Knee saver modular universal electrical box

Abstract

A method and apparatus for wiring installations that is comprised of a universal electrical box that is made of a non-conductive block or hub that contains electrical conductors, which connect power from a building's electrical power source, to various electrical components. One design, can handle nine sheathed cables in a standard box, with five #14 wire and four #12 wire lines. Once installed, the current is redirected without physically moving the wires and will power up only if the electrical component and the wires are of the same amperage. All wires including the ground wires are always visible, while electrical components are installed and operating. Individual electrical lines are identifiable, dead-ended, and with the visibility of all wires, connecting the wires is now possible before the rough inspection. The lines can be energized while the walls are open, for troubleshooting. It offers a two piece device which can be used as a receptacle, a switch, light or for fan installations, 110 or 220 line, etc., providing the necessary electrical lines are there.

Claims

1. An assembly comprising: a. junction box; b. dielectric body having a front surface and a side surface whereby connectors on said side surface do not electrically connect with said connectors on said front surface until set screws are engage, wherein said set screws connect and disconnect lines, thereby making a plurality of conductive elements that extend through said dielectric body from said side connectors to said front connectors and a termination device; wherein said dielectric body can redirect current without physically disconnecting or moving wires to the inserted said set screws; wherein said set screws of the dielectric body has a hole in the center to mate with the terminating device insertible prong; wherein said dielectric body has specific wire gauge diameter holes for power line wire gauge locations for easy identifications, thereby powering up specific wire gauge components with the proper amperage; and wherein installation of different amperage lines can be installed and energized at the same time, thereby non-compatible amperage terminations devices will not work.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said dielectric body does not need the power to be shut off to change said termination devices.

3. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said dielectric body can be energized while the walls are open for any troubleshooting.

4. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said dielectric body is designed with wire separation walls to prevent accidental touching of wires that are loose from an improper installation.

5. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said dielectric body has no energized parts exposed.

6. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said dielectric body shows the connection points of three wire cables.

7. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said dielectric body prevents incorrect polarity due visibility of stacked like colored lines.

8. An assembly comprising: a. junction box; b. dielectric body having a front surface and a side surface whereby connectors on said side surface do not electrically connect with said connectors on said front surface until set screws are engage, wherein said set screws connect and disconnect lines, thereby making a plurality of conductive elements that extend through said dielectric body from said side connectors to said front connectors and a termination device, wherein the terminating device is comprised of a tube prong to mate with the said set screws of the dielectric body; wherein said dielectric body can redirect current without physically disconnecting or moving wires to the inserted said set screws; wherein said dielectric body has specific wire gauge diameter holes for power line wire gauge locations for easy identifications, thereby powering up specific wire gauge components with the proper amperage; and wherein installation of different amperage lines can be installed and energized at the same time, thereby non-compatible amperage terminations devices will not work.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 HUB, SHOWING WIRE CONDUCTORS, GROUND STRIP, AND WIRING SEPARATION CHANNELS

(2) FIG. 2. SIDE VIEW SHOWING WHERE FOUR #14 WIRES AND FOUR #12 WIRES ARE PUSHED INTO THE HUB, AND GROUND SCREWS IN GROUND STRIP

(3) FIG. 3. SIDE, INSIDE VIEW, OPPOSITE SIDE WITH GROUNDS SCREWS

(4) FIG. 4. INTERCHANGEABLE ELECTRICAL DEVICE, A RECEPTACLE

(5) FIG. 5. INTERCHANGEABLE ELECTRICAL DEVICE, A LIGHT WITH ITS OWN SWITCH

(6) FIG. 6. INTERCHANGEABLE ELECTRICAL DEVICE, A FAN WITH ITS OWN SWITCH

(7) FIG. 7. INTERCHANGEABLE ELECTRICAL DEVICE, A RADIO WITH ITS OWN SWITCH

(8) FIG. 8. RECEPTACLE, HARD WIRED TO HUB

(9) FIG. 9. FLOOR BY FLOOR DESCRIPTION OF THE HUB

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(10) Although the present invention connecting system can be embodied in many ways, the embodiments illustrated show the connecting system in its simplest embodiment for use in a single-gang junction box. These embodiments are selected in order to set forth the clearest manner to describe the invention. The illustrated embodiments, however, are merely exemplary and should not be considered a limitation when interpreting the scope of the appended claims.

