CN101779353A - Service outlet floor box - Google Patents

Abstract

A floor box for user line outlets, comprising a base assembly (5) and a cover frame assembly (7), the cover frame assembly (7) being used to be fixed to the base assembly (5). The cover frame assembly (7) comprises a cover frame (35) for fixing to the base assembly (5) and a cover (37) pivotally mounted on the cover frame (35) in the region of the upper first edge. A second edge of the cover (37), opposite the first edge, comprises three protrusions (48, 51) between which two grooves are defined. The cover (37) is formed partly from a molding of plastics material and partly from a metal plate (39) which protrudes into each of the three protrusions (48, 51). Metal handles (45) are slidably fitted in grooves in the cover, the grooves being closed at their inner ends to prevent the handles from contacting the cables. A locking module (157) is detachably secured to the cover. The cable outlet units (141) are mounted on the cover frame assembly (107), while the cable holders (153) are fixed below them.

Description

Subscriber line outlet floor box

The present invention relates to service outlet boxes and in particular to under-floor service box, referred to herein as service floor box.

Service outlet boxes are commonly used in offices, factories or other commercial premises where electrical or electronic equipment is required at various locations. These service outlet boxes are usually fitted in the floor. Electrical or electronic equipment available from these service outlet boxes may include, for example, telephones, Internet, networking and other telecommunication or data related equipment, and electricity. The subscriber outlet box for installation in a floor space is particularly advantageous in offices or buildings where a flexible use of space within the building is required. Providing these service outlet boxes in several locations within the floor space may, for example, enable the floor space to be partitioned and readily accessible with quick-fit bulkheads without having to route cables through or from walls in the partitioned space.

Designing a service outlet floor box that meets the minimum requirements is relatively straightforward, and there are many designs of these junction boxes available today. However, it has been found that details of the design of such junction boxes may be important in improving the safety, ease of operation, or cost of such floor boxes. These details have therefore been the subject of further research and development. Well known floor boxes usually consist of a base assembly and a cover assembly which is mounted on top of the base assembly, whereas in this type of junction box the design of the cover assembly has a major impact on the user since that is what the user specifically interacts with part.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an improved floor box for subscriber line outlets.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the subscriber outlet floor box includes a base assembly and a cover frame assembly for fixing to the base assembly, and the cover frame assembly includes a cover frame and a cover for fixing to the on the base assembly, and the cover is pivotally mounted on the cover frame in the region of a first edge, wherein a second edge of the cover opposite the first edge includes a series of raised portions which together define the Grooves for the passage between the outside and the inside of the junction box, the first protruding part is provided between the two grooves, and the second and third protruding parts are on the corresponding opposite sides of the two grooves, and the cover At least partly formed of plastic material and at least partly formed of a metal plate protruding into each of the first, second and third protruding parts for reinforcing those parts.

By providing a cover of composite construction partly of plastic material and partly of sheet metal as described above, a particularly robust cover assembly can be provided. A particularly important feature is that the metal plate protrudes into each of the first, second and third raised portions in order to stiffen all of those portions, while the floor box is suitably positioned to withstand vertical loads applied to any of those portions. Even though the parts may be small, additional machining may be required in order to form the raised parts, it has been found that the extra cost is worthwhile in providing a stronger product.

The metal plate preferably extends substantially across the entire cover. In that case, the additional strength provided by the sheet metal extends substantially across the entire cover.

The cover is preferably partially formed from a molding of plastics material, and the molding preferably extends around the entire cover. In the embodiments of the invention described below, the molding defines the periphery of the lid, but it also extends over the middle portion of the lid. Moldings of plastics material can easily be made to have various parts, such as pivot moldings incorporated therein, while the sheet metal provides more structural strength of the cover.

Although more than three projections can be provided along the second edge of the cover, three projections are usually sufficient, and in the illustrated embodiment of the invention described below, there are three projections along the side edge of the cover. portion, and the second and third raised portions are disposed toward opposite ends of the second edge of the cover.

The first raised portion is preferably disposed approximately midway along the second edge of the cover. The second and third raised portions are then preferably arranged symmetrically on opposite sides of the first raised portion.

The handle is preferably mounted in the region of, more preferably on, the first raised portion of the cover.

The metal plate may be formed with one or more reinforcing structures, such as by pressing grooves formed in the plate. One or more structures are provided in the metal plate portion which protrudes into the first protruding portion.

Preferably, the cover includes a metal handle including one or more arms that are slidably seated in one or more grooves in the cover and are used to mount the handle for use in the retracted position and the extended Sliding movement between regions in which the one or more arms are primarily housed in one or more grooves in the retracted position, and in the extended region where the one or more arms protrude from the grooves, the grooves Internally plugged at one or both ends to prevent contact of one or more of the aforementioned arms with the cables inside the junction box. Blocking the groove, preferably by closing the inner ends of the groove, significantly increases safety by excluding the risk of the metal arm of the handle coming into contact with the cable inside the terminal box, where contact of said metal arm with the cable cannot take place to strip its insulation .

The metal handle preferably includes a pair of arms that are slidably seated in recesses in the cover. The metal handle preferably has a generally inverted U-shape, with each arm defining a limb of the U, the or each arm preferably taking the shape of a rod. This form of handle is simple to produce, while at the same time providing means for lifting the cover of the junction box which can be easily gripped by the user.

The metal handle preferably has a handle portion which, when the handle is in the retracted position, is positioned next to the outer surface of the cover, the outer surface of the cover being grooved in the region of the handle portion for enabling the user to grip the handle portion. The slotting of the outer surface of the cover can be achieved by saving plastic material in the molding in the area of the handle part, so that the plastic material has a reduced depth or is absent in that area.

