Patent Abstract:
Disclosed embodiments describe pre-wired electrical devices for simplifying and expediting the wiring of structures. Much time and expense is devoted to wiring of structures during construction. Devices which can facilitate and speed-up this process are needed in the construction industry. Disclosed embodiments describe an apparatus designed to allow an electrician to install a pre-wired outlet and quickly connect it to an electrical power source during the early stages of construction. The apparatus then allows for a quick modification to complete the outlet for use, after the walls of the structure are complete. It accomplishes this by providing outlets with a pre-wired outlet within the housing, connected via relay wires to a connector housing that is adapted to quickly receive and secure transmission wires. Moreover, the apparatus comprises simplified connection port for accepting transmission wiring coupled to a pre-wired outlet.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This Nonprovisional patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/444,884 filed on 21 Feb. 2011, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully recited herein. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to an improved device for simplifying the wiring of a structure. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Electricians are generally paid by the hour and are often paid one of the highest wages of the craftsmen constructing a building; therefore, anything that can improve an electrician&#39;s efficiency or otherwise reduce the amount of time that electricians are needed on a construction site can have a substantial effect on the bottom line for a construction project. 
         [0004]    Conventionally, devices exist which require a skilled craftsmen to make multiple visits to a project location over an extended period of time. For example, an electrician installs an electrical box that will house a three prong electrical outlet. On a first visit, the electrician would fasten the box to a structural support. Then the electrician would run wires from an electrical source to the box. The wires would be bound up and left inside the box, because the electrician cannot finish installation until, e.g., sheet rock, wood, tiling, fiber board or other paneling is installed. Then on a second trip, which may be days, weeks or months later, the electrician would connect each individual wire to each terminal inside each box. The installation would be different for each different type of electrical box, in that the installation procedure for an electrical outlet is not that same as for a telephone outlet. The multiple visits coupled with the different installation procedures—with associated and required intricate knowledge—increase the project&#39;s costs due to the electrician&#39;s services. Furthermore, varied wiring procedures increase the risk of error. However, a device as described in the following detailed description provides advantages over conventional devices. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In an example pre-wired electrical device embodying the principles of this invention, an electrical socket and housing is fully installed in a structure during a single visit by an electrician at which time the electrician attaches wires to the electrical socket&#39;s terminal box which leads to the socket. Wiring within the housing, is already prepared by the housing&#39;s manufacturer. When the structure is nearly completed, the socket is adapted for movement, from a recessed first position to a second forward position to install a face plate. The pre-wired electrical device eliminates the need not only for multiple visits but also for different installation procedures for each different type of electrical box, and it cuts down on errors by reducing complexity. This and other unmet advantages are provided by the device and method described and shown in more detail below. 
         [0006]    Example embodiments of the present invention including housings for electrical devices commonly found in residential or commercial edifices such as electrical outlets, pre-wired junction boxes, electrical switches or controls, telephone outlets, cable television outlets, internet connection outlets, security system interfaces, or lighting, heating, cooling and/or intercom interfaces. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    A better understanding of the disclosed embodiments will be obtained from a reading of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings wherein identical reference characters refer to identical parts: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a front elevation view of a partially assembled pre-wired electrical device; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a cut away side elevation view of a partially assembled pre-wired electrical device; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is an example embodiment front perspective view of a housing means of a pre-wired electrical device with positioner and securing means; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of a pre-wired electrical device with connection means and securing means; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of a pre-wired electrical device; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is an isolation view of toothed arm contact means; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a side cut away view of a connection means with relay means, contact means and securing means; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a rear elevation zoomed in view of connection means with contact means; 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is an isolation view of a physical connection between the output means and a relay means; 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a front perspective view of a junction box system of the pre-wired electrical device; and, 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a front perspective cut away view of a relay means showing physical connection between the output means and the connection means. 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a schematic drawing of an embodiment of a pre-wired electrical device. 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  shows two views of an embodiment of a pre-wired electrical box. 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  shows two views of an embodiment of a pre-wired electrical box. 
           [0022]      FIG. 15  shows an embodiment of a connector housing and a transmission wire. 
           [0023]      FIG. 16  shows several views of an embodiment of a prewired electrical box. 
           [0024]      FIG. 17  shows a partially exploded view of a prewired electrical box with transmission wires being inserted. 
           [0025]      FIG. 18  shows several views of an embodiment of a pre-wired electrical box in use within a structure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    The terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar references used in the context of describing the disclosed embodiments (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. 
         [0027]    Recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided herein is intended merely to better illuminate the disclosed embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the disclosed embodiments unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the disclosed embodiments or any variants thereof. 
         [0028]    Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member may be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. It is anticipated that one or more members of a group may be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. 
         [0029]    Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention(s). Of course, variations on the disclosed embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention(s) to be practiced otherwise than specifically described herein. Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosed embodiments unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. 
         [0030]      FIG. 1  depicts an example embodiment of a pre-wired electrical box; the box comprises a substantially rectangular housing  100 . In another embodiment the housing can be enclosed on a fifth and/or a sixth side. The housing means can take on any cross sectional shape which as appropriate for containing wires carrying electrical current. Alternative example embodiments of the housing means have a cross section of any shape, such as a circle, triangle, rectangle, pentagon, hexagon, octagon or cross. The alternative example embodiments of the housing means can be enclosed on all sides, so as to substantially encapsulate an outlet  170 , shown in  FIG. 1  as electrical outlet. The alternative example embodiment of the housing can be enclosed on less than all sides so as to partially encapsulate the outlet while permitting a skilled craftsmen access to it. Regardless of shape, the housing can be made from any material or combinations of material which are suitable for holding wires which carry electrical current. Example materials include wood, plastic, glass and/or metal. The pre-wired electrical box further comprises a positioner  113  constrained by a journal  114  such that the positioner may substantially only move in a back to front and/or front to back plane in reference to housing. The box shows a relay plug  160  which accepts electrical current from a transmission wire (not shown) and transfers the electrical current through relay wire  161  to outlet, and shows a fastener  120  that affixes a transmission wire (not shown) within a connection port (not shown). 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  shows an embodiment of a pre-wired electrical box comprising a housing  200  and an outlet  270  wherein the outlet is shown as sliding from a first position, represented by dashed lines, to a second position, represented by solid lines; and a transmission wire  230  in a condition to be accepted by a connection port  240 . The figure shows an example embodiment of a positioner  213  constrained by a journal (not pictured) such that the positioner may substantially only move in a back to front and/or front to back plane in reference to the housing  200 . The positioner is detachably connected to the outlet and permits an installer to move the outlet from a first position  211  to a second position  212 . An alternate example embodiment of a positioner is a screw which is substantially fixed in a front to back plane to the housing on at least one end but permitted to rotate freely. The screw passes through a threaded aperture of the outlet  270  which permits the outlet to travel from a first position  211  to a second position  212  by turning the screw. In this example embodiment of the positioner, securing means are optional. In an alternate example embodiment, the positioner use magnetic forces to move the outlet from a first and second position. In any embodiment of this invention, the positioner can be (1) singular, i.e. only one positioner is necessary such as the screw type, or (2) plural, i.e. multiple positioner such as the slide type.  FIG. 2  shows transmission wire  230  stripped of at least one layer of wire insulation to permit transmission of electrical current from transmission wire  230  to relay plug  260 . Whether or not transmission wire  230  needs to be stripped of at least one layer of insulation depends on the nature of contact means inside the connection port. In an embodiment, the transmission wire may be any wire type that meets state and federal regulations for the transmission of electrical current within a structure, specifically; the wire may be Romex wire. In an embodiment, the electrical current is transferred from the transmission wire to the relay plug, to relay wire  261  to outlet  270 . In this embodiment, housing  200  has a connection port  240  which may be located on any surface of housing  200 . Connection port  240  is defined by a void in the housing which is of a size and shape to permit insertion of a transmission wire  230 . Optionally, the pre-wired electrical box employs a fastener such as screw  220  to affix transmission wire  230  within a connection port  240 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 3  shows an example embodiment of a pre-wired electrical box  300 . In this embodiment, the box comprises securing means defined by two sets of substantially parallel voids  320  and  321  in housing  300  which can either fully or partially pass through the housing, the voids are sized and shaped to compliment the positioner (not shown) to secure the outlet. In another example embodiment, the securing means can be a void which passes entirely through the housing which permits the insertion of a rigid object, e.g. a set screw or a rod. In another example embodiment, the securing means use magnetic forces to hold the outlet in a first and second position. The voids  320  and  321  can be used together or separately, in that either voids  320  or  321  are sufficient to secure the outlet in a first and/or second position, respectively. In another example embodiment, the securing means comprises a lip which engages against output means and/or positioner when the outlet is moved from a first position to a second position. The purpose of the securing means is to hold the outlet in a first position during a first installation process where a skilled craftsman secures the housing means in an edifice. A person can then move the output means into a second position when, e.g., construction is completed. The securing means then holds the outlet in the second position. 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  shows an example embodiment of positioner where the positioner is represented by a slider  313  constrained by a journal  314  such that the slider  313  may substantially only move in a back to front and/or front to back plane relative to housing  300 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 4  is an example embodiment of a pre-wired electrical box. Housing  400  has a connection port  440  which may be located on any surface of housing  400 , in this embodiment; it is positioned in what is functionally, the rear of the housing, the side opposite that of the outlets after installation. Connection port  440  is defined as a void in the housing which is of a size and shape to permit the insertion of a transmission wire (not shown). Alternatively, the connection port is adapted to retain the transmission wire with a fastener  420  such as, for example the screw shown, optionally, the fastener may press downward onto a set plate, rather than press directly into the inserted transmission wire. In this example embodiment, a transmission wire (not pictured) is inserted into the connection port, and screw  420  passes through the housing to hold the wire in place during operation of the pre-wired electrical device. In another example embodiment, the wire is retained by an arm or plate which holds the transmission wire in place. The arm or plate can be pushed into contact with the transmission wire and held in that position by a fastener. In another example embodiment, the plate can use the elastic properties of plastic or metal to exert force on the transmission wire to hold it within the connection port. In another example embodiment, the pre-wired electrical device comprises a complimentarily shaped plug and void to retain transmission wire within the connection port. 
         [0035]      FIG. 5  is an example embodiment of a pre-wired electrical device  500 . Here, an embodiment of a connection port is shown adapted to complement a knife  553 . The knife  553  pierces the insulation of the transmission wire  530  to the extent that each individual metal strand is in contact with just one knife  553 . In an example embodiment, the transmission wire  530  has three copper strands which require the relay plug to contain a conductive surface of a respective knife  553 . The purpose of the knife is to permit transmission of electrical current from the transmission wire  530  to relay plug; therefore, the shape, size and number of knives is dependent on the shape, size and material of strands inside the transmission wire  530 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 5  shows a screw  520  which is used to retain the transmission wire and/or any adapter between the transmission wire and the pre-wired electrical device, within the connection port. 
         [0037]      FIG. 6  shows an example embodiment of contacts with the connection port. In operation of the device, these are moved perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the transmission wire  630  from a first position  611  to a second position. In an example embodiment of the movable contacts, a toothed arm  651  is lowered onto the transmission wire  630  which pierces the insulation of transmission wire  630 . The toothed arm  651  is lowered by a force applied in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the transmission wire  630 . In an example embodiment, the force is applied by the rotation of a screw, such as screw  620 . Screw  620  passes through the housing (not pictured). In an example embodiment, screw  520  and screw  620  are the same part. In another example embodiment, force is applied directly on the toothed arm  651  rather than using screw  620  to displace toothed arm  651 . In another example embodiment, the toothed arm is opposed by a second toothed arm  652 , of the same or different geometry. The second toothed arm can be stationary or movable by the same or different forces which move toothed arm. In an example embodiment, toothed arm hinges about a point such that the motion of toothed arm is substantially radial to transmission wire. In another example embodiment, toothed arm translates downward such that toothed arm at the first position  611  would be substantially parallel to toothed arm at the second position. 
         [0038]      FIG. 7  shows an example embodiment of a pre-wired electrical device using relay plug  760  which is detachably connected to housing  700  at connection port  740 . In an example embodiment, connection port receives transmission wire  730  which becomes fixed within relay plug  760 . Transmission wire is stripped of at least one layer of insulation. In another example embodiment, transmission wire is not stripped of any insulation such that contacts access individual strands to transfer electrical current. In another example embodiment, fasteners or tabs are used to hold transmission wire within the connection port. In example an embodiment, fasteners  721  are displaced by transmission wire, the fasteners pinch together to hold transmission wire within the connection port. In an embodiment, the fasteners include tabs. In another example embodiment, the fasteners also act as means to relay electrical current to output means (not pictured). 
         [0039]    An advantage to having a relay plug which is detachably connected to the housing is that the relay plug can be specialized for each individual outlet and/or connection port, i.e. the housing can be standardized for many different outlets with only the plug—and its contacts and connection port counterparts—to adapt to the housing. In this example embodiment, a skilled craftsman could create an optimal pre-wired electrical device based on a specific transmission wire and outlet necessary to complete a wiring project. An advantage to having relay plug fixed to the housing is that the relay plug—and its contacts and connection counterpart—are optimized and standardized for each type of outlet so that a skilled craftsmen can install the prewired electrical device in two steps: (1) secure housing means to a structural support; and, (2) insert a transmission wire into a connection port. 
         [0040]      FIG. 8  shows another example embodiment where contact means are individual sockets  822  which accept each individual strand of transmission wire  830 . In the example embodiment shown, there are six sockets; however, the number of sockets depends on the number of individual strands of transmission wire. Sockets are fixed within connection port  840 . The size of the sockets are such that the individual strands of transmission wire are adapted to sockets using friction, compression, tension or adhesion. In an example embodiment, sockets are connected to relay plug  860  which transfers electrical current from transmission wire to outlet (not pictured) using relay means (not pictured). 
         [0041]      FIG. 9  shows an example embodiment of transmission of electrical current from a transmission wire (not shown) through a contact (not shown) to the outlet. Electrical current passes from the contact means (not shown) to relay plug  960  to relay wires  961  to outlet  970 . Outlet plug  970  has no shape or features, because it can be any type of outlet plug discussed above. Three relay wires  961  are shown in  FIG. 9 ; however, the number of relay wires  961  depends on the number of strands in the transmission wire (not shown) carrying electrical current. 
         [0042]    In an example embodiment, the contact within the relay plug is removable. One advantage to having the contacts in separable connection is that the skilled craftsman can choose the type of contact means which the craftsman prefers. A second advantage to having the contacts and the relay plug separable is that the size of the contacts can be adjusted for different size transmission wires  930 . In an another example embodiment, the relay plug and the contacts are one unified piece; however, the unified piece must be constructed in a manner which prevents a short circuit of electrical current from the transmission wire  930 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 10  shows an example embodiment of the present invention as a junction box. The present invention junction box permits the input of a transmission wire into one or more connection ports which is in electrical communication with one or more outlets. The junction box comprises a housing. Housing  1000  has one or more connections ports  1040  which accepts transmission wire  1030 . Electrical current is transferred from transmission wire  1030  via relay means (not pictured) to one or more outlet plugs. 
         [0044]    The junction box can contain any number of connection ports  1040  and outlets which can be sustained using sound electrical wiring practices. In an example embodiment, the connection port  1040  can be used as an outlet  1070 , if necessary, as long as there is at least one connection port which accepts a transmission wire  1030 . Transmission wire  1030  is held within connection port  1040  by a fastener, such as screw  1020  or tabs as shown above. 
         [0045]      FIG. 11  shows an example embodiment of a junction box where junction housing (not pictured) contains within it a junction system. The relay wire  1161 , represented as a dashed line, is only an example embodiment of how the relay plug and the outlet may be electrically connected, in that connecting port  1140  need not necessarily be connected to outlet  1170 . Which connection means are connected to which outlet depends on consumer demands or manufacturers&#39; choice. In an example embodiment, connection port can accept one or more strands within a transmission wire  1130 . In such an example, relay wire would contain a number of relay wires which effectively transmits the electrical currents. 
         [0046]    In another example embodiment, junction system  1160  can be opened before, during or after installation. In such an example embodiment, relay wire  1161  can be moved such that the connection port and/or outlet which the wire connects can be changed. In this example embodiment, relay wire can be repaired. 
         [0047]      FIG. 12  shows an embodiment of a pre-wired electrical device. The device is shown with transmission wires  1230  being connected via a connection port  1240  on a top sidewall of the housing. The connection port includes a wire cap  1220 , here shown as a compression plate to retain the transmission wire at the connection port. In this embodiment, a user inserts either an input electrical wire or both an input and an output wire, into the connection port at the top of the housing, the wires are engaged with blades in the port and in electrical communication with the prewired elements inside the housing. The user then tightens down the wire cap reversibly securing the wires, completing that portion of the installation. In this embodiment, the relay wire is in electrical communication with the blade, and the transmission wire will be secured upon insertion into the connection port. 
         [0048]      FIG. 13  shows a top view of a connection housing  1350  with multiple connection ports. In this embodiment, the wire cap consists of a horizontal plate and two screws for tightening the transmission wire in place to secure it.  FIG. 13   b  shows a top view of an embodiment of a connection port with individual wire insertion slots and the horizontal plate securing arrangement. 
         [0049]      FIG. 14  shows two views of an embodiment of a prewired electrical box. In this embodiment, the housing  1400  includes a connector housing aperture  1401 , formed in a top wall of the housing. The aperture allows access to the connector housing  1450 . The drawing shows an exploded view of the embodiments with an outlet positioned for installation with optional positioners. In this embodiment, the connector housing is installed in the rear of the housing and may be secured with screws to the rear of the housing. The connector ports  1440  on the top of the connector housing will then be accessible for transmission wire installation once the connector housing is attached in the aperture. Extending from the bottom of the connector housing is a set of connector contacts for connection to the outlet (as shown in  FIG. 14   b ). 
         [0050]      FIG. 15  shows an embodiment of a connector housing  1550  with a transmission wire ready for installation. The connector housing includes connector ports, attachment flanges with apertures for securing the connector housing to a housing, an internally includes the requisite electrical communication blades (not shown) for transmitting current from the transmission wires to the outlet. Here, the connector housing further includes a wire cap  1520 . After installation of the required transmission wire(s) the wire cap is secured horizontally using the optional slides along the lower flanges, in conjunction with fasteners, reversibly securing the wire cap to the connector housing. 
         [0051]      FIG. 16  shows several views of an embodiment of a prewired electrical box. Here, the box includes a housing  1600  comprising four side walls, a back plate  1610  and a front plate  1620 . Optionally, both the front and back plates may be reversibly attached to the respective open sides of the housing. The device further includes an outlet,  1670 , secured in the housing and connected to connector housing(s)  1650 . Here, the connector housings are associated with the rear plate of the box.  FIG. 16   b  shows, optionally, the housing may have at least one connector housing  1601  aperture formed in a side of the housing.  FIG. 16   c  shows a top view with multiple connector housings, each with three ports for accepting a transmission wire, and prewired to communicate electricity with the outlet. Optionally, the connector housings are prewired to the outlet, but are otherwise free-floating—not secured to any surface of the housing.  FIG. 16   d  is a side view of the previous embodiments. 
         [0052]      FIG. 17  shows an embodiment of a prewired electrical box in use associated with a structural element  5 . Here, the back plate  1710  has been removed to show transmission wires being inserted into push-in type connectors in the connector housing(s)  1750 .  17   b  shows an embodiment of a wiring diagram for a pre-wired electrical box  1700  from a top view. 
         [0053]      FIG. 18  shows several views of embodiments of prewired electrical boxes in use, associated with portions of a structural wall. 
         [0054]    In an example embodiment, multiple devices can be wired in series. In such an example, a transmission wire would connect to a device to supply the outlet with electrical current, and a secondary transmission wire would leave the housing and connect to connection port of a second device. Another transmission wire would leave the second device and connect to a connection port of another device. The number of devices which can be connected in series is determined by sound wiring practices. 
         [0055]    In an example embodiment, multiple devices can be wired in parallel. In such an example, a transmission wire would connect to a junction box, as disclosed below, and N transmission wires would leave the junction box to connect to the respective connection port of N housings, where N is an integer greater than or equal to one. The number of devices which can be connected in parallel is determined by sound wiring practices. 
         [0056]    During use, the skilled craftsman secures a junction box to a collar tie in an attic of the residential building, and the skilled craftsmen runs an electrical transmission line from a voltage source to the junction box. The electrical transmission line is stripped of insulation and it slides into a connection port on the junction box housing. Two tabs are displaced which exerts compressive forces on the electrical transmission wire which secures it to the junction box. The skilled craftsmen then runs the electrical transmission line from an outlet port on the junction box to a connection port on the light switch housing, which is installed like on the electrical outlet housing above. A secondary electrical transmission line leaves the light switch housing through an outlet port, and the secondary electrical transmission line is installed on the light bulb housing like the electrical outlet housing above. The light switch and light bulb are now in series. Finally, the skilled craftsman connects an electrical transmission line from an outlet port on the junction box to the connection port of the second electrical outlet. The light switch and light bulb combination are in parallel with the second electrical outlet. The skilled craftsman job is complete. 
         [0057]    Sheet rock and wood paneling is installed in the rooms where the skilled craftsman worked, and any person can finalize the skilled craftsman&#39;s job by moving the outlet means from a first to second position by using the positioner. Once the outlet means are secured in place, the same person who finalized the craftsman&#39;s installation or a different person can install decorative face plates on the electrical device housing. 
         [0058]    Having shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention, those skilled in the art will realize that many variations and modifications may be made to affect the described invention and still be within the scope of the claimed invention. Thus, many of the elements indicated above may be altered or replaced by different elements which will provide the same result and fall within the spirit of the claimed invention. It is the intention, therefore, to limit the invention only as indicated by the scope of the claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7