Adapter for wall-type outlet boxes

Sept. 25, 1951

2,568,942

C. J. BINDEL

ADAPTER FOR WALL-TYPE OUTLET BOXES

Filed Feb. 23, 1949

<img file="US2568942A_D0001.tif" />

Patented Sept. 25, 1951

2,568,942

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,568,942

ADAPTER FOR WALL-TYPE OUTLET BOXES

Charles J. Bindel, Akron, Ohio

Application February 23, 1949, Serial No. 77,933

Claims.

This invention relates to an adaptor for walltype outlet boxes.

The conventional electrical outlet box is difficult to secure into a wall opening because often there is no firm foundation to which the box may be attached. In attempting to fasten the box to the plaster wall immediately adjacent the wall opening, in which opening the box is to be received, the plaster often breaks or gives way during installation, thus making it difficult and sometimes impossible to satisfactorily install the box. Broken plaster around the opening may require repairs to obviate a resultant unsightly appearance.

It is an object of this invention to provide an adaptor for wall-type outlet boxes which overcomes the difficulties mentioned.

Another object of this invention is to provide an adaptor of the character described which is adapted to be quickly and easily installed in a wall opening with a minimum of skill.

Other objects of the invention will be manifest from the following brief description and the accompanying drawings.

Of the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation showing the adaptor of this invention in operative position in a wall opening, an outlet box being shown in chain-dotted lines.

Figure 2 is a rear elevation showing the adaptor.

Figure 3 is a view taken on the line 3—3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is similar to Figure 3, but with parts broken away and showing the adaptor ready for positioning into the opening of a wall.

The adaptor shown generally at I comprises oppositely disposed gripping means 2 and 3, each carried by spaced support legs 4, the legs of opposed gripping means being pivotally interconnected as by rivets 5. The pivotal connection of the legs 4 make it possible to move the gripping means 2 and 3 toward each other as shown in Figure 4 prior to installation in an opening 6 in a wall Ί.

The gripping means 2 and 3 each comprise a stationary gripping bar or finger 8 carried by the respective spaced legs 4, and a movable gripping bar or finger 9 slidably mounted on the bar 10 by means of a pair of guide feet 11, bent to engage a portion of the bar 10 on the underside thereof as shown. The finger 9 is moved on the bar iO by means of a pair of threaded screws 12, the tapered head 13 of the screw being held in a corresponding countersunk portion (not shown) in the finger 8. Movement of the screw by means (CI. 248—27) of a screw driver in clockwise or counterclockwise directions cause the finger 9 to move correspondingly toward or away from the finger 8.

The adaptor is installed in the opening 6 of the 5 wall 1 by first moving the fingers 8 and 9 away from each other to permit ready reception of the wall 7 therebetween. The adaptor is then collapsed about the pivots 5 as necessary (see Figure 4) to permit clearance of the fingers 9 into 10 the opening 6. When the fingers 8 and 9 are positioned as shown in Figure 4, force is applied at the pivots 5 in a direction tending to extend the legs into alignment in the plane including the wall. Clockwise movement of the screws 12 moves 15 the pairs of fingers 8 and 9 into clamping engagement with opposite portions of the wall 7. This clamping condition of gripping means 2 and 3, as shown in Figure 3, prevents relative movement of the legs 4 and removal of the adaptor with 20 respect to opening 6.

The stationary finger 8 is provided with a pair of threaded openings 14 as means for anchoring or securing a conventional outlet box 15, shown in chain-dotted lines in Figure 1, in the opening ²⁵ 6 of the wall 7. The box 15 may be of the type provided with anchor tabs 16 having apertures therein for reception of screws, adapted to be threaded into the openings 14 to anchor the box in position. In this manner, both the adaptor and 30 the box may be mounted in a wall opening without cracking or breaking the plaster of the wall 7.

While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for the purpose of illustrating the invention, it will be apparent to those 35 skilled in this art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.