WO2021009129A1 - Electric cable back box - Google Patents

Electric cable back box Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2021009129A1
WO2021009129A1 PCT/EP2020/069777 EP2020069777W WO2021009129A1 WO 2021009129 A1 WO2021009129 A1 WO 2021009129A1 EP 2020069777 W EP2020069777 W EP 2020069777W WO 2021009129 A1 WO2021009129 A1 WO 2021009129A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
back box
rear wall
screw
wall
opening
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2020/069777
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Sam SCUTT
Original Assignee
Scutt Sam
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Scutt Sam filed Critical Scutt Sam
Publication of WO2021009129A1 publication Critical patent/WO2021009129A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
    • H02G3/00—Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles
    • H02G3/02—Details
    • H02G3/08—Distribution boxes; Connection or junction boxes
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
    • H02G3/00—Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles
    • H02G3/02—Details
    • H02G3/08—Distribution boxes; Connection or junction boxes
    • H02G3/081—Bases, casings or covers
    • H02G3/083—Inlets
    • H02G3/085—Inlets including knock-out or tear-out sections
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
    • H02G3/00—Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles
    • H02G3/02—Details
    • H02G3/08—Distribution boxes; Connection or junction boxes
    • H02G3/12—Distribution boxes; Connection or junction boxes for flush mounting
    • H02G3/121—Distribution boxes; Connection or junction boxes for flush mounting in plain walls

Definitions

  • This invention relates to back boxes for retaining electrical cabling and wiring in the space behind a wall or ceiling mounted electrical socket or switch.
  • Back boxes are also referred to as pattress boxes for surface mounted applications and dry line or 'fast fix' for stud/plasterboard applications.
  • back box as used below is intended to include all such products.
  • Back boxes for retaining electric cabling in a masonry background are, of course, well known and are commonly produced from a galvanised metallic material. There are several disadvantages to such boxes, these predominantly being that they are prone to corrosion, require earthing and need grommets to protect cables on the entry points. There is also the problem that they have limited fixing points with no visual opportunity to select the best option for a given substrate
  • this invention sets out to provide an electric cable back box which is non-corrosive, non- conductive, and grommet free with a clear view multi-fix rear wall providing multiple fixing points.
  • the invention provides a non-conductive plastics back box for electric cabling, the back box including a flexible rear wall formed with a plurality of spaced screw cups each having a transparent base.
  • screw cup is meant a defined opening through which a screw can pass to secure the rear wall of the back box to a wall or ceiling surface.
  • the entire rear wall is produced from a transparent material.
  • the side walls of the back box which border the flexible rear wall are relatively rigid.
  • the profile of the external surface of each side wall is corrugated and rounded .
  • Each rear and side wall of the back box preferably includes at least one opening through which electric cabling can enter the back box.
  • Each such opening is preferably initially closed by a removable perforated slug; preferably, each said opening is formed with a raised and rounded side wall.
  • the plastics material from which the back box is produced is preferably a recycled plastics material.
  • the transparent base of each screw cup may include lines to indicate the centre of the respective screw cup.
  • an opening to receive a screw may be provided on the transparent base of each screw cup.
  • each screw cup preferably stands proud of the rear wall of the back box.
  • the profile of each side wall of the back box is preferably corrugated and rounded.
  • the invention provides a non-conductive non- corrosive plastics back box for electric cabling, the back box comprising a flexible rear wall bordered by relatively rigid side walls, the rear wall including a plurality of spaced screw cups each formed of a transparent material and each able selectively to receive a screw for securing the back box to a wall or ceiling surface.
  • the invention provides a back box for electric cabling which comprises a flexible rear wall bordered by relatively rigid side walls, the rear wall including a plurality of spaced screw cups each formed with a transparent base, whereby the position of the back box within a wall or ceiling can be adjusted by movement of one or more screws located in one or more of said screw cups.
  • Figure 1 is an isometric view of an electric cable box in accordance with the invention.
  • Figures 2 and 3 are respectively front and rear views of the electric cable back box illustrated in Figure 1;
  • Figures 4 and 5 are side and end views of the back box shown in Figures 1 to 3.
  • the back box illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 is extruded or injection moulded from a plastics material (preferably a recycled plastics material) and comprises a flexible rear wall 10 bordered by relatively rigid side walls 12. Openings 14 through which electric cabling can selectively enter the back box are positioned in the rear wall 10 and each side wall 12.
  • a plastics material preferably a recycled plastics material
  • Each opening 14 is initially closed by a removable perforated slug 16 and is formed with a raised and rounded side wall 17 which avoids the need for conventional grommets.
  • the rear wall 10 includes a multiplicity of screw cups 18 each formed with a clear view multi-fix backing plate 20.
  • Each backing plate may be marked with lines 22 to indicate clearly the centre of the respective screw cup, or may be cut along the marked lines 22, or may include an opening to indicate the centre of the respective screw cup.
  • the entire rear wall 10 is formed of a clear plastics material.
  • each screw cup is rounded and stands proud of the rear wall of the back box.
  • Fixings 24 to receive complementary fixings of a cover plate protrude inwardly from opposed side walls of the back box.
  • the external surfaces of the side walls 12 of the back box are of corrugated rounded profile .
  • a problem encountered when fitting a conventional back box to a wall or ceiling surface is to locate the back box accurately within an opening formed in the wall or ceiling surface so that, when fitted, the removable face plate of the box lies flush with the respective wall or ceiling surface. This problem generally occurs because of the difficulty of ensuring that the rear face of the created wall or ceiling opening is sufficiently precise to ensure that, when fitted, the face plate does lie flush with the respective wall or ceiling surface.
  • back boxes in accordance with the invention are non-conductive and non-corrosive; that they are producible from recycled HDPE plastics material; that no grommets are required when fixing the back box in place; that the flexible rear wall allows for a snug fit to the substrate to which it is to be attached whist keeping screw lugs true and eliminating the risk of cracking; that the curved and corrugated side walls give rigidity and added adhesion when bonding in; that the flexible rear wall enables a snug fit to the substrate while keeping the screw lugs true thereby eliminating or severely reducing the risk of cracking; and that the relatively transparent rear wall provides for the installer a choice of a multiplicity of fixing points to the adjoining substrate surface .
  • back boxes in accordance with the invention require no grommets, they do not require to be earthed, they will not corrode, the multi-fix rear wall enables secure and relatively problem free fixing to a wall or ceiling surface, and that they can be recycled and are fully NIC compliant. It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely exemplary of back boxes in accordance with the invention and that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the appended claims.

