GB2399463A

GB2399463A - An electrical box

Info

Publication number: GB2399463A
Application number: GB0402334A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Blake
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-02-03
Filing date: 2004-02-03
Publication date: 2004-09-15
Anticipated expiration: 2024-02-03
Also published as: GB0402334D0; GB2399463B; IE20040066A1; IES20030065A2

Abstract

An electrical box 1 for mounting various components which may include a single socket or an electrical switch recessed in a stud wall comprises a base wall 9 a pair of spaced apart first and second side walls 10,11 and a pair of spaced apart first and second end walls 12,13 which together define a hollow interior region 15 for accommodating the socket or switch. First and second mounting lugs 20,21 extend from respective opposite ends of the first side wall 10 and third and fourth mounting lug 23,24 extend from the first and second end walls 12,13 for facilitating mounting of the electrical box 1 to a stud member of the stud wall. The first and second mounting lugs 20,21 are deformable so that they can be selectively aligned with each other and with the first side wall 11 or with the corresponding one of the third and fourth mounting lugs 23,24 and the corresponding one of the first and second end wall 12,13 for facilitating mounting of the electrical box 1 to the stud wall with either the first side wall 10 or one of the first and second end walls 12,13 abutting the stud member of the stud wall.

Description

"An electrical boxy The present invention relates to an electrical box,

and in particular, to an electrical box which is suitable for recess mounting an electrical fitting, for example, an electrical socket, an electrical switch or the like in a stud wall. The invention also relates to a stud wall having the electrical box mounted therein.

Electrical boxes for recess mounting sockets, switches, television cable terminals, telephone and computer terminals and the like, both double sockets and single 0 sockets are well known. Typically, they are of sheet metal material, and are formed from a one piece blank of sheet metal, which is appropriately folded. Such electrical boxes, typically are recessed into a masonry wall, and are secured in the recess for receiving the electrical fitting. While such electrical boxes are quite adequate for masonry walls, they are not particularly suitable for use in stud walls, and in particular, stud partition walls. In general, because of the construction of such stud walls, it is necessary to drill screw accommodating holes through a side or end wall of such electrical boxes for accommodating wood screws or self tappers for securing the box to one of the stud members of the stud wall, with a side or end wall of the electrical box abutting and secured to the stud member. Altematively, it is necessary to chisel a recess in one of the stud members for recessing the electrical box into the stud member. Irrespective of how such electrical boxes are secured to a stud member in a stud wall, significant additional work is required in order to adequately secure the electrical box in the stud wall. This is undesirable, since it significantly adds to the time required to install electrical switches, sockets, and other such power points, as well as other such electrical and electronic fittings in a stud wall.

Attempts have been made to produce an electrical box which overcomes the problems of such known electrical boxes. For example, U.S. Patent Specifications Nos. 4,844,275 and 5,480,053, both assigned to Hubbell Incorporated disclose two such boxes. The electrical box of U.S. Patent No. 4,844,275 comprises a base and four side walls extending from the base which with the base define a hollow interior region for accommodating an electrical switch, socket or other such electrical fitting.

A pair of attachment flanges extend from respective opposite ends of one of the side walls, and are coplanar with the side wall for abutting a side face of a stud member of a partition wall. Attachment ears extend transversely of the attachment flanges for abutting a front face of the stud member. Fastener accommodating holes are s provided in the attachment flanges and the attachment ears for accommodating screws or the like for securing the flanges and ears to the side and front faces of the stud member. U.S. Patent Specification No. 5,480,053 discloses a substantially similar type electrical box which also comprises a pair of attachment flanges which extend from respective opposite ends of one of the side walls of the electrical box for I lo abutting a side face of a stud member of a partition wall. Attachment ears also extend from the respective attachment flanges for abutting a front face of the stud member. Fastener accommodating holes are provided in the attachment ear for securing the attachment ear to the front face of the stud member, for in turn securing the electrical box to the stud member.

The electrical boxes disclosed in these two U.S. Patent specifications, while they partly overcome the problems of known conventional electrical boxes in that they facilitate attachment of the electrical box to a stud member of a stud partition wall, -I they only provide a limited solution to the problem. In particular, the electrical boxes disclosed in the two U.S. Patent specifications are suitable for mounting to the stud member in one orientation only. Thus, if it is desired to secure the electrical box to the stud member in an alternative orientation, this is not possible. For example, if the electrical box were adapted for mounting to a vertical stud member, and if the most convenient stud member available for receiving the electrical box was a 2s horizontal stud member, the electrical box would have to be mounted at an orientation at 90 to the desired orientation. This is a particularly serious disadvantage of the electrical boxes disclosed in the two U.S. specifications, and poses a particularly serious problem in the case of oblong or rectangular boxes, of the type suitable for housing double electrical sockets and the like.

A further problem of the electrical box disclosed in U.S. Patent Specification No. 4,844,275 is that without additional attachments the box is unsuitable for mounting in a stud partition wall where the stud partition wall is lined with dry lining, otherwise commonly referred to as plasterboard. The arrangement of the attachment ears relative to the box of this U.S. Patent specification is such that the electrical box when secured to the stud member lies flush with a front face defined by the stud member. While an attachment is provided for extending the box beyond the front face of the stud member for accommodating dry lining, the fact that an additional attachment is required results in a significant disadvantage in that additional assembly is required when assembling and securing the electrical box to the stud member, and also the requirement of an additional attachment adds significantly to lo the cost of the box and also the cost of installation of the box.

There is therefore a need for an electrical box which overcomes the problems of known electrical boxes.

The present invention is directed towards providing such an electrical box, and the invention is also directed towards a stud wall comprising the electrical box.

According to the invention there is provided an electrical box for mounting an electrical fitting recessed into a stud wall, the electrical box comprising a base wall, spaced apart first and second side walls extending from the base wall, and spaced apart first and second end walls extending from the base wall and joining the side walls, two mounting lugs extending from respective opposite ends of the first side wall adjacent the corresponding one of the first and second end walls, and one mounting lug extending from the first end wall adjacent an end thereof remote from 2s the first side wall, the mounting lug extending from the first side wall adjacent the first end wall being aligned with one of the other two mounting lugs for mounting the electrical box to a stud member of the stud wall with one of the first side wall and the first end wall extending parallel to the stud member, and being deformable for alignment with the other one of the two mounting lugs for mounting the electrical box to a stud member of the stud wall with the other one of the first side wall and the first end wall extending parallel to the stud member.

In one embodiment of the invention the mounting lug extending from the first side wall adjacent the first end wall is aligned with the mounting lug extending from the other end of the first side wall.

In another embodiment of the invention a mounting lug is provided extending from the second end wall adjacent an end thereof remote from the first side wall, and the mounting lug extending from the first side wall adjacent the second end wall is deformable to be algnable with the mounting lug extending from the second end wall for mounting the electrical box to a stud member with the second end wall extending parallel to the stud member.

Preferably, the respective mounting lugs extending from the first and second end walls are deformable to be alienable with each other for mounting the electrical box to a stud member with the second side wall extending parallel to the stud member.

In one embodiment of the invention each mounting lug extends in a plane parallel to a plane defined by the corresponding one of the side and end walls from which the mounting lug extends, and preferably, each mounting lug extends in a plane coinciding with a plane defined by the corresponding one of the side and end walls 2() from which the mounting lug extends.

Preferably, the side and end walls form with the base wall a hollow interior region, and peripheral edges of the respective side and end walls define an open mouth to the hollow interior region.

Advantageously, each mounting lug extends from the corresponding one of the side and end walls at a location spaced apart from the peripheral edge of the adjacent side or end wall defining the open mouth, so that the open mouth is proud of the mounting lugs for facilitating a portion of the electrical box adjacent the open mouth 3() to project through a lining panel lining the stud wall when the electrical box is secured to the stud member. s

In one embodiment of the invention a retaining lug extends from the end of each side and end wall from which a mounting lug does not extend for engaging a corresponding retaining slot in the adjacent one of the side and end walls for securing the first and second side walls to the first and second end walls. s

In another embodiment of the invention the electrical box is formed of sheet metal material. Preferably, the electrical box Is formed from a single sheet of sheet metal matenal. Advantageously, the electrical box Is formed from a blank cut from the sheet metal material. Ideally, the electrical box is formed by bending the blank. 1()

Alternatively, the electrical box is of plastics material, and in one embodiment of the invention the electrical box is of injection moulded plastics material.

In one embodiment of the invention the electrical box is sized for accommodating an electrical socket.

In another embodiment of the invention the electrical box is sized for accommodating a double electrical socket.

In a further embodiment of the invention the electrical box is sized for accommodating a single electrical socket.

In a still further embodiment of the invention the electrical box is sized for accommodating an electrical switch.

In another embodiment of the invention the electrical box is sized for accommodating an electrical connector for connecting cables.

In a further embodiment of the invention the electrical box is sized for accommodating a socket for a coaxial cable.

In a still further embodiment of the invention the electrical box is sized for accommodating a telephone socket.

In a further embodiment of the invention the electrical box is sized for accommodating a multi-pin computer data transmission socket. s:

In another embodiment of the invention the electrical box is sized for accommodating any one or more of the following sockets: a socket for a coaxial cable, a telephone socket, 1() a multi-pn computer data transmission socket.

The invention also provides a stud wall comprising at least one stud member and an electrical box according to the invention mounted on the stud member.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some preferred embodiments thereof which are given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an electrical box according to the invention 2() suitable for housing a single electrical socket or an electrical switch, Fig. 2 is a plan view of the electrical box of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the electrical box of Fig. 1, 2.S Fig. 4 Is an end elevational view of the electrical box of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 is a transverse cross-sectional front elevational view of the electrical I box of Fig 1 on the line V-V of Fig. 2, 3() fig. 6 is a cross-sectional plan view of a detail of the electrical box of Fig. 1, Fig. 7 Is a crosssectional end elevational view of another detail of the electrical box of Fig. 1, Fig. 8 is a front elevatonal view of the detail of Fig. 7, Fig. 9 is a plan view of a blank from which the electrical box of Fig. 1 is formed, Fig. 10 is a side view of a detail of the electrical box of Fig. 1, 1() Fig. 11 is a front developed view of the detail of Fig. 10 of the electrical box of Fig. 1, Fig. 12 is a partly cutaway front elevational view of a portion of a stud wall illustrating the electrical box of Fig. 1 mounted therein, Fig. 13 is a cross-sectonal side elevational view of the portion of the stud wall of Fig. 12, JO Fig. 14 Is a plan view of an electrical box according to another embodiment of the invention, Fig. 15 is a front elevational view of the electrical box of Fig. 14, 2s Fig. 16 is an end elevational view of the electrical box of Fig. 14, Fig. 17 is a plan view of a blank from which the electrical box of Fig. 14 Is formed, :() Fig. 18 is a plan view of an electrical box according to another embodiment of the invention, Fig. 19 is a front elevational view of the electrical box of Fig. 18, fig. 20 is an end elevational view of the electrical box of Fig. 18, s fig. 21 Is a plan view of a blank from which the electrical box of Fig. 18 is formed, Fig. 22 is a plan view of a detail of the electrical box of Fig. 18, Fig. 23 is a perspective view of an electrical box according to another embodiment of the invention, Fig. 24 Is a plan view of the electrical box of Fig. 23, and s Fig. 25 is a plan view of a blank from which the electrical box of Fig 23 is formed.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figs. 1 to 13 thereof, there is illustrated an electrical box according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 2() 1 for mounting an electrical fitting (not shown), for example, a single socket or an electrical switch, recessed in a stud wall 2 formed by vertically extending stud members 3, one of which is illustrated in fig. 12 and 13, lined on respective opposite sides with dry lining, in this case, plasterboard panels 4. The electrical box 1 is formed of sheet metal from a sheet metal blank 5 by appropriately bending the blank 5 along fold lines 8, see Fig. 9. The electrical box 1 comprises a base wall 9, first and second side walls 10 and 11, respectively, extending from the base wall 9, and first and second end walls 12 and 13, respectively, extending from the tease wall 9 and joining the first and second side walls 10 and 11. The first and second side and end walls 10 to 13 define with the base wall 9 a hollow interior region 15 for 3() accommodating the electrical fitting. The first and second side and end walls 10 to 13 terminate in respective peripheral edges 18 which define an open mouth 19 to the hollow interior region 15.

Two mounting lugs, namely, a first mounting lug 20 and a second mounting lug 21 extend from respective opposite ends of the first side wall 10 in the same plane as the plane defined by the first side wall 10 for mounting the electrical box 1 to one of s the stud members 3 of the stud wall 2. Two more mounting lugs, namely, a third mounting lug 23 and a fourth mounting lug 24 extend respectively from the first and second end walls 12 and 13 adjacent ends 25 of the first and second end walls 12 and 13 remote from the first side wall 10 also for mounting the electrical box 1 to one of the stud members 3 of the stud wall 2. The third and fourth mounting lugs 23 and lo 24 extend from the corresponding first and second end walls 12 and 13 in the same plane as the plane defined by the corresponding one of the first and second end walls 12 and 13. Screw accommodating holes 27 are provided in each mounting lug 20, 21, 23 and 24 for accommodating wood screws, self tappers or other suitable fixings for securing the electrical box 1 to one of the stud members 3 of the stud wall 2.

The electrical box 1 is initially provided with the first and second mounting lugs 20 and 21 extending from and in the plane defined by the first side wall 10 for mounting the electrical box 1 to one of the stud members 3 of the stud wall 2 with the first side wall 10 extending parallel to and abutting the stud member 3. However, the first and second mounting lugs 20 and 21 are also deformable along respective fold lines 28, so that one or both of the first and second mounting lugs 20 and 21 can be aligned with the corresponding one of the third and fourth mounting lugs 23 and 24 in the plane of the corresponding one of the first and second end walls 12 and 13, for facilitating mounting of the electrical box 1 to one of the stud members 3 with the appropriate one of the first or second end walls 12 and 13 extending parallel to and abutting the stud member 3. If desired, the third and fourth mounting lugs 23 and 24 may also be deformable along respective fold lines 30, as shown In broken lines in fig. 2, so that they are alienable with each other in the plane defined by the second so side wall 11 or parallel thereto for mounting the electrical box 1 to one of the stud members 3 with the second side wall 11 extending parallel to and abutting the stud member 3.

The four mounting lugs 20, 21, 23 and 24 extend from the corresponding ones of the first side wall 10 and the first and second end walls 12 and 13 at respective locations spaced apart from the peripheral edges 18 of the first and second side and end walls s 10 to 13, which define the open mouth 19, so that when the electrical box 1 is mounted to one of the stud members 3 with edges 31 of two of the mounting lugs 20, 21, 23 and 24 flush with a front face 32 of the stud member 3, a portion 34 of the electrical box 1 between the open mouth 19 defined by the peripheral edges 18 and the mounting lugs 20, 21, 23 and 24 sits proud of the stud member 3 through the plasterboard panel 4, with the open mouth 19 substantially flush with an outer surface 35 of the plasterboard panel 4. This permits a mounting flange of the electrical fitting to abut the peripheral edges 18 of the first and second side and end walls 10 to 13 when the mounting flange of the electrical fitting is abutting the plasterboard panel 4 of the stud wall 2.

Retaining lugs 37 extend from respective opposite ends of the second side wall 11 and from an end of each of the first and second end walls 12 and 13 from which the third and fourth mounting lugs 23 and 24 do not extend. The retaining lugs 37 which extend from the second side wall 11 are engageable with corresponding retaining slots 38 in the adjacent first and second end walls 12 and 13, while the retaining lugs 37 extending from the first and second end walls 12 and 13 are engageable with corresponding retaining slots 38 in the first side wall 10 for securing the first and second side and end walls together when the electrical box 1 is erected.

Mounting tabs 40 and 41 extend into the hollow interior region 15 from the first and second side and end walls 10 to 13, and are provided with threaded bores 43 for accommodating screws for securing the electrical fitting to the electrical box 1. The mounting tabs 40 extend directly from the first side wall 10 and the first end wall 12 and are formed by punching from the sheet metal material of the first side and end lo walls 10 and 12 and by bending along corresponding fold lines 45, see Fig. 9. Each mounting tab 41 Is formed of sheet metal and extends transversely from a mounting member 46 having a mounting slot 48 located therein. Respective mounting clips 49 formed by punching from the sheet metal material of the second side wall 11 and the second end wall 13, and by bending along corresponding pairs of fold lines 50 and 51 sldeably engage the mounting slot 48 in the corresponding mounting tab 41 for adjustably securing the mounting tabs 41 to the second side wall 11 and the second s end wall 13. The co-operating relative sliding movement between each mounting clip 49 and the mounting slot 48 in the corresponding mounting tab 41 provide sufficient adjustment of the position of the mounting tabs 41 along the second side and end walls 11 and 13 for facilitating alignment of the electrical fitting in the electrical box 1 in the event that the electrical box 1 is slightly off vertical or I o horizontal alignment.

A pair of arcuate bridging members 54 are punched from the base wall 9 into the hollow interior region 15, and are deformable for camping onto an earth wire (not shown) for earthing the electrical box 1.

Lines of weakness 55 define knockout discs 56 in the first and second end walls 12 and 13 and in the second side wall 11, which may be readily easily knocked out for accommodating one or more conduits into the electrical box 1.

In use, where it is desired to mount the electrical box 1 to one of the stud members 3 of the stud wall 2 with the first side wall 10 extending parallel to and abutting the stud member 3, the electrical box 1 with the first and second mounting lugs 20 and 21 aligned with each other in the plane of the first side wall 10 is offered up to the stud member 3 with the first side wall 10 and the first and second mounting lugs 20 and 21 abutting the stud member 3. The first and second mounting lugs 20 and 21 are positioned on the stud member 3 so that the edges 31 of the first and second mounting lugs 20 and 21 coincide with the front face 32 of the stud member 3. The electrical box 1 is secured to the stud member 3 by wood screws, self tappers or other suitable fixings through the screw accommodating holes 27 in the first and lo second mounting lugs 20 and 21. With the edges 31 of the first and second mounting lugs 20 and 21 coinciding with the front face 32 of the stud member 3, the portion 34 of the electrical box 1 extends forwardly of the stud member 3 so that the peripheral edges 18 of the first and second side and end walls 10 to 13 which define the open mouth 19 sit proud of the front face 32 of the stud member 3, and substantially coincide with the outer surface 35 of the plasterboard panel 4. The electrical fitting, for example, a single electrical socket fitting or an electrical switch is then secured to the electrical box 1 by screws into the threaded bores 43 of the appropriate one of the mounting tabs 40 and the appropriate one of the mounting tabs41 Should it be desired to mount the electrical box 1 with the first end wall 12 extending parallel to and abutting the stud member 3, the electrical box 1 is offered up to the stud member 3 with the first mounting lug 20 bent along the fold line 28, and aligned with the third mounting lug 23 in the plane of the first end wall 12. The edges 31 of the first and third mounting lugs 20 and 23 are aligned to coincide with the front face 32 of the stud member 3 as already described, and the electrical box is secured by the first and third mounting lugs 20 and 23 to the stud member 3 by wood screws, self tappers or other suitable fixings through the screw accommodating holes 27 as already described.

Should it be desired to mount the electrical box 1 to one of the stud members 3 of the stud wall 2 with the second end wall 13 extending parallel to and abutting the stud member 3, the second mounting lug 21 Is bent along the fold line 28 to lie in alignment with the fourth mounting lug 24 in the plane of the second end wall 13, and the electrical box is offered up to the stud member 3 and secured thereto as already described but In this case with the second end wall 13 and the second and the fourth mounting lugs 21 and 24 abutting the stud member 3.

Should it be desired to mount the electrical box 1 to one of the stud members 3 with the second side wall 11 extending parallel to and abutting the stud member 3, the third and fourth mounting lugs 23 and 24 are bent along the fold lines 30 to lie in alignment with each other In the plane of the second side wall 11 or parallel thereto.

