GB2596853A

GB2596853A - An electrical back box lug adaptor, kit comprising the same, and method of use thereof

Info

Publication number: GB2596853A
Application number: GB2010650.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dionysiou Charalambos
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-07-10
Filing date: 2020-07-10
Publication date: 2022-01-12
Anticipated expiration: 2040-07-10
Also published as: GB202010650D0; GB2596853B

Abstract

An electrical back box lug adaptor 12 has an adaptor body 14a with a leading surface 16a, a trailing surface 16b, and a side wall 18. A lug receiver 22 is provided in the side wall 18 for receiving a faceplate-fastener lug. The adaptor body 14a has a fastener channel (24, Fig 3) for receiving a screw-threaded fastener and a fastener guide 26 at the leading surface 16a for guiding the screw-threaded fastener into the fastener channel. The adaptor may also include a screw-threaded insert (14b, Figs 2 and 3). The adaptor guides the fasteners to the lugs when the faceplate is assembled to the backbox, and may also provide a replacement or supplementary screw thread if the one in the lug is worn. A wider adaptor 112 may have a recess (158, Fig 9) and be suitable for use with an adjustable lug.

Description

An Electrical Back Box Lug Adaptor, Kit Comprising the Same, and Method of Use Thereof The present invention relates to an adaptor retrofittable to a faceplate-fastener lug of an electrical back box for improving the ease of fixing a faceplate to the electrical back box.

The present invention also relates to a kit comprising a plurality of such retrofittable adaptors, and a set including at least one said retrofittable adaptor and an electrical back box. The present invention additionally relates to a method of use of the electrical back box lug adaptor. The present invention further relates to a method of reducing or preventing an electrocution risk when fastening a faceplate to an electrical back box.

To provide an electrical switch or plug socket, an electrical back box is fitted into a preformed wall cavity at a desired location for the socket or switch. A typical electrical back box comprises a backplate and four peripheral walls. The electrical back box is devoid of a front plate, to allow access to a volume defined by the back box. Electricity cables, laid in the walls, extend into the volume via bores in the backplate and/or peripheral walls. The electricity cables are connected to the relevant apertures in a faceplate or front panel before the faceplate is fastened to the back box, for safety and aesthetic purposes.

To secure the faceplate to the back box, the back box has two lugs, extending inwards towards each other from opposing peripheral walls, and spaced-apart from the 20 backplate. Each lug has a screw-threaded bore to receive and engage with a screw-threaded fastener, such as a screw, extending through a through-bore in the faceplate.

Typically, one of the lugs is fixed, formed by cutting a flap in a side wall of the back box and pushing the flap inwards. The other lug is usually adjustable, to enable adjustability of the faceplate alignment relative to the back box. Fixing means enable the adjustable 25 lug to be connected to the side wall of the back box.

One of the issues when fitting or refitting the faceplate to the back box is locating the bore of each lug, and inserting the tip of each screw thereinto. This process is time-consuming as the bores are small in size and variable in their location. Additionally, the faceplate largely obstructs the bores from view. Furthermore, an electrician also needs to simultaneously hold in place the faceplate, the screw, and a tool such as a screwdriver, requiring great dexterity.

A second issue is the electrocution hazard when a loose wire becomes trapped by the screw-threaded fastener inserted into the bore of the lug. The screw-threaded fastener may even contact a wire segment devoid of insulation. Tightening the screw-threaded fastener carries a risk of damaging the wire. For example, the screw-threaded fastener 5 may pierce or rupture protective insulation around the wire, causing direct contact of the screw with a live contactor, once the power is turned back on. Conductive screw-threaded fasteners are therefore also live and easily accessible after the faceplate has been fitted to the back box. In a case such as this, depending on the type of protection offered by the electrical installation, all or any number of metallic parts or items around 10 the installation, such as central heating radiators, sinks and taps, could become live and present extreme electrocution hazards.

With time and type of use, such as faceplates being removed and re-instated or reinstalled after wall redecorations, or during testing of the electrical installation, the thread in a bore of a lug becomes worn and may be damaged beyond use. Engagement between the screw-threaded fastener and the bore is no longer possible, such that the back box needs to be changed. This is costly, time-consuming and may require substantial structural work.

The present invention seeks to provide a solution to these problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrical back box lug adaptor comprising an adaptor body having a leading surface, a trailing surface, and a side wall therebetween; a lug receiver in the side wall for receiving a faceplate-fastener lug; a fastener channel for receiving a screw-threaded fastener therein, the fastener channel extending from the leading surface towards the trailing surface and intersecting the lug receiver; and a fastener guide at the leading surface for guiding an end of a screw-threaded fastener into the fastener channel.

The electrical back box lug adaptor in-use increases the ease and speed of locating a bore of a lug to which the electrical back box lug adaptor is fitted. This is achieved via the fastener guide, which guides the tip of a screw-threaded fastener, such as a screw, towards the bore when the faceplate is being fitted to the back box. The lug adaptor is retrofittable to existing back boxes, such that there is no need to replace the back box, thus further saving time and costs.

Optionally, the electrical back box lug adaptor may further comprise a screw thread for complementarily engaging with a screw-threaded fastener in-use inserted in the fastener channel. Where the thread of the bore of the lug is damaged, the in-use electrical back box lug adaptor may provide a replacement thread for engaging with the screw-threaded fastener. The faceplate can be anchored without needing to replace the electrical back box. The screw thread may or may not be integrally formed with the fastener channel. The adaptor having a screw thread may even be used with a lug having a bore, said bore having a functional screw thread. In this case, the adaptor may optionally provide an additional screw thread. This may further improve the stability or anchoring of the faceplate to the back box. The adaptor may also relieve some of the forces acting on the thread of the lug. As such, the adaptor may even prevent or inhibit the bore thread from becoming worn out.

Beneficially, the electrical back box lug adaptor may further comprise a hollow insert having an outer face, an inner face, and the said screw thread on the inner face, the insert being preferably positionable or positioned inside or adjacent to the fastener channel. The user can select whether a screw-thread is needed, or whether an electrical back box lug adaptor devoid of a screw-thread is sufficient. The insert may be engageable with an end of the adaptor body and/or may be at least partly insertable inside the fastener channel. The electrical back box lug adaptor may be modular.