Abstract

A back box for electric cabling comprises a flexible rear wall bordered by relatively rigid side walls. The rear wall includes a plurality of spaced screw cups each formed with a transparent base. The position of the back box within a wall or ceiling can be adjusted by movement of one or more screws located in one or more of said screw cups.

Description

ELECTRIC CABLE BACK BOX
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to back boxes for retaining electrical cabling and wiring in the space behind a wall or ceiling mounted electrical socket or switch. Back boxes are also referred to as pattress boxes for surface mounted applications and dry line or 'fast fix' for stud/plasterboard applications.
The term "back box" as used below is intended to include all such products.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
Back boxes for retaining electric cabling in a masonry background are, of course, well known and are commonly produced from a galvanised metallic material. There are several disadvantages to such boxes, these predominantly being that they are prone to corrosion, require earthing and need grommets to protect cables on the entry points. There is also the problem that they have limited fixing points with no visual opportunity to select the best option for a given substrate
In a preferred embodiment, this invention sets out to provide an electric cable back box which is non-corrosive, non- conductive, and grommet free with a clear view multi-fix rear wall providing multiple fixing points. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect the invention provides a non-conductive plastics back box for electric cabling, the back box including a flexible rear wall formed with a plurality of spaced screw cups each having a transparent base.
By the term "screw cup" is meant a defined opening through which a screw can pass to secure the rear wall of the back box to a wall or ceiling surface.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the entire rear wall is produced from a transparent material.
Preferably, the side walls of the back box which border the flexible rear wall are relatively rigid. Preferably, the profile of the external surface of each side wall is corrugated and rounded .
Each rear and side wall of the back box preferably includes at least one opening through which electric cabling can enter the back box. Each such opening is preferably initially closed by a removable perforated slug; preferably, each said opening is formed with a raised and rounded side wall.
The plastics material from which the back box is produced is preferably a recycled plastics material.
The transparent base of each screw cup may include lines to indicate the centre of the respective screw cup. Alternatively, an opening to receive a screw may be provided on the transparent base of each screw cup.
The periphery of each screw cup preferably stands proud of the rear wall of the back box. The profile of each side wall of the back box is preferably corrugated and rounded.
In another aspect, the invention provides a non-conductive non- corrosive plastics back box for electric cabling, the back box comprising a flexible rear wall bordered by relatively rigid side walls, the rear wall including a plurality of spaced screw cups each formed of a transparent material and each able selectively to receive a screw for securing the back box to a wall or ceiling surface.
In a further aspect, the invention provides a back box for electric cabling which comprises a flexible rear wall bordered by relatively rigid side walls, the rear wall including a plurality of spaced screw cups each formed with a transparent base, whereby the position of the back box within a wall or ceiling can be adjusted by movement of one or more screws located in one or more of said screw cups.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which
Figure 1 is an isometric view of an electric cable box in accordance with the invention;
Figures 2 and 3 are respectively front and rear views of the electric cable back box illustrated in Figure 1; and
Figures 4 and 5 are side and end views of the back box shown in Figures 1 to 3. DE TAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The back box illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 is extruded or injection moulded from a plastics material (preferably a recycled plastics material) and comprises a flexible rear wall 10 bordered by relatively rigid side walls 12. Openings 14 through which electric cabling can selectively enter the back box are positioned in the rear wall 10 and each side wall 12.
Each opening 14 is initially closed by a removable perforated slug 16 and is formed with a raised and rounded side wall 17 which avoids the need for conventional grommets.
The rear wall 10 includes a multiplicity of screw cups 18 each formed with a clear view multi-fix backing plate 20. Each backing plate may be marked with lines 22 to indicate clearly the centre of the respective screw cup, or may be cut along the marked lines 22, or may include an opening to indicate the centre of the respective screw cup.
In a preferred arrangement, the entire rear wall 10 is formed of a clear plastics material.
The periphery of each screw cup is rounded and stands proud of the rear wall of the back box.
