GB2450556A

GB2450556A - Service outlet floor box

Info

Publication number: GB2450556A
Application number: GB0712721A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Doherty; John Robert Harrison; Daniel John Richardson
Original assignee: Novar ED&S Ltd
Current assignee: Novar ED&S Ltd
Priority date: 2007-06-29
Filing date: 2007-06-29
Publication date: 2008-12-31
Also published as: IE20080526A1; GB0712721D0; WO2009004301A2; WO2009004301A3; CN101779353A

Abstract

A service outlet floor box includes a base assembly and a lid frame assembly for fastening to the base assembly. The lid frame assembly includes a lid frame 135 for fastening to the base assembly and a lid 137 pivotally mounted in the region of a first edge on the lid frame 135. A second edge of the lid 137 opposite the first edge comprises three protrusions 148, 151, between which two recesses are defined. The lid 137 is reinforced and formed partly of a moulding of plastics material and partly of a metal plate 139, which extends into each of the three protrusions 148, 151. Also provided is a service outlet floor box wherein the pivotal lid comprises a handle 145 which may be slidably mounted in recesses in the lid. A service outlet floor box having a hinged cover and a latching module 157 detachably secured to the cover is also provided. A service outlet floor box is also provided with cable outlet units 141 mounted on the lid frame assembly and cable retainers 153 fixed below them.

Description

Service Outlet Floor Box The present invention relates to service

outlet boxes and in particular to underfloor service outlet boxes, referred to herein as service outlet floor boxes.

Service outlet boxes are typically used in offices, factories or other commercial premises in which electrical or electronic services are required at a variety of different locations. Such service outlet boxes are typically fitted in the floor. The electrical or electronic services available from such service outlet boxes may for example include telephone, Internet, network and other telecommunication-or data-related services, and electric power. Service outlet boxes for installation within the floor space are particularly beneficial in offices or buildings that require flexible usage of the space within the building. Providing such service outlet boxes in several locations in a floor space may for example enable the floor space to be partitioned with quick-to-fit partition walls and to be readily used without needing to route cables through or from walls in the partitioned space.

Designing a service outlet floor box that meets minimum requirements is relatively straightforward and there are many designs of such boxes in existence. It has been found, however, that details of the design of such boxes can be very significant in improving the safety, ease of operation, or cost of such floor boxes. Consequently, such details have been the subject of much research and development. Known floor boxes typically include a base assembly and a lid assembly mounted on the top of the base assembly and, in such boxes, the design of the lid assembly has a major impact on the user because that is a part with which the user particularly interacts.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved service outlet floor box.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a service outlet floor box includes a base assembly and a lid frame assembly for fastening to the base assembly, the lid frame assembly including a lid frame for fastening to the base assembly and a lid pivotally mounted in the region of a first edge on the lid frame, wherein a second edge of the lid opposite the first edge comprises a series of protruding portions which together define recesses for allowing the passage of cables between the outside and the inside of the box, a first protruding portion being disposed between two recesses and second and third protruding portions being disposed on respective opposite sides of those two recesses, and wherein the lid is formed at least partly of a plastics material and at least partly of a metal sheet which extends into each of the first, second and third protruding portions for strengthening those portions.

By providing a lid of the composite structure defined above, made partly of a plastics material and partly of a metal sheet, an especially robust lid assembly can be provided. A particularly significant feature is that the metal extends into each of the first, second and third protruding portions so that all of those portions are strengthened and the floor box is well placed to withstand a vertical load applied to any of those portions. Even though the portions may be small, and extra machining may be required to create the protruding portions, the extra cost is found to be worthwhile in providing a more robust product.

The metal sheet preferably extends across substantially the whole of the lid. In that case the extra strength provided by the metal sheet is present across substantially the whole of the lid.

The lid is preferably formed partly of a moulding of plastics material arid the moulding preferably extends around the whole of the lid. In embodiments of the invention described below, the moulding defines the periphery of the lid, but it also extends over the middle portion of the lid.

The moulding of plastics material can readily be made with various features, such as pivotal mountings, incorporated therein whilst the metal sheet can provide much of the structural strength of the lid.

Whilst it is possible to provide more than three protruding portions along the second edge of the lid, three portions will usually be sufficient and in illustrated embodiments of the invention described below, there are three protruding portions along the side edge of the lid and the second and third protruding portions are disposed towards opposite ends of the second edge of the lid.

The first protruding portion is preferably disposed approximately midway along the second edge of the lid. The second and third protruding portions are then preferably disposed symmetrically on opposite sides of the first protruding portion.

A handle is preferably mounted in the region of, and more preferably on, the first protruding portion of the lid.

The metal sheet may be formed with one or more strengthening formations, for example recesses formed in the sheet by pressing. One or more of the formations may be provided in the part of the metal sheet that extends into the first protruding portion.

preferably the lid includes a metal handle comprising one or more arms which are slideably received in one or more recesses in the lid and serve to mount the handle for sliding movement between a retracted position in which said one or more arms are accommodated mainly within the one or more recesses and an extended region in which said one or more arms project out of the recesses, the inner end or ends of the one or more recesses being blocked for preventing contact of said one or more arms with cables in the interior of the box. The S blocking off of the recesses, preferably by closing the inner ends of the recesses, substantially improves the safety of the floor box by removing the risk of a metal arm of the handle making contact in the interior of the box with a cable which might happen to have been stripped of its insulation.

The metal handle preferably includes a pair of arms which are slideably received in a pair of recesses in the lid. The metal handle is preferably of generally inverted U shape with each of the arms defining a limb of the U. The or each arm is preferably in the shape of a rod. Such a form of handle is very simple to produce but at the same time provides a device that can readily be gripped by a user for raising the lid of the box.