Advantageously, the insert may have a grip-enhancing portion on the outer face for improving an engagement of the insert with the adaptor body. Optionally, the grip-enhancing portion may comprise at least one ridge. Furthermore, the grip-enhancing portion may comprise at least one segment which extends on the outer face of the insert and which has a segment longitudinal extent and, optionally, a plurality of ridges along the segment longitudinal extent. Beneficially, at least one ridge may extend along a ridge axis, said ridge axis being non-perpendicular and/or non-parallel with the segment longitudinal extent. These features improve the engagement between the insert and the adaptor body. The orientation of the ridges may oppose any rotational torque imparted to the insert by the in-use screw-threaded fastener.

Advantageously, the insert may be co-moulded with the adaptor body. The ease of assembly is increased.

Beneficially, the insert may comprise metal. Furthermore, the insert may comprise brass. Furthermore, the adaptor body may comprise plastics. As the in-use adaptor is left in place in the back box after the faceplate has been fitted, it is preferable that the adaptor body may be manufactured as cheaply as possible. Plastics are easy to source and cheap. The lug adaptor is also light. The lug adaptor may be moulded and/or 3D printed. The ease of manufacture is improved. A metal thread may be more durable and/or less deformable or damageable, particularly compared to the adaptor body which may comprise a more malleable material such as plastics.

Preferably, the fastener guide may have a funnel shape directed towards the fastener channel. A funnel shape may cover a large area relative to the area of the bore and provide a gradual slope towards the opening of the fastener channel.

Beneficially, the fastener channel may extend to the trailing surface. Furthermore, the fastener channel may have a channel aperture at the trailing surface. Optionally, the fastener channel may have a channel longitudinal extent and may be open along at least part of the channel longitudinal extent. A longer channel and/or an opening at the distal end or trailing surface may accommodate longer screw-threaded fasteners.

Beneficially, the lug receiver may be spaced-apart along the side wall from the trailing surface by a distance, said distance matching or substantially matching a distance between the faceplate-fastener lug and a backplate of an in-use electrical back box for in-use abutting the trailing surface against the backplate when the faceplate-fastener lug is received in the lug receiver. The stability of the lug adaptor is increased. For instance, the abutment of at least part of the trailing surface may prevent, inhibit, or limit any rotation of the adaptor around the lug. As a result, the adaptor is less likely to fall out when inserted into a back box, particularly a wall-mounted back box. The lug adaptor also prevents or inhibits any wire from extending in a gap between the trailing surface and the backplate of the back box. The risk of electrocution is reduced.

Beneficially, at least part of the side wall may be recessed for accommodating a fixing means of an adjustable faceplate-fastener lug. The recessed portion may enable the non-recessed portion or portions of the side wall to be abuttable, preferably flushly, against the back box.

Advantageously, the lug receiver may comprise a slot for slidably receiving the faceplate-30 fastener lug therein. Preferably, the lug receiver may have a slot-groove for accommodating a burr of the faceplate-fastener lug. Advantageously, the lug receiver may have a thickness and/or a width such that the lug receiver may be engageable with the in-use faceplate-fastener lug by interference fit. These features may improve the engagement between the faceplate-fastener lug and the lug adaptor. No further connector may be required to keep the lug adaptor in position once mounted onto the faceplate-fastener lug, particularly in a wall mounted back box when in-use.

Preferably, the adaptor body may comprise a non-conductive material. By providing an insulating barrier, the risk of electrocution from a loose live wire is reduced.

Optionally, the adaptor body may further comprise a lip portion extending from the or a further side wall. The lip may be abuttable against a peripheral wall of the back box, to further improve the stability of the adaptor. The lip may also prevent or inhibit a loose wire from becoming trapped and/or contacting the screw-threaded fastener, thereby further reducing the risk of electrocution.

Furthermore, the adaptor body may have a polygonal cross-section. Manufacture is simplified.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a faceplate adaptor kit comprising a first electrical back box lug adaptor, preferably in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, and a second electrical back box lug adaptor, preferably in accordance with the first aspect of the invention. As an electrical back box typically comprises two faceplate-fastener lugs, the kit correspondingly provides at least two lug adaptors. Two or more electrical back box lug adaptors may be identical to each other.

Alternatively or additionally, two or more electrical back box lug adaptors of the kit may differ from each other.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a faceplate-fixing set comprising at least one electrical back box lug adaptor, preferably in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, and an electrical back box. The set provides at least one lug adaptor, for improving the ease and speed of installation of the faceplate, and a back box, receivable within a wall cavity. The back box may anchor the faceplate thereto.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of preventing or inhibiting an electrocution hazard for an electrical back box, the method 30 comprising the step of engaging an electrical back box lug adaptor, optionally in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, with at least one faceplate-fastener lug of an electrical back box, so as to occlude a gap between an in-use screw-threaded faceplate fastener and an internal back surface of the electrical back box. The risk of electrocution is reduced.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of 5 adapting an electrical back box to guide a faceplate fastener into a faceplate-fastener lug, the method comprising the steps of engaging an electrical back box lug adaptor, optionally in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, with at least one faceplate-fastener lug, the lug adaptor having a fastener guide in a leading surface for guiding an end of a screw-threaded fastener into the faceplate-fastener lug. The ease of assembly 10 is increased.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a faceplate adaptor kit, in accordance with the second aspect of the invention, having a first type of electrical back box lug adaptor, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, and a second type of electrical back box lug adaptor, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; Figure 2 shows an exploded front view of the first type of electrical back box lug adaptor of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a front view of the electrical back box lug adaptor of Figure 2, in an assembled condition, with an internal fastener channel, a fastener guide, and an insert represented as dashed lines; Figure 4 shows a perspective bottom diagrammatic representation of the electrical back box lug adaptor of Figure 3; Figure 5 shows a side diagrammatic representation of the electrical back box lug adaptor of Figure 3, with the internal fastener channel, the fastener guide, the insert, and a lug receiver indicated as dashed lines; Figure 6 shows a perspective close-up view of the insert of the electrical back box lug adaptor of Figure 2; Figure 7 shows an exploded front view of the second type of electrical back box lug adaptor of Figure 1; Figure 8 shows a front diagrammatic representation of the electrical back box lug adaptor of Figure 7, in an assembled condition, with the internal fastener channel, a 5 fastener guide, and the insert represented as dashed lines, the internal fastener channel being open along at least part of a longitudinal extent thereof; Figure 9 shows a side diagrammatic representation of the electrical back box lug adaptor of Figure 8, with the internal fastener channel, the fastener guide, the insert, and the lug receiver indicated as dashed lines; Figure 10 shows a perspective below diagrammatic representation of the electrical back box lug adaptor of Figure 8; Figure 11 shows a perspective front view of an electrical back box and the faceplate adaptor kit of Figure 1, in-use in accordance with the fifth aspect of the invention, and prior to engagement of each electrical back box lug adaptor with a 15 respective faceplate-fastener lug; Figure 12 shows a perspective close-up side view of an electrical back box and the first type of electrical back box lug adaptor, in-use in accordance with the fifth aspect of the invention and prior to engagement of the electrical back box lug adaptor with a faceplate-fastener lug; Figure 13 shows a perspective close-up side view of an electrical back box and the second type of electrical back box lug adaptor, in-use in accordance with the fifth aspect of the invention and prior to engagement of the electrical back box lug adaptor with a faceplate-fastener lug; and Figure 14 shows a perspective front view of the electrical back box of Figure 11 25 and the faceplate adaptor kit of Figure 1, in-use in accordance with the fifth aspect of the invention, each electrical back box lug adaptor being in an engaged condition with their respective faceplate-fastener lug.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, there is shown a faceplate adaptor kit indicated generally at 10. The faceplate adaptor kit or set 10 comprises at least one electrical back box lug 30 adaptor, and more preferably a plurality of electrical back box lug adaptors. Most preferably, the faceplate adaptor kit 10 comprises a first type of electrical back box lug adaptor 12, and a second type of electrical back box lug adaptor 112.

Referring now to Figures 2 to 6, there is shown the first type of electrical back box adaptor 12 of the faceplate adaptor kit 10. The first type of electrical back box adaptor 12 may be 5 fitted or retrofitted to a, preferably fixed, faceplate-fastener lug of an electrical back box. For clarity, the electrical back box adaptor 12 of the first type may be referred to as a Type I adaptor, a fixed-type adaptor, or a first embodiment of an electrical back box adaptor 12. The electrical back box lug adaptor 12 has an adaptor body 14a. The electrical back box lug adaptor 12 also comprises an insert 14b, but this feature is 10 optional. Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the adaptor 12, with the insert 14b being outside of the adaptor body 14a. Figure 3 shows the same lug adaptor 12 in an assembled condition, in which the insert 14b is inside the adaptor body 14a.

The adaptor body 14a has a leading surface 16a, a trailing surface 16b, and at least one, and preferably four side walls 18. The or each side wall 18 extends between and meets with the leading surface 16a and the trailing surface 16b. Any edge formed by two side walls and/or a side wall and a surface meet may be any of: sharp, chamfered, and rounded or curved. The adaptor body 14a has a longitudinal extent 20a, a lateral extent 20b, and a thickness 20c, indicated in Figures 1 and 2 as dotted arrows. The adaptor body 14a preferably has a polygonal longitudinal and/or lateral cross-section, but non-polygonal cross-sections may be envisioned. The cross-section is preferably square or rectangular although any other polygons may be envisioned. In other words, the adaptor body 14a may be or be substantially a prism. The adaptor body 14a comprises a nonconductive material but this feature may be optional. The adaptor body 14a may comprise metal, plastics, any other suitable material, or combination of materials. The adaptor body 14a is preferably formed as an integrally-formed one-piece. The adaptor body 14a also has a lug receiver 22 in one of the side walls 18, referred to as a first side wall or front side wall 18a for clarity, and a fastener channel 24. Optionally, the adaptor body 14a also comprises a fastener guide 26, but this feature may be omitted.

The longitudinal extent 20a is defined as the length extending from the leading surface 30 16a to the trailing surface 16b. The longitudinal extent 20a may be referred to as a length.

The lateral extent 20b is defined as the length from one side wall 18 to an opposing side wall 18, both walls being contiguous to the first side wall 18a. The lateral extent may be referred to as a width.

The thickness 20c is defined as the length from the first side wall 18a to the opposing side wall 18. The thickness 20c may be referred to as a depth.

For clarity, the above terminology will be adhered to even when the longitudinal extent 20a is less than the lateral extent 20b and/or the thickness 20c of the adaptor body 14a. 5 Similarly, this terminology will also be adhered to even where the thickness 20c is greater than the lateral extent 20b and/or the longitudinal extent 20a of the adaptor body 14a.

The lug receiver 22 enables or permits engagement of the electrical back box adaptor 12 with the faceplate-fastener lug. In other words, the lug receiver 22 in-use receives a faceplate-fastener lug. Preferably, the lug receiver 22 and the faceplate-fastener lug are slidably engageable, but non-slidable alternatives may be envisioned, such as by being rotationally engageable and/or by means of a connector.

Preferably, the lug receiver 22 may have a shape and/or dimensions such that the lug receiver 22 is engageable with the in-use faceplate-fastener lug by an interference fit or a push-fit. Although an interference fit is preferable, a non-interference fit may be envisioned. For instance, in an alternative embodiment, the lug receiver may be dimensioned and/or shaped such that lug is loosely received therein. The greater dimensions may accommodate a greater range of lugs, such as lugs having different dimensions.

The lug receiver 22 has a slot 28 for slidably receiving the faceplate-fastener lug therein, but this feature may be omitted. The lug receiver 22 is positioned in the first side wall 18a. In other words, the lug receiver 22 extends inwards from the first side wall 18a. The lug receiver 22 is spaced-apart along the front side wall 18a from the trailing surface 16b by a distance or spacing 30, indicated as dash-dotted lines in Figure 2. The distance 30 matches or substantially matches a distance between the faceplate-fastener lug and a backplate of the electrical back box to which the in-use lug adaptor 12 is to be retrofitted. This enables the trailing surface 16b to sit on, contact or abut against the backplate of the back box when the faceplate-fastener lug is received in the lug receiver 22.

A first advantage of the adaptor body 14a extending to the backplate of the back box is that undesirable or accidental movement of adaptor 12 is prevented or inhibited when 30 the lug receiver 22 and the faceplate-fastener lug are engaged with each other. This feature may be particularly desirable if the faceplate-fastener lug is not snugly and/or securely engaged with the lug receiver 22 via an interference fit. Undesirable movement may include but not be limited to rotation around the lug.

A further advantage of the adaptor body 14a extending to the backplate of the back box is the reduced risk of trapping a loose wire thereunder and/or in a gap between trailing 5 surface 16b and the backplate. Any trapped wire may prevent or inhibit the lug receiver 22 from being engageable with the faceplate-fastener lug, for instance if a wire spaces the adaptor body 14a away from the backplate of the electrical back box. Additionally or alternatively, a trapped wire may prevent or inhibit the adaptor body 14a from being flushly abuttable against a peripheral wall of the back box. Furthermore, the adaptor body 10 14a prevents or inhibits any wire from reaching an in-use screw-threaded fastener by shielding, enclosing, surrounding, or substantially surrounding the fastener.

Preferably, the lug receiver 22 is also spaced apart from the leading surface 16a by a distance. Said distance at most matches or substantially matches, and more preferably is less than a distance between the faceplate-fastener lug and a faceplate when flushly fitted to the electrical back box and/or a surrounding wall. If the receiver-to-leadingsurface distance is greater, the adaptor body may be at least partly compressible. This prevents or reduces the risk of the adaptor body preventing the faceplate from being flushly abuttable against the surrounding wall and/or the back box.

The slot 28 may be referred to as a recess, a groove, a slit, a cavity, or an opening. The slot 28 may be planar and/or non-planar. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the slot 28 may have a major first wall 32a, a major second wall 32b opposite the major first wall 32a; and optionally at least one peripheral wall 34. There is preferably a plurality of peripheral walls 34, although one continuous and curved peripheral wall may be envisioned. The first and/or second walls 32a,32b or any part of either may be planar and/or curved. The first and/or second walls 32a,32b may curvedly meet with the side wall 18, although an edge and/or a chamfer may be provided instead, in an alternative embodiment. The curvature may help with engaging the lug into the lug receiver 22 in-use.

The slot 28 extends along all, or preferably at least part of the lateral extent 20b of the adaptor body 14a. The slot 28 is bounded by the at least one peripheral wall 34, but the or at least one said peripheral wall 34 may be omitted. In other words, the slot may have an opening in a plurality of side walls. The extent of the slot along the lateral extent 20b, referred to as a slot width, may be at or less than 30 mm, although more than 30 mm is possible. More preferably, the slot width may be less than 15 mm. As a typical fixed lug may be 11 mm wide, the slot width is more preferably between or substantially between 11 mm and 13 mm, and is most preferably 12 mm Furthermore, the slot may have a depth. Said depth may be at or less than 30 mm, although more than 30 mm may be envisioned. The depth may be more preferably less than 15 mm. As a typical fixed lug may be approximately 9 mm deep, the slot depth is more preferably between 4 mm and 13 mm, and is most preferably at or approximately 10 mm deep.

Preferably, the lug receiver 22 and/or the slot 28 is or is substantially T-shaped as shown in Figures 2. The slot 28 preferably has at least one slot-recess or slot-groove 36, 10 although this feature may be omitted.

The slot-groove 36 may accommodate a burr of the faceplate-fastener lug or any other such by-products of manufacture. The slot-groove 36 is preferably centrally positioned but non-centrally positioned may be envisioned. The slot-groove 36 may also be positioned at or adjacent to the fastener channel 24.

The fastener channel 24 intersects the slot-groove 36 in the present embodiment, but non-intersecting is an option.

A distance from the major first wall 32a to the major second wall 32b and/or to the slot-groove 36 may be less than 2 mm, although more than 2 mm may be an option. This distance may be referred to as a slot thickness. More preferably, the slot thickness may be less than 5 mm. More preferably yet, the distance between the first and second walls 32a, 32b may be between 0.7 mm and 1.3 mm, and is most preferably at or approximately 1 mm. The distance from the major first wall 32a to the major second wall 32b may be between 0.7 mm and 5 mm and is most preferably at or approximately 2 mm.

The fastener channel 24 in-use receives a, preferably screw-threaded, fastener therein. The fastener channel 24 may also receive the insert 14b therein, if an insert 14b is provided. The fastener channel 24 has a preferably smooth or substantially smooth surface. The fastener channel 24 has first channel aperture or opening 38a at or adjacent the leading surface 16a. The fastener channel 24 extends from the leading surface 16a towards the trailing surface 16b and intersects the lug receiver 22. The fastener channel 24 has a channel longitudinal extent. The fastener channel 24 is closed along at least part of, and preferably all the channel longitudinal extent, but the channel may be open along at least part of the channel longitudinal extent. The fastener channel 24 preferably extends to the trailing surface 16b but this feature may be omitted. The fastener channel 24 intersects with the lug receiver 22 in such a way that the fastener channel 24 is 5 positionable or positioned to overlap with a bore of the lug, when the lug is received in the lug receiver 22. If provided, the insert 14b is positioned or positionable within the fastener channel 24, both indicated as dashed lines in Figure 3. The insert 14b is shown in the Figures as being positioned or positionable toward to trailing surface 16b in the present embodiment, but may be positioned anywhere in the fastener channel and/or 10 may extend along all or any extent of the channel.

By way of example, the insert may be positioned or positionable at or adjacent to the leading surface and/or the lug receiver. In other words, the insert may be positioned or positionable as high as possible in the fastener channel, preferably without obstructing the lug receiver.

The insert may be up to 5 mm, and more preferably 2 mm or 3 mm below a lowest part of the lug receiver.

The lowest part of the lug receiver may be the slot-groove or the major second wall.

The higher position of the insert within the fastener channel may be advantageous to accommodate screw-threaded fasteners of variable or different lengths. If the insert is at or adjacent the trailing surface, the choice of suitable screw-threaded fastener is more limited as the fastener may need to have a sufficient, minimum length to reach and engage with the insert.

The fastener channel 24 has a second channel aperture or opening 38b at the trailing surface 16b, as best shown in Figure 4, but the fastener channel could be closed at the 25 trailing surface in an alternative embodiment. The fastener channel is preferably circular in cross-section, but non-circular cross-sections may be envisioned.

The fastener guide 26, if provided, in-use guides a tip of a screw-threaded fastener into the fastener channel 24. The fastener guide 26 comprises a guiding recess or depression 40. The guiding recess 40 is defined by at least one, and preferably four guiding sub-surfaces 42. The fastener guide 26 is at the leading surface 16a. The fastener guide 26 is preferably a portion of the leading surface 16a. In other words, at least part of or all the leading surface 16a is recessed to provide the guiding recess 40. However, it could easily be envisioned that the guiding sub-surface or surfaces extend outwardly and away from the leading surface in an alternative embodiment.

