Fire prevention fitting

Abstract

A fire prevention device for electrical boxes is provided. A fire prevention device of the present disclosure includes a canister configured to hold a fire suppression material, the canister including an open end to enable the fire suppression material to be released; and a coupler including a first end and a second end, the first end configured to be coupled to the open end of the canister and the second end configured to be coupled to an aperture of an electrical box.

Description

FIRE PREVENTION FITTINGPRIORITY

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 706,058 filed October 1 1 , 2024, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to fire prevention devices and more particularly to a fire prevention fitting for preventing and / or suppressing fire in electrical boxes.BACKGROUND

[0003] Metal boxes can have products installed to prevent or help slow fire spread in a building. Current products include the Hilti™ firestop putty and the 3M™ brand fire block foam or fire barrier inserts. Putty type solutions are complicated and time prohibitive to install; and can leave residue on the installer’s hands / gloves and other surfaces. The fire block foam and putty cannot be removed easily and can be messy. The fire barrier inserts take up volume in a box and are prohibited in use by the shape of the insert unless extra work is used to cut the barrier to size. The fire barrier inserts can be hard to install in boxes with added parts including conduit connectors and wire ports / clamps.

[0004] Therefore, a need exists for techniques for fire suppression in metal and / or electrical boxes that facilitates an easier installation and minimizes space required in the internal volume of such box.SUMMARY

[0005] A fire prevention device for electrical boxes is provided. A fire prevention device of the present disclosure includes a canister configured to hold a fire suppression material, the canister including an open end to enable the fire suppression material to be released; and a coupler including a first end and a second end, the first end configured to be coupled to the open end of the canister and the second end configured to be coupled to an aperture of an electrical box.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a fire prevention device includes a canister configured to hold a fire suppression material, the canister including an open end to enable the fire suppression material to be released; and a coupler including a first end and a second end, the first end configured to be coupled to the open end of the canister and the second end configured to be coupled to an aperture of an electrical box.

[0007] In one aspect, the coupler includes a fastener.

[0008] In another aspect, the coupler further includes a connector including a first end and a second end, the first end of the connector configured to be coupled to the open end of the canister and the second end of the connector configured to be disposed in the aperture of the electrical box and to receive the fastener to secure the canister to the electrical box.

[0009] In a further aspect, the device further includes a seal configured to be disposed over the second end of the connector and positioned between a surface of the electrical box and the fastener.

[0010] In yet another aspect, the coupler is configured as a push-in connector.

[0011] In one aspect, the device further includes an insert configured to retain the fire suppression material in the canister, the insert having a predetermined temperature melting setpoint such that when the insert is exposed to a temperature above the predetermined temperature melting setpoint the fire suppression material is released from the canister.

[0012] In still a further aspect, the fire suppression material is at least one of a gas and / or a liquid.

[0013] In another aspect, the fire suppression material is at least one of a solid, a gas and / or a liquid.

[0014] In yet another aspect, the insert is configured as a membrane.

[0015] In one aspect, the fire suppression material is a solid having a predetermined temperature melting setpoint, the device further comprising a grid configured to retain the fire suppression material in the canister such that when the fire suppression material is exposed to a temperature above the predetermined temperature melting setpoint the fire suppression material is released from the canister through the grid.

[0016] In a further aspect, the fire suppression material is a solid having a predetermined temperature melting setpoint such that when the fire suppression material is exposed to a temperature above the predetermined temperature melting setpoint the fire suppression material is released from the canister.

[0017] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for preventing a fire in an electrical box including providing a canister configured to hold a fire suppression material, the canister including an open end to enable the firesuppression material to be released; and coupling the open end of the canister to an aperture of an electrical box such that when the temperature inside the electrical box reaches a predetermined temperature setpoint, the fire suppression material is released into the electrical box.

[0018] In one aspect, the method further includes providing a coupler to couple the canister to the electrical box, the coupler including a first end and a second end, the first end configured to be coupled to the open end of the canister and the second end configured to be coupled to the aperture of an electrical box.

[0019] In another aspect, the coupler includes a fastener.

[0020] In a further aspect, the coupler further includes a connector including a first end and a second end, the first end of the connector configured to be coupled to the open end of the canister and the second end of the connector configured to be disposed in the aperture of the electrical box and to receive the fastener to secure the canister to the electrical box.

