GB2440184A

GB2440184A - Electrical accessory box comprising stop member

Info

Publication number: GB2440184A
Application number: GB0614227A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kevin Carroll
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-07-18
Filing date: 2006-07-18
Publication date: 2008-01-23
Also published as: GB0614227D0

Abstract

An electrical accessory box 2 arranged to be located in an aperture of a structure comprises at least one stop member 14 extending from an external wall of the box to limit insertion of the box into the aperture. The stop members may be configured to sit against the surface of the structure in use. The stop members may be releasably attached to the box, the external walls comprising apertures to support the stop members. Alternatively, the stop members may be foldable relative to the box. Also disclosed is a method of fixing such a box to a structure.

Description

The present invention relates to a box, in particular a back box for

insulation into a wall into which electrical accessories are received.

In general, when electricity cables are run through a building, they are recessed into the walls which both provide a neat finish and additionally increases the safety as there is no protruding wiring except for the socket switches themselves. When adding a new socket, the wall must be drilled out to provide a recess for the wiring and for the insertion of a socket. A metal box of a size suitable for receiving the workings of the socket is inserted into an aperture provided in a wall, and is then fixedly attached to the aperture provided.

Once this metal box has been fixedly attached into the aperture provided in the wall, a socket can be connected to the wiring, and then fixedly attached to the metal box, usually by two screws. The area surrounding the socket and additionally the channel into which the electrical wiring locates may then be plastered over thereby biding the wiring from view. All that protrudes from the wall is the socket itself into which a plug can be connected. A decorator can then decorate the wall accordingly.

The utilisation of a metal box which is fixedly attached into an aperture provided in a wall such that a socket can be attached thereto has been successfully used for a number of years.

However, these boxes require careful installation as if they protrude beyond the plaster finish they will be to be removed and installed deeper into the wall which creates more work for the electrician, plaster and possibly decorator. Alternatively, these boxes may be installed too far into the aperture dug out for this purpose by the electrician, and then may be buried by the plasterer and have to be dug out at a later date when the socket is to be attached to the wall. Additionally, extension screws would then have to be used to install the socket or switch to the box as generally screws supplied come in a standard size allowing for the box to be installed at a correct depth only.

The present invention provides a box into which a socket or switch may be attached which overcomes the problems outlined above.

According to the present invention, there is provided an electrical accessory box, said box arranged and configured to receive an electrical accessory and arranged to locate in an aperture of a structure, said box comprising at least one stop member extending from an external wall of said box such that said stop member Limits insertion of said box into said aperture when in use.

Thus, the object of the invention is achieved by providing at least one stop member from the box, which enables the box to be inserted into the aperture in a generally planar surface whilst preventing the box from being inserted too far into the aperture, and indicating if the box has not been inserted far enough into the aperture. The stop members of the box preferably extend in a direction from the receptacle such that, when in use, the stop members sit against the surface of the structure surrounding the aperture. The box is preferably of substantially rectangular shape. The annular rim of the receptacle generally extends to the planar surface of the structure when in use.

There are preferably four stop members extending from an external wall of the receptacle.

Each of the stop members is preferably located adjacent a corner of the receptacle and additionally is adjacent the rim of the aperture. In one embodiment of the present invention, the stop members extend at substantially 90 degrees to the sides of the box.

The stop members may be releasably attached to the box, or alternatively the stop members may be fixedly attached to the box. At the intersection between the stop member of the box, there may be provided a flexible joint. This enables the box members to be snapped off and discarded if necessary, or alternatively enables the stop members to be folded such that they extend at substantially 90 degrees to the plane of the aperture of the receptacle which allows improved packaging.

Also according to the present invention, there is a method of fixing an electrical accessory box to a structure, the method comprising the steps of providing an electrical accessory box arranged to receive an electrical accessory, said box having at least one stop member extending from an external wall of said box, inserting said box into an aperture into a structure such that said stop member limits insertion of said box into said aperture.

These other aspects of the present invention will be apparent from, and elucidated with reference to the embodiments as described below. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of the box according to an exemplary embodiment of the present S invention.

Figure 2 is perspective side view of the box according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to both Figures 1 and 2, there is a receptacle 2 having an aperture 4 defined by a rim 6, the receptacle of a size which matches metal back boxes for electrical accessories to such as electrical sockets or switches as commonly known in the art. The receptacle 2 usually includes at least two apertures 8 in the back face 10 thereof arranged to receive a screw which is screwed into a cut-away section in a structure such as a wall. Additionally, there is further provided a member 12 protruding from the side walls of the receptacle 2 into which screws from a socket or switch may be inserted.

Extending from the longer of the two side walls (although from the shorter side wall will perform exactly the same function) are protrusions 14 which extend substantially perpendicular to the plane of the face of the side wall. These protrusions 14 may be of any size or shape, however, it has been found that a length of approximately 20-25mm and width of approximately 10mm is particularly suitable and the protrusions may be of any shape, however, rectangular is suitable. The protrusions 14 are additionally beneficially located at or adjacent the corners of the receptacle 2. It is also beneficial that the protrusions 14 extend approximately 12mm from the rim of the receptacle, such that plastering is made as easy as possible.

In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the protrusions 14 may be fixed in position, or alternatively may be loose which is beneficial for packaging. In such an embodiment, the protrusions will come located within the receptacle 2, and must be inserted through apertures in the side walls of the receptacle 2 for use. One end of the protrusion 14 then comprises a flange of greater area than the aperture such that the protrusion will not pull through the aperture completely. In another alternative embodiment, the protrusions may fold by approximately 90 degrees such that they may be arranged to have their major faces in a substantially parallel configuration to the sides of the receptacle 2. Again, this provides improved packaging configurations, and again gives the user the choice as to whether the protrusions are required as in some cases a recess in a wall will be of substantially the correct dimensions. The protrusions may then be folded to the desired position if required. Each of the embodiments as described have shown four protrusions 14, however, it will be appreciated that as few as two protrusions may be used to achieve a similar effect.

In another alternative embodiment of the present invention, the receptacle 2 may be used in timber frame structures. Traditionally, a carpenter will chisel the required aperture from a structural member of the timber frame. However, the present invention removes this requirement by providing an aperture adjacent an end of the protrusions 14 (not shown) through which fixing members may locate such that the fixing members may be attached to a wooden structure. Following this, plasterboard can be located onto the timber frame building and the receptacle 2 will be located in the preferred position, protruding from the frame to the desired degree. It may additionally be required to add further timber members to the area adjacent the preferred location for the receptacle 2 such that fixing of the receptacle 2 in position may be achieved.

In use, the receptacle 2 is positioned in a recess in a structure such as a wall such that the base of the receptacle 2 faces the base of the recess in the wall. Screws (not shown) are screwed through apertures 8 thereby locking the receptacle 2 into the recess in the wall.

The protrusions 14 prevent the receptacle 2 from being pushed too far into the wall even if the recess is deeper than necessary. If the recess is not deep enough, the protrusions 14 will not contact the wall surrounding the recess, and as such an electrician will know that the recess is not sufficiently deep and can remedy this error at the time. The provision of these protrusions 14 additionally can be used as a training aid for an apprentice or helper as it will be the depth of the recess into which the box locates which is required will be clear.

Once the receptacle 2 has been attached to the recess in the wall, the plasterer will plaster over the protrusions 14 and any surrounding recess that is not required, following which the socket, having been connected to the wiring, is screwed onto the receptacle via the member 12.

The present invention has been described by way of example only and it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that modification and variations may be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. An electrical accessory box, said box arranged and

configured to receive an electrical accessory and arranged to locate in an aperture of a structure, said box comprising at least one stop member extending from an external wall of said box such that said stop member limits insertion of said box into said aperture when in use.

2. A box according to claim 1, wherein said stop members extend in a direction from the receptacle such that, when in use, said stop members sit against the surface of the structure surrounding the aperture.

3. A box according to either of claims 1 or 2, of substantially rectangular shape.

4. A box according to any preceding claim, comprising four stop members extending from an external wall of the receptacle.

5. A box according to any preceding claim, wherein said stop members extend at substantially 90 degrees to the sides of the box.

6. A box according to any preceding claim, wherein said stop members are releasably attached to the box.

7. A box as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. A method of fixing an electrical accessory box to a structure, the method comprising the steps of providing an electrical accessory box arranged to receive an electrical accessory, said box having at least one stop member extending from an external wall of said box, inserting said box into an aperture in said structure such that said stop member limits insertion of said box into said aperture.