CA2127623A1 - Electrical floor box access cover - Google Patents
Electrical floor box access coverInfo
- Publication number
- CA2127623A1 CA2127623A1 CA002127623A CA2127623A CA2127623A1 CA 2127623 A1 CA2127623 A1 CA 2127623A1 CA 002127623 A CA002127623 A CA 002127623A CA 2127623 A CA2127623 A CA 2127623A CA 2127623 A1 CA2127623 A1 CA 2127623A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- cover
- assembly
- sockets
- sides
- covers
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
- Abandoned
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
- H02G3/18—Distribution boxes; Connection or junction boxes providing line outlets
- H02G3/185—Floor outlets and access cups
Abstract
ELECTRICAL FLOOR BOX ACCESS COVER
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE:
Covers for outlets in an electrical floor box are connected with an access plate by snap-fit hinge connections. The covers are swingable through arcs greater than 90° during movement from a closed position to an open position or to an inward storage position. Cooperating pimples and dimples on the covers and plate releasably retain the covers in their closed or storage positions.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE:
Covers for outlets in an electrical floor box are connected with an access plate by snap-fit hinge connections. The covers are swingable through arcs greater than 90° during movement from a closed position to an open position or to an inward storage position. Cooperating pimples and dimples on the covers and plate releasably retain the covers in their closed or storage positions.
Description
T&B 1079 21~762~ PATENT
ELECTRICAL FLOOR BOX ACC~S COVER
1 FIELD OF INVENTION:
This application relates to the art of electrical floor boxes and, more particularly, to access covers for such boxes. Although the invention is particularly suited for use with electrical floor boxes and will be described with specific reference thereto, it will be appreciated that certain features of the invention have broader aspects and can be used in other environments.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
Electrical floor boxes have access covers or panels that can be opened to provide access to the interior of the box for installing outlets and for making connections to the outlets. The present application concerns an improved access cover assembly for these purposes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
A cover assembly for electrical floor boxes includes an access plate having an opening therein. The access plate itself is hinged to a frame attached to the box for providing access to the entire interior of the box. The opening in the access plate receives hinged covers for providing access to outlets for making connections thereto.
The improved cover of the present application has a snap-fit hinge connection within the access plate opening.
A cover is swingable from a closed position to either of opposite open and storage positions. The cover swings through an arc greater than 90 to each position.
- Retaining means is providing for releasably retaining a cover in its closed or storage positions. The retaining means comprises pimples and dimples between the , 30 cover sides and the opening sides. The dimples are preferably on the opening sides and the pimples are on the cover sides.
ELECTRICAL FLOOR BOX ACC~S COVER
1 FIELD OF INVENTION:
This application relates to the art of electrical floor boxes and, more particularly, to access covers for such boxes. Although the invention is particularly suited for use with electrical floor boxes and will be described with specific reference thereto, it will be appreciated that certain features of the invention have broader aspects and can be used in other environments.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
Electrical floor boxes have access covers or panels that can be opened to provide access to the interior of the box for installing outlets and for making connections to the outlets. The present application concerns an improved access cover assembly for these purposes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
A cover assembly for electrical floor boxes includes an access plate having an opening therein. The access plate itself is hinged to a frame attached to the box for providing access to the entire interior of the box. The opening in the access plate receives hinged covers for providing access to outlets for making connections thereto.
The improved cover of the present application has a snap-fit hinge connection within the access plate opening.
A cover is swingable from a closed position to either of opposite open and storage positions. The cover swings through an arc greater than 90 to each position.
- Retaining means is providing for releasably retaining a cover in its closed or storage positions. The retaining means comprises pimples and dimples between the , 30 cover sides and the opening sides. The dimples are preferably on the opening sides and the pimples are on the cover sides.
2 ~ 2 7 g ~ r~
1 A cover has a free end portion with end surfaces that slope in generally opposite directions. Each sloping end surface extends along approximately one-half of a cover width.
S The cover has a hinge end portion that includes an external cylindrical surface extending between cover top and bottom surfaces. Hinge sockets are provided in the opposite sides of the hinge end portion. Grooves extend from the bottom surface of the cover to intersection with the sockets, and the grooves have a depth that is less than the depth of the sockets. The grooves have a depth adjacent the intersection thereof with the cover bottom that is greater than the depth thereof at the intersection thereof with a socket. Thus, the groove bottom slopes from its intersection with a cover bottom surface in a direction outwardly toward a cover side. This provides a cam surface ` for making a snap connection of the cover sockets with hinge pintle projections on the opening sides.
