Abstract:
A recessed electrical box with a breakaway cover. The cover member is rotatably attached to the electrical box and will slip off the box, without any damage to the electrical box or the cover member, if an excessive force is applied to the cover member while it is in the open position. Use of the recessed electrical box positions an electrical device substantially behind the surface of any structure. One or more flanges may be included on the exterior of the electrical box to enable easy positioning with respect to the structure&#39;s exterior surface. The flanges may be removable to facilitate installation in a retrofit situation on a finished building.

Description:
This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/185,256, filed Jul. 20, 2005 and still pending, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/102,392, filed Apr. 8, 2005 and still pending, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/070,344, filed Mar. 2, 2005 and now U.S. Pat. No. 6,965,078, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/009,116 filed Dec. 10, 2004 and still pending, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/863,942 filed Jun. 9, 2004 and now U.S. Pat. No. 6,956,171. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   1) This invention relates to electrical boxes and specifically to a recessed outlet box for accommodating and protecting a duplex outlet or other electrical device therein and including a cover member that breaks away when excessive force is applied thereto. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   2) Recessed electrical boxes for retrofitting on finished walls or for use in new construction were disclosed in co-pending U.S. application Ser. Nos. 10/863,942, 11/009,116, 11/070,344, 11/102,392, and 11/185,256, commonly owned by the assignee of the present invention, the contents of which are referred to herein and incorporated herein in this specification in their entirety. The recessed electrical box disclosed in the co-pending applications comprised an electrical box having an inner enclosure for housing an electrical device and an outer enclosure for recessing the inner enclosure well within a wall. One or more flanges extended outwardly from the electrical box. For mounting to new construction, a first, breakaway inner flange was left intact and utilized as is for securing the box to the newly constructed building&#39;s substrate. Conversely, if mounted to an existing building in a retrofit situation, the inner flange was broken away to allow insertion of the box within an appropriately sized hole created for the box in the existing building. An outer flange was provided for masking the siding or other wall covering at the juncture of the electrical box with the surrounding siding. A cover member having a narrow peripheral side wall was provided for closing and rainproofing the electrical device therein. The co-pending applications disclosed the outer enclosure of the electrical box being a larger size than the inner enclosure to facilitate easy access to the inner enclosure and easy shedding of any residual rainfall that penetrated therein. 
   3) Although the co-pending applications provided an improved rainproof electrical box, the box member was susceptible to damage from excessive force applied to the cover member in an open position. 
   4) What is needed therefore is a recessed electrical box with a cover member that adequately provides protection against rain and the elements to the electrical devices held therein but also is capable of breaking away and not susceptible to damage when excessive force is applied thereto. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   5) The invention is a recessed electrical box with a breakaway cover. The cover member is rotatably attached to the electrical box and will slip off the box, without any damage to the electrical box or the cover member, if any excessive force is applied to the cover member while it is in the open position. Use of the recessed electrical box positions an electrical device substantially behind the surface of any structure. One or more flanges may be included on the exterior of the electrical box to enable easy positioning with respect to the structure&#39;s exterior surface. The flanges may be removable to facilitate installation in a retrofit situation on a finished building. 
   OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
   6) One advantage of the recessed electrical box of the present invention is that it simplifies the installation of electrical devices on all types of finished exteriors, including siding or stucco. The siding can be flat or lapped and be constructed of vinyl, aluminum, or wood. 
