NL2025511B1 - Cover for protecting an installation box - Google Patents

Abstract

Cover for protecting an installation box, for example a flush-mounted electrical outlet box, during the application of a coating on a wall, comprising a cover wall, configured to cover the 5 installation box, a guide element configured to guide a removal tool for removal of the coating, an indicator configured to indicate a removal location for the removal tool and a shielding element, configured to at least partially shield the guide element to avoid ingress of the coating therein, wherein the cover is configured to be positioned in a covering position for temporarily closing the installation box with the cover wall to avoid ingress of the coating 10 therein.

Description

P34484NLOO/WHA/RSM/MBA Title: Cover for protecting an installation box Field of the invention The present invention relates to a cover for protecting an installation box during the application of a coating on a wall. The present invention further relates to a set of an installation box and a cover, a set for creating a hole in a coating having a location, size and a shape adapted to an installation box, and a method for creating a hole in a coating having a location, size and a shape adapted to an installation box Background of the invention Installation boxes are known in the field of construction technology. In an installation box, a part of a technical installation of a building can be installed. Typically, an installation box is surface-mounted on a wall or flush-mounted in a wall, and allows utility connections or equipment to be arranged therein. For example, electric wires may be connected in an installation box and/or a light dimmer or wall socket may be provided therein.

Usually, installation boxes are installed in an early construction phase, before walls are visually finished. Later, a visual finish is generally applied to the walls by means a coating, such as stucco, plaster or a paint. Such a coating is typically applied over an entire wall surface, thus also over the installation boxes. Subsequently, the coating is removed locally around the installation boxes to restore access to the installation boxes. However, local removal may be imprecise, which results in the coating being removed at locations that do not correspond with the locations of the installation boxes. Furthermore, sizes and/or shapes of the holes thus created in the coating may deviate from sizes and/or shapes of the installation boxes. These undesired circumstances may be aesthetically unsatisfying and may give rise to a need to rework the holes and/or the coating, which is time consuming, results in additional costs, and does also not necessarily yield an aesthetically satisfying result.

DE19641852 discloses a closure cover for a flush-mounted box, comprising a centring device arranged in the geometric centre of the closure cover, and projecting antennas that indicate the axial middle of the cover. The cover may be placed on the flush-mounted box before application of plaster. A drill tip of a drilling tool can then be placed nearby the approximate middle indicated by the antennas, after which the drill tip is axially centred by the centring device during drilling for local removal of plaster.

-2- However, this technique results in significant forces on the cover, in particular in radial forces and bending exerted on the centring device, presumably due to the centring of the drill tip during drilling. This may result in deformation of the centring device and/or tilting of the cover, possibly causing improper centring of the drilling tool.

Object of the invention It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a cover that lacks the drawbacks mentioned above, or at least to provide an alternative cover.

The present invention The present invention provides a cover for protecting an installation box, for example a flush- mounted electrical outlet box, during the application of a coating on a wall, the cover comprising: - a cover wall, configured to cover the installation box; - a guide element configured to guide a removal tool for removal of the coating; and - an indicator configured to indicate a removal location for the removal tool; wherein the cover is configured to be positioned in a covering position for temporarily closing the installation box with the cover wall to avoid ingress of the coating therein, and wherein the removable cover further comprises a shielding element, configured to at least partially shield the guide element to avoid ingress of the coating therein.

The cover according to the present invention is configured to temporarily close an installation box, for example a flush-mounted electrical outlet box, during application of a coating on a wall, such that the coating can be applied on the wall without hindrance of the installation box. Further, the risk of damage to the installation box or any contents during application of the coating and/or during removal of the coating, for example by ingress of the coating, drilling dust and/or the removal tool into the installation box, is reduced.

After application of the coating on the wall, the coating can be removed locally at a removal location, to create a hole in the coating that corresponds with the location of the installation box. A removal tool, such as a hole saw, may be selected to remove the coating according to a certain advantageous size and shape, such that the hole thus created in the coating may precisely correspond to a size and/or a shape of the installation box. This way an aesthetically satisfying result can be achieved easily, and the need to rework the holes and/or the coating after local removal thereof may be alleviated, potentially saving on time and costs.

23.

The benefit of the cover according to the present invention lies in the fact that the guiding element is at least partially shielded by the shielding element. Therewith, disadvantageous ingress of the coating in the guide element and/or coverage of the guide element by the coating during removal of the coating is avoided. This has several advantages.

First of all, it has been found that a removal tool may be axially aligned with the guide element immediately upon application, before removal of the coating with the removal tool. As such, no additional work is required to expose the guide element to the removal tool, and additional drilling and/or breaking, even before working with the removal tool, is avoided. As blockage of the guide element by the coating is avoided by the shielding element, it has been found that it is no longer required to remove any coating that covers the guiding element and/or that may have ingressed into the guide element, for exposing the guide element. Thus, it may no longer be necessary to expose the guide element by drilling and/or breaking through the coating, which means time, costs and tools are saved, and the risk of having a hole size and/or shape that does not correspond to an installation box is reduced.

