US6274809B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Large capacity floor box
Assignee: Hubbell Inc
•
Filing: 1999-04-29
•
Granted: 2001-08-14
•
Expires: 2019-04-29
Abstract
Abstract An electrical floor box having more than four outlets around a central access area. Each outlet has a wiring compartment formed from interlocking partitions with only the rear of each wiring compartment formed from the perimeter walls of the box. The partitions interlock through the use of a tab and slot system. A wire tunnel is positioned at the bottom of the central access area of the box and is formed from two pieces to enable easy removal of the wire tunnel and to facilitate access to the wires therein.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert A. Pudims
- 👤 Thomas J. Vigorito
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 18:53
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02G; H02G3/00; H02G3/02; H02G3/08; H02G3/18; H02G3/185; H02G3/28; H02G3/283
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
An electrical box comprising: a base having a support and a perimeter wall, said perimeter wall being coupled to said support and extending away from said support; first, second, third, fourth and fifth faceplates; first, second, third, fourth and fifth walls; and said first, second, third, fourth and fifth walls forming first, second, third, fourth, and fifth compartments, each of said first, second, third, fourth and fifth walls being coupled to said perimeter wall and extending from said perimeter wall to at least two of said first, second, third, fourth and fifth faceplates, and each of said compartments being separated from each of the other of said compartments by at least one of said first, second third, fourth and fifth walls.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
An electrical box comprising: a base having a support and a perimeter wall, said perimeter wall being coupled to said support and extending away from said support; first, second, third, fourth and fifth faceplates; first, second, third, fourth and fifth walls; and said first, second, third, fourth and fifth walls forming first, second, third, fourth, and fifth compartments, each of said first, second, third, fourth and fifth walls being coupled to said perimeter wall and extending from said perimeter wall to at least two of said first, second, third, fourth and fifth faceplates, and each of said compartments being separated from each of the other of said compartments by at least one of said first, second third, fourth and fifth walls.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The electrical box according to claim 1 , further comprising a sixth faceplate; and a sixth wall, said sixth wall along with at least two of said first, second, third, fourth and fifth walls forming a sixth compartment with said sixth faceplate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The electrical box according to claim 1 , wherein said perimeter wall is formed by a plurality of access sections having removable knockout portions, and each of said compartment is formed by at least one of said plurality of access sections.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The electrical box according to claim 3 , wherein each of said plurality of access sections is either substantially parallel to or substantially perpendicular to the other sections of said plurality of sections.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The electrical box according to claim 2 , wherein each of said first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth compartments have an inner side facing the center of said base, with said inner sides forming a central cavity within said base, said central cavity being generally hexagonal in shape.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The electrical box according to claim 5 , further comprising: a generally hexagonal-shaped tunnel member positioned on said base in said central cavity, said tunnel member being surrounded by said inner sides of said first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth compartments.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The electrical box according to claim 6 , wherein each of said inner sides has at least one of said faceplates attached thereto.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The electrical box according to claim 1 , wherein said base and each of said first, second, third, fourth, and fifth walls are formed from metal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The electrical box according to claim 1 , wherein each of said first, second, third, fourth and fifth walls has a means for securely connecting said walls to said support in a removable fashion without separate fasteners.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The electrical box according to claim 9 , wherein said means for securely connecting includes tabs, which are capable of being inserted into mating slots.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
76 words
An electrical box, comprising: a base having a support and a perimeter wall coupled to and extending around said support and defining a central cavity; and first and second partitions releasably connected to said base and positioned within said central cavity, said first and second partitions and said perimeter wall forming first and second compartments, said first partition having a first slot and said second partition having a first tab removably positioned within said first slot.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
76 words
An electrical box, comprising: a base having a support and a perimeter wall coupled to and extending around said support and defining a central cavity; and first and second partitions releasably connected to said base and positioned within said central cavity, said first and second partitions and said perimeter wall forming first and second compartments, said first partition having a first slot and said second partition having a first tab removably positioned within said first slot.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
82 words
The electrical box according to claim 11 , further comprising: third and a fourth partitions connected to said base and positioned within said central cavity, said third and fourth partitions and said perimeter wall forming third and fourth compartments, said second partition has a second slot and said third partition having a second tab removably positioned within said second slot, and said fourth partition having a third slot and said third partition having a third tab removably positioned within said third slot.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