The free or both ends of the one or more arms of the handle preferably include lateral projections for engaging a portion of the cover to retain the one or more arms in the one or more grooves. In the embodiment of the invention described below, the handle has two arms, and the free ends of the arms are each provided with a lateral projection which engages a part of the cover in the top of the recess, thus preventing The arm comes completely out of the groove.

The handle is preferably provided in the region of the first protruding portion of the cover.

In a preferred embodiment, the cover is pivotally mounted in the region of a first edge of the frame of the cover for movement between a closed position and an open position, the locking module receiving station being provided on the cover and/or the cover frame in contact with the second In a second area of the cover on the opposite edge, and the locking module is also provided for detachable fixing at the locking module receiving station, the locking module includes a latch, which can be locked when the locking module is fixed to the junction box. Movement between a latched position in which the lid remains in the closed position and an unlocked position in which the lid is free to move to the open position. By providing a detachably fixed locking module, it is a simple matter for the user to choose between a junction box with such a locking function and a junction box without such a function or a junction box with a different kind of locking function; For example, a locking module may be provided with or without a lock.

Preferably, a further module is provided for securing the locking module in place at the locking module receiving station. This other module may be a blank module, used to fill the space that the latch module can occupy; in that case, with the blank module assembled, the lid can usually be opened and closed without any latch. As mentioned above, the other module may be a locking module containing a lock, which may be a key operated lock.

The locking module can be provided on the cover frame or the cover, but preferably the module is provided on the cover. The locking module receiving station is preferably provided in the region of the first protruding portion of the cover.

The lockout module is preferably a slide fit at the lockout module receiving station. The sliding fit is preferably a tongue and groove fit. Slip fits, especially tongue and groove fits, provide a simple and convenient method of removably securing the latching modules.

Preferably, the latching module is detachable from its receiving station when the lid is open and not detachable when the lid is closed. In that case the latch is fully effective with the closed lid, and can be easily removed when the lid is open.

The cable outlet unit is preferably disposed within the second edge of the cover in the space between the cover frame and the cover, while the cable outlet unit is movable between a closed position and an open position in which there is a gap between the cover frame and the cover. The space of is substantially closed, while in the open position defines the cable opening in the top of the floor box for enabling cables to pass through the opening. The provision of such a cable outlet unit provides a particularly advantageous arrangement for the passage of cables out of the junction box.

It is also preferred to provide a cable retainer mounted below the cable outlet unit in the cover frame and comprising a pair of flexible arms extending outwardly from the base and positioned between the cable openings. Below, the cable opening is defined when the cable outlet unit is in its open position. The combination of cable holder and cable outlet unit provides a particularly advantageous combination in terms of cable management, which is an important aspect of floor box design.

Each flexible arm preferably comprises a first portion extending away from the base of the cable retainer, a second portion extending from an end of the first portion spaced from the base and a third portion extending towards the other arm , while the third portion extends from the end of the second portion spaced apart from the first portion and in the direction of the base of the cable holder.

Preferably, a pair of cable outlet units is provided, and likewise, a pair of cable holders are provided, each cable holder being provided below a corresponding cable outlet unit. The cable outlet unit is preferably provided in the region of the two grooves between the first, second and third parts.

The cable outlet units are preferably rotatably mounted for movement between their closed and open positions.

Preferably, the cable outlet unit is mounted on the cover rather than the cover frame.

The top of the cable outlet unit is preferably flush with the top of the cover when the cable outlet unit is in the closed position. Additionally, the cable outlet unit is preferably contained beneath the top of the cover when the cable outlet unit is in the open position.

The metal handle has one or more grooves for placing the arms, said grooves being blocked to prevent the said one or more arms from coming into contact with the internal cables of the junction box, the peculiarity of this metal handle itself is that it can be combined not only with the above mentioned types It is a new feature that can be used together with other types of covers. Therefore, in a second aspect, the present invention provides a floor box for service outlets, the junction box comprising a base assembly and a cover frame assembly for fixing to the base assembly, the cover frame assembly comprising a cover frame and a cover , the cover frame is fixed to the base assembly, and the cover is pivotally mounted on the cover frame, wherein the cover includes a metal handle including one or more arms, the one or more arms slidably Received in one or more grooves in the cover and used to mount the handle for sliding movement between a retracted position and an extended position in which the one or more arms are primarily received in one or more In the extended position, the one or more arms protrude from the groove, and the inner or both ends of the one or more grooves are blocked to prevent the one or more arms from connecting with the wiring. The cable contacts inside the box.

The feature of the detachable fixation of the locking module on the receiving station of the locking module is itself a new feature of its ability to be used not only with composite covers of the above-mentioned kind, but also with other types of covers. Therefore, in a third aspect, the present invention provides a subscriber line outlet floor box, the junction box includes a base assembly and a cover frame assembly for fixing to the base assembly, the cover frame assembly includes a cover frame and a cover , the cover frame is intended to be fixed to the base assembly, and the cover is pivotally mounted in the region of the first edge of the cover frame for movement between a closed position and an open position, wherein the latching module receiving station is located at In the area of the second edge of the cover opposite to the first edge on the cover and/or cover frame, and the locking module is also provided for detachably fixed in the locking module receiving station, the locking module includes a latch, when the locking module is fixed to When on the junction box, the latch is movable between a latched position in which the cover remains in the closed position and an unlocked position in which the cover is free to move into the open position.

Likewise, the characteristics of the cable outlet unit and the cable holder provided below the cable outlet unit are novel features that can be used not only with composite covers of the above-mentioned kind, but also with other types of covers. Therefore, in a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a subscriber line outlet floor box, the junction box comprising a base assembly and a cover frame assembly for fixing to the base assembly, the cover frame assembly comprising a cover frame and a cover , the cover frame is used for fixing to the base assembly, and the cover is pivotally mounted in the area of the first edge of the cover frame, wherein the cable outlet unit is provided in the area of the second edge of the cover opposite to the first edge In the space between the cover frame and the cover, while the cable outlet unit is movable between a closed position in which the space between the cover frame and the cover is substantially closed and an open position defining a floor A cable opening in the top of the box to allow cables to pass through the opening and a cable holder mounted therein below the cable outlet unit in the cover frame and comprising a pair of flexible arms that A sex arm extends outwardly from the base and is positioned below a cable opening that is defined when the cable outlet unit is in its open position.

It should be appreciated that features described with reference to one or more aspects of the invention may be equally applicable to other aspects of the invention, as will be appreciated that the subscriber line outlet floors of the second, third and fourth aspects of the invention The box may also comprise the features of the first aspect of the invention including features relating to the composite material properties of the lid which may for example comprise metal in the second, third and fourth aspects of the invention The metal plate does not protrude into all of the first, second and third protruding parts, but only protrudes into some of them, or even does not protrude into any of them.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a floor structure is provided, the floor structure includes a floor and a floor box for subscriber line outlets in the floor, the floor box for subscriber line outlets is compatible with any aspect of the present invention, and the floor structure may include multiple A subscriber line outlet floor box. The floor structure may include one or more cables in the floor that terminate at terminals defined by receptacles inside the service outlet floor box to which another cable may be attached for connection to a on the unit above the floor in the area where the wires exit the floor box. (The term "cable" is used to include any electrical, electronic or optical cord, wire, wiring, fiber or the like capable of carrying signals or power from one location to another.) The floor structure is preferably part of a building.

Different embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the schematic drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of a base assembly of a leveled floor outlet box according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an isometric view of a cover frame assembly for the leveled floor outlet box of the first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3a is an exploded view of the base assembly for the leveled floor outlet box of the first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3b is a partially exploded view of the cover frame assembly of Figure 2;

Fig. 4 is a schematic plan view of the socket device in the leveling floor outlet box of the first embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view of the socket device in the leveling floor outlet box of the first embodiment of the present invention, showing the plug placed in the socket;

Figure 6a is an isometric view of a portion of the cover of the leveling floor outlet box of Figures 1-3b;

Figure 6b is a close up view of the handle shown in Figure 6a;

Figure 6c is an isometric view showing the underside of the portion of the lid of Figure 6a;

Figure 7 is an isometric view of the base frame of the raised floor box of the second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8 is an isometric view of a cover frame assembly for a raised floor box of a second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 9a is an exploded view of the base assembly for the raised floor box of the second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 9b is an exploded view of the cover frame assembly for the raised floor box of the second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 10a is an isometric view of a portion of the cover frame assembly of the raised floor box of Figures 7-9b;

Figure 10b is a close up view of the cable holder shown in Figure 10a;

Figure 11a is an isometric view of a portion of a cover assembly for a raised floor box of a second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 11b is a close up view of the locking module shown in Figure 11a;

Figure 12 is an isometric view of the base frame of the troweled floor box of the third embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 13 is an isometric view of a cover frame assembly for a flush floor box of a third embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 14a is an exploded view of the base assembly of the flush floor box of the third embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 14b is an exploded view of the cover frame assembly for the flush floor box of the third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 1-6c shows the leveling floor outlet box according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The outlet box comprises two main parts: a base assembly 5 and a cover frame assembly 7 which is mountable on the base assembly.

The base assembly 5 of the outlet box is shown in Figure 1 in its packaged ready-to-install form. Thus, the base assembly includes the screed cover 3 . The screed cover 3 generally remains in place after the base assembly 5 is installed on the floor and prevents the ingress of foreign bodies into the base framework during construction of the rest of the floor, and especially during laying of the screed. The leveling deck cover 3 is removed when the cover frame assembly 7 (Figs. 2 and 3a) is installed.

Referring first to the base assembly 5 in detail, the structure of the assembly is mainly defined by the main base frame 9 . The main base frame 9 defines a cuboid having a square base 11, four sides 13, and an open top. It is formed from a single piece of galvanized steel sheet. During manufacture, suitably dimensioned plates are punched or stamped from a solid sheet of steel (during this punching/stamping operation, the various openings and fixing holes in the main base frame are also formed in the plate). The panels are then folded in a suitable manner so that the main base frame 9 achieves the cuboid shape shown in Figures 1 and 3a.

The four sides 13 of the main base frame 9 extend vertically upward from the bottom surface 11 . The side 13 comprises a lateral extension 13a which is folded over a right angle and spot welded to the adjacent side. This corner flange arrangement provides additional stiffness to the base frame and improves the ability to seal the screed outlet box at its corners.

Each side 13 has a rectangular opening 14 which may be covered by a side panel 15a or 15b. Side panels are secured to the portion of the base frame structure surrounding the opening. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1-6c, the two opposing side panels 15a are made of steel plate and include three openings (not shown) for receiving cables (not shown). The other two side panels 15b are also made of sheet metal and close the sides of the frame to which they are connected.

A laterally inwardly projecting flange 17 is located on the upper edge of each opening 14 in each side. These flanges 17 are formed by portions folded sideways inwards towards the middle of the base frame 9 . The flanges 17 serve a dual function; they support the auxiliary tray 19 and also provide increased structural rigidity to the base.

Four ratchet sleeves 21 are placed inside the main base frame 9 (one ratchet sleeve is arranged on the inside of each corner of the base frame). Each ratchet housing 21 is a one-piece plastic moulding, and is attached to the bottom surface 11 of the base frame 9 by screws inserted from below the base frame. The ratchet housing 21 is mounted to receive a ratchet pin 23 in the cover frame assembly (see Figures 2 and 3b below).

