IES20080273A2

IES20080273A2 - A wall mountable box and a method for securing a wall mountable box recessed in a wall

Info

Publication number: IES20080273A2
Authority: IE
Inventors: Michael Gerard Treanor; Niall Martin Treanor; Michelle Mary Treanor
Original assignee: Michael Gerard Treanor; Niall Martin Treanor; Michelle Mary Treanor
Priority date: 2007-04-11
Filing date: 2008-04-10
Publication date: 2008-12-10
Also published as: GB2448422B; GB0806655D0; GB2448422A; IE20080272A1

Abstract

A wall mountable box (1) for housing, for example, an electricity meter and a main isolating switch and fuse through which an electrical supply is provided to a domestic dwelling, office or the like, for recess mounting into a wall (2) comprises a housing (5) defining a hollow interior region (12) and an open mouth (14) which provides access to the hollow interior region (12). A door (15) is hingedly coupled to the housing (5) and is operable between a closed state closing the open mouth (14) and an open state providing access to the hollow interior region (12) through the open mouth (14). The door (15) is of dished configuration and comprises a central planar panel (37) having a side wall (38) extending around the panel (37) and diverging in a generally outwardly direction. Weld mesh (19) spot welded to the central panel (37) is provided for keying rendering (26) on the door (15), so that the door (15) can be rendered with rendering (26) which is similar to rendering (4) of the wall (2) simultaneously as the wall (2) is being rendered with the rendering (4). On completion of rendering of the wall (4) and the door (15), the rendering (26) of the door (15) defines an outer surface (27) which defines a common plane with a surface (3) of the rendering (4) of the wall (2). Thus, the box (1) presents a surface finish which is similar to that of the wall, and thus, the box (1) is essentially concealed. <Figures 1 & 14>

Description

‘A wall mountable box and a method for securi ΙΕΟ 80223 3// u a wall mountable box recessed in a wall The present invention relates to a wall mountable box, and in particular, though not limited to a wall mountable box of the type which is suitable for housing one or more meters of the type suitable for metering the supply of utilities services, such as electricity, gas, water, telecommunications services and the like to a domestic dwelling, an office, factory premises or the like. The invention also relates to a wall comprising the wall mountable box recess mounted therein, and the invention further relates to a method for recess mounting a wall mountable box in a wall.

Such wall mountable boxes for housing one or more meters of the type suitable for metering the supply of utilities services, such as, for example, electricity, gas, water, telecommunications services and the like are well known. Indeed, such boxes, in general, are suitable also for housing electrical fuses, electrical switch gear, electrical isolating switches, isolating valves and the like. Such boxes therefore allow for meter reading to be carried out externally of a domestic dwelling, office, factory premises or the like in order to determine the quantity of the utilities services consumed during a specific billing period. Additionally, in cases of emergency, where such boxes are equipped with isolating switches and valves, utilities which are metered through such boxes can readily easily be isolated externally of the domestic dwelling, office, factory premises or the like.

In general, such boxes are of a pla mounting into a wall, however, in general, such boxes, while they may be recess mounted into a wall, are not suitable for flush mounting with the wall. In general, such boxes are provided with an outwardly projecting peripheral rim portion which extends around the periphery of an open mouth which provides access to a hollow interior region of the box, and the peripheral rim, in general, sits proud of the wall surface into which the box is recessed. A door which closes the open mouth by engaging within the peripheral rim, also sits slightly proud of the wall surface. In general, such boxes are relatively large, and when mounted in a wall, typically, the front wall of a domestic dwelling, office or factory premises are not aesthetically pleasing, and indeed, can be quite unsightly. This is undesirable, and there is therefore a need for a wall mountable box which addresses this problem.

The present invention is directed towards providing such a wall mountable box, and the invention is also directed towards providing a wall comprising the wall mountable box recess mounted therein, and further, the invention is directed towards providing a method for recess mounting a wall mountable box in a wall.

According to the invention there is provided a wall mountable box comprising a housing defining a hollow interior region and an open mouth providing access to the hollow interior region, the box being adapted for recess mounting in a wall, and comprising a door defining an innerface and an outer face hingedly coupled to the housing between a closed state closing the open mouth, and an open state providing access to the hollow interior region through the open mouth, a first receiving means being provided on the outer face of the door for receiving a first finishing means, similar to or complementary to a finish on the wall, so that when the box is recess mounted in the wall, and the first finishing means is secured to the first receiving means on the outer face of the door, the first finishing means defines a surface which blends with the surface of the wall finish.

