GB2449324A

GB2449324A - A floor box

Info

Publication number: GB2449324A
Application number: GB0724638A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hezar Qasim; David Pittaway
Original assignee: Legrand Electric Ltd
Current assignee: Legrand Electric Ltd
Priority date: 2007-05-18
Filing date: 2007-12-18
Publication date: 2008-11-19
Anticipated expiration: 2027-12-18
Also published as: GB2449310A; GB2449310B; GB0724638D0; GB2449324B; GB0709622D0

Abstract

A floor box for facilitating the connection of one or more cables to one or more connection points beneath a floor. In a first aspect the floor box comprises a base and a cover 22 moveable between an open position in which said one or more connection points are accessible for the connection or disconnection of one or more cables and a closed position and the floor box defines one or more cable through holes 24 such that one or more cables connected to the one or more connection points can extend out of the floor box even with the cover in a closed position. Each of the through holes in the floor box includes a cable retaining means 34 for forcibly holding the cable in line with the cable aperture 24. The cable retention means 34 preferably comprises two opposing resilient clamps inclined at an angle to the axis of the cable; the resilient fingers 34 may have sharp edges and are angled toward the interior of the box such that the cable clamp resists pulling of the cable in an opposite direction in such a way that the holding force increases as the cable is pulled providing strain relief. In a second aspect cable access rotators 25 are provided which can be moved between an open and closed position 25c, 25a, and in both positions the cable access rotator does not protrude above the upper face of the floor box. The cable access rotators are preferably provided in a cover of the floor box and biased into a closed position.

Description

Floor Box The present invention relates to a floor box for facilitating

the connection of one or more cables to one or more connection points beneath a floor.

In modern building, particularly large area office buildings that house large number of devices requiring access to power and/or data connection points, it is convenient to provide power and/or data connection points under a floor. A floor box is used to facilitate access to such power and/or data connection points.

A conventional floor box comprises a lid which is openable in use to allow access to one or more power or communication connection points beneath a floor. For example, a user lifts the lid of the floor box to expose a power socket and inserts into the power socket the plug of a user device requiring electrical power, such as a computer or photocopier. The lid of the box includes one or more flaps, each independently moveable between a raised position and a closed position in which they lie flush with the upper surface of the lid. In the raised position as shown in cross-section in Figure 1, these flaps 106 define a passage for the cable 100 connecting the plug to said user device even with the lid 102 closed.

With the aim of preventing the cable 100 being accidentally damaged by someone treading on the raised flap, each flap 106 is designed such that when the lid 102 is closed with the flap raised, the flaps are supported in the raised position by the frame 108 of the floor box.

The inventors for the present application have identified the problem that there is the risk of the flap itself causing accidents, either by a person catching a foot on the flap in the raised position and tripping or falling over, or by a person catching a foot in an open aperture left by the flap having been kicked off by accident.

One aim of the present is to provide a new design of floor box which at least partially solves this problem.

The present invention provides a floor box for facilitating the connection of one or more cables to one or more connection points beneath a floor, the floor box defining an internal space, and characterised in that it comprises one or more rotators, each rotatable between an open position and a closed position in both of which the rotator does not protrude beyond an upper face of the floor box, and wherein each rotator is configured such that in said open position it defines an opening via which at least part of said internal space is accessible.

In one embodiment, each rotator is biased to move towards the closed position from an intermediate position between the closed and open positions.

In one embodiment, the floor box further includes a cover provided at the upper face of the floor box, which cover is openable to provide greater access to said internal space, and wherein each rotator is supported for said rotation by the cover.

In one embodiment, the face of the floor box opposite said upper face defines a rear opening via which said internal space is accessible.

The present invention also provides the use of a floor box according to the present invention for the connection of one or more cables to one or more connection points beneath a floor.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a floor box for facilitating the connection of one or more cables to one or more connection points beneath a floor, wherein the floor box comprises a base and a cover moveable between an open position in which said one or more connection points are accessible for the connection or disconnection of one or more cables and a closed position, and wherein the floor box defines one or more through holes such that one or more cables connected to the one or more connection points can extend out of the floor box even with the cover in a closed position, and wherein for each of said one or more through holes the floor box includes holding means for forcibly holding a portion of a cable in line with the through hole.