The or each guiding sub-surface 42 is preferably planar or substantially planar although non-planar may be envisioned, such as at least partly curved along a longitudinal and/or lateral cross-section of the sub-surface. This is best shown in Figure 5. The or each subsurface 42 extends at least partly towards the trailing surface 16b. The or each subsurface 42 also extends and/or tapers inwards towards the fastener channel 24 and more preferably to the first channel aperture or opening 38a. The sub-surface or the plurality of sub-surfaces 42 form a funnel or funnel shape. The fastener guide 26 therefore has a funnel shape directed towards the fastener channel 24 and/or to the first channel aperture or opening 38a. The funnel shape may be a square or rectangular funnel shape, however, non-square or non-rectangular funnel shapes may be envisioned, such as any polygonal funnel shape, including but not limited to triangular, hexagonal, octagonal, or any other suitable funnel shape. Non polygonal funnel shapes may be envisioned such as curved, part curved, a conical, truncated conical, or frustoconical funnel shape may be envisioned.

As previously mentioned, the electrical back box lug adaptor 12 also comprises an insert 14b, although this feature may be omitted. A close-up of the insert 14b is shown in Figure 6. The insert 14b is preferably positionable or positioned at least partly inside the fastener channel 24 but alternatively or additionally be engageable, engaged or integrally formed with an outer surface of the adaptor body, such as the trailing surface or the leading surface. In this case, the insert may not necessarily be inserted or insertable into the adaptor body. The insert 14b may alternatively be referred to as an engagement portion.

The insert 14b may comprise metal, plastics, ceramics, any other suitable material, or combination of materials. Preferably, the insert 14b comprises brass, although any non-brass metal and/or an alloy may be envisioned. Alternative or additional metals include aluminium, steel, silver, gold, or any other suitable metal. The insert 14b is preferably co-moulded with the adaptor body but this feature may be omitted. The insert 14b is or is substantially complementarily shaped with the fastener channel 24. As the fastener channel 24 is preferably cylindrical, the insert 14b is also cylindrical or substantially cylindrical, although this feature is optional. The insert 14b is preferably hollow. The insert 14b comprises an outer face 44, an inner face 46, and a screw thread 48 on the inner face 46.

The screw thread 48 has a linear length or length along an axial direction. Preferably, the linear length of the screw thread 48 and/or the inner face 46 may be at least 1.5 mm in length, and more preferably is at least 2 mm in length, although less than 1.5 mm may easily be envisioned. Most preferably, the screw thread 48 is 6.3 mm. Preferably, the linear length is at most 10 mm, but a longer length may easily be envisioned.

The screw thread 48 also has a width, which may alternatively be referred to as a lateral length or lateral dimension, a cross-sectional length, or a diameter. The width may be at least 1.5 mm, and more preferably is at least 2 mm, although less than 1.5 mm may be envisioned. Most preferably, the width is 3.5 mm. The width may be such, as to allow or accommodate an M3.5 thread, as defined by the British Standard BS 4662:2006+A1:2009.

Although the official regulatory standard in the UK requires the provision of an M3.5 thread at present, the official regulatory standard may be amended such that an alternative thread is recommended. As such, this disclosure is not intended to be 15 necessarily limiting to the current British Standard.

The insert 14b also has at least one, and preferably three grip-enhancing portions 50, but the or each grip-enhancing portion may be omitted.

The or each grip-enhancing portion 50 is preferably positioned or positionable on the outer face 44 for improving an engagement of the insert 14b with the adaptor body 14a, and more preferably with the fastener channel 24. Each grip-enhancing portion 50 comprises at least one strip, section, or segment 52, although this feature may be omitted. The or each segment 52 extends on the outer face 44 of the insert 14b. Preferably, the segment 52 extends along or around the whole of the outer face 44 such that it may be referred to as a band or ring, but optionally may extend only around part of the outer face. The segment 52 has a segment longitudinal extent. In the present case, the longitudinal extent is a circumference or perimeter.

Furthermore, the, each or at least one grip-enhancing portion 50 may comprise at least one, and preferably a plurality of ridges 54 as shown, although the ridge or ridges may be omitted. The at least one ridge 54 may be positioned in, on, over, or adjacent to the at least one segment 52 if a segment 52 is provided, although spaced-apart therefrom may be envisioned. Optionally, the plurality of ridges 54 are spaced-out along the segment longitudinal extent. At least one ridge 54 extends along a ridge axis 56. The ridge axis 56 is preferably non-perpendicular with the segment longitudinal extent.

Additionally or alternatively, the ridge axis 56 is preferably non-parallel with the segment longitudinal extent. In other words, the or each ridge axis 56 is preferably non-parallel and/or non-perpendicular to the channel longitudinal extent. In yet again other words, each ridge 54 may be considered to be sections of a spiral or helix. The orientation of the at least one ridge 54 prevents or inhibits rotation of the insert 14b when a screw-threaded fastener engages with the insert 14b and is tightened.

The insert 14b may optionally further comprise at least one insert-lip, projection, ledge, 10 ridge, or band 57, which may be positioned anywhere along the insert 14b, whether on the inner face 46, on the outer face 44, or both. Preferably, the insert-lip 57 may be positioned at or adjacent to an end of the insert 14b, as shown.

Referring now to Figures 7 to 10, there is shown the second type of electrical back box lug adaptor 112. Features of the second type of electrical back box lug adaptor 112 which 15 are similar to features of the first type of electrical back box lug adaptor 12 have similar reference numerals with the prefix "1".

The second type of the electrical back box lug adaptor 112 is similar to the first type, having similar adaptor body 114a, leading surface 116a, a trailing surface 116b, side wall or walls 118, first side wall 118a, lug receiver 122, and fastener channel 124 having a first channel aperture or opening 138a. The electrical back box lug adaptor 112 also optionally comprises a fastener guide 126, a second channel aperture 138b, an insert 114b, and at least one grip-enhancing portion 150, although any of these features may be omitted. Detailed description of the common features is omitted for brevity. Figure 7 shows an exploded view of the adaptor 112, with the optional insert 114b being outside of the adaptor body 114a. Figure 8 shows the adaptor 112 of Figure 7 in an assembled condition, with the insert 114b positioned inside the adaptor body 114a.

The second type of the electrical back box adaptor 112 is fittable or retrofittable to a, preferably adjustable, electrical back box lug. For clarity, the electrical back box adaptor 112 of the second type may be referred to as a Type II adaptor 112, an adjustable-type 30 adaptor 112, or the second embodiment of an electrical back box adaptor 112.

In the first type adaptor 12, the first side wall 18a is or is substantially continuously planar. In the second type, the adaptor body 114a further comprises a recess or recessed side portion 158. This is most clearly shown in Figure 9. The recessed side portion 158 is preferably at, on, in, or associated with the side wall 118 having the lug receiver 122, in other words, the first side wall 118a. In yet again other words, at least part of the or a side wall 118 is recessed.

The recessed side portion 158 is dimensioned so as to accommodate a fixing means of an adjustable faceplate-fastener lug. The recessed side portion 158 may extend along at least some of the longitudinal extent of the adaptor body 114a. The recessed side portion 158 may optionally extend from the lug receiver 122 to the trailing surface 116b but preferably, the recessed side portion 158 does not extend to the trailing surface 116b. As such, the side wall 118 has a first side sub-wall 160a, a second side sub-wall 160b, and third side sub-wall 162 positioned within the recessed side portion 158 and/or between the first and second side sub-walls 160a,160b. The third side sub-wall 162 is connected to the first side sub-wall 160a via a first strip, overhang surface, first connecting wall, or ledge 164a. The third side sub-wall 162 is connected to the second side sub-wall 160b via a second strip, underhanging surface, second connecting wall, or ledge 164b. The first and/or second overhang strips 164a,164b may be any of: planar, at least partly curved in any cross-section.

The fastener channel 124 has a channel longitudinal extent, and is open at the leading surface 116a and optionally at the trailing surface 116b, as shown in Figure 10, similarly to the first type. Preferably, the fastener channel 124 is open along at least part of, or all the channel longitudinal extent, although this feature is optional. In other words, the fastener channel 124 may comprise a slit or slot 165 along its longitudinal extent. As shown, the channel longitudinal extent is open in the recessed side portion 158. The cross-section of the fastener channel 124 preferably has a circular lateral cross-section in the non-recessed portion or portions of the adaptor body 114a, similarly to the first type of adaptor 12. However, at or in the recessed side portion 158, the fastener channel 124 may have a circular or non-circular cross-section. The cross-section may depend on a depth of the recessed side portion 158. In the present embodiment, the fastener channel 124 has a lateral cross-section at or adjacent to the recessed side portion 158 which is or is substantially a truncated circle.

Furthermore, the insert 114b is preferably positionable or positioned behind, inwards of, at or adjacent to the second side sub-wall 160b but this feature may be omitted. The insert may optionally be positioned or positionable anywhere within and/or outside the fastener channel, including at or adjacent to the leading surface and/or the lug receiver.

Alternatively, the insert may not necessarily be positioned or positionable along the whole channel longitudinal extent of the fastener channel. This may be due to the cross-sectional shape of the fastener channel not being able to accommodate the insert at or behind the recessed side portion and/or at a higher position.

In use, the user, who may be an electrician or electrical engineer, obtains at least one 10 electrical back box lug adaptor 12,112 of the first and/or second types. More preferably, the user obtains a faceplate adaptor kit 10, preferably including one of each type of electrical back box lug adaptor 12,112.

If an existing back box is being replaced or no back box has been installed, the user may obtain a faceplate-fixing set including an electrical back box 166, as illustrated in Figure 11, and at least one electrical back box lug adaptor and/or the faceplate adaptor kit 10. The electrical back box 166 is preferably wall mountable. The user installs the back box 166 in a wall cavity.

Following carrying out electrical works in the electrical back box 166, the user needs to fit the faceplate to the electrical back box 166.

Figure 11 shows the, preferably wall-mountable, electrical back box 166 having a backplate 168a, and a plurality of back box peripheral walls 168b. The back box 166 also includes a fixed faceplate-fastener lug 170a, and an adjustable faceplate-fastener lug 170b connected by a fixing means 172 to one of the back box peripheral walls 168b of the electrical back box 166. Each faceplate-fastener lug 170a,170b comprises a lug bore, referred to as first lug bore 174a and a second lug bore 174b respectively, for receiving a fastener therethrough. The lug bores 174a,174b usually comprise a thread. The thread is typically about 1 mm in linear length. As such, the thread may be easily damaged. Figure 11 also shows the faceplate adaptor kit 10, having one of each type of electrical back box lug adaptor 12,112, prior to engagement.

Optionally, if at least one of the lugs 170a,170b has a damaged or worn screw thread, the user needs to select an adaptor having a screw thread. The screw thread may already be in position within the channel fastener, preferably by virtue of being co-moulded with the adaptor body. However, it may alternatively be necessary for the user to engage the insert with the adaptor body. This may involve inserting the insert into one or the other end of the channel and/or connecting the insert to the adaptor body.

Prior to engagement, the adaptor body 14a of the first type of lug adaptor 12 is orientated 5 such that the first side wall 18a is made to face the, preferably fixed, faceplate-fastener lug 170a and the lug receiver 22 is aligned with lug 170a. This is shown in Figure 11, and more clearly in Figure 12. The leading surface 16a faces away from the backplate 168a and/or outwards of the back box 166. In other words, the leading surface 16a faces towards the user and/or a faceplate. The trailing surface 16b faces or abuts against the 10 backplate 168a, depending on the dimensions of the adaptor body 14a and the depth at which the adaptor body 14a needs to be in order to align the lug receiver 22 and the faceplate-fastener lug 170a.

Once aligned, the adaptor body 14a is moved towards the lug 170a. This is indicated as Arrow A in Figure 12. The lug 170a and the lug receiver 22 are engaged with each other.

In the present type, this involves sliding or translating the adaptor body 14a towards the lug 170a such that the adaptor body 14a is slidably received on the lug 170a or the lug 170a is slidably received in the lug receiver 22. Preferably, the engagement is via interference fit, but this feature may be omitted.

If provided, the T-shaped lug receiver 18 accommodates any burr resulting from the manufacture of the bore 174a of the faceplate-fastener lug 170a. The first channel aperture is made to coincide or align with the bore of the faceplate-fastener lug 170a. Preferably the side wall 18 having the lug receiver 22 abuts against the corresponding peripheral wall 168b, but this feature may be omitted.

The same steps are repeated for the electrical back box lug adaptor 112 of the second type, as shown in Figure 13. Arrow B in Figure 13 indicates that the electrical back box lug adaptor 112 is, preferably slidably, moved towards the fastener lug 170b. The recessed portion 158 accommodates or substantially accommodates the fixing means 172. Similarly, the first side wall 118a, having the lug receiver 122, preferably abuts against the corresponding peripheral wall 168b, but this feature may be omitted. More preferably, the first side sub-wall 160a and/or second side sub-wall 160b are abuttable against the peripheral wall 168b.

Figure 14 shows both types of electrical back box lug adaptors engaged with their respective faceplate-fastener lug.

The user obtains a faceplate having preferably two screw openings, which correspond or correspond substantially with the bores 174a, 174b of the lugs 170a, 170b. A screw-5 threaded fastener is inserted through at least one said opening, and preferably one through each screw opening in the faceplate.

The faceplate is positioned against or adjacent to the back box 166. The tip of the or screw-threaded fastener contacts, abuts, or slides against the or each fastener guide 26,126 of each electrical back box lug adaptor 12,112. As each screw-threaded fastener is inserted further into the back box 166, each fastener guide 26,126 guides the tip towards the first aperture 38a,138a of the fastener channel 24,124 and into the fastener channel 24,124. As the bores 174a,174b are aligned with their respective first channel aperture 38a,138a, each screw-threaded fastener is also inserted through the corresponding bore. Each fastener guide 26,126 increases the ease and speed of finding the bore. The adaptors 12,112 are left in place once the faceplate has been fitted.

If one or both types of electrical back box lug adaptors 12,112 comprise a screw thread, for example by virtue of having an insert 14b,114b and/or by having a screw thread integrally formed with the fastener channel, the screw threaded fastener is preferably engaged with the screw thread.

Any insert 14b,114b comprising one or more grip-enhancing portions 50,150 may prevent or inhibit rotation of insert 14,114b during and/or after engagement of the insert 14,114b and the screw-threaded fastener.

In other words, there is provided a method of adapting an electrical back box 166 to guide a faceplate fastener into a faceplate-fastener lug 170a,b, the method comprising the steps of engaging a lug adaptor 12,112 with at least one faceplate-fastener lug 170a,b, the lug adaptor 12,112 having a fastener guide 26,126 in a leading surface 16a,116a for guiding an end of a screw-threaded fastener into the faceplate-fastener lug 170a,b.

The user may further tighten the screw-threaded fastener. Each electrical back box lug 30 adaptors 12,112 prevents or inhibits any wires from becoming trapped and/or contacting the fastener.

Each electrical back box lug adaptor 12,112 is therefore versatile or multifunctional. The first function is to guide the fastener to the corresponding bore 174a,174b of each lug 170a,170b thereby increasing the speed of assembly. The second or further function is to anchor the faceplate to the back box 166 by providing a screw thread with which the screw-threaded fastener is engageable, in addition to or to replace a screw thread of the lug bore 174a,174b.

The first and second functions may or may not be equal in importance. In the latter case, the first function may be greater in importance than the second function, or vice-versa. If the fastener guide is omitted, the electrical back box lug adaptor may only have one 10 function, which is to anchor the faceplate.

In other words, there is provided a method of preventing or inhibiting an electrocution hazard for an electrical back box 166, involving engaging a lug adaptor 12,112 with at least one faceplate-fastener lug 170a,170b of an electrical back box 166, so as to occlude a gap between an in-use screw-threaded faceplate fastener and an internal back or backplate 168a and/or a peripheral surface of the electrical back box 166.

In all the above types of adaptors, the electrical back box lug adaptor has one adaptor body, one leading surface, one trailing surface, four side walls, one lug receiver, one fastener channel, one fastener guide, one guiding recess, each guiding recess having four guiding sub-surfaces, one insert, three grip-enhancing portions, one band per grip-enhancing portion, a plurality of ridges per grip-enhancing portion. It may be envisioned that any number of any of the above features may be provided in any type of electrical back box lug adaptor, including none, one, or a plurality.

The second type of adaptor further comprises one recessed portion, a first side sub-wall, a second side sub-wall, and a third side sub-wall. It may be envisioned that any number 25 of any of the above features may be provided in any type of electrical back box lug adaptor, including none, one, or a plurality.

Optionally, the electrical back box lug adaptor and/or the adaptor body may further comprise a screw thread in the fastener channel, instead of or in addition to the insert for complementarily engaging with a screw-threaded fastener in-use inserted in the fastener channel. The screw thread may extent along at least a portion of, or the whole channel longitudinal extent. The screw thread may be integrally formed with the adaptor body.

Preferably, the adaptor 12 of the first type is adapted, configured, intended for or suitable for use with a fixed electrical back box lug, but this feature may be omitted. Similarly, the adaptor 112 of the second type is adapted, configured, intended for or suitable for use with an adjustable electrical back box lug, but this feature may be omitted. It may be envisioned that either adaptor type may be used or usable with either type of lug.

Optionally, in any of the above types, the adaptor body may further comprise at least one lip portion. The, each or at least one lip portion may extend from the or a side wall and/or from a recessed portion. The lip portion may extend along at least part of the longitudinal extent and/or along at least part of the lateral extent of the adaptor body.

Although any electrical back box lug adaptor as described herein may be provided as part of a kit, the above-described first and/or second types of electrical back box lug adaptors 12,112 may be provided in isolation.

VVhilst the kit 10 preferably comprises one adaptor of each type, it may be envisioned that the kit may comprise a plurality of either or both types of electrical back box lug adaptor. The kit may even comprise only one type of adaptor and/or only one electrical back box lug adaptor. In other words, whilst two adaptors are provided and fitted in the present embodiment, it may be alternatively be envisioned that only one adaptor may be used, regardless of the number of lugs. Alternatively, at least three adaptors may be used if there are more than two lugs.

In the present embodiment, the distance from the lug receiver to the trailing surface preferably matches the lug-to-backplate distance. However, it may easily be envisioned that the distance from the lug receiver to the trailing surface may be less than the distance between the faceplate-fastener lug and the backplate of the electrical back box. In this case, the trailing surface may not contact or abut against the backplate. In other words, the trailing surface may only face the backplate.

