CA2048506C - Separating barrier for ganged electrical outlet boxes - Google Patents
Separating barrier for ganged electrical outlet boxesInfo
- Publication number
- CA2048506C CA2048506C CA 2048506 CA2048506A CA2048506C CA 2048506 C CA2048506 C CA 2048506C CA 2048506 CA2048506 CA 2048506 CA 2048506 A CA2048506 A CA 2048506A CA 2048506 C CA2048506 C CA 2048506C
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- adjacent
- barrier
- edge
- ganged
- arrangement
- 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 - Lifetime
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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
- H02G3/086—Assembled boxes
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Connection Or Junction Boxes (AREA)
Abstract
A barrier of flat sheet material is provided between ganged electrical outlet boxes to provide a plurality of physically separated compartments. Adjacent boxes may contain devices connected to cables carrying different electrical potentials, the barrier meeting the requirement of various Electrical Codes that prohibit such devices being mounted in one box with no barrier between them. Heretofore separate boxes have been used which are difficult to mount close together in a wall structure and are often mounted on separate wall studs. Several types of barriers are disclosed.
Description
SEPARATING BARRT~R FOR GANGED ELECTRICAL OUTLET BO~ES
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a separating barrier for ganged electrical outlet boxes and more particularly to an arrangement comprising at least two ganged electrical boxes of the type having a U-shaped body and two removable side walls. The arrangement comprises first and second end walls and a barrier of flat sheet material secured between at least two adjacent ganged box bodies whereby the arrangement defines at least two physically separated compartments.
The number of communication outlets which have to be located close to an electrical receptacle, has greatly increased during the last few years. This was caused by the growth in the usage of communication and entertainment equipment such as telephone recording machines, facsimile transfer equipment (faxes), PC computers, cable connected television, VCR's, etc.
In practice, to provide the communication connection for the equipment, a box, which supports a wall plate containing a communication outlet, is mounted on a wall stud. For convenience, this box is often located close to an outlet box containing the power receptacle. The Electrical Code does not allow mixing of power and communication cables carrying different potentials, in the same box without a physical barrier between them, therefore two separate boxes are used at the present time.
- 3 - 56,969 Since generally boxes are mounted on wall studs, the two boxes, one containing the communication receptacle and the other the power receptacle, are 16" or 24" apart (the distance between stud centeræ) which contributes to the maze of cables often present in the back of communication equipment. Locating the power and communication outlets close together can be accomplished by mounting one of the boxes on the stud and the other on the wall close to it.
An expensive "rework box", containing special clamps allowing it to be fastened to the wall, is used in order to have two boxes close together. The cost of such installation is fairly high and therefore it is provided only on special request.
One of the most common electric device boxes used by electricians is the "gangable" type. Gangable boxes can be joined (ganged) together, to provide mounting means for two, three or more electrical devices. In order to assemble a "two-gang" box, one side is removed from each of the boxes, and the two are then assembled together, using holding screws.
The present invention provides a means of separating the communication conductors outlet from the power conductors outlet and providing a physical barrier between the power and low voltage lines in the gangable boxes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a broad aspect of the invention, there is provided an arrangement comprising at least two ganged electrical outlet boxes of the type having a U-shaped body and two removable side walls, said body having a first end, a second end, a back, a first side edge and a second side edge, said body having first and second retaining means at said first and second ends adjacent each of said first and second side edges for releasably retaining either a side wall or an adjacent U-shaped outlet box body to which said body is ganged, said arrangement further comprising first and second end side walls and a barrier of flat sheet material secured between at least two adjacent ganged box 2~8~06 - 4 - 56,969 bodies whereby said arrangement defines at least two physically separated compartments, said first retaining means on said first end adjacent said first edge and on said second end adjacent said second edge comprises an outwardly projecting portion having a tapped hole containing a screw, said second retaining means on said first end adjacent said second edge and on said second end adjacent said first edge comprises a slot extending away from said second or first edge, respectively, each said barrier having a first end and a second end provided with a first ear and a second ear, respectively, having an end portion extending at a right angle to said barrier, each said ear having a slot in said end portion, the screw on the first end of one box body being accommodated in the slot of said first ear and the screw on the second end of an adjacent box body being accommodated in the slot in said second ear and the slot in the second end of the first box body.
