GB2598972A

GB2598972A - Electrical back box

Info

Publication number: GB2598972A
Application number: GB2017753.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Reza Moeini Tabatabi Mahmood
Original assignee: New Inventions Ltd
Current assignee: New Inventions Ltd
Priority date: 2020-09-21
Filing date: 2020-11-11
Publication date: 2022-03-23
Also published as: GB2599190A; GB202017633D0; GB2601296A; GB202017753D0; GB202014886D0; GB202105209D0; IE20210167A2; IE20210167A3; GB2598950A

Abstract

A pattress or electrical back box 10 has a clamp 20. A tounge or flange of clamp 20 may be moved from a stowed configuration, within back box 10, to a deployed configuration, through hole 30a in an outer wall of back box 10. Back box 10 may have a square, rectangle, curved, circle cross-section. A flange 18 may extend around the back box outer wall. During installation into a hole cut in a plasterboard wall, flange 18 may abut against an outer surface of the wall. The tounge or flange of clamp 20 may be moved from the stowed to deployed configuration to clamp against an inner surface of the wall. Clamp 20 may be moved by rotating an actuating screw in a hole within a sleeve barrel 34a. A stop member may restrict clamp movement. A kit of parts may include electrical back box 10 and actuating screw.

Description

Electrical back box The present invention is concerned with an improved electrical back box. The present invention is also concerned with a kit of parts for installing such an improved electrical back box and a method of installing such an electrical back box.

Electrical back boxes, also known as pattress boxes, are the boxes or containers which are positioned behind electrical fittings such as power or signal outlet sockets and switches, such as light switches. Electrical back boxes are mounted within holes which are formed in either hard or solid walls or timber or plasterboard or stud walls.

Conventional back boxes are either generally square (for use with single sockets or switches) or generally rectangular (for use with double sockets or switches).

There is a requirement for electrical back boxes to be installed as quickly and as accurately as possible. In particular, there is a requirement for electrical back boxes to be installed such that they fit tidily within the wall, are level in the wall and the front of the electrical back box is flush with the outer surface of the wall.

For electrical back boxes which are to be are mounted within holes which are formed in either plasterboard or stud walls, this is a particular challenge.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an electrical back box for a switch or socket, the electrical back box comprising: a hollow body having: a first, open, end; a second, closed, end; and, an outer wall which extends between the first end and the second end; the electrical back box further comprising: a clamp member having a first, stowed, configuration in which the clamp member is retained within the hollow body and a second, deployed, configuration in which the clamp member extends through an aperture in the outer wall.

The clamp member allows the electrical back box to be neatly and efficiently installed in holes within plasterboard or stud walls.

The outer wall may form a quadrilateral shape.

Alternatively, the outer wall may comprise a curved portion. The outer wall may comprise a circle segment in cross section. For example, the outer wall may be circular in cross section. The outer wall may comprise two circle segment portions forming a figure-of-eight shape.

The electrical back box may further comprise a flange which extends around at least a portion of the outer wall and which is positioned at the first end of the electrical back box. The flange may be generally planar having an inner surface which is configured to abut a wall when the electrical back box is installed within the wall.

The clamp member may include a flange portion which is configured for abutting engagement with an inner surface of a plasterboard wall when the electrical back box is installed within a plasterboard wall. In use, the wall is clamped between the flange and the flange portion. Advantageously, provision of a flange portion which contacts the internal surface of e.g. a plasterboard wall provides a planar! surface area contact face which avoid stress concentrations and e.g. cracking which may otherwise occur.

The clamp member may be configured such that the electrical back box and the clamping member are reusable. The clamp member may, for example, include a barrel portion within the outer wall of the hollow body, the barrel portion including a screw thread, such that rotation of the barrel portion by a screw driver causes the clamp member to move between the stowed condition and the deployed condition.

Preferably, the clamp member is completely stowed within the outer wall in the stowed condition. Preferably the clamp member is moveable 180 degrees from the stowed position to the deployed position.

