US3864511A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Non-metallic load center for surface and recessed wall mounting
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1973-06-14
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Granted: 1975-02-04
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Expires: 1993-06-14
Abstract
Abstract A non-metallic load center comprises an insulative, molded plastic enclosure consisting of a housing having integrally formed back and sidewalls and a separable cover. Reinforcing ribs, integrally molded with the housing sidewalls, provide structural rigidity, as well as affording mounting surfaces lying in a plane perpendicular to the open front of the housing. Additional ribs at each housing corner are pre-drilled to receive nails for securing the load center to a wall stud; the rib mounting surfaces bearing against the stud to provide a parallel, substantially flush relationship between the front and cover surface and the finished wall for recessed load center mounting. External tabs integrally formed with the housing facilitate surface mounting of the load center and can be readily broken off for recessed mounting.
Inventors
- 👤 John Alfred Morby
- 👤 Joseph Francis Rich
- 👤 Jr George Henry Grade
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 08:16
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K5/00; H05K5/10; H05K5/15; H02; H02G; H02G3/00; H02G3/02; H02G3/08; H02G3/10; H02G3/12; H02G3/123; H02G3/126
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
257 words
An enclosure for electrical equipment comprising, in combination: A. A molded, electrically insulative housing including a backwall and integrally formed, upstanding sidewalls, 1. said sidewalls terminating in a perimetrical lip circumscribing the open front of said housing, B. A molded cover having 1. a front wall, and 2. a perimetrical flange integrally formed in perpendicular relation to said front wall; 3. said flange and lip arranged to telescopically interfit upon application of said cover to said housing in closure relation to the open front thereof; C. a pair of spaced reinforcing ribs integrally formed with each of an opposed pair of said sidewalls and extending between said lip and said backwall, said ribs being formed to provide mounting surfaces lying in a common plane perpendicular to said front wall of said cover when applied in closure relation to said housing; D. corner ribs integrally formed with said housing and extending exteriorly from each junction of said sidewalls, each said pair of reinforcing ribs located intermediate said corner ribs; E. mounting means formed in each said corner rib to facilitate recessed mounting said enclosure to a wall stud, 1. whereby upon mounting said enclosure, said mounting surfaces bear against the side of the wall stud to orient said cover front wall in substantially parallel, flush relation to a finished wall; and F. at least one mounting tab integrally formed with one of said sidewalls and extending exteriorly therefrom at a location adjacent said reinforcing ribs, said mounting tab facilitating mounting said enclosure to the surface of a wall.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
257 words
An enclosure for electrical equipment comprising, in combination: A. A molded, electrically insulative housing including a backwall and integrally formed, upstanding sidewalls, 1. said sidewalls terminating in a perimetrical lip circumscribing the open front of said housing, B. A molded cover having 1. a front wall, and 2. a perimetrical flange integrally formed in perpendicular relation to said front wall; 3. said flange and lip arranged to telescopically interfit upon application of said cover to said housing in closure relation to the open front thereof; C. a pair of spaced reinforcing ribs integrally formed with each of an opposed pair of said sidewalls and extending between said lip and said backwall, said ribs being formed to provide mounting surfaces lying in a common plane perpendicular to said front wall of said cover when applied in closure relation to said housing; D. corner ribs integrally formed with said housing and extending exteriorly from each junction of said sidewalls, each said pair of reinforcing ribs located intermediate said corner ribs; E. mounting means formed in each said corner rib to facilitate recessed mounting said enclosure to a wall stud, 1. whereby upon mounting said enclosure, said mounting surfaces bear against the side of the wall stud to orient said cover front wall in substantially parallel, flush relation to a finished wall; and F. at least one mounting tab integrally formed with one of said sidewalls and extending exteriorly therefrom at a location adjacent said reinforcing ribs, said mounting tab facilitating mounting said enclosure to the surface of a wall.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
The enclosure defined in claim 1, wherein said mounting tab extends exteriorly beyond said plane of said mounting surfaces, said mounting tab being formed with a score line located interiorly of said plane of said mounting surfaces, whereby said tab may be broken off along said score line so as not to interfere with recessed mounting of said enclosure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
a perimetrical flange integrally formed in perpendicular relation to said front wall;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
a perimetrical flange integrally formed in perpendicular relation to said front wall;
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
126 words
said flange and lip arranged to telescopically interfit upon application of said cover to said housing in closure relation to the open front thereof; C. a pair of spaced reinforcing ribs integrally formed with each of an opposed pair of said sidewalls and extending between said lip and said backwall, said ribs being formed to provide mounting surfaces lying in a common plane perpendicular to said front wall of said cover when applied in closure relation to said housing; D. corner ribs integrally formed with said housing and extending exteriorly from each junction of said sidewalls, each said pair of reinforcing ribs located intermediate said corner ribs; E. mounting means formed in each said corner rib to facilitate recessed mounting said enclosure to a wall stud,
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
126 words
said flange and lip arranged to telescopically interfit upon application of said cover to said housing in closure relation to the open front thereof; C. a pair of spaced reinforcing ribs integrally formed with each of an opposed pair of said sidewalls and extending between said lip and said backwall, said ribs being formed to provide mounting surfaces lying in a common plane perpendicular to said front wall of said cover when applied in closure relation to said housing; D. corner ribs integrally formed with said housing and extending exteriorly from each junction of said sidewalls, each said pair of reinforcing ribs located intermediate said corner ribs; E. mounting means formed in each said corner rib to facilitate recessed mounting said enclosure to a wall stud,
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) | 1978-02-03 | 1978-08-05 | 1979-02-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-03 | 1982-08-05 | 1983-02-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-03 | 1986-08-05 | 1987-02-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |