Hubbell Limited

Kenneth R Schnell

Gregory J Kesler

Robert W Jorgensen

William E Slater

A waterproof cover for electrical devices such as electrical outlets, receptacles, switches, ground fault circuit interrupters, dimmers, etc. The waterproof cover has snap-in modular cover plates which can be used either alone with one gang covers or outlet boxes, or ganged together in combination for use with two gang electrical covers or outlet boxes. The cover plate has a side edge which defines an overhanging interlock extending along a first length of the side edge and an underhanging interlock extending along a second length of the side edge. The arrangement is such that the overhanging interlock can interlock with an underhanging interlock and the underhanging interlock can interlock with an overhanging interlock of a second similar cover plate to form a two gang cover plate for a two gang weatherproof cover. Alternatively, the overhanging interlock can interlock with an underhanging interlock and the underhanging interlock can interlock with an overhanging interlock of a one gang waterproof cover. At least one other side edge of the cover plate snap fits under at least one retention boss in the cover, and in a disclosed embodiment three other side edges of the cover plate snap fit under retention bosses in the cover and are secured between the retention bosses and a seating flange.

Electrical device waterproof cover with snap-in modular plates

An electrical box and a holding device for use therewith is disclosed. The holding device can be a flexible plastic bag-like container having a first wall coupled to a second wall and forming a substantially enclosed inner receiving area. A mounting fastener such as fan or fixture mounting screws are temporarily secured within the receiving area of the container. A box mounting screw extends completely through the container and extends through a side of the electrical box to temporarily secure the container and the electrical box to a structure; such as a joist. The fan or fixture mounting screws are then accessible for removal from the container and can be used to further fix the electrical box and the fan or fixture to the joist. The electrical box also has a pair of slots for receiving the fan or fixture mounting screws. Each slot has two areas for receiving a screw with a knockout between the areas. The knockout can be removed if the screw must be positioned between the two areas.

Electrical box and holding device for use therewith

A nonmetallic electrical box which has mounting surfaces or contacting points, a pair of bosses and a pair of securing arms. The bosses extend from the center of the top and bottom walls of the box for mounting a wiring device within the box, and the securing arms extend from the top and bottom walls for securing the box within the opening of a wall or ceiling. The contacting points are spaced apart along the top and bottom walls, are coplanar and extend outwardly from the top and bottom walls a distance at least equal to the distance the bosses and arms extend outwardly from the top and bottom walls, thereby preventing any side to side rocking motion when the box is mounted within a rectangular opening.

Electrical box

An electrical connector assembly for coupling non-metallic electrical conduit to an electrical box via a snap-fit. The electrical connector assembly includes a snap nut adaptor with an annular groove at one end forming a first mating member, and a conduit connector with resilient latch tabs forming a second mating member. Upon inserting the snap nut adaptor through a hole or knockout opening in an electrical box, the conduit connector is securely coupled thereto by inserting it over the snap nut adaptor until the latch tabs engage the annular groove via a snap-fit.

Electrical connector assembly

A connector for coupling non-metallic electrical conduit or tubing within an electrical box opening that is molded of plastic and is flexible and resilient and can be used with either plastic or steel electric boxes. The connector includes a ring, four legs resiliently and pivotally coupled to the ring with adjacent pairs of legs defining a slot therebetween, and four latch tabs located within the slots and flexibly and resiliently coupled to the ring for retaining the conduit within the connector and angled inwardly and extending away from the ring. Each leg has an arcuate groove therein for locking the connector within an aperture of an electrical box, and the legs form a stop wall for limiting insertion of the conduit within the connector. Each leg has a transverse arm which spans one of the slots. As the connector is being inserted into the aperture of the electrical box, each arm slidably engages the next adjacent leg. Once the connector is fully inserted into the electrical box and conductors have been fed through the conduit, the arms protect the conductors from being damaged by the electrical box.

Non-metallic electrical conduit connector

An electrical box is formed with an elongated channel in its back surface and brackets straddling the channel. The elongated U-shaped part of a hanger bar is inserted through the brackets and in the channel and is retained by a transverse rib which frictionally engages the hanger bar. Nail-receiving ears are provided on the sides of the box.

Electrical box mounting apparatus

An electrical wiring box assembly includes a non-metallic electrical box, a metallic grounding plate and a conducting clip. The electrical box includes a pair of mounting lugs for releasably fastening a wiring device. The grounding plate includes a central portion having a downwardly extending coupling flange frictionally retained in a slot formed in one of the box mounting lugs. The grounding plate further includes a pair of connecting portions extending downwardly from the central portion, each having an extending outwardly leg. The conducting clip includes a flat body portion and a raised portion. The flat body portion has a slot for receiving the coupling flange of the grounding plate and a self tapping hole for receiving a mounting screw. The raised portion includes a hole and a plurality of tabs formed by radially extending slits. The hole is slightly smaller than the diameter of the mounting screw. Upon passage of the mounting screw through the hole with the slits, the tabs are deflected downwardly, making firm electrical contact with the mounting screw.

Quick set grounding assembly

An electrical wall or ceiling box adapted to rapidly and securely couple an electrical wiring device thereto. The electrical box includes a pair of wedge-shaped inserts positioned within a pair of openings in the end walls of the electrical box. The inserts have a threaded, curved face portion for gripping a mounting screw and an oppositely facing sloping face portion for interacting with the sloping wall portions of the openings in the electrical box. The inserts also have a shoulder extending outwardly on three sides for engaging a three-sided ledge within the openings for retaining the inserts therein. This structure results in a significantly higher retention force than in prior devices, tending to resist disengagement of the inserts with the box upon insertion of a mounting screw therein.

Electrical box with coupling members

A support structure for an electrical box includes an elongated support member which is fastened into a hole in the rear wall of the box, the depth of insertion being determined by a stop flange. The length of the support member can be adjusted to approximately match the distance between the rear wall of the box and the inner surface of a sheet of wall material behind the rear wall by breaking off portions of the support member at one of a plurality of weakened regions formed by a uniform sequence of annular recesses. The support, thus installed, limits motion of the unmounted end of the box.

Electrical box support

An electrical ceiling box has an entrance port which is substantially closed by a cable clamp including an elongated tab hingedly connected at one end to a wall of the box. Near the other end of the tab is an arcuate wall extending from the inner surface of the tab. The wall has a concave surface facing toward the distal end of the tab. The concave surface is shaped and dimensioned to receive the end of a finger so that the installer can engage the tab to swing into the box and insert a cable through the port. At the base of the concave surface is a recess shaped and dimensioned to receive the end of a screwdriver blade to allow a screwdriver to be used for opening the port.

Cable clamps for electrical box

An electrical housing includes mounting flanges and mounting ear for positioning and attaching the housing against a stud. Rearwardly extending brackets permit attachment of the housing against the open side of a metal stud rigidly and securely, and also provide for bracing of the housing between the inner surfaces of wall panels mounted on the studs. Bracket extensions are provided to accommodate wider studs and a cover and barrier assembly completes the housing.

Non-metallic electrical connection housing

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.

Screw attachment pocket with guide tab

A connector for firmly engaging the exterior annular ribs on non-metallic conduit includes a tubular sleeve with a stop wall at one end, the stop wall having an opening therethrough. Several latch tabs are formed in the side wall of the sleeve, the tabs being inclined inwardly so that the ends of them extend into the interior of the sleeve. When a piece of conduit is inserted until it abuts the stop wall, the tabs snap into recesses adjacent the end rings. On the other side of the stop wall are hook members to engage the opening in a junction box or an identical sleeve for engaging a second piece of conduit.

Growing community of inventors

South Bend, IN, United States of America

Kenneth R Schnell