Fixture outlet box

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12480290-B2
Application number	US-202218557320-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 26, 2022
Priority date	Apr 28, 2021
Publication date	Nov 25, 2025
Grant date	Nov 25, 2025

Abstract

An outlet box assembly includes a base and a connection assembly. The base defines a base through-hole. The connection assembly is configured to attach to the base through the base through-hole and includes a connector and an adapter. The connector includes a connector body. The connector body includes an inner surface that defines a passage with one or more internal threads positioned along the inner surface. The adapter includes one or more external threads configured to engage with the one or internal threads of the connector body. The adapter defines a longitudinally-extending adapter through-hole configured to receive one of a fitting or a tubing. The adapter further defines at least one longitudinal slot configured to allow the adapter to radially compress when the adapter is attached to the connector.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An outlet box assembly comprising:
a base that defines a base through-hole, the base having a first base side and an opposite, second base side, the base including a first circumferential wall and a second circumferential wall, the first and second circumferential walls extending substantially parallel to each other and are radially spaced apart from each other; and a connection assembly configured to attach to the base through the base through-hole, the connection assembly comprising:
a connector comprising a connector body, the connector body comprising an inner surface that defines a passage with one or more internal threads positioned along the inner surface; and
an adapter comprising one or more external threads configured to engage with the one or more internal threads of the connector body, the adapter further defining at least one longitudinal slot configured to allow the adapter to radially compress when the adapter is attached to the connector, the adapter including a plurality of longitudinally-extending protrusions spaced apart about a circumference of the adapter, the plurality of longitudinally-extending protrusions defining at least one notch positioned between two of the plurality of longitudinally-extending protrusions;
wherein the base includes a connecting wall that extends radially between and connects an outer surface of the first circumferential wall and an inner surface of the second circumferential wall.

2 . The outlet box assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first circumferential wall is positioned within and is radially surrounded by the second circumferential wall.

3 . The outlet box assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second circumferential wall extends in a circular manner along the first base side and extends in a substantially square shape along the second base side.

4 . The outlet box assembly of claim 1 , wherein the inner surface of the second circumferential wall of the base defines an internal, front cavity that includes a plurality of inner threads.

5 . The outlet box assembly of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of inner threads are configured to attach or mount at least one of a protective cover or an escutcheon.

6 . The outlet box assembly of claim 5 , wherein a first end portion of the escutcheon is positioned radially between the first circumferential wall and the second circumferential wall, the first circumferential wall extending at least partially into the escutcheon, a second end portion of the escutcheon extending around and covering an end of the second circumferential wall.

7 . The outlet box assembly of claim 1 , wherein the base through-hole extends between the first base side and the second base side of the base, wherein, when the connection assembly is attached to the base, at least a portion of the connector interfaces the first circumferential wall that defines the base through-hole and at least a portion of the adapter is positioned between the connector and the second base side.

8 . The outlet box assembly of claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises at least one gripping projection along an outer surface of the connector body.

9 . The outlet box assembly of claim 1 , wherein the base includes a plurality of grooves that extend longitudinally along a length of the base through-hole between the first base side and the second base side, and wherein the plurality of grooves define at least one elevated portion positioned between two grooves of the plurality of grooves.

10 . The outlet box assembly of claim 1 , wherein a plurality of grooves and an elevated portion of the base are configured to align and attach with the plurality of longitudinally-extending protrusions and the at least one notch of the adapter.

11 . An outlet box assembly comprising:
a base that defines a base through-hole, the base having a first base side and an opposite, second base side, the base including a first circumferential wall and a second circumferential wall, the first and second circumferential walls extending substantially parallel to each other and are radially spaced apart from each other; and a connection assembly configured to attach to the base through the base through-hole, the connection assembly comprising:
a connector comprising a connector body, the connector body comprising an inner surface that defines a passage with one or more internal threads positioned along the inner surface; and
an adapter comprising one or more external threads configured to engage with the one or more internal threads of the connector body, the adapter further defining at least one longitudinal slot configured to allow the adapter to radially compress when the adapter is attached to the connector, the adapter including a plurality of longitudinally-extending protrusions spaced apart about a circumference of the adapter, the plurality of longitudinally-extending protrusions defining at least one notch positioned between two of the plurality of longitudinally-extending protrusions;
wherein the second circumferential wall extends in a circular manner along the first base side and extends in a substantially square shape along the second base side.

Assignees

• Reliance Worldwide Corp

Inventors

• Cosley James
• O'Neil Virgil
• Hart Dennis

Classifications

• F16L3/1211

  with a substantially radial tightening or securing member · CPC title

• F16L3/105

  one member carrying a substantially radial tightening element · CPC title

• E03B7/095

  Component holders or housings, e.g. boundary boxes · CPC title

• E03C2201/60

  Reducing noise in plumbing systems · CPC title

• F16L5/027

  by means of a joint of the quick-acting type · CPC title