82 words
The electrical box according to claim 12 , further comprising: fifth and a sixth partitions connected to said base and positioned within said central cavity, said fifth and sixth partitions and said perimeter wall forming fifth and sixth compartments, said fourth partition has a fourth slot and said fifth partition having a fourth tab removably positioned within said fourth slot, and said fifth partition having a fifth slot and said sixth partition having a fifth tab removably positioned within said fifth slot.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The electrical box according to claim 13 , wherein said first partition has a sixth slot and said sixth partition has a sixth tab removably positioned within said sixth slot.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The electrical box according to claim 14 , wherein said support has at least one support slot, and at least one of said partitions has a support tab removably positioned within said at least one support slot.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The electrical box according to claim 15 , wherein said first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth compartments define a hexagonal area of said central cavity, and a hexagonal-shaped tunnel member is positioned within said hexagonal area.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The electrical box according to claim 16 , further comprising: a cover positioned over said base.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
106 words
An electrical box comprising: a base having a support and a perimeter wall coupled to and extending away from said support; first and second compartments formed within said base; and a tunnel member positioned on said support and having first and second tunnel portions, each of said tunnel portions being removably replaceable from said base and having a platform spaced from said support forming a tunnel cavity, at least one of said tunnel cavities forming a first passageway from said first compartment to said second compartment, and said first tunnel portion having a first access element for removal of said first tunnel portion from said base.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
106 words
An electrical box comprising: a base having a support and a perimeter wall coupled to and extending away from said support; first and second compartments formed within said base; and a tunnel member positioned on said support and having first and second tunnel portions, each of said tunnel portions being removably replaceable from said base and having a platform spaced from said support forming a tunnel cavity, at least one of said tunnel cavities forming a first passageway from said first compartment to said second compartment, and said first tunnel portion having a first access element for removal of said first tunnel portion from said base.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The electrical box according to claim 18 , wherein said tunnel member has a generally hexagonal shape.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The electrical box according to claim 18 , wherein said second tunnel portion has a second access element, which cooperates with said first access element.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
41 words
The electrical box according to claim 20 , wherein said first access element is a first depression and said second access element is a first protrusion shaped similarly to said first depression and capable of being positioned within said first depression.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
44 words
The electrical box according to claim 21 , wherein said second tunnel portion has a second depression and said first tunnel portion has a second protrusion, wherein said first and second depressions are substantially identical and said first and second protrusions are substantially identical.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electrical box according to claim 22 , wherein each of said tunnel portions has a removable knockout panel.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electrical box according to claim 23 , wherein said first tunnel portion is identical to said second tunnel portion.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
50 words
The electrical box according to claim 18 , wherein said first and second compartments have first and second inner sides, respectively, first and second faceplates being coupled to said first and second inner sides, respectively, and said tunnel portions are secured to said support by said first and second faceplates.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
56 words
The electrical box according to claim 18 , wherein said first tunnel portion has a first dividing wall and said first passageway and said second tunnel portion has a second dividing wall and a second tunnel passageway, and said first tunnel passageway is separated from said second tunnel passageway by said first and second dividing walls.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of forming an electrical box, comprising the steps of: providing a base having a support and a perimeter wall coupled to and extending away from said support; releasably attaching a first partition to the base; releasably attaching a second partition to the first partition and to the base, with the first and second partitions forming first and second compartments and each of the first and second partitions being directly coupled to the perimeter wall and the support, and each of the first and second compartments being separated from the other of the first and second compartments by one of the first and second partitions; and placing a cover over the first and second partitions to secure the first and second partitions to the base.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of forming an electrical box, comprising the steps of: providing a base having a support and a perimeter wall coupled to and extending away from said support; releasably attaching a first partition to the base; releasably attaching a second partition to the first partition and to the base, with the first and second partitions forming first and second compartments and each of the first and second partitions being directly coupled to the perimeter wall and the support, and each of the first and second compartments being separated from the other of the first and second compartments by one of the first and second partitions; and placing a cover over the first and second partitions to secure the first and second partitions to the base.