As embodied and broadly described herein, the invention also provides an arrangement comprising at least two ganged electrical outlet boxes of the type having a U-shaped body and two removable side walls, said body having a first end, a second end, a back, a first side edge and a second side edge, said body having first and second retaining means at said first and second ends adjacent each of said first and second side edges for releasably retaining either a side wall or an adjacent U-shaped outlet box body to which said body is ganged, said arrangement further comprising first and second end side walls and a barrier of flat sheet material secured between at least two adjacent ganged box bodies whereby said arrangement defines at least two physically separated compartments, said first retaining means on said first end adjacent said first edge and on said second end adjacent said second edge comprises an outwardly projecting portion having a tapped hole containing a screw, said second retaining means on said first end adjacent said second edge and on said second end adjacent said first edge comprising a slot extending away from said second or first edge, respectively, said U-shaped body has a predetermined - 5 - 56,969 internal depth and height, and said barrier has a width and length slightly less than said depth and width, respectively, æaid barrier having first and second ends provided with first and second tabs, respectively, engaged with first and second edges of adjacent ganged box bodies, said barrier has a predetermined thickness and said tabs have a thickness less than said predetermined thickness.
As embodied and broadly described herein, the invention also provides an arrangement comprising at least two ganged electrical outlet boxes of the type having a U-shaped body and two removable side walls, said body having a first end, a second end, a back, a first side edge and a second side edge, said body having first and second retaining means at said first and second ends adjacent each of said first and second side edges for releasably retaining either a side wall or an adjacent U-shaped outlet box body to which said body is ganged, said arrangement further comprising first and second end side walls and a barrier of flat sheet material secured between at least two adjacent ganged box bodies whereby said arrangement defines at least two physically separated compartments, said retaining means on said first end adjacent said first edge and on said second end adjacent said second edge comprises an outwardly projecting portion having a tapped hole containing a screw, said second retaining means on said first end adjacent said second edge and on said second end adjacent said first edge comprising a slot extending away from said second or first edge, respectively, said U-shaped body has a predetermined internal depth and height, and said barrier has a width and length slightly less than said depth and width, respectively, said first and second ends being provided with lateral depressions accommodating said screws, said barrier being retained by said screws between adjacent ganged box bodies.
As embodied and broadly described herein, the invention also provides an arrangement comprising at least two ganged electrical outlet boxes of the type having a U-shaped body and two removable side walls, said body having 204850~
~ - 6 - 56,969 a first end, a second end, a back, a first side edge and a second side edge, said body having first and second retaining means at said first and second ends adjacent each of said first and second side edges for releasably retaining either a side wall or an adjacent U-shaped outlet box body to which said body is ganged, said arrangement further comprising first and second end side walls and a barrier of flat sheet material secured between at least two adjacent ganged box bodies whereby said arrangement defines at least two physically separated compartments, said back has a predetermined width and first and second cable clamps are secured to said back adjacent said first and æecond ends, said clamps having a length less than said predetermined width of said back, said U-shaped body having a predetermined internal depth and height and said barrier having a width and length slightly less than said depth and width, respectively, said barrier having a back edge retained between adjacent bodies by said clamps in said bodies.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAHINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a gangable electrical outlet box of known type, with both of its removable sides attached, Figure 2 is a perspective view of two gangable electrical outlet boxes, each having one side removed prior to their being joined together (ganged), Figure 3 is a perspective view of two boxes joined together to form a "two-ganged" box, Figure 4 is a perspective view of two boxes as in Figure 2 plus a barrier between the boxes, Figure 4A illustrates a modification of the barrier of Figure 4, Figure 5 is a perspectivew view of two ganged boxes with the barrier secured between them to divide the "two-gang" box into physically separated compartments, Figure 6 is a perspective view similar to Figure 4 but with a modified form of barrier, - 7 - 56,969 Figures 7A and 7B are front and side views, respectively, of the barrier shown in Figure 6, Figure 8 is a perspective view, similar to Figure 5, showing a modified form of barrier, and Figure 9 is an exploded detail view of part of the embodiment shown in Figure 8.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EHBODIHENTS
Referring to Figure 1, a gangable electrical outlet box, generally indicated at 10, comprises a U-shaped body 12 and two removable side walls 13, 14. The body 12 is provided with tapped holes 15 for fastening a standard wiring device such as a receptacle, a switch or a communication outlet. It also has provision for attachment of the side walls 13, 14. Specifically, a tab 17 at one end of each side wall engages a slot 18 in an end wall of the body and the other end of each side wall is retained by a screw 20 in a tapped hole in an outwardly projecting portion 21 of the opposite end wall of the body. The shape of these boxes has been standardized in North America and gangable boxes made by one manufacturer can be attached to boxes made by other manufacturers.
