IP Library Granted Patent US 8,789,256
Granted Patent B2
US 8,789,256 · App. 13/232,641 · Granted Jul 29, 2014

Folded electrical junction boxes and associated methods of use and manufacture

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,789,256
App. No.
13/232,641
Granted
Jul 29, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

Folded electrical junction boxes and associated methods of use and manufacture. In one embodiment, a method for manufacturing an electrical junction box can be provided. The method can include receiving a single sheet or roll of metal. The method can further include initiating a plurality of operations to form at least two electrical junction boxes from the single sheet or roll of metal. The operations can include forming at least one extruded threaded hole in a wall of one of the boxes; cutting the sheet or roll of metal to form a plurality of walls for the boxes; scoring a centerline in at least one surface of one of the boxes; and cutting at least one knockout in at least one wall of one of the boxes. Further, the method can include folding the plurality of walls to form at least one folded electrical junction box.

Claims (32)

1. A method for manufacturing an electrical junction box, comprising:

receiving a single sheet or roll of metal;

initiating a plurality of operations to form at least two electrical junction boxes from the single sheet of metal, wherein the operations comprise:

forming at least one extruded threaded hole in a wall of one of the boxes;

cutting the sheet or roll of metal to form a plurality of walls for the boxes;

scoring a centerline in at least one surface of one of the boxes;

cutting at least one knockout in at least one wall of one of the boxes; and

folding the plurality of walls to form at least one folded electrical junction box.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the extruded threaded hole is an extruded threaded ground bump.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein cutting at least one knockout comprises cutting two aligned knockouts.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the two aligned knockouts are concentrically aligned.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the two aligned knockouts are eccentrically aligned.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the operations further comprise:

forming at least one protrusion in one wall of at least one box and a corresponding indentation in an adjacent wall of the at least one box, wherein the at least one protrusion and corresponding indentation are aligned in substantial contact with each other when the one wall overlaps the adjacent wall.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the extruded threaded hole comprises an extruded threaded ground bump comprising plurality of screw threads.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein forming the extruded threaded ground bump comprises embossing the extruded threaded ground bump in the wall.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the extruded threaded ground bump comprises additional metal material that engages the screw threads.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the centerline is scored in at least one surface of the electrical junction box prior to folding the plurality of walls to form the folded electrical junction box.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one extruded threaded hole is formed in the wall of the junction box prior to folding the plurality of walls to form the folded electrical junction box.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of walls comprises a rear wall and a plurality of side walls and wherein the centerline is scored on a surface of the rear wall.

13. A method for manufacturing an electrical junction box, comprising:

receiving a single sheet of metal;

initiating a plurality of operations to form at least two electrical junction boxes from the single sheet of metal, wherein the operations comprise:

forming at least one extruded threaded hole in a wall of one of the boxes, wherein the extruded threaded hole comprises an extruded threaded ground bump and wherein the extruded threaded ground bump comprises additional metal material disposed on a surface of the wall that engages the screw threads;

cutting the sheet or roll of metal to form a plurality of walls for the boxes;

scoring a centerline in at least one surface of one of the boxes; and

cutting at least one knockout in at least one wall of one of the boxes, wherein the at least one knockout comprises two aligned knockouts;

forming at least one protrusion in one wall of at least one box and a corresponding indentation in an adjacent wall of the at least one box, wherein the at least one protrusion and corresponding indentation are aligned in substantial contact with each other when the one wall overlaps the adjacent wall; and

folding the plurality of walls to form at least one folded electrical junction box.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the centerline is scored in at least one surface of the electrical junction box prior to folding the plurality of walls to form the folded electrical junction box.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the extruded threaded ground bump is formed in the wall of the junction box prior to folding the plurality of walls to form the folded electrical junction box.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the two aligned knockouts are concentrically aligned.

Assignments (6)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2025
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: SOUTHWIRE COMPANY, LLC; COLEMAN CABLE, LLC; TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH, LLC; SUMNER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LLC; MADISON ELECTRIC PRODUCTS, LLC; NOVINIUM, LLC; NOVINIUM HOLDINGS, INC.; WATTEREDGE, LLC; TAPPAN WIRE & CABLE, LLC; UNITED COPPER INDUSTRIES, LLC; TOPAZ LIGHTING COMPANY LLC; OBI PARTNERS, LLC; WIIP, INC.
Reel/Frame 072299/0141 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENTS Recorded Oct 23, 2024
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
To: SOUTHWIRE COMPANY, LLC; COLEMAN CABLE, LLC (F/K/A COLEMAN CABLE, INC.); TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH, LLC (F/K/A TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH CORPORATION); SUMNER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LLC; MADISON ELECTRIC PRODUCTS, LLC; NOVINIUM, LLC; WATTEREDGE, LLC; TAPPAN WIRE & CABLE, LLC; UNITED COPPER INDUSTRIES, LLC; TOPAZ LIGHTING COMPANY LLC; OBI PARTNERS, LLC; WIIP, INC.
Reel/Frame 069235/0104 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 13, 2014
From: TEMBLADOR, RICHARD; DIXON, MARK DOUGHTY; KUMMER, RANDY DEON
To: SOUTHWIRE COMPANY
Reel/Frame 033099/0979 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 25, 2014
From: SOUTHWIRE COMPANY
To: SOUTHWIRE COMPANY, LLC
Reel/Frame 032516/0527 →
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Feb 21, 2014
From: SOUTHWIRE COMPANY, LLC; COLEMAN CABLE, INC.; TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH CORPORATION
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 032308/0469 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 12, 2014
From: SOUTHWIRE COMPANY, LLC; COLEMAN CABLE, INC.; TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH CORPORATION
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 032251/0277 →