# US 7,279,635 B2 · Quick connecting universal electrical box and wiring system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,279,635 B2 - Document ID: US7279635B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/050,876 - Filed: 2005-02-03 - Published: 2005-06-16 - Granted: 2007-10-09 - Earliest claimed: 2000-02-28 - Assignees: Electec Limited - Inventors: G. Douglas Hyde - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7279635B2 ## CPC - H02G 3/123: {in thin walls} - Y10S 248/906: Electrical outlet box support - H02G: INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## Abstract A quick connecting universal electrical box system for the mounting of electrical sockets, switches or any electronic or communication component that is typically installed into a wall is disclosed. The system comprises a mounting frame and an electrical box, which can be pre-wired with any socket unit or component, such that installation of the electrical box into a wall is greatly simplified. The mounting frame is first inserted into a wall, followed by insertion of the electrical box into the mounting frame. The action of inserting the electrical box into the mounting frame forces flaps in the mounting frame to engage and lock the mounting frame into the wall. Retaining studs formed on flexible side panels of the electrical box then engage with corresponding openings in the mounting frame to secure the electrical box within the mounting frame. Secure installation of this electrical box is simple and quick without the need for any tools or fastening screws. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electrical box for insertion into a wall opening and for receiving a plug unit connected to a wiring cable, the electrical box having an enclosure for receiving a functional insert, and a retaining tab for securing the electrical box to the wall, comprising: a connector box attached to the enclosure for receiving a receptacle base, which provides an interface between the plug unit and the functional insert; and, slits in side-walls of the enclosure for forming a flexible side panel in each side wall. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electrical box of claim 1, wherein the receptacle base includes an input connector module for receiving the plug unit. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The electrical box of claim 2, wherein the receptacle base includes an output connector module for receiving another plug unit. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The electrical box of claim 1, wherein the slits in each side-wall are parallel to each other. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The electrical box of claim 1, wherein each side-wall of the electrical box includes a connection groove for receiving a spline for securing a pair of adjacent electrical boxes together. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The electrical box of claim 5, wherein each connection groove extends from a face of the enclosure to a rear of the enclosure. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The electrical box of claim 6, wherein each connection groove has a cross-sectional T-shape. ### Claim 8 An electrical box for use in combination with a mounting frame, comprising: a pair of flexible side panels; and, a retaining structure formed on each flexible side panel for engagement with a corresponding retaining structure of the mounting frame, and for securing the electrical box to the mounting frame upon insertion of the electrical box within the mounting frame. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The electrical box of claim 8, wherein the position of the retaining structure of one flexible side panel is offset with respect to the position of the retaining structure of the other flexible side panel to permit ganging of two or more electrical boxes. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The electrical box of claim 8, wherein the retaining structure includes an opening and the complementary retaining structure includes a stud. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The electrical box of claim 8, wherein the retaining structure includes a stud and the complementary retaining structure includes an opening. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The electrical box of claim 11, wherein each side panel includes a recess for receiving the stud from an adjacent electrical box. ### Claim 13 An electrical box for insertion into a wall opening and for receiving a plug unit connected to a wiring cable, the electrical box configured for receiving a functional insert, and having a retaining tab for securing the electrical box to the wall, comprising: an enclosure for receiving the functional insert; a receptacle base electrically connectable between the plug unit and the functional insert; and, a connector box attached to the enclosure for receiving the receptacle base, the receptacle base providing an interface between the plug unit and the functional insert and wherein each side-wall of the enclosure includes slits for forming a flexible side panel in each side-wall. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The electrical box of claim 13, wherein the receptacle base includes an input connector module for receiving the plug unit. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The electrical box of claim 14, wherein the receptacle base includes an output connector module for receiving another plug unit. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The electrical box of claim 13, wherein the slits in each side-wall are parallel to each other. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The electrical box of claim 13, wherein each side-wall of the electrical box includes a connection groove for receiving a spline for securing a pair of adjacent electrical boxes together. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The electrical box of claim 17, wherein each connection groove extends from a face of the enclosure to a rear of the enclosure. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The electrical box of claim 18, wherein each connection groove has a cross-sectional T-shape. ### Claim 20 An electrical box for insertion into a wall opening and for receiving a plug unit connected to a wiring cable, the electrical box configured for receiving a functional insert, and having a retaining tab for securing the electrical box to the wall, comprising: an enclosure for receiving the functional insert; a receptacle base electrically connectable between the plug unit and the functional insert; and, a connector box attached to the enclosure for receiving the receptacle base, the receptacle base providing an interface between the plug unit and the functional insert and wherein slits in each side-wall are parallel to each other.