On the other hand, the distance from the lug receiver to the trailing surface does preferably not exceed the lug-to-backplate distance. Such an adaptor body would not positionable in the electrical back box and simultaneously engage with the lug. If the distance from the lug receiver to the trailing surface were to exceed the lug-to-backplate distance, the adaptor body would preferably be at least in part compressible.

It may be envisioned that the fastener channel may comprise at least one grip-enhancing portion instead of or in addition to the insert.

In both types of lug adaptors, the fastener channel has a circular lateral cross-section, the adaptor body is square or rectangular in lateral cross-section and rectangular in 5 longitudinal cross-section. The insert is preferably circular in lateral cross-section and rectangular or square in longitudinal or axial cross-section. However, for any of the fastener channel, the insert, the adaptor body, or any other above-described feature alternative longitudinal and/or lateral cross-sections may be envisioned. Alternative cross-sectional shapes may include curved; part-curved; non-curved; circular; non-10 circular; oval; ovoid; polygonal, whether regular, irregular, chamfered, rounded, such as triangular, square, rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal; or any abstract shape.

For instance, the adaptor body may be or be substantially cylindrical instead of a prism. The side wall may be continuous and/or at least partly curved. The side wall or walls may continuously transition into the trailing and/or leading surface, without forming any edges.

Any of the side wall or walls, the trailing surface and the leading surface may be planar and/or non-planar, such as curved. The adaptor body may even be a sphere, a spheroid, or an abstract shape.

It is therefore possible to provide an electrical back box lug adaptor which helps a user to locate the bore of a lug easily and quickly, reducing the time and dexterity required to fit a faceplate. The electrical back box lug adaptor is retrofittable to existing back boxes. The dimensions and in-use positioning of the lug adaptor prevent or inhibit loose wires from being trapped during installation of the faceplate, thereby reducing the risk of electrocution. If the lug adaptor has a screw thread, a faceplate may still be securely fitted to a back box with a lug having a damaged or worn screw thread, without needing to change the back box.

The words 'comprises/comprising' and the words having/including' when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the field without departing from 5 the scope of the invention as defined herein.

Claims

Claims 1 2 5. 8.An electrical back box lug adaptor comprising an adaptor body having a leading surface, a trailing surface, and a side wall therebetween; a lug receiver in the side wall for receiving a faceplate-fastener lug; a fastener channel for receiving a screw-threaded fastener therein, the fastener channel extending from the leading surface towards the trailing surface and intersecting the lug receiver; and a fastener guide at the leading surface for guiding an end of a screw-threaded fastener into the fastener channel.
An electrical back box lug adaptor as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a screw thread for complementarily engaging with a screw-threaded fastener in-use inserted in the fastener channel.
An electrical back box lug adaptor as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a hollow insert having an outer face, an inner face, and the said screw thread on the inner face, the insert being posifionable or positioned inside or adjacent to the fastener channel.
An electrical back box lug adaptor as claimed in claim 3, wherein the insert has a grip-enhancing portion on the outer face for improving an engagement of the insert with the adaptor body.
An electrical back box lug adaptor as claimed in claim 4, wherein the grip-enhancing portion comprises at least one ridge.
An electrical back box lug adaptor as claimed in claim 5, wherein the grip-enhancing portion comprises at least one segment which extends on the outer face of the insert and which has a segment longitudinal extent and a plurality of ridges along the segment longitudinal extent.
An electrical back box lug adaptor as claimed in claim 6, wherein at least one ridge extends along a ridge axis, said ridge axis being non-perpendicular and/or non-parallel with the segment longitudinal extent.
An electrical back box lug adaptor as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the insert is co-moulded with the adaptor body.
9. An electrical back box lug adaptor as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the insert comprises metal.
10. An electrical back box lug adaptor as claimed in claim 9, wherein the insert comprises brass.
11. An electrical back box lug adaptor as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastener guide has a funnel shape directed towards the fastener channel.
12. An electrical back box lug adaptor as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastener channel extends to the trailing surface.
13. An electrical back box lug adaptor as claimed in claim 12, wherein the fastener channel has a channel aperture at the trailing surface.
14. An electrical back box lug adaptor as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastener channel has a channel longitudinal extent and is open along at least part of the channel longitudinal extent.
An electrical back box lug adaptor as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lug receiver is spaced-apart along the side wall from the trailing surface by a distance, said distance matching or substantially matching a distance between the faceplate-fastener lug and a backplate of an in-use electrical back box for in-use abutting the trailing surface against the backplate when the faceplate-fastener lug is received in the lug receiver.
16. An electrical back box lug adaptor as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least part of the side wall is recessed for accommodating a fixing means of an adjustable faceplate-fastener lug.
17. An electrical back box lug adaptor as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lug receiver comprises a slot for slidably receiving the faceplate-fastener lug therein.
18. An electrical back box lug adaptor as claimed in claim 17, wherein the lug receiver has a slot-groove for accommodating a burr of the faceplate-fastener lug.
19. An electrical back box lug adaptor as claimed in claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the lug receiver has a thickness and/or a width such that the lug receiver is engageable with the in-use faceplate-fastener lug by interference fit.
20. An electrical back box lug adaptor as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the adaptor body comprises a non-conductive material.
21. An electrical back box lug adaptor as claimed in claim 20, wherein the adaptor body comprises plastics.
22. A faceplate adaptor kit comprising a first electrical back box lug adaptor as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and a second electrical back box lug adaptor as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.
23. A faceplate-fixing set comprising at least one electrical back box lug adaptor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 21 and an electrical back box.
24. A method of preventing or inhibiting an electrocution hazard for an electrical back box, the method comprising the step of engaging an electrical back box lug adaptor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 21 with at least one faceplate-fastener lug of an electrical back box, so as to occlude a gap between an in-use screw-threaded faceplate fastener and an internal back surface of the electrical back box.
25 A method of adapting an electrical back box to guide a faceplate fastener into a faceplate-fastener lug, the method comprising the steps of engaging an electrical back box lug adaptor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 21 with at least one faceplate-fastener lug, the electrical back box lug adaptor having a fastener guide in a leading surface for guiding an end of a screw-threaded fastener into the faceplate-fastener lug.