One sloping end surface on the free end portion of a cover has a terminal end that is located further from the hinge end portion than the terminal end of the other sloping surface. The terminal end that is spaced further from the j~ hinge end portion preferably intersects the cover top ~i surface.
The cover is movable to a storage position that is substantially opposite from its closed position. The cover is then located completely beneath the access plate.
It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved access cover assembly for electrical floor boxes.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved cover having features that enable making a snap-fit hinge connection within an opening. I
It is also an object of the invention to provide an improved cover arrangement that enables selective hinged :
' 2~ 23 1 movement of a cover in opposite directions from a closed position through arcs greater than 90 to open or storage positions.
BRIEF DFSCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING:
Figure 1 is a perspective illustration of a cover assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a top plan view of a cover assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention with the covers in their closed positions;
Figure 3 is a top plan view of a hingeable access plate;
Figure 4 is a bottom view thereof;
Figure 5 is a cross-section elevational view taken generally on line 5-5 of Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 and showing one cover in a closed position and another cover in an open position;
Figure 7 is a view similar to Figures 5 and 6 and showing a pair of covers in their storage positions;
Figure 8 is a top plan view of a cover;
Figure 9 is a bottom view thereof;
Figure 10 is a side elevational view thereof; and Figure 11 is an enlarged partial cross-section elevational view showing a hinge socket and groove in a side of the cover.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT:
Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting same, Figure 1 shows a generally rectangular frame member A that is positionable over the top of an electrical floor box. A central rectangular recess 10 in frame member A provides a horizontal inwardly extending support ledge 12.
A plurality of openings 14, 15 and 16 in frame member A provide access to receptacles in a floor box for making electrical or communications connections therewith.
2~7~23 1 The electrical receptacles or communications receptacles are attachable to frame member A within openings 14-16, and an electrical receptacle is generally indicated at 20.
A support plate 22 has openings therein for receiving the outlets on receptacle 20. Support plate 22 is longer and slightly wider than an opening 14 so that it rests on a peripheral surface of frame member A surrounding an opening 14-16. A pair of elongate spaced-apart ribs 24, 26 extends upwardly from support plate 22 on opposite sides : : ~:
: 10 of the openings therein for the receptacle outlets. Ribs ~
24, 26 are spaced inwardly from the opposite sides of ~ ~:
support plate 22 and are also spaced inwardly from the ::
opposite ends of support plate 22. : ~:
Additional support plates 28, 30 are provided for openings 15, 16, respectively. Different sizes and shapes ~ B
of openings 32, 34 may be provided in support plates 28, 30 depending upon the type of electrical or communication receptacle mounted in openings 15, 16. Support plates 28, 30 also have elongate raised ribs 36, 38 and 40, 42 thereon corresponding to ribs 24, 26 on support plate 22.~:
A rectangular access cover or plate B is dimensioned for close reception within recess 10 in frame member A. In its closed position, access plate B rests on support ledge 12 on frame mem~er A. Access plate B has ; 25 opposite hinge projections extending outwardly therefrom and , only one such hinge projection is shown at 50 in Figure 1.
`'~ Referring to Figure 2, both hinge projections are shown in phantom lines at 50, 52. The peripheral wall of recess 10 in frame member A has a socket opening 54 therein receiving hinge projection 52 and a horizontally elongated slot 56 therein receiving hinge projection 50. Referring back to ~ Figure 1, latch projections 60, 62 extend downwardly from `; the underside of access plate B opposite from the end portion of plate B having the hinge projections thereon.
, 35 Latch projections 60, 62 are a snap fit within holes 64, 66 : in support ledge 12 of frame member A.
2~27~2~ ~
1 Access plate B has a plurality of spaced-apart rectangular openings C therein. Although three such openings are shown, it will be recognized that a larger or smaller number of such openings may be provided. As shown, however, all of the openings are of the same size and shape, and the same reference numerals and characters will be used to describe all of them. Each rectangular opening has parallel opposite sides 70, 72 and parallel opposite ends 74, 76. Hinge pintle projections 78, 80 (see Figure 3 extend inwardly from opposite sides 70, 72 adjacent each end 74, 76. Two pair of opposite dimples 82, 84 are provided in opening sides 70, 72. Access plate B has a downwardly inclined recess 90 intersecting an opening 92 for receiving a tool or a person's finger to lift access plate B from its closed position.
