초록 ▼

The present invention is directed to a weatherproof electrical outlet box assembly for shielding and protecting electrical components from moisture comprising a faceplate for attaching to an outlet box, the faceplate being substantially planar, and perimetrically bounded by a substantially rectangul

The present invention is directed to a weatherproof electrical outlet box assembly for shielding and protecting electrical components from moisture comprising a faceplate for attaching to an outlet box, the faceplate being substantially planar, and perimetrically bounded by a substantially rectangular side edge, the faceplate having at least one aperture for receiving an electrical component and; the faceplate including a first hinge socket and a second hinge socket extending respectively from the side edge in substantially orthogonal orientation. The weatherproof electrical outlet box assembly further including a cover having a front wall, an opposed open end and a substantially rectangular perimetrical side wall therebetween defining a cover interior, the side wall having a rim bounding the open end, the cover including at least one access port through the side wall adjacent the open end for providing separate passageways into the interior of the cover; the cover including a first hinge pin and a second hinge pin extending respectively from the side wall adjacent the open end in substantially orthogonal orientation; and the cover being pivotally affixed to the faceplate by operative engagement of the hinge socket with the hinge pin of corresponding orientation and movable between an open and a closed position and wherein the hinge pin and the hinge socket that are not in operative engagement are not aligned.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A weatherproof electrical outlet box assembly for shielding and protecting electrical components from moisture comprising:a faceplate for attaching to an outlet box, said faceplate being substantially planar, and perimetrically bounded by a substantially rectangular side edge, said faceplate havi

