Abstract:
A box includes a thin profile and movable mounting units so it can be used in locations that may be too small for existing electrical receptacle boxes, such as in connection with finish work on an unfinished room, or the like.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the general art of static structures, and to the particular field of electrical equipment containment structures such as outlet boxes and switch boxes. 
     2. Discussion of the Related Art 
     One of the parts of finishing a basement or other incomplete section of a building that is particularly challenging and filled with its own set of trials is that of placing electrical outlets or electrical switches. Typically, as rooms are designed and built, accommodations are made for the placement of these units as part of the framing work. In this way, the finished product hides all connecting pieces and hardware. It also leaves a pleasing outer appearance that is desirable to the consumer. These accommodations are not generally accounted for in the construction of unfinished basements or unfinished rooms. In order to install electrical outlets and/or switch boxes, either more expensive framing work must be performed and/or holes must be cut into original walls. This can be time consuming and expensive. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a means to expeditiously place electrical outlet boxes and/or switches during a process of finishing an unfinished room. 
     PRINCIPAL OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is a main object of the present invention to provide a means to expeditiously place electrical outlet boxes and/or switches during a process of finishing an unfinished room. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     These, and other, objects are achieved by an electrical receptacle box comprising a body unit having side walls and end walls; two adjustable mounting units on the body unit; a plurality of wire ports defined through the side walls and end walls of the body unit; and a cover releasably attachable to the body unit. A side compartment is formed when a cover is mounted on the side walls of the body unit. The cover is L-shaped and has a portion that abuts shoulders formed on the top rims of the side walls when the cover is mounted in place. 
     The box embodying the present invention thus can be quite thin, yet will still accommodate the electrical equipment associated with outlet boxes and/or switch boxes. The box embodying the present invention can be used in connection with dry wall and the like and will save space, time and cost in adding drywall and the like to a room. The device embodying the present invention will minimize the amount of space needed when installing electrical equipment such as switches or outlets, or the like. The box of the present invention will replace larger receptacle boxes and will require less total surface area and volume. This will allow the consumer to choose less expensive framing materials and methods. Choosing these materials and installation procedures will reduce the total cost of finishing a room. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the electrical receptacle box embodying the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cover that is used with the box shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the box shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the box shown in FIG. 1 showing the end opposite to the end shown in FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the box shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the box shown in FIG. 1 showing the side opposite to the side shown in FIG.  5 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 
     Referring to the figures, it can be understood that the present invention is embodied in an electrical receptacle box  10  that can be used to contain switches or electrical connections used in a room of a building. Electrical receptacle box  10  comprises a body unit  12 , including a base  14  which includes a planar inner surface  16 , a first end edge  18 , a second end edge  20 , a first side edge  22 , and a second side edge  24 . 
     Body unit  12  further includes a first side wall  26  which includes a first side edge  28  that is unitary with the first side edge  22  of the base  14 , and a rim  30  spaced apart from the first side edge  28  of the first side wall  26 . The rim  30  of the first side wall  26  has a first rim portion  32  spaced apart a first distance  34  from the first side edge  28  of the first side wall  26 , a second rim portion  36  spaced apart a second distance  38  from the first side edge  28  of the first side wall  26 , with second distance  38  of the first side wall  26  being less than first distance  34  of the first side wall  26 . A shoulder portion  40  connects first rim portion  32  of the first side wall  26  to second rim portion  36  of the first side wall  26 . The shoulder  40  of the first side wall  26  extends from the first rim portion  32  of the first side wall  26  toward the first side edge  22  of the base  14 . 
     The first side wall  26  includes a third end edge  42  located adjacent to the first end edge  18  of the base  14  and a fourth end edge  44  located adjacent to the second end edge  20  of the base  14 . The shoulder  40  of the first side wall  26  is located between the third end edge  42  of the first side wall  26  and the fourth end edge  44  of the first side wall  26 . 
     Two spaced apart fastener receiving holes (not visible) are defined through the first side wall  26  adjacent to the first side edge  28  of the first side wall  26 . The two spaced apart fastener receiving holes are located between the shoulder  40  of the first side wall  26  and the first end edge  18  of the base  14  and serve a purpose that will be understood from the teaching of the following disclosure. 
