US3701451A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Molded electrical junction box
Assignee: Nelco Corp
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Filing: 1970-09-03
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Granted: 1972-10-31
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Expires: 1990-09-03
Abstract
Abstract An electrical junction box characterized by the provision of knockouts provided in the walls of the outlet box which are accessible from the interior of the box for easy removal. The junction box, which is constructed of an injection moldable resinous material having insulating properties, is provided with tapered ribs on the exterior surface of the side walls to properly orient the box with respect to the wall yet provide sufficient draft angle to enable injection molding. Additional volume on the interior of the electrical outlet box is provided by a lateral extension of the box constructed and arranged to fit within the wall structure. Grounding means for use with the boxes is provided wherever necessary.
Inventors
- 👤 Edgar C Schindler
- 👤 John C Mceachron
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 02:38
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02G; H02G3/00; H02G3/02; H02G3/08; H02G3/081; H02G3/083; H02G3/085
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
An electrical junction box having a wall structure defining front-to-rear walls and a back wall interconnected therebetween so that together the walls define a chamber within the box that opens to the ambient surroundings of the box through the front thereof, an aperture in one of the aforesaid walls, and a substantially planiform knockout member projecting opposite the aperture, from the wall structure, and spaced relatively inwardly from the aforesaid one wall within the chamber, said member being substantially parallel to the one wall and frangibly interconnected therewith along opposite projected edges of the member, by means of a pair of frangible webs which are generally perpendicularly disposed between the opposite projected edges of the member and the one wall, about the rim of the aperture, but being spaced apart from the one wall along a third projected edge transverse to the aforesaid opposite projected edges thereof, and together with the one wall, defining a slot adjacent the third projected edge, which interconnects the chamber with the aperture and opens into the chamber at a site accessible from the front opening of the box for insertion of a tool in the slot for removal of the knockout member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
An electrical junction box having a wall structure defining front-to-rear walls and a back wall interconnected therebetween so that together the walls define a chamber within the box that opens to the ambient surroundings of the box through the front thereof, an aperture in one of the aforesaid walls, and a substantially planiform knockout member projecting opposite the aperture, from the wall structure, and spaced relatively inwardly from the aforesaid one wall within the chamber, said member being substantially parallel to the one wall and frangibly interconnected therewith along opposite projected edges of the member, by means of a pair of frangible webs which are generally perpendicularly disposed between the opposite projected edges of the member and the one wall, about the rim of the aperture, but being spaced apart from the one wall along a third projected edge transverse to the aforesaid opposite projected edges thereof, and together with the one wall, defining a slot adjacent the third projected edge, which interconnects the chamber with the aperture and opens into the chamber at a site accessible from the front opening of the box for insertion of a tool in the slot for removal of the knockout member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The electrical junction box according to claim 1 wherein the knockout membeR is quadrilateral in configuration and interconnected with the wall structure along three edge portions thereof, the fourth of which is spaced apart from the structure to define the slot therebetween.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
The electrical junction box according to claim 2 wherein the wall structure is monolithic in construction, and the knockout member is an integral portion thereof which is offset from the one wall of the structure, in a plane parallel thereto, and interconnected with the structure along the aforesaid three edge portions thereof, by means of integral webbing extending between the edge portions and the structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electrical junction box according to claim 3 wherein the wall structure is composed of a thermoset resinous material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The electrical junction box according to claim 1 wherein the slot opens into the chamber in a line of direction which traverses the front opening of the box.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The electrical junction box according to claim 1 wherein the webs are undercut adjacent the member to fracture along lines peripherally outwardly offset from the projected area of the aperture.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The electrical junction box according to claim 1 wherein the aperture is formed in one of the front-to-rear walls of the box, and the slot opens into the chamber in a line of direction which traverses the front opening of the box.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
The electrical junction box according to claim 7 wherein the aperture is rabbetted out of the back corner of the box defined by the back wall and the one front-to-rear wall thereof, and the back wall of the box coterminates with the knockout member at the aperture, substantially in the plane of the member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The electrical junction box according to claim 7 wherein the aperture is spaced apart from the adjacent back corner of the box, and the portion of the one front-to-rear wall in the space therebetween is relieved to the inside surface plane of the one wall.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
The electrical junction box according to claim 1 wherein the wall structure has a step therein, on the side of the member facing the aperture, and the shoulder of the step faces the slot to form a stop for the tool when the tool is inserted in the slot from the chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
The electrical junction box according to claim 1 wherein the knockout member is quadrilateral in configuration and interconnected with the wall structure along three edges thereof, the interconnection between the wall structure and the third connected edge of which, faces the slot to form a stop for the tool when the tool is inserted in the slot from the chamber.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-31 | 1976-05-01 | 1976-10-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-31 | 1980-05-01 | 1980-10-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-31 | 1984-05-01 | 1984-10-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |