Rainproof recessed outlet box

7005578
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Inventors

Gretz, Thomas J.

Application #

009116

Filed

Dec-10-2004

Published

Feb-28-2006

Current US Class

174/50
174/57
174/58
174/63
248/906
439/535

International Classes

H01H 9/02     (20060101)

Field of Search

174/57 174/58 174/50 174/63 220/35 220/37 220/402 220/33 220/39 439/535 248/906

Assignee

Arlington Industries, Inc. (Scranton, PA)

Examiners

Patel; Dhiru R.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Jackson, Jr.; Auzville

US Patent References

4265365   Moisture resistant el...
4634015   Adjustable electric...
4988832   Recessed electrical...
5280135   Outdoor electrical o...
5389740   Safety cover for ele...
6437242   Opening mechanis...
6563051   Base and electrical...
6737576   Electrical box asse...
6753471   Outlet box assembly
6808079   Electrical outlet box

Referenced by:

View Backward References

Other References

CA 644,330 Issued Jul. 10, 1962.

Citation

Cite This Patent

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Abstract
A recessed electrical box with a closeable cover member and at least one outward extending flange. The flange serves as a positioning arrangement to recess the electrical box at the correct depth with respect to the surface in which it will be mounted. The recessed electrical box is includes of two pieces, including a one-piece electrical box and a one-piece cover member. The cover member is of minimal size with respect to the electrical box to minimize the cost of construction. The electrical box can be installed on an exterior wall, including either a finished or an unfinished wall. The outward extending flange may include an inner flange for positioning the recessed electrical box with respect to the outer surface of the substrate on an unfinished building. The inner flange is removable to facilitate installation on a finished building, in which the finish layer such as siding or stucco is installed. The recessed electrical box may include a second, outer flange, for recessing the box at the correct depth with respect to a finished surface and to occlude from view the sidewalls of the box at their juncture with the finished surface.
 
Claims
What is claimed is:

1. A recessed electrical box for installation on a surface and comprising:

a first box having side walls, a back wall, a front opening, a front edge surrounding said front opening, and a cavity for receiving an electrical device therein;

a transverse wall portion extending outwards from said front edge and forming a partial back wall of a second box;

said second box including side walls and a front opening;

said side walls of said second box of a depth that said front edge of said first box is positioned substantially behind said surface;

a securement arrangement on said side walls of said first box for securing said electrical device thereto; and



Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to electrical junction boxes and specifically to a recessed outlet box that secures an electrical device substantially behind the exterior of a building for accommodating and protecting a duplex outlet or other electrical device therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the mounting of outlets to the exterior of a building, covered electrical boxes are commonly used for providing a rainproof electrical enclosure. These outdoor electrical enclosures are typically multi-piece structures, typically comprising three or more separate pieces to provide a weatherproof enclosure.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,135 (hereinafter the '135 patent), for example, discloses an outdoor weatherproof electrical outlet cover adapted to be attached in weatherproof connection to an electrical outlet. The outlet cover includes a base plate, insert, gasket, and protective housing that are used in conjunction with an electrical box to provides a weatherproof enclosure for an electrical outlet. Although the outlet cover disclosed in this patent provides adequate protection for the outlet against the weather, it is inordinately complex, requiring a four-piece assembly, in addition to the electrical box. The protective housing itself is quite large, in fact the largest piece in the assembly, as it must project beyond the front of the base plate to allow space for accommodating a couple of three-prong plugs therein. As protective housings or covers for electrical outlets must pass a cold impact test to meet established electrical codes, they are typically constructed of high impact resistant plastics. Therefore the protective housing of the '135 patent, which is a relatively large piece in the assembly described therein, must be constructed of impact resistant plastic, which is significantly more expensive than non-impact resistant plastics. Additionally, the outlet cover of the '135 patent provides for coverage of a standard electrical box in which the outlet is mounted even with the wall surface. In case of a hard impact that breaks the protective housing, there is no additional protection to the outlet, which being mounted at the surface, is subject to impact once the protective housing is broken.
 
  A pullbox assembly for use in wiring having a cylindrical pipe main body having a side wall with handles and or cable holders which double as wire holders...  A recessed electrical box having one or more flanges making it easily adaptable to installation on either a finished or unfinished exterior wall of a building....