In one embodiment, the through holes are defined by the cover in the closed position and the base together, and wherein the holding means is for forcibly holding a portion of a cable in line with the through hole such that the cable is readily locatable in the through hole as the cover is moved from the open position to the closed position.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a floor box for facilitating the connection of one or more cables to one or more connection points beneath a floor, wherein the floor box comprises a base and a cover moveable between an open position in which said one or more connection points are accessible for the connection or disconnection of one or more cables and a closed position, and wherein the floor box defines one or more through holes such that one or more cables connected to the one or more connection points can extend out of the floor box even with the cover in a closed position, and wherein the floor box includes holding means for forcibly holding a portion of a cable connected to one of said one or more connection points, which holding means is configured to automatically increase the force at which it holds a portion of a cable in response to movement of said portion in a direction away from the connection point to which the cable is connected.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a floor box for facilitating the connection of one or more cables to one or more connection points beneath a floor, wherein the floor box comprises a base and a cover moveable between an open position in which said one or more connection points are accessible for the connection or disconnection of one or more cables and a closed position, and wherein the floor box defines one or more through holes such that one or more cables connected to the one or more connection points can extend out of the floor box even with the cover in a closed position, and wherein for each of said one or more through holes the floor box includes a pair of resilient members pointing away from the through hole and arranged about an axis co-axial with the through hole. In one embodiment. the distal end portions of the pair of resilient members define sharp edges on faces thereof facing towards said axis about which the resilient members are arranged.

In one embodiment, the resilient members are inclined at an angle to said axis.

An embodiment of the present invention is described in detail hereunder, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 2 shows a perspective view from above of a portion of a lid of a floor box according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 shows a perspective view from below of a portion of the lid of a floor box according to the first embodiment; Figures 4 and 5 show perspective views of the grommets used in the lid of the floor box according to the first embodiment, before they are fitted into said lid; Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the inside of a portion of the frame of the floor box according to the first embodiment; Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a portion of the floor box according to the first embodiment with the lid closed; Figure 8 illustrates a use of the floor box according to the first embodiment; and Figure 9(a) and 9(b) show perspective and section views of a feature for holding a cable in line with the grommet prior to closing of the floor box lid, and for also providing a restraint against pulling on the cable.

With reference to the accompanying Figures 2 to 8, a floor box according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a moulded plastic frame 20 defining an upper opening. The frame 20 supports a moulded plastic cover 22 which is used to close the upper opening. In the closed position, the upper surface of the cover 22 lies flush with the upper surface of the frame. The cover 22 defines at least one group of three recesses 24. In each of these recesses is mounted a respective moulded plastic grommet 25a, 25b, 25c. Each grommet 25a, 25b, 25c is generally cuboid in shape. Each grommet is supported in its recess by the cover 22 at opposite side faces 27 of the grommet for rotation about a central axis extending perpendicularly between the two side faces 27.

Of the four remaining faces of each cuboid grommet, one is closed (hereafter referred to as the closed face 26) and three are open so as to define a channel 28 that (I) connects two opposite faces of the cuboid grommet and (ii) IS accessible via one other face but not via the closed face 26.

In use, the grommets 25 are rotated 90 degrees between a closed position (25a) and an open position (25c) via an intermediate position (25b), and vice versa. In the closed position 25a, the closed face 26 faces upwards completely blocking access to the inside of the floor box via the respective cut-out 24. In the open position 25c, the channel 28 is in the vertical position and defines a through hole connecting the inside and outside of the floor box. In both the open and closed positions, the grommet 25 does not protrude above the upper surface of the cover 22. Even in the intermediate position 25b, the amount by which the grommet 25 protrudes above the upper surface of the cover is minimal because of the configuration of the grommet 25 for rotation about a horizontal axis extending through a central portion of the grommet 25. The risk of a person catching a foot on the grommet and tripping or falling is reduced, as is the risk of the grommet being accidentally kicked off the floor box and leaving an open aperture in the floor.

The rotation of each grommet 25 is preferably biased so as to move from an intermediate position (25b) to either the open (25c) or closed position (25a).

When it is in a position that is closer to the closed position 25a, it is biased so as to move towards the closed position, and vice versa.

