GB2557677A

GB2557677A - Wall box protector

Info

Publication number: GB2557677A
Application number: GB1621362.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Taberner Richard; Taberner John
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-12-15
Filing date: 2016-12-15
Publication date: 2018-06-27
Anticipated expiration: 2036-12-15
Also published as: GB2557677B; GB201621362D0

Abstract

A cover 10 comprising: a waterproof plate 12, for fitting into and substantially covering a rectangular opening in an electric wall box; at least one magnet 14, for securing the cover to the box; and, a grip, to facilitate removal of the cover, which may be an aperture, preferably centrally disposed, in the plate. Two magnets 14 may be provided, near the centre of opposite edges of the plate. The width of the plate may be between 68mm and 72mm, whilst the length of the plate may be the same as the width or between 128mm and 132mm. The sheet may be formed of pressed steel. A method of preventing plaster entering the box using the cover 10 is also disclosed, which includes: closing an opening of the wall box with the plate 12 of the cover; plastering the wall; and, removing the cover by pulling the grip. The wall box may include a pair of screw receiving fittings provided as metallic shelves protruding from opposite walls of the box, and two magnets 14 may be positioned to coincide with the metallic shelves.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Wall box protector

Abstract Title: Magnetic and waterproof temporary cover for an electrical installation box.

(57) A cover 10 comprising: a waterproof plate 12, for fitting into and substantially covering a rectangular opening in an electric wall box; at least one magnet 14, for securing the cover to the box; and, a grip, to facilitate removal of the cover, which may be an aperture, preferably centrally disposed, in the plate. Two magnets 14 may be provided, near the centre of opposite edges of the plate. The width of the plate may be between 68mm and 72mm, whilst the length of the plate may be the same as the width or between 128mm and 132mm. The sheet may be formed of pressed steel. A method of preventing plaster entering the box using the cover 10 is also disclosed, which includes: closing an opening of the wall box with the plate 12 of the cover; plastering the wall; and, removing the cover by pulling the grip. The wall box may include a pair of screw receiving fittings provided as metallic shelves protruding from opposite walls of the box, and two magnets 14 may be positioned to coincide with the metallic shelves.

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Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 3

WALL BOX PROTECTOR

The present invention relates to a magnetic wall box protector.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

In the construction of domestic and commercial buildings, electrical work is conventionally divided into a first fix and a second fix. During the first fix, electrical wiring is fitted to the interior of the building. After the first fix is complete, a plasterer applies plaster to the internal walls. The electrician then returns to the site to perform the second fix, which includes the installation of electrical accessories such as light switches and power sockets.

A wall box is a container for electrical wiring. Wall boxes are recessed into the wall to fit behind electrical accessories such as power sockets. They include an open front face to allow an electrician to access the wiring during the second fix. Wall boxes are installed during the first fix. Plaster is later applied to the wall around the wall box.

It is common for plaster to enter the wall box through the open front face during the plastering process. This creates work for the electrician during the second fix, as the plaster must be removed from the wall box. It is known to position a piece of cardboard over the open front face of the wall box to prevent plaster from entering the wall box. This technique requires a piece of cardboard to be cut to an appropriate size and fitted to the box, for example, using tape or a tight fit. As cardboard is neither durable nor waterproof, the cover is likely to be damaged during the plastering process, either by accidental impacts or absorption of moisture from the wet plaster. Absorption of moisture will make the cardboard soggy and more susceptible to damage. Additionally, the cardboard may be damaged during storage and transport between work sites. The work of preparing the cover must therefore be frequently repeated, increasing the cost of labour.

It is an object of the present invention to reduce or substantially obviate these problems by providing a cover for a wall box that is both durable and reusable.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cover for an electrical wall box with a rectangular front facing opening, the cover comprising a durable plate made of a waterproof material for fitting into and substantially covering the opening of the electrical wall box, at least one magnet for securing the cover to the box and a grip for facilitating removal of the cover.