The metal handle preferably has a handle portion which is disposed alongside an exterior face of the lid when the handle is in the retracted position, and the exterior face of the lid being recessed in the region of the handle portion for allowing a user to grip the handle portion. The recessing of the exterior face of the lid may be achieved by omitting plastics material from the moulding in the region of the handle portion so that the plastics material is either of reduced depth or not present in that region.

The free end or ends of the one or more arms of the handle preferably include a laterally protruding portion for engaging a portion of the lid to retain the one or more arms in the one or more recesses. In an embodiment of the invention described below, the handle has two arms and the free ends of the arms are each provided with a laterally protruding portion which engages a portion of the lid in the -5-.

top of the recess, thereby preventing the arm from coming completely out of the recess.

The handle is preferably disposed in the region of the first protruding portion of the lid.

S In a preferred arrangement, the lid is pivotally mounted in the region of a first edge of the lid frame for movement between a closed position and an open position, a latching module receiving station is provided on the lid and/or the lid frame in the region of a second edge of the lid opposite the first edge, and a latching module is also provided for detachably securing at the latching module receiving station, the latching module including a latch which, when the latching module is secured to the box, is movable between a latching position in which the lid is held in the closed position, and a released position in which the lid is free to move into the open position. By providing a latching module that is detachably secured, it becomes a simple matter for a user to choose between a box with such a latching function and a box without such a function or with a different kind of latching function; for example, a latching module with and without a lock may be provided.

Preferably a further module is provided for detachably securing at the latching module receiving station in place of the latching module. That further module may be a blank module for filling the space that may be occupied by the latching module; in that case, with the blank module fitted, the lid would usually be able to be opened and closed without any latching. As already indicated, the further module may be a locking module incorporating a lock, which may be a key operated lock.

The latching module may be provided on the lid frame or the lid but it is preferred to provide the module on the lid.

The latching module receiving station is preferably provided in the region of the first protruding portion of the lid.

The latching module is preferably a sliding fit at the latching module receiving station. The sliding fit is preferably a tongue and groove fit. A sliding fit, especially a tongue and groove fit, provides a simple and convenient way of detachably securing the latching module.

Preferably the latching module is detachable from the receiving station when the lid is open but not when the lid is closed. In that case the latch is fully effective with the lid closed but can easily be removed when the lid is open.

A cable outlet unit is preferably provided in a space between the lid frame and the lid in the region of the second edge of the lid, the cable outlet unit being movable between a closed position in which the space between the lid frame and the lid is substantially closed and an open position in which a cable opening in the top of the floor box is defined for allowing a cable to pass through the opening. The provision of such a cable outlet unit provides an especially advantageous arrangement for allowing for the passage of cables out of the box.

A cable retainer is also preferably provided, the cable retainer being mounted in the lid frame below the cable outlet unit and including a pair of flexible arms extending outwardly from a base and positioned below the cable opening that is defined when the cable outlet unit is in its open position.

The combination of the cable retainer with the cable outlet unit provides an especially advantageous combination in terms of cable management, which is an important aspect of floor box design.

Each of the flexible arms preferably comprises a first portion extending away from the base of the cable retainer, a second portion extending from the end of the first portion spaced from the base towards the other arm, and a third portion extending from the end of the second portion that is spaced from the first portion and towards the base of the cable retainer.

Preferably a pair of cable outlet units are provided and, similarly, a pair of cable retainers are provided, each cable retainer being provided below a respective cable outlet unit.

The cable outlet units are preferably provided in the region of the two recesses between the first, second and third protruding portions.

The cable outlet units are preferably rotatably mounted for movement between their closed and open positions.

Preferably the cable outlet units are mounted on the lid rather than the lid frame.

The top of the cable outlet unit is preferably flush with the top of the lid when the cable outlet unit is in the closed position. Also, the cable outlet unit is preferably contained below the top of the lid when the cable outlet unit is in the open position.

The feature of a metal handle with one or more arms housing recesses that are blocked for preventing contact of said one or more arms with cables in the interior of the box is itself a new feature that is able to be used not only with a composite lid of the kind defined above, but also with other forms of lid. Accordingly, in a second aspect, the present invention provides a service outlet floor box including a base assembly and a lid frame assembly for fastening to the base assembly, the lid frame assembly including a lid frame for fastening to the base assembly and a lid pivotally mounted on the lid frame, wherein the lid includes a metal handle comprising one or more arms which are slideably received in one or more recesses in the lid and serve to mount the handle for sliding movement between a retracted position in which said one or more arms are accommodated mainly within the one or more recesses and an extended position in which said one or more arms project out of the recesses, the inner end or ends of the one or more recesses being blocked for preventing contact of said one or more arms with cables in the interior of the box.

The feature of a latching module that is detachably secured at a latching module receiving station is also itself a new feature that is able to be used not only with a composite lid of the kind defined above, but also with other forms of lid. Accordingly, in a third aspect, the present invention provides a service outlet floor box including a base assembly and a lid frame assembly for fastening to the base assembly, the lid frame assembly including a lid frame for fastening to the base assembly and a lid pivotally mounted in the region of a first edge of the lid frame for movement between a closed position and an open position, wherein a latching module receiving station is provided on the lid and/or the lid frame in the region of a second edge of the lid opposite the first edge, and a latching module is also provided for detachably securing at the latching module receiving station, the latching module including a latch which, when the latching module is secured to the box, is movable between a latching position in which the lid is held in the closed position, and a released position in which the lid is free to move into the open position.

Similarly, the feature of a cable outlet unit and a cable retainer provided below the cable outlet unit is itself a new feature that is able to be used not only with a composite lid of the kind defined above, but also with other forms of lid.

