Abstract:
An adjustably mounting electrical device with one or more fixed yokes located perpendicularly to a face of the electrical device, one or more moveable yokes located perpendicularly to the face of the electrical device, and one or more adjustment screws inserted through the one or more fixed yokes and threaded into the one or more moveable yokes, the one or more adjustment screws capable of moving the one or more moveable yokes perpendicularly to the face of the electrical device. The system may comprise mounting flanges that may have threaded hubs or the system may further comprise an electric device having front and back shells moveable on a track in response to depression of a button allowing for movement of the back shell so that the electric device may be mounted having its front face coplanar with a front wall surface.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/182,805, filed Jun. 1, 2009, entitled “Adjustable Electrical Device” and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/245,371, filed Sep. 24, 2009, entitled “Adjustable Receptacles.” 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to mounting structures that allow for the adjustment of the installed depth of electrical devices. 
     This disclosure relates to electrical devices and boxes. Often times an electrical box is installed too far backward into the wall, not in compliance with the National Electrical Code which requires that boxes be installed such that the front face of the open end of the electrical box is flush or coplanar with the front face of the wall. Proper installation results in the yoke of an electrical device being coplanar with the front rim of the electrical box and flush with the face of the wall when the device is installed. Improper installation results in the yoke of the electrical device not being supported by the electrical box or not being flush with the face of the wall. When a faceplate, such as a wall plate or switch plate, is installed on the electrical device, the faceplate essentially becomes the sixth side of the electrical box. When the device is properly installed, the face of the electrical device extends through an opening in the faceplate so that there are no sizeable gaps between the electrical device and the faceplate that could expose the public to the electrical wiring within the box. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure describes, among other things, various applications of mounting structures that allow for the installed depth of electrical devices to be adjusted, preferably so that the yoke of the electrical device is coplanar with the front face of the wall surface in which an electrical box is installed. 
     This disclosure relates to a system that adjustably mounts an electrical device comprising: an electrical device; one or more fixed yokes located perpendicularly to a face of the electrical device; one or more moveable yokes located perpendicularly to the face of the electrical device; and one or more adjustment screws inserted through the one or more fixed yokes and threaded into the one or more moveable yokes, the one or more adjustment screws capable of moving the one or more moveable yokes perpendicularly to the face of the electrical device. The device may also be such that the one or more moveable yokes is capable of being adjusted so that the face of the electrical device is coplanar with a front face of a wall. Additionally, the device may have only one adjustment screw wherein the fixed and moveable yokes are attached to each other on a side of the device not having the adjustment screw. The device also may be configured such that the one or more fixed yokes has one or more tracks and the one or more moveable yokes has one or more rails, wherein the one or more tracks are interconnectable with the one or more rails. 
     This disclosure also relates to a system of adjustably mounting an electrical device comprising: an electrical device; an electrical device yoke comprising at least two or more box mounting flanges each configured for movement in a direction perpendicular to the electrical device face; one or more adjustments screws inserted perpendicular to the electrical device face, the one or more adjustment screws configured such that rotational movement of the one or more adjustment screws to adjustably moves the one or more at least two box mounting flanges in its positional relation to the electrical device face, in a direction perpendicular to the electrical device face. 
     The device may further have one or more flaps configured to move between an opened and a closed position or detachable tabs or a removable cover plate that attaches to the face of the electric device that conceals the adjustment screws from view. While the device may have multiple adjustment screws, it may also have only one adjustment screw located at about the center of the face of the electrical device. The mounting flanges of the device may also have one or more threaded hubs having one or more adjustment screws mounted inside the one or more threaded hubs and the back face of one or more of the threaded hubs may be aligned so that it is coincident with an electrical box. 
     This disclosure also relates to a system of adjustably mounting an electrical device comprising: an electrical device having a front shell and a back shell; one or more mounting flanges that are attached to the back shell; a track that is perpendicular to a front face of the front shell and runs between the front and back shells; and one or more depressable buttons located on one or more sides of the electrical device. The back shell is moveable along the track when the one or more depressable buttons is depressed. 