Advantageously, the durable plate can be reused many times as it is unlikely to be damaged. Being made of a waterproof material, the plate will not absorb moisture from the plaster surrounding the wall box. The plate is shaped and sized to fit within the opening of the wall box so that there are no substantive gaps between the cover and the walls of the wall box. For example, in one embodiment, the plate is sized so that there is a gap of approximately 1 mm all the way around the edge of the plate. This is too small to allow significant ingress of plaster but large enough to ensure that the plate is easily removable. This prevents any plaster from entering the wall box.

The grip allows the wall box cover to be removed by pulling with a screwdriver or finger after plastering is complete. This would be difficult without a grip as the cover fits within the rectangular opening of the wall box and may be substantially flush with or slightly recessed from the front edges of the walls of the wall box.

The at least one magnet provides a means of fixing the cover to the wall box so that the cover does not fall away. Advantageously, no other fixing means is required, minimising the time required to install and remove the cover.

The grip may be provided as an aperture in the plate. This minimises the number of parts that must be manufactured and attached together to fabricate the cover.

The aperture may be disposed substantially in the centre of the plate. This minimises the likelihood of plaster entering the wall box through the aperture.

Two magnets may be provided, each magnet being attached to the plate proximal to an edge of the plate, the magnets being proximal to opposite edges of the plate and disposed substantially centrally along each edge. Advantageously, the magnets are in a position corresponding to the screw receiving fittings of a wall box in this arrangement. This allows the plate to sit flush with or slightly recessed from the front of the walls of the box, resting on and magnetically fixed to the screw receiving fittings.

The length of the plate may be between 128 mm and 132 mm and the width of the plate may be between 68 mm and 72 mm. This allows the plate to fit a standard wall box for installation behind a double power socket.

In another embodiment, the length of the plate may be between 68 and 72 mm and the plate may be substantially square. This allows the plate to fit a standard wall box for installation behind a single power socket.

The sheet may be manufactured of pressed steel. This allows it to be reused without being damaged. The steel may be stainless steel.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of preventing plaster from entering an electrical wall box with a rectangular front facing opening, the method comprising the steps of

a. recessing the wall box in to the wall and fixing it to the wall;

b. providing a cover comprising a durable plate made of waterproof material of substantially the same shape as the opening of the wall box, the plate having dimensions smaller than the opening, at least one magnet for securing the cover to the box and a grip for facilitating removal of the cover;

c. inserting the plate into the front facing opening of the wall box so that the magnets fix the plate to the wall box and the plate substantially closes the opening

d. plastering the wall around the wall box

e. removing the cover from wall box by pulling the grip.

The wall box may have a pair of screw receiving fittings, the screw receiving fittings being provided as metallic shelves protruding inwardly from a pair of opposite walls of the box. The plate may then be supported within the wall box by the screw receiving fittings.

In most cases, the entire wall box is made of metal. However, as long as the screw receiving fittings are metallic then the invention will work as described.

Advantageously, this allows the plate to be disposed within the wall box, preventing accidental knocking-off of the plate, while also providing support to the plate.

Two magnets may be positioned on the plate to coincide with the locations of the screw receiving fittings of the wall box. The attraction of the magnets to the metallic shelves of the screw receiving fittings, when in contact, may then provide a strong retaining force on the plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a front view of a magnetic wall box cover;

Figure 2 shows a cross section of a magnetic wall box cover; and

Figure 3 shows a front view of a second embodiment of a magnetic wall box cover.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring firstly to Figure 1, a magnetic wall box cover is indicated generally at 10. The cover is for positioning within a rectangular opening in the front of the wall box. The wall box cover comprises a rectangular sheet of metal 12. The sheet is the same shape as the rectangular opening. The sheet is of dimensions 2mm smaller than those of the wall box, providing a 1 mm gap between the edge of the sheet and the walls of the wall box when installed.

The sheet is between 68 and 72 mm in width, and between 128 and 132 mm in length.

The cover includes two magnets 14. The magnets are attached to a side of the sheet. The magnets are located along a horizontal centre line of the sheet, and are close to the edge of the sheet.

The cover also includes a circular aperture 16. The circular aperture is disposed in the centre of the cover. To remove the cover, a screwdriver or finger may be inserted into the aperture to provide a grip for pulling the cover.