Preferably, the box is adapted for recess mounting in the wall so that the surface defined by the first finishing means on the door lies in a plane defined by the surface of the wall finish. io Advantageously, the first finishing means is provided by rendering, and the first receiving means comprises a first keying means for receiving and keying the rendering to the outer face of the door.

Ideally, the first keying means is secured to the door.

In one embodiment of the invention the first receiving means is of metal material. Preferably, the first receiving means is provided by weld mesh.

Advantageously, the door is of dished configuration, and defines a concave type outer surface.

In one embodiment of the invention the door comprises a central panel and a side wall extending around the central panel to define with the side panel the dished configuration of door. Preferably, the central panel is a planar panel.

Advantageously, the side wall of the door extending from the central panel diverges outwardly from the central panel. Ideally, the first receiving means is secured to the central panel of the door.

In one embodiment of the invention a keying flange extends outwardly from and at least partly around the periphery of the housing for facilitating keying of the box in the wall. Preferably, the keying flange extends from the housing adjacent the open mouth thereof. io In another embodiment of the invention the housing defines a peripheral recess extending around the open mouth for accommodating the door recessed within the housing.

In another embodiment of the invention the door is hingedly coupled to the housing by at least one hinge which defines a hinge axis. Preferably, the hinge axis is spaced apart from the door for facilitating hinging of the door between the closed state and the open state with clearance relative to the wall adjacent the box. Advantageously, the hinge axis is spaced apart from the open mouth for facilitating hinging of the door between the closed state and the open state with a clearance relative to the wall adjacent the box.

In another embodiment of the invention the housing defines a return offset from the open mouth, and the hinge axis defined by the at least one hinge of the door is defined within the return.

In one embodiment of the invention the hinge comprises an arcuate member extending from the door into the return. Preferably, the arcuate member forming at least one hinge extends from the door at a location spaced apart from a side edge of the door. Advantageously, the arcuate member forming the at least one hinge terminates at its distal end in a return member, and the return member is pivotally coupled to a mounting element in the return about the hinge axis. Ideally, the return member of the at least one hinge extends from the arcuate member in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by the door.

In one embodiment of the invention the housing comprises a rear wall, a top end wall and a bottom end wall spaced apart from each other and extending forwardly from the rear wall, and a pair of spaced apart side walls extending forwardly from the rear wall and between the top and bottom end walls, the rear wall, the top and bottom end walls and the side walls defining the hollow interior region, and the top and bottom end walls and the side walls defining the open mouth to the hollow interior region.

In another embodiment of the invention one of the side walls terminates in a return wall, and the return wall extends between the top and bottom end walls adjacent the open mouth to define with the top and bottom end walls and the other side wall the open mouth, the return wall defining with the adjacent side wall and portions of the top and bottom end walls and the rear wall the return which is offset from the open mouth.

Preferably, the mounting element of the at least one hinge is mounted on the return wall.

In another embodiment of the invention a second receiving means is provided on the return wall for receiving a second finishing means, similar to or complementary to a finish on the wall, so that when the box is recess mounted in the wall, and the second finishing means is secured to the second receiving means on the return wall, the second finishing means defines a surface which blends with the surface of the io wall finish. Preferably, the second receiving means comprises a second keying means for keying the second finishing means to the return wall. Advantageously, the second finishing means is rendering and the second keying means is provided of a metal material. Ideally, the second keying means comprises weld mesh.

In another embodiment of the invention a portion of the housing is of metal material, and a portion of the housing is of a plastics material. Preferably, the portion of the housing of metal material is of stainless steel material. Advantageously, the portion of the housing of a plastics material is formed of a fibre glass material.

In one embodiment of the invention the portion of the housing of metal material comprises one of the side walls and respective portions of the top end wall, the bottom end wall and the rear wall. Preferably, the portion of the housing of metal material comprises the return wall.

Advantageously, the portion of the housing which is of metal material forms the return which is offset from the open mouth.

Preferably, the portion of the housing forming the peripheral recess extending around the open mouth is of metal material.

In one embodiment of the invention a latching means is provided for latching the door to the housing in the closed state, the latching means being operable between a latched state and an unlatched state for respectively securing the door in the io closed state and releasing the door from the closed state. Advantageously, an operating means is provided for operating the latching means between the latched and the unlatched state externally of the box.

In another embodiment of the invention a pair of spaced apart hinges are provided for hingedly coupling the door to the housing, the hinges defining a single common hinge axis about which the door is hingeable.

In one embodiment of the invention the door is of metal material. Preferably, the metal material of the door is stainless steel material.

In another embodiment of the invention the weld mesh of the first and second receiving means is of stainless steel.

In a further embodiment of the invention the rendering of the first and second finishing means is a cementitious based rendering.

The invention also provides a wall comprising the wall mountable box according to the invention recess mounted therein.

Preferably, a finishing means is provided on the wall and on the wall mountable box, and the finishing means on the wall and on the wall mountable box is finished flush.

Advantageously, the finishing means comprises rendering. io Ideally, the rendering of the finishing means is a cementitious based rendering.

Preferably, the finishing means is keyed to the wall mountable box.

In one embodiment of the invention the wall mountable box is keyed into the finishing means of the wall.

The invention also provides a method for securing a wall mountable box recessed in a wall, the method comprising providing the box in the form of a housing adapted for recess mounting into the wall, whereby the housing defines a hollow interior region and an open mouth providing access to the hollow interior region, and a door hingedly coupled to the housing and hingeable between a closed state closing the open mouth and an open state providing access to the hollow interior region through the open mouth, the method comprising providing the door with a first receiving 802 73 means on an outer face thereof for receiving a finishing means similar to or complementary to the finishing of the wall, recess mounting the housing in the wall, locating and securing the finishing means on the outer face of the door so that the finishing means on the door blends with the finishing on the wall.

In one embodiment of the invention the finishing means on the door defines a surface.

In another embodiment of the invention the surface defined by the finishing means 10 on the door is finished to lie in a plane defined by a surface of the wall finish.

Preferably, the finishing means is rendering.

Advantageously, the rendering of the finishing means is similar to the rendering on the wall.

Ideally, the rendering is of a cementitious material.

In another embodiment of the invention a narrow slot extending around the periphery 20 of the door is formed in the rendering on the wall adjacent the door for separating the rendering on the door from the rendering on the wall for facilitating pivoting of the door between the closed state and the open state.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of a 80 2 73 preferred embodiment thereof, which is given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a wall mountable box according to the 5 invention, Fig. 2 is another perspective view of the wall mountable box of Fig. 1 illustrating a portion of the wall mountable box in a different position, Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the wall mountable box of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of the wall mountable box of Fig. 1 with a portion of the wall mountable box removed, Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the wall mountable box of Fig. 1, Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the wall mountable box of Fig. 1, Fig. 7 is a transverse cross-sectional side elevational view on the line VII-VII 20 of Fig. 3 of the wall mountable box of Fig. 1, Fig. 8 is a transverse cross-sectional top plan view of the wall mountable box of Fig. 1 on the line VIII-VIII of Fig. 3, IE°8O273 Fig. 9 is a transverse cross-sectional top plan view similar to Fig. 8 of the wall mountable box of Fig. 1 illustrating a portion of the wall mountable box in a different position to that of Fig. 8, Fig. 10 is another side elevational view of the wall mountable box of Fig. 1 from the opposite side to that of Fig. 5, Fig. 11 is a top plan view of a portion of the wall mountable box of Fig. 1, Fig. 12 is another cross-sectional side elevational view of the wall mountable box of Fig. 1, Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the wall mountable box of Fig. 1 in use, Fig. 14 is a transverse cross-sectional top plan view similar to Fig. 8 of the wall mountable box of Fig. 1 illustrating the wall mountable box in use, and Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the wall mountable box of Fig. 1, also in use.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a wall mountable box according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, which is suitable for recess mounting into a wall 2 so that the box 1 lies flush with a surface 3 of cementitious rendering 4 of the wall 2, and may be finished to present a surface finish similar to that of the wall 2. The box 1 is illustrated in Figs. 13 to 15 mounted 2 7s in a recess 11 in the wall 2, which in this case is a cavity wall of a house (not shown). In this embodiment of the invention the wall mountable box 1 is particularly suitable for housing one or more meters of the type suitable for metering services supplied by utilities services providers, such as electricity, water, gas, telecommunications and the like to a domestic dwelling, an office, a factory or other such premises. The box 1 is also suitable for housing electrical fuses, electrical switch gear, isolating valves and the like.

The box 1 comprises a housing 5 which is formed by a rear wall 6, spaced apart top io and bottom end walls 7 and 8, respectively, extending forwardly from the rear wall 6, joined by spaced apart side walls 9 and 10, which also extend forwardly from the rear wall 6. The rear wall 6, top and bottom end walls 7 and 8, and the side walls 9 and 10 define a hollow interior region 12 within which the meters, fuses, switch gear, valves and the like (none of which are illustrated) are housed. As will be described below, the housing 5 defines an open mouth 14 through which access to the hollow interior region 12 is provided. A door 15 of stainless steel material is hingedly coupled to the housing 5 by a pair of hinges 16 as will be described below, and the door 15 is pivotal on the hinges 16 between a closed state illustrated in Fig, 1 closing the open mouth 14, and an open state illustrated in Fig. 2 for providing access to the hollow interior region 12 through the open mouth 14.

The door 15 defines an innerface 17 and an outer face 18. A first receiving means, namely, a first keying means which is provided by metal weld mesh material 19 of stainless steel is welded to the outer face 18 of the door 15 for receiving and keying a first finishing means, namely, cementitious rendering 26 to the outer face 18 of the door 15 when the box 1 has been recess mounted into the wall 2. The door 15 and the metal weld mesh material 19 are adapted for receiving the rendering 26 which is similar to the rendering 4 of the wall, and thus, the rendering 26 of the door and the rendering 4 of the wall 2 can be applied simultaneously to the door 15 and the wall 2 The door 15 is shaped, as will be described below, so that the rendering 26 applied to the door 15 is finished to define a surface 27 of the door 15 which is flush with the surface 3 of the wall 2. io In this embodiment of the invention the housing 5 is formed in two portions 20 and 21. The portion 20 is formed of fibreglass material, while the portion 21 is formed of metal, which in this case is stainless steel. The portion 20 formed of fibreglass material forms a portion 22 of the rear wall 6, portions 23 and 24 of the top and bottom end walls 7 and 8, respectively, and the side wall 9. A keying flange 25 also of fibreglass material extends from the portions 23 and 24 of the top and bottom end walls 7 and 8, respectively, and the side wall 9 for keying the housing 5 in the wall 2 by the rendering 4 of the wall 2.

The stainless steel portion 21 of the housing 5 forms a portion 28 of the rear wall 6, and portions 29 and 30 of the top and bottom end walls 7 and 8, respectively. The side wall 10 is formed by the portion 21 of the housing 5. A return wall 32 also of stainless steel and formed by the portion 21 extends from the side wall 10 and extends between the portions 29 and 30 of the top and bottom walls 7 and 8, and terminates in an edge 33 which defines with the top and bottom end walls 7 and 8 and the side wall 9 the open mouth 14. A step 36 formed in the fibreglass portion 20 extends between the portions 22 and 28 of the rear wall 6. The portions 29 and 30 of the top and bottom end walls 7 and 8 are secured to the portions 23 and 24 of the top and bottom end walls 7 and 8, respectively, by a suitable adhesive or an epoxy resin, and the step 36 is secured to the portion 28 of the rear wall 6 also by a suitable adhesive or an epoxy resin.

The return wall 32 together with portions of the portions 29 and 30 of the top and bottom end walls 7 and 8 and the portion 28 of the rear wall 6 form a return 39 of the housing 5 which is offset to one side of the open mouth 14.

A peripheral flange 34 also of stainless steel extends from the top and bottom end walls 7 and 8, the side wall 9 and the return wall 32 adjacent the edge 33 thereof, and diverges forwardly outwardly thereof to form a peripheral recess 35 extending around the open mouth 14 for receiving the door 15 recessed therein. The flange 34 is welded to the return wall 32 and to the portions 29 and 30 of the top and bottom end walls 7 and 8, and is bonded to the portions 23 and 24 of the top and bottom end walls 7 and 8 and to the side wall 9 by a suitable adhesive or an epoxy resin.

The door 15 is slightly dished around its periphery, having a planar central panel 37 of stainless steel and a side wall 38 also of stainless steel which extends around the central panel 37. The side wall 38 is formed by a top flange 40, a bottom flange 41 and side flanges 42 which extend forwardly from the central panel 37 and diverge slightly outwardly in similar fashion as the forwardly extending flange 34, so that ,£0 80 2 73 ° 15 when the door 15 is in the closed state, the side wall 38 of the door 15 recesses into the peripheral recess 35 formed by the peripheral flange 34 extending around the open mouth 14. The metal mesh material 19 is spot welded to the central panel 37 for keying the rendering to the door 15 within the side wall 38.