     This disclosure also relates to a system of adjustably mounting an electrical device further comprising one or more mounting screws located at or about the center of the moveable yoke that secure the electrical device to the electrical box and an one or more adjustment screws located at one or more points on the yoke that is laterally displaced from the location of the one or more mounting screws. 
     This disclosure also relates to a system of adjustably mounting an electrical device further comprising one or more threaded plate screw holes through which one or more plate screws is inserted wherein the one or more adjustment screws is configured to slidably move the one or more moveable yokes perpendicularly to the electrical device face so that the one or more plate screws is secured into the one or more threaded plate screw holes. 
     Aspects and applications of the disclosure presented here are described below in the drawings and the detailed description. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specification and the claims be given their plain, ordinary, and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. The inventors are fully aware that they can be their own lexicographers if desired. The inventors expressly elect, as their own lexicographers, to use only the plain and ordinary meaning of terms in the specification and claims unless they clearly state otherwise and then further, expressly set forth the “special” definition of that term and explain how it differs from the plain and ordinary meaning Absent such clear statements of intent to apply a “special” definition, it is the inventors&#39; intent and desire that the simple, plain and ordinary meaning to the terms be applied to the interpretation of the specification and claims. 
     The inventors are also aware of the normal precepts of English grammar. Thus, if a noun, term, or phrase is intended to be further characterized, specified, or narrowed in some way, then such noun, term, or phrase will expressly include additional adjectives, descriptive terms, or other modifiers in accordance with the normal precepts of English grammar. Absent the use of such adjectives, descriptive terms, or modifiers, it is the intent that such nouns, terms, or phrases be given their plain, and ordinary English meaning to those skilled in the applicable arts as set forth above. 
     Further, the inventors are fully informed of the standards and application of the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶ 6. Thus, the use of the words “function,” “means” or “step” in the Detailed Description or Description of the Drawings or claims is not intended to somehow indicate a desire to invoke the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶ 6, to define the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶ 6 are sought to be invoked to define the inventions, the claims will specifically and expressly state the exact phrases “means for” or “step for, and will also recite the word “function” (i.e., will state “means for performing the function of [insert function]”), without also reciting in such phrases any structure, material or act in support of the function. Thus, even when the claims recite a “means for performing the function of . . .” or “step for performing the function of . . . ,” if the claims also recite any structure, material or acts in support of that means or step, or that perform the recited function, then it is the clear intention of the inventors not to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶ 6. Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶ 6 are invoked to define the claimed inventions, it is intended that the inventions not be limited only to the specific structure, material or acts that are described in the preferred embodiments, but in addition, include any and all structures, materials or acts that perform the claimed function as described in alternative embodiments or forms of the invention, or that are well known present or later-developed, equivalent structures, material or acts for performing the claimed function. 
     It will be understood that implementations are not limited to the specific components disclosed herein, as virtually any components consistent with the intended operation of a method and/or system implementation of adjustably mounting an electric device may be utilized. Accordingly, for example, although particular component examples may be disclosed, such components may comprise any shape, size, style, type, model, version, class, grade, measurement, concentration, material, weight, quantity, and/or the like consistent with the intended operation of a method and/or system implementation of adjustably mounting an electric device. 
     The above embodiments, implementations and examples are given to explain some of the methods, assemblies and components for adjustably mounting an electric device. However, numerous changes or differences may be employed in various other implementations that still fall within the scope of the adjustably mounted electric device. 
     In places where the description above refers to particular implementations of an adjustably mounted electric device, it should be readily apparent that a number of modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The presently disclosed implementations are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description when considered in connection with the following illustrative figures. In the figures, like reference numbers refer to like elements or acts throughout the figures. 
