Wire box assembly

Abstract

A wire box assembly is disclosed that has a container having a base, four upright side walls and a separable lid. The base has a generally rectangular peripheral shape and a central raised portion with a cruciform projection extending inwardly upward between the upright side walls. The lid has a generally rectangular peripheral shape configured to mate with the four upright side walls of the container and having a central raised portion with a cruciform projection extending from the central raised portion. The lid cruciform projection is configured to face the container cruciform projection when the lid is attached to the container.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wire box assembly comprising:
 a container having a base, four upright side walls and a separable lid;   the base having a generally rectangular peripheral shape and having a central raised portion with a cruciform projection extending inwardly upward between the upright side walls from the central raised portion;   the lid having a generally rectangular peripheral shape configured to mate with the four upright side walls of the container and having a central raised portion with a cruciform projection extending from the central raised portion, wherein the lid cruciform projection is configured to face the container cruciform projection when the lid is attached to the container.   
     
     
         2 . The wire box assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the cruciform projection is formed of a plurality of trapezoidal blades. 
     
     
         3 . The wire box assembly according to  claim 2  wherein the cruciform projections are integrally molded into each of the container and the lid. 
     
     
         4 . The wire box assembly according to  claim 2  wherein each of the blades has an angled edge extending from the base upward at an angle between 45 and 60 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . The wire box assembly according to  claim 2  wherein one of the side walls of the container has a centrally located opening therethrough. 
     
     
         6 . The wire box assembly according to  claim 5  wherein the centrally located opening is opposite an upper edge of each of the cruciform projections when the lid is mated to the container. 
     
     
         7 . A wire box assembly for storing and dispensing a coil of wire therefrom, the assembly comprising:
 a container having a base and four upright side walls, the base having a generally rectangular peripheral shape and having a central raised portion with a cruciform projection extending inwardly upward between the upright side walls from the central raised portion; and   a separable lid having a generally rectangular peripheral shape configured to mate with the four upright side walls of the container, the lid having a central inwardly directed raised portion with a cruciform projection extending inward from the central raised portion, wherein the lid cruciform projection is configured to face the container cruciform projection when the lid is attached to the container, wherein the cruciform projections face each other and are spaced apart by a gap, and at least one of the side walls has a central opening therethrough facing the gap between the projections.   
     
     
         8 . The wire box assembly according to  claim 7  wherein the cruciform projections are each formed of a plurality of trapezoidal blades. 
     
     
         9 . The wire box assembly according to  claim 8  wherein the cruciform projections are integrally molded into each of the container and the lid. 
     
     
         10 . The wire box assembly according to  claim 8  wherein each of the blades has an angled edge extending from the base upward at an angle between 45 and 60 degrees. 
     
     
         11 . The wire box assembly according to  claim 8  wherein at least one of the side walls has al elongated opening extending parallel to an upper edge of the side wall for grasping the container. 
     
     
         12 . The wire box assembly according to  claim 8  wherein the lid has a peripheral edge with a plurality of projections extending therefrom to mate with corresponding features in the upright side walls of the container. 
     
     
         13 . The wire box assembly according to  claim 12  wherein at least one of the plurality of projections has a hook shape to engage with a corresponding opening in the side wall of the container. 
     
     
         14 . A wire box assembly for storing and dispensing a coil of wire therefrom, the assembly comprising:
 a container having a generally square base and four upright side walls, the base having a generally rectangular peripheral shape and having a central raised portion with a cruciform projection extending inwardly upward between the upright side walls from the central raised portion; and   a separable lid having a generally rectangular peripheral shape configured to mate with the four upright side walls of the container, the lid having a central inwardly directed raised portion with a cruciform projection extending inward from the central raised portion, wherein the lid cruciform projection is configured to face the container cruciform projection when the lid is attached to the container, wherein the cruciform projections face each other and are spaced apart by a gap, and at least one of the side walls has a central opening therethrough facing the gap between the projections, wherein the container base and side walls merge together along curved outer edges to eliminate sharp corners.   
     
     
         15 . The wire box assembly according to  claim 14  wherein the cruciform projections are each formed of a plurality of trapezoidal blades. 
     
     
         16 . The wire box assembly according to  claim 15  wherein the cruciform projections are integrally molded into each of the container and the lid. 
     
     
         17 . The wire box assembly according to  claim 15  wherein each of the blades has an angled edge extending from the base upward at an angle between 45 and 60 degrees. 
     
     
         18 . The wire box assembly according to  claim 15  wherein at least one of the side walls has al elongated opening extending parallel to an upper edge of the side wall for grasping the container. 
     
     
         19 . The wire box assembly according to  claim 15  wherein the lid has a peripheral edge with a plurality of projections extending therefrom to mate with corresponding features in the upright side walls of the container. 
     
     
         20 . The wire box assembly according to  claim 19  wherein at least one of the plurality of projections has a hook shape to engage with a corresponding opening in the side wall of the container.