Each hinge 16 of the door 15 comprises an arcuate member 45 of stainless steel which is welded to the central panel 37 of the door 15 stepped in from a side edge 46 of the door 15. The arcuate members 15 of the respective hinges 16 extend for approximately 90° and terminate in respective inwardly extending return members io 47 also of stainless steel which extend radially from the corresponding arcuate members 45 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the central panel 37 of the door 15. A mounting means, namely, a mounting member 48 also of stainless steel of each hinge 16 is welded to the side wall 10 and carries a pivot pin 49 for pivotally engaging the return member 47 of the corresponding hinge 16. The mounting members 48 of the hinges 16 are welded to the side wall 10 adjacent the return wall 32 with the pivot pins 49 defining a common hinge axis about which the door 15 is hingeable between the open state and the closed state. The pivot axis defined by the pivot pins 49 is spaced apart from the edge 33 of the return wall 32, and in turn from the side edge 46 of the door 15, so that when the door 15 is being pivoted between the closed state and the open state, the door 15 clears the rendering 4 of the wall 2. An angle reinforcing bar 51 extends between the arcuate members 45 of the hinges 16 for reinforcing the hinges 16, and ensuring simultaneous movement of the arcuate members 45.

A pneumatic spring 52 is pivotally coupled to a mounting bracket 53 which is welded to the portion 30 of the bottom end wall 8, and to a mounting bracket 54 welded to the central panel 37 of the door 15. The pneumatic spring 52 acts as a damper to hinging of the door 15 between the open and closed states in order to avoid any danger of injury to a person opening or closing the door 15 due to the weight of the door when carrying the rendering 26.

A latching means comprising a pair of latch members 55 which are pivotally carried on a carrier member 56 are engageable behind corresponding upper and lower lips io 60 and 61 of the peripheral flange 34 for latching the door 15 in the closed state.

The carrier member 56 is carried on an operating means, namely, an operating member 57 which is rotatably carried in a bearing (not shown) in the door 15 for operating the latch members 55 between a latched state engaged behind the upper and lower lips 60 and 61 of the peripheral flange 34 with the door 15 latched in the closed state, and an unlatched state disengaged from the upper and lower edges 60 and 61 of the peripheral flange 34 for facilitating opening of the door 15. The operating member 57 terminates on the outer side of the door 15 in a three-sided shaft 58 which is engageable with a corresponding socket key (not shown) for rotating the operating member 57 and in turn pivoting the carrier member 56 for in turn operating the latch members 55 between the latched and unlatched states. Guide members 59 secured to the inner face 17 of the central panel 37 of the door 15 guide the latch members 55 between the latched and the unlatched states.

A second receiving means, namely, a second keying means, also provided by stainless steel metal mesh 63 is spot welded to the return wall 32 for receiving and keying a second finishing means, namely, cementitious rendering to the return wall 32 during rendering of the wall 2 and the door 15.

A mounting board 64 of timber is secured to the rear wall 6 for facilitating fixing of meters, fuses, switch gear, isolating valves, wires, cables, pipes and the like thereto by screws. Weakened knock-out portions (not shown) are formed in the portions 23 and 24 of the top and bottom end walls 7 and 8 and in the side wall 9, which may be readily easily knocked out to form cable and pipe accommodating openings into the io hollow interior region 12 of the housing 5. Such weakened knock-out portions in such wall mountable boxes will be well known to those skilled in the art.

In use, prior to rendering the wall 2, the box 1 is recess mounted into the recess 11 in the wall 2 (see Figs. 13 to 15) so thatthe keying flange 25 abuts the outer surface of the wall 2 prior to rendering. With the door 15 secured by the latch members 55 in the closed state, the wall 2 is then rendered with the rendering 4, typically, a cementitious mortar mix. Simultaneously, as the wall 2 is being rendered with the rendering 4, the door 15 is also rendered with the same rendering material to form the rendering 26 on the door 15. Additionally, simultaneously with rendering the wall 4 and the door 15, rendering is also applied over the return wall 32. On completion of rendering, the rendering 26 on the door 15 defines the outer surfaces 27, and the rendering over the return wall 32 defines an outer surface 66, both of which surfaces and 66 define a common plane with the plane defined by the surface 3 of the rendering 4 of the wall 2. Thus, the box 1 and the wall 2 present a common rendered surface 27,66 and 3, respectively. Prior to curing of the rendering on the wall 2 and on the box 1, a trowel is inserted into the rendering and is drawn along the peripheral edges of the door 15 to separate the rendering 4 of the wall 2 from the rendering 26 in the door 15, so that the door 15 can be hinged between the closed and open states.