Accordingly, in a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a service outlet floor box including a base assembly and a lid frame assembly for fastening to the base assembly, I, the lid frame assembly including a lid frame for fastening to the base assembly and a lid pivotally mounted in the region of a first edge of the lid frame, wherein a cable outlet unit is provided in space between the lid frame and the lid in the region of a second edge of the lid opposite the first edge, the cable outlet unit being moveable between a closed position in which the space between the lid frame and the lid is substantially closed and an open position in which a cable opening in the top of the floor box is defined for allowing a cable to pass through the opening, and wherein a cable retainer is provided, the cable retainer being mounted in the lid frame below the cable outlet unit and including a pair of flexible arms extending outwardly from a base and positioned below the cable opening that is defined when the cable outlet unit is in its open position.

It will be appreciated that features described with reference to one or more aspects of the invention may be equally applicable to other aspects of the invention. As will be understood, the service outlet floor boxes of the second, third and fourth aspects of the invention may also include features of the first aspect of the invention including features relating to the composite nature of the lid, which may for example in the second, third and fourth aspects of the invention include a metal sheet which does not extend into all of the first, second and third protruding portions but only some, or even none, of them.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a floor structure comprising a floor and a service outlet floor box in the floor, the service outlet floor box being in accordance with any aspect of the invention. The floor structure may comprise a multiplicity of service outlet floor boxes therein. The floor structure may include one or more cables in the floor, the one or more cables terminating -10 -inside the service outlet floor box at a terminal defined by a socket, to which a further cable may be attached for connecting to a device positioned above the floor in the region of the service outlet floor box. (The term "cable" is intended to encompass any electronic, electrical or optical cord, line, wire, fibres or the like that can convey signals or power from one location to another.) The floor structure is preferably part of a building.

Various embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings of which: Figure 1 is an isometric view of a base assembly of a screed floor outlet box according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is an isometric view of a lid frame assembly for the screed floor outlet box according to the first embodiment of the invention; Figure 3a is an exploded view of the base assembly for the screed floor outlet box according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 3b is an exploded view of the lid frame assembly of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a schematic plan view of the socket arrangement in the screed floor outlet box of the first embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 is a schematic plan view of the socket arrangement in the screed floor outlet box of the first embodiment of the invention, showing a plug received in a socket; Figure 6a is an isometric view of part of the lid of the screed floor box of Figures 1 to 3b; Figure 6b is a close-up view of the handle shown in Figure 6a; -11 -Figure 6c is an isometric view showing the underside of the part of the lid of Figure 6a; Figure 7 is an isometric view of a base frame of a raised floor box according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 8 is an isometric view of a lid frame assembly for the raised floor box according to the second embodiment of the invention; Figure 9a is an exploded view of the base assembly for the raised floor box according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 9b is an exploded view of the lid frame assembly for the raised floor box according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure lOa is an isometric view of part of the lid frame assembly of the raised floor box of Figures 7 to 9b; Figure lOb is a close-up view of the cable retainer shown in Figure lOa; Figure ha is an isometric view of part of the lid assembly for the raised floor box according to the second embodiment of the invention; Figure hlb is a close-up view of the locking module shown in Figure ha; Figure 12 is an isometric view of a base frame of a flush floor box according to a third embodiment of the invention; Figure 13 is an isometric view of a lid frame assembly for the flush floor box according to the third embodiment of the invention; Figure 14a is an exploded view of the base assembly of the flush floor box according to a third embodiment of the invention; and Figure 14b is an exploded view of the lid frame assembly for the flush floor box according to a third embodiment of the invention.

-12 -Figures 1 to 6c show a screed floor outlet box according to a first embodiment of the invention. The outlet box comprises two main portions: a base assembly 5 and a lid frame assembly 7 mountable on the base assembly.

The base assembly 5 of the outlet box is shown in Figure 1 in its packaged form ready for installation. Accordingly, the base assembly includes a screed cover 3. The screed cover 3 is typically kept in place following installation of the base assembly 5 onto a floor and prevents foreign bodies entering the base frame during construction of other parts of the floor, and especially during the laying of the screed.

The screed cover 3 is removed when the lid frame assembly 7 (Figure 2 and Figure 3b) is installed.

Referring first to the base assembly 5 in detail, the structure of the assembly is primarily defined by a main base frame 9. The main base frame 9 defines a cuboid with a square bottom face 11, four side faces 13, and an open upper face.

It is formed from a single piece of galvanised steel plate.

During manufacture, an appropriately dimensioned plate is punched out or stamped from a piece of sheet steel (the various openings and fixing holes in the main base frame are also formed in the plate during this punching / stamping procedure) . The plate is then folded in an appropriate manner such that the main base frame 9 achieves the cuboid form shown in Figures 1 and 3a.

The four side faces 13 of the main base frame 9 extend perpendicularly upwards from the bottom face 11. The side faces 13 include lateral extensions 13a which are folded through a right angle, and spot welded, onto the neighbouring side face. This corner flange arrangement provides the base frame with extra rigidity and improves the ability to seal the screed box at its corners.

-13 -Each side face 13 has a rectangular opening 14 which may be covered by a side-plate 15a or 15b. The side plates are fixed onto the part of the base frame structure surrounding the openings. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 6c, two opposing side plates 15a are made of sheet steel and include three openings (not shown) for receiving electrical cables (not shown). The other two side-plates 15b are also made of sheet metal and close the side of the frame to which they are connected.

A laterally inwardly projecting flange 17 is located on the upper edge of each opening 14 in the side faces. These flanges 17 are formed by folding portions of the side faces inwardly towards the middle of the base frame 9. The flanges 17 serve a dual-function; they support the accessory tray 19 and also provide the base with increased structural rigidity.

