US4096347A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Outlet box access cover
Assignee: POWER LINE PRODUCTS Inc
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Filing: 1976-08-16
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Granted: 1978-06-20
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Expires: 1996-08-16
Abstract
Abstract A preset access housing assembly is disclosed for use in underfloor electrical distribution systems having a plurality of raceway cells extending below the floor surface. The housing has a base wall and a sidewall extending upwardly therefrom and terminating at an open upper end. The base wall is proportioned to bridge between at least two separate raceway cells, and is formed with a separate opening adapted to connect with the interior of each associated raceway cell. A closure closes the open end of the housing and includes a hinged cover portion and a stationary cover portion. The hinged cover portion is openable to vertically expose at least one raceway cell opening and provide easy access thereto, while the stationary cover portion blocks easy access to at least one other raceway cell opening.
Inventors
- 👤 John P. Penczak
- 👤 Richard A. Chokenea
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 23:44
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02G; H02G3/00; H02G3/02; H02G3/08; H02G3/18; H02G3/185
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A preset access housing for underfloor electrical distribution systems having raceway cells extending below the surface of a concrete or the like floor, comprising a base wall proportion to bridge between at least two separate raceway cells and formed with separate openings adapted to connect with the interior of each associated raceway cell, a sidewall extending upwardly from said base wall and terminating at an upper open end, said sidewall being proportioned to locate said open end adjacent to but below the surface of a floor, and closure means secured to and closing said open end, said closure means comprising support and frame assembly means, said assembly means comprising a support ring fixed to the upper open end of said sidewall and a finish frame fixed to said support ring and defining an access opening therethrough, a stationary cover covering a portion of said access opening and being fixed to said assembly means, and a movable cover pivotally connected to said assembly means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
A preset access housing for underfloor electrical distribution systems having raceway cells extending below the surface of a concrete or the like floor, comprising a base wall proportion to bridge between at least two separate raceway cells and formed with separate openings adapted to connect with the interior of each associated raceway cell, a sidewall extending upwardly from said base wall and terminating at an upper open end, said sidewall being proportioned to locate said open end adjacent to but below the surface of a floor, and closure means secured to and closing said open end, said closure means comprising support and frame assembly means, said assembly means comprising a support ring fixed to the upper open end of said sidewall and a finish frame fixed to said support ring and defining an access opening therethrough, a stationary cover covering a portion of said access opening and being fixed to said assembly means, and a movable cover pivotally connected to said assembly means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A preset access housing according to claim 1, wherein said sidewall is generally conical having a first diameter and converging to said open end which has a second diameter substantially smaller than said first diameter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A preset access housing according to claim 1, wherein said movable cover and said stationary cover cooperate to define apertures for receiving service leads.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A preset access housing according to claim 3, wherein at least the major portion of at least one aperture is defined by said stationary cover.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
154 words
A preset access housing for underfloor electrical distribution systems having raceway cells extending below the surface of a concrete or the like floor, comprising a base wall proportioned to bridge between at least two separate raceway cells and being formed with separate openings adapted to connect with the interior of each associated raceway cell, a sidewall extending upwardly from said base wall and terminating at an upper open end, said sidewall being proportioned to locate said open end adjacent to but below the surface of a floor, and closure means secured to and closing said open end, said closure means comprising a support ring fixed to the upper open end of said sidewall, a finish frame fixed to said support ring and defining an access opening therethrough, a stationary cover covering a portion of said access opening and being fixed to said support ring, and a movable cover pivotally connected to said finish frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
154 words
A preset access housing for underfloor electrical distribution systems having raceway cells extending below the surface of a concrete or the like floor, comprising a base wall proportioned to bridge between at least two separate raceway cells and being formed with separate openings adapted to connect with the interior of each associated raceway cell, a sidewall extending upwardly from said base wall and terminating at an upper open end, said sidewall being proportioned to locate said open end adjacent to but below the surface of a floor, and closure means secured to and closing said open end, said closure means comprising a support ring fixed to the upper open end of said sidewall, a finish frame fixed to said support ring and defining an access opening therethrough, a stationary cover covering a portion of said access opening and being fixed to said support ring, and a movable cover pivotally connected to said finish frame.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A preset access housing according to claim 5, wherein said sidewall is generally conical, having a first diameter and coverging to said open end, which has a second diameter substantially smaller than said first diameter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A preset access housing according to claim 5, wherein said movable cover and said stationary cover cooperate to define apertures for receiving electrical leads.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A preset access housing according to claim 7, wherein at least the major portion of at least one aperture is defined by said stationary cover.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A preset access housing according to claim 5, wherein said movable cover and said stationary cover are generally coplanar with said finish frame.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A preset access housing according to claim 5, wherein said stationary cover is removably attached to said support ring.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A preset access housing according to claim 5, wherein reinforcing means are fixed to said stationary cover and to said movable cover.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A preset access housing according to claim 5, wherein power lead retaining means is fixed to said movable cover.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
188 words
A preset access housing for underfloor electrical distribution systems having raceway cells extending below the surface of a concrete or the like floor, comprising a base wall proportioned to bridge between at least two separate raceway cells and formed with separate openings adapted to connect with the interior of each associated raceway cell, a sidewall extending upwardly from said base wall and terminating at an upper open end, said sidewall being proportioned to locate said open end adjacent to but below the surface of a floor, closure means secured to and closing said open end, said closure means comprising a support ring fixed to said open end, a top finish plate having an access opening therethrough fixed to said support ring, a top finish cover fixed to said top finish plate and to said support ring, a portion of said finish cover being pivotally openable to expose only a portion of the area defined by the access opening in said top finish plate, a portion of the remainder of said finish cover comprising a stationary cover covering remaining portions of the access opening in said top finish plate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
188 words
A preset access housing for underfloor electrical distribution systems having raceway cells extending below the surface of a concrete or the like floor, comprising a base wall proportioned to bridge between at least two separate raceway cells and formed with separate openings adapted to connect with the interior of each associated raceway cell, a sidewall extending upwardly from said base wall and terminating at an upper open end, said sidewall being proportioned to locate said open end adjacent to but below the surface of a floor, closure means secured to and closing said open end, said closure means comprising a support ring fixed to said open end, a top finish plate having an access opening therethrough fixed to said support ring, a top finish cover fixed to said top finish plate and to said support ring, a portion of said finish cover being pivotally openable to expose only a portion of the area defined by the access opening in said top finish plate, a portion of the remainder of said finish cover comprising a stationary cover covering remaining portions of the access opening in said top finish plate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
A preset access housing according to claim 13, wherein said sidewall is generally conical, having a first diameter and converging to said open end, which has a second diameter substantially smaller than said first diameter.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
A preset access housing according to claim 13, wherein said pivotally openable portion of said cover and said stationary cover cooperate to define apertures for receiving service leads.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
A preset access housing according to claim 15, wherein at least the major portion of at least one of said apertures is defined by a portion of said stationary cover.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
A preset access housing according to claim 13, wherein said finish cover is fixed to said finish plate and to said ring by lugs which project from said finish cover and engage said support ring.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
177 words
A preset access housing for underfloor electrical distribution systems having raceway cells extending below the surface of a concrete floor or the like, comprising a base wall proportioned to bridge between at least two separate raceway cells and formed with separate openings adapted to connect with the interior of each associated raceway cell, a sidewall extending upwardly from said base wall and terminating at an upper open end, said sidewall being proportioned to locate said open end adjacent to but below the surface of a floor, closure means secured to and closing said open end, said closure means comprising a support ring fixed to said open end, a top finish plate having an access opening therethrough fixed to said support ring, a stationary cover closing one portion of said access opening, a pivotally openable access cover closing the remaining portion of said access opening, a top finish cover covering said top finish plate and said stationary cover and an access finish cover fixed to said pivotally openable cover and being substantially coplanar with said top finish cover.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
177 words
A preset access housing for underfloor electrical distribution systems having raceway cells extending below the surface of a concrete floor or the like, comprising a base wall proportioned to bridge between at least two separate raceway cells and formed with separate openings adapted to connect with the interior of each associated raceway cell, a sidewall extending upwardly from said base wall and terminating at an upper open end, said sidewall being proportioned to locate said open end adjacent to but below the surface of a floor, closure means secured to and closing said open end, said closure means comprising a support ring fixed to said open end, a top finish plate having an access opening therethrough fixed to said support ring, a stationary cover closing one portion of said access opening, a pivotally openable access cover closing the remaining portion of said access opening, a top finish cover covering said top finish plate and said stationary cover and an access finish cover fixed to said pivotally openable cover and being substantially coplanar with said top finish cover.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
A preset access housing according to claim 18, wherein said pivotally openable cover is provided with slots and wherein said access finish cover includes tabs depending into said slots.
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) | 1981-06-19 | 1981-12-19 | 1982-06-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-06-19 | 1985-12-19 | 1986-06-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-06-19 | 1989-12-19 | 1990-06-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |