Floor box with improved activation ring

Abstract: A plastic floor box assembly for use with electrical raceways installed in concrete floors, having a plastic box (12), an activation ring (14), a cover plate (16) for retaining an electrical outlet, and an outlet cover (18) securable to the cover plate. The activation ring (14) is secured within the open top of the floor box by a plurality of retaining clips (26), having barbs (36) extending outwardly and upwardly therefrom. The barbs allow easy insertion of the activation ring (14) into the box (12), while preventing withdrawal. In a second embodiment designed for use in tile floors, a pair of support clips (44) are also provided on the activation ring to prevent over-insertion of the ring into the box.

Description: Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to electrical raceway or conduit systems for installation in concrete floors and, more particularly, to an activation ring for use with a plastic floor box in such installations. Background of the Invention Raceways are commonly installed in concrete slab foundations and floors, particularly in commercial construction settings, to serve as conduits for electrical and telecommunication wiring. One of the most common methods of providing electrical outlets in the floor of a commercial building is to install plastic floor boxes prior to pouring the concrete. In a typical installation, one or more raceways lead into a plastic floor box having one or more outlets mounted in its cover. Such floor boxes are commonly used with both electrical outlets and telecommunications/data ports, either separately or combined in a single box. Installation of a conventional floor box is generally as follows. First, the box is disposed in its proper location and anchored in place. Next, the raceways (or, conduits) are attached to hubs extending from the sides of the box. The concrete is then poured to the desired depth and, after the concrete sets, the excess top portion of the box is cut off, leaving an upper edge essentially flush with the concrete surface. An activation ring is then glued in place inside the open top end of the box to provide attachment surfaces (i.e., threaded holes) for the cover plate which holds the receptacles. After the glue has hardened, the cover plate is secured to the activation ring and the receptacles and receptacle covers are installed. In the prior art installation described above, both the box and the activation ring are formed of plastic, with a suitable adhesive being used to secure the activation ring within the box. It has been discovered that such assemblies have certain disadvantages, namely, the time consumed in applying adhesive and allowing it to cure, and the relatively low structural strength of the plastic activation ring. Accordingly, a need has been recognized for a floor box assembly having a more structurally sound activation ring which does not require adhesive during installation. WO-A-9300732 discloses a floor box assembly for raised floors in which a box is secured to a floor panel and has a lid assembly adjustably securable to an open top of the box. The lid assembly comprises a lid frame, and a hinged lid in which there are hinged cable openings for cable. Summary of the Invention According to the invention, there is provided a floor box assembly for use with electrical conduits and related wiring, comprising a box having an open top bounded by a peripheral edge having an inner surface, with at least one hub formed in a wall thereof for opertively attaching one of said electrical conduits, whereby said wiring is received within said box, said box being disposable in a concrete floor, an activation ring receivable within said open top of said box, at least one retaining clip fastenable to said activation ring, said retaining clip having gripping means associated therewith for operatively engaging at least a portion of said inner side surface of said peripheral edge, said gripping means comprising at least one barb extending laterally outwardly and upwardly from said retaining clip, said barb being operative to engage said inner side surface of said peripheral edge of said open top, thereby resisting removal of said activation ring from said box and securing said activation ring within said box upon insertion of said ring through said open top, a cover plate securable to said activation ring, having mounting means associated therewith for retaining an outlet operatively connectable to said wiring, and an outlet cover, securable to said cover plate. The invention relates also to an activation ring assembly according to Claim 5. By way of example. two embodiments of a floor box assembly according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. in which:- FIGURE 1 is a top, front, perspective view of the floor box assembly of the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 showing a second embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 3 is a side sectional view through the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1; and FIGURE 4 is a side sectional view through the second embodiment shown in FIG. 2. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring initially to Fig. 1, floor box assembly 10 is shown, comprising a box 12, an activation ring 14, a cover plate 16, and outlet cover 18. Box 12 includes a plurality of hubs 20 formed near its base for receiving raceways or similar electrical conduits. Box 12 is preferably formed from polyvinylchloride (PVC) with the raceways being secured within hubs 20 by means of conventional adhesives. As those skilled in the art will readily recognize, cover plate 16 includes mounting holes for securing a conventional electrical outlet thereto, with outlet cover 18 being securable to cover plate 16 by screws 22 in a well known manner. Fig. 3 illustrates assembly 10 as assembled in and installed in a typical concrete floor 24. As best seen in Fig. 3, activation ring 14 is secured within the open top of box 12 by a pair of retaining clips 26 secured to opposite walls 28 and 30 of activation ring 14. The upper peripheral edge 32 of box 12 defines the boundary of the open top, with activation ring 14 being configured to fit therein. Retaining clips 26 have a J-shaped cross-section, with a hook portion 34 fastenable about the upper edge of walls 28 and 30. A plurality of barbs 36 project outwardly from the opposite sides of retaining clips 26, and grippingly engage the inner surface of the walls of box 12 upon insertion of activation ring 14 into the open top thereof. Activation ring 14 is preferably formed from die cast zinc, while retaining clips 26 are formed of spring steel. When configured to project upwardly and outwardly as shown, barbs 36 allow easy insertion of activation ring 14 into box 12, while providing more than adequate resistance to withdrawal. When cast from zinc, activation ring 14 displays superior strength and durability. Cover plate 16 may be secured directly to activation ring by a plurality of screws (not shown), with its peripheral edge overlapping a portion of the floor to prevent further insertion of activation ring 14. The use of unique retaining clips 26 in connection with activation ring 14 greatly facilitates the initial construction of floor box assembly 10 by eliminating the need to use adhesives, as is common with conventional floor boxes, while providing superior structural strength and resistance to pull out. As is evident from Fig. 3, assembly 10 is specially made for use with carpeting 38, with the peripheral edge of cover plate 16 serving as a flange which provides a smooth transition between carpet 38 and the top surface of cover plate 16. Figs. 2 and 4 illustrate floor box assembly 40 which includes some of the same components as assembly 10 discussed above, but is specially configured for installation in a floor having a tile covering 42, rather than carpeting. In assembly 40, activation ring 14 is secured within the open top of box 12 by retaining clips 26 in the same manner as discussed above. Support clips 44 are provided on walls 46 and 48 of activation ring 14, having a lower hook portion 50 which engages the under side of walls 46 and 48, and an upper lip 52 which engages the upper peripheral edge of box 12 and a portion of concrete 24 to prevent over-insertion of activation ring 14. Plate 54 fastens to activation ring 14 by a plurality of screws (not shown) and includes mounting holes for the attachment of a conventional electrical outlet in the same manner as cover plate 16 in assembly 10. With assembly 40, however, plate 54 also fits within the open top of box 12 so that the installation is essentially flush with the surface of tile 42. Outlet cover 18 fits within the recess in plate 54, thereby maintaining the flush profile. As disclosed herein, assemblies 10 and 40 are designed for use with a conventional outlet assembly having two electrical outlets, each covered by a hinged door 56 of plate 18. It is to be fully understood, however, that the assemblies disclosed herein may be easily adapted to accommodate a plurality of outlets simply by providing a larger box, activation ring, mounting plates, and cover plates.

Claims: A floor box assembly for use with electrical conduits and related wiring, comprising a box (12) having an open top bounded by a peripheral edge having an inner surface, with at least one hub (20) formed in a wall thereof for operatively attaching one of said electrical conduits, whereby said wiring is received within said box, said box being disposable in a concrete floor, an activation ring (14) receivable within said open top of said box, at least one retaining clip (26) fastenable to said activation ring, said retaining clip having gripping means (36) associated therewith for operatively engaging at least a portion of said inner side surface of said peripheral edge, said gripping means comprising at least one barb (36) extending laterally outwardly and upwardly from said retaining clip, said barb (36) being operative to engage said inner side surface of said peripheral edge of said open top, thereby resisting removal of said activation ring (14) from said box (12) and securing said activation ring (14) within said box upon insertion of said ring through said open top, a cover plate (16) securable to said activation ring (14), having mounting means associated therewith for retaining an outlet operatively connectable to said wiring, and an outlet cover (18), securable to said cover plate (16). A floor box assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said box (12) and said activation ring (14) are generally rectangular, having four sides, and said assembly includes two said retaining clips (26), disposed on opposite sides of said activation ring (14). A floor box assembly as set forth in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said cover plate (16) includes a flange extending laterally therefrom, said flange extending beyond said peripheral edge of said box (12) and covering at least a portion of the floor adjacent said box (12). A floor box assembly as set forth in any one of claims I to 3, further comprising at least one support clip (44) engaging an underside portion of said activation ring (14), having an upper lip (52) extending laterally therefrom for operatively engaging said peripheral edge of said box (12) and at least a portion of the floor adjacent said edge upon installation of said activation ring, said support clip (44) being operative to prevent over-insertion of said activation ring (14) within said box (12). An activation ring assembly for use with a plastic electric floor box having an open top end, comprising a ring member (14) comprising an annular wall adapted to fit within said open top end of said box, and at least one retaining clip (26) secured to said wall of said ring member, said clip (26) having gripping means (36) associated therewith for engaging said top end of said box upon insertion of said ring member therein, said gripping means comprising at least one barb (36) extending outwardly and upwardly from said retaining clip, said barb (36) being operative to engage said open top, thereby resisting removal of said ring member from said box and retaining said ring member within said box. An activation ring assembly as set forth in claim 5, wherein said gripping means comprises a plurality of said barbs (36).

Inventors: BOWMAN TIMOTHY S, SMITH DONALD E, WEAVER DAVID C, BOWMAN, TIMOTHY S., SMITH, DONALD E., WEAVER, DAVID C.
Applicants: THOMAS & BETTS CORP, THOMAS & BETTS CORPORATION (A TENNESSEE CORPORATION)
Application year: 1995
Main classification: H02G3
IPC codes: H02G3