(11) FIG. 1. The wire coating is removed from the tip of wire (85) which expose the bare wire (84). The wire (85) is pushed into and thru opening (83) and into (82). The screw (81) is turned clockwise until it seats against the wire tip (84). The screw holds the wire in place, and makes an electrical connection between wire (85) and screw (81). This is only a continuation of the same electrical line between the side of the hub and the perpendular side of the hub. In the back side of receptacle (87) is prong (86). Prong (86) gets pushed into screw (81) making the electrical connection between the receptacle and the wires on the side of the hub, thereby powering up the receptacle from a power source thru the wire on the side of the hub.

(12) FIG. 2. A drawing of the hub, containing the top flange (90), (bottom flange not shown) Also shown is a set screw (81) where a prong from a termination device get inserted in the center of the screw.

(13) FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. The same as FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, except the set screw is different. A tube (89) slides over set screw (88) for electrical connection to the termination device.

(14) FIG. 5. Shown is the hub positioned inside the junction box and the two options of attaching the termination device to the hub. The two split screws (R8) can go thru the receptacle and into the junction box according to the thickness of the wall covering, or the center screw (R9) can get attached to the hub, again according to the thickness of the wall covering. Note, how the hub track (R2) and the flange on the hub (90) will allow the hub, (and therefore the termination device) to move forward and line up with wall covering (92).

(15) FIG. 6. Has an open & side enclosure (S22a). The tracks (R2) are on the inside bottom base, and on the inside top (not Shown). The tracks are used with the flanges on the top and bottom of the hub (90), to adjust the depth of both the hub and the termination device, to be flush with a finished wall. After the hub is installed, the Removable side cover (S22b) is slid into the box using the tracks (S29)

(16) FIG. 7. Contains two receptacle termination devices (R7a, & R7b). Receptacle (R7a) has a prong (89) (tube shape) that goes over (part of) the set screw to make an electrical connection. Receptacle (R7b) has a prong (86) that gets inserted into the center of the set screw. Set screws (91) have a rubber tip to hold wires in place, but do not make an electrical connection.

(17) FIG. 8. FIG. 8 contains: (A) an untouched sheathing containing wires Length (E, F, G) (C) inches of wire coating is removed from ends of Wire (D) Example of wire insertion points on the hub

(18) FIG. 9. FIG. 9 shows the different levels or floors of the hub. It shows where The black, white and ground wires go. It shows where the incoming power lines are attached. It shows how power is sent to the perpendicular side of the hub.

(19) The Knee Save Modulator Universal Electrical Box's hub is made of a non-conductive material in the shape of a block. This block or hub has electrical conductors in it. These conductors move power from the source (wires) on the side of the hub, to the front or perpendicular side of the hub. One design can handle nine electrical lines. The following is what that hub would look like. The side view of the hub would look like 9 floors in a building, FIG. 9. Each floor can accept three wires. It is called a two-wire line. The ground wire is not counted. These wires would be a black wire, a neutral wire and a ground wire. Wires on the ninth floor (A9 cb) are power, neutral, and ground wires, which supply power to the hub for switches, with its own circuit breaker in the electrical panel. Wires on the 8.sup.th floor (A8), the 7.sup.th floor (A7) and the 6.sup.th floor (A6) are for #14 wires. The 5.sup.th floor (A5 cb) wire is also a #14 wire but it accepts power from the source, a breaker in the service panel. The 1.sup.st floor (B1), 2.sup.nd, floor (B2) and 3.sup.rd floor (B3) is for the #12 wire. The 4.sup.th floor (B4 cb) is also for the #12 wire, but it accepts power from the source, a breaker in the service panel. Both the black and neutral (white) wire is inserted into the hub. The ground wire gets inserted into a ground bar (GROUND 1) where a ground screw seats and keeps the wire in place.

(20) The set screws, in the perpendicular or front side, seats and keeps the black and white wires, from the side of the hub, in place.

(21) The perpendicular side would look like two columns of 9 vertical holes. The left column of 9 would be the white wire prong connectors (W9). The next column of 9 would be the black wire prong connectors (B9). The other holes would be part of the ground strip with the 9 ground screws. This perpendicular side is where an electrical component or termination device would get plugged into.

(22) One important difference to note, is that some prior art, needs THREE switches or THREE receptacles to transfer power to three outgoing lines. By comparison, the present invention, only needs one termination device.

(23) Another difference is that the present invention, can light up to FOUR different lights, in FOUR different locations or rooms using one switch and lines, A8, A7, A6, and A5, where line A5 would not be hooked up to a breaker in the service panel.

(24) A major difference between both the parent and this application compared to prior art, is the fact that NO electrical connections are made, between different independent lines (FIG. 9, A9-A5 & B4-B1), inside the hub, with the exception of the ground wires. All ground wires from all lines get connected to each other inside or on the hub. The hub's set screws hold the black and white wires in place, without making an electrical connection, unlike prior art.

(25) In the parent application, lines that entered on the side of the hub (A9-A5 & B4-B1) contained a solid wire connection with the prong connectors on the perpendular side. The electrical energy would automatically go to the perpendular side connectors from the side connectors. The wires used a push in wire connection system.

(26) This application changes that,

(27) It provides set screws midway, within the block. IF the set screws are not seated, with a conductive set screws, no current can pass thru to the perpendular side connectors, therefore, the lines would all be, held there, but dead ended. The set screws provide many advantages over all prior art, including the parent application.

(28) Some advantages include:

(29) This application allows all lines to be secured to the hub, until line activations is required, to any and all lines.

(30) Any line can be electrically and/or physically disconnected in the hub, however, there is no need to physically move the wire. The parent application requires you to change the termination device or physically move the wire. This application allows you to unscrew the set screw which disconnects the line. If you want a seated screw to continue to hold the wire in place, without making any electrical connections, simply replace the set screw with a rubber tip set screw (91). That line will be disconnected, yet it will be held in place.

(31) Should a set screw become loose, that Hot line cannot cause a short or a fire. The neutral and ground wires are still attached, keeping the hot line safely in the non-combustible hub, where the hot wire would be loose in the wall.

(32) There's no need to turn off the entire circuit to work on a portion of a line, simply unseat a set screw for that line, or remove the termination device, which will cut off power to anything else on that line.

(33) If there is a line not working, you can simply use a tester on the ground bar and a set screw to check if power is on each line, no disassembly of wire nuts is necessary.

(34) A quick visual inspection of the hub will tell you if someone else already disconnected a line, by looking for a (red) rubber tipped set screw.

(35) This new application allows you to use the same termination device, and not need to take the hub out of the junction box, to disconnect or activate a line.

(36) Please look at FIG. 9 of the present invention. IF you had a switch controlling four outgoing lines, (A8, A7, A6, and (A5 no circuit breaker) and you wanted to disconnect one or more lines, you could. Put in a plastic set screw. The switch would still be working for the remaining lines.

(37) The necessity for electricians to go on their knees to install each receptacle on a daily basis, causes many health issues. Some have to specialize in other electrical areas or leave the electrical field. Installing receptacles without getting down on your knees solves half the problem. You have to be able to service the receptacle without getting down on your knees. This applications, using the set screws, solves both problems, prior art require a person to squat or go on their knees.

(38) The following explains how this application applies to the installation process of the receptacle.

(39) This is what is would look like installing the entire device into a junction box:

(40) 1) Attach a junction box (FIG. 6, S22a) to a wall stud.

(41) 2) Use FIG. 8 to prepare the wires for insertion into the hub.

(42) 3) Attach all wire to hub (FIG. 8, D). Ground wires to the ground strip (FIG. 8, H).

(43) Black wires to center column (FIG. 8, I), and the white wires to the right column (FIG. 8, J).

(44) A Red wire would get attached with the black wires. Once, each set of wires inside the hub, tighten the set screws.

(45) 4) Pull out the side covers (FIG. 6, S22b) of the junction box (FIG. 6, S22a) (which is only one of the three options for openings in a junction box).

(46) 5) Slide the Hub in the side opening (toward the rear) using the Hub track guild (FIG. 6, R2) and the flange on the Hub (FIG. 2, #90). Slide the cover (S22b) back into the junction box (S22a).

(47) 6) Push in a termination device (FIG. 5), by lining up the prongs (86). Use on of the following methods to attach the termination device to the Hub:

(48) A) Push in the two plastic screws (FIG. 5, R5) into the top and bottom of the termination device flange (FIG. 5, R6) and into the junction box screw holes (R3). The slit thru the center of the screws, allows you to push the screws all the way in. The sides of the screws will snap into the screw threaded walls, locking it in place. The screw (R5) is removable, if desired, by simply turning the screw counter clockwise. These screws adjust the termination device to the wallboard surface.

(49) B) An alternative method is to tighten the adjustable screw (R4) to lock the termination device to the Hub. The termination device does not have to be up against the Hub. The prongs must go into the Hub without leaving a large space.

(50) Utilizing the side opening, once the side cover (S22b) has been pulled out, the combination of the Hub Track guild (R2) and the Flange on the Hub (#90), make the entire unit depth-adjustable for a flush mount with the wallboard. Since the prongs go from the termination device to the hub or from the front to the back, a good electrical connection is possible. However, should there be too much space between the termination device and the hub, the design requires, for safety reasons, another adjustment between the guild and the flange be made. The adjustment can be done before or after the wallboard is installed.

(51) While it is less likely that you would use both the #12 and #14 wires at the same time, you can. This model has several power sources, each with its own circuit breaker. This design allows you to use the same hub for either or both amperages, at the same time. This design and system allows you to have nine lines, and three circuit breakers from the service panel, on three lines.
An electrical component, such as a receptacle, is made with prongs sticking out of the back. If you were to use a 20-amp receptacle, it would have a specific alignment of prongs to fit into the #12 wire connector in the hub. If a #12 wire were installed with power, the receptacle would have power. In this example, if you plug in a 15 amp receptacle, the prongs would not engage the correct energized conductor, therefore no power to the receptacle.

(52) As explained earlier, the floors of the building FIG. 9, B1, B2, B3, B4cb are for the 20 amp #12 electrical wire. Floors A5-A9cb are for the 15-amp, #14 electrical wire.

(53) The prongs on a #14 wire, 15-amp termination device, would have to be in the top half of the termination device, to line up with the floors (A5-A9cb) of the building.

(54) Likewise, a 20 amp, #12 wire termination device, would have its prongs at the lower half of the termination device, to match up with the floors (B1-B4cb).

(55) Therefore, if the termination device has prongs that do not match up with the same amperage floors it will not work.

(56) This, for a lack of a better term, idiot proofs the installation of the same amperage termination device with the same amperage wiring.

(57) A receptacle or electrical component does not block the view of any wires at any time. This allows an electrical inspector to see the grounding connections while all the other wires are connected. There is no need for the electricians to rough wire, leave, then go back and install the receptacles, and/or switches. The receptacles and switches can be installed in the roughing process. All wires black, neutral, and ground are easily viewed, while a component is installed and operating.

(58) Receptacles and switches are simply unplugged and plugged in. There is no need to have someone with electrical expertise to come in to change them. If you want to disconnect a line, you can. You can change the electrical component or un-seat the set screw. If you do not want to depend on the set screws that hold the neutral and ground wires in to secure the cable, simply replace the metal set screw with a rubber tip (non-conductive) set secrew (#91, FIG. 7).

(59) If you want to change the receptacle, just unplug the old one & plug in the new one. There is no need to shut the power off.

(60) If you want to add a line, you can, providing you haven't used all the slots.

(61) In accordance with one embodiment, using the method of vertically stacking the wires coming into the box, protected by separation walls (S17), gives the viewer many pieces of information in one look, with or without a switch or receptacle installed and operating.

(62) 1) You can see how many lines are going into the box

(63) 2) All ground wires are visibly attached to the ground bar/strip.

(64) 3) Any three-wire cables are distinguishable (one of each: a black, a red, a white and a ground wire). Ground wires don't get counted.

(65) 4) Identifiable power lines (helpful when there is more than one power line entering the box) Floors (A9cb) if you are using a switch, (A5cb) for a 15 amp line, and (B4cb) for a 20 amp line)

(66) 5) The ability to verify the size of wire going into the correct conductor by looking at the ground wire at its connection point.

(67) 6) The ability to add or disconnect a line without separating the other lines

(68) 7) All the above can be seen while a receptacle/switch is installed.

(69) As for the apparatus, it provides:

(70) 1) Easy access to all lines

(71) 2) Prevents wires from accidentally touching each other (By using the separation walls

(72) S17) unlike prior art, who just have openings.

(73) 3) No need of pigtails or wire nuts

(74) 4) Provides no exposed ENERGIZED wire, screw heads, set screws, or wire connectors, except for the ground strip. Prior art, has electrically charged connectors and set screws.

