Adjustable electrical outlet box assembly

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an adjustable electrical outlet box assembly comprising an outlet box, an electrical outlet assembly, and an adaptor. The adaptor is located between the box and the outlet assembly and is positioned at least partially within the box. The adaptor includes opposing mounting flanges and opposing outlet assembly support tabs that are displaced from the mounting flanges. The adaptor may be adjusted to different heights, relative to the outlet box, to accommodate different thicknesses for different floor or wall covering materials. Due to the offset between the adaptor mounting flanges and the outlet support tabs, the outer surfaces of the outlet assembly will lie generally in the same plane as, or slightly recessed from the plane of the mounting flanges. The resulting outlet box installation can be used with a flush mounted covet plate which protects and secures the electrical outlet assembly.

1 - 6 . (canceled)  
   
   
       7 . An electrical outlet box assembly to be mounted in association with an installation structure, said assembly comprising: 
 an outlet box;    an outlet assembly;    an insert having a size and configuration to be positioned outside the outlet assembly and having a plurality of sidewalls insertable within the outlet box and an extremity extending outwardly from the outlet box and around one or more outlets of the outlet assembly;    a cover plate positionable on an outer surface of the installation structure; and    one or more gaskets located between the cover and the insert to reduce the ingress of moisture or other contaminants into the outlet box assembly.    
   
   
       8 . The electrical outlet box assembly of  claim 7  wherein the outlet box is mounted to the installation structure by one or more mounting flanges.  
   
   
       9 . The electrical outlet box assembly of  claim 8  wherein said mounting flanges are an integral part of said insert.  
   
   
       10 . The electrical outlet box assembly of  claim 8  wherein the mounting flanges and the extremity of the insert are located generally in the same plane.  
   
   
       11 . The electrical outlet box assembly of  claim 7  wherein the insert extremity and the gasket cooperate to reduce the ingress of moisture or other contaminants into the outlet box assembly.  
   
   
       12 . The electrical outlet box assembly of  claim 7  wherein one or more of the insert sidewalls are disposed between a terminal on the outlet assembly and a sidewall of the outlet box.