Secondly, the need to align the coating removal tool during removal of the coating is removed. When the removal tool is already axially aligned with the guide element before removal of the coating, it is no longer necessary to change the position of the removal tool in radial direction during removal of the coating. In particular, centring of the removal tool by radial movement towards the desired removal may no longer be required, and a centring device that provides this radial movement, such as a funnel-shaped element, can be omitted. Therewith, radial forces and bending forces exerted on the cover are greatly reduced and the amount of deformation and/or tilting of the cover in the installation box are lowered. As such, precision is improved and the cover may be designed more efficiently, for example without adaptations to accommodate for the large bending forces, or adaptations to enable fixation on a specific installation box. Due to this, the cover may be universal and be configured to close multiple types of installation boxes, such as installation boxes that are not specifically adapted to cooperate with the cover. Furthermore, less deformation of the cover will result in holes in the coating that correspond to respective installation boxes more precisely.

Finally, it has been found that a cover according to the present invention allows for new types of removal tools to be used for removal of the coating, such as coating removal tools that do not comprise a drill tip. Advantageously, a type of hole saw may be used that does not comprise a drill tip as aligning element, but, for example, a cylindrical rod. Such a removal tool allows for more precise alignment of the removal tool with the guide element, as

-4- dimensions of such an aligning element may be adapted to the guiding element. With a drill tip, such a fine alignment is not possible, due to clearance in the diameter of a drill shank. Additionally, as the cover is typically made from a softer material than the removal tool, the drill may scrape the guide element, potentially resulting in more clearance and an imprecise hole shape. A drill tip may even drill through the guide element, vielding an erroneous hole depth. This may also result in drill dust entering the installation box, or potentially damage the installation box, for example by drilling through it, and/or the removal tool, for example due to contact with the wall material underlying the coating. Furthermore, drilling through the guide element could cause dangerous situations, for example when the drill tip comes in contact with electrical wiring in the installation box. According to the inventive thought, a cover according to the present invention may be used with a removal tool comprising a cylindrical rod as aligning element, which may provide additional precision and safety.

The cover according to the present invention comprises a guiding element, by which a coating removal tool may be guided to remove the coating. The guiding element may guide the removal tool in a predefined direction, for example a direction that is advantageous for removal of the coating, such as a direction towards the coating, for example a direction perpendicular to the wall. The guiding element may have a longitudinal centre axis in this direction.

The guiding element may be configured to, in the covering position of the cover, guide the coating removal tool in a guiding direction, at a predefined angle with respect to the cover, such perpendicular to the cover. Additionally, the guiding element may be configured to limit a removal depth for the removal tool. As such, the position and dimensions of the guide element can advantageously be designed for safe and efficient removal of the coating.

The guide element may further be configured to cooperate with common coating removal tools, such as drills, cutters or hole saws. As such, no specific special tool would be required for cooperation with the cover. In the covering position, the guide element may be arranged to guide a coating removal tool in the predefined direction at a removal location, for example by allowing axial movement of the coating removal tool up to a limited removal depth, while delimiting radial movement of the coating removal tool, such that the coating removal tool stays axially aligned with the guide element during removal of the coating. Therewith, a hole may be created that has a specific location, size and/or shape, which may precisely correspond to an installation box.

-5.

The cover further comprises an indicator, which is configured to indicate the removal location for the removal tool. The indicator may allow to locate the guiding element for axial alignment of the coating removal tool therewith, even when other parts of the cover and/or the guide element are not visible, for example when the cover is located behind a coating.

The indicator may be positioned at the removal location itself, or on another position, in such a way that the removal location may be found easily, for example by having multiple indicators surrounding the removal location. In the covering position of the cover, the indicator may, for example, indicate a location that is representative for the cover, such as the centre, top or bottom of the cover, or a location that is representative for an element, such as the guide element. The indicator may comprise any indicator that allows indication after application of the coating over the cover, in order to easily align a coating removal tool with a location on the cover, such as the guiding element. The indicator may, for example be, an optical ar magnetic indicator.

The cover further comprises a shielding element, which may at least partially avoid ingress of the coating in the guide element and/or coverage of the guide element by the coating, during or after application of a coating on the wall. The shielding element may be designed to act as a barrier between the guide element and a coating. The shielding element may be configured to temporarily close the guiding element completely. Alternatively, the shielding element may only close the guiding element partially, or not close the guiding element, such that still a small amount of coating may ingress the guide element. A small amount of coating in the guide element and/or covering may not be problematic for guiding the removal tool when the guide element remains sufficiently exposed to allow for guiding of a coating removal tool, without prior removal of the coating with a coating removal tool, such as a drill or demolition hammer. The shielding element may also be arranged to shield the guide element by a creating a distance between the shielding element and a coating, such that ingress of the coating and/or covering the guide element with the coating is avoided without closing the guide element.

The shielding element may comprise a flexible material, which may be advantageous for shielding properties. A flexible material may allow for a shielding element that adapts to the shape of the guide element. Additionally, applying the coating may be performed easier as a flexible material may bend along with any coating application tools.

In an embodiment, the shielding element is a movable shielding element, arranged movably with respect to the cover, wherein the movable shielding element is configured to be

-6- movable between a shielding position, wherein the shielding element at least partially shields the guide element, and a non-shielding position, wherein the shielding element allows the removal tool to be guided by the guide element.

By having a movable shielding element, the shielding element may selectively be positioned in a shielding position to allow insertion of a coating removal tool or be positioned in the non-shielding position to expose the guide element. The movement between the shielding position and the non-shielding position may, for example, be induced by a movement of the coating removal tool, for example by insertion of a coating removal tool in the guide element. Therewith, a coating removal tool may be aligned with and/or inserted in the guide element without prior removal of coating from the guide element A movable shielding element may be advantageous For example, when coating is applied over the shielding element, a movement of the shielding element towards the non- shielding position may cause the applied coating to be removed, for example by pushing the coating in the movement direction of the shielding element. Thus, the guiding element may be exposed by a movement of the shielding element from the shielding position to the non- shielding position, without prior drilling and/or breaking through the coating. As such, a coating removal tool may be aligned with the guiding element immediately upon application.

In a further embodiment, the shielding element is removable from the cover. A removable shielding element may designed as a disposable shielding element, which is configured to shield the guiding element only once. The removable shielding element may, for example, be integrally connected to the cover in the shielding position, wherein movement of the shielding element towards the non-shielding position requires breaking the connection between the shielding element and the cover. Therewith, the removable shielding element cannot be held in the shielding position any more, and reuse of the removable shielding element and/or the cover can be avoided. During use, a cover may wear or deform slightly, which could potentially result in a less precise location, size and/or shape of the hole in the coating. Additionally, shielding properties of the shielding element may potentially decline due time and/or usage. When reuse is impossible, these disadvantages are prevented. In an embodiment, the guide element comprises an opening extending through the cover wall. An opening through the cover wall allows for a coating removal tool protruding through the cover wall Therewith, an aligning element of a coating removal tool, such as a

-7- central drill tip of a hole saw, may be accommodated in the installation box, extending through the cover wall. Furthermore, this embodiment allows a longitudinal centre axis of the opening to coincide with a central axis of the installation box, such that the aligning element of the coating removal tool may be aligned with the centre of the installation box. Additionally, an opening can be shielded easily by means of a lid. As such, the opening may be shielded by a movable lid.

In an embodiment, the guide element comprises a sleeve, configured to guide a removal tool for removal of the coating. The sleeve may be configured to extend from the cover wall in the guiding direction. In this example, a longitudinal centre axis of the sleeve may be arranged parallel to the guiding direction, in particular, the longitudinal centre axis of the sleeve may coincide with the guiding direction. The sleeve may, for example be arranged transverse to the cover wall, for example perpendicular to the cover wall.

The sleeve may have a shape advantageous for guiding a coating removal tool, the shape may for example be a hollow cylinder, wherein outer ends of the cylinder are open. Alternatively, one of the outer ends of the hollow cylinder may be closed, providing additional protection to an installation box. A cylindrical shape may be advantageous for guiding a coating removal tool, as it allows for continuous guidance having a constant distance between the removal tool and the sleeve. This way, by dimensioning the diameter of the sleeve, a predetermined radial clearance of a guided removal tool with respect to the sleeve may be provided continuously, potentially providing a more precise hole in the coating compared to a tapered sleeve, as the clearance between the tapered sleeve and the guided coating removal tool would not be constant during removal of the coating.

In an embodiment, the guide element comprises an opening extending through the cover wall and a sleeve, aligned with the opening. In this embodiment, the sleeve may be arranged to, in the covering position, extend into the installation box. Advantageously, an outer end of the sleeve that extends into the installation box comprises an end surface that is closed, such that no contact between the installation box, any contents therein, and a coating removal tool guided by the sleeve can occur. Additionally, ingress of drilling dust may effectively be prevented. The sleeve may be designed to have a closed end surface, or have an open end surface which is arranged to, in the covering position, be closed by a side of the installation box.

-8- The sleeve may be formed integrally with the cover wall, which allows for easy production of the sleeve, for example by injection moulding.

In an embodiment, the sleeve is a detachable sleeve, which is at least partially detachably arranged on the cover wall. Having a sleeve that is at least partially detachable allows for usage of the cover on an installation box that has already been provided with contents therein, which may block the insertion of a sleeve, as may be required for positioning the cover in the covering position, in which the sleeve extends into the installation box.

The detachable sleeve may be fully detachable or, alternatively, be partially detachable, such that a portion of the sleeve can be detached from another portion of the sleeve that is fixed to the cover wall. This way, multiple detachable portions may be provided. As such, one cover may be provided that can be positioned on multiple types of installation boxes, both without and with contents, such as electrical wiring, being provided therein.

The detachable sleeve may be detachably arranged on the cover wall by means of a shap fit connection, a screw connection, or a breaking connection. A breaking connection here is to be understood as a connection provided that is provided with a weakened section along a break line. The sleeve may, for example, be weakened along the break line by having a locally reduced wall thickness along the break line. As such, the sleeve may be detached from the cover wall by moving the sleeve with respect to the cover wall, such that the weakened section breaks and/or ruptures along the break line, and the cover may be positioned in the covering position while the sleeve is detached.

In an embodiment, the opening is circular and the sleeve is a cylinder having an inner diameter equal to an inner diameter of the opening. As such, a coating removal tool may be axially aligned with the opening, after which it may be inserted into the sleeve. As such, no radial movement of a coating removal tool is required for insertion of a coating removal tool into the sleeve. In this embodiment, the inner walls of the sleeve may extend transverse to the opening, without a tapered or funnel-shaped section, for example perpendicular. As such, radial forces and bending forces exerted on the cover are greatly reduced.

In an embodiment, an indicator may, for example, be arranged on one side of the cover wall, while the sleeve may be arranged on another side of the cover wall, extending into the installation box. This way, dimensions of the sleeve do not affect sliding of an application tool over the cover, for example during the application of the coating, and the sleeve may be optimised for guiding a coating removal tool.

-9- Advantageously, the sleeve may provide additional stiffness to the cover. Additionally, the sleeve may be configured to distribute forces over the cover, or to transferring forces towards the installation box. This way, deformation and/or movement of the cover due to, for example, radial forces and bending forces exerted on the cover by a coating removal tool may advantageously be limited.

In an embodiment, the sleeve is configured to, in the covering position, delimit movement of the cover towards the installation box. During application of a coating over the wall, the cover may be pushed into the wall, towards the installation box. By delimiting this movement with the sleeve, movement of the cover may be effectively avoided, and an evenly distributed application of coating may be facilitated. Additionally, bending of the cover may be prevented.

In a further embodiment, the sleeve is adapted to delimit movement of the cover towards the installation box by touching an inner side of the installation box in the covering position, for example by touching an inner side of the installation box with the end surface of the sleeve. The sleeve may, for example, extend from the cover wall with a depth, such that the end surface is arranged at the depth from the cover wall, in the covering position into the installation box towards an opposing inner side of the installation box. The sleeve may be dimensioned such, that the depth of the end surface of the sleeve is equal to a depth of a common installation box.

In an embodiment, the movable shielding element comprises a removable lid, associated with the opening, wherein the removable lid is arranged to, in a shielding position, shield the opening.

In an embodiment, the movable lid is removable from the cover. As such, removal of the removable lid from the cover may expose the guide element. In this case, no specific non- shielding position may be defined; any position of a removed cover wherein the guide element is exposed may be regarded as a non-shielding position.

In an embodiment, the removable lid comprises a first side, configured to, in the shielding position, face the coating, and a second side, configured to, in the shielding position, face the guide element, wherein the removable lid is configured to be removed from the shielding position by application of a force. The removable lid may seal the guide element by closing the opening with the second side.

-10- The removable lid may be moved away from the shielding position by application of a force on the removable lid, for example by pushing or pulling, such as pushing with the coating removal tool on the first side, or by pulling the removable lid on the first side thereof. In this case. Advantageously, when the removable lid is positioned in the shielding position, covering the opening, the lid may be removed by application of a force parallel to a longitudinal centre axis of the guide element In an embodiment, the removable lid further comprises an elongate tab, extending from the first side of the removable lid, configured to, in the shielding position, protrude trough the coating. In this embodiment, a part of the tab may form the indicator, and the removable lid is configured to be removed from the shielding position by application of a force on the tab. For example, the outer end of the tab may protrude trough a coating after application thereof, and therewith, the outer end of the tab forms the indicator.

The tab may, for example, extend perpendicular to the first side of the removable lid with an extension length, in a direction along the longitudinal centre axis of the guide element. The tab may be integrally formed with the lid, which would allow for economic production, or arranged as a separate element attached to the lid. In the latter case the tab may extend through an aperture in the lid, and may for example be held attached to the lid by a friction force between the aperture and the tab.

The tab may ease removal of the lid from the opening, as the tab provides a grip for a user for the application of a force. Additionally, the tab may have an extension length that is larger than or equal to an expected coating thickness. As such, the tab may still be visible after application of a coating on the wall, and the tab may visually indicates a removal location for the coating removal tool.

The tab may advantageously comprise a flexible material. As such the tab may bend during the application of a coating on the wall. As a coating, such as plaster or stucco, is usually applied over larger surfaces, sliding of an application tool over the cover may occur during the application of the coating. It has been found that an elongate tab may hamper sliding of the application tool over the cover. Instead, a flexible tab may bend along with the tool, such that the tool may slide over the tab. Therewith, the tab, in the shielding position of the removable lid, when the cover is arranged in the covering position, does not hamper the application of a coating.

-11 - In an embodiment, the tab comprises a pull-out section and a transverse section, extending transverse to the pull-out section, wherein the tab is movably attached to the lid. The tab may advantageously be movable in a direction that, in the shielding and covering position, is perpendicular to the wall, for example a direction parallel to the longitudinal centre axis of the guide element. Having a movable tab may be advantageous as it allows for adjustment of the extension length. Therewith, the tab may be adjusted an extension length that is advantageous for the application of a coating on the wall, for example an extension length that is larger than or equal to an expected coating thickness, such that any influence of the tab on the sliding of an application tool may be minimised. Furthermore, a movable tab may be advantageous as it allows for adjustment of the extension length of the tab during, or after, application of a coating. For example, the tab may be pulled out, away from the first side of the lid, in order to increase the extension length, or vice versa. As such, one may guarantee visibility of the tab even with an unexpected thickness of the applied coating.

The tab may be provided with one transverse section. Alternatively, multiple transverse sections may be provided on the tab. For example, when the tab extends on two sides of the lid, a transverse section may be provided on each side of the lid. As such, movement of the tab out of the lid is prevented on both sides of the lid.

In an embodiment, a first part of the pull-out section extends at least partially on the first side of the lid and a second part of the pull-out section extends at least partially on the second side of the lid.

In an embodiment, the transverse section is integrally connected to pull-out section on the second side of the lid, and the transverse section is configured to delimit movement of the pull-out section with respect to the lid. The transverse section may, for example, be formed as a T-piece, comprising arms that extend transverse to the pull-out section.

In an embodiment, multiple transverse sections are arranged on the pull-out section.

For example, one transverse section may be provided on a first side of the lid, and a second transverse section may be provided on a second side of the lid. This way, movement of the tab with respect to the lid may be delimited in two directions.

In an embodiment wherein the tab is arranged in the lid through an aperture, the transverse section may comprise parts that are too large to move through the aperture, such that movement of the tab with respect to the lid is delimited therewith.

-12- A combination of a pull-out section and a transverse section allows for adjustment of the extension length of the indicator, while overextension of the indicator, which may potentially lead to breakage or detachment of the indicator form the lid, is effectively avoided.

Additionally, pulling or pushing the tab in this embodiment will lead to adjustment of the length of the pull-out section until being delimited by the transverse section. Then, further application of a force on the tab, such as by further pushing or pulling, may lead to the transverse section transferring the force the removable lid, which may cause movement of the removable lid, for example between the shielding and non-shielding positions. As such, the removable lid may be moved from a shielding position to a non-shielding position by application of a force on the pull-out section of the tab.

In an embodiment, the cover further comprises a recessed front portion. The recessed front portion is arranged to extend from the cover wall with a recess depth, and in the covering position thus to extend into the installation box with a recess depth. The recessed front portion may, for example, be a recessed portion of the side of the cover that is configured to, in the covering position, face the coating. The recessed portion of the side may be positioned at a recess depth in a direction towards the other side of the cover, which is configured to face the installation box.

The recessed front portion may, for example be shaped as a square recess, or as a conical recess. Alternatively, the whole cover may have a conical shape. The recessed front portion provides space for protrusions extending from the cover.

In an embodiment, the indicator extends from the cover at the recessed front portion, As such, it is further prevented that the indicator hampers sliding of a coating application tool over the cover. The depth of the recess may advantageously be equal to an extension length of the indicator.

The cover may be used with an installation box that is configured to be surface- mounted or flush-mounted in a wall. The person skilled in the art will understand, that, in addition to a wall, the installation box may be provided on any other suitable type of surface, such as a roof or floor surface. The installation box may be an installation box for electrical wiring and/or electrical equipment, but the installation box may also be configured for the arrangement of piping or other utilities therein, for example for fluids, such as a gas- or water meter, or for a television, a phone or an internet connection.

-13- The invention further provides a set of an installation box and a cover for protection of the installation box during the application of a coating on a wall, comprising: - a cover according to any of the claims 1-14; and - an installation box, for example a flush-mounted electrical outlet box.

For easy installation, an installation box may be provided with a cover pre-installed. The cover may be designed as to allow for universal application on a variety of installation boxes. Alternatively, an installation box and a cover may be adapted for optimal cooperation, such that efficiency and precision of the coating removal process may be further optimised.

In an embodiment, the installation bon box comprises an engaging element for engagement with the cover, wherein the cover is configured to engage with the installation box by touching the engaging element. The engaging element may for example be arranged on an inner side of the installation box, and may comprise a cavity and/or a protrusion. Cavities and/or protrusions may be required in an installation box to allow for insertion of cables or pipes and/or for fixation of the installation box. The cover may be configured to engage with the installation box, for example by surrounding the protrusion and/or by filling the cavity, such that a type of male-female connector is formed. By dimensioning the male- female connection, friction forces arranged therein may be adjusted to achieve a desired connection strength. Alternatively, the engaging element may be designed specifically for easy engagement with the cover. The engaging element may, for example, form a snap-fit, screw or bayonet connection. As such, the cover may be held firmly in place in the installation box by the engaging element, and additional fastening means, such as screws may not be required.

In an embodiment, the cover is configured to engage with the installation box by touching the engaging element with the sleeve. Therewith, the sleeve provides for guiding of a coating removal tool and engagement with the installation box, and combines multiple functions, allowing for an efficient design. Furthermore, the engaging element may be configured to engage with the cover by touching the sleeve.

Advantageously, dimensions of the sleeve may be adapted to a depth of the installation box, such that engagement is optimized. For example, a length of the sleeve from the outer end at the cover to the other outer end of the sleeve, may be substantially equal to a depth of the installation box, from the cover towards an opposing inner side. For example, the length of the sleeve may be 30 — 60 mm.

-14 - The present invention provides a set for creating a hole in a coating having a location, size and a shape adapted to an installation box, comprising: - a cover according to any of claims 1-14; and - aremoval tool for removal of the coating, such as a hole saw.

The cover may be configured to be used with different types of coating removal tools. However, a specific removal tool may also be designed to optimise cooperation with the cover, in order to provide for easy, efficient and precise creation of a hole in a coating.

In an embodiment, the removal tool for removal of the coating comprises an alignment tool, wherein the alignment tool is a smooth cylindrical rod, and wherein the dimensions of the cylindrical rod are adapted to cooperate with the guiding element. The smoothness of the cylindrical rod does not necessarily refer to the surface condition of the rod, but should be read as substantially cylindrical, without helix-shaped drill elements and/or without a drill tip. As such, drilling through the guide element may be prevented and greater precision may be achieved.

The coating removal tool, such as a hole saw, may be provided with an alignment tool that provides axial alignment. The diameter of the smooth cylindrical rod may be optimised, for example be substantially equal to the guiding element, to provide precise alignment with the guiding element. Additionally, the length of the rod may be optimised, for example be substantially equal to or larger than the guide element, to provide for a limitation of maximum coating removal depth In an embodiment, the length of the alignment tool is equal to the length of the sleeve, plus a maximum removal depth of the coating removal tool, minus a desired coating removal depth.

The invention provides a method for creating a hole in a coating having a location, size and a shape adapted to an installation box, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a. positioning a cover according to any of the claims 1-14 in a covering position; applying a coating, such as stucco, plaster or drywall, over the wall; and b. waiting for the coating to harden and/or cure; According to an embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of: a. moving a movable shielding element to a non-shielding position, wherein the shielding element does not shield the guide element; b. guiding a removal tool with the guide element for removal of the coating; and c. removing the cover from the covering position.

-15- According to the present invention, an installation box may be protected by the cover during the application of a coating on the wall, to avoid ingress of the coating into the installation box, and/or to allow easy application of the coating.

The cover is configured to allow removal of coating around the installation box, such that a hole can be created in the coating, having a location, size and shape adapted to the installation box. A removal location may be indicated by the indicator. The hole may be created at the removal location by a coating removal tool, which can be guided by the guiding element. As the guide element is at least partially shielded from the coating, disadvantageous ingress of the coating in the guide element and/or coverage of the guide element by the coating during removal of the coating is avoided. This has several advantages: First of all, it has been found that a removal tool may be axially aligned with the guide element immediately upon application, before removal of the coating with the removal tool.

Secondly, the need to align the coating removal tool during removal of the coating is removed, such that radial forces are reduced. Finally, a cover according to the present invention allows for new types of removal tools to be used for removal of the coating, such as coating removal tools that do not comprise a drill tip. Thus, according to the present method, a hole may be created in the coating around the installation box efficiently, precisely and safely.

Brief description of the drawings Further characteristics of the invention will be explained below, with reference to embodiments, which are displayed in the appended drawings, in which: Figure 1 schematically depicts a side view of an embodiment of the cover according to the present invention, Figure 2A schematically depicts a front view of on the embodiment of the cover of figure 1, wherein the removable lid is arranged in the shielding position, Figure 2B schematically depicts a front view of on an embodiment of the cover of figure 1, wherein the removable lid is arranged in a non-shielding position, Figure 3 schematically depicts a side view of an embodiment of a set of an installation box and a cover, comprising the cover of figure 1, Figure 4A schematically depicts a side view of a removal tool of an embodiment of a set for creating a hole in a coating according to the present invention, Figure 4B schematically depicts a side view of a removal tool of another embodiment of a set for creating a hole in a coating according to the present invention,

-16 - Figures 5A-5D schematically depict side views of steps according to an embodiment of the method for creating a hole in a coating according to the present invention. Figure 6 schematically depicts a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a cover according to the present invention.

Throughout the figures, the same reference numerals are used to refer to corresponding components or to components that have a corresponding function. Detailed description of embodiments A side view of an embodiment of the cover according to the present invention is schematically depicted in Figure 1, and a front view is depicted in Figure 2A. Figure 3 schematically depicts a side view of an embodiment of a set (71) of an installation box (70) and a cover (1), comprising the cover of figure 1. The figures show a cover (1) for protecting an installation box (70) during the application of a coating of a wall, comprising a cover wall (5), configured to cover the installation box (70), a guide element (2), configured to guide a removal tool, and an indicator (3), for indicating a removal location for the removal tool. The installation box (70) may be an electrical outlet box that is flush-mounted in wall (91), comprising closed sides with openings for electrical wiring. The front side of the installation box, which may be flush with the wall (91), is open. The cover (1) can be positioned in a covering position, in which it is closing the installation box (70) as shown in Figure 2A, 2B and 3. The guide element comprises an opening (21) extending through the cover wall (5), and a sleeve (22), aligned with the opening (21), and arranged perpendicularly to the cover wall (5), arranged to, in the covering position, extend into the installation box (70), such that a longitudinal axis (A-A) of the sleeve coincides with a guiding direction for the coating removal tool, perpendicular to a wall (91). The sleeve extends from the cover wall (5) along the circumference of the opening (21), towards an end surface (24). The sleeve may be closed by the end surface, as shown in Figure 1. Alternatively, the sleeve may comprise an open end surface (24), as shown in Figure 6.

The sleeve (22) may be a detachable sleeve, detachably arranged on the cover wall (5) by means of a breaking connection having a weakened section along a break line (23), located on the circumference of sleeve (22). The break line may be located at any longitudinal position of the sleeve, for example halfway, as shown in Figure 6, or nearby the opening (21). The sleeve may be detached from the cover wall by moving the sleeve with respect to the cover, such that the weakened section breaks and/or ruptures along the break line (23), while the opening (21) remains intact. Depending on the location of the break line (23) along the sleeve (22), the sleeve may be entirely or partially detachable from the cover wall (5).

-17 - The sleeve may be tapered as shown. In another embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, the sleeve may be cylindrical. In the embodiment of Figure 6, the opening (21) is circular and the sleeve is a cylinder having an inner diameter (D2) equal to an inner diameter (D1) of the opening.

The sleeve is configured to guide a removal tool (80) for removal of the coating. The sleeve may comprise an end surface (24), arranged at a depth (L2) from the cover wall (5). The end surface (24) of the sleeve is configured to touch an inner side (72) of the installation box (70) in the covering position. The inner side (72) of the installation box (70) may comprise a cavity (73), arranged on an inner side thereof. The installation box may have a depth (L1), equal to the depth (L2) of the end surface (24) of the sleeve. This way, the sleeve (22) may delimit movement of the cover towards the installation box (70), by touching the cavity (73) arranged on the inner side (71) of the installation box (70) in the covering position with the end surface (24), as shown in Figure 3. The cover is configured to engage with the installation box by using the cavity (73) as engaging element for engagement with the cover.

The cover (1) further comprises a shielding element (4), which is a movable shielding element, arranged movably with respect to the cover (1). The movable shielding element is a removable lid, associated with the opening (21), and arranged to, in the shielding position of Figure 2B, shield the opening. The removable lid (4) comprises a first side (F), which, when the installation box (70) is positioned in a wall, as in Figure 3, may face a coating that is applied on the wall (91). The removable lid also comprises a second side (S), which is configured to face the guide element, in particular the sleeve (22). The second side (S) may be directed towards an inner part of the installation box, particularly the inner side (71).

The cover comprises a recessed front portion (6), arranged to, in the covering position, extend from the cover wall (5) into the installation box (70) with a recess depth (D4). The recessed front portion (6) may be tapered, as in Figure 1, or cylindrical, as in Figure 6.. The removable lid comprises an elongate tab (31). An outer end (3) of the tab forms the indicator, as it extends from the first side (F) of the removable lid (4). The removable lid is arranged in the recessed front portion (6) of the cover (1). The removable lid can be removed from the shielding position by pulling on the removable lid from the first side (F) in a direction parallel to a longitudinal centre axis (A-A) of the guide element (2), by application of a force on the tab (31). The tab is manufactured from a flexible material and comprises a pull-out section (32) and a transverse section (33), extending transverse to the pull-out section. The tab is movably attached to the removable lid (4), in a direction parallel to the longitudinal centre axis (A-A) of the guide element. By pulling the tab on the pull-out section (32), the extension

-18- length with respect to the lid can be modified, as the tab slides through the cover (4). In this embodiment, the tab does not elongate substantially, but moves within the removable lid (4), such that the section that extends at least partially on the first side (F) of the lid becomes larger and a second part of the pull-out section extends at least partially on the second side (S) of the lid becomes smaller. The transverse section (33) is integrally connected to the second part of the pull-out section (32) on the second side of the lid, and delimits movement of the pull-out section with respect to the removable lid, by touching the lid (4) with the transverse section (33).

As shown in Figure 8, multiple transverse sections (33) may be arranged on the pull- out section (32). As such, one transverse section may be provided that faces the first side (F) of the lid, and a second transverse section may be provided that faces the second side (S) of the lid. This way, movement of the tab (31) with respect to the lid (4) may be delimited in two directions.

Figures 4A and 4B schematically depict a side views of removal tools (80) of embodiments of a set that may be used for creating a hole in a coating having a location, size and a shape adapted to an installation box. A removal tool, as known in the art, may be a circular hole saw, having a diameter (D3) adapted to a diameter of the installation box. A hole saw typically comprises an alignment tool (81). In the state of the art, the alignment tool (81) needs to be a drill (83). The alignment tool avoids radial movement of the tool during operation. Owing to the invention, the tool can be aligned with the guide element directly, without prior exposure of the guide element by removal of coating. Therefore, a different type of removal tool may be used, wherein the alignment tool is a smooth cylindrical rod (82), as shown in figure 4B. By adjusting length (L3) with respect to a length of the guide element and the maximum removal depth (M) of the removal tool (80}, the smooth cylindrical rod (82) may be designed for cooperation with the guide element.

Figures 5A-5D schematically depict side views of steps according to an embodiment of the method for creating a hole in a coating according to the present invention. An installation box (70) as shown in Figure 3 is flush-mounted in a wall (91). A cover (1) has been positioned in a covering position on the installation box (70). A coating (90), in this case stucco, has been applied over the wall. During application, an extension length of the indicator (31) can be modified by pushing or puling the tab (31). The movement of the tab is delimited by contact between the movable lid (4) and the transverse section (33). By pulling the tab (31) further, the transverse section (33), is pulled through the coating (90), moving the movable lid (4) into a non-shielding position, no longer shielding the sleeve (22). Additionally, this results

-19- in a small opening (92) in the coating (90), causing the guide element to be exposed. This allows alignment of a coating removal tool with the longitudinal axis of the guide element (A- A), as shown in Figure 5B.

As depicted in Figure 5C, a coating removal tool (80) can now be guided for precise removal of the coating (90). Finally, the cover (1) can be removed out of the installation box (70) and a hole (93) results, having the location size and shape adapted to the installation box.

Claims (21)

-20- CONCLUSIONS A cover (1) for protecting an installation box (70), for example a built-in electrical socket, during the application of a coating to a wall, the cover comprising: - a covering wall (5), adapted to cover the installation box cover; - a guide element (2) arranged to guide a removal tool in a guiding direction for removing the coating (20); and - an indicator (3) arranged to indicate a removal location for the removal tool; the cover being arranged to be positioned in a cover position for temporarily closing the installation box with the cover wall to prevent the cover layer from penetrating therein, the cover further comprising: - a screening element (4) arranged around the guide element (2 ) at least partially shielded to prevent penetration of the coating (90) therein. A cover according to claim 1, wherein the screening element (4) is a movable screening element movably arranged with respect to the cover (1), and wherein the movable screening element is adapted to be movable between a screening position in which the screening element at least partially shielding the guide member, and a non-shielding position, in which the shielding member allows guiding of the removal tool (80) through the guide member (2). A cover according to claim 2, wherein the guide element comprises an opening (21) extending through the cover wall (5), the movable screening element comprising a removable cover (4) cooperating with the opening (21), and wherein the removable cover lid is adapted to shield the opening in the shielding position. The cover of claim 3, wherein the removable cover comprises a first side (F) adapted to face the cover layer in the shielding position, and a second side (S) adapted to face the guide member in the shielding position. to be, -21- wherein the movable cover is adapted to be removed from the shielding position by applying a force, for example by pushing and/or pulling, to the removable cover, for example by applying a force to the first side in a direction parallel to a central longitudinal axis (AA) of the guide element. The cover of claim 4, wherein the removable cover further comprises an elongate lip (31) extending from the first side (F) of the removable cover (41 adapted to protrude through the cover layer in the shielding position, wherein one end of the tab forms the indicator (3), and wherein the removable cover (1) is adapted to be removed from the shielding position by applying a force to the tab (31). The cover of claim 5, wherein the tab comprises an extendable portion (32) and a transverse portion (33) extending transversely of the extendable portion, the tab (31) being movably attached to the removable cover (4), for example movable in a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis (AA) of the guide element, the transverse portion (33) being fixedly connected to the extendable portion (32) on the second side (S) of the cover, and wherein the transverse portion (33 ) is adapted to limit movement of the extendable portion relative to the removable cover. A cover according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the lip (31) is made of a flexible material. A cover according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the guide element (2) further comprises a sleeve (22), aligned with the opening (21) and arranged to extend, in the cover position, into the installation box (70). stretching, wherein the sleeve is arranged to guide a removal tool (80) for removing the coating. A cover according to claim 8, wherein the sleeve comprises an end surface (24), the end surface (24) being arranged to abut, in the cover position, an inner side (72) of the installation box (70). A cover according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the opening {21) is circular, and wherein the sleeve is a cylinder having an inner diameter (D2) equal to an inner diameter (D1) of the opening (21). -22- Cover according to claim 10, wherein the sleeve is arranged perpendicular to the cover wall (5), in particular wherein a central longitudinal axis (A-A) of the sleeve corresponds to the guiding direction. A cover according to claim 11, wherein the sleeve (22) is a releasable sleeve, which is at least partially releasably attached to the cover wall (5). A cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide element is adapted, in the cover position, to guide the removing tool in a guiding direction (A-A) perpendicular to the wall. A cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover further comprises a recessed front portion (6), the recessed front portion being arranged to extend, in the cover position, from the cover wall (5) into the installation box with a recess depth. (D4), and wherein the indicator (3) extends from the cover to the recessed front portion. A set (71) of an installation box and a cover for protecting the installation box during the application of a coating to a wall, comprising: - a cover (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; and - an installation box (70), for example a built-in electrical socket. A set (71) according to claim 15, comprising the cover (1) according to any one of claims 8-12, wherein the end surface (24) of the sleeve is arranged at a depth (L2) from the cover wall (5), and wherein the end surface (24) is adapted to abut an interior (72) of the installation box to limit movement of the cover relative to the installation box, in particular wherein a depth (L1) of the installation box is equal to the depth ( L2} of the end surface (24) of the sleeve. A set of an installation box and a cover according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the installation box comprises a coupling element (73), for example a cavity and/or a protrusion, arranged on an inner side (72) thereof, for coupling to the cover. 18. A coating hole kit having a location, size and shape adapted to an installation box, comprising: -23- - a cover according to any one of claims 1-14; and - a removal tool for removing the coating, in particular a hole saw. The coating hole setting set of claim 18, wherein the coating removal tool comprises an alignment tool (81), the alignment tool being a smooth cylindrical bar (82), and wherein the dimensions of the cylindrical rod are adapted to cooperate with the guide member. A method of making a hole (93) in a cover layer having a location, size and shape adapted to an installation box, the method comprising the steps of: a. positioning a cover according to any one of claims 1-14 in a cover position; b. waiting for the coating to dry and/or harden; The method of creating a hole in a coating according to claim 20, further comprising the steps of: a. moving a movable shield member into a non-shielding position, wherein the shield member does not shield the guide member; b. guiding a removal tool with the guiding element to remove the coating; and c. removing the cover from the cover position.