Referring to Figure 2, two boxes 10 and 10' may be "ganged " together by first removing side wall 14 from box 10 and side wall 13 from box 10'. The two boxes 10, 10' are assembled together by sliding slot 18 of box 10' under the head of screw 20 in box 10 and sliding slot 18 of box 10 under the head of screw 20 in box 10'. Note that the area 23 around screw 20 is recessed below the surface 25 of the box body 12, so that the area around the slot 18 fits into it and the two areas 23 are flush when the box bodies are mounted together.
Figure 3 shows the assembled structure of boxes 10 and 10' forming a single enclosure of essentially double the size of a single box enclosure.
Referring to Figure 4, the U-shaped bodies 12 of boxes 10, 10' each have a first end 26, a second end 27, a back 28, a first side edge 29 and a second side edge 30.
Each body 12 has first and second retaining means (screw 20 2048~06 ~ - 8 - 56,969 and slot 18) at its ends 26, 27 adjacent the first and second side edges 29, 30 for releasably retaining either a side wall ~13,14) or an adjacent body 12 to which it is ganged.
The arrangement shown in Figure 4 further comprises, in accordance with the invention, a barrier 32 of flat sheet material such as steel or galvanized steel;
the boxes 10, 10' may, and normally would, comprise the same type of material as the barrier 32. When the boxes 10, 10' are joined together (ganged) as shown in Figure 5, the barrier 32 is secured between the two adjacent ganged box bodies 12 of boxes 10 and 10'.
The barrier 32 is provided at its ends with first and second ears 33 and 34. The ears 33 and 34 have end portions 36 and 37 extending at right angles to the barrier.
The end portions 36, 37 of ears 33, 34 have slots 40, 41.
When assembled as illustrated in Figure 5, the screw 20 of the body 12 of box 10 is accommodated in the slot 40 of ear 33 and the screw 20 of the body 12 of box 10' is accommodated in the slot 41 of ear 34.
The barrier 32 is provided with slits 43 so the ears 33, 34 can be bent back as well as folded so that end portions 36, 37 form flat faces at 90 to the surfaces of the barrier. Bending back the ears provides clearances for the screws 20.
In order to assemble the barrier 32 shown in Figure 4 to the bodies 12 of boxes 10 and 10', the following procedure is used. The barrier 32 is placed against the edge 29 of box 10, with the slot 40 of ear 33 fitting under the head of screw 20. Then the box 10' is assembled to box 10 by sliding slot 18 of box 10' above the slot 40 in the ear 33 of the barrier and under the head of the screw 20 of box 10. The slot 41 in the lower ear 34 of the barrier 32 is in place over the slot 18 in box 10 and these slots accommodate the screw 20 in box 10'. The barrier 32 is held firmly in place once the screws 20 of boxes 10 and 10' are tightened.
204850~
- 9 - 56,969 An alternative ear conætruction is shown in Figure 4A which shows only a portion of barrier 32 with ear 33.
The slot 40 in ear 33 is angled to match the position of the slot 18 in box 10'. Correspondingly, the slot 41 in the lower ear 34 ~not shown) would be slanted to match the slot 18 in box 10. The completed asæembly of boxes 10 and 10' with barrier 32 is shown in Figure 5.
An alternative construction of barrier is shown in Figure 6. The barrier 32 is similar to the one described above except that it does not have ears, such as ears 33 and 34. Instead of the ears, the barrier is provided with first and second tabs 45 and 46. The first (upper) tab 45 is bent toward the box 10 and the second (lower) tab 46 is bent towards box 10'. In order to assemble the boxes 10 and 10' the barrier 32 is placed against the edge 29 of box 10. The length and width of the barrier 32 are made slightly less than the interior height and depth, respectively, of box 10 (or 10'). Recesses 47 and 48 at the ends of barrier 32 provide clearances for the depressed areas 23 around the screws 20 in the boxes 10 and 10'. The tabs 45 and 46 prevent the barrier 32 from entering box 10 too deeply.
Once the barrier 32 is in place, the box 10' is assembled to box 10 in the normal manner. Depressions 49 and 50 in barrier 32 provide spaces to accommodate the shanks of screws 20. Once the boxes 10, 10' are assembled together in the normal manner, the barrier 32 is held firmly in place. In order to prevent the creation of a gap between boxes 10 and 10', the tabs 45 and 46 are preferably flattened down to about 60% of the thickness of the rest of the barrier 32. This is illustrated in Figure 7B which is a side view of the barrier 32 showing thinner tabs 45 and 46.
Figure 7A is a plan view of the barrier 32 showing it more clearly than in Figure 6.
A number of different configurations of the barrier 32 are possible. For example, the shape of the ears 33, 34 (Figure 4) could be modified as could the shape of the tabs 45 and 46 (Figure 6). Also, with reference to Figure 6, 2~148~
- 10 - 56,g69 more than one tab could be provided at each end of the barrier 32. One could also provide a barrier without the tabs 45 and 46, but having the lateral depressions 49 and 50, relying only on the box screws 20 to hold the barrier in place.
Figures 8 and 9 show an embodiment wherein notches 51 are formed in the top and bottom of the boxes 10 and 10' to accommodate tabs 52 on barrier 32. When boxes 10 and 10' are assembled, the tabs 52 hold the barrier in place.
Alternatively, the barrier 32 could be held in place by cable clamps 53 which are commonly secured in outlet boxes by screws 54. Such clamps are slightly shorter than the width of a box 10. A tab 52 with corresponding clearances 51 in the boxes could be used to locate the barrier in the front of the boxes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a separating barrier for ganged electrical outlet boxes and more particularly to an arrangement comprising at least two ganged electrical boxes of the type having a U-shaped body and two removable side walls. The arrangement comprises first and second end walls and a barrier of flat sheet material secured between at least two adjacent ganged box bodies whereby the arrangement defines at least two physically separated compartments.
The number of communication outlets which have to be located close to an electrical receptacle, has greatly increased during the last few years. This was caused by the growth in the usage of communication and entertainment equipment such as telephone recording machines, facsimile transfer equipment (faxes), PC computers, cable connected television, VCR's, etc.
In practice, to provide the communication connection for the equipment, a box, which supports a wall plate containing a communication outlet, is mounted on a wall stud. For convenience, this box is often located close to an outlet box containing the power receptacle. The Electrical Code does not allow mixing of power and communication cables carrying different potentials, in the same box without a physical barrier between them, therefore two separate boxes are used at the present time.
- 3 - 56,969 Since generally boxes are mounted on wall studs, the two boxes, one containing the communication receptacle and the other the power receptacle, are 16" or 24" apart (the distance between stud centeræ) which contributes to the maze of cables often present in the back of communication equipment. Locating the power and communication outlets close together can be accomplished by mounting one of the boxes on the stud and the other on the wall close to it.
An expensive "rework box", containing special clamps allowing it to be fastened to the wall, is used in order to have two boxes close together. The cost of such installation is fairly high and therefore it is provided only on special request.
One of the most common electric device boxes used by electricians is the "gangable" type. Gangable boxes can be joined (ganged) together, to provide mounting means for two, three or more electrical devices. In order to assemble a "two-gang" box, one side is removed from each of the boxes, and the two are then assembled together, using holding screws.
The present invention provides a means of separating the communication conductors outlet from the power conductors outlet and providing a physical barrier between the power and low voltage lines in the gangable boxes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a broad aspect of the invention, there is provided an arrangement comprising at least two ganged electrical outlet boxes of the type having a U-shaped body and two removable side walls, said body having a first end, a second end, a back, a first side edge and a second side edge, said body having first and second retaining means at said first and second ends adjacent each of said first and second side edges for releasably retaining either a side wall or an adjacent U-shaped outlet box body to which said body is ganged, said arrangement further comprising first and second end side walls and a barrier of flat sheet material secured between at least two adjacent ganged box 2~8~06 - 4 - 56,969 bodies whereby said arrangement defines at least two physically separated compartments, said first retaining means on said first end adjacent said first edge and on said second end adjacent said second edge comprises an outwardly projecting portion having a tapped hole containing a screw, said second retaining means on said first end adjacent said second edge and on said second end adjacent said first edge comprises a slot extending away from said second or first edge, respectively, each said barrier having a first end and a second end provided with a first ear and a second ear, respectively, having an end portion extending at a right angle to said barrier, each said ear having a slot in said end portion, the screw on the first end of one box body being accommodated in the slot of said first ear and the screw on the second end of an adjacent box body being accommodated in the slot in said second ear and the slot in the second end of the first box body.
As embodied and broadly described herein, the invention also provides an arrangement comprising at least two ganged electrical outlet boxes of the type having a U-shaped body and two removable side walls, said body having a first end, a second end, a back, a first side edge and a second side edge, said body having first and second retaining means at said first and second ends adjacent each of said first and second side edges for releasably retaining either a side wall or an adjacent U-shaped outlet box body to which said body is ganged, said arrangement further comprising first and second end side walls and a barrier of flat sheet material secured between at least two adjacent ganged box bodies whereby said arrangement defines at least two physically separated compartments, said first retaining means on said first end adjacent said first edge and on said second end adjacent said second edge comprises an outwardly projecting portion having a tapped hole containing a screw, said second retaining means on said first end adjacent said second edge and on said second end adjacent said first edge comprising a slot extending away from said second or first edge, respectively, said U-shaped body has a predetermined - 5 - 56,969 internal depth and height, and said barrier has a width and length slightly less than said depth and width, respectively, æaid barrier having first and second ends provided with first and second tabs, respectively, engaged with first and second edges of adjacent ganged box bodies, said barrier has a predetermined thickness and said tabs have a thickness less than said predetermined thickness.
As embodied and broadly described herein, the invention also provides an arrangement comprising at least two ganged electrical outlet boxes of the type having a U-shaped body and two removable side walls, said body having a first end, a second end, a back, a first side edge and a second side edge, said body having first and second retaining means at said first and second ends adjacent each of said first and second side edges for releasably retaining either a side wall or an adjacent U-shaped outlet box body to which said body is ganged, said arrangement further comprising first and second end side walls and a barrier of flat sheet material secured between at least two adjacent ganged box bodies whereby said arrangement defines at least two physically separated compartments, said retaining means on said first end adjacent said first edge and on said second end adjacent said second edge comprises an outwardly projecting portion having a tapped hole containing a screw, said second retaining means on said first end adjacent said second edge and on said second end adjacent said first edge comprising a slot extending away from said second or first edge, respectively, said U-shaped body has a predetermined internal depth and height, and said barrier has a width and length slightly less than said depth and width, respectively, said first and second ends being provided with lateral depressions accommodating said screws, said barrier being retained by said screws between adjacent ganged box bodies.
As embodied and broadly described herein, the invention also provides an arrangement comprising at least two ganged electrical outlet boxes of the type having a U-shaped body and two removable side walls, said body having 204850~
~ - 6 - 56,969 a first end, a second end, a back, a first side edge and a second side edge, said body having first and second retaining means at said first and second ends adjacent each of said first and second side edges for releasably retaining either a side wall or an adjacent U-shaped outlet box body to which said body is ganged, said arrangement further comprising first and second end side walls and a barrier of flat sheet material secured between at least two adjacent ganged box bodies whereby said arrangement defines at least two physically separated compartments, said back has a predetermined width and first and second cable clamps are secured to said back adjacent said first and æecond ends, said clamps having a length less than said predetermined width of said back, said U-shaped body having a predetermined internal depth and height and said barrier having a width and length slightly less than said depth and width, respectively, said barrier having a back edge retained between adjacent bodies by said clamps in said bodies.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAHINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a gangable electrical outlet box of known type, with both of its removable sides attached, Figure 2 is a perspective view of two gangable electrical outlet boxes, each having one side removed prior to their being joined together (ganged), Figure 3 is a perspective view of two boxes joined together to form a "two-ganged" box, Figure 4 is a perspective view of two boxes as in Figure 2 plus a barrier between the boxes, Figure 4A illustrates a modification of the barrier of Figure 4, Figure 5 is a perspectivew view of two ganged boxes with the barrier secured between them to divide the "two-gang" box into physically separated compartments, Figure 6 is a perspective view similar to Figure 4 but with a modified form of barrier, - 7 - 56,969 Figures 7A and 7B are front and side views, respectively, of the barrier shown in Figure 6, Figure 8 is a perspective view, similar to Figure 5, showing a modified form of barrier, and Figure 9 is an exploded detail view of part of the embodiment shown in Figure 8.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EHBODIHENTS
Referring to Figure 1, a gangable electrical outlet box, generally indicated at 10, comprises a U-shaped body 12 and two removable side walls 13, 14. The body 12 is provided with tapped holes 15 for fastening a standard wiring device such as a receptacle, a switch or a communication outlet. It also has provision for attachment of the side walls 13, 14. Specifically, a tab 17 at one end of each side wall engages a slot 18 in an end wall of the body and the other end of each side wall is retained by a screw 20 in a tapped hole in an outwardly projecting portion 21 of the opposite end wall of the body. The shape of these boxes has been standardized in North America and gangable boxes made by one manufacturer can be attached to boxes made by other manufacturers.
Referring to Figure 2, two boxes 10 and 10' may be "ganged " together by first removing side wall 14 from box 10 and side wall 13 from box 10'. The two boxes 10, 10' are assembled together by sliding slot 18 of box 10' under the head of screw 20 in box 10 and sliding slot 18 of box 10 under the head of screw 20 in box 10'. Note that the area 23 around screw 20 is recessed below the surface 25 of the box body 12, so that the area around the slot 18 fits into it and the two areas 23 are flush when the box bodies are mounted together.
Figure 3 shows the assembled structure of boxes 10 and 10' forming a single enclosure of essentially double the size of a single box enclosure.
Referring to Figure 4, the U-shaped bodies 12 of boxes 10, 10' each have a first end 26, a second end 27, a back 28, a first side edge 29 and a second side edge 30.
Each body 12 has first and second retaining means (screw 20 2048~06 ~ - 8 - 56,969 and slot 18) at its ends 26, 27 adjacent the first and second side edges 29, 30 for releasably retaining either a side wall ~13,14) or an adjacent body 12 to which it is ganged.
The arrangement shown in Figure 4 further comprises, in accordance with the invention, a barrier 32 of flat sheet material such as steel or galvanized steel;
the boxes 10, 10' may, and normally would, comprise the same type of material as the barrier 32. When the boxes 10, 10' are joined together (ganged) as shown in Figure 5, the barrier 32 is secured between the two adjacent ganged box bodies 12 of boxes 10 and 10'.
The barrier 32 is provided at its ends with first and second ears 33 and 34. The ears 33 and 34 have end portions 36 and 37 extending at right angles to the barrier.
The end portions 36, 37 of ears 33, 34 have slots 40, 41.
When assembled as illustrated in Figure 5, the screw 20 of the body 12 of box 10 is accommodated in the slot 40 of ear 33 and the screw 20 of the body 12 of box 10' is accommodated in the slot 41 of ear 34.
The barrier 32 is provided with slits 43 so the ears 33, 34 can be bent back as well as folded so that end portions 36, 37 form flat faces at 90 to the surfaces of the barrier. Bending back the ears provides clearances for the screws 20.
In order to assemble the barrier 32 shown in Figure 4 to the bodies 12 of boxes 10 and 10', the following procedure is used. The barrier 32 is placed against the edge 29 of box 10, with the slot 40 of ear 33 fitting under the head of screw 20. Then the box 10' is assembled to box 10 by sliding slot 18 of box 10' above the slot 40 in the ear 33 of the barrier and under the head of the screw 20 of box 10. The slot 41 in the lower ear 34 of the barrier 32 is in place over the slot 18 in box 10 and these slots accommodate the screw 20 in box 10'. The barrier 32 is held firmly in place once the screws 20 of boxes 10 and 10' are tightened.
204850~
- 9 - 56,969 An alternative ear conætruction is shown in Figure 4A which shows only a portion of barrier 32 with ear 33.
