GB2444260A

GB2444260A - Electrical back box protective cover

Info

Publication number: GB2444260A
Application number: GB0623691A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert David Best; Richard Williams
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-11-28
Filing date: 2006-11-28
Publication date: 2008-06-04
Also published as: GB0623691D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a cover 1 for the open face 10A of an electrical back box 10 mounted on a wall X. The cover is rectangular of rigid or deformable material to cover the open face 10A of the box. The cover has a handle 2 for removing the cover from the box 10. In use the cover is seated within the box to cover the open face of the box. The wall on which the box is mounted can then be plastered and the cover then removed.

Description

I

Title: Electrical Back Box Cover The present invention relates to an electrical back box cover.

When installing electrical sockets and the like on new walls, it is common practice to position metal "first fix" electrical back boxes on the wall prior to plastering. Wire/s are then fed along the walls into the boxes leaving a tail of wire/s coiled up in each box.

The wall is then plastered so that the back boxes are recessed or flush with the newly plastered surface of the wall. During plastering, plaster ends up in the boxes and needs to be cleaned out and the tail of wire/s can become damaged. After cleaning out the boxes, an electrical socket can then be secured, usually with bolts, over the openface of the box.

The invention seeks to provide a solution to this problem.

According to the present invention there is provided a cover for the open face of an electrical back box mounted on a wall, said cover being rectangular of rigid or deformable material to cover the open face of the box, said cover having a handle for removing the cover from the box, in use the cover being placed to cover the open face of the box, the wall on which the box is mounted can then be plastered and the cover then removed.

In one embodiment the cover has a peripheral skirt which overlaps the edge of a box. The skirt may form one side of a peripheral recess on the cover.

The handle may be in the form of a ring extending normal to a planar face of the cover.

hi another embodiment the cover is adapted to fit into the box.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1A and lB show rear and front perspective view of a first embodiment of a cover, Figure 2 shows a cross section view the cover on a back box on a wall after plastering, and Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a cover.

Referring to Figures 1A,1B and 2 of the drawings there is shown a cover I for the open face of an electrical back box 10 mounted on a wall "X".

Cover I is a generally rectangular body of deformable material to cover the open face 1 OA of the box 1. Cover 1 may be of rubber-like material which can stretch and deform.

Cover I has a handle in the form of a finger ring 2 extending normal to a planar face 3 of the cover for removing the cover from the box. Cover 1 has a peripheral skirt 4 which overlaps the edge 11 of box 10. The skirt 4 forms one side of a peripheral recess 5 on the cover which receives edge 11.

In use, the cover I being placed over the open face IOA of the box with the box edge 11 received in recess 5. The wall on which the box is mounted can then be plastered to create a plastered surface "Y". Cover 1 can then be removed leaving the inside of box 10 clean and any wires "Z" undamaged.

The cover I also forms an edge and line for a plasterer to work to. After removal of the cover, any plaster on the cover can be removed by deforming the shapes of the cover. The cover may be re-used.

Referring to Figure 3 there is shown a second embodiment of a cover in the form of a solid rectangular cover 20 of rigid material such as a foam or plastics, or it could be of deformable material. Cover 20 can be used instead of cover I and is of a dimension so that it can be inserted into the open face 1OA forming a friction fit within the walls of the box 10. Cover 20 has an integrally moulded semi-circular handle 21 to insert it into and withdraw it from box 10. Cuts outs 22A,22B,22C,22D are provided to accommodate any threaded tangs (to receive bolts from a socket) or wires in box 10.

As with cover 1, once in box 10, the wall on which the box 10 is mounted can then be plastered to create a plastered surface. Cover 20 can then be removed leaving the inside of box 10 clean and any wires undamaged.

The cover of the invention may be in two different sizes to fit both double and single back boxes.

The invention may take a form different to that specifically described above. The cover could fit internally in the back box rather than covering the box edge as shown.

Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cover for the open face of an electrical back box mounted on a wall, said cover being rectangular of rigid or deformable material to cover the open face of the box, said cover having a handle for removing the cover from the box, in use the cover being placed to cover the open face of the box, the wail on which the box is mounted can then be plastered and the cover then removed.

2. A cover according to claim 1, said cover having a peripheral skirt which overlaps the edge of a box.

3. A cover according to claim 2, wherein the skirt forms one side of a peripheral recess on the cover.

4. A cover according to claim 1, wherein the cover adapted to fit into the box.

5. A cover according to any preceding claim, wherein the handle extends normal to a planar face of the cover.

6. A cover according to claim 5, wherein the handle is a ring or semi-circular section.

7. A cover for the open face of an electrical back box substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.