The interior of the main base frame 9 houses four ratchet sleeves 21 (one positioned on the interior of each corner of the base frame). Each ratchet sleeve 21 is a one-piece plastic moulding and is attached to the bottom surface 11 of the base frame 9 by a screw inserted from beneath the base frame. The ratchet sleeves 21 are arranged to accommodate ratchet pins 23 in the lid frame assembly (see below with reference to Figures 2 and 3b) There are also four support pillars 25 attached to the bottom surface of the base frame 9. The support pillars 25 are held in place on bolts inserted from beneath the base frame. Each support pillar 25 has an internal thread running through its central bore. The upper part of the pillar therefore also provides a fixing location for a short bolt inserted through a hole in the accessory tray 19 to fix the tray in place. The support pillars 25 also support the tray 19 at a height above the bottom face of the base frame 9 to allow cables and the like to be accommodated in the floor box.

-14 -Two segregators 27 and two segregator adjustors 29 are provided inside the base frame 9 to manage and separate cabling (not shown).

The top face of the base frame 9 is open for accommodating the accessory tray 19, the lid frame assembly 7 and other associated components described below.

Figures 4 and 5 (to which particular reference is now made) are schematic drawings showing a plan view of the accessory tray and the sockets of the service outlet box according to the first embodiment of the invention. For the sake of clarity, the lid frame assembly and other surrounding structure is not shown.

The accessory tray 19 has a central cut-out portion 31 (see Figure 3a) through which three pairs 61a, 61b, 61c of plug sockets 63 are exposed. The sockets 63 may be in a number of different forms, however in the first embodiment of the invention, the sockets 63 are for BS 1363 three-pin electrical plugs. Further embodiments of the invention (not shown) include sockets for telecommunication devices, data transfer devices, two-pin plugs etc. The sockets are positioned at the termination of the cables (not shown) which feed into the base of the box. (The term "cable" is intended to encompass any electronic, electrical or optical cord, line, wire, fibres or the like that can convey signals or power from one location to another.) In the first embodiment, and further embodiments, all the sockets share the common characteristic that they are suitable for receiving a plug attached to a cable extending in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the plug is inserted into the socket.

In the first embodiment of the invention, all the sockets are co-planar.

In accordance with a known socket for a BS 1363 three-pin electrical plug, the sockets 63 each comprise three -15 -rectangular openings 65 arranged in a triangular formation for receiving corresponding pins on the plug. The triangular formation has a height (labelled h in Figure 4) and a width (labelled w in Figure 4) Each pair of sockets 61a, 61b, and 61c comprises two sockets 63 located adjacent to each other in a side-by-side relationship. The first pair 61a (located towards the bottom of the page in Figures 4 and 5), the second pair 61b (located towards the centre of the page in figures 4 and 5) and the third pair 61c (located towards the top of the page in Figures 4 and 5) are arranged in parallel rows. The rows are parallel to the lower edge 67 of the outlet box (i.e. parallel to the width W direction of the outlet box).

All the sockets 63 in the outlet box are similarly orientated. The socket orientation is such that when a plug 69 is received in one of the sockets 63 of the second pair of sockets 61b (see Figure 5), the cable 71 runs directly away from the plug 69 in a direction perpendicular to the width W of the outlet box and through the cord outlets 41 (not shown in Figures 4 and 5). The part of the cable 71 extending directly away from the plug lies in a plane parallel to the top of the outlet box. In the first embodiment of the invention, the cable 71 therefore lies in a plane parallel to the plane containing the load plate 39 (when the lid is in the closed position) The pairs of sockets 61a, 61b, 61c are each housed in substantially identical, rectangular, modular units (mounted in the base assembly). The modular unit of the second (central) pair of sockets 61b, is staggered with respect to the first and third (lower and upper) pairs of sockets 61a, 61c. The stagger is in a direction parallel to the width w of the triangular formation (and parallel to the width W of the outlet box). The pairs of sockets are staggered such that -16 -none of the rectangular openings 65 in the sockets of the second pair 61b, overlap with any openings 65 in another socket (the overlap being considered in a direction parallel to the width w of the triangular formations) The pairs of sockets 61a, 61b, 61c are thus staggered such that the cable 71 extending directly away from the plug 69 passes between the sockets of the first pair 61a (see Figure 5) . Thus, plugs which are received in the sockets of the first pair tend not to obstruct the cable 71 extending away from the plug 69 in the second pair. This arrangement may therefore mitigate undesirable stresses on the plug 69, when a large number of the sockets are occupied.

Referring now back to Figures 1 and 3a, the exterior of the base assembly 5 has a fixing bracket 33 rotatably mounted on the outside of each corner. Each bracket 33 is moveable between a deployed position (not shown) and a stored position (shown in Figures 1 and Figure 3a). The brackets 33 are each stamped from metal sheeting and are defined by two plate portions folded such that they are at right angles to one another. In the stored position, the two plate portions lie flush with the sides of the base assembly 5. In the deployed position, the brackets protrude outwardly from the corners of the base, and define a fixing plate which isparallel to the bottom surface 11 of the base frame 9. The brackets 33 thereby define fixing locations at which the base frame 9 can be attached to a floor substrate. In the stored position the brackets are rotated upwardly by 90 degrees from the deployed position and thus lie flush with the side faces of the base.

Each fixing bracket 33 is attached to the base assembly using a rivet which passes through the lower plate portion of the bracket, and through a small hole in the base frame 9.

The mounting of the fixing bracket on the base frame is a friction-fit (i.e. there is slight resistance to rotation that -17 -can be overcome by, for example, the user pulling the top of the fixing bracket away from the frame).

Known screed floor boxes typically comprise a multi-piece base frame (for example a base plate, with cast blocks attached at each corner, and side-walls attached thereto).

These floor boxes tend to be secured to the floor substrate directly through the corners of the base plate. The bracket arrangement of the first embodiment of the invention provides a number of benefits over the above-described screed boxes.

For example, the brackets in the deployed position extend outside of the interior of the base frame. The screed box of the first embodiment of the invention does not therefore tend to collect debris and foreign bodies when it is being attached to the floor (as can be a problem in known screed boxes).

Furthermore, the bracket arrangement provides a relatively cheap fixing arrangement, especially when used in combination with the one- piece base frame. Yet further, the brackets may be less prone to damage during transport, handling or installation of the floor box, than the corners of the base plate in known screed floor outlet boxes.

Referring now to Figure 3b and the lid frame assembly 7 in detail, the lid frame assembly 7 generally comprises a lid frame 35, four ratchet pins 23, a lid 37 moulded from plastics material and hinged to one edge of the lid frame 35, and a load plate 39 with a pair of cord outlets 41 associated with the lid.

The lid frame 35 is a single piece plastic moulding, and includes, at the interior of each corner, a hole 43 in which one of the ratchet pins 23 is housed. The ratchet pins are held in the holes 43 by way of a snap-fit which allows the pin to rotate about its axis in the hole, but retains the pin axially in the hole 43.

S

-18 -The lid frame 35 has complementary dimensions to the bottom face of the base assembly 5. Thus when the lid frame assembly 7 is lowered onto the base 5, the four ratchet pins 23 are received in the ratchet sleeves 21 in the base assembly 5.

The ratchet pin 23 and the ratchet sleeve 21. at each of the four corners of the box, together define a ratchet mechanism that selectively allows movement in a direction along the axis of the ratchet pin 23. The lid frame 35 of the box may thus be moved relative to the base 5, by means of the ratchet mechanisms 21, 23. This ensures that the lid both (a) lies flush and level with the surrounding floor and (b) is secured in place. The ratchet mechanisms also allow the lid to self-level over time if there is settlement or movement of the floor or its covering over time.

The ratchet pin 23 may be twisted by 90 degrees about its axis between a locked position and a release position. In the locked position the ratchet mechanism defined by the pin 23 and sleeve 21 prevents the lid frame 35 from being lifted off the base of the box. In the release position, the ratchet mechanism is disengaged. Thus, when the ratchet pins 23 of all four ratchet mechanisms are twisted to the release position, the lid frame 35 and lid 37 may be lifted off and completely removed from the base of the box 5. To facilitate twisting of the ratchet pins 23 between the locked position and release position, the top of the each pin is provided with a protrusion 23a which the user can manipulate to rotate the pin about its axis. The orientation of the protrusion 23 also allows the state of the pin to be readily identified.

The lid 37 is hinged to the lid frame 35 along its rear edge (as shown in Figure 3). The lid 37 is therefore moveable from the closed position (as shown in Figures 2 and 3) to an open position (not shown) for providing access to the space -19 -inside the box, and thus access to the sockets exposed through the cut-out in the accessory tray 19.

To facilitate opening and closing of the lid 37, a handle is provided of inverted U-shape. The downwardly extending arms of the handle 45 are slideably mounted in two cylindrical housings 47 in the lid (but have inwardly bent ends that are constrained at the top of the cylindrical housings such that they cannot be completely removed) . The top of the handle 45 is therefore able to lie flush with the lid surface whilst it is not being used, but can be lifted slightly away from the lid surface to provide the user with a better grip when the lid 37 is to be opened. The handle and the cylindrical housings are shown in more detail in Figures 6a to 6c.

The underside of each of the cylindrical housings 47 is closed. This removes the possibility of the handle arms contacting any electrical cabling inside the outlet box.

During use of the outlet box, cables from plugs connected to the sockets, pass out of the box through the lid via the cable outlets 41. The cable outlets 41 are rotatably mounted on the lid 37 and moveable between closed positions (see Figure 2) in which they are flush with the lid assembly 7, and open positions is which they are raised above the surface to allow the cables to pass out of the box.

The lid frame assembly 7 includes a metal load plate 39 coupled with the lid 37. The load plate 39 supports and distributes loads experienced by the outlet box during use (for example loads caused by people walking or standing on the box). The load plate 39 is cut-away at the locations of the cord outlets and thus includes three protrusions on its front edge between which two recesses are defined. The central protrusion 48 includes two scalloped recesses 49 in its top face to improve the stiffness/load bearing capacity of the -20 -plate and also to enable easy access to the handle. The two side protrusions 51 are flat.

When the lid is assembled, the outer protrusions on the load plate 39 are located under corresponding projecting moulded parts of the lid. A dummy module 57 (comprising a unitary plastic moulding) is fitted over the central protrusion 48. In other embodiments, the dummy module may be replaced by, for example a locking module. The provision of the three protrusions gives the lid assembly of the floor box an improved load bearing capacity.

Figures 7 to lib show a raised floor box according to a second embodiment of the invention. Features in the second embodiment of the invention that correspond to similar features in the first embodiment of the invention, are shown with the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, but with the addition of the prefix 1' (or 10' where appropriate) As described with reference to the screed outlet box of the first embodiment of the invention, the floor box comprises two main portions: a base assembly 105 and a lid frame assembly 107 mountable on the base assembly 105.

Referring first to the base assembly 105 of Figures 7 and 9a, the base assembly comprises a raised floor box pan 109 having a square bottom face 111, a first pair of opposing barrier side faces 115b and a second pair of side faces 115a each having six access holes for receiving underfloor cabling.

The upper face of the floor box pan 109 is open and is arranged to receive an accessory tray 119, two segregator plates 127 and four ratchet sleeves 121 as described below.

The accessory tray 119 comprises a unitary plate with two folded-down flanges 132 on two of the opposing edges, and two folded-up flanges 132 on the other two opposing edges. The flanges 132 act as mounting brackets and are fixed onto the -21 -side faces liSa, 115b of the floor box pan 109. The accessory tray 119 is mounted on the floor box pan 109 such that the accessory tray is raised from the bottom face of the base frame to allow passage of cabling through the holes and under the accessory tray 119. Two segregator plates 127 are arranged under the accessory tray 119 to manage the cabling and prevent interference between different sets of cables.

The accessory tray 119 has a central cut-out 131 of the same shape as that described with reference to the first embodiment, but rotated by 90 degrees in a clockwise direction. Three pairs of sockets (each pair comprising two adjacent BS 1363 sockets in a side-by-side relationship) are mounted on the accessory tray (the sockets are not shown in Figures 7 and 9a) . The sockets are similarly-orientated; that orientation being such that when a plug is received in one of the sockets, the cable runs directly away from the plug in a direction parallel to the width of the outlet box and generally to the right in Figures 7 and 9a. The cord is then manipulated through approximately a right-angle to bring it though the cord outlets 141.

The pairs of sockets are staggered in a direction parallel to the width of the triangular formation (and perpendicular to the width of the floor box). The pairs of sockets are thus staggered such that the cable extending directly away from a plug received in a socket of the central pair of sockets, passes between the sockets of the pair of sockets to its right-hand side (referring to the orientation shown in Figures 7 to 9b) . Thus, plugs which are received in the sockets of the right-hand pair tend not to obstruct the cable extending away from the plug in the central pair.

In the interior of each corner of the floor box pan 109, a ratchet sleeve 121 is provided for accommodating a ratchet pin 123 in the lid frame assembly 107. The ratchet pin 123 / -22 -ratchet sleeve 121 arrangement acts substantially as described herein with reference to the ratchet mechanism of the first embodiment.

The lid frame assembly 107 (see Figures 8 and 9b) is substantially as described with reference to the lid frame assembly of the first embodiment of the invention. In addition however, the lid assembly 107 comprises a pair of cable retainers and a lid locking mechanism as described in more detail below.

As shown in detail in Figures l0a and lOb, a respective cable retainer 153 is associated with each of the cord outlets 141 and is mounted below each outlet on the lid frame 135.

Each cable retainer 153 comprises a pair of L-shaped flexible arms 155. The arms 155 face towards each other and have only a relatively small gap between them (less than the diameter of a cable) in their unstressed positions. In addition, the end of each arm 155 is directed inwardly towards the base of the cable retainer 153. The cable retainers 153 therefore each a1lw a cable to be easily manoeuvred through the small gap and into the cable retainer 153 (for example by firmly pressing the cable against the arms 155 causing them to flex and separate to allow passage of the cable) but inhibit removal of the cable from the retainer 153. To remove a cable, a user has to flex at least one of the arms inwardly whilst dragging the cable outwardly through the gap between the arms.

The lid locking mechanism 157 is shown in detail in Figures ha and lib. The locking mechanism 157 is a self-contained module which is fitted to the lid 137 via a tongue and groove arrangement on the locking mechanism / lid. When fitted, the locking mechanism 157 partially covers the central protrusion of the load plate 139 and the scalloped recesses 149 therein. The locking mechanism 157 includes a latch 158 -23 -which is rotatably mounted between a locking position (in which it engages with a recess in the lid frame) and an unlocked position (in which it is wholly located within the lid locking mechanism). The latch 158 can be moved between the locking and the unlocked positions by insertion of a screwdriver into the top of the lid locking mechanism 157. The lid mechanism therefore provides a simple but effective means by which the floor box can be locked shut to prevent unwanted interference with the cabling therein.

Since the lid locking mechanism is a self-contained module, it can be readily replaced by a similarly dimensioned dummy-module not having a locking mechanism fitted, but still being receivable in the tongue-groove arrangement (as is the case in the first embodiment of the invention). Such a dummy-module may, for example, simply be a solid one-piece moulding.

This gives the manufacturer and/or vendor greater flexibility in the product range they can offer, at relatively low cost.

It may also allow the user to chose, or upgrade (if supplied with both the dummy-module and the locking mechanism module) the functionality of the floor box.

Figures 12 to 14b show a flush floor box according to a third embodiment of the invention. Features in the third embodiment of the invention that correspond to similar features in the first embodiment of the invention, are shown with the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, but with the addition of the prefix 2' (or 20' where appropriate) Referring to Figures 12 and 14a, the base assembly 205 comprises an accessory tray 231, a mounting plate 259 and four ratchet sleeves 221.

The accessory tray 219 is square and has a raised side-wall along each edge. Two opposing side-walls on the accessory tray include flanges 219a which are bent outwardly -24 -to enable the accessory tray 219 to be fixed to the underside of the mounting plate 259. The accessory tray 219 has a central cut-out 23]. substantially as described with reference to the first embodiment, and the floor box is fitted with three pairs of sockets (not shown) in a staggered formation.

The mounting plate 259 is rectangular (being wider than the accessory tray 219, but only slightly longer) and therefore significantly overhangs two sides of the accessory tray 219. The four ratchet sleeves 221 are fixed to the upper surface of the mounting plate 259 at positions above the four corners of the accessory tray 219.

The lid assembly 207 is substantially identical to the lid assembly of the second embodiment of the invention. The ratchet pins 223 of the lid assembly are received in the ratchet sleeves 221 of the base frame.

It will be appreciated that features described with reference to one embodiment of the invention may be equally applicable to other embodiments of the invention. For example, according to a fourth embodiment of the invention (not shown) there is provided a screed outlet box arranged in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention, but further including a lid locking module (as described with reference to the second embodiment).

Whilst the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to particular embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention lends itself to many different variations not specifically illustrated herein. It will also be appreciated by the reader that integers or features of the invention that are described as preferable, advantageous, convenient or the like are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims.

Claims

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-25 -Claims 1. A service outlet floor box including a base assembly and a lid frame assembly for fastening to the base assembly, the lid frame assembly including a lid frame for fastening to the base assembly and a lid pivotally mounted in the region of a first edge on the lid frame, wherein a second edge of the lid opposite the first edge comprises a series of protruding portions which together define recesses for allowing the passage of cables between the outside and the inside of the box, a first protruding portion being disposed between two recesses and second and third protruding portions being disposed on respective opposite sides of those two recesses, and wherein the lid is formed partly of a plastics material and partly of a metal sheet which extends into each of the first, second and third protruding portions for strengthening those portions.
2. A service outlet floor box according to claim 1, wherein the metal sheet extends across substantially the whole of the lid.
3. A service outlet floor box according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lid is formed partly of a moulding of plastics material and the moulding extends around substantially the whole of the lid.
4. A service outlet floor box according to any preceding claim, wherein there are three protruding portions along the second edge of the lid and the second and third protruding portions are disposed towards opposite ends of the second edge of the lid.

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5. A service outlet floor box according to any preceding claim, wherein the first protruding portion is disposed approximately midway along the second edge of the lid.
6. A service outlet floor box according to any preceding claim, wherein a handle is mounted on the first protruding portion of the lid.
7. A service outlet floor box according to any preceding claim, wherein the lid includes a metal handle comprising one or more arms which are slideably received in one or more recesses in the lid and serve to mount the handle for sliding movement between a retracted position in which said one or more arms are accommodated mainly within the one or more recesses and an extended position in which said one or more arms project out of the recesses, the inner end or ends of the one or more recesses being blocked for preventing contact of said one or more arms with cables in the interior of the box.
8. A service outlet floor box according to claim 7, wherein the metal handle includes a pair of arms which are slideably received in a pair of recesses in the lid.
9. A service outlet floor box according to claim 8, wherein the metal handle is of generally inverted U shape with each of the arms defining a respective limb of the U.
10. A service outlet floor box according to any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the or each arm is in the shape of a rod.
11. A service outlet floor box according to any of claims 7 to 10, wherein the metal handle has a handle portion which is disposed alongside an exterior face of the lid when the handle -27 -is in the retracted position, and wherein the exterior face of the lid is recessed in the region of the handle portion for allowing a user to grip the handle portion.
12. A service outlet floor box according to any of claims 7 to 11, the free end or ends of the one or more arms of the handle include a laterally protruding portion for engaging a portion of the lid to retain the one or more arms in the one or more recesses.
13. A service outlet floor box according to any of claims 7 to 12, wherein the handle is disposed in the region of the first protruding portion of the lid.
14. A service outlet floor box according to any preceding claim, wherein the lid is pivotally mounted in the region of a first edge of the lid frame for movement between a closed position and an open position, wherein a latching module receiving station is provided on the lid and/or the lid frame in the region of the second edge of the lid and wherein a latching module is also provided for detachably securing at the latching module receiving station, the latching module including a latch which, when the latching module is secured to the box, is movable between a latching position in which the lid is held in the closed position, and a released position in which the lid is free to move into the open position.
15. A service outlet floor box according to claim 14, further including a further module for detachably securing at the latching module receiving station in place of the latching module.

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16. A service outlet floor box according to claim 15, wherein the further module is a blank module for filling the space that may be occupied by the latching module.
17. A service outlet floor box according to claim 15, wherein the further module is a locking module incorporating a lock.
18. A service outlet floor box according to any of claims 15 to 17, wherein the latching module receiving station is provided on the lid.
19. A service outlet floor box according to claim 18, wherein the latching module receiving station is provided in the region of the first protruding portion of the lid.
20. A service outlet floor box according to any of claims 15 to 19, wherein the latching module is a sliding fit at the latching module receiving station.
21. A service outlet floor box according to claim 20, wherein the sliding fit is a tongue and groove fit.
22. A service outlet floor box according to any of claims 15 to 21, wherein the latching module is detachable from the receiving station when the lid is open but not when the lid is closed.
23 A service outlet floor box according to any preceding claim, wherein a cable outlet unit is provided in a space between the lid frame and the lid in the region of the second edge of the lid, the cable outlet unit being moveable between a closed position in which the space between the lid frame and

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-29 -the lid is substantially closed and an open position in which a cable opening in the top of the floor box is defined for allowing a cable to pass through the opening.
24. A service outlet floor box according to claim 23, wherein a cable retainer is provided, the cable retainer being mounted in the lid frame below the cable outlet unit and including a pair of flexible arms extending outwardly from a base and positioned below the cable opening that is defined when the cable outlet unit is in its open position.
25. A service outlet floor box according to claim 24, wherein each of the flexible arms comprises a first portion extending away from the base of the cable retainer, a second portion extending from the end of the first portion that is spaced from the base and towards the other arm, and a third portion extending from the end of the second portion that is spaced from the first portion and towards the base of the cable retainer.
26. A service outlet floor box according to claims 24 or 25, wherein a pair of cable outlet units are provided and a pair of cable retainers are provided, each cable retainer being provided below a respective cable outlet unit.
27. A service outlet floor box according to claim 26, wherein the cable outlet units are provided in the region of the two recesses between the first, second and third protruding portions.
28. A service outlet floor box according to any of claims 23 to 27, wherein the cable outlet units are rotatably mounted for movement between their closed and open positions.

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29. A service outlet floor box according to any of claims 23 to 28, wherein the cable outlet units are mounted on the lid.
30. A service outlet floor box according to any of claims 23 to 29, wherein the top of the cable outlet unit is flush with the top of the lid when the cable outlet unit is in the closed position.
31. A service outlet floor box according to any of claims 23 to 30, wherein the cable outlet unit is contained below the top of the lid when the cable outlet unit is in the open position.
32. A service outlet floor box including a base assembly and a lid frame assembly for fastening to the base assembly, the lid frame assembly including a lid frame for fastening to the base * assembly and a lid pivotally mounted on the lid frame, wherein the lid includes a metal handle comprising one or more arms which are slideably received in one or more recesses in the lid and serve to mount the handle for sliding movement between a retracted position in which said one or more arms are accommodated mainly within the one or more recesses and an extended position in which said one or more arms project out of the recesses, the inner end or ends of the one or more recesses being blocked for preventing contact of said one or more arms with cables in the interior of the box.
33. A service outlet floor box according to claim 32, wherein the metal handle includes a pair of arms which are slideably received in a pair of recesses in the lid.

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34. A service outlet floor box according to claim 33, wherein the metal handle is of generally inverted U shape with each of the arms defining a respective limb of the U.
35. A service outlet floor box according to any of claims 32 to 34, wherein the or each arm is in the shape of a rod.
36. A service outlet floor box according to any of claims 32 to 35, wherein the metal handle has a handle portion which is disposed alongside an exterior face of the lid when the handle is in the retracted position, and wherein the exterior face of the lid is recessed in the region of the handle portion for allowing a user to grip the handle portion.
37. A service outlet floor box according to any of claims 32 to 36, wherein the free end or ends of the one or more arms of the handle include a laterally protruding portion for engaging a portion of the lid to retain the one or more arms in the one or more recesses.
38. A service outlet floor box including a base assembly and a lid frame assembly for fastening to the base assembly, the lid frame assembly including a lid frame for fastening to the base assembly and a lid pivotally mounted in the region of a first edge of the lid frame for movement between a closed position and an open position, wherein a latching module receiving station is provided on the lid and/or the lid frame in the region of a second edge of the lid opposite the first edge, and a latching module is also provided for detachably securing at the latching module receiving station, the latching module including a latch which, when the latching module is secured to the box, is movable between a latching position in which the lid is held in the closed position, and a released -32 -position in which the lid is free to move into the open position.
39. A service outlet floor box according to claim 38, further including a further module for detachably securing at the latching module receiving station in place of the latching module.
40. A service outlet floor box according to 39, wherein the further module is a blank module for filling the space that may be occupied by the latching module.
41. A service outlet floor box according to claim 39, wherein the further module is a locking module incorporating a lock.
42. A service outlet floor box according to any of claims 38 to 41, wherein the latching module recessing station is provided on the lid.
43. A service outlet floor box according to any of claims 38 to 42, wherein the latching module is a sliding fit at the latching module receiving station.
44. A service outlet floor box according to claim 43, wherein the sliding fit is a tongue and groove fit.
45. A service outlet floor box according to any of claims 38 to 44, wherein the latching module is detachable from the receiving station when the lid is open but not when the lid is closed.
46. A service outlet floor box including a base assembly and a lid frame assembly for fastening to the base assembly, the lid

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-33 -frame assembly including a lid frame for fastening to the base assembly and a lid pivotally mounted in the region of a first edge of the lid frame, wherein a cable outlet unit is provided in space between the lid frame and the lid in the region of a second edge of the lid opposite the first edge, the cable outlet unit being moveable between a closed position in which the space between the lid frame and the lid is substantially closed and an open position in which a cable opening in the top of the floor box is defined for allowing a cable to pass through the opening, and wherein a cable retainer is provided, the cable retainer being mounted in the lid frame below the cable outlet unit and including a pair of flexible arms extending outwardly from a base and positioned below the cable opening that is def.ined when the cable outlet unit is in its open position.
47. A service outlet floor box according to claim 46, wherein each of the flexible arms comprises a first portion extending away from the base of the cable retainer, a second portion extending from the end of the first portion that is spaced from the base and towards the other arm, and a third portion extending from the end of the second portion that is spaced from the first portion and towards the base of the cable retainer.
48. A service outlet floor box according to claims 46 or 47, wherein a pair of cable outlet units are provided and a pair of cable retainers are provided, each cable retainer being provided below a respective cable outlet unit.
49. A service outlet floor box according to claim 48, wherein the cable outlet units are provided in the region of the two -34 - recesses between the first, second and third protruding portions.
50. A service outlet floor box according to any of claims 46 to 49, wherein the cable outlet units are rotatably mounted for movement between closed and open positions.
51. A service outlet floor box according to any of claims 46 to 50, wherein the cable outlet units are mounted on the lid.
52. A service outlet floor box according to any of claims 46 to 51, wherein the top of the cable outlet unit is flush with the top of the lid when the cable outlet unit is in the closed position.
53. A service outlet floor box according to any of claims 46 to 52, wherein the cable outlet unit is contained below the top of the lid when the cable outlet unit is in the open position.
54. A service outlet floor box including a base assembly and a lid frame assembly for fastening to the base assembly, the lid frame assembly including a lid frame for fastening to the base assembly and a lid pivotally mounted in the region of a first edge on the lid frame, wherein the box further includes any one or more of the following features: a. the lid is formed partly of a plastics material and partly of a metal sheet; b. the floor box incudes any of the features of any of claims 2 to 31; c. the floor box is in accordance with claim 1; -35 -d. the floor box is in accordance with any of claims 32 to 37; e. the floor box is in accordance with any of claims 38 to 45; and/or f. the floor box is in accordance with any of claims 46 to 53.
55. A service outlet floor box substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
56. A floor structure comprising a floor and a service outlet floor box in the floor, the service outlet floor box being in accordance with any preceding claim.
57. A floor structure according to claim 56, including one or more cables in the floor, the one or more cables terminating inside the outlet box at a terminal defined by a socket, to which a further cable may be attached for connecting to a device positioned above the floor in the region of the service outlet floor box.