The electrical box 1 is then offered up to the stud member 3 as already described, with the exception that the second side wall 11 and the third and fourth mounting l3 lugs 23 and 24 extend parallel to and abut the stud member 3.

Refernng now to figs. 14 to 17, there is illustrated an electrical box according to another embodiment of the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 60. The electrical box 60 is substantially similar to the electrical box 1 described with reference to Figs. 1 to 13, and similar components are identified by the same reference numerals. The main difference between the electrical box 60 and the electrical box 1 Is that the electrical box 60 is suitable for mounting an electrical fitting (not shown), such as a double socket unit or a multi-switch unit to a stud wall, l0 similar to the stud wall 2 In this embodiment of the invention, the first and second end walls 12 and 13 are longer than the first and second side walls 10 and 1 1 of the electrical box 1 in order to accommodate the double socket or mult'-switch unit, or other such sized electrical fitting. Additionally, in this embodiment of the invention only one mounting tab 40 and one mounting tab 41 are provided. Otherwise, the IS electrical box 60 is similar to the electrical box 1 and the mounting of the electrical box 60 to a stud member of a stud wall is similar to that described with reference to the electrical box 1.

Referring now to Figs. 18 to 22, there Is illustrated an electrical box according to a 2() further embodiment of the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 70. The electrical box 70 is substantially similar to the electrical boxes 1 and 60 and similar components are identified by the same reference numerals. The main difference between the electrical box 70 and the electrical box 1 is firstly that the electrical box 70 is of size similar to that of the electrical box 60, and secondly, the electrical box 70 is suitable for accommodating two electrical fittings (not shown), for example, two single switch units or two single socket units. However, in this case the first and second side walls 10 and 11 are longer than the first and second end walls 12 and 13. A transverse mounting member 71 extends centrally in the hollow Interior region 15, adjacent the open mouth 19, between the first and second side walls 10 and 11. Non- adJustable mounting tabs 72 extend from the transverse mounting member 71 for accommodating screws for securing the respective electrical fitting to the electrical box 70. Assembly lugs 74 extending at respective opposite ends from the transverse mounting member 71 engage corresponding assembly slots 75 in the first and second side walls 10 and 11 for securing the transverse mounting member 71 in the electrical box 70.

Two mounting tabs 40 are provided on the second side wail 11, and two adjustable mounting tabs 41 are provided on the first side wall 11. Adjustable mounting tabs 41 are also provided on the first and second end walls 12 and 13 for facilitating securing of the respective electrical fittings to the electrical box 70.

l o Otherwise, the electrical box 70 and its mounting to a stud member of a stud wall is similar to that of the electrical boxes 1 and 60, as already described.

Referring now to Fig. 23 to 25, there is illustrated an electrical box 80 according to a further embodiment of the invention. The electrical box 80 is substantially similar to Is the electrical box 1 described with reference to Figs. 1 to 13 and similar components are identified by the same reference numerals. The main difference between the electrical box 80 and the electrical box 1 is that the retaining lugs and retaining slots which were described In the electrical box 1 have been omitted, and replaced by retaining lugs 81 on the first and second end walls 12 and 13 for embracing the adjacent first and second side walls 10 and 11, for securing the first and second side walls 10 and 1 1 to the first and second end walls 12 and 13. Otherwise, the electrical box 80 and its mounting to a stud member of a stud wall is similar to that described with reference to the electrical box 1 of Figs. 1 to 13.

2s While the electrical boxes described with reference to the drawings have been described as being of sheet metal, it is envisaged that the electrical boxes may also be of plastics material, and typically, would be injection moulded of plastics material.

The electrical boxes when supplied would typically be supplied in the configuration Illustrated in Fig. 1 with the first and second mountinglugs aligned with each other and aligned in the plane of the first side wall 10, and the third and fourth mounting lugs extending in the plane of the corresponding first and second end walls.

Typically, only the first and second mounting lugs would be deformable to be Delectably alienable with the corresponding ones of the third and fourth mounting lugs, although, if desired, the third and fourth mounting lugs could also be deformable to be aligned with each other in the plane of the second side wall.

s Additionally, it is envisaged that while it is preferable, it is not essential that where the electrical boxes are constructed of sheet metal of a single sheet of material, they may be constructed from more than one single sheet of sheet metal.

It will also be appreciated that while the first, second, third and fourth mounting lugs lo have been described as being Initially aligned and lying in the plane of the side or end walls from which they extend, it is envisaged in certain cases that the first and second mounting lugs may be aligned with each other in a plane which does not coincide with the first side wall, but rather, is spaced apart from but parallel to the plane of the first side wall. Similarly, the third and fourth mounting lugs may be provided in a plane spaced apart from but parallel to the corresponding first and second end walls. Additionally, it is envisaged that the respective mounting lugs which are deformable, when deformed may be deformed into a plane which does not coincide with the plane of the corresponding side or end wall which is to be located adjacent the stud member, but rather, the mounting lugs when deformed may ire in a plane parallel to the plane of such side or end wall and spaced apart therefrom.

Additionally, while mounting lugs of particular shape and size have been described, the mounting lugs may be of any other desired shape or size. Needless to say, while the electrical boxes have been described as being mounted on a stud member 2s with the edges 31 of the mounting lugs coinciding with the front face of the stud member, in certain cases, it is envisaged that the mounting lugs may be secured to the stud member with the edges 31 thereof recessed rearwardly from the front face of the stud member, if, for example, the depth between the peripheral edges of the first and second side and end walls which define the open mouth and the edges 31 of the mounting lugs is greater than the thickness of the panel lining the stud member.

Needless to say, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the electrical boxes may be produced with the depth between the peripheral edges defined by the first and second side and end walls and the edges 31 of the mounting lugs of depth at least equal to the depth of the lining panel which is to line the stud wall.

While the electrical boxes have been described as being suitable for mounting an electrical fitting, such as a single or double electrical switch unit or a single or double electrical socket unit to a stud wall, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the to art that the electrical box may be used for mounting any electrical fitting, be it a connector, a socket, a switch or any other such electrical fitting to a stud wall. Such electrical fittings may, for example, be a socket for a coaxial cable, a telephone socket, or a multi-pin computer data transmission socket.

While the electrical boxes according to the invention have been described for recess mounting an electrical fitting, such as, for example, an electrical socket or an electrical switch or the like in a stud wall, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the electrical boxes according to the invention may be mounted in any other wall. 2()

While the electrical boxes have each been described as comprising four mounting lugs, it is envisaged In certain cases, that the electrical boxes may be provided with only three mounting lugs, for example, the first, second and third mounting lugs. In which case, the fourth mounting lug would be omitted. Where the electrical boxes are provided with the first, second and third mounting lugs, only the first mounting lug need be deformable. Needless to say, while all the mounting lugs have been described as being deformable, Irrespective of the number of mounting lugs provided on the electrical boxes, only one need be deformable, and the deformable mounting lug should be the mounting lug which is on the corner which is located between the 30, other two adjacent corners on which mounting lugs are provided.

Claims

Claims 1. An electrical box for mounting an electrical tatting recessed

into a stud wall, the electrical box comprising a base wall, spaced apart hrst and second side walls extending from the base wall, and spaced apart first and second end walls extending s from the base wall and joining the side walls, two mounting lugs extending from respective opposite ends of the first side wall adjacent the corresponding one of the hrst and second end walls, and one mounting lug extending from the hrst end wall adjacent an end thereof remote from the first side wall, the mounting lug extending from the first side wall adjacent the hrst end wall being aligned with one of the other lo two mounting lugs for mounting the electrical box to a stud member of the stud wall with one of the first side wall and the hrst end wall extending parallel to the stud member, and being deformable for alignment with the other one of the two mounting lugs for mounting the electrical box to a stud member of the stud wall with the other one of the first side wall and the first end wall extending parallel to the stud member.

2. An electrical box as claimed in Claim 1 in which the mounting lug extending from the first side wall adjacent the first end wall is aligned with the mounting lug extending from the other end of the first side wall.
2()
3. An electrical box as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 in which a mounting lug Is provided extending from the second end wall adjacent an end thereof remote from the first side wall, and the mounting lug extending from the first side wall adjacent the second end wall Is deformable to be alignable with the mounting lug extending from the second end wall for mounting the electrical box to a stud member with the second end wall extending parallel to the stud member.
4. An electrical box as claimed in Claim 3 in which the respective mounting lugs extending from the first and second end walls are deformable to be alienable with each other for mounting the electrical box to a stud member with the second side wall extending parallel to the stud member.
5. An electrical box as claimed in any preceding claim in which each mounting lug extends in a plane parallel to a plane defined by the corresponding one of the side and end walls from which the mounting lug extends.
6. An electrical box as claimed in any preceding claim in which each mounting s lug extends in a plane coinciding with a plane defined by the corresponding one of the side and end walls from which the mounting lug extends.
7. An electrical box as claimed in any preceding claim in which the side and end walls form with the base wall a hollow interior region, and peripheral edges of the l () respective side and end walls define an open mouth to the hollow interior region.
8. An electrical box as claimed in Claim 7 in which each mounting lug extends from the corresponding one of the side and end walls at a location spaced apart from the peripheral edge of the adjacent side or end wall defining the open mouth, so that l 5 the open mouth is proud of the mounting lugs for facilitating a portion of the electrical box adjacent the open mouth to project through a lining panel lining the stud wall when the electrical box is secured to the stud member.
9. An electrical box as claimed in any preceding claim in which a retaining lug 2() extends from the end of each side and end wall from which a mounting lug does not extend for engaging a corresponding retaining slot in the adjacent one of the side and end walls for securing the first and second side walls to the first and second end wails.

2.s
10. An electrical box as claimed in any preceding claim in which the electrical box is formed of sheet metal material.
11. An electrical box as claimed in Claim 10 in which the electrical box is formed from a single sheet of sheet metal material. 3()
12. An electrical box as claimed in Claim 10 or 11 in which the electrical box is formed from a blank cut from the sheet metal material.
13. An electrical box as claimed in Claim 12 in which the electrical box is formed by bending the blank.

s
14. An electrical box as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 9 in which the electrical box is of plastics material.
15. An electrical box as claimed in Claim 14 in which the electrical box is of injection moulded plastics material. 1()
16. An electrical box as claimed in any preceding claim in which the electrical box is sized for accommodating an electrical socket.
17. An electrical box as claimed in Claim 16 in which the electrical box is sized I S for accommodating a double electrical socket.
18. An electrical box as claimed in Claim 16 in which the electrical box is sized for accommodating a single electrical socket.
19. An electrical box as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 15 In which the electrical box is sized for accommodating an electrical switch.
20. An electrical box as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 15 in which the electrical box Is sized for accommodating an electrical connector for connecting cables. 2s
21. An electrical box as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 15 in which the electrical box is sized for accommodating a socket for a coaxial cable.
22. An electrical box as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 15 in which the electrical box is sized for accommodating a telephone socket.
23. An electrical box as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 15 in which the electrical box Is sized for accommodating a multi-pin computer data transmission socket.
24. An electrical box as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 15 in which the electrical box is sized for accommodating any one or more of the following sockets: s a socket for a coaxial cable, a telephone socket, a multi-pin computer data transmission socket.
25. An electrical box for mounting an electrical fitting recessed Into a stud wall, lo the electrical box being substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 13 of the accompanying drawings.
26. An electrical box for mounting an electrical fitting recessed into a stud wall, the electrical box being substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 14 to 17 of the accompanying drawings.
27. An electrical box for mounting an electrical fitting recessed into a stud wall, the electrical box being substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 18 to 22 of the accompanying drawings. 2()
28. An electrical box for mounting an electrical fitting recessed into a stud wall, the electrical box being substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 23 to 25 of the accompanying drawings.

2s
29. A stud wall composing at least one stud member and an electrical box as claimed in any preceding claim mounted on the stud member.