Fast set screw device for non-metallic boxes

Abstract

A non-metallic electrical wiring box having a fast set screw mounting socket for mounting electrical devices inside the box. The box includes a pair of side walls, a pair of end walls, a back wall, a front opening and one or more fast set screw mounting sockets in each end wall, or connected to each end wall, for receiving a mounting screw. Each socket includes: a socket wall, preferably a cylindrically-shaped wall, an interior wall surface, a first end, a second end and a mid-region. The first end corresponds to the front opening of the box and the mid-region is between the first and second ends of the fast set screw mounting socket. Each socket also has a center slot in the socket wall, which preferably bisects the socket wall and extends from about the mid-region to the second end of the socket and defines two or more flexible socket wall sections.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority from provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 697,664, filed on Jul. 8, 2005.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to electrical outlet or junction boxes and more specifically to a box with a mounting feature for quickly and easily installing electrical devices in the box. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0003] An electrical junction or outlet box provides an enclosure for an electrical device, such as a receptacle, as well as a termination point for wires carrying electrical current through buildings, houses and other structures. Wiring entering an outlet box is typically connected to a particular electrical fixture or receptacle such as a plug outlet or switch. The box is then typically covered by a face plate having an opening therein to allow access to the outlet or switch while preventing electrified components from being exposed. Outlet boxes may be employed in concealed-wiring installations in which they are located within a wa...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] The box can also include a pair of side slots in each end wall, which are located so that the fast set screw mounting socket is disposed between the side slots. Preferably, the side slots are substantially parallel to the center slot in the socket wall and extend from about the mid-region to the second end of the mounting socket. In preferred embodiments, the second end of each socket is defined by a slit in the end wall. The slit extends between the side slots and is substantially perpendicular to the center slot and substantially parallel to the front opening. In some embodiments, the pair of side slots and the wall sections of the socket define a pair of tabs that are connected to the end wall by a pair of hinge sections. The tabs and hinge sections provide added flexibility to the socket wall sections and allow the wall sections to move outwardly when a screw is inserted in the fast set screw mounting socket.

Problems solved by technology

However, both of these types of retaining devices have disadvantages.

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