(75) 5) Enables anyone, to remove and install a new receptacle, or an electrical component without turning off the power

(76) 6) Since the circuit can be energized before the interior walls are covered, any wiring problems can be corrected easily. After the circuits are checked out, and if the inspector requires the typical rough inspection standards, the switches and the receptacles can be unplugged, and the power shut off. This process makes it possible to return to a typical rough inspection status within minutes.
7) The wires in the hub itself, make no electrical connections with other lines, (except for the ground wires), they simply hold the wires in place.
The unique prong insertion or encasing of the set screws (see FIGS. 1 & 3) stops the current or allows the current to move onto another line.
8) The block or hub prevents the receptacle and switch, with the wrong amperage rating, from being energized if it were installed.
A) Some prior art, boasts not having a hub.
B) The 15-amp and the 20-amp termination devices are the same size. There is nothing to stop someone from putting a twenty amp termination device into a MOSS 15 amp junction box.
9) Versatility of the block design makes it adaptable to all sizes of wire at time of manufacture
10) One design, can be made to handle up to nine lines of any size wire that is desired
11) Electrical current can be re-directed without changing or moving the wires. Use conductive set screws to send power, and non-conductive set screws to keep power there.

(77) Please look at FIG. 9 for a better understanding of what is meant by re-directed.

(78) Assume conductive set screws are seated for the lines listed below.

(79) 1) If a receptacle has prongs at level A5cb, A6, and A8, it will re-direct power from A5cb to A6 & A8, while powering up the receptacle.

(80) 2) If a receptacle has prongs at level A5cb, and A7, it will re-direct power from A5cb to A7.

(81) 3) If a receptacle has prongs at level A5cb, and A6, and A7 it will re-direct power from A5cb to A6, and A7.

(82) 4) If a receptacle has prongs at level A5cb only, it will power up only the receptacle and not re-direct power anywhere.

(83) When prior art, plugs in a device, they activate that device and transfer power to just one line. They have no means of sending power to other lines. Re-direct here means choice of lines. Prior art can't send power to multiple places at the same time, or pick a destination, the present invention can. Prior art also can'5 activate that one device, and not transfer power to another line. Prior art have no choices, it can only transfer from one place to another.

(84) 12) No power in a line? No need to touch wires. Put a tester on the ground bar and one of the set screws on the perpendicular side.

(85) 13) No polarity issues due to the visibility of all wires being installed correctly.

(86) This new hub design does not limit its use to receptacle/switches. Things like lights, fans, and even radios, with their own on/off switch, can be used without the need of an electrical cord.

(87) These conductors can be made to be any diameter when the hub is manufactured to accommodate different needs.

(88) This device can be modified to be used in different countries.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

(89) A9cb. Black, White, & Ground wires for powering a switch (15 amp #14 wire)

(90) A8. 8th floor, outgoing wires . . . (15 amp #14 wire)

(91) A7. 7.sup.th floor, outgoing wires . . . (15 amp #14 wire)

(92) A6. 6.sup.th floor, outgoing wires . . . (15 amp #14 wire)

(93) A5cb 5.sup.th floor outgoing wires, . . . (15 amp #14 wire)

(94) OR incoming power line from breaker panel box

(95) B4cb. Incoming power line from breaker panel box (20 amp #12 wire)

(96) B3 Outgoing wires . . . (20 amp #12 wire)

(97) B2 Outgoing wires . . . (20 amp #12 wire)

(98) B1 Outgoing wires . . . (20 amp #12 wire)

(99) SIDE 1 Side of HUB

(100) FRONT 1 Front or perpendicular side

(101) GROUND 1 Ground bar with a ground screw at each floor

(102) B9 Vertical row of Prong connectors for black power lines

(103) W9 Vertical row of Prone connectors for white neutral lines

REFERENCE NUMERALS

(104) No.

(105) 81. Set screw (with hole in center for prongs)

(106) 82. Wire channels with the set screw inserted

(107) 83. Open wire channel

(108) 84. Tip of wire with coating removed

(109) 85. Coated electrical wire

(110) 86. Termination device insertable prong

(111) 87. Termination device, receptacle

(112) 88. Alternate set screw

(113) 89. Termination device, alternate tube prong

(114) 90. Hub flange, (top and bottom)

(115) 91. Rubber tipped non-conductive set screw (Head red in color)

(116) R1. Hub

(117) R2. Hub track guild

(118) R3. Junction box fastening screw hole

(119) R4. Adjustable depth precision screw

(120) R5. Split screw

(121) R6. Termination device flange

(122) R7. Termination device (using alternate tub prong 89)

REFERENCE NUMBERS

(123) No.

(124) S17. Separation walls

(125) S22a. Enclosure

(126) S22b. Removable side cover

(127) S29. Side cover tracks

(128) A. Sheathed cable

(129) B. Partially removed cable sheathing, wires cut to correct lengths E, F, & G

(130) C. wire coating removed from wire tips exposing metal

(131) D. Wires entering hub

(132) H. Ground Bar or strip

(133) I. Black wire column

(134) J. White wire column