The slot 40 in ear 33 is angled to match the position of the slot 18 in box 10'. Correspondingly, the slot 41 in the lower ear 34 ~not shown) would be slanted to match the slot 18 in box 10. The completed asæembly of boxes 10 and 10' with barrier 32 is shown in Figure 5.
An alternative construction of barrier is shown in Figure 6. The barrier 32 is similar to the one described above except that it does not have ears, such as ears 33 and 34. Instead of the ears, the barrier is provided with first and second tabs 45 and 46. The first (upper) tab 45 is bent toward the box 10 and the second (lower) tab 46 is bent towards box 10'. In order to assemble the boxes 10 and 10' the barrier 32 is placed against the edge 29 of box 10. The length and width of the barrier 32 are made slightly less than the interior height and depth, respectively, of box 10 (or 10'). Recesses 47 and 48 at the ends of barrier 32 provide clearances for the depressed areas 23 around the screws 20 in the boxes 10 and 10'. The tabs 45 and 46 prevent the barrier 32 from entering box 10 too deeply.
Once the barrier 32 is in place, the box 10' is assembled to box 10 in the normal manner. Depressions 49 and 50 in barrier 32 provide spaces to accommodate the shanks of screws 20. Once the boxes 10, 10' are assembled together in the normal manner, the barrier 32 is held firmly in place. In order to prevent the creation of a gap between boxes 10 and 10', the tabs 45 and 46 are preferably flattened down to about 60% of the thickness of the rest of the barrier 32. This is illustrated in Figure 7B which is a side view of the barrier 32 showing thinner tabs 45 and 46.
Figure 7A is a plan view of the barrier 32 showing it more clearly than in Figure 6.
A number of different configurations of the barrier 32 are possible. For example, the shape of the ears 33, 34 (Figure 4) could be modified as could the shape of the tabs 45 and 46 (Figure 6). Also, with reference to Figure 6, 2~148~
- 10 - 56,g69 more than one tab could be provided at each end of the barrier 32. One could also provide a barrier without the tabs 45 and 46, but having the lateral depressions 49 and 50, relying only on the box screws 20 to hold the barrier in place.
Figures 8 and 9 show an embodiment wherein notches 51 are formed in the top and bottom of the boxes 10 and 10' to accommodate tabs 52 on barrier 32. When boxes 10 and 10' are assembled, the tabs 52 hold the barrier in place.
Alternatively, the barrier 32 could be held in place by cable clamps 53 which are commonly secured in outlet boxes by screws 54. Such clamps are slightly shorter than the width of a box 10. A tab 52 with corresponding clearances 51 in the boxes could be used to locate the barrier in the front of the boxes.
Claims (8)
1. An arrangement comprising at least two ganged electrical outlet boxes of the type having a U-shaped body and two removable side walls, said body having a first end, a second end, a back, a first side edge and a second side edge, said body having first and second retaining means at said first and second ends adjacent each of said first and second side edges for releasably retaining either a side wall or an adjacent U-shaped outlet box body to which said body is ganged, said arrangement further comprising first and second end side walls and a barrier of flat sheet material secured between at least two adjacent ganged box bodies whereby said arrangement defines at least two physically separated compartments, said first retaining means on said first end adjacent said first edge and on said second end adjacent said second edge comprises an outwardly projecting portion having a tapped hole containing a screw, said second retaining means on said first end adjacent said second edge and on said second end adjacent said first edge comprises a slot extending away from said second or first edge, respectively, each said barrier having a first end and a second end provided with a first ear and a second ear, respectively, having an end portion extending at a right angle to said barrier, each said ear having a slot in said end portion, the screw on the first end of one box body being accommodated in the slot of said first ear and the screw on the second end of an adjacent box body being accommodated in the slot in said second ear and the slot in the second end of the first box body.
2. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said barrier has first and second sides, said first and second ears comprising base portions extending back from said first and second ends of the barrier and outwardly of said first and second sides of the barrier to provide clearance for said screws.