         FIG. 1  depicts a proper installation of an electrical device; 
         FIG. 2  depicts an improper installation; 
         FIG. 3  depicts an installed electrical device having an adjustable mounting structure; 
         FIG. 4  depicts an exploded view of an electrical device with a first implementation of an adjustable mounting structure; 
         FIGS. 5A &amp; 5B  depict installations of an electrical device at different adjusted depths; 
         FIG. 6  depicts a close-up view of an adjustment structure of a particular implementation; 
         FIGS. 7A &amp; 7B  depict perspective views of a first particular embodiment of an adjustable mounting electrical device; 
         FIGS. 8A-8D  depict perspective views of adjustment of a second particular embodiment of an adjustable mounting electrical device; 
         FIGS. 9A &amp; 9B  depict perspective views of a third particular embodiment of an adjustable mounting electrical device. 
         FIGS. 10A-10D  depict perspective views of a fourth particular embodiment of an adjustable mounting electrical device; and 
         FIGS. 11A &amp; 11B  depict perspective views of a fifth particular embodiment of an adjustable mounting electrical device. 
         FIG. 12  depicts a sixth particular embodiment of a yoke for an adjustable mounting electrical device. 
         FIG. 13  depicts a close-up view of the yoke for the adjustable mounting electrical device of  FIG. 12 . 
     
    
    
     Elements and acts in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and have not necessarily been rendered according to any particular sequence or embodiment. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, and for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various aspects of the disclosure. It will be understood, however, by those skilled in the relevant arts, that the present applications may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, known structures and devices are shown or discussed more generally in order to avoid obscuring the applications. In many cases, a description of the operation is sufficient to enable one to implement the various forms of the invention. It should be noted that there are many different and alternative configurations, devices and technologies to which the disclosed applications may be applied. The full scope of the disclosure is not limited to the examples that are described below. 
     Although the particular implementations and embodiments shown in the Figures specifically illustrate rectangular electrical receptacles, this disclosure is applicable to all electrical devices that mount in electrical boxes in a wall, including but not limited to electrical receptacles, switches, dimmers and other devices. It is also intended that any of the electrical devices referred to in this disclosure be may be suitable for use with 110V, 220V, or any other applicable voltage, and for use with electrical devices of any shape and size. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a proper installation wherein an electrical box  50  is installed such that its front face is flush with the wall face  60  and an electrical device  40  is properly installed so that the faceplate of the electrical device will be flush with the wall face  60 . By contrast,  FIG. 2  shows a very common installation where the electrical box  50  is placed too far into the wall so that the front face of the electrical box is recessed below the wall face  60 . This improper installation will result in the electrical box  50  not being in direct support of the yoke  10  of the electrical device  40  or the electrical device  40  being installed back into the wall  60  such that the faceplate leaves a gap between the faceplate and the face  30  of the electrical device  40 . Among other problems resulting from this improper installation is that the yoke  10  of the electrical device  40  may bend as the box mounting screws  25  are tightened which may cause the face  30  of the electrical device  40  to move backward into the electrical box  50 , thereby negatively affecting the aesthetics and safety of the final installation as the electrical device  40  by leaving a gap between the front face  30  of the electrical device  40  and the faceplate. Additionally, in cases where the yoke  10  is recessed back behind the wall face  60 , the plate mounting screw aperture  28  also recesses behind the wall face  60 . Plate mounting screws are conventionally very short screws and are used in situations, like that shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , where a ground fault current interrupt outlet (GFCI) or switch is used because it does not have a center mount screw aperture on the electrical device. As a result, if the yoke  10  is recessed behind the wall face  60  the plate mounting screw often cannot reach the threaded plate mounting screw hole unless the installation is done correctly or a longer replacement screw is used. Another possible problem is that the electrical device may not be solidly held in place, again causing safety issues. 
     Additionally, if the hole cut in the wall is too large, the yoke  10  of the electrical device  40  may be allowed to move backward until it meets the front face of the electrical box  50 , thereby also creating a negative aesthetic and safety effects. In this instance, a great deal of time and effort may be expended in removing the electrical box  50  that has been installed in an oversized hole in the wall, positioning and installing a new electrical box  50 , and reinstalling the electrical device  40 . Accordingly, it is desirable to simply adjust the electrical device  40  so that it is solidly supported by the box and yet will be coincident with the front of the wall face  60  so that there is no visible gap between the electrical device  40  and the face plate. It should be noted that the portions of the yoke  10  depicted in the figures are merely those portions of the yoke  10  that extend from the electrical device  40 . The yoke  10  actually comprises more than just these depicted portions and extends from the portion of the yoke  10  depicted at one end of the electrical device  40 , through the electrical device  40  itself, with the opposite end of the yoke  10  protruding from the other end of the electrical device  40 . The particular yoke implementation of  FIGS. 12 and 13  illustrate the complete yoke for an adjustable electrical device with the other electrical device portions removed for convenience of illustration. 
       FIG. 3  depicts an application of a particular implementation of an adjustable mounting electrical device installed in place of the current state-of-the-art device shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  in an installation having the electrical box  50  set far back in the wall so that the front face of the electrical box is recessed behind the front face of the wall  60 . The embodiment of  FIG. 3  includes a moveable yoke  15  portion with an adjustment screw  20  laterally offset from the box mounting screw  25  that engages a fixed yoke  70  portion to allow the adjustable yoke  15  portion to move in relation to the fixed yoke  70  portion of the yoke  75 .  FIG. 4  shows an exploded view of the electrical device of  FIG. 3  with the yoke  75  having both a moveable yoke  15  portion (moveable in relation to the electrical device) and a fixed yoke  70  portion (fixed in relation to the electrical device), and an adjustment screw  20  to allow for adjustment of the mounting of the electrical device  40 . The moveable  15  and fixed yoke  70  portions may also be interconnected by rails  90  and tracks  80  as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 . Although not limited to this arrangement, the mounting screw  20  may be trapped between the back face  90  of the moveable yoke  15  portion and a rear bearing face  100  formed from the same yoke  15  portion. As a screwdriver is used to turn the adjustment screw  20 , the head of the screw  20  remains in the gap between these two bearing surfaces  90 ,  100 . The threaded boss  110  on the fixed yoke  70  portion then moves the fixed yoke  70  portion and the electrical device  40  forward or backward as the adjustment screw  20  is rotated. A box mounting screw  25  is located along a center axis of yoke  75 , with the adjustment screw  20  located off-center to one side of the box mounting screw  25 . The box mounting screw  20  is aligned with the box mounting screw apertures of a conventional electrical outlet box. 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  depict implementations of an implementation of an adjustable mounting electrical device wherein the electrical device  40  ( FIG. 4 ) is, respectively, closer to and further away from the wall face  60 . This movement is accomplished by adjustment of the adjustment screw  20  (FIGS.  4  and  8 - 11 ). 
       FIG. 6  depicts a close-up view of a basic adjustment structure for an electrical device yoke. As the adjustment screw(s)  20  are turned, the electrical device  40  ( FIG. 4 ) moves forward and backward in kind. While two adjustment screws  20  may be used in particular implementations, any other number of adjustment screws  20 , including only one adjustment screw in particular implementations, may also be used in various other configurations. For electrical boxes  50  ( FIG. 1 ) that are installed at an angle relative to the wall, having two adjustment screws  20  may allow for the electrical device  40  to be adjusted to a greater extent on either the top or bottom as desirable from the angle of installation. 
     In other applications, it may be more desirable to use only one adjustment screw  20 . In this instance, the moveable yoke  15  portions and fixed yoke  70  portions may need to be fastened or tied together on one side of the electrical device  40 . This would allow the fixed yoke  70  portion structure and the electrical device  40  to move relative to the moveable yoke  15  portion. As per the National Electrical Code, the yokes and box mounting screws  25  must all be bonded to ground and the center mounting screw  26  must thread into the fixed yoke  70  portions to ensure that metallic faceplates are also bonded to ground. To comply with the National Electrical Code, one of the yokes will also have a ground screw threaded into it so that an equipment grounding conductor or a grounding wire may be connected. 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  depict another application of an adjustable mounting electrical device wherein a center adjustment screw  26  correspondingly adjusts the yoke  76  mounting flanges  120  of the electric device forward and backward in a direction perpendicular to the front  30  of the electrical device  40  and the front face of the electrical box  50 . By trapping the horizontal positioning of the center adjustment screw  26  in relation to the front  30  of the electrical device, twisting the center adjustment screw  26  which is threadedly engaged with the yoke  76  causes the adjustable yoke  120  portions (mounting flanges) to move in relation to the fixed yoke portions.  FIG. 7A  shows the forward position and  FIG. 7B  shows the backward position. 
       FIGS. 8A through 8D  depict another particular implementation of an adjustable mounting electrical device having a center adjustment screw  26  that correspondingly adjusts the yoke mounting flanges  120  forward and backward in a direction perpendicular to the front  30  of the electrical device  40  and the front face of the electrical box  50 , similar to that of  FIGS. 7A and 7B , but further including a center flap  130  or detachable cover that conceals the adjustment screw  26  from view when it is not in use. 
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  depict a particular implementation of an adjustable mounting electrical device wherein the electrical device  40  has a front shell  140  and a back shell  150  in addition to one or more mounting flanges  122  of the yoke  76 . The back shell  150  and mounting flanges  120  are moveable on a track  160  that runs between the front  140  and back shells  150  when one or more side buttons  155  are depressed to allow for free movement along the track  160 . The front shell  140  of this particular implementation is adjustable in relation to the yoke  76  by a user squeezing the opposing depressible side buttons  155  on either side of the front  30  of the electrical device  40  to temporarily release the front shell  140  from its fixed relationship to the back shell. Release of the opposing side clips  155  causes the clip structure to re-engage the back shell  150  and fix the position of the front shell  140  in relation to the back shell. 
       FIGS. 10A through 10D  depict an application of an adjustable mounting electrical device having a false front face or cover plate  170  the snaps onto the front face  30  of the electrical device  40  to conceal the adjustment screws  28  or other mechanism from view. This particular implementation uses two screws adjustment screws  28  that allow adjustment of the mounting flanges  122  of the yoke  76  to move forward and backward in a direction perpendicular to the front face  30  of the electrical device  40 . By using two separate adjustment screws  28 , both the top and the bottom of the electrical device can be adjusted separately. 
     The particular yoke implementation of  FIGS. 12 and 13  illustrate a yoke  205  with the other electrical device portions removed for convenience of illustration. This particular yoke implementation can be used with an adjustable mounting electrical device having a threaded, plate screw hole  200  that allows for solid seating and correct placement of the plate screw relative to the electrical box  50  ( FIG. 2 ) regardless of whether the front face of the electrical box  50  is flush with the wall surface  60  ( FIG. 2 ) or the electrical box  50  has been installed too far back in the wall, thereby preventing the yoke  205  from sitting on the front of the wall surface  60 . Because the plate screw hole  200  is fixed in relation to the yoke  205  and does not move with the adjustable yoke  15  portions, the plate screw hole  200  is in correct placement for a face plate after the adjustable yoke  15  portions have been adjusted. Although not limited to this configuration, this and other implementations of an adjustable mounting electrical device are depicted here as having a box mounting screw  190  located at approximately the center of yoke  205  and an adjustment screw  20  located off-center to one side of the box mounting screw  190 . Similar to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the off-center adjustment screw  20  threadedly engages the fixed yoke  70  portions of an electrical device to allow the adjustable yoke  15  portion of the yoke  205  to adjust in relation to the electrical device. The box mounting screw  190  is aligned with the box mounting screw apertures of a conventional electrical outlet box. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily understand how to apply the principles associated with this particular yoke  205 , illustrated in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , to the various other implementations illustrated herein and in other implementations of electrical devices known in the art.