Load dispersing member for while-in-use electrical box cover

摘要

A while-in-use electrical box cover includes a base and a hood. The base has a box-like structure and an open front face and includes a base hinge mount. The hood has a front wall for covering the open front face of the base and includes a hood hinge mount. A hinge pin joins the base hinge mount and the hood hinge mount in a pivoting configuration. An accepting member including a first contact surface extends from the base hinge mount. A load dispersing member included on the hood has a second contact surface configured to engage the first contact surface when the hood pivots to a fully open position. Engagement of the first contact surface and the second contact surface creates a stress in the hood, and the load dispersing member disperses the stress away from the hood hinge mount.

主权项

1. A while-in-use electrical box cover, comprising:
a base having a box-like structure with a rear opening for accessing an electrical outlet and an open front face, wherein the base further includes a base hinge mount; a hood having a front wall for covering the open front face of the base, wherein the hood further includes a hood hinge mount; a hinge pin inserted into the base hinge mount and the hood hinge mount to join the base and the hood in a pivotal configuration; an accepting member extending from the base hinge mount, the accepting member including a first contact surface; and a load dispersing member included on the hood, wherein the load dispersing member includes a second contact surface configured to engage the first contact surface when the hood pivots to a fully open position and to prevent rotation of the hood past a point of engagement between the first contact surface and the second contact surface, wherein the first contact surface and the second contact surface are configured to engage in a flush orientation, and wherein the base hinge mount, the hood hinge mount, and the hinge pin support a force of at least forty pounds, applied to a distal end of the hood, that holds the hood in the fully open position.