Method and apparatus for finished installation of electrical outlet box without use of external cover plate

#a. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates generally to electrical junction and outlet boxes, such as are used for installation of electrical outlets and light switches, and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus that enables such boxes to be installed in sheetrock walls and the like without a cover plate that is visible when installation is finished.

#b. Related Art

#FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an outlet box installed using a mudded-over plate assembly in accordance with the present invention, so that only the operative face of the electrical component itself is visible at the surface of the wall itself when the installation is finished;

#FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the installation of FIG. 1, showing the manner in which only the operative surface of the outlets or other electrical component can be seen at the surface of the wall;

#FIG. 3A is a plan view of the plate assembly of the installation of FIGS. 1-2;

#FIG. 1 shows an outlet box installation 10 made in accordance with the present invention. As used in this description and the appended claims, the terms “outlet box” and “junction box” are interchangeable and include all forms of housings that contain electrical components having portions that are exposed at the surface of a wall. Furthermore, the term “wall” includes not only structures having vertical surfaces, but also angled, contoured and horizontal surfaces, such as a concrete or wooden floor in which an outlet box is set, for example.

#As can be seen, the installation 10 includes, in this embodiment, a conventional outlet box 12 that is mounted to a stud (not shown) or other support in the wall, so that the edges 14 at the open side of the box lie roughly flush with, or slightly recessed within, the front surface of the wall 16. In the installation that is shown, the wall is constructed of conventional sheetrock 18, which is the most common form in modern construction; it will be understood, however, that the wall may in some instances be constructed of plaster, masonry, or other materials.

#An electrical component 20 is mounted in the interior 22 of the junction box, so that its operative surface 24 is exposed at, and stands slightly proud of, the surface of the wall 16; in the illustrated example, the electrical component is a double outlet, however as noted above the component may be a different type of outlet, a witch, a light or any other electrical device suitable to be mounted in an outlet box. The term “operative portion”, as used in this description and the appended claims, refers to the interface or other portion of the electrical component that must be exposed at the wall surface in order for the component to perform its intended function, such as an outlet opening for an electrical cord, a toggle or button switch, an adjustment knob, a light or light fixture, a phone jack, and so on; in instances where the operative portion is flat it will, in general, preferably be mounted to lie flush with the surface of the surrounding wall, whereas in other instances (e.g., a toggle switch) the operative portion of the component may protrude somewhat and only its surround may be flush with the wall.