There are also four struts 25 attached to the bottom surface of the base frame 9 . The struts 25 are held in place on the bolts which are inserted from below the base frame. Each strut 25 has internal threads extending through its central bore. The upper part of the strut thus also provides a securing location for short bolts which are inserted through holes in the auxiliary tray 19 to secure the tray in place. The uprights 25 also support the tray 19 at a height above the bottom surface of the base frame 9 so that cables or the like can be accommodated in the floor box. Two dividers 27 and two divider adjusters 29 are provided inside the base frame 9 for managing and separately laying cables (not shown).

The top surface of the base frame 9 is open for accommodating the auxiliary tray 19, the cover frame assembly 7 and other related components described below.

Figures 4 and 5 (see now in particular these Figures 4 and 5) are schematic plan views showing the auxiliary tray and the socket of the subscriber line outlet box of the first embodiment of the present invention. For clarity, the cover frame assembly and other surrounding structures are not shown.

The auxiliary tray 19 has a central cutout portion 31 (see FIG. 3a ) through which three pairs 61a, 61b, 61c of sockets 63 are exposed. The socket 63 can take many different forms, however, in the first embodiment of the invention, the socket 63 is for a BS 1363 three-pin electrical plug. Other embodiments of the invention (not shown) include sockets for telecommunication devices, data transfer devices, two-prong plugs, and the like. The socket is located at the termination of a cable (not shown) that feeds into the base of the junction box (the term "cable" is intended to include any electronic, electrical or optical cord, wire, lead, fiber, or the like.) In the first and other embodiments, all sockets share the common feature that they are adapted to receive a plug attached to a cable that faces in a direction extending perpendicular to the direction in which the plug is inserted into the receptacle.

In a first embodiment of the invention, all sockets are coplanar.

According to the well known sockets for BS 1363 three-pin electrical plugs, each socket 63 comprises three rectangular openings 65 arranged in a triangular pattern for receiving the corresponding pins on the plug. The triangular form has a height (indicated by h in Figure 4) and a width (indicated by W in Figure 4).

Each pair of sockets 61a, 61b, and 61c includes two sockets 63 disposed adjacent to each other in side-by-side relationship. The first pair 61a (set towards the bottom of the sheet in Figures 4 and 5), the second pair 61b (set towards the center of the sheet in Figures 4 and 5) and the third pair 61c (set towards the bottom of the sheet in Figures 4 and 5 upper set) arranged in parallel rows. Each row is parallel to the lower edge 67 of the outlet box (ie parallel to the width W direction of the outlet box).

All sockets 63 in the outlet box have the same orientation. The socket orientation is such that when the plug 69 is received in one of the sockets 63 of the second pair of sockets 61b (see FIG. 5 ), the cable 71 is directed away from the plug 69 in a direction perpendicular to the width W of the outlet box and through the cord exit 41 (not shown in Figures 4 and 5) extends. The portion of the cable 71 extending directly away from the plug lies in a plane parallel to the top of the outlet box. In the first embodiment of the invention, the cables 17 are thus located in a plane parallel to the plane containing the load plate 39 (when the cover is in the closed position).

The respective pairs of sockets 61a, 61b, 61c are each placed in substantially identical rectangular modular parts (mounted in the base assembly). The modular components of the second (middle) pair of sockets 61b are staggered relative to the first and third (lower and upper) pairs of sockets 61a, 61c. Staggering is in a direction parallel to the width W of the triangular structure (and parallel to the width W of the outlet box). The pairs of sockets are staggered such that no rectangular opening 65 in the sockets of the second pair 61b overlaps any opening 65 in each socket (the superposition takes into account a direction parallel to the width W of the triangular structure).

The pairs of sockets 61a, 61b, 61c are thus staggered such that the cable 71 extending directly away from the plug 69 passes between the first pair of sockets 61a (see Figure 5). Thus, the plugs received in the first pair of sockets do not interfere with the cables 71 extending away from the second pair of plugs 69 . Thus, this arrangement relieves unwanted stress on the plug 69 when a large number of outlets are occupied.

Referring now back to Figures 1 and 3a, the exterior of the base assembly 5 has fixed brackets 33 rotatably mounted on the outside of each corner. Each stand 33 is movable between a deployed position (not shown) and a stored position (shown in Figures 1 and 3a). The brackets 33 are each stamped from sheet metal and are defined by two plate portions which are folded such that they are at right angles to each other. In the storage position, the two plate parts lie flush with the sides of the base assembly 5 . In the deployed position, each bracket protrudes outwardly from a corner of the base and defines a fixed plate parallel to the bottom surface 11 of the base frame 9 . The bracket 33 thus defines a fixed position at which the base frame 9 can be attached to the floor substrate. In the stored position, the stand is rotated upwards by 90° from the deployed position and thus lies flush with the side of the substrate.

Each fixed bracket 33 is attached to the base assembly with a rivet passing through the lower plate portion of the bracket and through an aperture in the base frame 9 . The mount to the base frame is a friction fit (ie there is a slight resistance to rotation which can be overcome by, for example, the user pulling the top of the mount away from the frame).

Well known screed floor boxes typically comprise a multi-piece modular base frame (eg a floor with casts attached to each corner and side walls attached to the floor). These floor boxes are often secured directly to the floor substrate through the corners of the floor. The bracket assembly of the first embodiment of the present invention provides a number of advantages over the screed outlet box described above. For example, the stent in the deployed position extends outwardly from the interior of the base frame. The screed box of the first embodiment of the present invention therefore does not collect debris and foreign bodies when attached to the floor (as can be a problem in well known screed boxes). In addition, the bracket device provides a less expensive fixation device, especially when used in conjunction with an integral base frame. Still further, the brackets are less prone to damage during transport, handling or installation of the floor box than the corners of the floor in well known screed floor boxes.

Referring now to FIG. 3b in detail and the cover frame assembly 7, the cover frame assembly 7 generally includes a cover frame 35, four ratchet pins 23, a cover 37, and a load plate 39, the cover 37 being molded of a plastic material and hinged to the cover frame 35, while the load plate 39 has a pair of cord outlets 41 associated with the cover.

The cover frame 35 is a unitary plastic molding and includes a hole 43 at the interior of each corner in which one of the ratchet pins 23 is placed. The ratchet pin is held in the hole 43 by a snap fit which enables the ratchet pin to rotate about its axis in the hole but retains the pin axially in the hole 43 .

The cover frame 35 has dimensions complementary to the bottom surface of the base assembly 5 . Thus, when the lid frame assembly 7 is lowered onto the base 5 , the four ratchet pins 23 are placed in the ratchet pockets 21 within the base assembly 5 .

The ratchet pin 23 and the ratchet sleeve 21 together define a ratchet mechanism at each of the four corners of the terminal box which is selectively available for movement in a direction along the axis of the ratchet pin 23 . The cover frame 35 of the terminal box can thus be moved relative to the base 5 via the ratchet mechanism 21 , 23 . This ensures that the cover is both (a) flush and level with the surrounding floor and (b) secured in place. The ratchet mechanism also enables the cover to self-level over time if there is settling or movement of the floor or its covering over time.

The ratchet pin 23 can be twisted by 90° about its axis between a locked position and a released position. In the locked position, the ratchet mechanism defined by the ratchet pin 23 and the ratchet sleeve 21 prevents the cover frame 35 from being lifted off the base of the junction box. In the released position, the ratchet mechanism is disengaged. Thus, when the ratchet pins 23 of all four ratchet mechanisms are twisted to the released position, the cover frame 35 and cover 37 can be lifted off and completely removed from the base 5 of the junction box. To facilitate twisting of the ratchet pins 23 between the locked and released positions, each ratchet pin is provided with a protrusion 23a at the top which can be manipulated by a user to rotate the ratchet pin about its axis. The orientation of the protrusion 23a also makes it easy to identify the status of the ratchet pin.

Cover 37 is hinged to cover frame 35 along the rear edge of cover frame 35 (as shown in FIG. 3 ). Thus, the cover 37 is movable from a closed position (as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 ) to an open position (not shown) to provide access to the interior of the junction box, and thus access to the terminal block exposed through the cutout in the auxiliary tray 39. socket.

In order to facilitate the opening and closing of the cover 37, an inverted U-shaped handle 45 is provided. The downwardly extending arms of the handle 45 are slidably mounted in two cylindrical housings 47 within the cover (but with inwardly bent ends constrained at the top of the cylindrical housings so that they cannot be completely removed). The top of the handle 45 therefore sits flush with the cover surface when the cover is not in use, but can be raised slightly away from the cover surface to give the user a better grip when the cover 37 is to be opened. The handle and cylindrical housing are shown in more detail in Figures 6a-6c.

The underside of each cylindrical case 47 is closed. This rules out the possibility of the handle arm touching any cables inside the outlet box.

During use of the outlet box, cables from the plug to the socket come out of the outlet box via the cable outlet 41 through the cover. The cable outlet 41 is rotatably mounted on the cover 37 and is movable between a closed position (see FIG. 2 ) in which the cable outlet 41 is flush with the cover assembly 7 and an open position in which the cable The outlet 41 is raised above the surface to allow cables to pass from the outlet box.

The cover frame assembly 7 includes a metal load plate 39 which is bonded to the cover 37 . The load plate 39 supports and distributes the loads experienced by the outlet box during use (eg, loads caused by a person walking or standing on the box). The load plate 39 is cut at the position of the rope exit and thus comprises on its front edge three protrusions between which two grooves are defined. The middle protrusion 48 includes two scalloped grooves 49 in its top surface in order to improve the stiffness/load bearing capacity of the board and also provide easy access to the shank. The two side protrusions 51 are flat.

When the cover is assembled, the outer protrusions of the load plate 39 are located below corresponding protruding molded parts of the cover. A dummy module 57 (comprising integral plastic moulding) is fitted over the central protrusion 48 . In other embodiments, the dummy module can be replaced by, for example, a locking module. The provision of three protrusions provides improved load bearing capacity to the floor box.

Figures 7-11b show a raised floor box of a second embodiment of the invention. Parts of the second embodiment of the invention corresponding to similar parts of the first embodiment of the invention are designated by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, but preceded by a prefix "1" (or where appropriate Add "10" in place).

As described with reference to the screed outlet box of the first embodiment of the present invention, the floor box comprises two main parts: a base assembly 105 and a cover frame assembly 107 which is mountable on the base assembly 105 .

Referring first to the base assembly 105 of Figures 7 and 9a, the base assembly includes a raised floor box pan 109 having a square bottom surface 111, a first pair of opposing baffle sides 115b and a second pair of sides 115a , each with six entry holes for underfloor cables. The upper surface of the floor box tray 109 is open and is mounted to receive the auxiliary tray 119, two divider plates 127 and four ratchet sleeves 121, as described below.

The sub-tray 119 comprises a one-piece panel having two folded-down flanges 132 on two opposed edges thereof, and folded-up flanges 132 on the other two opposed edges. Each flange 132 acts as a mounting bracket and is secured to the sides 115a, 115b of the floor box pan 109 . The sub-tray 119 is mounted on the floor box pan 109 such that the sub-tray rises from the bottom surface of the base frame to provide cable pass-through holes and access below the sub-tray 119 . Two divider plates 127 are mounted below the auxiliary tray 119 in order to manage cables and prevent interference between different sets of cables.

The auxiliary tray 119 has a central cutout 131 having the same shape as that described with reference to the first embodiment but rotated by 90° in the counterclockwise direction. Three pairs of sockets (each pair comprising two adjacent BS 1363 sockets in side-by-side relationship) are mounted on the auxiliary tray (the sockets are not shown in Figures 7 and 9a). The receptacles are equally oriented; that orientation is such that when the plug is placed in one of the receptacles, the cable runs directly away from the plug in a direction parallel to the width of the outlet box, and generally to the right in Figures 7 and 9a. The rope is then steered through an approximately right angle so that it passes through the rope exit 141 .

The pairs of sockets are staggered in a direction parallel to the width of the triangular structure (and perpendicular to the width of the floor box). The pairs of sockets are therefore staggered so that cables directed away from a plug placed in one of the sockets in the middle pair pass between the two sockets of the pair to the right of it (see orientation shown in Figures 7 and 9b). Therefore, the plugs placed in the right pair of receptacles tend not to interfere with the extension of the cable away from the middle centered plug.

Inside each corner of the floor box pan 109, a ratchet housing 121 is provided for receiving a ratchet pin 123 in the cover frame assembly 107. The ratchet pin 123/ratchet sleeve 121 arrangement functions substantially as described herein with reference to the ratchet mechanism of the first embodiment.

The cover frame assembly 107 (see Figures 8 and 9b) is substantially as described with reference to the cover frame assembly of the first embodiment of the invention. In addition, however, cover assembly 107 includes a pair of cable retainers and a cover locking mechanism, as described in more detail below.

As shown in more detail in FIGS. 10 a and 10 b , a respective cable retainer 153 is associated with each cord outlet 141 and is mounted on the cover frame 135 below each outlet. Each cable holder 153 includes a pair of L-shaped flexible arms 155 . The pair of arms 155 face each other with only a small gap (less than the diameter of the cable) between them in their unstressed position. Furthermore, the end of each arm 155 is inward toward the base of the cable holder 153 . Therefore the cable holder 153 can easily manipulate the cable through the small gap and into the cable holder 153 (for example by pressing the cable firmly against the arms 155 while bending and separating them to provide passage for the cable), but prohibits Remove the cable from the holder 153 . To remove the cable, the user must bend at least one arm inwardly and pull the cable outward through the gap between the two arms.

The lid locking mechanism 157 is shown in detail in Figures 11a and 11b. The locking mechanism 157 is a self-contained module that fits onto the cover 137 by a tongue and groove arrangement on the locking mechanism/cover. When assembled, the locking mechanism 157 partially covers the middle protrusion of the load plate 139 and the scalloped recess 149 therein. The locking mechanism 157 includes a latch 158 that is rotatably mounted in a locked position (in which the latch 158 engages a groove in the lid frame) and an unlocked position (in which the latch 158 Entirely located within the lid locking mechanism). The latch 158 is moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position by inserting a screwdriver into the top of the lid locking mechanism 157 . The cover mechanism thus provides a simple and effective method by which the sub-floor box junction box can be locked to prevent unwanted interference with the cables therein.

Because the cover locking mechanism is a self-contained module, it can easily be replaced by a similarly sized dummy module that does not have the locking mechanism fitted, but can still be placed in a tongue and groove arrangement (as in the first embodiment of the present invention). as in the examples). Such a dummy module may for example simply be a solid monolithic moulding. This provides manufacturers and/or sellers greater flexibility in the range of products they can sell at a lower cost. It also enables the user to select or upgrade the functionality of the floor box (if both dummy and locking mechanism modules are supplied).

Figures 12-14b show a flush floor box of a third embodiment of the invention. The components in the third embodiment of the present invention corresponding to the components in the first embodiment of the present invention are represented by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, but with a prefix "2" (or where appropriate Add "20" in place).

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 14 a , base assembly 205 includes auxiliary tray 231 , mounting plate 259 and four ratchet sleeves 221 .

The secondary tray 219 is square and has raised side walls along each edge. The two opposite side walls of the auxiliary tray include flanges 219a which are bent outwards so as to be able to secure the auxiliary tray 219 to the underside of the mounting plate 259 . The auxiliary tray 219 has a central cutout 231 substantially as described with reference to the first embodiment, and the floor box is fitted with three pairs of sockets (not shown) in a staggered arrangement.

Mounting plate 259 is rectangular (wider than sub-tray 219 , but only slightly longer), and thus protrudes more out of the sides of sub-tray 219 . Four ratchet sleeves 221 are fixed to the upper surface of the mounting plate 259 at positions above the four corners of the auxiliary tray 219 .

The cover assembly 207 is substantially the same as that of the second embodiment of the present invention. The ratchet pin 223 of the cover assembly is seated in the ratchet housing 221 of the base frame.

It should be appreciated that components described with reference to one embodiment of the invention may be equally applicable to other embodiments of the invention. For example, according to a fourth embodiment of the invention (not shown), a screed outlet box mounted according to the first embodiment of the invention is provided, but additionally includes a cover locking module (as described with reference to the second embodiment) ).

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with reference to some specific examples, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is applicable to many different modifications not specifically exemplified herein. The reader should also be aware that wholes or parts of the invention which are said to be preferred, advantageous, convenient or the like are the best and do not limit the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (57)

1. service outlet floor box, comprise base assembly and lid frame assemblies, this lid frame assemblies is used for fixing on the base assembly, the lid frame assemblies comprises the lid framework that is fixed on the base assembly and is installed in lid in the zone of covering first edge on the framework pivotally, second edge of wherein relative with first edge lid comprises a series of juts, described a series of jut is defined for the some grooves that allow cable to pass through together between the outside of terminal box and inside, first jut is located between two grooves, and the second and the 3rd jut is located on the corresponding opposite side of those two grooves, and wherein this cover ground with plastic material with partly form with metallic plate, this metallic plate stretches into first, in each of the second and the 3rd jut, be used to reinforce those parts.

2. according to the described service outlet floor box of claim 1, wherein metallic plate crosses whole lid extension basically.

3. according to claim 1 or 2 described service outlet floor boxes, wherein cover ground forms with the molded item of plastic material, and this molded item extends around whole lid basically.

4. require described service outlet floor box according to arbitrary aforesaid right, wherein there are three juts at second edge along lid, and the second and the 3rd jut is provided with towards the opposite end at second edge of lid.

5. require described service outlet floor box according to arbitrary aforesaid right, wherein first jut is similar to along second edge that covers and is arranged on the centre.

6. require described service outlet floor box according to arbitrary aforesaid right, wherein handle is installed on first jut of lid.

7. require described service outlet floor box according to arbitrary aforesaid right, its middle cover comprises metal handle, this metal handle comprises one or more arms, described one or more arm is placed in the interior one or more grooves of lid slidably, and be used for handle and be mounted to sliding motion between punctured position and extended position, above-mentioned one or more arms mainly are contained in one or more grooves in described punctured position, and above-mentioned one or more arms stretch out from groove in extended position, one or more grooves inner or respectively hold blockedly is used to prevent that above-mentioned one or more arm from contacting with the cable of terminal box inside.

8. according to the described line floor box of confessing of claim 7, wherein metal handle comprises a pair of arm, and this is placed in the interior a pair of groove of lid slidably to arm.

9. according to the described service outlet floor box of claim 8, wherein metal arm has inverted U-shaped basically shape, and each arm limits the corresponding limb of U-shaped.

10. according to one of them described service outlet floor box of claim 7-9, this arm or each arm shape of all getting bar wherein.

11. according to one of them described service outlet floor box of claim 7-10, wherein metal handle has a shank portion, when handle was in punctured position, this shank portion was provided with by the outer surface next door of lid, and the outer surface of middle cover is slotted in the zone of shank portion and is used to make the user to hold shank portion.

12. according to one of them described service outlet floor box of claim 7-11, the free end of one or more arms of handle or two ends comprise side direction upper process part, this jut is used to engage the part of lid, so that one or more arms are remained in one or more grooves.

13. according to one of them described line floor box of confessing of claim 7-12, wherein handle is located in the zone of first jut of lid.

14. require described service outlet floor box according to arbitrary aforesaid right, its middle cover is installed in the zone at first edge that covers framework pivotally, be used between make position and open position, moving, wherein the lock modules receiving platform is located in the zone at second edge of lid on lid and/or the lid framework, and wherein lock modules also is provided for and removably is fixed on lock modules receiving platform place, lock modules comprises breech lock, when lock modules is fixed on the terminal box, this breech lock can move between locked position of coupler and released position, remain in make position at above-mentioned locked position of coupler middle cover, and be free to travel in the open position at above-mentioned released position middle cover.

15. according to the described service outlet floor box of claim 14, also comprise another module, this module is used to replace lock modules removably to be fixed on lock modules receiving platform place.

16. according to the described service outlet floor box of claim 15, wherein this another module is a blank module, this blank module is used for the space that the filling lock modules occupies.

17. according to the described service outlet floor box of claim 15, wherein this another module is the locking module that comprises lock.

18. according to one of them described service outlet floor box of claim 15-17, wherein the lock modules receiving platform is located at and covers.

19. according to the described service outlet floor box of claim 18, wherein the lock modules receiving platform is located in the zone of first jut of lid.

20. according to one of them described service outlet floor box of claim 15-19, wherein lock modules is slidedly assemblied in lock modules receiving platform place.

21. according to the described service outlet floor box of claim 20, wherein being slidingly matched is that glossal canal cooperates.

22. according to one of them described service outlet floor box of claim 15-21, wherein lock modules can be dismantled from receiving platform when lid is opened, and non-dismountable when lid is closed.

23. require described service outlet floor box according to arbitrary aforesaid right, wherein the cable outlet unit is located in the regional inner cap and the space of lid between the framework at second edge of lid, this cable outlet unit can move between make position and open position, space between described make position middle cover framework and lid is closed basically, and in open position, limit cable openings in the floor box top, be used for current supply cable and pass opening.

24. according to the described service outlet floor box of claim 23, the cable retainer wherein is set, this cable retainer is installed in the below of covering cable outlet unit in the framework, and comprise a pair of flexing arm, described flexing arm stretches out and is positioned at the below of cable openings from substrate, and this cable openings is defined when being in its open position in the cable outlet unit.

25. according to the described service outlet floor box of claim 24, wherein each flexing arm all comprises first, second portion, and third part, the substrate away from the cable retainer is extended by above-mentioned first, second portion is from extending with the end of the isolated first of substrate and towards another arm, and third part is from the end of first isolated second portion and towards the base extension of cable retainer.

26. according to claim 24 or 25 described service outlet floor boxes, a pair of cable outlet unit wherein is set and a pair of cable retainer is set, each cable retainer all is located at the below of corresponding cable outlet unit.

27. according to the described service outlet floor box of claim 26, wherein the cable outlet unit is located in the zone of two grooves between first, second and the 3rd jut.

28. according to one of them described service outlet floor box of claim 23-27, wherein the cable outlet unit is installed rotatably, be used for they make position and open position between move.

29. according to one of them described service outlet floor box of claim 23-28, wherein the cable outlet unit is installed in and covers.

30. according to one of them described service outlet floor box of claim 23-29, wherein when the cable outlet unit was in the close position, the top of cable outlet unit flushed with the top of lid.

31. according to one of them described service outlet floor box of claim 23-30, wherein the cable outlet unit is comprised in the below at the top of lid when the cable outlet unit is shown in an open position.

32. service outlet floor box, comprise base assembly and lid frame assemblies, this lid frame assemblies is used for fixing on the base assembly, the lid frame assemblies comprises the lid framework that is fixed on the base assembly and is installed in the lid that covers on the framework pivotally, its middle cover comprises metal handle, this metal handle comprises one or more arms, described one or more arm is placed in the one or more grooves that cover slidably, and be used for installing handle and be used for sliding motion between punctured position and extended position, above-mentioned one or more arms mainly are contained in one or more grooves in this punctured position, and above-mentioned one or more arms stretch out from groove in extended position, one or more grooves inner or respectively hold and blockedly be used to prevent that above-mentioned one or more arm from contacting with the cable of terminal box inside.

33. according to the described service outlet floor box of claim 32, wherein metal handle comprises a pair of arm, this is placed in the interior a pair of groove of lid slidably to arm.

34. according to the described service outlet floor box of claim 33, wherein metal handle has inverted U-shaped basically shape, and each arm limits the corresponding limb of U-shaped.

35. according to one of them described service outlet floor box of claim 32-34, this arm or each arm shape of all getting bar wherein.

36. according to one of them described service outlet floor box of claim 32-35, wherein metal handle has shank portion, this shank portion is provided with by the outer surface next door of lid when handle is in punctured position, and the outer surface of middle cover is slotted in the zone of shank portion and is used to make the user to hold shank portion.

37. according to one of them described service outlet floor box of claim 32-36, wherein the free end of one or more arms of handle or each end comprise side direction upper process part, this jut is used to engage the part of lid, so that one or more arms are remained in one or more grooves.

38. service outlet floor box, comprise base assembly and lid frame assemblies, this lid frame assemblies is used for fixing on the base assembly, the lid frame assemblies comprises covers framework and lid, described lid framework is fixed on the base assembly, be used between make position and open position, moving in the zone that is installed in first edge that covers framework pivotally and cover, wherein the lock modules receiving platform is located in the zone at second edge of the lid relative with first edge on lid and/or the lid member, and lock modules also is provided for and removably is fixed on lock modules receiving platform place, lock modules comprises breech lock, when lock modules is fixed on the terminal box, this breech lock can move between locked position of coupler and released position, be maintained at make position at described locked position of coupler middle cover, and be free to travel in the open position at the released position middle cover.

39. according to the described service outlet floor box of claim 38, also comprise another module, this another module is used to replace lock modules removably to be fixed on lock modules receiving platform place.

40. according to the described service outlet floor box of claim 39, wherein another module is a blank module, this blank module is used for the space that filling is occupied by lock modules.

41. according to the described service outlet floor box of claim 39, wherein another module is the locking module that comprises lock.

42. according to one of them described service outlet floor box of claim 38-41, wherein the lock modules receiving platform is located at and covers.

43. according to one of them described service outlet floor box of claim 38-42, wherein lock modules is to be slidingly fitted in lock modules receiving platform place.

44. according to the described service outlet floor box of claim 43, wherein being slidingly matched is that glossal canal cooperates.

45. according to one of them described service outlet floor box of claim 38-44, wherein lock modules can be dismantled from receiving platform when lid is opened, and non-dismountable when lid is closed.

46. service outlet floor box, comprise base assembly and lid frame assemblies, this lid frame assemblies is used for fixing on the base assembly, the lid frame assemblies comprises the lid framework that is fixed on the base assembly and is installed in lid in the zone at first edge that covers framework pivotally, wherein the cable outlet unit is located in the zone at second edge of the lid relative with first edge in the space of covering between framework and the lid, the cable outlet unit can move between make position and open position, space between described make position middle cover framework and lid is closed basically, and the cable openings in the top of floor box is defined for and allows cable to pass opening in open position, reach the cable retainer wherein is set, this cable retainer is installed in the below of covering cable outlet unit in the framework and comprises a pair of flexing arm, and this stretches out and be positioned at the below of the cable openings that is limited when the cable outlet unit is shown in an open position from substrate flexing arm.

47. according to the described service outlet floor box of claim 46, wherein each flexing arm all comprises first, second portion, and third part, the substrate of leaving the cable retainer is extended by described first, and second portion extends from the end of first, and the end of this first and substrate are spaced apart and towards another arm, and third part is extended from the end of second portion, and the end of this second portion and first are spaced apart and towards the substrate of cable retainer.

48. according to claim 46 or 47 described service outlet floor boxes, a pair of cable outlet unit wherein is set and a pair of cable retainer is set, each cable retainer all is located at the below of corresponding cable outlet unit.

49. according to the described service outlet floor box of claim 48, wherein the cable outlet unit is located in the zone of two grooves between first, second and the 3rd jut.

50. according to one of them described service outlet floor box of claim 46-49, wherein the cable outlet unit is installed rotatably, is used for moving between make position and open position.

51. according to one of them described service outlet floor box of claim 46-50, wherein the cable outlet unit is installed in and covers.

52. according to one of them described service outlet floor box of claim 46-51, wherein when the cable outlet unit was in the close position, the top of cable outlet unit flushed with the top of lid.

53. according to one of them described service outlet floor box of claim 46-52, wherein when the cable outlet unit was shown in an open position, the cable outlet unit was comprised in the below at the top of lid.

54. service outlet floor box, comprise base assembly and lid frame assemblies, this lid frame assemblies is fixed on the base assembly, the lid frame assemblies comprises the lid framework that is fixed on the base assembly and is installed in lid in the zone of covering first edge on the framework pivotally, wherein terminal box also comprise following feature any one or a plurality of:

A. cover ground is with plastic material with partly form with metallic plate;

B. floor box comprises one of them any feature of claim 2-31;

C. floor box is according to claim 1;

D. floor box according to claim 32-37 one of them;

E. floor box according to claim 38-45 one of them; And/or

F. floor box according to claim 46-53 one of them.

55. basically as service outlet floor box as described in the reference accompanying drawing and as shown in drawings.

56. a floor panel structure comprises floor and the service outlet floor box in the floor, service outlet floor box is according to arbitrary aforesaid right requirement.

57. according to the described floor panel structure of claim 56, be included in the one or more cables in the floor, one or more cables terminate in the terminals place that is limited by socket in outlet box inside, and another cable can be attached to and be used for being connected in the zone of service outlet floor box the device that is positioned at above the floor on the socket.

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