     Body  12  further includes a second side wall  50  which is also shown in FIG.  6  and which includes a first side edge  52  which is unitary with second side edge  24  of the base  14  and a rim  54  spaced apart From the first side edge  52  of the second side wall  50 . The rim  54  of the second side wall  50  has a first rim portion  56  spaced apart a first distance  57  from the first side edge  52  of the second side wall  50 , which is equal to first distance  34  of the first side wall  26  so the first rim portion  56  of the second side wall  50  is coplanar with the first rim portion  32  of the first side wall  26 , and a second rim portion  58  spaced apart a second distance  60  from the first side edge  52  of the second side wall  50 , which is equal to second distance  38  of the first side wall  26  so the second rim portion  58  of the second side wall  50  is coplanar with the second rim portion  36  of the first side wall  26 . Second distance  60  of the second side wall  50  is less than the first distance  57  of the second side wall  50 , and a shoulder portion  62  connects the first rim portion  56  of the second side wall  50  to the second rim portion  58  of the second side wall  50 . Shoulder  62  of the second side wall  50  extends from the first rim portion  56  of the second side wall  50  toward the second side edge  24  of the base  14 . 
     The second side wall  50  further includes a first end edge  64  located adjacent to the first end edge  18  of the base  14  and a second end edge  66  located adjacent to the second end edge  20  of the base  14 . 
     Shoulder  62  of the second side wall  50  is located between the first end edge  64  of the second side wall  50  and the second end edge  66  of the second side wall  50 . 
     Two spaced apart fastener receiving holes  68  and  70  are identical to the fastener receiving holes defined through the first side wall  26  and are defined through the second side wall  50  adjacent to the first side edge  52  of the second side wall  50 . The two spaced apart fastener receiving holes  68 ,  70  are located between the shoulder  62  of the second side wall  50  and the first end edge  18  of the base  14 . 
     Body  12  further includes a first end wall  80  shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. First end wall  80  has a first side edge  82  integral with the first end edge  18  of the base  14  and a rim  84  which is spaced apart from the first end edge  18  of the base  14  by a distance  86  which is equal to the first distance  34  of the first side wall  26  so rim  84  of the first end wall  80  is coplanar with first rim portion  32  of the first side wall  26 . 
     Body  12  further includes a second end wall  90  which is shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. Second end wall  90  has a first side edge  92  integral with the second end edge  20  of the base  14  and a rim  94  which is spaced apart from the second end edge  20  of the base  14  by a distance  96  which is equal to second distance  38  of the first side wall  26  so the rim  94  of the second end wall  90  is coplanar with the second rim portion  36  of the first side wall  26 . 
     Box  10  further includes a plurality of interior mounting ears. The interior mounting ears are used to mount a cover on the body  12  as will be understood from the teaching of the following disclosure. 
     The plurality of mounting ears includes a mounting ear  100  extending from the second rim portion  36  of the first side wall  26  of the body unit  12  adjacent to shoulder  40  of the first side wall  26  of the body unit  12 . Mounting ear  100  includes a proximal end  102  integral with the second rim portion  36  of the first side wall  26  of the body unit  12  and a distal end  104  spaced from the proximal end  102  of the mounting ear  100  on the first side wall  26  of the body unit  12 . A first surface  106  is oriented to be adjacent to the second rim portion  36  of the first side wall  26  of the body unit  12  and a second surface  108  is oriented to face inner surface  16  of the base  14 . A fastener accommodating hole  110  is defined through mounting ear  100  on the second rim portion  36  of the first side wall  26  of the body unit  12  from first surface  106  of mounting ear  100  to second surface  108  of the mounting ear  100  on the second rim portion  36  of the first side wall  26  of the body unit  12 . 
     A second mounting ear  120  extends from second rim portion  58  of the second side wall  50  of the body unit  12  adjacent to shoulder  62  of the second side wall  50  of the body unit  12 . Second mounting ear  120  includes a proximal end  122  integral with second rim portion  58  of the second side wall  50  of the body unit  12  and a distal end  124  spaced from the proximal end  122  of second mounting ear  120  on the second side wall  50  of the body unit  12 . Second mounting ear  120  further includes a first surface  126  located adjacent to second rim portion  58  of the second side wall  50  of the body unit  12  and a second surface  128  oriented to face inner surface  16  of the base  14  of the body unit  12 . A fastener accommodating hole  130  is defined through second mounting ear  120  on the second rim portion  58  of the second side wall  50  of the body unit  12  from first surface  126  of second mounting ear  120  on the second rim portion  58  of the second side wall  50  of the body unit  12  to second surface  128  of second mounting ear  120 . 
     A third mounting ear  140  extends from rim  94  of second end wall  90  of the body unit  12  adjacent to second rim portion  36  of the first side wall  26  of the body unit  12  and includes a proximal end  142  integral with the rim  94  of the second end wall  90  of the body unit  12  and a distal end  144  spaced from proximal end  142 . A first surface  146  is located adjacent to rim  94  and a second surface  148  is oriented to face inner surface  16  of the base  14  of the body unit  12 . A fastener accommodating hole  150  is defined through third mounting ear  140  from first surface  146  to second surface  148 . 
     A fourth mounting ear  160  extends from rim  94  and is located adjacent to second rim portion  58  of the second side wall  50  of the body unit  12  and includes a proximal end  162  integral with rim  94  of the second end wall  90  of the body unit  12  and a distal end  164  spaced from proximal end  162  of fourth mounting ear  160  on the second end wall  40  of the body unit  12 . A first surface  166  is located adjacent to rim  94  of the second end wall  90  of the body unit  12  and a second surface  168  is oriented to face inner surface  16  of the base  14  of the body unit  12 . A fastener accommodating hole  169  is defined through fourth mounting ear  160  from first surface  166  of fourth mounting ear  160  to second surface  168  of fourth mounting ear  160 . 
     First surface  146  of third mounting ear  140  is co-planar with first surface  166  of fourth mounting ear  160  and co-planar with first surface  122  of second mounting ear  120  on second rim portion  58  of second side wall  50  of the body unit  12 . All of the first surfaces of the mounting ears just described are co-planar with each other. 
     A first adjustable mounting unit  170  is slidably mounted on first side wall  26  of the body unit  12 . First adjustable mounting unit  170  includes two fasteners  172  received in the fastener receiving holes in the first side wall  26  of the body unit  12 . Each fastener has a head, such as head  174  and a body which is externally threaded and extends through the fastener receiving holes defined through the side wall  26  of the body unit  12 . The fasteners  172  are thus threadably mounted on the body unit  12  in the manner of a bolt. 
     A base portion  176  of the first adjustable mounting unit  170  has a first surface  178  and a second surface  180 . Second surface  180  of the base portion  176  of the first adjustable mounting unit  170  slidably abuts the first side wall  26  of the body unit  12 . The base portion  176  further includes a first side edge  182  and a second side edge  184  which is located adjacent to first side edge  22  of base  14  of body unit  12 . First side edge  182  of the base portion  176  of the first adjustable mounting unit  170  is spaced apart from second side edge  184  of the base portion  176  of the first adjustable mounting unit  170 . 
     Two elongated slots, such as elongated slot  190 , are defined through base portion  176  of the first adjustable mounting unit  170  from the first surface  178  of the base portion  176  of the first adjustable mounting unit  170  to second surface  180  of the base portion  176  of the first adjustable mounting unit  170 . 
     Each fastener of the two fasteners  172  extends through one of the two elongated slots  190  and the head  174  of each fastener  172  frictionally abuts the first surface  178  of the base portion  176  of the first adjustable mounting unit  170  adjacent to one of the two elongated slots  190  in the base portion  176  of the first adjustable mounting unit  170  to hold the mounting unit  170  in a desired position on the body unit  12 . 
     A fifth mounting ear  200  extends from first side edge  180  of the base portion  176  of the first adjustable mounting unit  170  and includes a proximal end  202  integral with first side edge  180  of the base portion  176  of the first adjustable mounting unit  170  and a distal end  204  spaced from the proximal end  202  of fifth mounting ear  200 . Fifth mounting ear  200  includes a first surface  206 , a second surface  208 , and a fastener accommodating hole  210  defined through fifth mounting ear  200  extending from first surface  206  of fifth mounting ear  200  to second surface  208  of mounting ear  200 . 
     A mounting base plate  212  extends from second side edge  182  of the base portion  176  of the first adjustable mounting unit  170  and includes a proximal end  214  integral with the second side edge  184  of the base portion  176  of the first adjustable mounting unit  170  and a distal end  216  spaced from proximal end  214  of mounting base plate  212 . A first surface  218  and a second surface  220  are located on the base plate  212 . Two fastener accommodating holes, such as fastener accommodating hole  222 , are defined through mounting base plate  212  of the first adjustable mounting unit  170  and extend from first surface  218  of mounting base plate  212  to second surface  220  of mounting base plate  212  of the first adjustable mounting unit  170 . 
     Second surface  208  of mounting ear fifth  200  of the first adjustable mounting unit  170  is oriented parallel to first surface  218  of mounting base plate  212  of the first adjustable mounting unit  170 . 
     First adjustable mounting unit  170  is movable with respect to the first side wall  26  of the body unit  12  between a position in which the mounting ear fifth  200  of the first adjustable mounting unit  170  is co-planar with first rim portion  32  of the first side wall  26  of the body unit  12 , as shown in FIG. 1, to a position in which the mounting ear of the first adjustable mounting unit  170  is located between the first rim portion  32  of the first side wall  26  of the body unit  12  and the first side edge  22  of the body unit  12 . Such movement allows the first adjustable mounting unit  170  to be moved to position the receptacle box  10  and the mounting thereof as necessary to accommodate the space and location selected for the receptacle box  10 . 
     A second adjustable mounting unit  240  is located on second side wall  50  of the body unit  12 . Second adjustable mounting unit  240  is identical to the aforedescribed first adjustable mounting unit  170  and is shown in FIGS. 1 and 6. Some reference numbers will be omitted from the Figures in the interest of clarity of the Figures. Second adjustable mounting unit  240  includes two fasteners, such as fastener  242 , received in the fastener receiving holes  68 ,  70  in the second side wall  50  of the body unit  12 . Each fastener  242  of second adjustable mounting unit  240  has a head  244 . The second adjustable mounting unit  240  has a base portion  246  having a first surface  248  and a second surface  249 , with the second surface  249  of the base portion  246  of the second adjustable mounting unit  240  slidably abutting the second side wall  50  of the body unit  12 . Base portion  246  of the second adjustable mounting unit  240  further includes a first side edge  252  and a second side edge  254  with second side edge  254  being located adjacent to second side edge  24  of base  14  of the body unit  12 . First side edge  252  of the base portion  246  of the second adjustable mounting unit  240  is spaced apart from the second side edge  254  of the base portion  246  of the second adjustable mounting unit  240 . 
     Two elongated slots, such as elongated slot  260 , are defined through base portion  246  of the second adjustable mounting unit  240  from first surface  248  of the base portion  246  of the second adjustable mounting unit  240  to the second surface  249  of the base portion  246  of the second adjustable mounting unit  240 . 
     Each fastener of the two fasteners  242  of the second adjustable mounting unit  240  extends through one of the two elongated slots  260  of the second adjustable mounting unit  240  and head  244  of each fastener  242  of the second adjustable mounting unit  240  frictionally abuts the first surface  248  of the base portion  246  of the second adjustable mounting unit  240  adjacent to one of the two elongated slots  260 . 
     A six mounting ear  270  extends from first side edge  252  of the base portion  246  of the second adjustable mounting unit  240  and includes a proximal end  272  integral with the first side edge  252  of the base portion  246  of the second adjustable mounting unit  240  and a distal end  274  spaced from the proximal end  272  of six mounting ear  270  of the base portion  246  of the second adjustable mounting unit  240 , a first surface  241 , a second surface  243 , and a fastener accommodating hole  276  defined through six mounting ear  270  and extending from the first surface of six mounting ear  270  to the second surface of six mounting ear  270 . 
     A mounting base plate  277  extends from the second side edge  254  of the base portion  246  of the second adjustable mounting unit  240  and includes a proximal end integral with the second side edge  254  of the base portion  246  of the second adjustable mounting unit  240 , a distal end spaced from the proximal end of the mounting base plate  277  extending from the second side edge  254  of the base portion  246  of the second adjustable mounting unit  240 , a first surface  271 , a second surface  273 , and two fastener accommodating holes  275  defined through the mounting base plate  277  of the second adjustable mounting unit  240  and extending from the first surface  271  of the mounting base plate  277  of the second adjustable mounting unit  240  to the second surface  273  of the mounting base plate  277  of the second adjustable mounting unit  240 . 
     As in the case with the first adjustable mounting unit  170 , the second surface  243  of the six mounting ear  270  of the second adjustable mounting unit  240  is parallel to the first surface  271  of the mounting base plate  277  of the second adjustable mounting unit  240 , and the second adjustable mounting unit  240  is movable with respect to the second side wall  50  of the body unit  12  between apposition in which the six mounting ear  270  of the second adjustable mounting unit  240  is co-planar with the first rim portion  56  of the second side wall  50  of the body unit  12  to a position in which the six mounting ear  270  of the second adjustable mounting unit  240  is located between the first rim portion  56  of the second side wall  50  of the body unit  12  and the second side edge  24  of the base  14  of the body unit  12 . 
     The receptacle box  10  further includes a plurality of braces  300 ,  302  and  304  attached to the body unit  12 . As will be understood from the teaching of the present disclousre, these braces  300 ,  302 ,  304  serve to stabilize wires extending into and out of the receptacle box  10 . The braces  300 ,  302 ,  304  can be adjusted to secure wires in place. 
     Two wire ports  310  and  312  are defined through second end wall  90  of the body unit  12 . 
     Two wire ports  314  and  316  are defined through first side wall  26  of the body unit  12 , and two wire ports  318  and  320  are defined through second side wall  50  of the body unit  12 . 
     Two stud mount holes  322  and  324  are defined through first end wall  80  of the body unit  12  and two ground fasteners  326  and  328  extend through the base  14  of the body unit  12  and two mounting fastener accommodating holes  330  and  332  are defined through the base of the body unit  12 . 
     An L-shaped cover  350  includes a base portion  352  which is sized and shaped to fit over the second rim portions  36  and  58  and includes a plurality of fastener receiving holes, such as fastener receiving hole  354 . Fastener receiving holes  354  are located to be aligned with fastener receiving holes  110 ,  130 ,  150  and  169  so fasteners extending through such aligned holes will fasten cover  350  to body unit  12 . Cover  350  further includes a lip portion  360  which abuts shoulders  40  and  62  when the cover  350  is in place on the body unit  12 . The cover  350  and the box covered thereby can be viewed as a side compartment  370  formed by the side walls  26 ,  50  of the body unit  12 , the base  14  of the body unit  12 , the second end wall  90  of the body unit  12  and the cover  350 . The receptacle box  10  can be formed of any suitable materials, such as metal, plastic, or the like. 
     As will be understood from the foregoing, the receptacle box can be quite thin, i.e., dimensions  34  and  58  can be as small as one inch so the receptacle box  10  can be positioned in very small spaces. In fact, the receptacle box  10  of the present invention can be used behind a wall no less than ½ inch in depth and by using the adjustable mounting units  170 ,  240 , the receptacle box  10  can be used in connection with walls having a depth of 1¾ inches. The adjustable mounting units  170 ,  240  are moved as necessary to securely mount the receptacle box  10  in place. Wires extend into and out of the receptacle box  10  via the wire ports  310 - 320  and the box  10  can be mounted and grounded as necessary. The receptacle box  10  can be mounted to cement walls as well as to studs and provides a compartment for electrical connections. The receptacle box of the present invention can be used on walls, ceilings and/or floors made of wood or cement, or the like. 
     It is understood that while certain forms of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts described and shown.