Abstract:
An architecture is presented that provides a wiring junction box for enclosing an existing exposed electrical junction without the need to either disrupt the power supply or to disconnect the wires to install the junction box.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/433,708 filed Jan. 18, 2011. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention pertains generally to a wiring junction box, and more particularly to a split junction box for enclosing an existing exposed electrical junction without the need to either disrupt the power supply or to disconnect the wires. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Building codes typically require a junction box to protect electrical wiring connections. Many of these electrical connections are found in attics, crawl spaces, basements, or other hard to access areas. Oftentimes, a homeowner may rewire part of a house without the knowledge of the junction box requirement, thereby resulting in an exposed electrical junction which could result in electrocution or fire. To cover or protect these existing exposed junctions, individuals typically must first shut off power to the applicable circuit so that the junction may be safely disconnected and a junction box properly installed. During warm weather months, attics may reach temperatures well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. A worker having to wait in such an environment while waiting for someone else to shut off the power may experience conditions that are both exhausting and suffocating. Additionally, an individual working alone will likely have to make several trips between the attic and the electric panel to turn on/off the electricity, thereby greatly increasing the time required to complete the task safely. 
         [0004]    Consequently, there is a need for an easier and safer way to install a junction box on an existing exposed wire junction. The present invention discloses a split wiring junction box for encapsulating existing wire connections quickly and in compliance with known and accepted electrical safety requirements. The split wiring junction box allows individuals to encapsulate existing electrical junctions without the need to cut off the power supply and disassemble the wiring connection more efficiently without the discomfort associated with traditional devices. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Accordingly, the present invention overcomes the limitations of the prior art by providing a unique and useful electrical junction box adapted for use with an existing installed electrical junction without the need to shut off power to the circuit or to disconnect the wiring that is quick and simple to install. 
         [0006]    The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some novel embodiments described herein. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
         [0007]    The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof, comprises a wiring junction enclosure device. The wiring junction enclosure device comprises a first and second base element, wherein the first base element is removably securable to the second base element. The wiring junction enclosure device further comprises a plurality of apertures configured to allow a wire to penetrate the wiring junction enclosure device while securing the wire against lateral movement. Additionally the wiring enclosure junction device functions to completely encapsulate an open wire junction without the need to interrupt the power supply or rewire the junction. 
         [0008]    Furthermore in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the wiring junction enclosure device functions as a wiring junction box for an existing open wire junction. To enclose the existing wire junction, the first base element may be placed underneath and the second base element is aligned with and secured to the first base element from the opposite side, thereby encapsulating the existing open wire junction. The wiring junction box may then be secured to a building structural element, such as a joist or a wall stud, with a fastener. A plurality of wires may penetrate the plurality of aperture elements which hold the plurality of wires in place with friction. Once the existing open wire junction is enclosed, a lid element, which is useful for accessing the interior of said wire junction box, may be positioned over the second base element and secured in place. 
         [0009]    To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be practiced and all aspects and equivalents thereof are intended to be within the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exploded top perspective view of a wiring junction enclosure device in accordance with the disclosed architecture. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of the wiring junction enclosure device encapsulating an existing wire junction in accordance with the disclosed architecture. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2A  illustrates a side view of a cut away portion of the wiring junction enclosure device encapsulating an existing wire junction in accordance with the disclosed architecture. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  illustrates an end view of a wiring junction box with a hinged connection in a closed position. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3A  illustrates an end view of a wiring junction box with a hinged connection in an open position. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  illustrates an end view of a wiring junction box with a hinged lid in accordance with the disclosed architecture. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  illustrates a top perspective view of an uncovered wiring junction box for use with an electrical junction comprising more than two wires in accordance with the disclosed architecture. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    The present invention discloses a wiring junction enclosure device for covering existing exposed electrical junctions to increase safety and meet building code requirements without the need to cut off the power supply or to disassemble any wiring to install the junction box. The preferred embodiment allows a single person to simply and quickly encapsulate an unprotected existing wire connection. The wiring junction enclosure device comprises first and second base elements capable of enclosing at least a wire. The wiring junction enclosure device also comprises a plurality of aperture elements for receiving the at least a wire so that the at least a wire may penetrate the wiring junction enclosure device. Once the at least a wire is encircled, a lid element may be placed atop the second base element thereby completely encapsulating the existing electrical junction, and the wiring junction enclosure device may be attached to a building structural element. The wiring junction enclosure device is especially useful in hard to access areas or uncomfortable environments such as attics, basements, crawl spaces, and the like. 
         [0018]    Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the novel embodiments can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. The intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0019]    Referring initially to the drawings,  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  2 A illustrate a wiring junction enclosure device  100  for use in protecting an existing exposed wiring junction  170 . The wiring junction enclosure device  100  comprises a first base element  106 , a second base element  134 , and a plurality of aperture elements  154 . The plurality of aperture elements  154  are typically located in a first end  102  and a second end  104  of the wiring junction enclosure device  100 , so that a wire  180  may penetrate and be secured in place by the plurality of aperture elements  154 . While the plurality of aperture elements  154  are preferably two in number, other embodiments, such as the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , may number more than two without deviating from the scope of the invention. 
         [0020]    The wiring junction enclosure device  100  is preferably constructed from plastic, though it is contemplated that other suitable materials can be used including, without limitation, steel, aluminum, metal alloys, polymers, thermoplastics, poly vinyl chloride, injection molded acrylnitril-butadiene styrene, and the like, without affecting the overall scope of the invention. The wiring junction enclosure device  100  typically comprises a rectangular shape, where the first and second ends  102  and  104  are approximately between 2 and 2½ inches in length, and a pair of adjacent sides (not numbered) are approximately between 3¼ th  and 4 inches in length. Additionally, the wiring junction enclosure device  100  is typically between 2½ and 3½ inches deep. However, this is not meant as a limitation as the wiring junction enclosure device  100  may be of larger and/or smaller dimensions, without deviating from the scope of the invention. For example, lengths may vary from between 1½ and 6 inches depending on the size of an already installed electrical cable junction  170  requiring encapsulation. As illustrated supra, the wiring junction enclosure device  100  is useful for encapsulating the already installed electrical cable junction  170  which may comprise any connection involving at least one cable such as an insulated conductor, nonmetallic sheathed cable, or any other flexible cable connection that would benefit from encapsulation, such as Ethernet cable, coaxial cable, and the like. 
         [0021]    The first base element  106  comprises a rectangular shaped bottom  108  and a peripheral first sidewall element  110  that form a box-like structure. The first peripheral sidewall element  110  comprises a pair of opposite sidewalls  112 , a pair of opposite end walls  114 , and a top edge  116 . The second base element  134  comprises a second sidewall element  136  configured to abut the top edge  116  of the first peripheral sidewall element  110 . The second sidewall element  136  comprises a lid edge  138  and a bottom edge  140  designed to abut the top edge  116  of the peripheral first sidewall element  110 . Furthermore, the lid edge  138  preferably comprises a plurality of eyelets  144  for receiving a lid connecting element  168 , such as a screw for example. While the second base element  134  preferably does not have a top or bottom wall, an embodiment where a second topped base element (not shown) is approximately identical in design to the first base element  106  having a rectangular shaped top comparable to the rectangular shaped bottom  108  is also contemplated. 
         [0022]    Preferably, the second base element  134  is removably attached to the first base element  106  once positioned around an existing electrical junction  170 . In other words, the first base element  106  may be positioned on one side of an existing electrical junction  170 , and the second base element  134  may be positioned from the opposite side so that the bottom edge  140  is placed adjacent to the top edge  116  of the first base element  106 , thereby enclosing the existing electrical junction  170  therein. Typically, the peripheral first sidewall element  110  is substantially equal in height to the second sidewall element  134 . However, this is not meant as a limitation as the inventor conceives of embodiments where the peripheral first sidewall element  110  and the second sidewall element  136  are not substantially equal in height. For example, the peripheral first sidewall element  110  may be shorter in height to accommodate a shallow wall space as necessary. 
         [0023]    The wiring junction enclosure device  100  further comprises a plurality of connecting elements  120  for selectively and removably attaching the second base element  134  to the first base element  106 . The plurality of connecting elements  120  preferably comprise a plurality of clip elements  122  located around the perimeter of the peripheral first sidewall element  110 , and a plurality of clip holder elements  148  located on the second sidewall element  136 . As the second base element  134  is positioned adjacent to the first base element  106 , the plurality of clip elements  122  selectively engage the corresponding plurality of clip holder elements  148 , thereby forming a connection. To detach the first and second base elements  106  and  134 , the plurality of clip elements  122  are selectively disengaged from the plurality of clip holder elements  148 . 
         [0024]    The plurality of connecting elements  120  may comprise fastening clips, J-hook clips, hooks and latches, clamps, spring clips, plastic clips and catches, and the like, and any other fastening system known to one skilled in the art. In addition, an embodiment utilizing hinges as part of the plurality of connecting elements  120  (as seen in  FIGS. 3 and 3A ) is contemplated. 
         [0025]    The wiring junction enclosure device  100  may be secured or attached to a building structural element (not shown) such as a two by four, a wall stud, a beam, and the like. A securing system  126  preferably comprises two nails slideably secured to either the first and second ends  102  and  104  of the first or second base elements  106  and  134  on a diagonal orientation. However, it is contemplated that other methods of attachment known in the art such as screws, clips, pins, and the like may be used in any orientation without affecting the overall scope of the invention. Additionally, at least one knockout element (not shown) as known in the prior art for use in future wiring additions may be located anywhere on the first and/or second base elements  106  and  134 . 
         [0026]    The plurality of aperture elements  154  each comprise a first half  154 ( a ) and a second half  154 ( b ) that transect the first and second ends  102  and  104  of the wiring junction enclosure element  100  so that the plurality of aperture elements  154  are located partly within both the peripheral first sidewall element  110  and the second sidewall element  136 . In other words, the first half  154 ( a ) forms a half circle cut into each of the pair of opposite end walls  114  which mate with the second half  154 ( b ) which forms a half circle cut into the adjacent portion of the second sidewall element  136  so that each of the mated first and second half&#39;s  154 ( a ) and  154 ( b ) form a substantially complete circle when the first base element  106  is engaged with the second base element  134 . However, this is not meant as a limitation as the plurality of aperture element  154  may comprise other shapes, such as, but not limited to ovals, squares, rectangles, diamonds, and the like. 
         [0027]    The plurality of aperture elements  154 , if circular, preferably have a diameter of approximately between ¾ th  and 1¾ th  inches, however the diameter may range from between ¼ th  and 3 inches depending on the size of the wire  180  to be encapsulated. The plurality of aperture elements  154  are preferably comprised of plastic or rubber that is penetrable, and splay open when breached by the wire  180 . While as seen in  FIGS. 2 and 2A , the plurality of aperture elements  154  typically splay outward, however the plurality of aperture elements  154  may extend inwardly as well if desired. Therefore, as the wire  180  is encapsulated, the plurality of aperture elements  154  separate just enough to allow the wire  180  to penetrate while resisting lateral movement of the wire  180  once secured. 
         [0028]    A lid element  162 , sized to cover the second base element  134  may be attached to the second base element  134 . The lid element  162  may comprise a plurality of fastener holes  166  that align with the eyelets  144  on the second base element  134 . The lid element  162  is attached to the second base element  134  with a plurality of lid connecting element  168  which typically comprises a plurality of screws or other common fasteners, such as, but not limited to snaps, hooks, and friction elements known in the art. However, the lid element  162  may also be attached by a hinge (as seen in  FIG. 4 ) and/or a plurality of clips similar to the plurality of connecting elements  120  as seen in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0029]      FIGS. 3 and 3A  illustrate a wiring junction box  200 . The wiring junction box  200  comprises a first base element  206 , a second base element  234 , and a plurality of aperture elements  254 . Additionally, the plurality of aperture elements  254  further comprise a plurality of perforated breakaway portions  258  which allow a wire (not shown) to penetrate the plurality of aperture elements  254 . Once penetrated by the wire, the perforated breakaway portions  258  separate on approximately diagonal lines so that the plurality of aperture elements  254  splay open forming a plurality of gripping elements  260  that limit lateral movement of the wire. As illustrated supra in  FIGS. 2 and 2A , the plurality of gripping elements  260  typically extend outward, however, the plurality of gripping elements  260  may extend inwardly as well. Therefore, once the wire is encapsulated by the plurality of aperture elements  254 , the perforated breakaway portions  258  separate just enough to allow the wire to penetrate, but the plurality of gripping elements  260  resist lateral movement of the wire once secured. 
         [0030]    The wiring junction box  200  may further comprise a base hinge element  224  that pivotally connects the second base element  234  to the first base element  206 . The base hinge element  224  may be located on any side of the first base element  206  and is integrally hinged to the second base element  234 . Furthermore, the base hinge element  224  allows the first and second base elements  206  and  234  to pivot along the base hinge element  224  so that the wiring junction box  200  may move between an open position (as seen in  FIG. 3A ), and a closed position (as seen in  FIG. 3 ). Opposite the base hinge element  224 , a plurality of clip elements  222  may selectively engage with a plurality of clip holder elements  246  to secure the first base element  206  to the second base element  234 . Once the wire is secure, the wiring junction box  200  may be secured to a building structural element (not shown) with a plurality of securing elements  226 , such as two integrated nails for example. 
         [0031]      FIG. 4  illustrates a wiring junction box  300  comprising a first base element  306 , a second base element  334 , and a plurality of apertures  254 . The first base element  306  is pivotally connected to the second base element  334  with a base hinge element  320  and further secured with a plurality of connecting elements  320 . Additionally, a lid element  362  is pivotally connected to the second base element  334  with a lid hinge element  364  in a similar manner as how the base hinge element  320  is connected. The lid element  362  is further selectively securable to the second base element  334  with a plurality of lid connecting elements  368  similar to the plurality of connecting elements  120  and the plurality of clip holder elements  148  (as seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  illustrates a wiring junction box  400  for use with more than two wires (not shown). The wiring junction box  400  comprises a plurality of aperture elements  454  that number more than two. For example, the plurality of aperture elements  454  in this embodiment number four so that the more than two wires may enter the wiring junction box  400  not only from opposite directions, but from other angles as well. 
         [0033]    What has been described above includes examples of the disclosed device. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components and/or methodologies, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations are possible. Accordingly, the novel device is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.