As shown in Figures 4-7, the opposite sides of rectangular openings C are defined by ribs 94 on the underside of access plate B. These ribs extend beyond the opposite ends 74, 76 of openings C as clearly shown in Figures 4-7. In these extended areas adjacent the opposite ends of access plate B, the sides of the ribs are provided with opposite dimples 96 corresponding to dimples 82, 84.
A pair of hinged covers D, D' are provided for each opening C, and each cover D, D' is of the same size and shape. With reference Figures 8-11, cover D has top and bottom surfaces 102, 104 and opposite sides 106, 108. A
hingeable end portion 110 of cover D has a substantially cylindrical outer peripheral surface that extends between top and bottom surfaces 102, 104. Hingeable end portion 110 also has a thickness substantially greater than the remaining thickness of cover D.
Hinge sockets 112, 114 are provided in opposite sides 106, 108 at hingeable end portion 110. A groove 116 extends from bottom surface 104 to intersection with each socket 112, 114. As shown in Figure 11, groove 116 has a depth that is less than the depth of a socket. In addition, '~' ~ ' :`
-6- 2~27~23 : ~
1 the bottom wall of groove 11~ slopes from its intersection with bottom surface 104 in a direction outwardly toward a side 106 or 108. As shown in Figure 11, the groove has a greater depth at its intersection 118 with cover bottom surface 104 than at its intersection 120 with socket 114.
Thus, the bottom of groove 116 provides a cam surface to enable snap fitting same into position. A cover is positionable with its hingeable end portion 110 adjacent an opening C and with grooves 116 aligned with hinge projections 78, 80. Force is then applied to the cover until hinge projections 78, 80 snap into hinge sockets 112, 114. The covers are then swingable about their hinge connections.
Each cover D has a free terminal end portion that includes generally oppositely sloping end surfaces 124, 126.
Each sloping end surface 124, 126 extends along approximately one-half of the width of a cover between its opposite sides 106, 108. One sloping end surface has a terminal end 128 that intersects top surface 102 and is located further away from hingeable end portion 110 than is the terminal end 130 of sloping surface 124. Each cover is provided with outwardly extending pimples 134, 136 on its opposite side surfaces 106, 108 adjacent the free end portion of the cover. Pimples 134, 136 are receivable in dimples 82, 84 or in dimples 96.
The distance from the axes of hinge pintles 78, 80 to dimples 8~, 84 or to dimples 96 is the same as the distance from the axes of sockets 112, 114 to pimples 134, 136.
When covers D, D' are in their closed positions shown in Figure 2, their top surfaces are substantially ` flush with the top surface of access plate B. The oppositely inclined end surfaces on covers D, D' make it possible to insert a tool between the ends of the covers when they are closed for prying same open. In their closed positions, the cover pimples 134, 136 are received in opening dimples 82, 84 for releasably retaining the covers ., -. , . . ~ . ~ . . . .
~7~ 2 ~ 2 7 ~ 2 3 1 in their closed positions. Therefore, the pimples and dimples define releasable retaining means for retaining the covers in selectable positions.
In their closed positions, the bottom surfaces 104 of covers D, D' are supported on ribs 24, 26, 36, 38 and 40, 42 on support plates 22, 28 and 30 in Figure 1. The length of such support ribs is less than the length of two covers such that the enlarged hingeable end portion of a cover does not contact the support ribs. Only the substantially flat undersurface of each cover is supported on the ribs of the support plates.
Figure 6 shows one cover D in an outward open position with its outer surface 102 abutting an end 74 of a rectangular opening C. In the full open position of a cover, the cover swings through an arc greater than 90. In the arrangement shown, the arc is approximately 110. When access plate B is raised, covers D, D' are swingable to storage positions shown in Figure 7. Pimples 134, 136 on the sides of a cover are receivable in dimples 96 in the storage positions of the covers for releasably holding such covers in their storage positions. Covers D, D' rotate through arcs of approximately 180 during movement from ~ -their closed positions to their storage positions. Covers D, D' extend substantially horizontally in parallel opposite `~
directions in their closed and storage positions. In their storage positions, covers D, D' are received in cavities on the underside of access plate B.
` Although the invention has been shown and ~`~
described with respect to a preferred embodiment, it is ~`~ 30 apparent that variations and modifications will occur to ;~ others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification. The present invention includes such variations and modifications, and is limited only by the ~ scope of the claims appended hereto.
`~ 35 ~ ~
?, ;
.. . .
1 A cover has a free end portion with end surfaces that slope in generally opposite directions. Each sloping end surface extends along approximately one-half of a cover width.
S The cover has a hinge end portion that includes an external cylindrical surface extending between cover top and bottom surfaces. Hinge sockets are provided in the opposite sides of the hinge end portion. Grooves extend from the bottom surface of the cover to intersection with the sockets, and the grooves have a depth that is less than the depth of the sockets. The grooves have a depth adjacent the intersection thereof with the cover bottom that is greater than the depth thereof at the intersection thereof with a socket. Thus, the groove bottom slopes from its intersection with a cover bottom surface in a direction outwardly toward a cover side. This provides a cam surface ` for making a snap connection of the cover sockets with hinge pintle projections on the opening sides.
One sloping end surface on the free end portion of a cover has a terminal end that is located further from the hinge end portion than the terminal end of the other sloping surface. The terminal end that is spaced further from the j~ hinge end portion preferably intersects the cover top ~i surface.
The cover is movable to a storage position that is substantially opposite from its closed position. The cover is then located completely beneath the access plate.
It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved access cover assembly for electrical floor boxes.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved cover having features that enable making a snap-fit hinge connection within an opening. I
It is also an object of the invention to provide an improved cover arrangement that enables selective hinged :
' 2~ 23 1 movement of a cover in opposite directions from a closed position through arcs greater than 90 to open or storage positions.
BRIEF DFSCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING:
Figure 1 is a perspective illustration of a cover assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a top plan view of a cover assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention with the covers in their closed positions;
Figure 3 is a top plan view of a hingeable access plate;
Figure 4 is a bottom view thereof;
Figure 5 is a cross-section elevational view taken generally on line 5-5 of Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 and showing one cover in a closed position and another cover in an open position;
Figure 7 is a view similar to Figures 5 and 6 and showing a pair of covers in their storage positions;
Figure 8 is a top plan view of a cover;
Figure 9 is a bottom view thereof;
Figure 10 is a side elevational view thereof; and Figure 11 is an enlarged partial cross-section elevational view showing a hinge socket and groove in a side of the cover.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT:
Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting same, Figure 1 shows a generally rectangular frame member A that is positionable over the top of an electrical floor box. A central rectangular recess 10 in frame member A provides a horizontal inwardly extending support ledge 12.
A plurality of openings 14, 15 and 16 in frame member A provide access to receptacles in a floor box for making electrical or communications connections therewith.
2~7~23 1 The electrical receptacles or communications receptacles are attachable to frame member A within openings 14-16, and an electrical receptacle is generally indicated at 20.
A support plate 22 has openings therein for receiving the outlets on receptacle 20. Support plate 22 is longer and slightly wider than an opening 14 so that it rests on a peripheral surface of frame member A surrounding an opening 14-16. A pair of elongate spaced-apart ribs 24, 26 extends upwardly from support plate 22 on opposite sides : : ~:
: 10 of the openings therein for the receptacle outlets. Ribs ~
24, 26 are spaced inwardly from the opposite sides of ~ ~:
support plate 22 and are also spaced inwardly from the ::
opposite ends of support plate 22. : ~:
Additional support plates 28, 30 are provided for openings 15, 16, respectively. Different sizes and shapes ~ B
of openings 32, 34 may be provided in support plates 28, 30 depending upon the type of electrical or communication receptacle mounted in openings 15, 16. Support plates 28, 30 also have elongate raised ribs 36, 38 and 40, 42 thereon corresponding to ribs 24, 26 on support plate 22.~:
A rectangular access cover or plate B is dimensioned for close reception within recess 10 in frame member A. In its closed position, access plate B rests on support ledge 12 on frame mem~er A. Access plate B has ; 25 opposite hinge projections extending outwardly therefrom and , only one such hinge projection is shown at 50 in Figure 1.
