This invention pertains to a cover of an electrical outlet box and more particularly to a mud ring mountable to different size outlet boxes.
During construction, electrical outlet boxes are affixed to their support or stud prior to the wall covering (i.e. dry wall) being installed. It is generally known what thickness of dry wall is going to be installed and hence electrical outlet boxes are installed off-set from the front of the stud by that amount so as to be flush with the wall. However, if the dry wall thickness is not known or if it changes or if additional wall material (i.e. tile, sound insulation, double-layer dry wall) is subsequently added, then the box opening will no longer be flush with the wall and hence it will be difficult, if not impossible, to properly install an electrical device within the box.
Additionally, the current mud ring allows for only one size box, typically standard sizes of 4 inch or 4 11/16 inch square box. There is no interchangeability between mud rings to accommodate different sized boxes. Therefore, two different sized mud rings must be available for each box size. Additionally, an installer must carry different sized mud rings to accommodate the different box sizes. The same applies to adjustable mud rings, currently each adjustable mud ring assembly must be made with two different sized mud rings to accommodate either scenario on the job site.
Hence, there is a need for a universal mud ring to accommodate all sizes of boxes.
It is thus an object of this invention to provide a base of the mud ring which is inexpensive to manufacture and yet universal for all size boxes. A further objective is to allow the end user to have the ability to install an adjustable two gang mud ring on various box sizes.
The present invention pertains to a mud ring or mounting plate for an electrical outlet box. The mud ring includes a square-shaped plate with a center opening therethrough. The plate includes an exterior perimeter an interior raised perimeter surrounding the opening, and a planar perimeter extending between the raised perimeter and the exterior perimeter. The planar portion includes at least five apertures to accommodate attachment of the plate to the different sized boxes.
Referring to
The center of cover 10 contains a large opening 16 that permits access through cover 10 to the interior of the electrical outlet box.
Extension sleeve 22 is slidably positioned within collar 18 and generally is configured with an open box-like structure having sidewalls 24 corresponding with opening 16. Extension sleeve 22 contains device mounting tabs 26 which are used to secure an electric device (not shown) to cover 10. The sidewall(s) 24 which would run adjacent to tab(s) 28 of the collar 18 include a concaved portion or a channel 32 that closely conforms to tab 28 and which protrudes into the opening 16. The tab 28 travels through the channel 32 until the preferred position is obtained after which the extension sleeve 22 is secured at position. Also, if desired, extension sleeve 22 can be configured with upper stops and/or lower stops 33 that prevent extension sleeve 22 from sliding out of mounting plate 12. Such stops can consist primarily of small projections that engage distal end of collar IS or tab 28 to retain sleeve 22 within opening 16.
Apertures 14b and 14c also includes various size holes including circular, oblonged or circular tailed openings. Apertures 14b and 14c are located on either side of apertures 14a and closer to the outer perimeter of the mounting plate 12.
Apertures 14b and 14c align with attachment members for a 4 11/16 inch box. Apertures 14b are used for horizontal mounting of the mounting plate 12 to the box. Apertures 14c are used for vertical mounting of the mounting plate to the box.
Having described the preferred embodiments herein, it should now, be appreciated that variations may be made thereto without departing from the contemplated scope of the invention. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments described herein are deemed illustrative rather than limiting, the true scope of the invention being set forth in the claims appended hereto.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/085,045 filed on Jul. 31, 2008, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61085045 | Jul 2008 | US |