CA1260129A - Electrical outlet box with grounding tab - Google Patents
Electrical outlet box with grounding tabInfo
- Publication number
- CA1260129A CA1260129A CA000506404A CA506404A CA1260129A CA 1260129 A CA1260129 A CA 1260129A CA 000506404 A CA000506404 A CA 000506404A CA 506404 A CA506404 A CA 506404A CA 1260129 A CA1260129 A CA 1260129A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- grounding
- box
- tab
- outlet box
- screw
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
- H02G3/00—Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles
- H02G3/02—Details
- H02G3/08—Distribution boxes; Connection or junction boxes
- H02G3/12—Distribution boxes; Connection or junction boxes for flush mounting
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
- H02G3/00—Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles
- H02G3/02—Details
- H02G3/08—Distribution boxes; Connection or junction boxes
- H02G3/16—Distribution boxes; Connection or junction boxes structurally associated with support for line-connecting terminals within the box
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An electrical outlet box has a grounding tab located adjacent the front opening of the box so that it is more easily accessible even when an electrical fixture is in the box. The grounding tab is located within the box on at least one of the two ends of the box and sloped towards the open front of the outlet box positioned close to the front opening and adjacent one of the sides of the box. The grounding tab has a threaded screw-receiving hole therein for a grounding screw.
An electrical outlet box has a grounding tab located adjacent the front opening of the box so that it is more easily accessible even when an electrical fixture is in the box. The grounding tab is located within the box on at least one of the two ends of the box and sloped towards the open front of the outlet box positioned close to the front opening and adjacent one of the sides of the box. The grounding tab has a threaded screw-receiving hole therein for a grounding screw.
Description
~6~
. - , ELECTRICAL OUTLET BOX WITH GROUNDING TAB
The present invention relates to an electrical outlet box and more speciically to a grounding tab located adjacent the front opening of an electrical outlet box~
Electrical outlet boxes are used for mounting electrical fixtures such as switches, receptacles, lighting fixtures and the like. Such boxes form part of electrical systems in most houses and industrial buildings. Nearly all outlet boxes used today are supplied with an attachment for grounding wires as many electrical codes call for outlet boxes to be grounded.
Most outlet boxes presently available have an attachment for a yround wire on the back of the box. Thus it is necessary to attach a ground wire to the box attachment before inserting the electrical fixture into the outlet box. Once the electrical fixture has been mounted in the outlet box, then access to the grounding screw in the box is limited.
Some outlet boxes have attachments for ground wire outside the box. Another design of outlet box shows a grounding attachment integral with the mounting tab.
This type of grounding attachment whilst being accessible from the outside of the outlet box when an electrical fixture is in place~ is in a plane parallel with the open face of the outlet box and thus requires the ground wire from the attachment to project out into the box. For certain types of electrical fixtures, such a ground attachment interferes with mounting in the outlet box.
It is a purpose of the present invention to 3a provide a grounding attachment for a grounding wire that may be attached and detached whether or not the electrical fixture is mounted in the outlet box. This is achieved by placing the grounding attachment on a sloped plane, close to the front opening of the outlet box an~
. - , ELECTRICAL OUTLET BOX WITH GROUNDING TAB
The present invention relates to an electrical outlet box and more speciically to a grounding tab located adjacent the front opening of an electrical outlet box~
Electrical outlet boxes are used for mounting electrical fixtures such as switches, receptacles, lighting fixtures and the like. Such boxes form part of electrical systems in most houses and industrial buildings. Nearly all outlet boxes used today are supplied with an attachment for grounding wires as many electrical codes call for outlet boxes to be grounded.
Most outlet boxes presently available have an attachment for a yround wire on the back of the box. Thus it is necessary to attach a ground wire to the box attachment before inserting the electrical fixture into the outlet box. Once the electrical fixture has been mounted in the outlet box, then access to the grounding screw in the box is limited.
Some outlet boxes have attachments for ground wire outside the box. Another design of outlet box shows a grounding attachment integral with the mounting tab.
This type of grounding attachment whilst being accessible from the outside of the outlet box when an electrical fixture is in place~ is in a plane parallel with the open face of the outlet box and thus requires the ground wire from the attachment to project out into the box. For certain types of electrical fixtures, such a ground attachment interferes with mounting in the outlet box.
It is a purpose of the present invention to 3a provide a grounding attachment for a grounding wire that may be attached and detached whether or not the electrical fixture is mounted in the outlet box. This is achieved by placing the grounding attachment on a sloped plane, close to the front opening of the outlet box an~
2~
at one side so that a screw driver can be inserted past the electrical fixture to rotate the grounding screw.
The present invention provides in an electrical outlet box including a sheet metal rectangular shaped box having two sides, two ends, a back and an open front, the improvement of a grounding tab within the box located on at least one of the ends and sloped towards the open front of the outlet box, the grounding tab positioned close to the open ~ront and adjacent one of the sides, the grounding tab having a screw-receiving hole therein for a grounding screw. In another embodiment, the grounding tab is pressed out of one of the ends, thus providing access to the grounding screw for attachment of a grounding wire.
In a ~urther embodiment~ the grounding tab is embossed on one oE the ends thus providing access to the grounding screw for attachment of a grounding wire. A
grounding tab may be located at each of the two ends on diagonally opposite corners of the box.
In drawings which illus~rate embodiments of the nventlon, Fig. 1 is an isometric view of an outlet box showing one embodiment of a grounding tab according to the present invention;
Fig. 2 is an end view of the outlet box shown in Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken at line 3-3 of Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a partial sectional view, similar to Fig. 3, showing another embodiment oE a grounding tab.
Referring now to the drawings, an outlet box 10 is shown which has two sides 12, two ends 14 and a back 16.
Wire access holes 18 are provided in the ends 40 and removable access tabs 20 are positioned over the wire ~6(~ 9
at one side so that a screw driver can be inserted past the electrical fixture to rotate the grounding screw.
The present invention provides in an electrical outlet box including a sheet metal rectangular shaped box having two sides, two ends, a back and an open front, the improvement of a grounding tab within the box located on at least one of the ends and sloped towards the open front of the outlet box, the grounding tab positioned close to the open ~ront and adjacent one of the sides, the grounding tab having a screw-receiving hole therein for a grounding screw. In another embodiment, the grounding tab is pressed out of one of the ends, thus providing access to the grounding screw for attachment of a grounding wire.
In a ~urther embodiment~ the grounding tab is embossed on one oE the ends thus providing access to the grounding screw for attachment of a grounding wire. A
grounding tab may be located at each of the two ends on diagonally opposite corners of the box.
In drawings which illus~rate embodiments of the nventlon, Fig. 1 is an isometric view of an outlet box showing one embodiment of a grounding tab according to the present invention;
Fig. 2 is an end view of the outlet box shown in Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken at line 3-3 of Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a partial sectional view, similar to Fig. 3, showing another embodiment oE a grounding tab.
Referring now to the drawings, an outlet box 10 is shown which has two sides 12, two ends 14 and a back 16.
Wire access holes 18 are provided in the ends 40 and removable access tabs 20 are positioned over the wire ~6(~ 9
3 _ access holes 18 and removed when a wire is to be inserted.
Mounting tabs 22 with mounting holes 24 are provided in the open front at each end for mounting electrical fixtures, such as receptacles, switches, lighting fixtures and the like. Fastener tabs 26 are Eormed integral with the sides 12 and extend in the plane of the sides beyond the ends 14. Attachment holes 28 are provided in the fastener tabs 26 for attaching the outlet box 10 to a wooden stud.
Grounding tabs 30 are shown in the outlet box 10 positioned at the top of each end 14, close to the open front and adjacent a side 12. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the grounding tabs 30 are positioned on diagonally opposite corners of the outlet box 10. It is not essential that the grounding tabs 30 be positioned on diagonally opposite corners; only one is needed, but there could be two, one at each end adjacent one side.
Each grounding tab 30 is formed by being pressed out of the end plate 14 inwards towards the center of the box 10, the tab 30 connected to the end plate 14 at the top ; edge. The grounding tab 30 is sloped at an angle and the angle is selected to be convenient for access to attach grounding wires. As shown in Fig. 3, a screw-receiving hole 32 is provided in the senter of the tab 30 and a grounding screw 34 screws into the hole 32 and when tightened, attaches one or more grounding wires to the outlet box 10. The grounding screw 34 may be a self tapping screw to form a thread in the screw-receiving hole 32 when first inserted.
Another embodiment of a grounding tab 30 is illustrated in Fig. 4, wherein the end plate 14 is embossed or deformed to form a sloped surface, but is not pressed out of the end plate 14 leaving a cut-out as `"" ~266~ 9 I . - 4 -shown in Fig. 3.
The position of the tab 30 and the slope of the tab 30 is arranged so that a screw driver may be used to tighten or loosen the screw 34 with the electrical fixture mounted within the outlet box on the mounting tabs 22.
Whereas one pa~ticular angle is shown for the tab 30, it will be appreciated this angle may be varied, provided the screw 34 is accessible when an electrical fixture is mounted in the box 10. Whereas the tabs 30 are shown on each end 14 of the box 10, it will be appreciated that only one tab need be provided~
Various changes may be made to the embodiments shown in the drawings and described herein without departing from the scope of the present invention which is limited only by the following claims.