The hollow body may include a stop member to restrict or limit the movement of the clamp member within the hollow body.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is a kit of parts for installing an electrical back box, the kit of parts comprising: an electrical back box according to the first aspect of the invention; and a screw.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is a method for installing an electrical back box, the method comprising cutting a hole in the wall and installing an electrical back box according to the first aspect of the invention in the hole in the wall. Preferable the wall is clamped between a part of the back box (for example a flange) and the clamp member.

Examples according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which: Figure 1 is a top view of an electrical back box according to a first embodiment of the invention having a clamp member in a stowed configuration; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the electrical back box of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a top view of the electrical back box of Figure 1 with the clamp member in a deployed configuration; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the electrical back box of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a top view of an electrical back box according to a second embodiment of the invention having a clamp member in a stowed configuration; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the electrical back box of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a top view of the electrical back box of Figure 5 with the clamp member in a deployed configuration; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the electrical back box of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a perspective view of a clamp member for use with an electrical back box according to the invention; Figure 10 is a is a perspective view of an electrical back box according to a third embodiment of the invention having a clamp member in a stowed configuration; Figure 11 is a perspective view of the electrical back box of Figure 10 with the clamp member in a deployed configuration; Figure 12 is a is a perspective view of an electrical back box according to a fourth embodiment of the invention having a clamp member in a stowed configuration; Figure 13 is a perspective view of the electrical back box of Figure 12 with the clamp member in a deployed configuration.

First embodiment Referring to Figures 1 to 4, there is an electrical back box 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The electrical back box 10 is configured for use with a single socket or switch (not shown). The electrical back box 10 includes a hollow body or member 12, a flange 18, a first clamp member 20 and a second clamp member 22.

The hollow member 12 has a first, open, end 24, a second, closed, end 26 and an outer wall 28.

The outer wall 28 is formed from two pairs of opposing walls 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d. The outer wall 28 has a square cross section such that the first hollow member 12 is generally cuboidal.

The first pair of opposing walls 28a, 28b include openings 30a, 30b which are extend in a direction which is parallel to the second, closed, end of the hollow member 12 and which are configured to accommodate at least part of the first and second clamp members 20, 22. The first pair of opposing walls 28b, 28c, also include indentations 32a, 32b which extend between the first, open, end 24 and the second, closed, end 26 of the hollow member 12 in a direction which is perpendicular to the openings 30a, 30b. The indentations 32a, 32b form a sleeve 34a, 34b which extends into the hollow member 12.

The flange 18 includes a first sleeve portion 36a and a second sleeve portion 36b. The first sleeve portion 36a extends into the hollow member 12 and forms a cover over the sleeve 34a. The first sleeve portion 36a includes an opening 38a which receives a screw (not shown). Similarly, the second sleeve portion 34b extends into the hollow member 12 and forms a cover over the sleeve 34b. The second sleeve portion 36b includes an opening 38b which receives a screw (not shown).

Each of the second pair of opposing walls 28c, 28d includes a protrusion 40a, 40b which extends into the hollow member 12. Each of the protrusions 40a, 40b includes an aperture 42a, 42b which receives a screw (not shown).

The second, closed, end 26 forms a base of the hollow member 12. Stop members 44 are provided at the second end 26 of the hollow member 12.

With particular reference to Figure 9, each of the first clamp member 20 and the second clamp member 22 includes a tongue or flange portion 46 from which a tab 48 protrudes. The tab 48 includes a screw-receiving aperture 50.

The electrical back box 10 is assembled as follows.

The hollow member 12 and the first and second clamp members 20, 22 of the electrical back box 10 are manufactured from any suitable material.

The first clamp member 20 is placed inside the hollow member 12 with the screw-receiving aperture 50 lined up with a lower portion of the sleeve portion 36a and the opening 38a. A screw (not shown) is inserted into the opening 38a, through the sleeve portion 36a and sleeve 34a and into the screw-receiving aperture 50 of the first clamp member 20.

S

Similarly, the second clamp member 22 is placed inside the hollow member 12 with the screw-receiving aperture 50 lined up with a lower portion of the sleeve portion 36b and the opening 38b. A screw (not shown) is inserted into the opening 38b, through the sleeve portion 36b and sleeve 34b and into the screw-receiving aperture 50 of the second clamp member 22.

When the first and second clamp members 20, 22 are in the stowed position, for example as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the flange portions 46 of the first and second clamp members 20, 22 are housed within the hollow members 12 of the electrical back box 10. The stop members 44 restrict or limit the movement or rotation of the tab or flange portions 46 of the first and second clamp members 20, 22 within the hollow member 12 of the electrical back box 10.

The first and second clamp members 20, 22 are operated by rotating the screws (not shown) within the sleeves 34a, 34b. This causes the flange portions 46 to be released from within electrical back box and moved through the openings 30a, 30b in the walls 28a, 28b of the hollow member 12 of the electrical back box 10. When the flange portions 46 of each of the first and second clamp members 20,22 are adjacent to the second, closed, end 26 of the hollow member 12, the first and second clamp members 20, 22 are said to be in the partially deployed condition, as shown in Figure 4. With continued rotation of the screws, the flange portions 46 move from being adjacent to the second, closed, end 26 to being adjacent to the flange 18 such that a plasterboard wall can be clamped between the flange 18 of the electrical back box 10 and the flange portions 46 of each of the clamp members 20, 22. The flange portions 46 of the clamp members 20,22 are then fully deployed.

If removal of the electrical back box 10 is desired, the flange portions 46 can be released from the fully deployed position and returned to the stowed position within the electrical back box 10 by rotating the screws in the opposite direction. In other words, the clamp mechanism provided by the first and second clamp members 20, 22 is reversible.

Second embodiment An electrical back box 110 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 5 to 8. The electrical back box 110 has a similar design to the electrical back box 10 of the first embodiment of the invention, but is configured for use with a double socket or switch (not shown).

The electrical back box 110 includes a hollow body or member 112, a flange 118, a first clamp member 120 and a second clamp member 122.

The hollow member 112 has a first, open, end 124, a second, closed, end 126 and an outer wall 128.

The outer wall 128 is formed from a first pair of opposing walls 128a, 128b and a second pair of opposing walls 128c, 128d. The outer wall 128 has a rectangular cross section such that the hollow member 112 is generally cuboidal.

The first pair of opposing walls 128a, 128b include openings 130a, 130b which extend in a direction which is parallel to the second, closed, end 126 of the hollow member 112 and which are configured to accommodate at least part of the first and second clamp members 120, 122. The first pair of opposing walls 128b, 128c, also include indentations 132a, 132b which extend between the first, open, end 124 and the second, closed, end 126 of the hollow member 112 in a direction which is perpendicular to the openings 130a, 13013. The indentations 132a, 132b form a sleeve 134a, 134b which extends into the hollow member 112.

The flange 118 includes a first sleeve portion 136a and a second sleeve portion 136b. The first sleeve portion 136a extends into the hollow member 112 and forms a cover over the sleeve 134a. The first sleeve portion 136a includes an opening 138a which receives a screw (not shown). Similarly, the second sleeve portion 134b extends into the hollow member 112 and forms a cover over the sleeve 134b. The second sleeve portion 136b includes an opening 138b which receives a screw (not shown).

Each of the first pair of opposing walls 128a, 128b also includes a protrusion 140a, 140b which extends into the hollow member 112. Each of the protrusions 140a, 140b includes an aperture 142a, 142b which receives a screw (not shown).

The second, closed, end 126 forms a base of the hollow member 112. Stop members 144 are provided at the second end 126 of the hollow member 112.

With particular reference to Figure 9, each of the first clamp member 120 and the second clamp member 122 includes a tongue or flange portion 46 from which a tab 48 protrudes. The tab 48 includes a screw-receiving aperture 50.

The electrical back box 110 is assembled as follows.

The hollow member 112 and the first and second clamp members 120, 122 of the electrical back box 110 are manufactured from any suitable material.

The first clamp member 120 is placed inside the hollow member 112 with the screw-receiving aperture 150 lined up with a lower portion of the sleeve portion 136a and the opening 138a. A screw (not shown) is inserted into the opening 138a, through the sleeve portion 136a and sleeve 134a and into the screw-receiving aperture 50 of the first clamp member 120.

Similarly, the second clamp member 122 is placed inside the hollow member 112 with the screw-receiving aperture 50 lined up with a lower portion of the sleeve portion 136b and the opening 138b. A screw (not shown) is inserted into the opening 138b, through the sleeve portion 136b and sleeve 134b and into the screw-receiving aperture 50 of the second clamp member 122.

When the first and second clamp members 120, 122 are in the stowed position, for example as shown in Figures Sand 6, the flange portions 46 of the first and second clamp members 120, 122 are housed within the hollow member 112 of the electrical back box 110. The stop members 144 restrict or limit the movement or rotation of the tab or flange portions 146 of the first and second clamp members 120, 122 within the hollow member 112 of the electrical back box 110.

The first and second clamp members 120, 122 are operated by rotating the screws (not shown) within the sleeves 134a, 134b. This causes the flange portions 46 to be released from within the electrical back box 110 and moved through the openings 130a, 130b in the walls 128a, 128b of the hollow member 112 of the electrical back box 110. When the flange portions 46 of each of the first and second clamp members 120, 122 are adjacent to the second, closed, end 126 of the hollow member 112, the first and second clamp members 120, 122 are said to be in the partially deployed condition, as shown in Figure 8. With continued rotation of the screws, the flange portions 46 move from being adjacent to the second, closed, end 126 to being adjacent to the flange 118 such that a plasterboard wall can be clamped between the flange 118 of the electrical back box 110 and the flange portions 46 of each of the clamp members 120, 122. The flange portions 46 of the clamp members 120, 122 are then fully deployed.

If removal of the electrical back box 110 is desired, the flange portions 46 can be released from the fully deployed position and returned to the stowed position within the electrical back box 110 by rotating the screws in the opposite direction. In other words, the clamp mechanism provided by the first and second clamp members 120, 122 is reversible.

Third embodiment An electrical back box 210 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 10 and 11. The electrical back box 210 has a similar design to the electrical back box 10 of the first embodiment of the invention, but has a different shape.

The electrical back box 210 includes a hollow body or member 212, a flange 218, a first clamp member 220 and a second clamp member 222.

The hollow member 212 has a first, open, end 224, a second, closed, end 226 and an outer wall 228.

The outer wall 228 has a circular cross section such that the hollow member 212 is generally cylindrical.

The outer wall 228 includes openings 230a, 230b which extend in a direction which is parallel to the second, closed, end 226 of the hollow member 212 and which are configured to accommodate at least part of the first and second clamp members 220, 222. The outer wall 228 also include indentations 232a, 232b which extend between a position proximate the first, open, end 224 to the second, closed, end 226 of the hollow member 212 in a direction which is perpendicular to the openings 230a, 230b. The indentations 232a, 232h form a sleeve 234a, 234h which extends into the hollow member 212.

The flange 218 includes an opening 238a which receives a screw (not shown). Similarly, the flange includes an opening 238b which receives a screw (not shown).

The outer wall includes two protrusions 240a, 240b which extend into the hollow member 212. Each of the protrusions 240a, 240b includes an aperture 242a, 242b which receives a screw (not shown).

The second, closed, end 226 forms a base of the hollow member 212. Stop members 244 are provided at the second end 226 of the hollow member 212.

Each of the first clamp member 220 and the second clamp member 222 includes a tongue or flange portion 246 from which a tab 248 protrudes. The tab 248 includes a screw-receiving aperture 250.

The electrical back box 210 is assembled as follows.

The hollow member 212 and the first and second clamp members 220, 222 of the electrical back box 210 are manufactured from any suitable material.

The first clamp member 220 is placed inside the hollow member 212 with the screw-receiving aperture 250 lined up with a lower portion of the sleeve 234a and the opening 238a. A screw (not shown) is inserted into the opening 238a, through the sleeve 234a and into the screw-receiving aperture 250 of the first clamp member 220.

Similarly, the second clamp member 222 is placed inside the hollow member 212 with the screw-receiving aperture 250 lined up with a lower portion of the sleeve 234b and the opening 238b. A screw (not shown) is inserted into the opening 238b, through the sleeve 234h and into the screw-receiving aperture 250 of the second clamp member 222.

When the first and second clamp members 220, 222 are in the stowed position, for example as shown in Figure 10, the flange portions 246 of the first and second clamp members 220, 222 are housed within the hollow member 212 of the electrical back box 210. The stop members 244 restrict or limit the movement or rotation of the tab or flange portions 246 of the first and second clamp members 220, 222 within the hollow member 212 of the electrical back box 210.

The first and second clamp members 220, 222 are operated by rotating the screws (not shown) within the sleeves 234a, 234b. This causes the flange portions 246 to be released from within the electrical back box 210 and moved through the openings 230a, 230b in the walls 228a, 228b of the hollow member 212 of the electrical back box 210. With continued rotation of the screws, the flange portions 246 move from being adjacent to the second, closed, end 226 to being adjacent to the flange 218 such that a plasterboard wall can be clamped between the flange 218 of the electrical back box 210 and the flange portions 246 of each of the clamp members 220, 222. The flange portions 246 of the clamp members 220, 222 are then fully deployed (Figure 11).

If removal of the electrical back box 210 is desired, the flange portions 246 can be released from the fully deployed position and returned to the stowed position within the electrical back box 210 by rotating the screws in the opposite direction. In other words, the clamp mechanism provided by the first and second clamp members 220, 222 is reversible.

Fourth embodiment An electrical back box 310 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 12 and 13. The electrical back box 310 has a similar design to the electrical back box 210 of the third embodiment of the invention, but is configured for use with a double socket or switch (not shown).

The electrical back box 310 includes a hollow body or member 312, a flange 318, a first clamp member 320 and a second clamp member 322.

The hollow member 312 has a first, open, end 324, a second, closed, end 326 and an outer wall 328.

The outer wall 328 is formed from a first circle segment portion 328a, a second circle segment portion 328b, and two parallel opposing straight portions 328c, 328d which join the circle segment portions to form a figure of eight shape.

The circle segment portions 328a, 328b include respective openings 330a, 330b which extend in a direction which is parallel to the second, closed, end 326 of the hollow member 312 and which are configured to accommodate at least part of the first and second clamp members 320, 322. The circle segment portions 328a, 328b also include indentations 332a, 332b which extend between the first, open, end 324 and the second, closed, end 326 of the hollow member 312 in a direction which is perpendicular to the openings 330a, 330b. The indentations 332a, 332h form a sleeve 334a, 334b which extends into the hollow member 312.

The flange 318 includes an opening 338a and an opening 338b which receive respective screws (not shown) Each of the circle segment portions 328a, 328b include a protrusion 340a, 340b which extends into the hollow member 312. Each of the protrusions 340a, 340b includes an aperture 342a, 342b which receives a screw (not shown).

The second, closed, end 326 forms a base of the hollow member 312. Stop members 344 are provided at the second end 326 of the hollow member 312.

With particular reference to Figure 13, each of the first clamp member 320 and the second clamp member 322 includes a tongue or flange portion 346 from which a tab 348 protrudes. The tab 348 includes a screw-receiving aperture 350.

The electrical back box 310 is assembled as follows.

The hollow member 312 and the first and second clamp members 320, 322 of the electrical back box 310 are manufactured from any suitable material.

The first clamp member 320 is placed inside the hollow member 312 with the screw-receiving aperture 350 lined up with a lower portion of the sleeve 334a and the opening 338a. A screw (not shown) is inserted into the opening 338a, through the sleeve 334a and into the screw-receiving aperture 350 of the first clamp member 320.

Similarly, the second clamp member 322 is placed inside the hollow member 312 with the screw-receiving aperture 350 lined up with a lower portion of the sleeve portion 336b and the opening 338b. A screw (not shown) is inserted into the opening 338b, through the sleeve 334b and into the screw-receiving aperture 350 of the second clamp member 322.

When the first and second clamp members 320, 322 are in the stowed position, for example as shown in Figure 12, the flange portions 346 of the first and second clamp members 320, 322 are housed within the hollow member 312 of the electrical back box 310. The stop members 344 restrict or limit the movement or rotation of the tab or flange portions 346 of the first and second clamp members 320, 322 within the hollow member 312 of the electrical back box 310.

The first and second clamp members 320, 322 are operated by rotating the screws (not shown) within the sleeves 334a, 334b. This causes the flange portions 346 to be released from within the electrical back box 310 and moved through the openings 330a, 330b in the walls of the hollow member 312 of the electrical back box 310. When the flange portions 346 of each of the first and second clamp members 320, 322 are adjacent to the second, closed, end 326 of the hollow member 312, the first and second clamp members 320, 322 are said to be in the partially deployed condition, as shown in Figure 13. With continued rotation of the screws, the flange portions 346 move from being adjacent to the second, closed, end 326 to being adjacent to the flange 318 such that a plasterboard wall can be clamped between the flange 318 of the electrical back box 310 and the flange portions 346 of each of the clamp members 320, 322. The flange portions 346 of the clamp members 320, 322 are then fully deployed.

If removal of the electrical back box 310 is desired, the flange portions 346 can be released from the fully deployed position and returned to the stowed position within the electrical back box 310 by rotating the screws in the opposite direction. In other words, the clamp mechanism provided by the first and second clamp members 320, 322 is reversible.

Claims

Claims 1. An electrical back box for a switch or socket, the electrical back box comprising: a hollow body having: a first, open, end; a second, closed, end; and, an outer wall which extends between the first end and the second end; the electrical back box further comprising: a clamp member having a first, stowed, configuration in which the clamp member is retained within the hollow body and a second, deployed, configuration in which the clamp member extends through an aperture in the outer wall.
2. The electrical back box of claim 1, wherein the outer wall forms a quadrilateral shape.
3. The electrical back box of claim 1, wherein the outer wall comprises a curved portion.
4. The electrical back box of claim 3, wherein the outer wall comprises a circle segment in cross section.
5. The electrical back box of claim 4, wherein the outer wall is circular in cross section.
6. The electrical back box of claim 4, wherein the outer wall comprises two circle segment portions forming a figure-of-eight shape.
7. The electrical back box of any preceding claim, further comprising a flange which extends around at least a portion of the outer wall and which is positioned at the first end of the electrical back box.
8. The electrical back box of claim 7, wherein the flange is generally planar and has an inner surface which is configured to abut an outer surface of a wall when the electrical back box is installed within the wall.
9. The electrical back box of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the clamp member includes a flange portion which is configured to abut an inner surface of a wall when the electrical back box is installed within the wall.
10. The electrical back box of claim 9, dependent on claim 8, wherein in use the wall is clamped between the flange and the flange portion.
11. The electrical back box of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the clamp member is reusable.
12. The electrical back box of claim 11 wherein the outer wall includes sleeve and rotation of an actuator within the sleeve causes the clamp member to move between the stowed condition and the deployed condition.
13. The electrical back box of any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the hollow body includes a stop member to restrict the movement of the clamp member within the hollow body.
14. The electrical back box of any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the clamp member is a first clamp member, the electrical back box further including a second clamp member.
15. The electrical back box of any of claims 1 to 14, wherein the clamp member is completely stowed within the outer wall in the stowed condition.
16. The electrical back box of any of claims 1 to 14, wherein the clamp member is moveable 180 degrees from the stowed position to the deployed position.
17. A kit of parts for installing an electrical back box, the kit of parts comprising: an electrical back box according to any of claims 1 to 16; and an actuator.
18. A method of installing an electrical back box in a wall, the method comprising: cutting a hole in the wall; and, installing an electrical back box according to any of claims 1 to 16 in the hole in the wall.
19. A method of installing an electrical back box in a wall according to claim 18, wherein the wall comprises an internal wall surface, and wherein the electrical back box is installed in the wall so that the clamp member bears against the internal wall surface.