Fixings 24 to receive complementary fixings of a cover plate protrude inwardly from opposed side walls of the back box.
As will be seen from Figures 4 and 5, the external surfaces of the side walls 12 of the back box are of corrugated rounded profile .
A problem encountered when fitting a conventional back box to a wall or ceiling surface is to locate the back box accurately within an opening formed in the wall or ceiling surface so that, when fitted, the removable face plate of the box lies flush with the respective wall or ceiling surface. This problem generally occurs because of the difficulty of ensuring that the rear face of the created wall or ceiling opening is sufficiently precise to ensure that, when fitted, the face plate does lie flush with the respective wall or ceiling surface.
This problem is one of several overcome with back boxes in accordance with the invention. Thus, by locating screws in selected screw caps 18 and then moving the screws towards and away from the adjoining internal wall or ceiling surface until the back box is so positioned that when the cover plate is positioned to close the back box interior, the cover plate lies truly flush with the respective wall or ceiling surface.
Additional advantages of back boxes in accordance with the invention over conventional galvanised metallic back boxes include that they are non-conductive and non-corrosive; that they are producible from recycled HDPE plastics material; that no grommets are required when fixing the back box in place; that the flexible rear wall allows for a snug fit to the substrate to which it is to be attached whist keeping screw lugs true and eliminating the risk of cracking; that the curved and corrugated side walls give rigidity and added adhesion when bonding in; that the flexible rear wall enables a snug fit to the substrate while keeping the screw lugs true thereby eliminating or severely reducing the risk of cracking; and that the relatively transparent rear wall provides for the installer a choice of a multiplicity of fixing points to the adjoining substrate surface .
Furthermore, back boxes in accordance with the invention require no grommets, they do not require to be earthed, they will not corrode, the multi-fix rear wall enables secure and relatively problem free fixing to a wall or ceiling surface, and that they can be recycled and are fully NIC compliant. It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely exemplary of back boxes in accordance with the invention and that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A non-conductive plastics back box for electric cabling, the back box including a flexible rear wall formed with a plurality of spaced screw cups each having a transparent base .
2. A back box as claimed in claim 1 wherein the entire flexible rear wall is produced from a transparent material.
3. A back box as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the side walls of the back box which border the flexible rear wall are relatively rigid.
4. A back box as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the profile of the external surface of each side wall is corrugated and rounded.
5. A back box as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each rear and side wall includes at least one opening through which electric cabling can enter the back box .
6. A back box as claimed in claim 5 wherein each opening is initially closed by a removable perforated slug.
7. A back box as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 wherein each opening is formed with a raised and rounded side wall.
8. A back box as claimed in any one of the preceding claims produced from a recycled plastics material.
9. A back box as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the transparent base of each screw cup includes lines to indicate the centre of the respective screw cup.
10. A back box as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein each screw cup includes an opening to receive a screw.
11. A back box as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the periphery of each screw cup stands proud of the rear wall of the back box.
12. A back box as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the profile of the external surface of each side wall of the back box is corrugated and rounded.
13. A non-conductive non-corrosive plastics back box for electric cabling, the back box comprising a flexible rear wall bordered by relatively rigid side walls, the rear wall including a plurality of spaced screw cups each formed of a transparent material and each able selectively to receive a screw for securing the back box to a wall or ceiling surface .
14. A back box for electric cabling which comprises a flexible rear wall bordered by relatively rigid side walls, the rear wall including a plurality of spaced screw cups each formed with a transparent base, whereby the position of the back box within a wall or ceiling can be adjusted by movement of one or more screws located in one or more of said screw cups .
PCT/EP2020/069777 2019-07-12 2020-07-13 Electric cable back box WO2021009129A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1910018.9A GB2585697B (en) 2019-07-12 2019-07-12 Electric cable back box
GB1910018.9 2019-07-12

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2021009129A1 true WO2021009129A1 (en) 2021-01-21

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2020/069777 WO2021009129A1 (en) 2019-07-12 2020-07-13 Electric cable back box

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GB (1) GB2585697B (en)
WO (1) WO2021009129A1 (en)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2988148A1 (en) * 2012-03-14 2013-09-20 Legrand France Electric support for fixing on wall for e.g. switchgear, has sealing element including flexible material that is intended to partially cover operational surface of operational head by elastic return after passage of body through element
US20140054285A1 (en) * 2009-09-04 2014-02-27 Southwire Company Electrical accessories and associated methods of use and manufacture
US20190109445A1 (en) * 2017-10-06 2019-04-11 Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. Mounting Mechanism for an Electrical Device
JP2019110618A (en) * 2017-12-15 2019-07-04 未来工業株式会社 Sound insulation cover, sound insulation device, installation structure of wiring accessory and installation method of wiring accessory

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB519413A (en) * 1939-06-21 1940-03-26 Charles Francis Bell Improvements relating to flush-fitting electrical devices
NO170710C (en) * 1990-06-12 1992-11-18 Elektrokontakt As EL-BOX
US5359152A (en) * 1993-04-06 1994-10-25 Hone Lin Tan Structure of wall mounting junction box
GB2464996B (en) * 2008-07-19 2012-12-12 Aka Innovation Ltd Improvements in or relating to back boxes

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20140054285A1 (en) * 2009-09-04 2014-02-27 Southwire Company Electrical accessories and associated methods of use and manufacture
FR2988148A1 (en) * 2012-03-14 2013-09-20 Legrand France Electric support for fixing on wall for e.g. switchgear, has sealing element including flexible material that is intended to partially cover operational surface of operational head by elastic return after passage of body through element
US20190109445A1 (en) * 2017-10-06 2019-04-11 Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. Mounting Mechanism for an Electrical Device
JP2019110618A (en) * 2017-12-15 2019-07-04 未来工業株式会社 Sound insulation cover, sound insulation device, installation structure of wiring accessory and installation method of wiring accessory

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
ANONYMOUS: "Batibox - Boîtier multimédia", 13 February 2012 (2012-02-13), XP055723701, Retrieved from the Internet <URL:https://www.confort-electrique.fr/documentation-technique-legrand-080195-d430-p12170.pdf> [retrieved on 20200819] *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2585697A (en) 2021-01-20
GB2585697B (en) 2021-10-27
GB201910018D0 (en) 2019-08-28

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