[0021] In yet another aspect, the coupler is configured as a push-in connector.

[0022] In one aspect, the method further includes providing an insert configured to retain the fire suppression material in the canister, the insert having a predetermined temperature melting setpoint such that when the insert is exposed to a temperature above the predetermined temperature melting setpoint the fire suppression material is released from the canister.

[0023] In another aspect, the fire suppression material is at least one of a solid, a gas and / or a liquid.

[0024] In still another aspect, the insert is configured as a membrane.

[0025] In one aspect, the fire suppression material is a solid having a predetermined temperature melting setpoint such that when the fire suppression material is exposed to a temperature above the predetermined temperature melting setpoint the fire suppression material is released from the canister.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fire prevention fitting in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the fire prevention fitting shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a canister in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] FIG. 4A is a top, perspective view of an insert in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] FIG. 4B is a bottom, perspective view of an insert in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG. 5 a perspective view of a seal and lock nut in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] FIG. 6A illustrates the fire prevention fitting shown in FIG. 1 installed on an electrical box in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the fire prevention fitting installed on an electrical box as shown in FIG. 6A in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fire prevention fitting in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the fire prevention fitting shown in FIG. 7 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a canister in accordance with the second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] FIG. 10A is a top, perspective view of a coupling in accordance with the second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0039] FIG. 10B is a bottom, perspective view of a coupling in accordance with the second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0040] FIGS. 1 1 A-1 1 C illustrates various views of a push-in fitting in accordance with the second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0041] FIG. 12A illustrates the fire prevention fitting shown in FIG. 7 installed on an electrical box in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0042] FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view of the fire prevention fitting installed on an electrical box as shown in FIG. 12A in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0043] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a fire prevention fitting in accordance with a third embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0044] FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the fire prevention fitting shown in FIG. 13 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0045] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a canister in accordance with the third embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0046] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a lock nut in accordance with the third embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0047] FIG. 17A is a top, perspective view of an insert in accordance with the third embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0048] FIG. 17B is a bottom, perspective view of an insert in accordance with the third embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0049] FIG. 18A illustrates the fire prevention fitting shown in FIG. 13 installed on an electrical box in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0050] FIG. 18B is a cross-sectional view of the fire prevention fitting installed on an electrical box as shown in FIG. 18A in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0051] FIG. 19 illustrates an electrical box in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0052] It should be understood that the drawings are for purposes of illustrating the concepts of the disclosure and are not necessarily the only possible configuration for illustrating the disclosure. It should be noted that the features illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and features of one embodiment may be employed with other embodiments as the skilled artisan would recognize, even if not explicitlystated herein. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques may be omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiment.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure in unnecessary detail. The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any configuration or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other configurations or designs. Herein, the phrase "coupled" is defined to mean directly connected to or indirectly connected with through one or more intermediate components.

[0054] A fire prevention device for electrical boxes is provided. A fire prevention device of the present disclosure includes a canister configured to hold a fire suppression material, the canister including an open end to enable the fire suppression material to be released; and a coupler including a first end and a second end, the first end configured to be coupled to the open end of the canister and the second end configured to be coupled to an aperture of an electrical box. The fire prevention device is attached to an electrical box with the canister outside the box so as to not use valuable space for wiring inside the box. The fire prevention device is sized to utilize common knock-out (KO) apertures provided in conventional electrical boxes. The fire prevention device is easily adaptable to different fire suppression materials.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a fire prevention device 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. Generally, the device 100 includes a canister 102 for holding or retaining a fire suppression material therein and a coupler 104 for coupling the device 100 to an electrical box.

[0056] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the device 100 shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The device 100 includes a canister 102, a fire suppression material 106, an insert 108 and coupler 104. In this embodiment, the coupler 104 includes a connector 1 10, a fastener 112 and optionally, a seal 1 14. The canister 102 includes a generally cylindrical body 1 16 with a closed end 1 18 and an open end 120 for receiving the fire suppression material 106 in a cavity 122 of the canister 102, as shown in FIG. 3. The open end 120 is configured to be coupled to the coupler 104, as will be described in more detail below. In one embodiment, the open end 120 is configured with threads on an inner surface, i.e., female threaded, to be mated to a corresponding threaded portion of the coupler 104, e.g., a male threaded portion. Exemplary materials for the canister 102 may include, but are not limited to malleable cast iron, machine steel, die-cast zinc and aluminum, stamped steel, etc.

