GB2473157A

GB2473157A - Outlet box having clip fit trim unit

Info

Publication number: GB2473157A
Application number: GB1019964A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Caroline Nancy Wrinch; Alasdair John Convery
Original assignee: Cableduct Ltd
Current assignee: Cableduct Ltd
Priority date: 2006-07-21
Filing date: 2006-07-21
Publication date: 2011-03-02
Anticipated expiration: 2026-07-21
Also published as: GB2473157B; GB201019964D0

Abstract

An outlet box for electrical components for insertion into a floor opening, comprising a trim unit (1,39) and a metal base box (4), wherein there is a latching mechanism comprising a hook (29) and latch (28,30). The trim unit (1) should be sufficiently strong to enable retention into the base box (4), but sufficiently flexible to enable latching and release by way of hook and handle (25) moving from position 27a to 27b and hack main.

Description

OUTLET BOXES

This invention relates to outlet boxes that provide electrical and data terminals to under floor cabling systems. Flying leads connect 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 lid for accessing the electrical components and leads and one or more outlet flaps through which leads can be fed.

This invention dramatically decreases the installation time of the outlet box, with no noticeable increase in price.

Outlet boxes usually need to deliver five main features: 1. A trim that overlaps the carpet and stops the box falling through the hole; 2. A lid that opens up allowing access to the electrical and data terminals; 3. An outlet flap which allows cables to pass through the box when the lid is closed; 4. A base box to hold the electrical and data terminals; 5. A means of fixing the box to the surface.

When installing a box the first thing that needs doing is to fix it to the desired surface.

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 rei-ioved during carpet laying and then replaced over the carpet back onto the box. Previously this has required tools or a number oldifferent parts attached to the trim and or base box.

In some cases where the method of fixing the box to the floor is fitted to the trim it is not possible to remove the frame without making the main portion of the outlet box loose in the floor which puts the floor fitter at risk from the cables beneath.

The present invention operates by a latching (or ratchet) mechanism. For example. the trim may have one or more hooks for cooperation with one or more latches or louvrs. The hooks interfere a plurality of louvers or latches, which are punched into the base box, stopping the trim from being lifted out of the box. When the trim is to be removed the hooks are disengaged from the louvers allowing the trim to pass up out of the box. This may conveniently be achieved by the hooks having sufficient flexibility and comprising handles.

The plurality of louvers offers a fit to variety of floor finish thicknesses.

According to the invention there is provided an outlet box for electrical components for insertion into a floor opening, said outlet box comprising a plurality of side walls, a trim unit for providing a cover to said outlet box wherein said trim unit and at least one of said sidewalls are directly attached to each other by a releasable latch mechanism to allow insertion into, and retention in without the need for tools or manual operation.

Preferably, said trim unit comprises au opening. Preferably said trim unit can be released from the outlet box without the need for tools and substantially without damage.

Preferably said trim unit and at least one sidewall comprises a hook and the other of said trim unit and said sidewall comprises a plurality of latches. Preferably said hook is sufficiently flexible to be released from said latches. Preferably said hook is sufficiently strong to allow latching to said latches sufficient to retain the trim unit. Preferably there are at least 2, preferably between 2 and 5 latches. Preferably the latches are arranged allow latching on a variety of floor finish thicknesses, most preferable from 3 to 8mm.

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 shows how the trim push fit mechanism operates; and The whole assembly needs to he 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). The trim unit (I) must then be secured to the base box (4) The trim unit comprises side (26) incorporating a hook (27) and the base box (4) comprises a plurality of latches (28, 30). Sidewall (26) has sufficient flexibility that when it is pushed past latches (28, 30) it will elastically deform (from hook positions 27a to 27b and back again).

The trim unit comprises a flange (39) which protrudes beyond the perimeter of the base box (4).

There are preferably a plurality of latches (28, 30) arranged at different heights such that the hook (27) will cooperate with a different latch depending on the depth of the carpet or other floor finish used. For example latch (28) may be used when there is vinyl, no carpet or a very thin carpet whereas latch (30) may be used when there is a thicker carpet. To remove the trim unit hook (27a) is bent back (27b), taking it out of cooperation with the latches. To ease manoeuvrability of the hook a handle (25) may be provided.

Claims

CLAIMSI. An outlet box for electrical components for insertion into a floor opening, said outlet box comprising a plurality of side walls, a trim unit for providing a cover to said outlet box wherein said trim unit and at least one of said sidewalls are directly attached to each other by a releasable latch mechanism to allow insertion into, and retention in without the need for tools or manual operation.
2. An outlet box according to claim 1, wherein said trim unit comprises an opening.
3. An outlet box according to claim 1, wherein said trim unit can be released from the outlet box without the need for tools and substantially without damage
4. An outlet box according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one of said trim unit and at least one sidewall comprises a hook and the other of said trim unit and said sidewall comprises a plurality of latches.
5. An outlet box according to claim 4, wherein the side of the trim containing said hook is sufficiently flexible to be released from said latches.
6. An outlet box according to claim 4, wherein the side of the trim containing said hook is sufficiently strong to allow latching to said latches sufficient to retain the trim unit
7. An outlet box according to claim 4, wherein there are at least 2, preferably between 2 and 5 latches
8. An outlet box according to claim 4, wherein the latches are arranged allow latching on a variety of floor finish thicknesses, preferable from 3 to 8mm
9. An outlet box as herein described with reference to the accompanying figures.AAmendments to the claims have been filed as follows: cLAIMS 1. An outlet box for electrical components for insertion into a floor opening, said outlet box comprising a plurality of side walls, a trim unit for providing a cover to said outlet box wherein said trim unit and at least one of said sidewalls are directly attached to each other by a releasable latch mechanism to allow insertion into, and retention in without the need for tools or manual operation, wherein said latch mechanism is an integral part of the trim unit, and said trim unit can be released from the outlet box without the need for tools and substantially without damage 2. An outlet box according to claim 1, wherein said trim unit comprises an opening.3. An outlet box according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one of said (. ( ( (. ( trim unit and at least one sidewall comprises a hook and the other of said trim 1. ( ( C. C unit and said sidewall comprises a plurality of latches. S 04. An outlet box according to claim 3, wherein the side of the trim containing said hook is sufficiently flexible to be released from said latches by hand.. . 5. An outlet box according to claim 3, wherein the side of the trim containing said hook is sufficiently strong to allow latching to said latches sufficient to retain the trim unit 6. An outlet box according to claim 3, wherein there are at least 2, preferably between 2 and 5 latches 7. An outlet box according to claim 3, wherein the latches are arranged allow latching on a variety of floor finish thicknesses, preferable from 3 to 8mm 8. An outlet box as herein described with reference to the accompanying figures.