CA2194593A1 - Protective electrical box cover - Google Patents
Protective electrical box coverInfo
- Publication number
- CA2194593A1 CA2194593A1 CA002194593A CA2194593A CA2194593A1 CA 2194593 A1 CA2194593 A1 CA 2194593A1 CA 002194593 A CA002194593 A CA 002194593A CA 2194593 A CA2194593 A CA 2194593A CA 2194593 A1 CA2194593 A1 CA 2194593A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- cover
- electrical box
- sides
- tabs
- electrical
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Landscapes
- Casings For Electric Apparatus (AREA)
- Connection Or Junction Boxes (AREA)
Abstract
A protective cover for electrical boxes for use during plastering or painting. The cover comprises a body having a closed top, an open bottom and solid sides. The body is of a size and shape to fit a standard electrical box, or combination of boxes, and the sides are of sufficient height to fit over any electrical fitting which might be installed in the electrical box. A handle is attached to the top, to facilitate fitting and removal of the cover. Resilient or spring-loaded flanges are provided on opposing sides of the open bottom, which extend into the electrical box and hold the cover in place.
Description
-PROTECTIVE ELECT~IC~L BO~ COVER
FIELV OF T~IE INVENTION
The in-c-1lion pertains to the field of aids for painters or plasterers. More panicularly, the i~ n ~ lains ~o a~lalalus for }~ te ;lil1g electrical boxes and the S electrical t7ttings therein while the su.~ ding wall is painted ~r l)lastel~.
B~CKGROUND OF TIIE INVENTION
7 he most common wall con~llu~:lion methods hl use today involve the use of g~ ,..m board (Sl~bocka9) over a studded wall. In older buildings and in some higher priced con~tlut~:tion, the older lalh-and-plaster method may be used. In either case, the 10 electrical bo~es for outlets, switclles, lights and olher electrical fittillgs are inshlled to lhe studs in the wall or ceiling before the coverin& is applied and plastered smooth.
Often, the el~lli~l fitting is installed in the box wl~en the box is instAlled, again before plastering. Figure 3 shows the result of tllis procedure - tl1e excess plaster (23) on the wall (20) overlaps into the opening of the box (21), coveril1g over part of the outlet I5 (22).
It is ne~rly impossible to plaster a wall without some mess and over-plastering around hxttlres. As a practical matter, plasterers are more interested in speed and quality of the plastering job lhan in protecting electrical apl-liances, much to tlle annoyance of the electricians. The same problem appeilrs in pahltillg, to a lesser degree - altllough the 20 paint will not overlap the box, absent attenlion to ta~ g oll~lets and the like the paint will tend to cover the outlets in a messy rashion.
The most common prior art method of r~rotectioll of outlets involves .using adhesive tape to cover the outlets. It is a nuisance to remove the lape, il does not adhere well to projecting switches, and excess plaster still needs to be cleared away from and 25 out of the boxes.
The closest patente~l art of WhiCIl I altl aware are U.S. Design Patents nos.
D279,860 and D345,142, arld ulility paterlt n~lmber ~,28~ 14.
Schwalbe, Design Patent no. D279,86~, is a design for a "Paint Shield For ~lectrical Outlet". The design is shaped to accommodate a single-switch bo~, with the switch installed. It ap~ars (as a design patent, there is of course no eA~ atioll) that the method of holding the shield on lo the outlet by magnets or tec~sses over the ~~ou~
S screws. Thus, Schwalbe will only work on single bo~es with mounting screw already installed in the ~tandd,d place. On an empty bo~t, it will have no way to attach - an t~lt factor in original c~n~ tion, where the plast~ling may well be done before the electrical fittings are installed. While this design may hold well enough to remain in place during l)ainting, the greater stresses of plaslering would tend to knock it off the l0 outlet.
Porter, Design Patent no. D345, 142, is a design for a "Temporary Protective Cover For An Electrical Outlet Box". This design is inlended for use in boxes without the fixtures installed, as the conlinuous tabs will not fit over tlle broad mounting fittings on switches or outlets. l he open finger holes allow room for plaster or paint to enter the 15 box.
Gilchrist, U.S. Patent no. 5,28S,014, is a "Paint Shield For Electrical Outlets And Switches" which is designed to work only Witll fillly finislled electrical fi~tures, with the coverplates installed. It attaches using prongs to plug into outlets, or in an altemative embodiment, with a s~Iction cup to adhere to switch plates. It will not work 20 with empty electrical boxes or bo~es holding other kinds of electrical fittings (lights, sensors, telephone jacks, etc.). In llle switch embodirnent it will not work unless the cover plate is installed.
SUI\II\I/~RY ()F I IIF IN-'rNl l()N
Tlle invention prcsents a prolec~ive cc-ver fnr elcc~tical boxes for ~Ise dllring 25 plastering or painting. l lle cover comprises a body lla- ing a closed tc-p, an open bottom and solid sides. The body is of a size and shape to fit a s~andard electrical box, or combination of boxes, and the sides are of sufficient heigllt to fit over any electrical fitting which might be installed hl the electric~l box. /~ handle is attaclle(l to the top, to facilitate fitting and removal of the cover. Resilient or sr~rin~-lo~ded nanges are provided on ~,~s;"g sides of lhe open bOttOIIl, WhiCIl e~tend int~ the elec~rical bo~ and hold the cover in place.
BRIEF DESCRII'TION OF 11~E DR~WING
Fig. I shows a ~.~eclive drawing of the invention in a single wall box embod;ment.
S Fig. 2 shows a ~,~tive drawing of the invention in a double wall bo~ embodiment.
Fig. 3 shows a piece l~f a wall witll an electrical box, showing how prior art practices led to c~ el~ of ~he oullet by excess plaster Fig. 4 shows a piece of a wall wi~h an electrical bo~ fter plastering with the use of the invention.
lO Fig. S shows a bottom view of tl~e inventioll Figs. 6 and 7 show right and lert side views of the invention Fig. 8 and 9 show top and bottom side views of the invention DESCRlrTION OF TIIE PREFERRED El\1BODIMENT
Tlle National Electrical Code specifies certain standard dimensions and shapes for electrical boxes (sec~ion 370, table 370-6(a)). Tlle protective cover of the invention will be illustrated and discussed in this specification in lhe context Or the standard 3nx2"
~single" or 3"x4" ~double" lecta,lgular electrical boxes, as these are the most CO-IllllOllly used wall boxes, whetller for outlets, switches, telephone or cable jacks, or some co.l,bination of these. If a greater number of fixtures are needed, standard single - 20 or double boxes can be "g~nged ' by removal of the sides and adjacent mounling. It will be understood lhat the cover of the hlvelltioll call be nlallllfactllred to fit any of the standard sizes and shapes of boxes (for example 4 ' square, roulld or octagollal ceiling bo~es, etc.) within the teachings of the inventinn Figure I shows how the invention is used. A standard ~single" 3"h x 2n w ~
2"deep elec~rical bo~ (1) has a double outlet (2) mounted inside. The bo~ is l,lo~ t~ to a stud within a wall (not shown).
The cover of the invention comprises a body (3), which is in the form of a 5 ,e~ta~l~ular bo~ of the same outside ~li.,.el1sions as lhe box to be covered - in this case, 3" high by 2n wide. As can be seen in figures 5-9, the sides (51~, (52), (60), (61) of the body (40) are solid, so as to prevent the infiltration of paint or plaster into the bo~.
Similarly, the top (42) surrace Or the body (40) must also be solid. The bottom of the body is open, to fit over the box.
The body of the cover is made sufficient deep lo cover any fix~llre likely to beencountered - for e~ample, a BNC complller cable socket migllt e~ctend as much as t~ ", a wall switch %" or so. In general a depth of ~ ' to 1" llas been found to be preferred for the cover, which provides ample deptll for use of the cover with electrical boxes with the fixtures installed. Tllus, it is not necessary for an electrician to defer installing 15 fi~tures until after plastering and ~ ting, or lo remove lllem r~rior to l)la .t~. hlg or painting during renovation.
A handle or tab (4) is attached to the ur~per surface of the top of the body (4), so as ~o facilitate attachment and removal of tlle cover from lhe electrical box.