The floor box according to the first embodiment of the invention is used as follows. The floor box is installed into a floor 2 in a position above one or more power or communication connection points 4. The cover is opened with the grommets in the closed position. The plug(s)/connector(s) 6 of one or more user devices 8 are inserted into said one or more of the power or communication connection points 4, and then the cover 22 is closed. If a power/communication cable(s) 10 is in position for one of the grommets, then as the cover is closed, the such cable 10 will automatically cause said grommet to be opened by an amount required to accommodate the cable, against the spring force mentioned above.

Similarly, if when the lid is next opened said cable is removed, the removal of said cable automatically allows said grommet to the closed position under the above-mentioned spring action. In this way, the grommets are designed to automatically open and close themselves as required, and this is also advantageous from the point of view of safety, as it helps to ensure that any grommets that are not required for receiving cables are in the closed position.

Another feature of the embodiment of the present invention is that the channel defined by each of the grommets is made substantially no larger than necessary to accommodate a single cable having the largest expected diameter. A large number of cables can be accommodated by providing a large number of grommets. In one example, the cuboid grommets 25 have a width of about 20 mm (or less), and the channel 28 has a maximum width of about 11 mm (or less).

For example, whereas the conventional floor box might be provided with three flaps, the floor box according to the present embodiment could be provided with a total of twelve grommets 25. The advantage of such a feature is that the user has greater flexibility to reduce the risk of leaving spaces into which, for example, a lady wearing pointed-heel shoes could catch the heel of her shoe and cause an injury to herself.

This technique of using an increased number of grommets of smaller size is also advantageous from the point of view of providing a strong structure that is resistant to breakage under heavy loads. With reference to Figure 6, in the closed position the perimeter of the cover 22 rests on a shelf 30. The shelf 30 extends all around the perimeter of the floor box. The shelf defines channels 32 directly beneath each of the grommets to allow cable(s) to pass from the bottom of each grommet to the power/communication connection points under the floor.

According to one variation, each of the channels 32 shown in Figure 6 is modified by the provision of a feature that not only guides the cable through the frame to be directly below the grommet, but also acts as a restraint to the cable preventing it from being pulled from above which could place undue strain on the plug / socket assembly. With reference to Figure 9, the feature consists of two opposing fingers 34 that are inclined to the vertical axis of the grommet aperture when the grommet is in the fully open position. The form at the end of each finger 34 is designed to grip the cable as it is fed through. The angle of opposition is such that if the cable is pulled from outside the box the fingers 34 are drawn together to lock the cable in situ.

The applicant draws attention to the fact that the present invention may include any feature or combination of features disclosed herein either implicitly or explicitly or any generalisation thereof, without limitation to the scope of any definitions set out above. In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A floor box for facilitating the connection of one or more

cables to one or more connection points beneath a floor, the floor box defining an internal space, and characterised in that it comprises one or more rotators, each rotatable between an open position and a closed position in both of which the rotator does not protrude beyond an upper face of the floor box, and wherein each rotator is configured such that in said open position it defines an opening via which at least part of said internal space is accessible.
2. A floor box according to claim 1, wherein each rotator is biased to move towards the closed position from an intermediate position between the closed and open positions.
3. A floor box according to claim I or claim 2, further including a cover provided at the upper face of the floor box, which cover is openable to provide greater access to said internal space, and wherein each rotator is supported for said rotation by the cover.
4. A floor box according to claim 1, wherein the face of the floor box opposite said upper face defines a rear opening via which said internal space is accessible.
5. A use of a floor box according to any preceding claim for the connection of one or more cables to one or more connection points beneath a floor.
6. A floor box for facilitating the connection of one or more cables to one or more connection points beneath a floor, wherein the floor box comprises a base and a cover moveable between an open position in which said one or more connection points are accessible for the connection or disconnection of one or more cables and a closed position, and wherein the floor box defines one or more through holes such that one or more cables connected to the one or more connection points can extend out of the floor box even with the cover in a closed position, and wherein for each of said one or more through holes the floor box includes holding means for forcibly holding a portion of a cable in line with the through hole.
7. A floor box according to claim 6, wherein the through holes are defined by the cover in the closed position and the base together, and wherein the holding means is for forcibly holding a portion of a cable in line with the through hole such that the cable is readily locatable in the through hole as the cover is moved from the open position to the closed position.
8. A floor box for facilitating the connection of one or more cables to one or more connection points beneath a floor, wherein the floor box comprises a base and a cover moveable between an open position in which said one or more connection points are accessible for the connection or disconnection of one or more cables and a closed position, and wherein the floor box defines one or more through holes such that one or more cables connected to the one or more connection points can extend out of the floor box even with the cover in a closed position, and wherein the floor box includes holding means for forcibly holding a portion of a cable connected to one of said one or more connection points, which holding means is configured to automatically increase the force at which it holds a portion of a cable in response to movement of said portion in a direction away from the connection point to which the cable is connected
9. A floor box for facilitating the connection of one or more cables to one or more connection points beneath a floor, wherein the floor box comprises a base and a cover moveable between an open position in which said one or more connection points are accessible for the connection or disconnection of one or more cables and a closed position, and wherein the floor box defines one or more through holes such that one or more cables connected to the one or more connection points can extend out of the floor box even with the cover in a closed position, and wherein for each of said one or more through holes the floor box includes a pair of resilient members pointing away from the through hole and arranged about an axis co-axial with the through hole.
10. A floor box according to claim 9, wherein the distal end portions of the pair of resilient members define sharp edges on faces thereof facing towards said axis about which the resilient members are arranged.
11. A use of a floor box according to any preceding claim for the connection of one or more cables to one or more connection points beneath a floor. * ** * . * * ** * I *II I * I * * I.. I

I I.. * * I. * * * **** I.e..

11. A floor box according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the resilient members are inclined at an angle to said axis.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1. A floor box for facilitating the connection of one or more cables to one or more connection points beneath a floor, wherein the floor box comprises a base and a cover moveable between an open position in which said one or more connection points are accessible for the connection or disconnection of one or more cables and a closed position, and wherein the floor box defines one or more through holes such that one or more cables connected to the one or more connection points can extend out of the floor box even with the cover in a closed position, and wherein for each of said one or more through holes the floor box includes holding means for forcibly holding a portion of a cable in line with the through hole.

2. A floor box according to claim 1, wherein the through holes are defined by the cover in the closed position and the base together, and wherein the holding means is for forcibly holding a portion of a cable in line with the through hole such that the cable is readily locatable in the through hole as the cover is moved *:*::* from the open position to the closed position. S...

3. A floor box for facilitating the connection of one or more cables to one or more connection points beneath a floor, wherein the floor box comprises a base and a cover moveable between an open position in which said one or more connection points are accessible for the connection or disconnection of one or ::::. more cables and a closed position, and wherein the floor box defines one or more through holes such that one or more cables connected to the one or more connection points can extend out of the floor box even with the cover in a closed position, and wherein the floor box includes holding means for forcibly holding a portion of a cable connected to one of said one or more connection points, which holding means is configured to automatically increase the force at which it holds I' a portion of a cable in response to movement of said portion in a direction away from the connection point to which the cable is connected.

4. A floor box for facilitating the connection of one or more cables to one or more connection points beneath a floor, wherein the floor box comprises a base and a cover moveable between an open position in which said one or more connection points are accessible for the connection or disconnection of one or more cables and a closed position, and wherein the floor box defines one or more through holes such that one or more cables connected to the one or more connection points can extend out of the floor box even with the cover in a closed position, and wherein for each of said one or more through holes the floor box includes a pair of resilient members pointing away from the through hole and arranged about an axis co-axial with the through hole.

5. A floor box according to claim 4, wherein the distal end portions of the pair of resilient members define sharp edges on faces thereof facing towards said axis about which the resilient members are arranged.

* 6. A floor box according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the resilient members are inclined at an angle to said axis. **** * I

7. A floor box for facilitating the connection of one or more cables to one or more connection points beneath a floor, the floor box defining an internal space, and characterised in that it comprises one or more rotators, each rotatable between an open position and a closed position in both of which the rotator does not protrude beyond an upper face of the floor box, and wherein each rotator is configured such that in said open position it defines an opening via which at least part of said internal space is accessible. Iz

8. A floor box according to claim 7, wherein each rotator is biased to move towards the closed position from an intermediate position between the closed and open positions.

9. A floor box according to claim 7 or claim 8, further including a cover provided at the upper face of the floor box, which cover is openable to provide greater access to said internal space, and wherein each rotator is supported for said rotation by the cover.

10. A floor box according to claim 7, wherein the face of the floor box opposite said upper face defines a rear opening via which said internal space is accessible.