~0
Mounting tabs 22 with mounting holes 24 are provided in the open front at each end for mounting electrical fixtures, such as receptacles, switches, lighting fixtures and the like. Fastener tabs 26 are Eormed integral with the sides 12 and extend in the plane of the sides beyond the ends 14. Attachment holes 28 are provided in the fastener tabs 26 for attaching the outlet box 10 to a wooden stud.
Grounding tabs 30 are shown in the outlet box 10 positioned at the top of each end 14, close to the open front and adjacent a side 12. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the grounding tabs 30 are positioned on diagonally opposite corners of the outlet box 10. It is not essential that the grounding tabs 30 be positioned on diagonally opposite corners; only one is needed, but there could be two, one at each end adjacent one side.
Each grounding tab 30 is formed by being pressed out of the end plate 14 inwards towards the center of the box 10, the tab 30 connected to the end plate 14 at the top ; edge. The grounding tab 30 is sloped at an angle and the angle is selected to be convenient for access to attach grounding wires. As shown in Fig. 3, a screw-receiving hole 32 is provided in the senter of the tab 30 and a grounding screw 34 screws into the hole 32 and when tightened, attaches one or more grounding wires to the outlet box 10. The grounding screw 34 may be a self tapping screw to form a thread in the screw-receiving hole 32 when first inserted.
Another embodiment of a grounding tab 30 is illustrated in Fig. 4, wherein the end plate 14 is embossed or deformed to form a sloped surface, but is not pressed out of the end plate 14 leaving a cut-out as `"" ~266~ 9 I . - 4 -shown in Fig. 3.
The position of the tab 30 and the slope of the tab 30 is arranged so that a screw driver may be used to tighten or loosen the screw 34 with the electrical fixture mounted within the outlet box on the mounting tabs 22.
Whereas one pa~ticular angle is shown for the tab 30, it will be appreciated this angle may be varied, provided the screw 34 is accessible when an electrical fixture is mounted in the box 10. Whereas the tabs 30 are shown on each end 14 of the box 10, it will be appreciated that only one tab need be provided~
Various changes may be made to the embodiments shown in the drawings and described herein without departing from the scope of the present invention which is limited only by the following claims.
~0
Claims (4)
1. In an electrical outlet box including a sheet metal rectangular shaped box having two sides, two ends, a back and an open front, the improvement of a grounding tab within the box located on at least one of the ends and sloped towards the open front of the outlet box, the grounding tab positioned close to the open front and adjacent one of the sides, the grounding tab having a screw-receiving hole therein for a grounding screw positioned normal to the sloped tab, thus providing access to the grounding screw from within the box for attachment of a grounding wire.
2. The outlet box according to Claim 1 wherein the grounding tab is pressed out of one of the ends thus providing access to the grounding screw for attachment of a grounding wire.
3. The outlet box according to Claim 1 wherein a grounding tab is located at each of the two ends on diagonally opposite corners of the box.
4. The outlet box according to Claim 1 wherein the grounding tab is embossed on one of the ends, thus providing access to the grounding screw for attachment of a grounding wire.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CA000506404A CA1260129A (en) | 1986-04-11 | 1986-04-11 | Electrical outlet box with grounding tab |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CA000506404A CA1260129A (en) | 1986-04-11 | 1986-04-11 | Electrical outlet box with grounding tab |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
CA1260129A true CA1260129A (en) | 1989-09-26 |
Family
ID=4132860
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
CA000506404A Expired CA1260129A (en) | 1986-04-11 | 1986-04-11 | Electrical outlet box with grounding tab |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
CA (1) | CA1260129A (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6160217A (en) * | 1998-12-28 | 2000-12-12 | Electric Motion Company, Inc. | Isolation ground assembly |
US6403880B1 (en) * | 2000-05-02 | 2002-06-11 | Hubbell Incorporated | Ground strap for electrical box |
US7449633B2 (en) * | 2005-08-31 | 2008-11-11 | Thomas & Betts International, Inc. | Electrical box for concrete walls |
-
1986
- 1986-04-11 CA CA000506404A patent/CA1260129A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6160217A (en) * | 1998-12-28 | 2000-12-12 | Electric Motion Company, Inc. | Isolation ground assembly |
US6403880B1 (en) * | 2000-05-02 | 2002-06-11 | Hubbell Incorporated | Ground strap for electrical box |
US7449633B2 (en) * | 2005-08-31 | 2008-11-11 | Thomas & Betts International, Inc. | Electrical box for concrete walls |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
MKEX | Expiry |