Tabs (S) are provided, wllich lock against tlle inside sides of the box (I) and hold 20 lhe cover firmly in place. The ~abs should be sufficienlly deep lo extend past any plasterboard and deeply enough into the box to lock the cover in place. As can be seen in figures 8 and 9, the tabs (41) are preferahly somewhal hook-shaped lo enllance their gripping abilily. Locating the tabs at tlle sides avoids interference with the mounting screw fitting~ (for empty boxes) or mounting tabs (for boxes witll fixtures) which are 25 typically located at the top and t-ottom of the box. The tahs shollld be made relatively small, relative to the lerlgtll of the box, so as not to interrere witll the corner mountings in some boxes.
21 945~3 -Prererably, lhe entire cover is molded as a single plaslic part, and the tabs are molded direclly into the plaslic. The resilience of the plastic will sumce to hold the tabs into lhe box. If it is desired, however, the tabs can be made of sepa-~te pieces glued or riveted to the sides of the body, with spring-loaded or resilient material used for the tab.
S Figure 2 shows how the cover can be a~i~"led ror use wilh a 4"wide ~c 3nhigh double eleellical bo~ (6), in this case shown with an outlet (7) and switch (8) already installed. The body (9) of the cover has been ~.;de~ed to fi~t the box (6). The tabs (11) and handle (10) are similar to the single box cover.
Accordingly, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention hereindescribed are merely illustrative of the application of the 1~ inciple~ of the invention.
Reference herein lo details of the illustrated embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of tlle claims, which themselves recite those features regarded as esselllial to the invention.
FIELV OF T~IE INVENTION
The in-c-1lion pertains to the field of aids for painters or plasterers. More panicularly, the i~ n ~ lains ~o a~lalalus for }~ te ;lil1g electrical boxes and the S electrical t7ttings therein while the su.~ ding wall is painted ~r l)lastel~.
B~CKGROUND OF TIIE INVENTION
7 he most common wall con~llu~:lion methods hl use today involve the use of g~ ,..m board (Sl~bocka9) over a studded wall. In older buildings and in some higher priced con~tlut~:tion, the older lalh-and-plaster method may be used. In either case, the 10 electrical bo~es for outlets, switclles, lights and olher electrical fittillgs are inshlled to lhe studs in the wall or ceiling before the coverin& is applied and plastered smooth.
Often, the el~lli~l fitting is installed in the box wl~en the box is instAlled, again before plastering. Figure 3 shows the result of tllis procedure - tl1e excess plaster (23) on the wall (20) overlaps into the opening of the box (21), coveril1g over part of the outlet I5 (22).
It is ne~rly impossible to plaster a wall without some mess and over-plastering around hxttlres. As a practical matter, plasterers are more interested in speed and quality of the plastering job lhan in protecting electrical apl-liances, much to tlle annoyance of the electricians. The same problem appeilrs in pahltillg, to a lesser degree - altllough the 20 paint will not overlap the box, absent attenlion to ta~ g oll~lets and the like the paint will tend to cover the outlets in a messy rashion.
The most common prior art method of r~rotectioll of outlets involves .using adhesive tape to cover the outlets. It is a nuisance to remove the lape, il does not adhere well to projecting switches, and excess plaster still needs to be cleared away from and 25 out of the boxes.
The closest patente~l art of WhiCIl I altl aware are U.S. Design Patents nos.
D279,860 and D345,142, arld ulility paterlt n~lmber ~,28~ 14.
Schwalbe, Design Patent no. D279,86~, is a design for a "Paint Shield For ~lectrical Outlet". The design is shaped to accommodate a single-switch bo~, with the switch installed. It ap~ars (as a design patent, there is of course no eA~ atioll) that the method of holding the shield on lo the outlet by magnets or tec~sses over the ~~ou~
S screws. Thus, Schwalbe will only work on single bo~es with mounting screw already installed in the ~tandd,d place. On an empty bo~t, it will have no way to attach - an t~lt factor in original c~n~ tion, where the plast~ling may well be done before the electrical fittings are installed. While this design may hold well enough to remain in place during l)ainting, the greater stresses of plaslering would tend to knock it off the l0 outlet.
Porter, Design Patent no. D345, 142, is a design for a "Temporary Protective Cover For An Electrical Outlet Box". This design is inlended for use in boxes without the fixtures installed, as the conlinuous tabs will not fit over tlle broad mounting fittings on switches or outlets. l he open finger holes allow room for plaster or paint to enter the 15 box.
