# US 2017/0288380 A1 · In-use water-tight coupler for an electrical floor box > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0288380 A1 - Document ID: US20170288380A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/474,282 - Filed: 2017-03-30 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-30 - Assignees: Hubbell Incorporated - Applicants: Hubbell Incorporated - Inventors: Nelson Bonilla; Thomas L. Scanzillo; Scott Barry Wurms - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170288380A1 ## CPC - H02G 3/185: {Floor outlets and access cups} - H01R 13/5205: {Sealing means between cable and housing, e.g. grommet (H01R13/5221 takes precedence)} - H01R 13/5219: {Sealing means between coupling parts, e.g. interfacial seal} - H02G 3/088: {Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof casings or inlets} - H02G 3/14: Fastening of cover or lid to box - H02G: INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS ## Abstract An electrical floor box is configured to be electrically connected to an electrical cable that includes a cable terminal. The electrical floor box includes a surface plate oriented parallel to a floor surface. The surface plate includes an aperture. The electrical floor box also includes an electrical connector positioned in the aperture of the surface plate. The electrical connector includes a connector terminal that is configured to engage the cable terminal to provide an electrical connection therebetween. The electrical floor box further includes a sealing member positioned between the electrical connector and the aperture of the surface plate. The sealing member is configured to engage a portion of the electrical cable to provide a water-tight seal between the electrical cable and the connector terminal while the electrical cable is coupled to the electrical connector. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electrical floor box configured to be electrically connected to an electrical cable, the electrical cable including a cable terminal, the electrical floor box comprising: a surface plate oriented parallel to a floor surface, the surface plate including an aperture; an electrical connector positioned in the aperture of the surface plate, the electrical connector including a connector terminal that is configured to engage the cable terminal to provide an electrical connection therebetween; and a sealing member positioned between the electrical connector and the aperture of the surface plate, the sealing member configured to engage a portion of the electrical cable to provide a water-tight seal between the electrical cable and the connector terminal while the electrical cable is coupled to the electrical connector. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electrical floor box of claim 1, further comprising a housing coupled to and surrounding the surface plate, wherein the housing includes an upper surface generally oriented parallel to the surface plate. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The electrical floor box of claim 1, wherein the sealing member includes a diameter that is sized and configured to engage the electrical cable by an interference fit. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The electrical floor box of claim 1, wherein the sealing member includes a radial protrusion that engages a groove of the electrical connector to inhibit relative movement therebetween. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The electrical floor box of claim 1, further comprising a cover pivotally coupled to the surface plate to selectively cover the aperture of the surface plate, wherein the cover is moveable between a closed position and an open position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The electrical floor box of claim 5, wherein the water-tight seal is a first water-tight seal that is provided between the electrical cable and the sealing member when the cover is in the open position and the electrical cable is coupled to the electrical connector. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The electrical floor box of claim 6, wherein the cover includes a gasket, and wherein the gasket engages a portion of the surface plate adjacent the aperture of the surface plate to provide a second water-tight seal when the cover is in the closed position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The electrical floor box of claim 7, wherein the cover includes a resilient flange that engages a protrusion of the surface plate to maintain the cover in the closed position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The electrical floor box of claim 1, wherein the sealing member includes an internal threaded portion configured to threadably engage a portion of the electrical cable. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The electrical floor box of claim 1, wherein the surface plate includes a second aperture and a cover, wherein the cover is selectively positioned in the second aperture when the electrical cable is connected to the electrical connector. ### Claim 11 An electrical floor box configured to be electrically connected to an electrical cable, the electrical cable including a cable terminal, the electrical floor box comprising: a surface plate oriented parallel to a floor surface, the surface plate including a first aperture and a second aperture; a cover removably coupled to the surface plate to selectively cover one of the first and second apertures of the surface plate; an electrical connector positioned in the first aperture of the surface plate, the electrical connector including a connector terminal that is configured to engage the cable terminal to provide an electrical connection therebetween; and a sealing member positioned between the electrical connector and the first aperture of the surface plate, the sealing member configured to engage a portion of the electrical cable to provide a water-tight seal between the electrical cable and the connector terminal while the electrical cable is coupled to the electrical connector. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The electrical floor box of claim 11, further comprising a housing coupled to and surrounding the surface plate, wherein the housing includes a second top surface generally oriented parallel to the surface plate. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The electrical floor box of claim 11, wherein the sealing member includes a diameter that is sized and configured to engage the electrical cable by an interference fit. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The electrical floor box of claim 11, wherein the sealing member includes a radial protrusion that engages a groove of the electrical connector to inhibit relative movement therebetween. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The electrical floor box of claim 11, wherein the water-tight seal is a first water-tight seal that is provided between the electrical cable and the sealing member when the electrical cable is coupled to the electrical connector. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The electrical floor box of claim 15, wherein a second water-tight seal is provided between the cover and the first aperture of the surface plate when the cover is coupled to the first aperture. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The electrical floor box of claim 11, wherein the cover is received within the second aperture of the surface plate to allow the electrical cable to be connected with the electrical connector. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The electrical floor box of claim 11, wherein the cover includes a top surface that is oriented parallel to the top surface of the surface plate when the cover is received within one of the first and the second apertures. ### Claim 19 An electrical box configured to be electrically connected to an electrical cable, the electrical cable including a cable terminal, the electrical box comprising: a first housing including a first top surface and an open interior portion, the first top surface oriented parallel to a floor surface such that a portion of the first housing extends below the floor surface; a second housing including a second top surface oriented parallel to the first top surface such that the second housing is received within the open interior portion of the first housing; a grate coupled to the first and second housings, the grate providing communication between the floor surface and the open interior portion of the first housing; an electrical connector coupled to the second housing, the electrical connector including a connector terminal that is configured to engage the cable terminal to provide an electrical connection therebetween; and a sealing member positioned between the electrical connector and the second housing providing a water-tight seal when the electrical cable is coupled to the electrical connector. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The electrical floor box of claim 19, wherein the open interior portion of the first housing is configured to be in communication with one of a drainage conduit and drainage gravel located below the second housing.