`'~ Referring to Figure 2, both hinge projections are shown in phantom lines at 50, 52. The peripheral wall of recess 10 in frame member A has a socket opening 54 therein receiving hinge projection 52 and a horizontally elongated slot 56 therein receiving hinge projection 50. Referring back to ~ Figure 1, latch projections 60, 62 extend downwardly from `; the underside of access plate B opposite from the end portion of plate B having the hinge projections thereon.
, 35 Latch projections 60, 62 are a snap fit within holes 64, 66 : in support ledge 12 of frame member A.
2~27~2~ ~
1 Access plate B has a plurality of spaced-apart rectangular openings C therein. Although three such openings are shown, it will be recognized that a larger or smaller number of such openings may be provided. As shown, however, all of the openings are of the same size and shape, and the same reference numerals and characters will be used to describe all of them. Each rectangular opening has parallel opposite sides 70, 72 and parallel opposite ends 74, 76. Hinge pintle projections 78, 80 (see Figure 3 extend inwardly from opposite sides 70, 72 adjacent each end 74, 76. Two pair of opposite dimples 82, 84 are provided in opening sides 70, 72. Access plate B has a downwardly inclined recess 90 intersecting an opening 92 for receiving a tool or a person's finger to lift access plate B from its closed position.
As shown in Figures 4-7, the opposite sides of rectangular openings C are defined by ribs 94 on the underside of access plate B. These ribs extend beyond the opposite ends 74, 76 of openings C as clearly shown in Figures 4-7. In these extended areas adjacent the opposite ends of access plate B, the sides of the ribs are provided with opposite dimples 96 corresponding to dimples 82, 84.
A pair of hinged covers D, D' are provided for each opening C, and each cover D, D' is of the same size and shape. With reference Figures 8-11, cover D has top and bottom surfaces 102, 104 and opposite sides 106, 108. A
hingeable end portion 110 of cover D has a substantially cylindrical outer peripheral surface that extends between top and bottom surfaces 102, 104. Hingeable end portion 110 also has a thickness substantially greater than the remaining thickness of cover D.
Hinge sockets 112, 114 are provided in opposite sides 106, 108 at hingeable end portion 110. A groove 116 extends from bottom surface 104 to intersection with each socket 112, 114. As shown in Figure 11, groove 116 has a depth that is less than the depth of a socket. In addition, '~' ~ ' :`
-6- 2~27~23 : ~
1 the bottom wall of groove 11~ slopes from its intersection with bottom surface 104 in a direction outwardly toward a side 106 or 108. As shown in Figure 11, the groove has a greater depth at its intersection 118 with cover bottom surface 104 than at its intersection 120 with socket 114.
Thus, the bottom of groove 116 provides a cam surface to enable snap fitting same into position. A cover is positionable with its hingeable end portion 110 adjacent an opening C and with grooves 116 aligned with hinge projections 78, 80. Force is then applied to the cover until hinge projections 78, 80 snap into hinge sockets 112, 114. The covers are then swingable about their hinge connections.
Each cover D has a free terminal end portion that includes generally oppositely sloping end surfaces 124, 126.
Each sloping end surface 124, 126 extends along approximately one-half of the width of a cover between its opposite sides 106, 108. One sloping end surface has a terminal end 128 that intersects top surface 102 and is located further away from hingeable end portion 110 than is the terminal end 130 of sloping surface 124. Each cover is provided with outwardly extending pimples 134, 136 on its opposite side surfaces 106, 108 adjacent the free end portion of the cover. Pimples 134, 136 are receivable in dimples 82, 84 or in dimples 96.
The distance from the axes of hinge pintles 78, 80 to dimples 8~, 84 or to dimples 96 is the same as the distance from the axes of sockets 112, 114 to pimples 134, 136.
When covers D, D' are in their closed positions shown in Figure 2, their top surfaces are substantially ` flush with the top surface of access plate B. The oppositely inclined end surfaces on covers D, D' make it possible to insert a tool between the ends of the covers when they are closed for prying same open. In their closed positions, the cover pimples 134, 136 are received in opening dimples 82, 84 for releasably retaining the covers ., -. , . . ~ . ~ . . . .
~7~ 2 ~ 2 7 ~ 2 3 1 in their closed positions. Therefore, the pimples and dimples define releasable retaining means for retaining the covers in selectable positions.
In their closed positions, the bottom surfaces 104 of covers D, D' are supported on ribs 24, 26, 36, 38 and 40, 42 on support plates 22, 28 and 30 in Figure 1. The length of such support ribs is less than the length of two covers such that the enlarged hingeable end portion of a cover does not contact the support ribs. Only the substantially flat undersurface of each cover is supported on the ribs of the support plates.
Figure 6 shows one cover D in an outward open position with its outer surface 102 abutting an end 74 of a rectangular opening C. In the full open position of a cover, the cover swings through an arc greater than 90. In the arrangement shown, the arc is approximately 110. When access plate B is raised, covers D, D' are swingable to storage positions shown in Figure 7. Pimples 134, 136 on the sides of a cover are receivable in dimples 96 in the storage positions of the covers for releasably holding such covers in their storage positions. Covers D, D' rotate through arcs of approximately 180 during movement from ~ -their closed positions to their storage positions. Covers D, D' extend substantially horizontally in parallel opposite `~
directions in their closed and storage positions. In their storage positions, covers D, D' are received in cavities on the underside of access plate B.
` Although the invention has been shown and ~`~
described with respect to a preferred embodiment, it is ~`~ 30 apparent that variations and modifications will occur to ;~ others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification. The present invention includes such variations and modifications, and is limited only by the ~ scope of the claims appended hereto.
`~ 35 ~ ~
?, ;
.. . .
Claims (36)
1. A hingeable cover having a hingeable end portion and a free end portion, and said free end portion having end surfaces that slope in generally opposite directions.
2. The cover of claim 1 wherein said free end portion has a predetermined length and said end surfaces comprise a pair of generally opposite sloping end surfaces, each of said pair of end surfaces extending along approximately one-half of said predetermined length.
3. The cover of claim 2 wherein said pair of end surfaces terminate in terminal ends and one of said terminal ends is spaced further from said hingeable end portion than the other of said terminal ends.
4. The cover of claim 3 wherein said cover has top and bottom surfaces and said one terminal end that is spaced further from said hingeable end portion intersects said top surface.
5. The cover of claim 1 wherein said hingeable end portion includes opposite sides having hinge sockets therein.
6. The cover of claim 5 wherein said cover has a bottom surface, grooves extending from said bottom surface to said hinge sockets, and said grooves having a depth less than the depth of said sockets.
7. The cover of claim 6 wherein said grooves have sloping bottom surfaces that slope outwardly from said bottom surface toward a said side to intersection with said sockets such that said grooves have a greater depth at the intersection thereof with said bottom surface than at the intersection thereof with said sockets.
8. The cover of claim 6 wherein said hinge sockets are substantially cylindrical and said grooves have a width that is at least as great as the diameter of said sockets.
9. The cover of claim 1 wherein said cover has opposite sides and further including retaining means on said sides for cooperation with retaining means on a cover mounting plate to releasably hold said cover in a desired position.
10. The cover of claim 9 wherein said retaining means comprises detents in said sides, said detents being located closer to said free end portion than to said hingeable end portion.
11. The cover of claim 1 wherein said cover has a substantially greater thickness at said hingeable end portion thereof than over the remaining area thereof.
12. The cover of claim 1 wherein said cover has top and bottom surfaces and said hingeable end portion has an external surface extending between said top and bottom surfaces that lies on the periphery of a cylinder.
13. A closure assembly including an access plate having an access opening therein, a cover hinged to said plate in said opening for selective swinging movement in opposite directions from a closed position to an outward open position or an inward storage position, and said cover being swingable through an arc greater than 90° during movement thereof to each of said open and storage positions from said closed position.
14. The assembly of claim 13 including integral cooperating retaining means between said cover and plate for releasably retaining said cover in said closed position.
15. The assembly of claim 14 wherein said access opening has a periphery and said cover has opposite sides and said retaining means comprises cooperating pimples and dimples between said periphery and said sides.
16. The assembly of claim 13 including integral cooperating retaining means between said cover and plate for selectively releasably retaining said cover in said closed position or said storage position.
17. The assembly of claim 16 wherein said access opening has a periphery and said cover has opposite sides, said retaining means comprising cooperating pimples and dimples between said periphery and said sides.
18. The assembly of claim 17 wherein said dimples are on said periphery of said access opening and said pimples are on said sides of said cover.
19. The assembly of claim 13 wherein said cover in said storage position thereof is substantially parallel to said cover in said closed position thereof.
20. The assembly of claim 13 wherein said access opening has a periphery and said cover has opposite sides, and integral snap-fitting hinge means between said cover sides and said periphery of said access opening.
21. The assembly of claim 20 wherein said hinge means comprises opposite hinge sockets in said cover receiving opposite hinge pintles on said periphery of said access opening.
22. The assembly of claim 21 wherein said cover has opposite sides and top and bottom surfaces, said hinge sockets being in said sides, grooves in said sides between said sockets and said bottom surface, and said grooves having a depth less than the depth of said sockets and a width at least as great as the diameter of said sockets.
23. The assembly of claim 22 wherein the depth of said grooves is greater at the intersection thereof with said bottom surface than at the intersection thereof with said sockets.
24. The assembly of claim 13 including a support plate beneath said cover for supporting same in said closed position thereof.
25. The assembly of claim 24 wherein said support plate has a pair of substantially parallel raised ribs on which said cover is supported.
26. The assembly of claim 25 including an opening said support plate between said ribs.
27. A closure assembly for an electrical floor box, said assembly including an access plate having a substantially rectangular opening therein, said opening having opposite sides and opposite ends, a pair of covers hinged to said plate in said opening adjacent said opposite ends of said opening, said covers being of substantially the same size and shape, and snap-fitting projections and sockets on said plate and covers for hingeably connecting said covers to said plate.
28. The assembly of claim 27 wherein said covers have opposite sides and said sockets are in said cover sides and said projections extend outwardly from said sides of said opening adjacent said ends of said opening.
29. The assembly of claim 28 wherein said covers have bottom surfaces, grooves in said cover sides extending between said bottom surfaces and said sockets, and said grooves having a depth less than the depth of said sockets.
30. The assembly of claim 29 wherein said grooves have a depth at the intersection thereof with said bottom surfaces that is less than the depth thereof at the intersection thereof with said sockets, and said grooves have a width at least as great as the diameter of said sockets.
31. The assembly of claim 27 wherein said covers having free terminal end portions that terminate in oppositely inclined end surfaces.
32. The assembly of claim 27 wherein said covers have top and bottom surfaces and enlarged hingeable end portions, and said hingeable end portions having external cylindrical surface portions extending between said top and bottom surfaces.
33. The assembly of claim 27 wherein said covers are selectively movable from a closed position closing said opening to an outward open position or an inward storage position.
34. The assembly of claim 33 wherein each of said open and storage positions is more than 90° from said closed position.
35. The assembly of claim 33 including releasable retaining means for releasably retaining said covers in said closed positions or said storage positions.
36. The assembly of claim 35 wherein said covers have opposite sides and said retaining means comprises cooperating pimples and dimples on said cover sides and on said sides of said opening in said access plate.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US08/089,159 US5455388A (en) | 1993-07-08 | 1993-07-08 | Electrical floor box access cover |
| US089,159 | 1993-07-08 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2127623A1 true CA2127623A1 (en) | 1995-01-09 |
Family
ID=22216021
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002127623A Abandoned CA2127623A1 (en) | 1993-07-08 | 1994-07-08 | Electrical floor box access cover |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5455388A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2127623A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (24)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA2140060C (en) * | 1994-01-14 | 2007-08-28 | Alfredo Arenas | Snap-on wallplate system |
| US5744750A (en) * | 1994-11-30 | 1998-04-28 | R123 Enterprises Ltd. | Modular electrical connector box |
| US5866845A (en) * | 1997-06-02 | 1999-02-02 | The Lamson & Sessions Co. | Electrical box |
| DE19845335B4 (en) * | 1998-10-01 | 2008-05-21 | Obo Bettermann Gmbh & Co. Kg | Device receptacle for an underfloor device socket |
| US6265662B1 (en) * | 1999-11-05 | 2001-07-24 | The Lamson & Sessions Co. | Floor box assembly |
| US6748707B1 (en) | 2001-07-24 | 2004-06-15 | Steelcase Development Corporation | Utility interface system |
| US6479749B1 (en) * | 2001-08-21 | 2002-11-12 | 3244 Corporation | Protective cover having tool recess or tool recesses, for use with electrical box having plaster ring |
| US6683248B2 (en) * | 2001-08-21 | 2004-01-27 | Paul A. Vrame | Protective cover enabling view of electrical device in electrical box having plaster ring |
| GB2387490B (en) * | 2002-04-09 | 2005-08-17 | Myson Heating Controls Ltd | A programmer securing assembly |
| WO2004093278A2 (en) * | 2003-04-11 | 2004-10-28 | Walker Systems, Inc. | Cover assemblies for in-floor fittings |
| US7459632B2 (en) * | 2003-09-05 | 2008-12-02 | The Wiremold Company | In-floor fitting cover assembly |
| US7157643B2 (en) * | 2004-08-05 | 2007-01-02 | Thomas & Betts International, Inc. | Floor box with voltage divider |
| CA2536033C (en) * | 2005-02-16 | 2009-10-06 | Thomas & Betts International, Inc. | Recessed floor box cover assembly |
| FR2910732B1 (en) * | 2006-12-20 | 2009-02-27 | Legrand France | ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT SUPPORT WITH MODULAR CONTROL OPENING |
| GB2449310B (en) * | 2007-05-18 | 2009-05-20 | Legrand Electric Ltd | Floor box |
| US7939756B2 (en) * | 2008-09-04 | 2011-05-10 | Liberty Hardware Mfg. Corp. | Modular electrical wall cover system |
| US8944266B2 (en) * | 2008-09-23 | 2015-02-03 | Dirtt Environmental Solutions Ltd. | Floor-mount service container and lid |
| US9148007B2 (en) | 2012-11-09 | 2015-09-29 | Thomas & Betts International, Llc | Recessed poke-through fitting |
| US9559505B2 (en) * | 2014-07-11 | 2017-01-31 | Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. | Multi-gang faceplate assembly for load control devices |
| US9608418B1 (en) * | 2016-03-17 | 2017-03-28 | Elbex Video Ltd. | Decorative covers and keys for electrical wiring devices |
| US9808086B1 (en) * | 2016-08-15 | 2017-11-07 | Bobby Lee Stokeley | Seating arrangement system |
| US10770875B2 (en) | 2018-08-10 | 2020-09-08 | Norman R. Byrne | Poke-through electrical outlet assembly with leveling bezel |
| US11309658B2 (en) * | 2018-08-13 | 2022-04-19 | Norman R. Byrne | Poke-through electrical outlet assembly with closure |
| US11831136B2 (en) | 2021-12-23 | 2023-11-28 | AFC Cable Systems, Inc. | Poke-through floor fitting |
Family Cites Families (11)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US707516A (en) * | 1902-04-05 | 1902-08-19 | C K Mfg Company | Plug-receptacle. |
| US797215A (en) * | 1904-05-23 | 1905-08-15 | Henry G Osborne | Plug-box for electric circuits. |
| US1222493A (en) * | 1916-09-09 | 1917-04-10 | Bryant Electric Co | Face-plate for flush receptacles. |
| US1964513A (en) * | 1932-06-17 | 1934-06-26 | United Metal Box Co Inc | Waste receptacle |
| US3966073A (en) * | 1971-07-19 | 1976-06-29 | Mid America Sales Co., Inc | Electric cord hatch |
| US4159858A (en) * | 1978-02-10 | 1979-07-03 | Toraya Juan E | Cover plate |
| US4228317A (en) * | 1978-11-13 | 1980-10-14 | Norbert Cziment | Protective face plate for an electrical outlet |
| US4289921A (en) * | 1979-12-26 | 1981-09-15 | H. H. Robertson Company | Electrical activating assembly and closure member therefor |
| US4721476A (en) * | 1985-12-23 | 1988-01-26 | Interchangeable Hatches Inc. | Electrical connection box used in conjunction with raised floors |
| US5010211A (en) * | 1989-06-29 | 1991-04-23 | Square D Company | Flushing floor fitting |
| US5156291A (en) * | 1990-12-21 | 1992-10-20 | Arthur Mielke | Hinged cover with auxiliary door |
-
1993
- 1993-07-08 US US08/089,159 patent/US5455388A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1994
- 1994-07-08 CA CA002127623A patent/CA2127623A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US5455388A (en) | 1995-10-03 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |