Ultrabox receptacle box

Abstract

A modular electrical receptacle box configured to allow outlets and switches to be easily installed using wire segments extending between terminals in the box bottom surface and the outlet and switch. The box has a housing having a first recess, at least one electrical outlet or switch secured to the housing and disposed in the first recess, a plurality of electrical terminals disposed in the bottom wall, a plurality of electrical conductor segments extending between the outlet or switch and the electrical terminals, and a first connector coupled to the electrical terminals via a plurality of electrical busses.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A receptacle box comprising:
 a housing having a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls forming a first recess;   at least one electrical outlet or switch secured to the housing and disposed in the first recess;   a plurality of electrical terminals disposed in the bottom wall;   a plurality of electrical conductor segments extending between the outlet or switch and the electrical terminals; and   a first connector coupled to the housing and electrically connected to the plurality of electrical terminals.   
     
     
         2 . The receptacle box as specified in  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of electrical busses extending between the first connector and the plurality of electrical terminals. 
     
     
         3 . The receptacle box as specified in  claim 2  further comprising a cover selectively coupled to the housing and configured to encompass the plurality of electrical busses. 
     
     
         4 . The receptacle box as specified in  claim 2  wherein the plurality of electrical busses are embedded in the bottom wall of the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The receptacle box as specified in  claim 1  wherein the electrical terminals are comprised of male-type terminals. 
     
     
         6 . The receptacle box as specified in  claim 5  further comprising a plurality of openings extending through the bottom wall, wherein the plurality of electrical terminals extend through the openings. 
     
     
         7 . The receptacle box as specified in  claim 6  wherein:
 the male-type terminals are coated in an electrical insulation material; 
 the segments have at least one female-type connector configured to strip away the electrical insulation material when connected to the respective male-type terminal. 
 
     
     
         8 . The receptacle box as specified in  claim 6  further comprising a peel-off cover disposed across the first recess and configured to prevent debris from entering the first recess. 
     
     
         9 . The receptacle box as specified in  claim 1  wherein the segments each comprise a flexible wire having a female-type connector at each end thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The receptacle box as specified in  claim 1  further comprising:
 a second connector selectively coupled to the first connector; and 
 a plurality of flexible wires coupled to the second connector and configured to couple the receptacle box to another said receptacle box. 
 
     
     
         11 . The receptacle box as specified in  claim 5  comprising:
 a first set of said male-type terminals disposed directly under a first said electrical outlet or switch; 
 a second set of said male-type terminals disposed directly under a second said electrical outlet or switch; 
 wherein a first set of said segments are coupled between the first set of said male-type terminals and the first said electrical outlet or switch; and 
 a second set of said segments are coupled between the second set of male-type terminals and the second said electrical outlet or switch. 
 
     
     
         12 . The receptacle box as specified in  claim 2  wherein the housing includes a flange disposed about the first recess, and a member configured to secure a stud between the member and the flange to secure the housing to the stud. 
     
     
         13 . The receptacle box as specified in  claim 3  wherein the housing has a second recess defined under the bottom wall, wherein the bottom wall separates the first recess from the second recess, and the plurality of electrical busses extend within the second recess. 
     
     
         14 . The receptacle box as specified in  claim 13  wherein the second recess is formed by walls indented from at least one sidewall of the housing. 
     
     
         15 . The receptacle box as specified in  claim 14  wherein the cover is flush with the sidewalls when secured to the housing about the walls forming the second recess. 
     
     
         16 . The receptacle box as specified in  claim 12  wherein the flange has alignment tabs configured to align the electrical outlet or switch when coupled to the housing and disposed in the first recess. 
     
     
         17 . A receptacle box comprising:
 a housing having a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls forming a first recess;   an electrical outlet or switch secured to the housing and disposed in the first recess;   a plurality of electrical male-type terminals disposed in the bottom wall;   a plurality of electrical conductor segments extending between the outlet or switch and the electrical terminals, wherein the segments have a female-type connector on one end coupled to one of the male-type terminals;   a plurality of electrical busses extending between the first connector and the plurality of electrical terminals; and   a first connector coupled to the housing and electrically connected to the plurality of electrical busses.   
     
     
         18 . The receptacle box as specified in  claim 17  further comprising a cover selectively coupled to the housing and configured to encompass the plurality of electrical busses. 
     
     
         19 . The receptacle box as specified in  claim 18  further comprising a plurality of openings extending through the bottom wall, wherein the plurality of electrical terminals extend through the openings. 
     
     
         20 . The receptacle box as specified in  claim 19  comprising:
 a first set of said male-type terminals disposed directly under the electrical outlet or switch; 
 a first set of said segments are coupled between the first set of said male-type terminals and the electrical outlet or switch.