Repositionable Floor Box Cover Access Door
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor box assemblies lack a convenient and secure mechanism for accessing and managing cords, as they often require running cords on the floor, which can be hazardous and do not provide adequate protection against water and debris when not in use.
Innovation Solution
An electrical floor box assembly with a repositionable access door that can be lifted, slid, or moved with a tether to secure into closed positions, allowing for multiple configurations to cover apertures and prevent water and debris entry while allowing cord access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed cover plate is used without an access door, then the assembly provides continuous protection against water and debris, but access to the outlet requires removing the entire cover plate which is inconvenient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The cover plate is segmented into a fixed portion and a movable access door portion. The access door can be independently opened to provide quick access to the outlet without removing the entire cover plate, while the fixed portion maintains the protective seal when the access door is closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The access door is made movable through hinge or tether mechanisms, allowing it to transition between closed (protective) and open (accessible) states. This dynamic element enables the cover to adapt between protection and accessibility modes without compromising either function.
2Ease of operation
If cords are run on the floor for easy access, then accessibility is improved, but safety hazards increase due to tripping risks and lack of protection
Solution Approach 1:
The access door extracts the cord access function from the main cover plate body. By providing a dedicated movable access point, cords can be accessed through the floor box without running them across the floor surface, eliminating tripping hazards while maintaining accessibility.
3Ease of operation
If the access door is made removable for easy access, then operational convenience is improved, but the risk of loss or misplacement of the door increases
Solution Approach 1:
A tether acts as an intermediary element connecting the access door to the cover plate. The tether allows the door to be moved and opened freely while preventing complete removal or loss, maintaining both operational convenience and door retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The tether is implemented as a flexible cord or strap that provides the necessary flexibility for door movement while maintaining continuous connection. This flexible element allows the door to be positioned in various openings while preventing detachment.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a single fixed aperture is provided in the cover plate, then the structure is simple, but versatility in cord management is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The access door provides dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to be opened to different degrees and positions to accommodate multiple cord configurations. This dynamic element enables a single cover plate structure to serve multiple cord management purposes without requiring multiple fixed apertures.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical floor box assembly and cover are provided. The floor box cover includes an access door that is designed to be repositioned. The access door is repositioned by lifting, sliding, or moving back and securing into one of at least two closed (flat) positions. When the access door is secured in a closed “not in service” position, the access door is watertight with a single gasket or seal. A second gasket or seal is provided below the cover for further watertightness. When the access door is secured in a closed “in service” position, one or more apertures for cords are revealed, thereby permitting cords plugged into an outlet within the floor box assembly to protrude through the apertures.