

Figure 3 is a view from above of the housing showing vertically orientated cut out portions to receive electrical fittings;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 except it has horizontal shaped cut outs to receive electrical fittings in that orientation;

Figure 5 is a view from a first side and above the housing;

Figure 6 is a view from above of the housing of Figure 5 but from the opposite end;

Figure 7 is a view from above showing the front face of the housing; and

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 showing the top side of the housing.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Referring to Figures 1 and 1A there is shown a housing 2 to house and support electrical fittings and corresponding wiring, for use in a cavity of a sliding door unit. It has a first elongate face 4 and a second elongate face 6 substantially parallel to first face 4, so that a space 7 is defined therebetween. It also has a first end 8 which is open and a second 10 which is partially blocked by a panel 12. On first face 4 there are a series of apertures 18 that have frangible panels 19 that can easily detach from the respective aperture 18. The apertures 18 are horizontal in shape in that their length is longer than their width and this suits the fitting of electrical fittings that are also horizontal in shape which, for example, could be a light switch or a power socket for receiving an electrical plug. The housing 2 is generally made from suitable plastics material.

On second face 6 there are a series of apertures 20, similar to apertures 18 but vertically oriented, which each have a panel 21 that are frangible or loosely connected to the apertures 20. In use, these can be detached or punched out in order to fit vertically oriented electrical fittings, such as switches or electrical sockets. Thus the installer has a choice of which orientation of apertures to use, to fit the electrical fittings, by aligning the faces 4 or 6 such that it is closest to the plaster board to which the electrical fitting is to be attached. The housing 2 can be cut or snapped off to a particular size, using score lines that are identifiable at various distances from one or both ends 8 or 10. A series of rivets, in particular nut rivets 22 are formed in each of the faces 4 and 6 to enable the fixing of the housing 2 to the plaster board or building structure to which the electrical fitting is attached. A number of score lines 25 are present on both faces 4 and 6 to enable a user to easily cut the housing to the desired length.

Referring to Figures 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E there is shown the second face 6 which has a top edge 24, a bottom edge 26 and side edges 28 and 30. In the upper part of the Figure, measurements of a particular embodiment of the second face 6 are provided. Generally the housing 2 can be made to fit any size cavity in a sliding door unit ranging from 620mm to 1200mm. Shown in Figure 2A is a unit that is used to fit a 920mm sliding door unit. It is 820mm in length, 175mm in height and 18.6mm in width, however it can be cut to a shorter length. Rivets 23 or any other fastening means are used to affix the electrical fitting to the plaster board and are about 5mm in diameter. The dimensions of each aperture 20 are 77 mm by 52 mm and the dimensions of each panel 21 are 67 mm by 42 mm, leaving a gap of around 5 mm between aperture 20 and panel 21.

Referring to Figures 2A to 2E, there is shown first face 4 on its own, which has connected thereto the panel 12 which closes the end 10 when both faces 4 and 6 are connected to one another through support members or channels 14 and 16. The face 4 has a top edge 32, a bottom edge 34 and first and second side edges 36 and 38. Shown in the upper part of Figure 2A is a unit that is used to fit a 920mm cavity. It is 820mm in length, 175mm in height and 18.6mm in width, however it can be cut to a shorter length. The apertures 18, which are horizontally aligned, have similar dimensions to the vertical apertures in Figure 2A except that they are on a 90° orientation from the vertical apertures. Their dimensions are 52 mm x 77 mm. Each of the rivets 22 and 23 have a diameter of about 5 mm. The spacing around the panels 19 and 21 compared to the respective aperture 18 and 20 is about 5 mm. Other dimensions are available to fit differently sized cavities, such as 870mm, 820mm, 770mm, 720mm and 620mm.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4 there is shown the respective first and second faces 4 and 6 when positioned on a flat surface. Also referring to Figures 5 and 6 it is seen that each end 8 and 10, when the faces 4 and 6 are affixed to one another, form an H-shaped arrangement. At second end 10 the panel 12 extends between first support member 14 and second support member 16. In Figure 6 at first end 8 there is an opening 13 between support member 14 and support member 16 to define the space 7 for wires to exit from the electrical fitting and into the space formed in

2018204298 15 Jun 2018 the cavity support wall or between crossbars of the sliding door unit. To enable easier mounting of the housing 2, a space 27 exists above the support member 14 and similarly a space 29 exists below support member 16. Both spaces 27 and 29 extend along the whole length of the housing

2. This is to assist in creating an opening through which the housing 2 can rest on (in either orientation up or down) and be supported by the support framework of the sliding door unit so that none of the housing 2 protrudes into the space or the cavity of the sliding door unit, nor create a bulge in the plaster or other substrate on the wall. The second end 10 that is mostly blocked by the panel 12 is required for safety purposes. For example if the sliding door unit is removed for painting or other maintenance, the end of the housing 2 nearest the apertures 18 and 10 20 may be exposed to the cavity of the sliding door unit. With such an end blocked off by panel

12, any electrical wires would not be so exposed. The first end 8 is open to enable wiring to travel to and from the electrical fitting and the building frame around the cavity.

Referring to Figures 7 and 8 there is shown the housing 2 from an above view. Both of the support members 14 and 16 are positioned such that the panels 19, 21 extend between those 15 two support members on the respective faces 4 and 6. For safety reasons the apertures 18 and 20 are located nearer end 10 so that the panel 12 is nearest to any electrical fittings that are fitted through faces 4 or 6, depending on the vertical or horizontal orientation. More clearly seen in Figures 7 and 8 is the extension of the support member 14 that goes along the whole length of the unit 2.

’0 When installing the housing 2 it is cut to length as required using the score lines displayed or marked on either face 4 or 6 or both. Adhesive or fastening means, particularly in the form of silicon or glue is then applied in a bead to the middle of the channels 27 or 29 (whichever is to be adhered to the sliding door unit crossbars) created by the support members 14 and 16. Then the housing 2 is affixed into position. After allowing time to set and form a solid installation between the housing 2 and the sliding door unit, wiring can be fed from the framework around the sliding door unit through the open end 8 and then fed through the apertures 18 or 20 once the panels 19 or 21 are pushed out or detached. The switches, sockets or other electrical fittings may then be installed as per normal through the plaster board wall and then screws are fastened at rivet points 22 to affix the housing to the building structure, in this case the plaster board. Other screws extend through points 23 to affix the electrical fitting to the plaster wall and then through the housing 2 which strengthens the whole structure.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An electrical fitting housing installed inside a sliding door unit, said sliding door unit of the type having a cavity in which a sliding door resides when in an open position, the housing including:

a first face and a second face connected to said first face, said second face substantially parallel and spaced apart from said first face to define a space therebetween;

at least one aperture in either the first face or the second face for receiving wiring from an electrical fitting;

wherein the housing is affixed to an inner side of a wall to which the electrical fitting is affixed; said housing positioned between said wall and the sliding door when the sliding door is positioned in said cavity;

wherein further wiring of the electrical fitting is retained in said space such that said wiring does not protrude into the cavity.
2. A housing according to claim 1 further including a first end and a second end, said second end blocked by a panel to prevent any wiring of the electrical fitting from extending through said second end.
3. A housing according to claim 2 wherein said first end has an opening through which the wiring is able to protrude.
4. A housing according to claim 2 or claim 3 further including a first support member extending along the length of the housing between said first and second faces and defining one side of said space.
5. A housing according to claim 4 further including a second support member extending throughout the housing between said first and second faces and defining a second side of said space such that said first and second support members are substantially parallel and spaced apart.
6. A housing according to claim 5 wherein at said second end said panel bridges respective ends of the first and second support members so that said space is entirely enclosed apart from said opening at said first end.

2018204298 06 Sep 2019
7. A housing according to claim 6 further including a first channel defined by said first support member and part of each of said first and second faces.
8. A housing according to claim 6 or claim 7 further including a second channel defined by said second support member and part of each of said first and second faces.
9. A housing according to claim 8 wherein either said first channel or said second channel is affixed to a part of said sliding door unit.
10. A housing according to any one of the previous claims wherein said at least one aperture has a frangible panel covering said aperture prior to installation of the housing, said frangible panel being removable to enable said wiring to protrude into said space, wherein further said electrical fitting is adapted to be secured to said face having said at least one aperture.
11. A housing according to claim 10 wherein said at least one aperture is shaped for either a vertically oriented electrical fitting or a horizontally oriented electrical fitting.
12. A housing according to claim 11 further including at least one aperture and corresponding frangible panel located on said first face and at least one aperture and corresponding frangible panel located on said second face.
13. A housing according to claim 12 wherein said at least one aperture and corresponding frangible panel on said first face is/are horizontally oriented to fit at least one respective horizontally oriented electrical fitting and said at least one aperture and corresponding frangible panel on said second face is/are vertically oriented to fit at least one respective vertically oriented electrical fitting, or vice-versa.
14. A housing according to claim 13 that enables a user to choose between vertically or horizontally oriented apertures to fit an electrical fitting that is either horizontal or vertical in orientation.
15. A housing according to claim 14 wherein said at least one aperture on either of said first face or said second face is located closer to said second end blocked by said panel than said first end.
16. A housing according to any one of the previous claims that is able to be cut to size to fit the dimensions of a particular sliding door unit.

2018204298 06 Sep 2019
17. A housing according to any one of the previous claims wherein said electrical fitting is a switch or a socket for receiving an electrical plug.
18. A method of installing an electrical fitting housing in a sliding door unit of the type having a cavity in which a sliding door resides when in an open position, said housing having a first face and a second face connected to said first face, said second face substantially parallel and spaced apart from said first face to define a space therebetween, the method including:

positioning and securing the housing to an inner side of a wall to which an electrical fitting is affixed, such that the housing is between said wall and the sliding door when the sliding door is positioned in said cavity;

selecting an aperture from at least one aperture in either the first face or the second face to fit the electrical fitting such that wiring from said electrical fitting extends through said selected aperture;

retaining said wiring of said electrical fitting in said space such that said wiring does not protrude into said cavity.
19. A method according to claim 18 where said at least one aperture has a frangible panel covering said aperture prior to installation of said housing, said frangible panel being removable to enable said wiring to protrude into said space, wherein further said electrical fitting is adapted to be secured to said face having said at least one aperture.
20. A method according to claim 18 or claim 19 wherein said at least one aperture is shaped for either a vertically oriented electrical fitting or a horizontally oriented electrical fitting, wherein further at least one aperture and corresponding frangible panel is located on said first face and at least one aperture and corresponding frangible panel is located on said second face.