Utility box insert
OwnerGail D. Schuetteinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A protective insert for protecting wires and other contents of a utility box such as an electrical or communication wiring box, from damage during construction, particularly when cutting openings for such boxes in wallboard that has been placed onto studs. The insert is made to utilize the only standard dimensions in utility boxes, namely, the distance between the threaded bores used for fastening switches, receptacles or other fixtures. The protective insert is easily placed into utility boxes using two ribbed posts or shanks that fit into the openings of the box with a fit that retains the insert in place. The insert is easily removed, and it also protects the threaded bores in the box that are used for supporting switches, receptacles, light fixtures, or the like.
Claims8
A protective insert for blocking an interior chamber of a utility box having a pair of threaded openings for receiving screws for supporting a component in the box, the protective insert comprising a plate dimensioned to fit within the interior chamber of the utility box, and at least one arm on said plate extending from the plane of the plate, said at least one arm having a tab at an outer end thereof to extend in a direction to overlie at least one of the threaded openings, and a shank member attached to the tab and extending back toward the plate, said shank member being of a size to slip into one of the threaded openings and having annular ribs thereon engaging and providing an interference fit with the threads in said one of the threaded opening for retaining the plate in the interior chamber of the box.
A protective insert for blocking an opening to an interior chamber of a utility box, said utility box having at least a pair of spaced threaded bores adjacent the opening for receiving screws for supporting a component in the box, the protective insert comprising a plate dimensioned to fit within the interior chamber of the utility box, and a pair of arms on said plate extending from the plane of the plate, said arms being spaced apart, the arms each having an outer end spaced from the plate and each arm being configured to support a separate shank member, the shank members having ends extending back toward the plate, said shank members being spaced substantially at the spacing of the threaded bores and being of a size to retainingly fit into the threaded bores for supporting and retaining the plate in the interior chamber of the box and spaced inwardly from the opening of the utility box.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.