   7) Another advantage provided by the electrical box of the present invention is that it is adaptable to being installed on an unfinished wall or as a retrofit on an existing finished wall. 
   8) A further advantage is that the recessed electrical box provides a first enclosure that positions the electrical device within the exterior wall, thereby shielding the electrical device from impacts, and a second enclosure for shielding the electrical device from rain and other environmental elements. 
   9) Another advantage is that the recessed electrical box of the present invention provides a breakaway inner flange, which can be retained for mounting on unfinished walls or broken off in a retrofit situation. 
   10) A further advantage is that a wide front flange is provided for covering mistakes or to cover a poorly cut mounting hole for a retrofit application. 
   11) The current recessed electrical box further provides, when used to house a duplex outlet, an electrical box and a spacious protective enclosure for protecting the plug ends of electrical cords. 
   12) A further advantage is that the electrical box, and inner and outer flanges are molded integrally in one piece, thereby reducing production costs. 
   13) The electrical box furthermore includes integral bosses with threaded bores for accepting fasteners from an electrical device. 
   14) The electrical box of the present invention also includes a breakaway cover member, which enables the cover member to avoid damage if an excessive force is applied to it when it is in the open position. 
   15) The electrical box of the present invention provides an electrical junction box that is UL-listed to meet the requirements of the electrical code. It has the advantage of working on all siding types and can be installed before or after the siding is installed. 
   16) These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following description along with reference to the drawings. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     17)  FIG. 1  is a front view of a first embodiment of a recessed electrical box according to the present invention. 
     18)  FIG. 2A  is a sectional view of the recessed electrical box taken along line  2 — 2  of  FIG. 1  and shown mounted to the substrate of a newly constructed building. 
     19)  FIG. 2B  is a sectional view of the recessed electrical box taken along line  2 — 2  of  FIG. 1  and shown mounted to the siding of an existing building. 
     20)  FIG. 3  is back view of the electrical box of  FIG. 1 . 
     21)  FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the electrical box of  FIG. 1 . 
     22)  FIG. 5  is a front view of a second embodiment of a recessed electrical box according to the present invention. 
     23)  FIG. 6  is a side view of the recessed electrical box taken along line  6 — 6  of  FIG. 5 . 
     24)  FIG. 7  is back view of the electrical box of  FIG. 5 . 
     25)  FIG. 8  is a front view of a third embodiment of a recessed electrical box according to the present invention. 
     26)  FIG. 9  is a side view of the recessed electrical box taken along line  9 — 9  of  FIG. 8 . 
     27)  FIG. 10  is a back view of the electrical box of  FIG. 8 . 
     28)  FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a cover member used with the electrical box of the present invention. 
     29)  FIG. 12  is a front view of the cover member of  FIG. 11 . 
     30)  FIG. 13  is a side view of the cover member of  FIG. 11 . 
     31)  FIG. 14  is a bottom view of the cover member of  FIG. 11 . 
     32)  FIG. 15  is a sectional view of the recessed electrical box of  FIG. 1  shown with a duplex receptacle installed therein and secured to an unfinished exterior wall. 
     33)  FIG. 16  is a sectional view of the recessed electrical box of  FIG. 1  shown with a duplex receptacle installed therein and secured to a finished exterior wall. 
     34)  FIG. 17  is a side view of a fourth and preferred embodiment of a recessed electrical box having a breakaway cover member. 
     35)  FIG. 18  is a front view of the recessed electrical box of  FIG. 17 . 
     36)  FIG. 19  is a detailed view of a pin and cover member portion of  FIG. 17 . 
     37)  FIG. 20  is a sectional view taken along line  20 — 20  of  FIG. 19 . 
     38)  FIG. 21  is a detailed view of the pin portion of the electrical box shown in  FIG. 18 . 
     39)  FIG. 22  is a view of the top portion of the recessed electrical box of  FIG. 18  including the preferred embodiment of a pin and socket arrangement for attaching a cover member rotatable with respect to the electrical box. 
     40)  FIG. 23  is a view of a top portion of a recessed electrical box including an alternate embodiment of a pin and socket arrangement.  
     Table of Nomenclature  
     41)The following is a listing of part numbers used in the drawings along with a brief description: 
   

   
     
       
             
             
           
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
             
               Part Number 
               Description 
             
             
                 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
               20 
               recessed electrical box, first embodiment 
             
             
               22 
               first box 
             
             
               24 
               back wall of first box 
             
             
               26 
               peripheral sidewalls of first box 
             
             
               28 
               open front of first box 
             
             
               30 
               first enclosure 
             
             
               32 
               front edge of first box 
             
             
               34 
               transverse wall portion 
             
             
               36 
               second peripheral sidewalls or axial wall 
             
             
               38 
               second box 
             
             
               40 
               second enclosure 
             
             
               42 
               planar front edge of second box 
             
             
               44 
               opening of second box 
             
             
               45 
               securement arrangement 
             
             
               46 
               inner flange 
             
             
               48 
               outer flange 
             
             
               50 
               outer edge 
             
             
               52 
               ear 
             
             
               54 
               slot 
             
             
               56 
               back surface of inner flange 
             
             
               58 
               groove 
             
             
               60 
               first side of inner flange 
             
             
               62 
               second side of inner flange 
             
             
               64 
               third side of inner flange 
             
             
               66 
               fourth side of inner flange 
             
             
               68 
               outer periphery of second box 
             
             
               70 
               outer periphery of first box 
             
             
               72 
               plane of inner flange 
             
             
               74 
               plane of outer flange 
             
             
               76 
               indentation in outer flange 
             
             
               78 
               front surface of outer flange 
             
             
               80 
               removable wall portion 
             
             
               81 
               cord slots 
             
             
               84 
               integral projections 
             
             
               86 
               inner surface of peripheral sidewalls 
             
             
               88 
               threaded bore 
             
             
               90 
               cover member 
             
             
               92 
               apertures in cover member 
             
             
               94 
               post 
             
             
               96 
               gap 
             
             
               100 
               recessed electrical box, second embodiment 
             
             
               102 
               hole in substrate, siding, or both 
             
             
               104 
               siding 
             
             
               106 
               substrate 
             
             
               110 
               recessed electrical box, third embodiment 
             
             
               112 
               stucco finish layer 
             
             
               114 
               holes in inner flange 
             
             
               118 
               fastener 
             
             
               120 
               drilled hole in outer flange 
             
             
               122 
               back surface of outer flange 
             
             
               124 
               hole in outer flange 
             
             
               126 
               duplex outlet 
             
             
               128 
               device fasteners 
             
             
               130 
               face plate 
             
             
               132 
               terminal of duplex outlet 
             
             
               134 
               plug end 
             
             
               136 
               electrical cord 
             
             
               140 
               recessed electrical box, preferred embodiment 
             
             
               142 
               breakaway cover member 
             
             
               143 
               pin and socket arrangement 
             
             
               144 
               pin 
             
             
               145 
               peripheral side wall of cover member 
             
             
               146 
               sidewall 
             
             
               148 
               socket or aperture 
             
             
               150 
               ear 
             
             
               152 
               longitudinal or central axis through pins 
             
             
               154 
               base portion of pin 
             
             
               156 
               tip potion of pin 
             
             
               θ 
               angle of conical surface of pin 
             
             
               D 
               diameter of aperture in ear of cover member 
             
             
               L 
               width of pin at base 
             
             
               R 
               radius of tip portion of pin 
             
             
               W 
               length of pin 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   42) The present invention comprises a recessed electrical box for securing an electrical device on the exterior wall of a building. The recessed electrical box has features that allow it to be easily installed on either a new building or on an existing building. It can be installed on a new building having unfinished walls, in which the finishing surface, such as siding or stucco, will be installed later, or as a retrofit on an existing building. 
   43) With reference to  FIGS. 1–4 , a first embodiment of a recessed electrical box  20  according to the present invention is shown. The recessed electrical box includes a first box  22  having a back wall  24 , orthogonally extending peripheral sidewalls  26 , and an open front  28  defining a first enclosure  30  therein. The peripheral sidewalls  26  of the first box  22  include a front edge  32  at the open front  28 . A transverse wall portion  34  extends outwardly and orthogonally from the peripheral sidewalls  26  at the front edge  32 . Second peripheral sidewalls  36  extend orthogonally from the transverse wall portion  34  and form a second box  38  and a second enclosure  40  therein. The second peripheral sidewalls  36  terminate in a planar front edge  42 . The planar front edge  42  includes an opening  44  therein leading into the second enclosure  40 . A securement arrangement  45  at the open front  28  of the first enclosure  30  is capable of accepting an electrical device (not shown) therein. 
   44) The recessed electrical box of the present invention includes at least one flange integral with and extending outwardly and orthogonally from the second peripheral sidewalls. For the first embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 4 , the recessed electrical box  20  includes an inner flange  46  and an outer flange  48 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the inner flange  46  extends transversely substantially beyond the outer flange  48 . The outer flange  48  extends transversely substantially beyond the second peripheral sidewalls  36 . The inner flange  46  includes an outer edge  50  and a plurality of ears  52  extending beyond the outer edge  50 . A slot  54  is included in each of the ears  52  of the inner flange  46 . 
   45) Referring to  FIGS. 2A and 3 , the back surface  56  of the inner flange  46  includes grooves  58  adjacent each of the second peripheral sidewalls  36 . The grooves  58  extend from one side  60 ,  62  of the outer edge  50  to the corresponding opposing side  64 ,  66  of the outer edge  50 . The grooves  58  form reduced thickness flange portions to allow scoring therein to remove the inner flange  46  adjacent the second peripheral sidewalls  36 . 
   46) With reference to  FIG. 4 , the second box  38  has an outer periphery  68  that, as a result of the outwardly extending transverse wall portion  34 , is larger than the outer periphery  70  of the first box  22 . The inner  46  and outer  48  flanges are in parallel planes  72 ,  74 . Removal of the inner flange  46  creates an outer surface substantially equal to the outer periphery  68  of the second box  38  or, in other words, scoring along the grooves  58  adjacent the outer periphery  68  and subsequently breaking off the inner flange  46  creates a smooth outer periphery with the inner flange  46  completely removed therefrom. The outer flange  48 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , extends substantially beyond the second peripheral sidewalls  36 . 
   47) Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the back wall  24  and the peripheral sidewalls  26  of the first box  22  include one or more removable wall portions  80  or knockouts, which may be removed to provide a passage for wiring into the first box  22 . The second peripheral sidewalls  36  of the second box  38  also include one or more cord slots  81  extending therein from the front edge  42  at the opening  44 . The cord slots  81  thereby forming a passageway for electrical cords. 
   48) With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2A , the recessed electrical box further includes a securement arrangement  45 . The securement arrangement  45  includes integral projections  84  from the inner surface  86  of the peripheral sidewalls  26  that extend transversely into the first enclosure  30 . The integral projections  84  include threaded bores  88  therein. 
   49) The recessed electrical box can further include a cover member, such as the cover member  90  having apertures  92  therein as shown in  FIGS. 11–14 . Typically the recessed electrical box  20  is provided with posts  94  at the planar front edge  42  of the second box  38 , such as shown in  FIG. 4 , upon which the cover member (not shown) can be pivotably attached thereto to cover the outer opening  44  of the recessed electrical box  20 . The inner  46  and outer  48  flanges of the recessed electrical box  20  reside in parallel planes  72 ,  74  and form a gap  96  therebetween. The width of the gap  96  is approximately 0.937 inch to allow it to accept siding of most standard thicknesses. 
   50) Referring to  FIGS. 8–10 , there is shown a third embodiment  110  of a recessed electrical box according to the present invention. The third embodiment of the recessed electrical box  110  is for use on a new building that is to be finished with a stucco layer  112 . Electrical box  110  includes a removable inner flange  46  but no outer flange. As shown in  FIG. 9 , on an unfinished building, the box  110  is simply pushed into an appropriately sized hole  102  that has been cut in the substrate  106 . There is no need for an outer flange, as a stucco layer will later be applied over the inner flange  46 . 
   51) All of the embodiments of the recessed electrical box as presented herein are preferably integrally formed in one piece. Therefore the first box  22 , the second box  38 , and the flange or flanges, including the inner flange  46  and the outer flange  48 , are integrally molded in one piece. The recessed electrical box is preferably formed by injection molding of plastic. The plastic is preferably polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, or polypropylene. 
   52) The recessed electrical box of the present invention simplifies the installation of electrical devices on all types of finished exteriors, including siding or stucco. It is adaptable to being installed on an unfinished wall or as a retrofit on an existing finished wall. Operation of the recessed electrical box is accomplished by first determining whether it will be used in new construction, in which the building substrate is installed but not the siding or other finish layer, or it will be used on an existing building. 
   53) The reader is referred to  FIG. 2A  for an understanding of the installation procedure for the recessed electrical box on a newly constructed building and to  FIG. 2B  for an understanding of the installation procedure for the recessed electrical box on an existing building. If the building is under construction, with the substrate installed but no finished layer, the recessed electrical box is installed by first cutting an appropriately sized and shaped hole  102  in the substrate to accept the electrical box, as shown in  FIG. 2A . The recessed electrical box  20  is then inserted into the hole  102  until the back surface  56  of the inner flange  46  is flush against the substrate  106 . Fasteners  118  are then inserted through the slots  54  and tightened to secure the electrical box  20  to the substrate. Installing siding  104  on the substrate  106  then finishes the exterior of the building. The ends of the siding are placed flush with the second peripheral sidewalls  36  in the gap  96 . Caulking is then applied at the juncture of the electrical box  20  with the siding  104  to seal against rain and the elements. 
   54) With reference to  FIG. 2B , if the building is an existing building, with both the siding and substrate installed, this is termed a “retrofit” of an electrical box to an existing building. In this situation, the recessed electrical box  20  is installed by first cutting an appropriately sized and shaped hole  102  in both the substrate  106  and the siding  104  to accept the electrical box  20 . If the building is an existing building, the inner flange  46  is removed by cutting along the grooves  58  (see  FIG. 4 ) that are adjacent the outer periphery  68  of the second box  38 . With the inner flange  46  removed, the electrical box  20  is inserted into the hole  102  until the back surface  122  of the outer flange  48  is flush against the siding  104 . Holes  120  are then drilled in the outer flange  48  and fasteners  118  inserted therethrough. The fasteners  118  are then tightened into the siding  104  and the substrate  106  to secure the recessed electrical box  20  to the siding and the substrate. Caulking is then applied at the juncture of the electrical box  20  with the siding  104  to seal against rain and the elements. 
   55) The second embodiment of the recessed electrical box  100 , shown in  FIG. 6 , simplifies installation of an electrical box on an existing building. As shown in  FIG. 6 , both the substrate  106  and the siding  104  are installed. As the second embodiment  100  includes an outer flange  48  but no inner flange, the installer is saved the extra effort of having to remove an unneeded flange. To operate the second embodiment of the recessed electrical box  100 , the installer cuts an appropriately sized and shaped hole  102  in the siding  104  and substrate  106 . The recessed electrical box  100  is then inserted into the hole  102  until the back surface  122  of the outer flange  48  is flush against the siding  104 . In the second embodiment of the recessed electrical box  100 , holes  124  are included in the outer flange  48 . The fasteners  118  are then are then inserted through the holes  124  and tightened into the siding  104  and the substrate  106  to secure the recessed electrical box  100  to the siding and the substrate. Caulking is then applied in the same manner as for the first embodiment. 
   56) As described above, the third embodiment of the recessed electrical box  110  is for use on a new building that will be finished with a stucco layer  112 . With reference to  FIG. 9 , electrical box  110  includes a removable inner flange  46  but no outer flange. The third embodiment of the recessed electrical box can be used on the exterior wall of either a finished or unfinished building. To install the third embodiment  110  on an unfinished building, the box  110  is simply pushed into an appropriately sized hole  102  that has been cut in the substrate  106 . Fasteners  118  are then placed through the slots  54  in the ears  52  of the inner flange  46  and tightened into the substrate  106 . There is no need for an outer flange, as a stucco layer will later be applied over the inner flange  46  and no unsightly gap will exist between the stucco and the electrical box. The inner flange  46 , as shown in  FIG. 10 , includes a plurality of holes  114  that allow stucco to flow through the inner flange  46  and thereby form a better adhesion to the inner flange  46  and to the substrate  106 . 
   57)  FIG. 15  depicts installation of the first embodiment of the recessed electrical box  20  on an unfinished wall or substrate  106 . For installation on the unfinished wall, a hole is made in the substrate  106  and the recessed box  20  is inserted until the inner flange  46  contacts the substrate  106 . To secure the electrical box  20  to the building, fasteners  118  are driven through the slots  54  provided in the inner flange  46  and into the substrate  106 . The finish layer  104 , consisting of lapped siding or any appropriate siding material, is installed within the gap  96  and placed snug against the second peripheral sidewalls  36 . A duplex outlet  126  or other electrical device is then secured therein by device fasteners  128 . A face plate  130  is fastened to the duplex outlet  126  to close the first box  22  and thereby seal the first enclosure  30  to protect the terminals  132  of the duplex outlet  126  and any wiring therein. The plug ends  134  of two electrical cords  136  are shown plugged into the duplex outlet  126  and run from the outlet  126  through the second enclosure  40  of the recessed electrical box  20  and through the cord slots  81  in the electrical box. 
   58)  FIG. 16  depicts installation of the first embodiment of the recessed electrical box  20  on a finished wall or siding  104 . For installation on a finished wall  104 , the inner flange is removed and a hole  102  cut in the siding  104  or other finish layer to a size large enough to accommodate the outer periphery of the second peripheral sidewalls  36 . The outer periphery of the outer flange  48  can be provided with indentations  76  to define drill bit guides. The electrical box  20 , with the inner flange removed, is fitted into the hole  102  and pushed therein until the outer flange  48  is flush with the outer surface of the siding  104 . Holes are drilled in the outer flange  48  and fasteners  118  inserted therein to secure the recessed electrical box  20  to the siding  104  and substrate  106  and thereby to the building. 
   59) With reference to  FIG. 17 , there is shown a fourth and preferred embodiment of a recessed electrical box  140  having a breakaway cover member  142 . The breakaway cover  142  includes a pin and socket arrangement  143  including an integral pin  144  preferably on the sidewall  146  of the recessed electrical box  140  and a socket or aperture  148  in the ears  150  of the cover member  142 . The cover member  140  also includes a peripheral side wall  145 . 
   60) As shown in  FIG. 22 , the sidewall  146  of the electrical box  140  is located inside the peripheral side wall  145  of the breakaway cover member  142 . In the preferred embodiment of a pin and socket arrangement  143  shown in  FIG. 22 , opposing pins  144  are integral with and located on each sidewall  146  of the electrical box  140  aligned axially along central axis  152 . The opposing pins  144  extend through sockets  148  in the peripheral side wall  145  of the cover member  140 . 
   61) Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 23 , the pin  144  can be integral with the peripheral side wall  145  of the cover member  142  and the socket  148  can be located in the sidewalls  146  of the recessed electrical box  140 . Whether the socket  148  is formed in the cover member  142  (as shown in  FIG. 22 ) or in the box member  140  (as shown in  FIG. 23 ), the socket  148  is preferably a constant diameter aperture. In either embodiment, two pin and socket arrangements  143  are in line with one another on opposite sides of the side walls  146 . Each of the pin and socket arrangements  143  include a pin  144  that is adapted to mate with a corresponding socket  148  for enabling the cover member  142  to be rotatably and firmly attached to the box member  140 . Each socket  148  of the pin and socket arrangement  143  is adapted to receive its corresponding pin  144 . 
   62) Referring to  FIGS. 19–21 , the pins  144  include a base portion  154  and a tip portion  156 . The base portion  154  has a conical surface that is preferably at an angle of between 10 and 25 degrees with respect to the longitudinal or central axis  152  of the pin. Most preferably, the conical surface is at an angle of 15 degrees, shown as angle θ in  FIG. 21 , with respect to the central axis  152  of the pin. The tip portion  156  is preferably rounded as shown by radius R in  FIG. 21 . The dimensions of the pin  144 , including the width (W) and the length (L), is critical to enable the pin  144  to securely retain the cover member  142  (see  FIG. 17 ) under normal use and also enable the cover member to be released when an excessive force is applied thereto. The tip portion  156  of the pin  144  includes a rounded surface to permit the socket  148  of the cover member  142  to be forced off of the pin  144  when an excessive force is applied thereto to the cover member  142 . The angled conical surface of the base portion  154  and the rounded surface of the tip portion  156  insure that, upon an application of excessive force to the cover member  142 , the socket  148  will be forced off of the pin  144  before destroying the pin and socket arrangement  143  or damaging the box member  140  or cover member  142 . 
   63) Preferably, as shown in  FIG. 17 , the aperture  148  in the cover member  142  is of a larger diameter D than the diameter or width W of the pin  144 . Preferably the length of the pin is between 0.15 and 0.23 inch and the width of the pin is between 0.2 and 0.3 inch. In an especially preferred embodiment, the diameter or width of the pin  144 , represented by W in  FIG. 21 , is 0.242 inch, and the length L is 0.194 inch. The radius R of the rounded tip portion  156  is preferably between 0.08 and 0.10 inch. Most preferably, the radius R of the rounded tip portion  156  is 0.094 inch. The aperture  148  in the cover member  142  preferably has a diameter D of 0.280 inch. 
   64) As a result of the sloping conical surface (angle θ) of the base portion  154  of the pin  144 , the radius R of the tip portion  156 , the overall length L and width W of the pin  144 , and the diameter of the apertures  148  in the breakaway cover member  142 , any excessive force applied to the cover member  142  when it is in its open position will cause the cover member  142  at the apertures  148  to ride up the slope θ of the pin  144  and from thence to ride over the radius R of the tip portion  156  at which point the cover member  142  will pop off the pins  144 . This arrangement, with an excessive force applied to the cover member in the open position, will provide a breakaway cover member  140  that will slip off the pins  144  on the sidewalls  146  of the electrical box  140  thereby protecting the integrity of both the cover member  140  and the pins  144 . 
   65) Having thus described the invention with reference to a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not so limited by the description herein but is defined as follows by the appended claims.