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method according to claim 27 wherein the step of attaching a second partition to the first partition and to the base includes providing a first slot to the first partition and a first tab to the second partition and inserting the first tab into the first slot.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 28 further comprising the step of: attaching third and fourth partitions to the base forming third and fourth compartments, with each of the third and fourth partitions interlocking with another partition.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 29 further comprising the step of: attaching fifth and sixth partitions to the base forming fifth and sixth compartments, with each of the fifth and sixth partitions interlocking with another partition.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of accessing wires in an electrical box, comprising the steps of: providing a base having a support and a perimeter wall coupled to and extending away from the support; providing the base with a tunnel member having first and second tunnel portions, the first tunnel portion being separate from the second tunnel portion, each tunnel portion having a platform spaced from the support forming a tunnel cavity, and the first tunnel portion having an access element for removal of the first tunnel portion; providing the base with first and second compartments facing the tunnel member, and the tunnel cavity forming a passage way from the first compartment to the second compartment; providing a faceplate covering each of the first and second compartments; removing the faceplates; and removing one of the first and second tunnel portions by hand, without the use of a tool; and accessing the wires.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of accessing wires in an electrical box, comprising the steps of: providing a base having a support and a perimeter wall coupled to and extending away from the support; providing the base with a tunnel member having first and second tunnel portions, the first tunnel portion being separate from the second tunnel portion, each tunnel portion having a platform spaced from the support forming a tunnel cavity, and the first tunnel portion having an access element for removal of the first tunnel portion; providing the base with first and second compartments facing the tunnel member, and the tunnel cavity forming a passage way from the first compartment to the second compartment; providing a faceplate covering each of the first and second compartments; removing the faceplates; and removing one of the first and second tunnel portions by hand, without the use of a tool; and accessing the wires.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 31 , wherein said step of providing a tunnel member includes providing a hexagonal-shaped tunnel member.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method according to claim 32 , wherein said step of removing one of the first and second tunnel portions by hand, without the use of a tool includes providing the first tunnel member with a first depression and the second tunnel member with a first protrusion, which mates with the first depression.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method according to claim 33 , wherein said step of removing one of the first and second tunnel portions by hand, without the use of a tool includes inserting a human finger into the first depression to contact the first protrusion and lift the second tunnel member away from the support of the base.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
91 words
An electrical floor box, comprising: a base; a perimeter wall coupled to said base and defining a central cavity, said perimeter wall substantially enclosing a portion of said base so that said portion of said base traverses a majority of said central cavity; a first partition coupled to said perimeter wall; and a second partition coupled to said first partition, said first and second partitions forming first and second compartments, and each of said first and second compartments being separated from one another by one of said first and second partitions.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
91 words
An electrical floor box, comprising: a base; a perimeter wall coupled to said base and defining a central cavity, said perimeter wall substantially enclosing a portion of said base so that said portion of said base traverses a majority of said central cavity; a first partition coupled to said perimeter wall; and a second partition coupled to said first partition, said first and second partitions forming first and second compartments, and each of said first and second compartments being separated from one another by one of said first and second partitions.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
83 words
An apparatus comprising: a floor box having a base, a cavity above said base, and at least five compartments disposed around and being accessible through said cavity; and first and second tunnel portions, said first tunnel portion having a first access element for removal from the cavity, and said first and second tunnel portions being supported above said floor box base to form a tunnel between said base and said tunnel portions, and between at least two of said at least five compartments.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
83 words
An apparatus comprising: a floor box having a base, a cavity above said base, and at least five compartments disposed around and being accessible through said cavity; and first and second tunnel portions, said first tunnel portion having a first access element for removal from the cavity, and said first and second tunnel portions being supported above said floor box base to form a tunnel between said base and said tunnel portions, and between at least two of said at least five compartments.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-08-13 | 2005-02-12 | 2005-08-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-08-13 | 2009-02-12 | 2009-08-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-08-13 | 2013-02-12 | 2013-08-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |