Wire protective insert sleeve for electrical switches, receptacles and junction boxes

{
  "publication_number": "US9054509B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Wire protective insert sleeve for electrical switches, receptacles and junction boxes",
  "abstract": "A wire protecting device for boxes containing electrical wires, the device having an insert sleeve having a substantially solid exterior and a penetrable interior and a structure for attaching the insert sleeve proximate a fastener hole capable of receiving a fastener which extends in a longitudinal direction into the box when in an at least partially fastened position.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A wire protecting device for use with electrical boxes, the device comprising: an insert sleeve having an exterior and a penetrable interior, the penetrable interior being bounded by a substantially smooth surface; and, an attachment element integrated with the insert sleeve, the attachment element being capable of attaching the insert sleeve to a surface proximate a fastener hole capable of receiving a fastener in an electrical box so that the penetrable interior of the insert sleeve substantially aligns with the fastener hole when the insert sleeve is attached to the surface proximate the fastener hole and is sized to receive and surround fasteners of different diameters.",
    "2. The device of claim 1 wherein the penetrable interior of the insert sleeve is at least partially hollow.",
    "3. The device of claim 1 wherein the penetrable interior of the insert sleeve is at least partially filled with a gel-like substance.",
    "4. The device of claim 3 wherein the gel-like substance is a dielectric.",
    "5. The device of claim 1 wherein the attachment element is a clip.",
    "6. The device of claim 5 wherein the clip is attached to the insert sleeve in a perpendicular manner.",
    "7. The device of claim 5 wherein the clip is integrally formed as part of the exterior of the insert sleeve.",
    "8. The device of claim 5 wherein the clip is hingedly attached to the exterior of the insert sleeve.",
    "9. The device of claim 5 wherein the clip is soldered to the insert sleeve.",
    "10. The device of claim 5 wherein the clip is welded to the insert sleeve.",
    "11. The device of claim 5 wherein the clip is made of a resilient material.",
    "12. The device of claim 1 wherein the attachment element is an integrally formed geometry which cooperates with the surface proximate the fastener hole to attach the insert sleeve to the surface proximate the fastener hole.",
    "13. The device of claim 12 wherein the attachment element is a gap formed proximate one end of the insert sleeve.",
    "14. The device of claim 1 wherein the insert sleeve includes a portion capable of being spot welded to a surface proximate a fastener hole.",
    "15. The device of claim 1 wherein the insert sleeve includes a portion capable of being adhered using an adhesive to a surface proximate a fastener hole.",
    "16. The device of claim 1 wherein the insert sleeve includes a portion capable of being soldered to a surface proximate a fastener hole.",
    "17. A kit for housing electrical wires and components, the kit comprising: a box having at least one through hole to which a fastener attaches; at least one fastener capable of attaching to the through hole; and, a wire protecting structure having an exterior and a penetrable interior, the penetrable interior being bounded by a substantially smooth surface, the wire protecting structure further including an attachment element for attaching to a surface proximate each of the at least one through holes, wherein the penetrable interior of the wire protecting structure has a greater width than the at least one through hole and being configured to receive and surround fasteners having different diameters.",
    "18. The kit of claim 17 wherein the wire protecting structure is a hollow tube.",
    "19. The kit of claim 17 wherein the wire protecting structure is provided with the kit as a removable element.",
    "20. The kit of claim 17 wherein the wire protecting structure is provided as a fixed element attached to the box.",
    "21. The kit of claim 17 wherein the attachment element is a clip.",
    "22. The kit of claim 21 wherein the clip is hingedly attached to the exterior of the insert sleeve.",
    "23. The kit of claim 21 wherein the clip is formed from a resilient material.",
    "24. The kit of claim 17 wherein the attachment element is integrally formed with the exterior of the wire protecting structure."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates generally to electrical wiring systems and devices; and more particularly to a device and method for improving the safety associated with wiring located within electrical receptacles, electrical junction boxes, over-current protection enclosures, outlets and similar items well known within the art.\n\nFor many decades electrical power has been provided in structures through wires run into an over-current protection enclosure located in the structure, and then branching outward from the over-current protection enclosure to dozens or hundreds of receptacles, switches and outlet boxes of various types. Some of these electrical junctions are typified within prior art patents such as U.S. Pat. No. 3,609,647. These switches, receptacles and boxes contain varying numbers of insulated electrical wires of varying lengths by the time the installation is complete. Often times these various boxes contain a high density of wires within the confined area. After all of the necessary wires are within these boxes, the electrician must mount a switch, or electrical receptacle or other “face plate” or “plaster ring” type device on or in said box using screws threaded through preset holes. The threaded portion of the screw after extending toward and into the interior of the box often results in inadvertent contact with the wires located therein. Although most screws for this purpose have blunted tips, these metallic screws and their sharp metal threads have a propensity for cutting into the insulation of one or more wires within the void, sometimes causing the wire to wrap around the screw.",
  "cpc": [
    "H02G 3/081",
    "F16B 37/04",
    "F16B 37/041",
    "F16B 37/043",
    "F16B 37/044",
    "F16B 37/045",
    "F16B 37/068"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "F16B 15/00",
    "F16B 19/00",
    "F16B 37/04",
    "F16B 37/06",
    "F16B 39/04",
    "F16B 39/284",
    "H02G 3/08"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "KNAPP ANDREW"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "KNAPP ANDREW"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2011-03-18",
  "publication_date": "2015-06-09",
  "grant_date": "2015-06-09",
  "priority_date": "2010-03-18",
  "application_number": "US-201113051427-A",
  "family_id": "44646311",
  "citations": [
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  ]
}