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US4843189A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Screw attachment pocket with guide tab

Assignee: Hubbell Inc
•
Filing: 1988-09-20
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Granted: 1989-06-27
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Expires: 2008-09-20
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Abstract

Abstract A molded electrical box is provided with attachment housings at opposite ends thereof. The attachment housing include a fixed arcuate surface and a movable partially threaded cam member to engage a screw inserted therein. A guide tab extends partially across the open front of the attachment housing and has an arcuate end surface to guide the screw between the engaging surfaces and prevent the screw from abutting a forwardly facing end of the cam member.

Inventors

  • 👤 Robert W. Jorgensen
  • 👤 Kenneth R. Schnell

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-07 17:21
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02G; H02G3/00; H02G3/02; H02G3/08; H02G3/18

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim 207 words
A molded electrical box of the type including generally parallel side walls, generally parallel end walls perpendicular to said side walls and a back wall forming a box with an open front for receiving wires and an electrical device, first and second screw attachment housings, one in each of said end walls at said open front, each said attachment housing including a cavity having an opening facing in the same direction as said open front into which a screw can be inserted, means in said cavity defining an arcuate surface, a first sloping surface in said cavity and a generally triangular cam member having a second sloping surface and means on another surface defining a set of partial threads, the cam member being insertable into said cavity with said first and second sloping surfaces facing each other and with the arcuate surface facing the set of partial threads so that a screw can be received between the arcuate surfaces, and a guide comprising a guide tab extending partially across said opening of said cavity to block direct access to said cam member, said guide tab having an arcuate distal end surface dimensioned to receive a screw being inserted and to guide said screw between said arcuate surfaces.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 207 words
A molded electrical box of the type including generally parallel side walls, generally parallel end walls perpendicular to said side walls and a back wall forming a box with an open front for receiving wires and an electrical device, first and second screw attachment housings, one in each of said end walls at said open front, each said attachment housing including a cavity having an opening facing in the same direction as said open front into which a screw can be inserted, means in said cavity defining an arcuate surface, a first sloping surface in said cavity and a generally triangular cam member having a second sloping surface and means on another surface defining a set of partial threads, the cam member being insertable into said cavity with said first and second sloping surfaces facing each other and with the arcuate surface facing the set of partial threads so that a screw can be received between the arcuate surfaces, and a guide comprising a guide tab extending partially across said opening of said cavity to block direct access to said cam member, said guide tab having an arcuate distal end surface dimensioned to receive a screw being inserted and to guide said screw between said arcuate surfaces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 28 words
A structure according to claim 1, wherein the radius of curvature of said distal end surface of said tab is no smaller than the radius of said screw.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3352341A Cited
US3955463A Cited
US3876821A Cited
US4071158A Cited
US4315100A Cited
US4424405A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1992-06-26 1992-12-26 1993-06-27 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1996-06-26 1996-12-26 1997-06-27 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2000-06-26 2000-12-26 2001-06-27 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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