When the rendering 4 on the wall 2 and the rendering 26 on the door 15 as well as the rendering over the return wall 32 has cured, the box 1 is ready for use. The door 15 is unlatched by operating the operating member 57 with a suitable socket key io (not shown) engaged on the operating shaft 58, and the door 15 is hinged into the open state. Wires, pipes and the like which had been passed into the hollow interior region through appropriately opened cable and pipe accommodating openings in the portions 23 and 24 in the top and bottom end walls 7 and 8 and in the side wall 9 may be connected up to meters, switch gear, isolating valves and the like secured to the mounting board 64.

Thereafter, use of the wall mountable box 1 is similar to a conventional wall mountable box, in that to open the door 15 to gain access to the hollow interior region 12, the operating shaft 58 is engaged by a suitable socket key (not shown) and rotated for disengaging the latch members 55 from the upper and lower lips 60 and 61 of the peripheral flange 34. To secure the door in the closed state, the door is urged into engagement in the peripheral recess 35 formed by the peripheral flange 34, and the operating shaft 58 is appropriately rotated by the suitable socket key (not shown) for operating the latch members 55 into the latched state for retaining the door 15 in the latched state, thereby closing the open mouth 14.

The advantages of the invention are many. A particularly important advantage of the invention is that it provides a wall mountable box which is suitable for housing a meter or meters, switch gear, fuses, isolating switches, isolating valves and the like for metering and controlling the supply of utilities services, such as electricity, gas, water, telecommunications services and the like to a domestic dwelling, office, factory premises and the like which can be recess mounted into a wall, and can be finished to the same finish as the wall. This is a particularly important and desirable io advantage, in that it provides a particularly aesthetically pleasing arrangement of a wall mountable box, in that the wall mountable box is entirely concealed by the finishing on the wall.

The advantage of providing at least a portion of the housing of metal material is that the wall mountable box according to the invention is more suitable for carrying the weight of the masonry finishing in the door.

While the door and the return of the wall mountable box have been described as being suitable for receiving and keying rendering thereto, it is envisaged that the door may be adapted for receiving an alternative finishing means, for example, brickwork, stonework or the like, and such finishing could, for example, be a veneer of brick or stonework, which would match a similar brick or stonework finish of a wall into which the box is recess mounted. θ 2 While the keying means for keying the rendering onto the door and the return wall of the wall mountable box has been described as being of metal mesh, be it weld mesh or otherwise, any other suitable keying means may be used, and indeed, in certain cases it is envisaged that Z-shaped plate members may be welded at spaced apart locations over the outer surface of the central panel of the door and over the return wall. Needless to say, any other suitable keying means may be provided, and in certain cases roughing of the central panel of the door and the return wall may be sufficient to provide the keying means. It is also envisaged that mesh of other materials besides steel or metal may be used as the keying means, for example, a fibreglass mesh may be used or a mesh of a plastics material may also be used as the keying means.

While the wall mountable box has been described as being of fibreglass material and stainless steel material, it is envisaged in certain cases that the wall mountable box may be of any other suitable material, and in certain cases, it is envisaged that the housing may be of a single type of material. For example, the housing may be formed entirely of sheet metal, such as sheet stainless steel, or it may be formed entirely of fibreglass, with reinforcing being provided adjacent the mounting members of the hinges for reinforcing the connection of the hinges to the housing.

Needless to say, the door may be of any other suitable material.

Additionally, while the wall mountable box has been described as being suitable for housing an electric meter, fuses, switch gear and the like, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the wall mountable box may be put to many other uses, 8°2 73 and typical uses could, for example, be the housing of a gas meter, the housing of telecommunications equipment from a telecommunications service provider, video and television equipment for relaying television and video signals to a domestic dwelling or other premises from a television signal service provider, or any other service, for example, the wall mountable box may be used for housing a water meter for metering a water supply to a domestic dwelling, office, factory or other such premises.

While the housing of the wall mountable box has been described as being provided io with a return, in certain cases, it is envisaged that the return may be omitted.

Claims

1. A wall mountable box comprising a housing defining a hollow interior region and an open mouth providing access to the hollow interior region, the box being adapted for recess mounting in a wall, and comprising a door defining an inner face 5 and an outer face hingedly coupled to the housing between a closed state closing the open mouth, and an open state providing access to the hollow interior region through the open mouth, a first receiving means being provided on the outer face of the door for receiving a first finishing means, similar to or complementary to a finish on the wall, so that when the box is recess mounted in the wall, and the first finishing io means is secured to the first receiving means on the outer face of the door, the first finishing means defines a surface which blends with the surface of the wall finish.

2. A wall mountable box as claimed in Claim 1 in which the box is adapted for recess mounting in the wall so that the surface defined by the first finishing means 15 on the door lies in a plane defined by the surface of the wall finish.

3. A wall mountable box as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 in which the first finishing means is provided by rendering, and the first receiving means comprises a first keying means for receiving and keying the rendering to the outer face of the door.

4. A wall mountable box as claimed in Claim 3 in which the first keying means is secured to the door.

5. A wall mountable box as claimed in any preceding claim in which the first receiving means is of metal material.

6. A wall mountable box as claimed in any preceding claim in which the first receiving means is provided by weld mesh.

7. A wall mountable box as claimed in any preceding claim in which the door is of dished configuration, and defines a concave type outer surface.

8. A wall mountable box as claimed in Claim 7 in which the door comprises a io central panel and a side wall extending around the central panel to define with the side panel the dished configuration of door.

9. A wall mountable box as claimed in Claim 8 in which the central panel is a planar panel.

10. A wall mountable box as claimed in Claim 8 or 9 in which the side wall of the door extending from the central panel diverges outwardly from the central panel.

11. A wall mountable box as claimed in any of Claims 8 to 10 in which the first 20 receiving means is secured to the central panel of the door.

12. A wall mountable box as claimed in any preceding claim in which a keying flange extends outwardly from and at least partly around the periphery of the housing for facilitating keying of the box in the wall.

13. A wall mountable box as claimed in Claim 12 in which the keying flange extends from the housing adjacent the open mouth thereof. 5

14. A wail mountable box as claimed in any preceding claim in which the housing defines a peripheral recess extending around the open mouth for accommodating the door recessed within the housing.

15. A wall mountable box as claimed in any preceding claim in which the door is 10 hingedly coupled to the housing by at least one hinge which defines a hinge axis.

16. A wall mountable box as claimed in Claim 15 in which the hinge axis is spaced apart from the door for facilitating hinging of the door between the closed state and the open state with clearance relative to the wall adjacent the box.

17. A wall mountable box as claimed in Claim 15 or 16 in which the hinge axis is spaced apart from the open mouth for facilitating hinging of the door between the closed state and the open state with a clearance relative to the wall adjacent the box.

18. A wall mountable box as claimed in any of Claims 15 to 17 in which the housing defines a return offset from the open mouth, and the hinge axis defined by the at least one hinge of the door is defined within the return.

19. A wall mountable box as claimed in Claim 18 in which the hinge comprises an arcuate member extending from the door into the return.

20. A wall mountable box as claimed in Claim 19 in which the arcuate member 5 forming at least one hinge extends from the door at a location spaced apart from a side edge of the door.

21. A wall mountable box as claimed in Claim 19 or 20 in which the arcuate member forming the at least one hinge terminates at its distal end in a return io member, and the return member is pivotally coupled to a mounting element in the return about the hinge axis.

22. A wall mountable box as claimed in Claim 21 in which the return member of the at least one hinge extends from the arcuate member in a direction substantially 15 perpendicular to a plane defined by the door.

23. A wall mountable box as claimed in any of Claims 18 to 22 in which the housing comprises a rear wall, a top end wall and a bottom end wall spaced apart from each other and extending forwardly from the rear wall, and a pair of spaced 20 apart side walls extending forwardly from the rear wall and between the top and bottom end walls, the rear wall, the top and bottom end walls and the side walls defining the hollow interior region, and the top and bottom end walls and the side walls defining the open mouth to the hollow interior region.

24. A wall mountable box as claimed in Claim 23 in which one of the side walls terminates in a return wall, and the return wall extends between the top and bottom end walls adjacent the open mouth to define with the top and bottom end walls and the other side wall the open mouth, the return wall defining with the adjacent side 5 wall and portions of the top and bottom end walls and the rear wall the return which is offset from the open mouth.

25. A wall mountable box as claimed in Claim 24 in which the mounting element of the at least one hinge is mounted on the return wall. io

26. A wall mountable box as claimed in Claim 24 or 25 in which a second receiving means is provided on the return wall for receiving a second finishing means, similar to or complementary to a finish on the wall, so that when the box is recess mounted in the wall, and the second finishing means is secured to the 15 second receiving means on the return wall, the second finishing means defines a surface which blends with the surface of the wall finish.

27. A wall mountable box as claimed in Claim 26 in which the second receiving means comprises a second keying means for keying the second finishing means to 20 the return wall.

28. A wall mountable box as claimed in Claim 26 or 27 in which the second finishing means is rendering and the second keying means is provided of a metal material.

29. , A wall mountable box as claimed in Claim 27 or 28 in which the second keying means comprises weld mesh. 5

30. A wall mountable box as claimed in any of Claims 18 to 29 in which a portion of the housing is of metal material, and a portion of the housing is of a plastics material.

31. A wall mountable box as claimed in Claim 30 in which the portion of the io housing of metal material is of stainless steel material.

32. A wall mountable box as claimed in Claim 30 or 31 in which the portion of the housing of a plastics material is formed of a fibre glass material. 15

33. A wall mountable box as claimed in any of Claims 30 to 32 in which the portion of the housing of metal material comprises one of the side walls and respective portions of the top end wall, the bottom end wall and the rear wall.

34. A wall mountable box as claimed in any of Claims 30 to 33 in which the 20 portion of the housing of metal material comprises the return wall.

35. A wall mountable box as claimed in any of Claims 30 to 34 in which the portion of the housing which is of metal material forms the return which is offset from the open mouth.

36. A wall mountable box as claimed in any of Claims 30 to 35 in which the portion of the housing forming the peripheral recess extending around the open mouth is of metal material.

37. A wall mountable box as claimed in any preceding claim in which a latching means is provided for latching the door to the housing in the closed state, the latching means being operable between a latched state and an unlatched state for respectively securing the door in the closed state and releasing the door from the 10 closed state.

38. A wall mountable box as claimed in Claim 37 in which an operating means is provided for operating the latching means between the latched and the unlatched state externally of the box.

39. A wall mountable box as claimed in any of Claims 15 to 22 in which a pair of spaced apart hinges are provided for hingedly coupling the door to the housing, the hinges defining a single common hinge axis about which the door is hingeable. 20

40. A wall mountable box as claimed in any preceding claim in which the door is of metal material.

41. A wall mountable box as claimed in Claim 40 in which the metal material of the door is stainless steel material. IE® 30 2 73

42. A wall mountable box as claimed in any of Claims 6 to 41 in which the weld mesh of the first and second receiving means is of stainless steel. 5

43. A wall mountable box as claimed in any preceding claim in which the rendering of the first and second finishing means is a cementitious based rendering.

44. A wall mountable box substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

45. A wall comprising the wall mountable box as claimed in any preceding claim recess mounted therein.

46. A wall as claimed in Claim 45 in which a finishing means is provided on the 15 wall and on the wall mountable box, and the finishing means on the wall and on the wall mountable box is finished flush.

47. A wall as claimed in Claim 45 or 46 in which the finishing means comprises rendering.

48. A wall as claimed in Claim 47 in which the rendering of the finishing means is a cementitious based rendering.

49. A wall as claimed in any of Claims 45 to 48 in which the finishing means is keyed to the wall mountable box.

50. A wall as claimed in any of Claims 45 to 49 in which the wall mountable box is keyed into the finishing means of the wall.

51. A wall comprising a wall mountable box, the wall and the wall mountable box being substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. io

52. A method for securing a wall mountable box recessed in a wall, the method comprising providing the box in the form of a housing adapted for recess mounting into the wall, whereby the housing defines a hollow interior region and an open mouth providing access to the hollow interior region, and a door hingedly coupled to the housing and hingeable between a closed state closing the open mouth and an 15 open state providing access to the hollow interior region through the open mouth, the method comprising providing the door with a first receiving means on an outer face thereof for receiving a finishing means similar to or complementary to the finishing of the wall, recess mounting the housing in the wall, locating and securing the finishing means on the outer face of the door so that the finishing means on the door blends 20 with the finishing on the wall.

53. A method as claimed in Claim 52 in which the finishing means on the door defines a surface. £

54. A method as claimed in Claim 53 in which the surface defined by the finishing means on the door is finished to lie in a plane defined by a surface of the wall finish.

55. A method as claimed in any of Claims 52 to 54 in which the finishing means 5 is rendering.

56. A method as claimed in Claim 55 in which the rendering of the finishing means is similar to the rendering on the wall. 10

57. A method as claimed in Claim 55 or 56 in which the rendering is of a cementitious material.

58. A method as claimed in any of Claims 55 to 57 in which a narrow slot extending around the periphery of the door is formed in the rendering on the wall 15 adjacent the door for separating the rendering on the door from the rendering on the wall for facilitating pivoting of the door between the closed state and the open state.

59. A method for securing a wall mountable box recess mounted into a wall, the method being substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in 20 the accompanying drawings.