1. A weatherproof electrical outlet box assembly for shielding and protecting electrical components from moisture comprising:a faceplate for attaching to an outlet box, said faceplate being substantially planar, and perimetrically bounded by a substantially rectangular side edge, said faceplate having at least one aperture for receiving an electrical component and; said faceplate including a pair of first hinge mating assemblies extending from said side edge in substantially orthogonal orientation; a cover having a front wall, an opposed open end and a substantially rectangular perimetrical side wall therebetween defining a cover interior, said side wall having a rim bounding said open end, said cover including a at least one access port through said side wall adjacent said open end for providing separate passageways into the interior of said cover; said cover including a pair of second hinge mating assemblies extending from said side wall adjacent said open end in substantially orthogonal orientation; and said cover being pivotally affixed to said faceplate by operative engagement of one of said first hinge mating assemblies with one of said second hinge mating assemblies of corresponding orientation and movable between an open and a closed position and wherein said first hinge assemblies and said second hinge mating assemblies that are not in operative engagement are not aligned.2. A weatherproof electrical outlet box assembly according to claim 1, wherein said outlet box assembly has a locking device such that when said cover is moved into said closed position said locking device is operatively engaged thereby releasably locking said cover in said closed position.3. A weatherproof electrical outlet box assembly according to claim 1, wherein said faceplate includes a plurality of fastener holes for receiving fasteners for attaching said faceplate to said outlet box.4. A weatherproof electrical outlet box assembly according to claim 1, wherein said access port is covered by a knockout, said knockout being formed of at least one frangible projection extending from said cover over said access port, said projection being removable to allow for the passage of one or more wires into said cover.5. A weatherproof electrical outlet box assembly according to claim 1, wherein said faceplate aperture is covered by a knockout, said knockout being formed of at least one frangible projection extending from said faceplate over said aperture, said projection being removable to allow said faceplate to receive an electrical component.6. A weatherproof electrical outlet box assembly according to claim 2, wherein said locking device comprises stanchions supporting concentrically aligned holes for receiving a lock shank.7. A weatherproof electrical outlet box assembly according to claim 1, wherein said faceplate further has a front side and a back side, and wherein said first hinge mating assemblies are comprised of a cylindrical member, having an open portion for receiving a said second hinge mating assembly thereon.8. A weatherproof electrical outlet box cover assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first hinge mating assemblies are configured to engage and permit the rotation of said second hinge mating assembly thereabout.9. A weatherproof electrical outlet box cover assembly according to claim 1, wherein said second hinge mating assemblies are comprised of a circular or curved member configured to engage and pivot with respect to said first hinge mating assembly.10. A weatherproof electrical outlet box cover assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first and second hinge mating assemblies are hermaphroditic.11. A weatherproof electrical outlet box cover assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first and second hinge mating assemblies are configured of complementary male/female components.12. A weatherproof electrical outlet box assembly according to claim 1, wherein said faceplate further has a continuous raised protrusion extending from said front side bordering said side edge.13. A weatherproof electrical outlet box assembly according to claim 12, wherein said faceplate further includes a concave depressions adjacent the inside edge of said continuous raised protrusion.14. A weatherproof electrical outlet box cover kit which is characterized in that it comprises:a single cover having a front wall, an opposed open end and a substantially rectangular perimetrical side wall therebetween defining a cover interior, said side wall having a rim bounding said open end, said cover including at least one access port through said side wall adjacent said open end for providing separate passageways into the interior of said cover; said cover including a first intermating structure and a second intermating structure extending respectively from said side wall adjacent said open end in substantially orthogonal orientation; a plurality of faceplates for attaching to an outlet box, said faceplate being substantially planar, and perimetrically bounded by a substantially rectangular side edge, wherein each of said faceplates is adapted for receiving a predetermined electrical component and; said faceplate including a third intermating structure and a fourth intermating structure extending respectively from said side edge in substantially orthogonal orientation; wherein said cover can be selectively mounted to one of said plurality of faceplates by being pivotally affixed to said one faceplate by operative engagement of one of said third or fourth intermating structure with one of said first or second intermating structure of corresponding orientation and movable between an open and a closed position and wherein said intermating structures that are not in operative engagement are not aligned.15. A weatherproof electrical outlet box assembly according to claim 14, further including a locking device such that when said cover is moved into said closed position said locking device is operatively engaged thereby releasably locking said cover in said closed position.16. A weatherproof electrical outlet box assembly according to claim 14, wherein said faceplate includes a plurality of fastener holes for receiving fasteners for attaching said faceplate to said outlet box.17. A weatherproof electrical outlet box assembly according to claim 14, wherein said access port is covered by a knockout, said knockout being formed of at least one frangible projection extending from said cover over said access port, said projection being removable to allow for the passage of one or more wires into said cover.18. A weatherproof electrical outlet box assembly according to claim 14, wherein said faceplate aperture is covered by a knockout, said knockout being formed of at least one frangible projection extending from said faceplate over said aperture, said projection being removable to allow said faceplate to receive an electrical component.19. A weatherproof electrical outlet box assembly according to claim 14, wherein said locking device comprises stanchions supporting concentrically aligned holes for receiving a lock shank.20. A weatherproof electrical outlet box assembly according to claim 14, wherein said faceplate further has a front side and a back side, and wherein said first and second hinge intimating structure are comprised of a cylindrical member, having an open portion for receiving one of said third or fourth intermating structures therein.21. A weatherproof outlet box assembly according to claim 14, wherein said first and second intermating structure are configured to engage and permit the rotation of, respectfully, said third or fourth intermating structure thereabout.22. A weatherproof outlet box assembly according to claim 14, wherein one or both of said third and fourth intermating structure comprise a circular or curved member configured to engage and pivot with respect to its respective first or second intermating structure.23. A weatherproof outlet box assembly according to claim 14, wherein one or both combinations of intermating structures are hermaphroditic.24. A weatherproof outlet box assembly according to claim 14, wherein one or both combinations of intermating structures are configured of complementary male/female components.25. A weatherproof electrical outlet box assembly according to claim 14, wherein said faceplate further has a continuous raised protrusion extending from said front side bordering said side edge.26. A weatherproof electrical outlet box assembly according to claim 25, wherein said faceplate further includes a concave depressions adjacent the inside edge of said continuous raised protrusion.