[0057] Insert 108 is provided to retain the fire suppression material 106 in the cavity 122 of the canister 102. In one embodiment, the insert 108 includes a cylindrical portion 126 and disc-shaped base 128. The cylindrical portion 126 is dimensioned to have a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the body 1 16 of canister 102 such that the cylindrical portion 126 enters the cavity 122 until the base 128 makes contact with a transition portion 130 of the canister 102. The insert 108 is made froma material having a predetermined temperature melting setpoint such that when the insert 108 is exposed to a temperature above the predetermined temperature melting setpoint the fire suppression material is released from the canister 102. It is to be appreciated that the insert 108 may be coupled to the canister 102 by compression, an adhesive and / or screw-in method. In one embodiment, the insert 108 may be constructed from plastics or polycarbonates, foam or gasket type materials, cellophane, etc. Alternatively, the insert 108 may be configured similar to tape or a membrane.

[0058] In one embodiment, the coupler 104 includes a cylindrical connector 1 10 including a first end 132 and a second end 134. A tightening ring 133 is disposed around the connector 1 10 approximately mid-way between the first end 132 and second end 134. The first end 132 of the connector 1 10 is configured to be coupled to the open end 120 of the canister 102 and the second end 134 of the connector 1 10 is configured to be disposed in an aperture of an electrical box (not shown). In one embodiment, the first end 132 is configured as a male threaded connector to be mated to the female threaded connector 124 of the canister 102. The second end 134 further is configured as a male threaded connector to receive a fastener 112, e.g., a lock nut, to secure the canister 102 to the electrical box. Optionally, an annular seal 1 14 is provided, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The seal 134 is configured to be disposed over the second end 134 of the connector 1 10 and positioned between a surface of the electrical box and the fastener 1 12.

[0059] Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, views of the device 100 installed on an electrical box are provided to illustrate the assembling and installation of the device100. Referring to FIG. 19, a conventional electrical box 400 is illustrated. The electrical box 400 generally includes a top wall 402, right side wall 404, a bottom wall 406, a left side wall 408 and a rear wall 410. Each wall 402, 404, 406, 408, 410 includes at least one aperture or perforated circle 412, also known as a knock-out (KO). Initially, the canister 102 is provided. The fire suppression material is disposed in the cavity 122 of the canister through the open end 120. The insert 108 is then positioned in the open end 120 such that cylindrical portion 126 enters the cavity 122 until the base 128 makes contact with a transition portion 130 of the canister 102. It is to be appreciated that the insert 108 may be retained in the canister by a friction fit between the wall of the body 1 16 and the cylindrical portion 126. Alternatively, the insert 108 is retained in place when connector 1 10 is coupled to the canister 102. The first end 132 is coupled, or screwed, onto the open end 120 of the canister 102 until an upper rim 135 of the connector mates contact with the base 128 of insert to secure the insert 108 in place.

[0060] Once the device 100 is assembled, the device 100 is installed on an electrical box, e.g., electrical 400. To install the device 100, the second end 134 of the connector 1 10 is disposed in an aperture 412 of the electrical box 400, e.g., a knockout (KO), where a lower surface 137 of the ring 133 rests on an outer surface 414 of top wall 402 of the electrical box, as shown in FIG. 6B. The fastener 112 is disposed over the second end 134 of the connector 1 10 until the fastener 1 12 comes into contact with an internal surface 416 of top wall 402 of the electrical box 400. Optionally, the seal 1 12 is disposed over the second end 134 of connector 1 10 before the fastener 1 12 is employed to secure the device 100.

[0061] FIG. 6A illustrates the device 100 installed on the top wall 412 of the electrical box 400. However, it is to be appreciated that the device 100 may be installed on any wall, e.g., walls 404, 406, 408, 410, to achieve fire suppression.

[0062] Once the device 100 is installed on, for example, an electrical box, the device 100 may be trigger upon excessive heat being generated in the electrical box. As temperatures inside the electrical box reaches the predetermined temperature melting setpoint, the insert 108 will melt (or detach) allowing the fire suppression material 106 to be released from the canister 102 and to flow through the hollow connector 110 into the electrical box.

[0063] Although the coupler 104 is configured as a threaded connection, in other embodiment, the coupler may be configured as, but not limited to, a squeeze type coupler, compression fitting, a set-screw fitting, etc.

[0064] It is to be appreciated that the fire suppression material 106 employed in the present disclosure may take many forms and includes any material that is used to control, contain, and extinguish fire such as a solid, liquid and / or gas. For example, the fire suppression material may include intumescent materials which are designed to expand when exposed to heat or flames, forming an insulated char barrier that can slow the spread of fires. As another example, the fire suppression material 106 may include a fire retardant which acts to reduce flammability by interrupting the chemical reactions that fuel combustion. Additionally, the fire suppression material 106 may include water-based agents, chemical agents, and inert gases. Water-based agents include water, foam concentrates, and wet and dry chemical extinguishing agents. Chemical agents are effective in suppressing flammable liquids, combustible metals, energized electricalequipment, class B fires involving greases and gases, and class D fires involving combustible metals such as magnesium or aluminum. Examples of common chemical suppressants include Halon 121 1 (bromochlorodifluoromethane), Halon 1301 (bromotrifluoromethane), carbon dioxide (CO2) gas, nitrogen gas, argon gas, Halocarbon 1230 (HFC-236fa) fluorinated fire suppressant foam concentrate solution containing perfluoroalkyl polyether alcohols (PFAS). Inert gases use non-combustible gases such as argon gas or nitrogen gas to displace oxygen from an area to create an environment where combustion cannot be sustained. The inert gas may be under compression to facilitate its release. It is further to be appreciated that the above list of exemplary fire suppression materials are not exhaustive and other fire suppression materials are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0065] In one embodiment, the fire suppression material 106 is a solid having a predetermined temperature melting setpoint such that when the fire suppression material is exposed to a temperature above the predetermined temperature melting setpoint the fire suppression material is released from the canister. In this embodiment, an insert, such as insert 126, may not be required to retain the fire suppression material in the canister 102, In this embodiment, the fire suppression material 106 may be retained in the cavity 1 12 of the canister 102 by, for example, friction fit, an adhesive, etc. When the fire suppression material reaches the predetermined temperature melting setpoint, the fire suppression material would simply flow from the canister 103 through the connector 1 10 into the electrical box.

[0066] In another embodiment, the fire suppression material may be a solid having a predetermined temperature melting setpoint and the insert is configured asa grid or thin membrane. The grid may be configured to retain the fire suppression material in the canister 102 such that when the fire suppression material is exposed to a temperature above the predetermined temperature melting setpoint the fire suppression material is released from the canister 102 through the grid. In a further embodiment, a thin membrane may be configured to stick to the inner walls of the canister 102 and melts easily when a predetermined temperature melting setpoint is reached.

[0067] FIGS. 7-12B illustrate a fire prevention device 200 in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure. The device 200 includes a canister 202, a fire suppression material 206 and coupler 204. In this embodiment, the coupler 204 includes a connector 210 and spring-fastener 212. The canister 202 includes a generally cylindrical body 216 with a closed end 218 and an open end 220 for receiving the fire suppression material 206 in a cavity 222 of the canister 202, as shown in FIG. 9. The open end 220 is configured to be coupled to the coupler 204, as will be described in more detail below. In one embodiment, the open end 220 is configured with threads on an outer surface, i.e., male threaded, to be mated to a corresponding threaded portion of the coupler 204, e.g., a female threaded portion.

[0068] In one embodiment, the coupler 204 includes a cylindrical connector 210 including a first end 232 and a second end 234. The first end 232 of the connector 210 is configured to be coupled to the open end 220 of the canister 202 and the second end 234 of the connector 210 is configured to be disposed in an aperture of an electrical box (not shown). In one embodiment, the first end 232 is configured as a female threaded connector to be mated to the male threaded connector 224 of thecanister 202. The second end 234 further is configured as a barbed connector to receive spring-fastener 212, e.g., a push-in fastener. The combination of the connector 210 and spring-fastener 212 secures the canister 202 to the electrical box, as will be described.

[0069] Referring to FIGS. 12A and 12B, views of the device 200 installed on an electrical box are provided to illustrate the assembling and installation of the device 200. Initially, the canister 202 is provided. The fire suppression material 206 is disposed in the cavity 222 of the canister through the open end 220. Optionally, an insert 108 may be positioned in the open end 220 to retain the fire suppression material 206, as described above. It is to be appreciated that fire suppression material 206 may be retain in the canister 202 by a friction fit or adhesive avoiding the need for an insert. The first end 232 of connector 210 is coupled, or screwed, onto the open end 220 of the canister 202 until an upper rim 235 of the connector mates contact with a lower rim 239 the canister 202. The spring-fastener 212 is then disposed over the second end 234 of connector 210.

[0070] Once the device 200 is assembled, the spring fastener 212 is disposed in an aperture of an electrical box, e.g., a knock-out (KO) 412 of box 400 shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B. The spring fastener 212 includes at least one spring arm 21 1 that flexes toward the center of the fastener 212 as the fastener 212 is pushed into the aperture. Once the spring arm 211 passes the thickness of the wall of the electrical box, e.g., top wall 402 of electrical box 400, and a lower rim 237 of the connector 210 makes contact with an outer surface the top wall 402 of the electrical box 400, the spring arm 211 flexes away from the center of the fastener 212 and comes into contactwith an internal surface of top wall 402 of the electrical box 400 securing the device 200 to the electrical box. It is to be appreciated that the device 200 may be installed on any wall, e.g., walls 404, 406, 408, 410, of the electrical box 400 to achieve fire suppression.

[0071] Once the device 200 is installed on, for example, an electrical box, the device 200 may be triggered upon excessive heat being generated in the electrical box. As temperatures inside the electrical box reaches the predetermined temperature melting setpoint, the fire suppression material 206 will melt allowing the fire suppression material 206 to be released from the canister 202 and to flow through the hollow connector 210 into the electrical box.

[0072] FIGS. 13-18B illustrate a fire prevention device 300 in accordance with a third embodiment of the present disclosure. The device 300 includes a canister 302, a fire suppression material 306, an insert 308 and coupler 304. In this embodiment, the coupler 304 is configured as a lock nut. The canister 302 includes a generally cylindrical body 316 with a closed end 318 and an open end 320 for receiving the fire suppression material 306 in a cavity 322 of the canister 302, as shown in FIG. 15. The open end 320 is configured to be coupled to the coupler 304. In one embodiment, the open end 320 is configured with threads on an outer surface, i.e., male threaded, to be mated to a corresponding threaded portion of the coupler 304, e.g., a female threaded portion.

[0073] Insert 308 is provided to retain the fire suppression material 306 in the cavity 322 of the canister 302. In one embodiment, the insert 308 includes a cylindrical portion 326 and disc-shaped base 328. The cylindrical portion 326 is dimensioned tohave a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the body 316 of canister 302 such that the cylindrical portion 326 enters the cavity 322 until the base 328 makes contact with a lower rim 330 of the canister 302. The insert 308 is made from a material having a predetermined temperature melting setpoint such that when the insert 308 is exposed to a temperature above the predetermined temperature melting setpoint the fire suppression material is released from the canister 302. Exemplary materials for insert 308 are listed above in relation to insert 108.

[0074] Referring to FIGS. 18A and 18B, views of the device 300 installed on an electrical box are provided to illustrate the assembling and installation of the device 300. Initially, the canister 302 is provided. The fire suppression material is disposed in the cavity 322 of the canister through the open end 320. The insert 308 is then positioned in the open end 320 such that cylindrical portion 326 enters the cavity 322 until the base 328 makes contact with the lower rim 330 of the canister 302. It is to be appreciated that the insert 308 may be retain in the canister by a friction fit between the wall of the body 316 and the cylindrical portion 326.

[0075] Once the device 300 is assembled, the open end 320 of the canister 302 is disposed in an aperture of an electrical box, e.g., a knock-out (KO) 412 of electrical box 400, where a lower surface 337 of the body 316 rests on an outer surface of top wall 402 of the electrical box 400. The fastener or coupler 304 is disposed over the open end 320 of the canister 302 until the fastener 304 comes into contact with an internal surface of the top wall 402 of the electrical box400. Optionally, a seal may be disposed over the open end 320 of the canister 302 before the fastener 304 is employed to secure the device 300. It is to be appreciated that the device 300 may beinstalled on any wall, e.g., walls 404, 406, 408, 410, of the electrical box 400 to achieve fire suppression.

[0076] Once the device 300 is installed on, for example, an electrical box, the device 300 may trigger upon excessive heat being generated in the electrical box. As temperatures inside the electrical box reaches the predetermined temperature melting setpoint, the insert 308 will melt allowing the fire suppression material 306 to be released from the canister 302 and to flow through the open end 320 of canister 302 into the electrical box.

[0077] It is to be appreciated that the various features shown and described are interchangeable, that is a feature shown in one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment.

[0078] While the disclosure has been shown and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

[0079] Furthermore, although the foregoing text sets forth a detailed description of numerous embodiments, it should be understood that the legal scope of the invention is defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent. The detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment, as describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. One could implement numerous alternate embodiments, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims.

[0080] It should also be understood that, unless a term is expressly defined in this patent using the sentence “As used herein, the term1’ is hereby defined to mean...” or a similar sentence, there is no intent to limit the meaning of that term, either expressly or by implication, beyond its plain or ordinary meaning, and such term should not be interpreted to be limited in scope based on any statement made in any section of this patent (other than the language of the claims). To the extent that any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse the reader, and it is not intended that such claim term be limited, by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:1 . A fire prevention device comprising: a canister configured to hold a fire suppression material, the canister including an open end to enable the fire suppression material to be released; and a coupler including a first end and a second end, the first end configured to be coupled to the open end of the canister and the second end configured to be coupled to an aperture of an electrical box.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the coupler includes a fastener.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the coupler further includes a connector including a first end and a second end, the first end of the connector configured to be coupled to the open end of the canister and the second end of the connector configured to be disposed in the aperture of the electrical box and to receive the fastener to secure the canister to the electrical box.

4. The device of claim 3, further comprising a seal configured to be disposed over the second end of the connector and positioned between a surface of the electrical box and the fastener.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the coupler is configured as a push-in connector.

6. The device of claim 1 , further comprising an insert configured to retain the fire suppression material in the canister, the insert having a predetermined temperature melting setpoint such that when the insert is exposed to a temperature above the predetermined temperature melting setpoint the fire suppression material is released from the canister.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the fire suppression material is at least one of a gas and / or a liquid.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the fire suppression material is at least one of a solid, a gas and / or a liquid.

9. The device of claim 6, wherein the insert is configured as a membrane.

10. The device of claim 1 , wherein the fire suppression material is a solid having a predetermined temperature melting setpoint, the device further comprising a grid configured to retain the fire suppression material in the canister such that when the fire suppression material is exposed to a temperature above the predetermined temperature melting setpoint the fire suppression material is released from the canister through the grid.1 1. The device of claim 1 , wherein the fire suppression material is a solid having a predetermined temperature melting setpoint such that when the fire suppression material is exposed to a temperature above the predetermined temperature melting setpoint the fire suppression material is released from the canister.

12. A method for preventing a fire in an electrical box comprising: providing a canister configured to hold a fire suppression material, the canister including an open end to enable the fire suppression material to be released; and coupling the open end of the canister to an aperture of an electrical box such that when the temperature inside the electrical box reaches a predetermined temperature setpoint, the fire suppression material is released into the electrical box.

13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing a coupler to couple the canister to the electrical box, the coupler including a first end and a second end, the first end configured to be coupled to the open end of the canister and the second end configured to be coupled to the aperture of an electrical box.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the coupler includes a fastener.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the coupler further includes a connector including a first end and a second end, the first end of the connector configured to be coupled to the open end of the canister and the second end of the connectorconfigured to be disposed in the aperture of the electrical box and to receive the fastener to secure the canister to the electrical box.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the coupler is configured as a push-in connector.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising providing an insert configured to retain the fire suppression material in the canister, the insert having a predetermined temperature melting setpoint such that when the insert is exposed to a temperature above the predetermined temperature melting setpoint the fire suppression material is released from the canister.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the fire suppression material is at least one of a solid, a gas and / or a liquid.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the insert is configured as a membrane.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the fire suppression material is a solid having a predetermined temperature melting setpoint such that when the fire suppression material is exposed to a temperature above the predetermined temperature melting setpoint the fire suppression material is released from the canister.

Images