Gilchrist, U.S. Patent no. 5,28S,014, is a "Paint Shield For Electrical Outlets And Switches" which is designed to work only Witll fillly finislled electrical fi~tures, with the coverplates installed. It attaches using prongs to plug into outlets, or in an altemative embodiment, with a s~Iction cup to adhere to switch plates. It will not work 20 with empty electrical boxes or bo~es holding other kinds of electrical fittings (lights, sensors, telephone jacks, etc.). In llle switch embodirnent it will not work unless the cover plate is installed.
SUI\II\I/~RY ()F I IIF IN-'rNl l()N
Tlle invention prcsents a prolec~ive cc-ver fnr elcc~tical boxes for ~Ise dllring 25 plastering or painting. l lle cover comprises a body lla- ing a closed tc-p, an open bottom and solid sides. The body is of a size and shape to fit a s~andard electrical box, or combination of boxes, and the sides are of sufficient heigllt to fit over any electrical fitting which might be installed hl the electric~l box. /~ handle is attaclle(l to the top, to facilitate fitting and removal of the cover. Resilient or sr~rin~-lo~ded nanges are provided on ~,~s;"g sides of lhe open bOttOIIl, WhiCIl e~tend int~ the elec~rical bo~ and hold the cover in place.
BRIEF DESCRII'TION OF 11~E DR~WING
Fig. I shows a ~.~eclive drawing of the invention in a single wall box embod;ment.
S Fig. 2 shows a ~,~tive drawing of the invention in a double wall bo~ embodiment.
Fig. 3 shows a piece l~f a wall witll an electrical box, showing how prior art practices led to c~ el~ of ~he oullet by excess plaster Fig. 4 shows a piece of a wall wi~h an electrical bo~ fter plastering with the use of the invention.
lO Fig. S shows a bottom view of tl~e inventioll Figs. 6 and 7 show right and lert side views of the invention Fig. 8 and 9 show top and bottom side views of the invention DESCRlrTION OF TIIE PREFERRED El\1BODIMENT
Tlle National Electrical Code specifies certain standard dimensions and shapes for electrical boxes (sec~ion 370, table 370-6(a)). Tlle protective cover of the invention will be illustrated and discussed in this specification in lhe context Or the standard 3nx2"
~single" or 3"x4" ~double" lecta,lgular electrical boxes, as these are the most CO-IllllOllly used wall boxes, whetller for outlets, switches, telephone or cable jacks, or some co.l,bination of these. If a greater number of fixtures are needed, standard single - 20 or double boxes can be "g~nged ' by removal of the sides and adjacent mounling. It will be understood lhat the cover of the hlvelltioll call be nlallllfactllred to fit any of the standard sizes and shapes of boxes (for example 4 ' square, roulld or octagollal ceiling bo~es, etc.) within the teachings of the inventinn Figure I shows how the invention is used. A standard ~single" 3"h x 2n w ~
2"deep elec~rical bo~ (1) has a double outlet (2) mounted inside. The bo~ is l,lo~ t~ to a stud within a wall (not shown).
The cover of the invention comprises a body (3), which is in the form of a 5 ,e~ta~l~ular bo~ of the same outside ~li.,.el1sions as lhe box to be covered - in this case, 3" high by 2n wide. As can be seen in figures 5-9, the sides (51~, (52), (60), (61) of the body (40) are solid, so as to prevent the infiltration of paint or plaster into the bo~.
Similarly, the top (42) surrace Or the body (40) must also be solid. The bottom of the body is open, to fit over the box.
The body of the cover is made sufficient deep lo cover any fix~llre likely to beencountered - for e~ample, a BNC complller cable socket migllt e~ctend as much as t~ ", a wall switch %" or so. In general a depth of ~ ' to 1" llas been found to be preferred for the cover, which provides ample deptll for use of the cover with electrical boxes with the fixtures installed. Tllus, it is not necessary for an electrician to defer installing 15 fi~tures until after plastering and ~ ting, or lo remove lllem r~rior to l)la .t~. hlg or painting during renovation.
A handle or tab (4) is attached to the ur~per surface of the top of the body (4), so as ~o facilitate attachment and removal of tlle cover from lhe electrical box.
Tabs (S) are provided, wllich lock against tlle inside sides of the box (I) and hold 20 lhe cover firmly in place. The ~abs should be sufficienlly deep lo extend past any plasterboard and deeply enough into the box to lock the cover in place. As can be seen in figures 8 and 9, the tabs (41) are preferahly somewhal hook-shaped lo enllance their gripping abilily. Locating the tabs at tlle sides avoids interference with the mounting screw fitting~ (for empty boxes) or mounting tabs (for boxes witll fixtures) which are 25 typically located at the top and t-ottom of the box. The tahs shollld be made relatively small, relative to the lerlgtll of the box, so as not to interrere witll the corner mountings in some boxes.
21 945~3 -Prererably, lhe entire cover is molded as a single plaslic part, and the tabs are molded direclly into the plaslic. The resilience of the plastic will sumce to hold the tabs into lhe box. If it is desired, however, the tabs can be made of sepa-~te pieces glued or riveted to the sides of the body, with spring-loaded or resilient material used for the tab.
S Figure 2 shows how the cover can be a~i~"led ror use wilh a 4"wide ~c 3nhigh double eleellical bo~ (6), in this case shown with an outlet (7) and switch (8) already installed. The body (9) of the cover has been ~.;de~ed to fi~t the box (6). The tabs (11) and handle (10) are similar to the single box cover.
Accordingly, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention hereindescribed are merely illustrative of the application of the 1~ inciple~ of the invention.
Reference herein lo details of the illustrated embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of tlle claims, which themselves recite those features regarded as esselllial to the invention.
Claims (8)
1. A protective cover for an electrical box mounted in a wall, comprising:
a) a body having closed sides having linear dimensions and a depth, a closed top, and an open bottom;
b) the linear dimensions of the sides of the body being selected such that when the body is placed over the electrical box, the body completely covers the electrical box; and c) the depth of the sides of the body being selected such that when the cover is placed over the electrical box, the body fits over any fixture protruding from the electrical box and the bottom of the body fits flush against the wall; and d) a plurality of tab means located on the sides of the bottom of the body, protruding downward and outward therefrom such that when the body is placed over the electrical box to be protected, the tab means extend into and lock against the sides of the electrical box.
a) a body having closed sides having linear dimensions and a depth, a closed top, and an open bottom;
b) the linear dimensions of the sides of the body being selected such that when the body is placed over the electrical box, the body completely covers the electrical box; and c) the depth of the sides of the body being selected such that when the cover is placed over the electrical box, the body fits over any fixture protruding from the electrical box and the bottom of the body fits flush against the wall; and d) a plurality of tab means located on the sides of the bottom of the body, protruding downward and outward therefrom such that when the body is placed over the electrical box to be protected, the tab means extend into and lock against the sides of the electrical box.
2. The cover of claim 1, further comprising a handle mounted on the top of the body.
3. The cover of claim 1, in which the depth is between 3/4" and 1".
4. The cover of claim 1, in which the linear dimensions of the sides are selected to fit a standard single electrical box.
5. The cover of claim 1, in which the linear dimensions of the sides are selected to fit a standard double electrical box.
6. The cover of claim 1, in which the tabs are made of resilient material, such the the tabs press outward against the inside of the electrical box.
7. The cover of claim 1, in which the tabs are spring-biased, such that the tabs press outward against the inside of the electrical box.
8. The cover of claim 1, in which the tabs are hook shaped, such that the tabs lock into the sides of the electrical box.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US59938896A | 1996-02-09 | 1996-02-09 | |
| US08/599,388 | 1996-02-09 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2194593A1 true CA2194593A1 (en) | 1997-08-10 |
Family
ID=24399414
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002194593A Abandoned CA2194593A1 (en) | 1996-02-09 | 1997-01-07 | Protective electrical box cover |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2194593A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2557677A (en) * | 2016-12-15 | 2018-06-27 | Taberner Richard | Wall box protector |
| GB2603765A (en) * | 2021-02-10 | 2022-08-17 | Mera Consultancy & Designs Ltd | Protective cover |
-
1997
- 1997-01-07 CA CA002194593A patent/CA2194593A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2557677A (en) * | 2016-12-15 | 2018-06-27 | Taberner Richard | Wall box protector |
| GB2557677B (en) * | 2016-12-15 | 2021-12-29 | Taberner Richard | Wall box protector |
| GB2603765A (en) * | 2021-02-10 | 2022-08-17 | Mera Consultancy & Designs Ltd | Protective cover |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |