GB2473156A - Outlet box having spring closed outlet flaps - Google Patents

Abstract

An outlet box for electrical components for insertion into a floor opening, comprising at least one outlet flap (3) to allow cables into the box when the lid (2) is in a closed position, wherein in this design said outlet flap is biased into a shut position. Preferably it utilizes a spring mechanism (10) that has the added benefit, should the outlet flap be removed, of retaining the flap for its simple re-insertion.

Description

OUTLET BOXES

This invention relates to outlet boxes that provide electrical and data terminals to under floor cabling systems. Flying leads coniwct to the boxes from above floor devices such as telephones and computers.

Outlet boxes generally comprise a main portion for holding the electrical leads and components and a trim portion for covering the outlet box. The trim portion generally comprises a main opening for accessing the electrical components and leads and one or more outlet flaps through which leads can be fed.

This invention solves a common problem of outlet flaps being knocked out by being left open when the box is not in use. Furthermore, it is intended that the spring, should the flap be knocked out, will retain the flap preventing loss.

Outlet boxes usually need to deliver five main features: I. A trim that overlaps the opening and stops the box falling through the hole; 2. A lid that opens up allowing access to the electrical and data terminals: 3. One or more outlet flaps which allows cables to pass through the box when the lid is closed, and offers protection to said cables; 4. A base box to hold the electrical and data terminals: When installing a box the first thing that needs doing is to fix it to the desired surface.

Once the necessary hole is cut in the floor the box must be inserted into the hole. Previous methods for doing this have required tools, more than one manual operation, have had surface thickness limitations or operate by friction fit that could work itself free. Once these boxes have been fixed to a surface they typically cannot be removed without the aid of tools.

Once the box is installed and wire connections made, a carpet or other floor finish is usually laid. For this to happen the trim must be removed during carpet laying and then replaced over the carpet back onto the box. Previously this has required tools or a number of different parts attached to the trim and or base box. The box designed operates by a latching (or ratchet) mechanism.

Once a box has been fully installed and is being used, there is a tendency for the outlet flaps to get knocked out and then often lost, leaving a hazardous hole in the middle of the lid.

Outlet flaps are separate parts that when assembled sit in the lid to the box and when both the lid and flap are closed should sit flush with the floor and the rest of the box to prevent a trip hazard. When cables need to run through the flap into the box the lid needs to be lifted, cables plugged in so that they run through the cable guides and then when the lid shuts the flap(s) should ideally open automatically to prevent trapping the cable.

In order to ensure that the flap opens automatically, previous inventions have shaped the front of the flap that also prevent the flap closing once left open. However since with previous inventions only gravity is used to shut the flap when not in use, if the flap were angled up in any way as the lid shuts the flap is caught in the open position. Thus frequently flaps are left open when not in use and get kicked out.

In the present invention, the outlet flaps are biased shut so that when there are no cables running through them they automatically pull closed. This is preferably achieved by spring loading. As outlet flaps can only get knocked Out when open, ensuring that they are closed and flush with the floor when not in use dramatically decreases the chance for them to get knocked out. As a secondary measure if the flap gets knocked Out when in use the spring will stretch and act as a retention cord keeping the flap connected to the box so it will not get lost and can be put back into position.

According to the invention there is provided an outlet box for electrical components for insertion into a floor opening, said outlet box comprising at least one outlet flap for covering at least part of the top of said outlet box wherein said outlet flap is biased into a shut position.

Preferably said outlet flap comprises of a spring for biasing said outlet flap into a shut position.

Preferably. the outlet flap is designed to open automatically if a cable or object of sufficient size is placed within the opening of the outlet flap. Preferably, this should happen with cables under normal use so preferably this should happen with cables of 4mm and greater diameter.

A number of drawings are used as reference to help describe the invention.

Figure 1 depicts an isometric view of the assembled outlet box; Figure 2 depicts an outlet flap biasing mechanism; Figure 3 depicts the automatic opening when a cable is present.

The whole assembly needs to be mounted firmly into its designated opening, which is achieved by one or more side panels (5) that clip onto sides of the base box (4). Each outlet box preferably comprises two side panels. arranged on opposite ends of the base box.

The trim unit generally comprises a lid (2) which comprises one or more outlet flaps (3). The outlet flaps are attached to the lid by a hinge mechanism (8 & 9) and there may additionally be guiding slots (7) for guiding the rotation of the outlet flap (3). The outlet flap comprises a biasing mechanism which is this embodiment is a spring (10). The spring (10) is attached to, by for example hooking over pegs (12,13), the main portion of the lid (2) and the outlet flap (3).

It is important in the choice of material of the spring (10) that it is elastic but not subject to creep.

The front of the outlet flap (15) is angled away from the opening of the trim (1) so that it will easily clear the trim without snagging unless there is an object present (16). If the outlet flap (3) hits an object of sufficient size (16) it will angle open so that the front face (15) protrudes forward of the edge of the trim (1). As the lid (2) closes further the front face (14) of the outlet flap (3) will meet with the trim (1) and the flap will remain held open.

Claims (4)

1. CLAIMS1. An outlet box for electrical components for insertion into a floor opening, said outlet box comprising at least one outlet flap for covering at least part of the top of said outlet box wherein said outlet flap is biased into a shut position.
2. 2. An outlet box according to claim 1 further comprising a spring for biasing said outlet flap into a shut position.
3. 3. An outlet box according to claim I or claim 2 where the outlet flap is preferably designed to open automatically if a cable or object of sufficient size is placed within the opening of the outlet flap
4. 4. An outlet box as herein described with reference to the accompanying figures.AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWSCLAIMS1. An outlet box for electrical components for insertion into a floor opening, said outlet box comprising at least one outlet flap for covering at least part of the top of said outlet box wherein said outlet flap is biased into a shut position using a method as well as or instead of gravity, but when open provides cover above the cable opening to reduce damage to the cable.2. An outlet box according to claim 1 where said outlet flap comprises of a spring for biasing said outlet flap into a shut position.3. An outlet box according to claim I and claim 2 where the outlet flap is preferably designed to open automatically if a cable or object of sufficient size is placed within the opening of the outlet flap *15 *....S * 4. An outlet box as herein described with reference to the accompanying figures. * * *S****** * S * I. * . S IS. * S. S * I S * SS