GB2405039A - Audio junction box having a shroud with detachable connector assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

An audio junction box assembly has a shroud (1) with detachable connector assembly (2,3,31). The junction box comprises a shroud 1 for mounting within an opening of a ceiling structure and has a top surface having an access hole 14. The access hole 14 may include a notch 141 at one end and a slot 142 opposite to the notch. A bracket 2 is detachably assembled to the access 14 and including a tab engaged with the notch 14 and a lock screw interlocked to the slot. The bracket 2 is further provided with cable locators 3,31 for receiving cables therethrough, and a connector box 4 adapted to interconnect to a loudspeaker.

Description

Audio Junction Box Having Fireproof Shroud With Detachable Connector

Assembly

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an audio junction box, especially to an audio junction box having fireproof shroud with detachable connector assembly which can be pre-assembled with wires and other elements before the audio junction box is assembled to the worksite thereby improving assembling efficiency.

Description of the Prior Art

According to the existing fire codes, an audio junction box installed in the ceiling must have a fireproof shroud surrounding the loudspeaker so as to prevent wiring system, or water sprinkling system arranged above the ceiling being damaged in case of fire. As a result, all loudspeaker installed on the ceiling has a fireproof shroud to retard the fire through the loudspeaker.

Figure 1 discloses a conventional audio junction box having an integral formed shroud 1A. The shroud 1A is further provided with a pair of connectors for electrically interconnecting to source lines. A loudspeaker is later installed under the shroud 1A.

Since the shroud 1A is integrally formed, wires routing through the shroud 1A cannot be pre-assembled in factory, while must be assembled on work site. For example, the shroud 1 A has to be assembled firstly on an opening of the ceiling, then the technician can work on the source lines and finally interconnect the source lines with the loudspeaker.

However, when the shroud I A is assembled to the opening of the ceiling, there is no access to the source lines and the top of the shroud I A for wiring as the opening is completely pre-occupied by the shroud 1A. The technician needs to disassemble adjacent ceiling so as to get access to the top ol the shroud 1A for making wiring. After the wiring is done, the removed ceiling needs to be reassembled again. This is really unacceptable in view of efficiency. It is therefore a need for improving the existing audio junction box.

Summary of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an audio junction box having a shroud with detachable connector assembly in which the wiring can be pre-assembled before the shroud mounts on the ceiling.

In order to achieve the object set forth, provided an audio junction box assembly having a shroud with detachable connector assembly. The junction box comprises a shroud adapted to be mounted within an opening of a ceiling structure, and defines an inner space with side wall and ended with a top surface having an access. The access includes a notch at one end, and a slot opposite to the notch. A bracket is detachably assembled to the access and including a tab engaged with the notch, and a lock screw interlocked to the slot. The bracket further is provided with cable locator for positioning cables therethrough, and a connector box adapted to interconnect the loudspeaker.

Brief Description of Preferred Embodiment

Figure I is a prior art audio junction box;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of an audio junction box in accordance with the present invention; Figure 3 is an exploded view of Figure 2; Figure 4 is similar to Figure 3, while viewed from different angle; Figure 5 is a top view of Figure 2; Figure 5A is a cross section view taken along lines 5A-5A of Figure 5; Figure 6 is an exploded view showing the connector assembly is pre-assembled; and Figure 7 is top view showing the audio junction box is assembled; and Figure 7A is a cross section view taken along 7A-7A of Figure 7.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiment

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, an audio junction box in accordance with the present invention includes a shroud 1 provided with a pair of sliding slots (10, 11) for mounting rocking devices(12, 13).

The shroud 1 defines a top surface defining an access 14 therein. The access 14 includes a notch 141 at one end, and a slot 142 at the other end. A detachable bracket 2 is adapted to cover the access 14. The bracket 2 is provided with a tab 21 corresponding to the notch 141, and a locking bolt 22 corresponding to the slot 142. A wing-nut 23 with threaded hole 231 can be engaged with the locking bolt 22. By this arrangement, the bracket 2 can be easily and detachably attached to the access 14. The bracket 2 further defines a pair of positioning holes 24, 25 each assembled with a cable locator (3, 31). The cable locator (3, 31) is securely positioned by locking rings (30). The bracket 2 further includes a connector block 4. - Referring now to Figures 5 and 5A, in assembling the tab 21 of the bracket 2 can be engaged with the notch 141 of the access 14 firstly, then the locking bolt 22 is positioned through the slot 142. By rotating the wing-nut 23 with respect to the locking bolt 22, the bracket 2 can be properly and securely locked.

Because the bracket 2 is detachably assembled, the bracket 2 can be assembled with cable locators (3, 31), and connector block (4) in advance in the factory. Then the bracket 2 can be assembled to the shroud l after the bracket 2 completes its wiring with the source lines. As a result, the working efficiency is largely improved.

Referring to Figures 6 and 7, the detachable bracket 2 together with the connector block 4 and a connecting cable 5 can be pre-assembled in the factory. Then the detachable bracket 2 can be interconnected with the source lines above the ceiling through the opening of the ceiling. After the detachable bracket 2 is completely interconnected, the shroud l can be then assembled to the opening of the ceiling, and then make the detachable bracket 2 assembled with the access 14 of the shroud I. It can be readily appreciated that the detachable bracket 2 is comparably light in view of the shroud I. As such, the technician can easily maneuver the wiring between the detachable bracket 2 and the source lines. The shroud 1 is assembled only after the wiring is completely. This is really a great improvement over the prior art.

As shown in Figures 7 and 7A, the bracket 2 together with the connector block 4 can be assembled to the source lines directly before the shroud 1 is assembled to the ceiling 6.

As mentioned above, the technician can finish the job with the detachable bracket 2 firstly.

Then the shroud 1 can be assembled, then the speaker. Because the bracket 2 is detached, the assembly job can be properly done without laborious work.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims (5)

I Claim.

1. An audio junction box assembly having a shroud with detachable connector assembly, comprlsmg a shroud adapted to be mounted within an opening of a ceiling structure, and defining an inner space with side wall and ended with a top surface having an access, a bracket detachably assembled to the top surface of the shroud; and at least a connector arranged on the bracket and adapted to be interconnected to a source line.

2. An audio junction box assembly having a shroud with detachable connector assembly, comprising a shroud adapted to be mounted within an opening of a ceiling structure, and defining an inner space with side wall and ended with a top surface having an access, the access including a notch at one end, and a slot opposite to the notch, a bracket detachably assembled to the access, the bracket including a tab engaged with the notch, and a lock bolt and wing-nut interlocked to the slot.

3. The audio junction box assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the shroud further includes a pair of locking devices for securely positioning the shroud over the ceiling.

4. The audio junction box assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the bracket includes pair of holes for mounting of cable locator.

5. The audio junction box assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the connector assembly comprises a connector block, the connector block being attached to the bracket.

5. The audio junction box assembly as recited in claim 2, further comprising a connector block attached to the bracket. s

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. An audio junction box assembly having a shroud with detachable connector assembly, comprising: a shroud adapted to be mounted within an opening of a ceiling structure, and defining an inner space with side wall and ended with a top surface having an opening; a bracket detachably assembled to the top surface of the shroud to substantially cover the opening; and at least a connector mounted on the bracket and adapted to be interconnected to a source line; wherein the bracket and connector can be together attached to the shroud after the shroud is mounted on the ceiling.

2. An audio junction box assembly having a shroud with detachable connector assembly, comprising: a shroud adapted to be mounted within an opening of a ceiling structure, and defining an inner space with side wall and ended with a top surface having an opening, the opening including; - a notch at one end, and a slot opposite to the notch; a bracket detachably assembled to the top surface of the shroud to substantially cover the opening, the bracket including - a tab engaged with the notch, and a lock bolt and wing-nut interlocked to the slot; and a connector assembly mounted on the bracket and adapted to be interconnected to a source line; ' wherein the bracket and connector assembly can be together attached to the shroud after the shroud is mounted on the ceiling.

3. The audio junction box assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the shroud further includes a pair of locking devices for securely positioning the shroud over the ceiling.

4. The audio junction box assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the junction box assembly comprises cable locators, and the bracket includes a pair of holes for mounting the cable locators.