3. An arrangement comprising at least two ganged electrical outlet boxes of the type having a U-shaped body and two removable side walls, said body having a first end, a second end, a back, a first side edge and a second side edge, said body having first and second retaining means at said first and second ends adjacent each of said first and second side edges for releasably retaining either a side wall or an adjacent U-shaped outlet box body to which said body is ganged, said arrangement further comprising first and second end side walls and a barrier of flat sheet material secured between at least two adjacent ganged box bodies whereby said arrangement defines at least two physically separated compartments, said first retaining means on said first end adjacent said first edge and on said second end adjacent said second edge comprises an outwardly projecting portion having a tapped hole containing a screw, said second retaining means on said first end adjacent said second edge and on said second end adjacent said first edge comprising a slot extending away from said second or first edge, respectively, said U-shaped body has a predetermined internal depth and height, and said barrier has a width and length slightly less than said depth and width, respectively, said barrier having first and second ends provided with first and second tabs, respectively, engaged with first and second edges of adjacent ganged box bodies, said barrier has a predetermined thickness and said tabs have a thickness less than said predetermined thickness.
4. An arrangement as claimed in claim 3, wherein said outwardly projecting portions are depressed inwardly and said first and second ends of said barrier are provided with recesses accommodating said projecting portions.
5. An arrangement as claimed in claim 4, wherein said first and second ends are further provided with depressions accommodating said screws.
6. An arrangement comprising at least two ganged electrical outlet boxes of the type having a U-shaped body and two removable side walls, said body having a first end, a second end, a back, a first side edge and a second side edge, said body having first and second retaining means at said first and second ends adjacent each of said first and second side edges for releasably retaining either a side wall or an adjacent U-shaped outlet box body to which said body is ganged, said arrangement further comprising first and second end side walls and a barrier of flat sheet material secured between at least two adjacent ganged box bodies whereby said arrangement defines at least two physically separated compartments, said retaining means on said first end adjacent said first edge and on said second end adjacent said second edge comprises an outwardly projecting portion having a tapped hole containing a screw, said second retaining means on said first end adjacent said second edge and on said second end adjacent said first edge comprising a slot extending away from said second or first edge, respectively, said U-shaped body has a predetermined internal depth and height, and said barrier has a width and length slightly less than said depth and width, respectively, said first and second ends being provided with lateral depressions accommodating said screws, said barrier being retained by said screws between adjacent ganged box bodies.
7. An arrangement comprising at least two ganged electrical outlet boxes of the type having a U-shaped body and two removable side walls, said body having a first end, a second end, a back, a first side edge and a second side edge, said body having first and second retaining means at said first and second ends adjacent each of said first and second side edges for releasably retaining either a side wall or an adjacent U-shaped outlet box body to which said body is ganged, said arrangement further comprising first and second end side walls and a barrier of flat sheet material secured between at least two adjacent ganged box bodies whereby said arrangement defines at least two physically separated compartments, said back has a predetermined width and first and second cable clamps are secured to said back adjacent said first and second ends, said clamps having a length less than said predetermined width of said back, said U-shaped body having a predetermined internal depth and height and said barrier having a width and length slightly less than said depth and width, respectively, said barrier having a back edge retained between adjacent bodies by said clamps in said bodies.
8. An arrangement as claimed in claim 7, wherein said barrier has a bottom edge and a front edge, said bottom edge being provided with a tab near said front edge engaged between adjacent box bodies.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2048506 CA2048506C (en) | 1991-08-06 | 1991-08-06 | Separating barrier for ganged electrical outlet boxes |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2048506 CA2048506C (en) | 1991-08-06 | 1991-08-06 | Separating barrier for ganged electrical outlet boxes |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2048506C true CA2048506C (en) | 1995-02-28 |
Family
ID=4148136
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2048506 Expired - Lifetime CA2048506C (en) | 1991-08-06 | 1991-08-06 | Separating barrier for ganged electrical outlet boxes |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2048506C (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5574255A (en) * | 1993-06-14 | 1996-11-12 | Simmons; Micheal L. | Laterally expandable modular electrical box |
| US6585486B2 (en) | 2001-07-12 | 2003-07-01 | Honeywell International Inc. | Electrical appliance enclosure with removable side wall |
-
1991
- 1991-08-06 CA CA 2048506 patent/CA2048506C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5574255A (en) * | 1993-06-14 | 1996-11-12 | Simmons; Micheal L. | Laterally expandable modular electrical box |
| US6585486B2 (en) | 2001-07-12 | 2003-07-01 | Honeywell International Inc. | Electrical appliance enclosure with removable side wall |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |