US3761780A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Power outlet box and separable pedestal
Assignee: Myers Electric Products Inc
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Filing: 1972-05-02
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Granted: 1973-09-25
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Expires: 1992-05-02
Abstract
Abstract Assembly consisting of separable pedestal and structurally mated electric outlet box, the latter having dependently projecting bayonet inserts which automatically form a circuit with the pedestal installations upon the box being located on top, the bayonets being part of internal, longitudinally upstanding, bus bars which simultaneously form structural supports for the box. The pedestal alone can first be permanently located at a site projecting out of the ground and its internal attachment lugs there connected to underground power lines. A group of such pedestals can thus be installed upon initially laying out a mobile home park, housing tract, or industrial park, and the flat top capped with a temporary hood. Individual outlet boxes containing circuit breakers, etc., adapted to individual requirements of each home or shop can later be assembled and installed as the particular requirements become known. Each pedestal has top-opening guide slots and aligned spring jaws therebeneath for insertion of the bayonet inserts from the box. Due to the structural support provided by the bayonet-tipped bus bars, the outlet box can be mounted offcenter to the pedestal, and service conduits brought out through apertures in its projecting bottom wall, without interference from the pedestal.
Inventors
- 👤 M Plummer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 05:03
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02B; H02B1/00; H02B1/26; H02B1/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
An upstanding pedestal unit for mounting an electric power outlet box comprising an elongated, hollow housing of rectangular cross-section having upper and lower portions; said lower portion being adapted to be buried in the ground and having an opening therein to receive underground electric power lines for internal installation within said housing; said upper portion having a horizontally disposed top surface to support said outlet box in a non-conductive relationship with said housing when said box is mounted on the top surface of said unit; attachment means insulatingly positioned interiorly in said upper portion to receive said power lines conductively; a plurality of vertically extending spring jaws conductively secured to the attachment means to receive said power outlet box vertically in conductive relationship when said box is mounted on said unit, said jaws being positioned below and adjacent said surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
An upstanding pedestal unit for mounting an electric power outlet box comprising an elongated, hollow housing of rectangular cross-section having upper and lower portions; said lower portion being adapted to be buried in the ground and having an opening therein to receive underground electric power lines for internal installation within said housing; said upper portion having a horizontally disposed top surface to support said outlet box in a non-conductive relationship with said housing when said box is mounted on the top surface of said unit; attachment means insulatingly positioned interiorly in said upper portion to receive said power lines conductively; a plurality of vertically extending spring jaws conductively secured to the attachment means to receive said power outlet box vertically in conductive relationship when said box is mounted on said unit, said jaws being positioned below and adjacent said surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A pedestal mount according to claim 1 which has a removable hood to protectively overlie said support surface and spring jaws in the absence of a power outlet box mounted thereupon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A pedestal unit according to claim 1 wherein said support surface comprises a flat-top insulating member formed with generally vertical guide slots disposed in line with said spring jaws.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
94 words
The combination of a pedestal mount according to claim 1 and an electric power outlet box functionally mounted thereon and characterized by a housing having a pair of longitudinally upstanding, laterally separated bus bars, each projecting generally vertically downward as a bayonet contact beneath a bottom surface of the housing in position of retention in the corresponding spring jaws of the pedestal, with the bottom surface of the housing being frictionally located upon the top support surface of the pedestal, said bus bars being connected within said housing to attachment means for outlet conduits.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
76 words
The combination of claim 4 wherein said pair of longitudinal bus bars upstanding within the housing are insulatingly joined to at least three upstanding side walls so as to constitute structural supports for said housing, and said bottom surface extends beneath a laterally overhanging portion of the housing and is formed with aperture means laterally displaced from said projecting bayonet contacts so as to permit emergence of electric service conduits therefrom without interference with said pedestal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
141 words
An electric power outlet box characterized by a housing having a a pair of longitudinally upstanding, laterally separated bus bars connected within said housing to attachment means for outlet conduits, each bus bar projecting generally vertically downward as a bayonet contact beneath a transverse bottom surface of the housing in position for vertical insertion into corresponding spring jaw means of a pedestal mount, whereby said bottom surface of the housing may be detachably frictionally located upon a top support surface of a pedestal mount having a top, transverse support surface with dependent spring jaw means disposed for vertical reception of said bayonet contacts, said spring jaw means being conductingly connected within said pedestal mount to attachment means adapted to be connected to underground power lines, said bus bars serving as structural supports for said housing to which they are insulatingly attached.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
141 words
An electric power outlet box characterized by a housing having a a pair of longitudinally upstanding, laterally separated bus bars connected within said housing to attachment means for outlet conduits, each bus bar projecting generally vertically downward as a bayonet contact beneath a transverse bottom surface of the housing in position for vertical insertion into corresponding spring jaw means of a pedestal mount, whereby said bottom surface of the housing may be detachably frictionally located upon a top support surface of a pedestal mount having a top, transverse support surface with dependent spring jaw means disposed for vertical reception of said bayonet contacts, said spring jaw means being conductingly connected within said pedestal mount to attachment means adapted to be connected to underground power lines, said bus bars serving as structural supports for said housing to which they are insulatingly attached.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
An electric power outlet box according to claim 6 wherein said bus bars are connected within said housing to meter attachment means and circuit breaker means in addition to said attachment means for outlet conduits.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
An electric power outlet box according to claim 4 which is characterized by a third bus bar similarly downward projecting a bayonet contact beneath the bottom surface of the housing and forming a ground connection for insertion in spring jaw means of a pedestal mount.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
An electric power outlet box according to claim 6 wherein said pair of longitudinal bus bars are upstAnding substantially the height of the housing and are insulatingly joined to at least three upstanding side walls of the housing so as to constitute the principal structural supports for said housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
58 words
An electric power outlet box according to claim 6 wherein said bottom surface extends beneath a laterally overhanging portion of the housing and is formed with aperture means laterally displaced from said projecting bayonet contacts so as to permit emergence of electric service conduits therefrom without interference with a pedestal upon which the outlet box may be mounted.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-24 | 1977-03-26 | 1977-09-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-24 | 1981-03-26 | 1981-09-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-24 | 1985-03-26 | 1985-09-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |