초록 ▼

An electric box assembly is proportioned to be inserted into a panel opening and be retained therein. The assembly includes a discontinuous ring member that can be spread apart from an intermediate relaxed position and inserted through the panel opening, and then compressed to telescopically insert

An electric box assembly is proportioned to be inserted into a panel opening and be retained therein. The assembly includes a discontinuous ring member that can be spread apart from an intermediate relaxed position and inserted through the panel opening, and then compressed to telescopically insert the ring member in the panel opening. The ring member has an outwardly extending flange for engagement with the outer surface of the panel, and an inwardly directed first cam means. The assembly also includes an outlet box member adapted to be positioned within the ring member and locked thereto. The outlet box member has an outwardly extending flange for engagement with the inner surface of the panel, and an outwardly directed second cam means which engages the first cam means when the outlet box member is rotated relative to the ring member. The first and second cam means cooperate to move the flanges toward one another and into clamping engagement with the panel thereby accommodating panels of differing thickness. The second cam means may comprise a plurality of sets of lugs to enable the assembly to accommodate panels having a different range of thicknesses. The flange on the ring member is preferably offset with respect to the axis of the ring, so that the ring is reversible to provide a further means for compensating panels of varying thickness.

대표청구항 ▼

An electric box assembly for mounting an outlet box within an opening extending between opposite surfaces of a panel, comprising: a ring member formed of a material with an inherently elastic memory and having a generally cylindrically-shaped sidewall having inner and outer surfaces and adapted to b

An electric box assembly for mounting an outlet box within an opening extending between opposite surfaces of a panel, comprising: a ring member formed of a material with an inherently elastic memory and having a generally cylindrically-shaped sidewall having inner and outer surfaces and adapted to be inserted into and seated within said opening, a flange extending outwardly from the outer surface of said sidewall and adapted to bear against one surface of said panel, and means on the inner surface of said sidewall defining cam track means inclined away from the inserted end of said ring member, said sidewall being discontinuous and defining a gap to permit said ring member sidewall to be spread apart from a relaxed position, wherein the diameter of said outer surface is greater than the diameter of said opening, to a spread position wherein the gap is greater than the thickness of the panel whereby the ring member may be inserted through said panel opening by (1) placing one portion of the sidewall adjacent the gap outside the panel, and (2) rotating the ring member relative to the panel to position the entire ring member outside the panel and in the relaxed position said ring member then being insertable in said opening by (1) compressing the ring member from said relaxed position to a compressed position wherein the diameter of said outer surface is smaller than the diameter of said opening, (2) telescopically inserting said ring member in said opening until the flange thereon engages said one panel surface, and (3) releasing the force compressing said ring member whereby the inherent elastic memory of said ring member urges said sidewall toward said relaxed position to position the outer surface of said sidewall in frictional retentive engagement with the wall of said opening; and an outlet box member having a sidewall adapted to be positioned within the sidewall of said ring member, a flange extending outwardly from the sidewall of said outlet box member and adapted to bear against the surface of said panel opposite from the surface engaged by the flange on said ring member, and cam follower means on the sidewall of said outlet box member and adapted to engage said cam track means when said outlet box member is rotated relative to said ring member, whereby said cam track means and cam follower means cooperate to move the flanges on said ring member and outlet box member toward one another and into clamping engagement with said panel. A ring member for an electric box assembly for mounting an outlet box within an opening extending between opposite surfaces of a panel, comprising a generally cylindrical sidewall adapted to be seated within said opening, said sidewall having inner and outer surfaces and opposite ends, a flange integral with said sidewall and extending outwardly from said outer surface, said flange having first and second opposed surfaces extending perpendicular to the axis of said generally cylindrical sidewall, said first surface of said flange being spaced a greater distance from one end of said sidewall than said second surface is spaced from the opposite end of said sidewall, said sidewall and flange being formed of a material with an inherent elastic memory and being discontinuous to define a gap permitting said ring member sidewall to be spread apart and compressed from a relaxed position, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced cam tracks integral with said sidewall and extending inwardly from said inner surface, each of cam tracks comprising a thin rib having opposed parallel surfaces inclined with respect to a plane extending parallel to said first and second surfaces of said flange, said ribs having opposite ends respectively located on planes extending parallel to said plane so that either of said first and second surfaces can be positioned to engage a surface of said panel to accommodate panels of different thickness.