초록 ▼

A wall plate for engagement with an identical wall plate including an opening for the passage of wires or conduit therethrough. The plate is capable of being separated at its center to allow for the passage of oversized connectors and fittings and includes extender sections to increase the size of

A wall plate for engagement with an identical wall plate including an opening for the passage of wires or conduit therethrough. The plate is capable of being separated at its center to allow for the passage of oversized connectors and fittings and includes extender sections to increase the size of the opening. The invention includes a first plate section and identical second plate section that are mateable for easy separation and attachment. Both first and second plate sections include cantilever tab-like elements that extend from the ends of each plate section to join the plates.

대표청구항 ▼

I claim: 1. A wall plate assembly having first and second interchangeable sections, each section comprising: a panel having a top surface and a bottom surface, said panel having at least one mounting aperture therethrough from said top surface to said bottom surface, to permit said panel to be moun

I claim: 1. A wall plate assembly having first and second interchangeable sections, each section comprising: a panel having a top surface and a bottom surface, said panel having at least one mounting aperture therethrough from said top surface to said bottom surface, to permit said panel to be mounted to an electrical device, said panel having a sidewall extension, said sidewall extension meeting said top surface and said bottom surface at a rounded edge, said sidewall extension projecting outward from said bottom surface, said panel having an end section, said end section having first and second engagement tabs extending outward therefrom, said end section having an opening, said opening located between said first and second engagement tabs, said first and second engagement tabs of said first and second interchangeable sections being relatively configured and arranged such that, upon relative linear movement of said end section of said panel of said first interchangeable section with said end section of said panel of said second interchangeable section into engagement with one another, said first engagement tab of said first interchangeable section, engages said second engagement tab of said second interchangeable section, and said second engagement tab of said first interchangeable section engages said first engagement tab of said second interchangeable section, said engaged first and second interchangeable sections defining a second opening, the periphery of said second opening being the sum of the peripheries of said opening of said first and second interchangeable sections. 2. A wall plate assembly according to claim 1, wherein said outwardly extending second engagement tab is a stepped shaped member. 3. A wall plate assembly according to claim 2, wherein said stepped shaped member includes a base portion and an end portion, said base portion including a top surface, said base portion top surface substantially planar to said panel top surface, said end portion stepped down from said base portion top surface and extending outward therefrom, said end portion further including a top surface and a bottom surface, said end portion bottom surface substantially planar to said panel bottom surface. 4. A wall plate assembly according to claim 3, wherein said stepped shaped member end portion bottom surface is raised above said panel bottom surface. 5. A wall plate assembly according to claim 4, wherein said end portion bottom surface is raised up to 0.011 inches. 6. A wall plate assembly according to claim 3, wherein said first engagement tab includes a first tab base and a first tab end, said first tab base and said first tab end including a top surface and a bottom surface, a first portion of said first tab base top surface affixed to said bottom surface of said panel, said first tab end projecting outward from said first tab base. 7. A wall plate assembly according to claim 6, wherein said first engagement tab further includes an opening for receipt of said second engagement tab therein, said opening including a cutout in said panel end section, said cutout exposing a second portion of said first tab base top surface, said opening further including a recess in said panel bottom surface, said recess extending from the periphery of said cutout, said recess dimensioned to accept said stepped down end portion. 8. A wall plate assembly according to claim 7, wherein said cutout is dimensioned to accept said base portion of said stepped shaped member securely therein, wherein said recess is dimensioned to accept said stepped down end portion of said stepped shaped member securely therein, said first engagement tab end top surface slideably engaging said stepped shaped member end portion bottom surface, said first and second engagement tabs being interconnected. 9. A wall plate assembly according to claim 8, wherein said stepped shaped member end portion bottom surface is raised above said panel bottom surface, said raised bottom surface allowing for proper alignment of said interconnected plates. 10. A wall plate assembly according to claim 9, wherein said stepped shaped member end portion bottom surface is raised up to 0.011 inches. 11. A wall plate assembly according to claim 6, wherein said sidewall extension projects past said bottom surface of said first engagement tab end. 12. A wall plate assembly according to claim 3, wherein said sidewall extension projects past said bottom surface of said stepped shaped member end portion. 13. A wall plate assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first and second interchangeable sections include an outwardly extending flange rim, said flange rim extending outward from the periphery of said first and second openings, said flange rim acting as a bend radius. 14. A wall plate assembly according to claim 13, wherein said first and second engagement tabs are located between said flange rim and said sidewall extension. 15. A wall plate assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first and second interchangeable sections further include first and second plate extensions, said first and second plate extensions interposed between said end sections of said first and second interchangeable sections, said first and second plate extensions engaging said first and second end sections, said first and second plate sections increasing the periphery of said second opening.