Electrical accessories are typically fixed to wall boxes using screws. Wall boxes therefore comprise fittings for receiving these screws. These fittings typically include a surface parallel with and slightly recessed from the opening of the wall box. In a common type of wall box, two screw fittings are provided as metal shelves extending inwardly from two opposite walls of the wall box.

In use, the wall box cover is inserted into the opening in the front of the wall box. The cover contacts the screw receiving fittings. Attraction of the magnet to the metallic screw receiving fittings retains the cover within the wall box. There is a small gap of size approximately 1 mm between the edges of the cover and the walls of the wall box. The gap prevents the cover from becoming stuck within the wall box. The gap is small enough that plaster is unlikely to enter the wall box via the gap.

Referring now to Figure 3, a second embodiment of a wall box cover is indicated generally at 30. The second embodiment is identical to the first embodiment except that the sheet is between 68 and 72 mm in length and is substantially square. This embodiment is for use with a square wall box, such as may be installed behind a single power socket.

In construction of a domestic or commercial building, the wall boxes are fitted as part of the first fix. A cover according to the present invention may then be inserted into the opening of each wall box. The cover rests on a pair of screw receiving fittings within the wall box, substantially flush with or slightly recessed from the tops of the walls of the box. The cover is retained within the box by attraction of the magnets to the screw receiving fittings. Plaster may then be applied to the walls around the wall box. Plaster is prevented from entering the wall box by the presence of the cover. The cover is difficult to accidentally dislodge as it is substantially flush with or slightly recessed from the fronts of the walls of the box. After plastering is complete, the cover is removed from the wall box by pulling on the grip and may be stored for re-use. The second fix may then be completed.

These embodiments are provided by way of example only, and various changes and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cover for an electrical wall box with a rectangular front facing opening, the cover comprising a durable plate made of a waterproof material for fitting into and substantially covering the opening of the electrical wall box, at least one magnet for securing the cover to the box and a grip for facilitating removal of the cover.

2. A cover as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the grip is provided by an aperture in the plate.

3. A cover as claimed in claim 4, in which the aperture is disposed substantially in the centre of the plate.

4. A cover as claimed in any preceding claim, in which two magnets are provided, each magnet being attached to the plate proximal to an edge of the plate, the magnets being proximal to opposite edges of the plate and disposed substantially centrally along each edge.

5. A cover as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the length of the plate is between 128 mm and 132 mm and in which the width of the plate is between 68 mm and 72 mm.

6. A cover as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the length of the plate is between 68 and 72 mm and the plate is substantially square.

7. A cover as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the sheet is manufactured of pressed steel.

8. A method of preventing plaster from entering an electrical wall box with a rectangular front facing opening, the method comprising the steps of

a. recessing the wall box in to the wall and fitting it to the wall;

b. providing a cover comprising a durable plate made of a waterproof material of substantially the same shape as the opening of the wall box, the plate having dimensions smaller than the opening, at least one magnet for securing the cover to the box and a grip for facilitating removal of the cover;

d. plastering the wall around the wall box

e. removing the cover from wall box by pulling the grip.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8, in which the wall box has a pair of screw receiving fittings, the screw receiving fittings being provided as metallic shelves protruding inwardly from a pair of opposite walls of the box, and in which the plate is supported within the wall box by the screw receiving fittings.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9, in which two magnets are positioned on the plate to coincide with the locations of the screw receiving fittings of the wall box.

11. A method as claimed in any of claims 8 to 10 in which the length of the plate is between 128 mm and 132 mm and in which the width of the plate is between 68 mm and 72 mm.

12. A method as claimed in any of claims 8 to 10, in which the length of the plate is between 68 and 72 mm and the plate is substantially square.

13. A method as claimed in any of claims 8 to 12, in which the grip is provided by an aperture in the plate.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13, in which the aperture is disposed substantially in the centre of the plate.

15. A method as claimed in any of claims 8 to 14, in which the sheet is manufactured of pressed steel

16. A cover substantially as described herein, with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.

17. A method for preventing plaster from entering a metallic wall box with a

5 rectangular front facing opening substantially as described herein, with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.

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Application No: GB1621362.1