US6335486B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-grounded plastic electrical box and method of making the same
Assignee: REIKER ENTERPRISES OF NORTHWEST FLORIDA Inc Corp OF FLORIDA
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Filing: 1997-08-01
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Granted: 2002-01-01
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Expires: 2017-08-01
Abstract
Abstract An electrical junction box or mounting assembly includes a box having a top wall and a side wall. The side wall extends downwardly away from the top wall and defines a cavity therein. A hole is provided in the side wall, and a fixture support is disposed in the hole. The fixture support may be made of metal, and the side wall and/or top wall may be made of plastic. The fastener may be a stud having a threaded hole therein. Flutes may be provided on the stud for engaging with the plastic/metal side wall for preventing rotation of the stud. An adhesive sufficiently strong to adhere the junction box to a downwardly facing surface may be provided on the top wall of the junction box. The adhesive may be in the form of double-sided tape. A method of extruding junction boxes includes extruding at least the side wall of the box and attaching a top wall thereto.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth H. Reiker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 13:41
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02G; H02G3/00; H02G3/02; H02G3/08; H02G3/18; H02G3/20; E; E04; E04B; E04B9/00; E04B9/006; H02G3/081; H02G3/10; H02G3/12; H02G3/123; H02G3/126
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A mounting assembly, comprising: a) a box including a non-metallic top wall and a non-metallic side wall; b) said side wall extending downwardly away from said top wall and defining a cavity therein; c) a metal support disposed on said side wall; d) said metal support extending substantially across a width of the box and engaging said top wall; e) a fixture support having a first end and a second end, said first end being engaged with said metal support; f) a threaded hole provided on the second end of said fixture support; and g) said threaded hole being sized for mating with threads of a fixture fastener.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
A mounting assembly, comprising: a) a box including a non-metallic top wall and a non-metallic side wall; b) said side wall extending downwardly away from said top wall and defining a cavity therein; c) a metal support disposed on said side wall; d) said metal support extending substantially across a width of the box and engaging said top wall; e) a fixture support having a first end and a second end, said first end being engaged with said metal support; f) a threaded hole provided on the second end of said fixture support; and g) said threaded hole being sized for mating with threads of a fixture fastener.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as defined in claim 1 , wherein: a) said fixture support comprises metal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as defined in claim 1 , wherein: a) said top wall comprises plastic.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as defined in claim 3 , wherein: a) said top wall comprises a metallic material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device as defined in claim 4 , wherein: a) said fixture support engages said metallic top wall.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as defined in claim 5 , wherein: a) said fixture support includes a female fastener at a lower portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device as defined in claim 6 , wherein: a) said fixture support includes a head which is disposed on an upper surface of the top wall.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device as defined in claim 7 , wherein: a) a window is provided in said side wall; and b) said fixture support is disposed in said window.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
A device as defined in claim 1 , wherein: a) said fixture support includes a stud having a head at a top portion; b) said threaded hole is disposed in a bottom portion of said stud; and c) said head engages said top wall of said box.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device as defined in claim 1 , wherein: a) an opening is defined in said side wall; and b) said opening defined in said side wall includes a portion which opens outwardly of said box.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device as defined in claim 1 , wherein: a) an adhesive is disposed on said top wall; and b) said adhesive is located and is sufficiently strong for adhering said junction box to a support surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as defined in claim 11 , wherein: a) said adhesive includes double-sided tape.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
A device as defined in claim 1 , wherein: a) an adhesive is disposed on said top wall; and b) said adhesive includes double-sided tape and is located and is sufficiently strong for adhering said junction box to a support surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device as defined in claim 1 , wherein: a) a hole is defined in said side wall; and b) said fixture support is at least partially disposed within said hole.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as defined in claim 14 , wherein: a) said fixture support is substantially completely disposed within said hole.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
48 words
A device as defined in claim 1 , wherein: a) said metal support is disposed on a non-metallic material disposed on said box; and b) said metal support is configured for engaging said fixture support for establishing a grounding connection with a fixture attached to said fixture support.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device as defined in claim 1 , wherein: a) an opening is provided on said metal support, and said opening is configured for securing a grounding screw thereto.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as defined in claim 17 , wherein: a) said opening includes a threaded hole.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
96 words
A device as defined in claim 1 , wherein: a) an opening is provided in one of said top wall and said side wall of said box, said opening being configured for receiving a wire therethrough; b) an extension is provided on said metal support, said extension being configured for extending at least partially into said opening in said one of said top wall and side wall; and c) said extension being configured for allowing a wire to be inserted into said opening and for restricting movement of the wire out of said opening, in use.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device as defined in claim 19 , wherein: a) a ridged portion is provided on said extension for enhancing engagement between the wire and said extension, in use.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
113 words
A mounting assembly, comprising: a) a junction box including a top wall and a non-metallic side wall; b) said side wall extending downwardly away from said top wall and defining a cavity therein; c) a metal support disposed on said side wall; d) a fixture support engaged with said metal support; e) a threaded hole provided on said fixture support; f) said threaded hole being sized for mating with threads of a fixture fastener; g) said fixture support including a stud having a head at a top portion; h) said threaded hole being disposed in a bottom portion of said fixture support; and i) said head engaging said top wall of said box.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
113 words
A mounting assembly, comprising: a) a junction box including a top wall and a non-metallic side wall; b) said side wall extending downwardly away from said top wall and defining a cavity therein; c) a metal support disposed on said side wall; d) a fixture support engaged with said metal support; e) a threaded hole provided on said fixture support; f) said threaded hole being sized for mating with threads of a fixture fastener; g) said fixture support including a stud having a head at a top portion; h) said threaded hole being disposed in a bottom portion of said fixture support; and i) said head engaging said top wall of said box.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as defined in claim 21 , wherein: a) said top wall comprises a non-metallic material.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as defined in claim 22 , wherein: a) said non-metallic material of said top wall comprises plastic.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device as defined in claim 21 , wherein: a) a hole is defined in said side wall; and b) said fixture support is at least partially disposed within said hole.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as defined in claim 24 , wherein: a) said fixture support is substantially completely disposed within said hole.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device as defined in claim 21 , wherein: a) said non-metallic material of said side wall comprises an extruded non-metallic material.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as defined in claim 26 , wherein: a) said extruded non-metallic material of said side wall comprises plastic.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device as defined in claim 21 , wherein: a) an opening is provided in the top wall; and b) said fixture support is disposed in the opening.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device as defined in claim 21 , wherein: a) an opening is provided on said metal support, and said opening is configured for securing a grounding screw thereto.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device as defined in claim 21 , wherein: a) an opening is provided in said side wall; and b) said fixture support is disposed in said opening in said side wall.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device as defined in claim 21 , wherein: a) an opening is provided in said top wall; and b) said fixture support is disposed in said opening in said top wall.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as defined in claim 21 , wherein: a) said fixture support includes a stud.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device as defined in claim 32 , wherein: a) at least one flute is provided on said stud, said at least one flute being configured for engaging said at least one of the top wall and the side wall.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device as defined in claim 21 , wherein: a) said top wall comprises a substantially flat plate.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
43 words
A device as defined in claim 21 , wherein: a) at least one guide is disposed on said top wall, and said at least one guide is configured for engaging a portion of a support to which said box is attached, in use.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
47 words
A device as defined in claim 35 , wherein: a) said at least one guide includes a first guide and a spaced apart second guide; and b) said first guide and said second guide being sufficiently far apart so that a joist will fit therebetween, in use.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as defined in claim 21 , wherein: a) said top wall comprises a metallic material.
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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) | 2004-12-31 | 2005-07-02 | 2006-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-12-31 | 2009-07-02 | 2010-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-12-31 | 2013-07-02 | 2014-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |