CA1050623A - Electrical receptacle - Google Patents
Electrical receptacleInfo
- Publication number
- CA1050623A CA1050623A CA240,461A CA240461A CA1050623A CA 1050623 A CA1050623 A CA 1050623A CA 240461 A CA240461 A CA 240461A CA 1050623 A CA1050623 A CA 1050623A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- cover member
- electrical
- body member
- portions
- cable
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Landscapes
- Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
Abstract
ELECTRICAL RECEPTACLE
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE:
An electrical receptable comprises an integrally molded body member and flanged face plate formed preferably as a duplex receptacle for the receipt of conventional two and three wire electrical plugs. The interior of the body member comprises a series of selectively positioned contact supports for engagement with novel contact means suitably aligned therewithin. A mating cover member designed to latch with the body member is provided with inwardly directed projections selectively aligned in a series of rows to provide discrete cradles for each of the conductors of a multiconductor electrical cable to be attached to the receptacle.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE:
An electrical receptable comprises an integrally molded body member and flanged face plate formed preferably as a duplex receptacle for the receipt of conventional two and three wire electrical plugs. The interior of the body member comprises a series of selectively positioned contact supports for engagement with novel contact means suitably aligned therewithin. A mating cover member designed to latch with the body member is provided with inwardly directed projections selectively aligned in a series of rows to provide discrete cradles for each of the conductors of a multiconductor electrical cable to be attached to the receptacle.
Description
BACKGROllND OE~ THE INVENTION:
Field of the Inven-tion:
The .invention is directed to the field of wiring devices and principally to an electrical receptacle adapted to receive conventional two and three prong electrical plugs.
- Description of the Prior Art:
The more common form of electrical receptacle well.
known in the art comprises generally a pair of plug receiving outlets more commonly described as a duplex receptacle comprising ~- a plastic body member containing electrical contacts and adapted to mate with either a two or three prong electrical plugs of either the 120 volt or 220 volt variety comprising, respectively, parallel or offset blade elements. The recepacles '~ are generally provided witk screw terminals on either side thereof adapted to.receive the bared ends of the individual conductors of a multiconductor non-sheathed electrical cable. Such prior art receptacles are further generally provided with mounting ears to which are loosely fastened assembly screws for mounting the receptacle to a metallic box previously installed within an opening in a wall or like support member. ~ separate face plate is thereafter required to be fastened to the front of the receptacle for asthetic and safety purposes. Although there have been some improve-; ments made in recent years with respect to the manner of . - 2 - ~ , ~ 778 ~CI 5~3 1 attaching the cable conductors to the receptacle, the -time, expense, and inconvenience associated with assembling the metallic box, electrical receptacle, and face plate to one ano-ther ~o provide a complete unit has undergone little appreciable ch,ange and represents a burdensome, time-con-suming, and relatively expensive operation wherein ~he user is required to sever -the cable, strip back the installation from a portion thereof and individually connect the conductors ' tb an associated terminal within the electrical receptacle after feeding the cable through an aper-ture in the receptacle supporting junction box. The user is faced with an ad,ditional - problem of having to maintain a stock of face plates which are generally supplied separately from the receptacle and which may be readily lost or misplaced among the proliferation of materials generally found at a construction site which often represents the usually environment for the installation of such receptacles. A further disadvantage of the separate '~ assembly heretofore described is the requirement that the receptacle supporting junction box be properly oriented both vertically and horizontally within the wall or supporting member to avoid having the face plate secured thereto at an oblique angle since only minor adjustment is possible ~etween the axis of -t,he junction box and the axis of the face plate after installatlon. The assembler is presen-ted with a ,25 further difficulty in having to provide within the junction box'a given length of stripped cable to permit manipulation of,the receptacle for subsequent rewiring or replacement and which must be looped and stored within the junction box after th~ assembly is completed which, in the event two or more cable~ are brought into the junction box, results in a - T~}3 778 ~5~6~Z3 1 multLplicity of collnector leads therewith.in all looped about in random fa~hion and interfering with the reassembly of the electrical receptacle to the ~unction box during a subse~uent wiring operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
The invention overcomes the limitations and dif-ficulties noted above with respect to prior art devices by providing a preferably integrally molded plastic electrical receptacle of unitary construction having self-contained mounting means and a releasably latchable cover memher to provide an assembly which is simplex, less expensive, more reliable, and more convenient than such prior art devices. The receptacle is molded preferably from a relatively rigid - electrically insulating plastic material and compr.ises a body member defined by a series of interconnected upstanding walls to provide a partially enclosed cable receiving cavity.
Molded or formed integrally with one end of the cavity is a ` base portion having a generally planar flanged portion extending outwardly fr.om the periphery of the body member, the front surface of the base portion being suitably apertured . to provide a series of selectived spaced openings adapted to receive the blades of an electrical plug. Located adjacent - the rear surface of the flanged portion of the base member at opposite corners of the outer periph-ery of the body member are a pair of mounting pawls each supported on a rotatable.member extending through the hub portion of each pawl and accessible from the front of the base portion to deploy a respective pawl and permit the receptacle to be mounted within a suitably apertured opening in a wall or other support member. The cable receiving cavity is provided ~ 4 ~, .
, T6B 778 ~5~
1 with a series of ~Ipstanding electrical contact supports arranye~l in ~ predetermined pattern to provide support for electrical contacts having tab receiving portions adapted to mate with the blades of an electrical plug inserted through the opening~ in the base portion. The electr,ical contact8 are readily manufactured preferably from a single strip of highly conductive metallic material and are selectively formed to provide an insulation severing and conduc-tor engaging slotted portion having independently deflecta'ble finger portions which are arranged to sever the installation and eng'age -the conductive portion of a respectlve insulated - conductor forcibly urged into the slotted portion of the contact. To complete the assembly there is provided a cover member also constructed preferably of a rigid electr.ically insulating'plastic material in a generally flat rectangular , shape and comprising a series of projections extending out-wardly from the inner surface thereof and aligned in generally longit,udinally extending parallel rows, each projection having a generally V-shaped bifurcated free end adapted to 'provide a cradle for the respective conductors of an electrical cable. The cover member is releasably latchable to the body member of the receptacle by the employment of latching means which may comprise a pair of de~lectable arms extending from opposing sides of the cover member, each arm having an opening adapte~d to coincide with a selectively located .
pro~rusion on the outer surface of the body member when the cover member is seated firmly against the open end thereof. I
To establish a particular orientation of the cover member on I' the body men~er, where desir,ed, the width of the latching members may be differently proportioned and the sidewalls of ~5~ Ei23 the body member provided wlth corresponding pairs of upstanding parallel ribs, providing selectively spaced channels each coinciding with a respective latch member. A plurality of such electrical recep-tacles may be installed in a juxtaposed arrangement by the use of a stepped frame arranged -to provide a seat for the flanged portion of each of the receptacles.
The framed assembly may be mounted within a suitable opening in a wall or other suppor-t structure by the deployment of the mounting pawls of each receptacle in a manner essentially similar to that used to mount a single receptacle to such support. It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved electrical receptacle.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an electrical receptacle of unitary construction It is another object of this invention to provide an improved wiring device which simplifies the installation thereof to a supporting structuxe.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a means for rapidly electrically interconnecting the insulated conductors of an electrical cable to the contacts of an electrical receptacle.
The above and other objects are met with the present invention which broadly defines an electrical receptacle comprising, in combination, a body member formed from electrically insulating plastic material and including wall portions joined to one another to define a cable receiving cavity, the wall portions being seated upon a base portion molded integrally therewith, the base portion having a flanged portion extending outwardly beyond the external perimeter of the wall portions for mounting the body member to a supporting surface, the base portion having contact supports selectively located within the cable receiving cavity for supporting at least a pair of spaced electrical contacts therewithin, the base member being suitably mb/~ G -6~3 aperturecl to provi.de p:lug receivin~ slots arranged to accept the contacts of an electrical plug, the base member ~urther having at least a pair of electrlcal contacts clisposed within the contact supports al~d aligned with respective ones of the base member slots to receive the contacts of an electrical plug inserted within the base member apertures; and a cover member formed from electrically insulating plastic material and arranged to selectively seat agains-t the wall portions to provide a closure for the exposed opening of the body member cable receiving cavity, the cover member including cable support means disposed adjacent one surface thereof, the cable support means being selectively positioned on the cover member for alignment with the body member contact supports upon the selective seating of the cover member against the body member wall portions for urging the respective conductors of an electrical cable against respective ones of the electrical contacts located within the body member cable receiving cavity, the cover member further comprising latch means for selective engagement with the body member to permit the cover member to be releasably locked to ~he~body member.
Other objects and features will be pointed out in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawlngs, which disclose, by way of example, the principle of the invention and the best modes contemplated for carrying it out.
mb/;`i ~ 7 9, ~
6~:3 1 BRIEF DESCR~P1`IOM OF TEIE DRAWINGS:
In the Drawin~s:
FIG. 1 is a si~e elevational view o an electrical receptacle constructed in accordance with the concept~ of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the device o FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the body member of . the device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a side elevational view, partly in section, taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a fragmenta~y top plan view of a furthex embodiment of a contact means for an electrical receptacle constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.
FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a further embodiment of an electrical receptacle constructed in accord-ance with the concepts of the invention.
-20 FIG~ 8 is a perspective view, partly in section, ; of the cover member of the device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view, similar to FIG~ 8, showing ~he terminating ends of the conductors of a multicon-ductor electrical cable cradled in the cover member.
EI~. 10 is a perspective view, similar to FIG~ 8, showing an intermediate portion of the conductors of a multiconductor cable cradled in the cover member.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view, partly cut away and partly in section, of the device of FIG. 1 showing the manner of connec~ing an electrisal multiconductor cable thereto.
', . . : .
.
.. . .
T~B 778 l FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the device of FIG.
1.
FIG. 13 is a fragrnentary perspective view, showiny the cable entry way portion of the device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 14 is a top plan view of contact means for an electrical receptacle constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.
FIG. 15 is a top plan view of a further embodiment of contact means for an electrical receptacle constructed in - lO accordance with the concepts of the invention.
- FIG. 16 is a perspective view, partly cut away and partly in section, of the device of FIG. 14.
FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of a further embodiment of the conductor receiving portion of a contact means for an electrical recep~acle constructed in accor~ance with the concepts of the invention.
FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of y~t another e~bodiment of the conductor receiving portion of a contact means for an electrical receptacle constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.
FIG. l9 is a fragmentary top plan view of yek alnother embodlment of the conductor receiving portion of a ; contact means for an electrical receptacle constructed in accor~ance with the concepts of the invention.
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the ground con-ductor contact means for an electrical receptacle constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.
FIG. 21 is a fragmentary perspPctive view, partly in section, of a further embodiment of a ground conductor .
_ g _ , ~ .
~J
T~B 778 ~ S~ ~3~3 l receiving contact means for an electrical receptacle con-structed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.
FIG. 22 is a fragmentary front elevational view, in section, ~showing the ground conductor support means of the device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 23 is a fragmelltary perspective view, partl~
in section, oE a further embodiment of a ground conductor contact means for an electrical receptacle constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.
FIG. 24 is a fragmentary perspective view of a further embodiment of contact means for an elec-trical receptacle constructed in accordanae with the concepts of the invention.
FIG. 25 is a side elevational view, similar to FIG. 1, s~owing the manner in which the mounting means thereof are deployed to mount the device to a supporting structure.
FIG. 26 is a fragmentary side elevational view~
- partly in sectlon, showing engagement of the mounting means 2n of the device of FIG. 1 to an adjacent wall structure.
FIG. 27 is a fragmentary rear elevational view, showing the mounting means and associated structure of the device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a further embodi ment of mounting means for an eleetrical receptaele construeted in accordance with the coneepts o~ the invention.
FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the device of FIG~ 28 fully deployed.
. ~
- : ~
T&B 778 ~5~i;23 1 FIG. 30 is ~ perspertive view of another embodimen~
of mounting means for an electrical receptacle constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.
FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 30 fully deployed.
FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a ganged receptacle assembly constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.
FIGo 33 is a perspective view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 32 installed within a supporting wall.
Similar elements are given similar reference characters in each of the respectlve drawings.
DESCRIPTION_F THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
Turning now to FIGS. l, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8l 9, l0, ll, 12, 13l 25, 26, 27; 32, and 33 there is shown an electrical recep-tacle 40 constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention. The receptacle 40 comprises a body member 42 which may be conveniently molded from preferably rigid plastic material and which includes a base portion 44 having a flanged portion 46 surrounding the body member 42 and extend-ing beyond the periphery thereof. The body member 42 comprises a box-like structure formed from a plurality of upstanding wall portions including a pair of sidewalls 48, 48' and a pair of end walls 50, 50' (FIG. 4). The interior of the sidewalls 48 and 48' and the and walls 50, and 50' combine to deflne a cable receiving cavity 52 which will be described in greater detail hereafter. A~ shown in greater detail in FIG.
4, the interior of the hody member 42 comprises a series of aligned contact supports 54, 54', 56, 56' and 58, 58' which .
.,~ .
'r~B 778 .. ~63 5~6~3 1 comprlse selectively shaped upstanding portions affixed to the b.ase portion 44 of the body member 42 and pre~erably molded inte.grally therewith. The contact supports 54, 54' .. and 58 form a nest For a fir!3t contact means 60 while the contact supports 56, 56' and 58' form a nest for a second conta~t means 62. Each of the supports 54, 54', 56, and 56' border a respective aperture 64, 64', 66, 66' extending - generally.transversely through the base member 44 and propor-tioned to receive the blades of an electrical plug which are guided through the aforesaid apertures or openings in the base portion 44 for contact with selective portions of - the first and second contact means 60 and 62, respectively.
.As further illustrated in FIG~ 2, the base member 44 is . provided with additional openings 68, 68' adapted to receive :~ 15 the ground pin or blade of a conventional electrical plug.
The openings 68, 68' coincide with respective contact engaging finger portions 70 and 72 of a ground conductor contact ~~ means 74 shown in greater detail in FIG. 20 and whlch,will be described in greater detail hereafter. The contact means 74 is supported within the cable receiving cavity 52 of the body member 42 by a series of further support means 75, 75 !
and 76, 7~' the inner surfaces of which define a channel arranged to tightly abut the sides of the contact means 74 to retain the contact means 74 in the desired position within.the body member 42. To provide a complete enclosure, there is provided a cover member 78 having latch portions 80 and 80' (FIG. 8) adapted to mate with corresponding latch engaging protrusions 82 and 82' ~FIG. 4) selectively located on the first and second sidewalls 48 and 48', respectively, ` 30 of body member 42. Each of the latch portions 80 and 80' .: .
'r~B 7'78 1 extencl ~rom the sides of the cover member 78 ~enerally norm~l to the inner surface thereof and are spaced apart' rom one another a distance generally equivalent to the . spac.ing between the outer su:rfaces of the sidewalls 48 and 48' of the body member 42. The latch portions 80 and 80' each comprise a pair of yenerally parallel spaced leg portions 84, 84' and 86, 86' respectively, each of which is joined to the cover member 78 at one end, the juncture between the cover member,78 and each of the latch portions 80 and 80.' being further defined by a respective recessed portion 88, 88' arranged to increase the deflectability of each of the - latch portio.ns 80 and 80' at its juncture with the cover member 78. Each of the latch portions 80 and 80' further comprises an interconnecting portion 90, 90', respectively, joinlng.a pair of respective leg portions 84, 86 and 84', 86' at their outer ends to complete the latch portion ~ structure. .The .inner edges of the leg portions 84 and 8.6 -~ ,and the interconnecting portions 90 of latch portion 80 define a first aperture 92, while the inner edges of the leg portion.s a4 ' and 86' and the interconnecting portion 90' of latch portion 80i define a second aperture 92' each suitably dimensioned to lockingly mate with the respective latch .
engaging protrusions 82 and 82' on the body member 42. The interconnecting portions 90 and 90' are further provided : 25 with a beveled interior surface 94, 94' generally adjacent the leading edge of each of the latch portions 80 and 80', only one (94') of such surfaces being visible in FIG. 8~
The beveled surfaces 94, 94' serve to deflect each of the latch portions 80 a,nd 80' outwardly upon engagemen with a re~pective , lat~h'engaging protrusion 82, 82' as the cover member 78 i.~ ' .
T&~ 778 1 ur~ed over the body member 42, ~o that upon full closure of the cover member 78 the .ioner edge 96, 96' of each latch portion 80, 80', respectively, abuts the adjacent edge of a latch engaging protrusion 82 ! 82', to securely lock the cover member 78 tn the body member 4~. The cover member 78, m~y, of course, be re~dily moved from the body member ~2 by manually deflecting each of the latch portions 80 and 90' outwardly suf~icien-tly to disengage the edges 96 and 96' from the latch engaging protru~ions 82 and 82'. Alternatively, although not illustrated, the cover member 78 ~ay be provided with la-tch engaging protrusions such as 82, 82', and the - body member 42 provided with latch poxtions such as 80, 80' to provide a similar but reversed latch arrangement. Depending outwardly from the first sidewall 48 of body member 42, are . 15 a first pair of ribs 98, 98' (FIG. 4) arranged to provide a guide channel for the latch portion 80. In a similar manner the second sidewall 48' is provided with a pair of depending ~-- ribs I00, 100' to provide a guide channel for the latch portion 80'. Where it is desired to selectively orient the cover member 78 on the body member 42 the width of the latch portion 80 may be arranged to have a dimension different . than the width of the latch portion 80' and the inner space : between ribs 98, 98' and ribs 100, 100' correspondingly arranged to closely approximate the width of the corresponding latch portion 80, 80', thus insuring that the cover member 78 may be latched to the bo~y member 42 in the desired : orientation~ Alternatively, although not illustrated, each : of the latch portions 80, 80' may be provided with longitudinally.
extending ribs and the sidewalls 48~ 48' of the body member ~ 30 - 42, provi~ed with mating suitably located recesse~ ~o provide .~ .
: - 14 -'1'&~3 77~ i ~S~ 3 1 a similar guidinq and channelling effect. Each of the end walls 50 and 50' of the body member 42 is provided with a respective notched portion 102 and 102' arranged -to provide clearance for the incoming electrical cable. The cover member 78 is provided with an upstanding portion 104 which, although shown adjacent only one end of the the cover member 78 in FIG. 8 may be provided at both ends in a similar manner and arranged to fit closely within a respective one of the notched portion 102, and 102' in the body member 42 thus providing a selective closure for the unused cable entryway essentially as shown in FIG. 12 wh~re, for example, an electrical cable terminates at the electrical receptacle, 40. The upstanding portion 104 is rangibly connected to the remainder of the cover member 78 by a relatively thin web of reduced cross section indicated by the numeral 106 in , FIG. 11 to permit the upstanding portion 104 to be readily broken away from the remainder of the cover member 78 to provide ~- an entryway for a cable at either end of the receptacle 40 This arrangement has the additional advantage of permitting a cable such as '108 (FIG. 10) to be terminated to the electrical receptacle 40 midspan of its length where the ends of the cable 108 are to extend beyond both ends of the body member 42. In the case of a single ended termination, as shown in FIG. 9, the upstanding portion 104 has been left intact at one end of the cover member 78 but has been broken away from the other end so,as to permit an electrical cable such 2S
110 to be brought into and terminated at the receptacle 40 from only one end. Where it is de~ired to provide an entryway for more than one cable at a given end o the body member 42, there may be advantageously provided an arrangement ~uch '~ ' ' .
r~B 778 1 as th~t illustr~ted in FIG. 13, in which either or both of the notched portions 102 and 102' may be modified as at 112 to include a frangible portion 114 disposed within the notched portion 112 which, incidently, has a total depth greater than tha~ xequlred to provide an en-tryway for a single electrical cable, but is appropriately reduced by the height of the frangible portion 114. Consequently, in the event more ~han one electrical cable is to be inserted within the electrical receptacle 40 from a given end, the frangible portion 114 may then be broken away from the remainder of the notched portion 112 to provide an enlarged - opening adapted to receive the additional cables therethrough.
Commensurate with the embodiment illustrated in F'IG. 13, the upstanding portion 104 of cover member 78 will have a depth generally equivalent to the unobstruct~d opening of the notched portion 112 so that a complete closure may be effected at such end prior to the removal of the frangible --- portion 114. The body member 48 may, accordingly, be provided with a,notched portion such as 112 within either or both of the end walls thereof as necessary or desirable. As further illustrated in FIG. 8, the upstanding portion 104 of cover - member 78 may be provided with a bevelled edge 116 arranged to be slidably engaged within a complimentarily ormed slot 118 in either the notched portion 112 tFIG. 13) or 102 and 102' (~IG. 4) to provide an increased area ~ closure there-between. The cover member 78 is further provided with cable guides 120 and 120' (FIG. 8) each of which includes a respec-tive pair of upstanding leg portions 122, 122' and 124~
; 124', each pair at least partially defining a channel like openin~ to restrict lateral movement of an electrical cable ', ' .
~ - 16 ~
, .... ~ . , .
1 such as 108 or 110 within the cover member 78 during and after assembly. Each pair of leg portions 122, 12~' and 1~4, 124' are joined at their respective bases by an intercon-necting portion 126, 126', respectively, adapted to maintain s the cable at a given height above the inner surface of the cover member 78. Also depending outwardly generally normal to the interior surface of the cover member 78 are a series of proj~ctions aligned in rows which are axially oriented generally parallel to the longitudi.nal axis of the cover member 78. One ~uch ro~ includes projection3 128, 130, and 132. An~ther such row includes projections 134, 136, and - 138. Between the afore~entioned two rows is a third row including projections 140, 142, 146 and 148, projections 146 and 148 differing, however, from projections 140 and 142 in providing a guide rather than a support, for the centrally disposed ~onductor. The cahle guides 126 and 126' are disposed along a common axis in general alignment with an -~ axis joining the projections 140, 142, 146, and 148. All o ~he aforementioned projections except projections 146 and 148 are proyided with a bifurcated free end which, as i.llus-trated in FIG. 8, may comprise a V-shaped notch such as indicated by the numeral 150 at the free end of projection 128. The apex of the notches in a particular row of proj~c-tions lie along a common axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cover member 78 to provide a cradle for a particular individual conductor of a multiconductor electrical cable in the manner illustra.ted in FIGS. 9 and 10. In the arrangeme.nt illustrated therein, the two outer rows comprising, respectively, projections 128, 130 and 132, . and projection 134, 186 and 138, are adapted to support the T&E~ 778 ~LIDS~i23 1 usual curr~nt-carrying c~nductors of a multiconductor electrical cable while the center ro~ comprising projec-tions 140,142 146, and 148 are adapted to support the usual ground conductor of such cable. The V-notched projections are all of equal height and positionally arrallyed to insure that each of the conductors supported thereby will be aligned with a respective conductor receiving portion of an associated contact means 60, 62, and 74 located within the body member 42 of the receptacle 40 as the cover member 78 is brought lnto engagement with the body member 42. As the cover member 78 is urged into fu].l latched engagement with the body memb2r 42 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 11, the conductors which are cradled within the bifurcated free ends of the projections in the cover member 78 are, accordingly, urged against the respective conductor receiving portions of the contact means 60, 62, and 74 for electrical and mechanical engagement therewith. After assemb.ly, the cover member projections serve as a strain relief by locking the conductors in place adj~cent the respective contact means.
The electrical receptacle 40 may be mounted to a - suitably apertured supporting surface.by the employment of mounting means such as pawl means 152 and 154 (FIG. 3, 25 and 26) each of which comprises a hub portion 156, 158, respec-ti~ely, and a finger portion 160, 162, respectively, each finger portion 160, 162 extending radially outwardIy from its associated hub portion. Both pawl means 152 and 154 are similarly ~onstructed and further comprise a gusset portion such as 164 (FIG. li extending betw~en the hub portion and finger portion at each pawl means. Each of the hub portions 156 and 158 have a longitudinal bore ext~nding :: -- 18 --`
T~.B 778 ~L~S~623 f 1 therethrough for thre~ded ~ngag~ment with the shank portion of ~ res~ective screw me~ns 166 and lk8, the shank portions of which extend generally transversely through the flanged portion 46 of the base portion 44 o~ the body member 42.
S Each of the screw means 166 and 168 inclucles a head portion 170, 172, respectively, (FIG. 2) which is accessible from the ~ront surface of the flanged portion 46 so that upon , rotation of the screw means 166 and 168, the respective pawlmeans 152 and 154 are caused to be deployed and axially displaced in a manner shown more clearly in FIG. 25 and 26.
The body member 42 is provided with a pair of pawl stops 174 - and 176 (FIG. 3) each arranged to limit the rotational travel of a respective pawl means 152, 154 as shown in FIG.
. 27. The pawl stops 174 and 176 extend generally parallel to the axis of a respective screw means 166 and 168 generally '~
normal to the plane of the base portion 44 of the body member 42'and are arranged to intercept the arc of a respective finger portion 160, 162 of a pawl means 152, 154. Accordingly, the pawl means 152 and 154 may be deployed from a first position closely adjacent and within the periphery of the sidewalls 48 and 48' of the body member 42 (FIG. 3) to a second position substantially as shown by the ,dotted outlines 178 and 178' in FIG. 2S and by the solid outline in ' , FIG. 27 by:rotating each of the screw means 166 and 168 with-~ 25 the aid of a tool such as screw driver 180 (FIG, 25) in the ' direction shown by the arrows 1820 As the Einger portions , 160 and 162 of the pawl means 152 and 154 contact a respective pawl stop 174, 176, further rotation of the pawl means is thus restrained and each of the pawl means 152 and 154 is f' 30 caused to ride along the threaded portion of a respective ~t~B 778 s~ 3 1 screw me~n~ .1.66,168 toward3 the flanged portion 46 of the base portion 44 .in a di.rection indicated general:Ly by the arrows 184 and 186 in FIG. 25. As-each of the screw means 16~. and 168 i~ fur-ther rotated, the associated pawl means finger portions 160 and 162 are caused to bear against the adjac~nt surface of a supporting wall 188, in a manner shown more clearly in FIG. 26. The wall 188 is thus sandwiched between a respective finger portion 160, 162 of the pawl means l5~, 154, and the flanged portion 46 of the receptacl~
; 10 40 to lock the receptacle 40 .in the desired position within the supporting wall 188. The shank portion of each of the - sc~ew means 166 and 168 extends through the flanged portion 46 of the base portion 44 and into a respective supporting boss 190, 192 (FIG. 4~. Extending rearwardly from each of the bosses 190, 192, is a channel 194 ~FIG. 26) disp.osed adjacen.t the shank portion of each of the screw means 166 and 168 and having an interior surface arranged to provide a nest for an associated hub means 156, 158, of the pawl means 152, 154. Each of the channels 194 is further provided with a lip portion 196 illustrated more clearly in FIGS. 26 and 27. The channels 194 and the lip portions 196 are essentially I of the same length and encompass a portion of the total axial dlstance transv~rsed by the pawl means 50 that each of : khe.flnger portions 160 and 162 of the pawl means 152 and .
:~ 25 154 may.be rotated freely into their deployed position wi~hout interference from either the channel 194 or lip portion 196 at the initiation of the mounting operation.
However, as the screw means 166 and 16~ are rotated, each of the pawl means 152 and 154 i~ caused to advance forwardly axially along a respective threaded portion o the screw !
20 ~-~ - T6U 778 :~5C~6~3 1 means l66 and 168 until each of the pawl means 152 and 154 has entered the area encompassed by the lip portion of an assoc.iated channel 194. In this position, the pawl means i9 partially restrained from rotating in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed from the front of the receptacle 40, beyond a position shown generally by the dotted outline 152 in FIG. 27 so that in the event of vibration or movement of the receptacle 40 the mounting pawls 152 and 154 are effec-tively restrained in their arcuate travel and are always at least partially deployed for engagement with the adjacent surface of the supporting wall 188. To remove the receptacle 40 from the supporting structure, each of the screw means 166 and 168 must be backed off sufficiently to cause an associated pawl means 152, 154 to be moved axially rearwardly sufficiently to cause an associated finger portion 160, 162 to traverse the entire length of an associated restraining lip 196 so that each of the pawl means may then be freely rotated back into its undeployed position essentially as . S}lOWn in FIG. 3. A modified form of the lip portion 196 is illustrated in FIGS. 28 and 29 and includes an upstanding finger 193 which functions both as a restraining means and guide ~eans for each of the pawl means 152 and 154. A
further embod:iment of a rotational restraining means is shown in ~IGS. 30 and 31 wherein each of the pawl means is provided with a hook-like extension 200 extending outwardly from its finger portion and arranged to overlie an upstanding ~ rib portion 202 located on the body member 42 and extending generally parallel to the axis of an associated screw mqans 166 and 168. Thus, in the undeployed state~ the pawl means and its aR~ociated hook-like extension 200 are positioned e~en-i; . .
.. .~
~:- . . ., .: .
~ - . .
T6E~ 778 1 tially ~5 ~hown in F:[G. 30. After deployment, as shown in FIG. 31, the hook-like extension 200 is caused to be engaged about -the rib portion 202 wh.ich both guides and supports the pawl means as it is advanced towards the flanged portion 46 of the base portion 44.
Turning now to FIGS. 14 and 16 the contact means 60 located.within the body memher 42 of the electrical receptacle 40 is shown in further detail. Since the contact means 62 is essen~ial.ly identical to the contact means 60 10 but is formed as a mirror image thereof, all reEerence to the contact means 60 will be deemed to include a similar but complimentary structure with regard to the contact means 62.
The contact means 60 may be conveniently manufactured prefer~
ably from a single s-trip of highly conductive metallic material such as, brass, copper, or other well known conduc-tive materlals and includes a generally U-shaped conductor .engagillg central portion 204 having a bight portion 206 and extending leg portions 208 and 203'. The free end of each of the lçg portions 208 and 208' is joined to a respective :~ 20 arm portion 210, 210' disposed substantially at right angles ; to the plane of a respective leg portion 208, 208', said arm ` portions lying in a common plane. Each of the arm portions 210 and 21.0' terminates in a respective looped portion 212, 212' of generally flattened configuration so as to provide a respective tab receiving slot 214, 214' oriented in generally.
; parallel relatlonship with the plane of an associated arm portion 210, 210', each of the tab receiving slots 21~, 214' being arranged to slidably receive the blade of a common electrical plUgD Ths gap between the opposing wall surface~
fo~ming the tab receiving slot 214, 214' is selective~y T~B 778 ~S~6~3 1 dimension~d to provide a relatively tight fit about such blade to insure secure and reliable electrical and mechanical contact therebetween. Each looped portion, 212, 212', is - provided with outwardly flared extending portions 216, 218, respectively, for partially guiding an associated blade of an electrical plug into a respective tab receiving slok 214, - 214'. Each of the leg por-tions 208, and 208' of the contact means 60 is provided with a first slot 220, 220' (FIG. 16) extendlng a given length generally parallel to the axis of the bight portion 206 of the central portion 204, each of the first slots 220 and 220' terminating at a second slot ~ 222, 222', respectively, axially oriented generally normal to the axis of its respective first slot 220, 220' to define a generally inverted T-shape. The first and second slots of each leg portion 208, 208', thus define a pair of opposingly disposed finger portions 224, 224', and 226, 226', respectively, each of the finger portions being independently deflectable ~ and having a free edge arranged to sever the insulation about and engage the conducting portion of an in~ulated conductor forcibly -thereinto. As further illustrated in FIG. 14, the finger portions 224, 224' are offset from one another in opposite directions fxom the plane of their associated :Leg portlon 208, and the finger portions 226, 226' are offset from one another in opposite directions from the plane of their associated leg portion Z08', so that each of the finger portions of a pair such as 224 : and 224' wi:Ll ~e deflected away from one another in opposite dlxections when subjected to the force of, for example, an electrical conductor urged between the f inger portions and having a diameter slightly greater than the . . .:
1 T&B 778 ~S~ 3 1 width of the respective slot 220. The finger portion.s 224, 224', will of course, tend to return to their oriqinal un deflecte~ position, thereby maintaining tight electrical and mechanical engagement with the engaged portion of the electri-cal conductor. An identical situation occu.rs with respect to the finger por-tions 226, 226' which are formed in essenti~ . .
ally the same manner as the finger portions 224, 224'.
Accordingly, a conductor spanning the U-shaped portion 204 of the contact means 60 generally parallel to the plane of the arm por-tions 210, 210' is securely held between the two pair of finger portions and is thereby electrically joined - to the remainder of the contact means 60. Although the arrangement shown in FIG. 16 has been found to ~e entirely adequate in the case of a single conductor, a third slot 228 (FIG. 17) disposed intermed.tate the length o~, and intersect-- ing the first slot 220, 220', may ~e introduced into a respective leg portion 20fl, 208', to provide two pair of independently deflectable finger portions 230, 230', and 232, 232l located along the length of an associated slot 220., 220'. Accordingly, conductors of different diameters, which, by way of example, are illustrated by the dotted outlines 234, 236 in FIG. 17, may be forcibly urged into a respective slot 220, 220' in overlying relationship and independently engaged between an associated pai.r of finger portions, such as 230, 230' and 232, 232', to minimize the effect o deflection of one pair of finger portions upon the other pair.. In this manner either the larger or smaller diameter conductor may be lntroduced first into the slot~
220, 220' without effecting the electrical and mechanical integrity of the connection formed between both conducto~s . - 24 -j T6~ 778 i ~L~Sa~523 1 and the c~lltact m~ans. Tn a simllar manner, an additional, slot may be provided along the length of the first slot 220, 220l in a manner illustrated, for example, in FIG. 18 where there is shown a conductor'receiving leg portion 238 having a long,itudinally d,isposed first slot 240 terminating at a second slot 242 and furth~r intersected by additional slots 244 and 246 to provide three pair of individually deflectable fingers 248, 248', 250, 250', and 252, 252'. ~ach of thP
slots 242, 244, and 246 may further terminate at an additional slot such as indicated at 254, 254', 256, 256' and 258,'258', respectively, providing increased flexibility for each of ~- the independently deflectable finger portions 248, 248' 250, 250' and 252, 252'.. As further,illustrated in FIG~ 19 the finger portions located on one side of the slot 240 may be alternatingly offset from the plane of their associated leg portion 238, that is, the finger portion 252, as viewed in FIGo 19 ~ is offset to the left of the plane of ~he leg portion 238 while the finger portion 250 is offset to the right of the plane of the leg portion 238 and, accordingly1 the finger portion 248 may be offset in the same direction as the finger portion 252. The alternating offset arrangemen , described hereinabove may, of course, be modified so that each of the finger portions, such as 248, 250, and 252 . located on one side of. the slot 240 may be offset in the ~ ~5 same direction from the plane of their associated leg portion -I 238 while the finger portions 248', 250, and 252' located on ,l the other side of the slot 240 may be offset in the opposite ' directi~on from the plane of their associated leg portion 238. It ha~ been found, however, that an alternating offset arrangement provide~ a llghtly better distribution of !
.. . ..
. . .
T~B 778 ~ 3 l Eorces along one sl.de of the slot 240 where a plurality of conductors are dispos~d in overlying relationship within the . 510t ~40. The bight portion 206 of ~he U-shaped portion 204 ¦ of the contact means 60 is further provided with a lanced ¦ 5 projection 260 (FIG. 16) extending outwardly from the rear surface o~ the bight portion 206 for enga~ement with the adjacent w~ll surface of -the contac-t support within the body memher 42 to lock the contact means 60 in a given position within the body member 42.
Turning now to FIGS. 6 and 15, either or both of the contact means 60 and 62 may be modified to provide a con-- tact means 26Z essentially similar to either of said contact means 60 or 6.2 but further provided with an additional looped portion such as 264 disposed generally normal to a respective looped portion 212, 212' described heretofore. To facilltate : the emp~oyment of the arrangement shown in FI~. 6, the base portion of the receptacle is modified essentially as shown in FIG. 7 to provide a T-shaped slot 266 arranged to co.incide : with one end of the contact means 262, and a rectangular slot .
268 essentially duplicative of slots 64, 64' illustrated in . . . .
FIG. 2, and similarly arranged to coincide with a respective looped end of the contact means 60. The additional looped portion 264 i9 also provided with a fla-ttened configuration to define a tab receiving slot 270 planarly oriented generally .- 25 perpendicular to the plane of the tab receivin~ slot 214' of contact means 60 to provide a socket arrangement adapted ~o receive both 120 V.A.C. and 220 V.A.C. electrical plugs, where necessary or desirable. For duplex operationp both ends of the contact means 262 may be provided with an addi-.-t.ional looped portion 264.(FIG. 15), each disposed adjacent : -- .
, T~B 778 ~54~1~23 1 the termin~ting end of a respective arm port.ion 272, 272'.
The additional looped p~rtion.s 264 are also provided with outwardly flared extending portions 274 similar to the flared portions 216 and 218 illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17 and function in a simil.ar manner in providing a guide or the respective plug blades inserted therewithin. The contact means 60 and 62 and the contact means 262 are designed primarily to provide an in-terconnection between the conven-tional current-carrying conductors of an incoming electrical cable and the blades of an electrical plug inserted within the receptacle. The ground contact means 74 shown in plan - view in FIG~ 4 is illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 20 and is also preferably manufactured from a single strip of highly conductive metallic material suitably formed to provide a generally U-shaped conductor receiving portion 276 having a bight portion 278 and extending leg portions 280 and 280'. The leg portions 280 and 280' are slotted as at 282, 282', respectively, to provide a conductor receiving channel for the ground conductor of a multiconductor electri-cal cable such as described heretofore. Extending from the ~ free end of the leg portion 280 in generally normal planar relationship therewith is a channel-like arm portion 284 from which depends the first finger por~ion 70, while the second finger portion 72 extends from one edge of the remain-. 25 ing leg portion 280' and is formed essentially as a mirror image of the first finger portion 70. The finger portions 70 and 72.of contact means 74 are arranged to coincide with th~ ap~rtures 68 and 68', respectively, in th~ base.portion 44 of the body member 42.so as to bear against the respective ~round pin o an electrical plug inserted within the corxespond-- .
lr6B 778 62~3 ing apertures 68, 68' in the ~ase por-t.ion 44. The ]ongitudinally e~-tending upturned edges 76, 76' of the arm por-tion 284 of the contact means 74 are arranged to engage the adjacent wall portions of the contact support means 75, 75' (FIG. 4) within the body member 42 of the receptacle 40 to maintain the contact means 74 in a given position between the contact means 60 and 62. The edges 76 and 76' may be serrated as sho~n at 286, 286' in FI~. 21 to increase the interengagement between such edges and the adjacent wall of the contact supports in the body member 42. The arm portion 284 of the ground contact means 74 is further suppor-ted on.struts 288, ~ 288' (FIG. 22~ extending upwardly from the base portion 44 of the body memb~r 42, intermediate the contact support means 75, 75' (FIG. 4).
Turning now to FIGS. 23 and ~4, the conductor receivlng slots in each of the contact means 60 and 62 and the ground conductor contact means 74 may be eliminated, and an arrangement similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 23 and - 24 suhstituted therefore. In FIG. 23, there is shown a portion of a ground conductor contact means 290 having outwardly extending flanged portions 292 and 294 each suitably apertured to receive an.associated threaded member such as a scraw 296, 298 which may be tightened about the bared looped end of a conductor (not shown) to electrically and mechanicall~
. 25 connect the conductor to the contact means 290. The contact : means 60 and 62 may be similarly modified as shown for example in FIG.. 24. As illustrated therein, each of ~he arm portions may be provided with an associated overhanging flanged portio~ 300, 302, suitably apertured to receive a threaded member ~uch as a screw 304, 306 which may similarly . ' .
~r~3 778 l be ti~htened about the b~red looped end of an electrical conductor for el~ctrical ~nd mechanical engagement there~7ith.
Turning now to FIG',. 32 and 33, two or more electrical ~eceptacles 40 may be mounted in side by side relationship in a supporting wall such as 308 by the employ-~e~t of a suitably dimensioned frame 310 the i.nner periphery of which is recessed as at 3:L2 to provide a supporting step for the peripheral edge of the flanged portions of each of the receptacles 40~ To initiate the installation, one or more eleçtrical cables such as 314 are first fed through a suitably proportioned aperture 315 in the supporting wall 308 and through the frame 310 for attachment to each of the receptacles 40. The receptacles 40 are then placed against the recess 312 of the frame 310 in jux.taposed relationship and the partial as~embly including the receptacles 40 and the frame 310 positioned against the aperture 316 in the .~ supporting wall 308. The mounting pawls 152 and 154 may now be deployed by xota.ting the screws 166 and 168, as described ~ereinabove, SQ that the finger portions thereof are caused to rotate outwardly and advance forwardly against the rear . suxface of the supporting wall 308, thereby providingla completed installation essentially as shown in FIG. 33. It will of course be readily appreciated that, due to the nature of the assembly, extreme care in forming the aperture 316 is not required since the frame 310 and the electrical receptacles 40 comprise essentially a self-contained unit : which may be relatively freely manipulated both vertically and horizontally within the dimensions of the aper~ure 316 : prior to deploying and advanci:ng the mounting pawls 152 and ~, 30 154. It will also b.e appreciated that although two such . .
: - 29 -- . , ~ ;~ . . . . ~, ...... .
, T&B 778 l050~2;~
1 electrical receptacles 40 are shown in the assembly il-lustrated in FIG. 33, almost any number may be cooperatively joined in a similar manner wi~hout departing from the spirit of the invention and within the concepts herein disclosed.
The ernbodiments of the invention in which an exlcusive property or privilege is claimed are defined a~
followso ',' " "" ' , , ' , , "' '~
' " , ' ,. ~ .
Field of the Inven-tion:
The .invention is directed to the field of wiring devices and principally to an electrical receptacle adapted to receive conventional two and three prong electrical plugs.
- Description of the Prior Art:
The more common form of electrical receptacle well.
known in the art comprises generally a pair of plug receiving outlets more commonly described as a duplex receptacle comprising ~- a plastic body member containing electrical contacts and adapted to mate with either a two or three prong electrical plugs of either the 120 volt or 220 volt variety comprising, respectively, parallel or offset blade elements. The recepacles '~ are generally provided witk screw terminals on either side thereof adapted to.receive the bared ends of the individual conductors of a multiconductor non-sheathed electrical cable. Such prior art receptacles are further generally provided with mounting ears to which are loosely fastened assembly screws for mounting the receptacle to a metallic box previously installed within an opening in a wall or like support member. ~ separate face plate is thereafter required to be fastened to the front of the receptacle for asthetic and safety purposes. Although there have been some improve-; ments made in recent years with respect to the manner of . - 2 - ~ , ~ 778 ~CI 5~3 1 attaching the cable conductors to the receptacle, the -time, expense, and inconvenience associated with assembling the metallic box, electrical receptacle, and face plate to one ano-ther ~o provide a complete unit has undergone little appreciable ch,ange and represents a burdensome, time-con-suming, and relatively expensive operation wherein ~he user is required to sever -the cable, strip back the installation from a portion thereof and individually connect the conductors ' tb an associated terminal within the electrical receptacle after feeding the cable through an aper-ture in the receptacle supporting junction box. The user is faced with an ad,ditional - problem of having to maintain a stock of face plates which are generally supplied separately from the receptacle and which may be readily lost or misplaced among the proliferation of materials generally found at a construction site which often represents the usually environment for the installation of such receptacles. A further disadvantage of the separate '~ assembly heretofore described is the requirement that the receptacle supporting junction box be properly oriented both vertically and horizontally within the wall or supporting member to avoid having the face plate secured thereto at an oblique angle since only minor adjustment is possible ~etween the axis of -t,he junction box and the axis of the face plate after installatlon. The assembler is presen-ted with a ,25 further difficulty in having to provide within the junction box'a given length of stripped cable to permit manipulation of,the receptacle for subsequent rewiring or replacement and which must be looped and stored within the junction box after th~ assembly is completed which, in the event two or more cable~ are brought into the junction box, results in a - T~}3 778 ~5~6~Z3 1 multLplicity of collnector leads therewith.in all looped about in random fa~hion and interfering with the reassembly of the electrical receptacle to the ~unction box during a subse~uent wiring operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
The invention overcomes the limitations and dif-ficulties noted above with respect to prior art devices by providing a preferably integrally molded plastic electrical receptacle of unitary construction having self-contained mounting means and a releasably latchable cover memher to provide an assembly which is simplex, less expensive, more reliable, and more convenient than such prior art devices. The receptacle is molded preferably from a relatively rigid - electrically insulating plastic material and compr.ises a body member defined by a series of interconnected upstanding walls to provide a partially enclosed cable receiving cavity.
Molded or formed integrally with one end of the cavity is a ` base portion having a generally planar flanged portion extending outwardly fr.om the periphery of the body member, the front surface of the base portion being suitably apertured . to provide a series of selectived spaced openings adapted to receive the blades of an electrical plug. Located adjacent - the rear surface of the flanged portion of the base member at opposite corners of the outer periph-ery of the body member are a pair of mounting pawls each supported on a rotatable.member extending through the hub portion of each pawl and accessible from the front of the base portion to deploy a respective pawl and permit the receptacle to be mounted within a suitably apertured opening in a wall or other support member. The cable receiving cavity is provided ~ 4 ~, .
, T6B 778 ~5~
1 with a series of ~Ipstanding electrical contact supports arranye~l in ~ predetermined pattern to provide support for electrical contacts having tab receiving portions adapted to mate with the blades of an electrical plug inserted through the opening~ in the base portion. The electr,ical contact8 are readily manufactured preferably from a single strip of highly conductive metallic material and are selectively formed to provide an insulation severing and conduc-tor engaging slotted portion having independently deflecta'ble finger portions which are arranged to sever the installation and eng'age -the conductive portion of a respectlve insulated - conductor forcibly urged into the slotted portion of the contact. To complete the assembly there is provided a cover member also constructed preferably of a rigid electr.ically insulating'plastic material in a generally flat rectangular , shape and comprising a series of projections extending out-wardly from the inner surface thereof and aligned in generally longit,udinally extending parallel rows, each projection having a generally V-shaped bifurcated free end adapted to 'provide a cradle for the respective conductors of an electrical cable. The cover member is releasably latchable to the body member of the receptacle by the employment of latching means which may comprise a pair of de~lectable arms extending from opposing sides of the cover member, each arm having an opening adapte~d to coincide with a selectively located .
pro~rusion on the outer surface of the body member when the cover member is seated firmly against the open end thereof. I
To establish a particular orientation of the cover member on I' the body men~er, where desir,ed, the width of the latching members may be differently proportioned and the sidewalls of ~5~ Ei23 the body member provided wlth corresponding pairs of upstanding parallel ribs, providing selectively spaced channels each coinciding with a respective latch member. A plurality of such electrical recep-tacles may be installed in a juxtaposed arrangement by the use of a stepped frame arranged -to provide a seat for the flanged portion of each of the receptacles.
The framed assembly may be mounted within a suitable opening in a wall or other suppor-t structure by the deployment of the mounting pawls of each receptacle in a manner essentially similar to that used to mount a single receptacle to such support. It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved electrical receptacle.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an electrical receptacle of unitary construction It is another object of this invention to provide an improved wiring device which simplifies the installation thereof to a supporting structuxe.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a means for rapidly electrically interconnecting the insulated conductors of an electrical cable to the contacts of an electrical receptacle.
The above and other objects are met with the present invention which broadly defines an electrical receptacle comprising, in combination, a body member formed from electrically insulating plastic material and including wall portions joined to one another to define a cable receiving cavity, the wall portions being seated upon a base portion molded integrally therewith, the base portion having a flanged portion extending outwardly beyond the external perimeter of the wall portions for mounting the body member to a supporting surface, the base portion having contact supports selectively located within the cable receiving cavity for supporting at least a pair of spaced electrical contacts therewithin, the base member being suitably mb/~ G -6~3 aperturecl to provi.de p:lug receivin~ slots arranged to accept the contacts of an electrical plug, the base member ~urther having at least a pair of electrlcal contacts clisposed within the contact supports al~d aligned with respective ones of the base member slots to receive the contacts of an electrical plug inserted within the base member apertures; and a cover member formed from electrically insulating plastic material and arranged to selectively seat agains-t the wall portions to provide a closure for the exposed opening of the body member cable receiving cavity, the cover member including cable support means disposed adjacent one surface thereof, the cable support means being selectively positioned on the cover member for alignment with the body member contact supports upon the selective seating of the cover member against the body member wall portions for urging the respective conductors of an electrical cable against respective ones of the electrical contacts located within the body member cable receiving cavity, the cover member further comprising latch means for selective engagement with the body member to permit the cover member to be releasably locked to ~he~body member.
Other objects and features will be pointed out in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawlngs, which disclose, by way of example, the principle of the invention and the best modes contemplated for carrying it out.
mb/;`i ~ 7 9, ~
6~:3 1 BRIEF DESCR~P1`IOM OF TEIE DRAWINGS:
In the Drawin~s:
FIG. 1 is a si~e elevational view o an electrical receptacle constructed in accordance with the concept~ of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the device o FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the body member of . the device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a side elevational view, partly in section, taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a fragmenta~y top plan view of a furthex embodiment of a contact means for an electrical receptacle constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.
FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a further embodiment of an electrical receptacle constructed in accord-ance with the concepts of the invention.
-20 FIG~ 8 is a perspective view, partly in section, ; of the cover member of the device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view, similar to FIG~ 8, showing ~he terminating ends of the conductors of a multicon-ductor electrical cable cradled in the cover member.
EI~. 10 is a perspective view, similar to FIG~ 8, showing an intermediate portion of the conductors of a multiconductor cable cradled in the cover member.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view, partly cut away and partly in section, of the device of FIG. 1 showing the manner of connec~ing an electrisal multiconductor cable thereto.
', . . : .
.
.. . .
T~B 778 l FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the device of FIG.
1.
FIG. 13 is a fragrnentary perspective view, showiny the cable entry way portion of the device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 14 is a top plan view of contact means for an electrical receptacle constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.
FIG. 15 is a top plan view of a further embodiment of contact means for an electrical receptacle constructed in - lO accordance with the concepts of the invention.
- FIG. 16 is a perspective view, partly cut away and partly in section, of the device of FIG. 14.
FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of a further embodiment of the conductor receiving portion of a contact means for an electrical recep~acle constructed in accor~ance with the concepts of the invention.
FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of y~t another e~bodiment of the conductor receiving portion of a contact means for an electrical receptacle constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.
FIG. l9 is a fragmentary top plan view of yek alnother embodlment of the conductor receiving portion of a ; contact means for an electrical receptacle constructed in accor~ance with the concepts of the invention.
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the ground con-ductor contact means for an electrical receptacle constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.
FIG. 21 is a fragmentary perspPctive view, partly in section, of a further embodiment of a ground conductor .
_ g _ , ~ .
~J
T~B 778 ~ S~ ~3~3 l receiving contact means for an electrical receptacle con-structed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.
FIG. 22 is a fragmentary front elevational view, in section, ~showing the ground conductor support means of the device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 23 is a fragmelltary perspective view, partl~
in section, oE a further embodiment of a ground conductor contact means for an electrical receptacle constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.
FIG. 24 is a fragmentary perspective view of a further embodiment of contact means for an elec-trical receptacle constructed in accordanae with the concepts of the invention.
FIG. 25 is a side elevational view, similar to FIG. 1, s~owing the manner in which the mounting means thereof are deployed to mount the device to a supporting structure.
FIG. 26 is a fragmentary side elevational view~
- partly in sectlon, showing engagement of the mounting means 2n of the device of FIG. 1 to an adjacent wall structure.
FIG. 27 is a fragmentary rear elevational view, showing the mounting means and associated structure of the device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a further embodi ment of mounting means for an eleetrical receptaele construeted in accordance with the coneepts o~ the invention.
FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the device of FIG~ 28 fully deployed.
. ~
- : ~
T&B 778 ~5~i;23 1 FIG. 30 is ~ perspertive view of another embodimen~
of mounting means for an electrical receptacle constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.
FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 30 fully deployed.
FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a ganged receptacle assembly constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.
FIGo 33 is a perspective view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 32 installed within a supporting wall.
Similar elements are given similar reference characters in each of the respectlve drawings.
DESCRIPTION_F THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
Turning now to FIGS. l, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8l 9, l0, ll, 12, 13l 25, 26, 27; 32, and 33 there is shown an electrical recep-tacle 40 constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention. The receptacle 40 comprises a body member 42 which may be conveniently molded from preferably rigid plastic material and which includes a base portion 44 having a flanged portion 46 surrounding the body member 42 and extend-ing beyond the periphery thereof. The body member 42 comprises a box-like structure formed from a plurality of upstanding wall portions including a pair of sidewalls 48, 48' and a pair of end walls 50, 50' (FIG. 4). The interior of the sidewalls 48 and 48' and the and walls 50, and 50' combine to deflne a cable receiving cavity 52 which will be described in greater detail hereafter. A~ shown in greater detail in FIG.
4, the interior of the hody member 42 comprises a series of aligned contact supports 54, 54', 56, 56' and 58, 58' which .
.,~ .
'r~B 778 .. ~63 5~6~3 1 comprlse selectively shaped upstanding portions affixed to the b.ase portion 44 of the body member 42 and pre~erably molded inte.grally therewith. The contact supports 54, 54' .. and 58 form a nest For a fir!3t contact means 60 while the contact supports 56, 56' and 58' form a nest for a second conta~t means 62. Each of the supports 54, 54', 56, and 56' border a respective aperture 64, 64', 66, 66' extending - generally.transversely through the base member 44 and propor-tioned to receive the blades of an electrical plug which are guided through the aforesaid apertures or openings in the base portion 44 for contact with selective portions of - the first and second contact means 60 and 62, respectively.
.As further illustrated in FIG~ 2, the base member 44 is . provided with additional openings 68, 68' adapted to receive :~ 15 the ground pin or blade of a conventional electrical plug.
The openings 68, 68' coincide with respective contact engaging finger portions 70 and 72 of a ground conductor contact ~~ means 74 shown in greater detail in FIG. 20 and whlch,will be described in greater detail hereafter. The contact means 74 is supported within the cable receiving cavity 52 of the body member 42 by a series of further support means 75, 75 !
and 76, 7~' the inner surfaces of which define a channel arranged to tightly abut the sides of the contact means 74 to retain the contact means 74 in the desired position within.the body member 42. To provide a complete enclosure, there is provided a cover member 78 having latch portions 80 and 80' (FIG. 8) adapted to mate with corresponding latch engaging protrusions 82 and 82' ~FIG. 4) selectively located on the first and second sidewalls 48 and 48', respectively, ` 30 of body member 42. Each of the latch portions 80 and 80' .: .
'r~B 7'78 1 extencl ~rom the sides of the cover member 78 ~enerally norm~l to the inner surface thereof and are spaced apart' rom one another a distance generally equivalent to the . spac.ing between the outer su:rfaces of the sidewalls 48 and 48' of the body member 42. The latch portions 80 and 80' each comprise a pair of yenerally parallel spaced leg portions 84, 84' and 86, 86' respectively, each of which is joined to the cover member 78 at one end, the juncture between the cover member,78 and each of the latch portions 80 and 80.' being further defined by a respective recessed portion 88, 88' arranged to increase the deflectability of each of the - latch portio.ns 80 and 80' at its juncture with the cover member 78. Each of the latch portions 80 and 80' further comprises an interconnecting portion 90, 90', respectively, joinlng.a pair of respective leg portions 84, 86 and 84', 86' at their outer ends to complete the latch portion ~ structure. .The .inner edges of the leg portions 84 and 8.6 -~ ,and the interconnecting portions 90 of latch portion 80 define a first aperture 92, while the inner edges of the leg portion.s a4 ' and 86' and the interconnecting portion 90' of latch portion 80i define a second aperture 92' each suitably dimensioned to lockingly mate with the respective latch .
engaging protrusions 82 and 82' on the body member 42. The interconnecting portions 90 and 90' are further provided : 25 with a beveled interior surface 94, 94' generally adjacent the leading edge of each of the latch portions 80 and 80', only one (94') of such surfaces being visible in FIG. 8~
The beveled surfaces 94, 94' serve to deflect each of the latch portions 80 a,nd 80' outwardly upon engagemen with a re~pective , lat~h'engaging protrusion 82, 82' as the cover member 78 i.~ ' .
T&~ 778 1 ur~ed over the body member 42, ~o that upon full closure of the cover member 78 the .ioner edge 96, 96' of each latch portion 80, 80', respectively, abuts the adjacent edge of a latch engaging protrusion 82 ! 82', to securely lock the cover member 78 tn the body member 4~. The cover member 78, m~y, of course, be re~dily moved from the body member ~2 by manually deflecting each of the latch portions 80 and 90' outwardly suf~icien-tly to disengage the edges 96 and 96' from the latch engaging protru~ions 82 and 82'. Alternatively, although not illustrated, the cover member 78 ~ay be provided with la-tch engaging protrusions such as 82, 82', and the - body member 42 provided with latch poxtions such as 80, 80' to provide a similar but reversed latch arrangement. Depending outwardly from the first sidewall 48 of body member 42, are . 15 a first pair of ribs 98, 98' (FIG. 4) arranged to provide a guide channel for the latch portion 80. In a similar manner the second sidewall 48' is provided with a pair of depending ~-- ribs I00, 100' to provide a guide channel for the latch portion 80'. Where it is desired to selectively orient the cover member 78 on the body member 42 the width of the latch portion 80 may be arranged to have a dimension different . than the width of the latch portion 80' and the inner space : between ribs 98, 98' and ribs 100, 100' correspondingly arranged to closely approximate the width of the corresponding latch portion 80, 80', thus insuring that the cover member 78 may be latched to the bo~y member 42 in the desired : orientation~ Alternatively, although not illustrated, each : of the latch portions 80, 80' may be provided with longitudinally.
extending ribs and the sidewalls 48~ 48' of the body member ~ 30 - 42, provi~ed with mating suitably located recesse~ ~o provide .~ .
: - 14 -'1'&~3 77~ i ~S~ 3 1 a similar guidinq and channelling effect. Each of the end walls 50 and 50' of the body member 42 is provided with a respective notched portion 102 and 102' arranged -to provide clearance for the incoming electrical cable. The cover member 78 is provided with an upstanding portion 104 which, although shown adjacent only one end of the the cover member 78 in FIG. 8 may be provided at both ends in a similar manner and arranged to fit closely within a respective one of the notched portion 102, and 102' in the body member 42 thus providing a selective closure for the unused cable entryway essentially as shown in FIG. 12 wh~re, for example, an electrical cable terminates at the electrical receptacle, 40. The upstanding portion 104 is rangibly connected to the remainder of the cover member 78 by a relatively thin web of reduced cross section indicated by the numeral 106 in , FIG. 11 to permit the upstanding portion 104 to be readily broken away from the remainder of the cover member 78 to provide ~- an entryway for a cable at either end of the receptacle 40 This arrangement has the additional advantage of permitting a cable such as '108 (FIG. 10) to be terminated to the electrical receptacle 40 midspan of its length where the ends of the cable 108 are to extend beyond both ends of the body member 42. In the case of a single ended termination, as shown in FIG. 9, the upstanding portion 104 has been left intact at one end of the cover member 78 but has been broken away from the other end so,as to permit an electrical cable such 2S
110 to be brought into and terminated at the receptacle 40 from only one end. Where it is de~ired to provide an entryway for more than one cable at a given end o the body member 42, there may be advantageously provided an arrangement ~uch '~ ' ' .
r~B 778 1 as th~t illustr~ted in FIG. 13, in which either or both of the notched portions 102 and 102' may be modified as at 112 to include a frangible portion 114 disposed within the notched portion 112 which, incidently, has a total depth greater than tha~ xequlred to provide an en-tryway for a single electrical cable, but is appropriately reduced by the height of the frangible portion 114. Consequently, in the event more ~han one electrical cable is to be inserted within the electrical receptacle 40 from a given end, the frangible portion 114 may then be broken away from the remainder of the notched portion 112 to provide an enlarged - opening adapted to receive the additional cables therethrough.
Commensurate with the embodiment illustrated in F'IG. 13, the upstanding portion 104 of cover member 78 will have a depth generally equivalent to the unobstruct~d opening of the notched portion 112 so that a complete closure may be effected at such end prior to the removal of the frangible --- portion 114. The body member 48 may, accordingly, be provided with a,notched portion such as 112 within either or both of the end walls thereof as necessary or desirable. As further illustrated in FIG. 8, the upstanding portion 104 of cover - member 78 may be provided with a bevelled edge 116 arranged to be slidably engaged within a complimentarily ormed slot 118 in either the notched portion 112 tFIG. 13) or 102 and 102' (~IG. 4) to provide an increased area ~ closure there-between. The cover member 78 is further provided with cable guides 120 and 120' (FIG. 8) each of which includes a respec-tive pair of upstanding leg portions 122, 122' and 124~
; 124', each pair at least partially defining a channel like openin~ to restrict lateral movement of an electrical cable ', ' .
~ - 16 ~
, .... ~ . , .
1 such as 108 or 110 within the cover member 78 during and after assembly. Each pair of leg portions 122, 12~' and 1~4, 124' are joined at their respective bases by an intercon-necting portion 126, 126', respectively, adapted to maintain s the cable at a given height above the inner surface of the cover member 78. Also depending outwardly generally normal to the interior surface of the cover member 78 are a series of proj~ctions aligned in rows which are axially oriented generally parallel to the longitudi.nal axis of the cover member 78. One ~uch ro~ includes projection3 128, 130, and 132. An~ther such row includes projections 134, 136, and - 138. Between the afore~entioned two rows is a third row including projections 140, 142, 146 and 148, projections 146 and 148 differing, however, from projections 140 and 142 in providing a guide rather than a support, for the centrally disposed ~onductor. The cahle guides 126 and 126' are disposed along a common axis in general alignment with an -~ axis joining the projections 140, 142, 146, and 148. All o ~he aforementioned projections except projections 146 and 148 are proyided with a bifurcated free end which, as i.llus-trated in FIG. 8, may comprise a V-shaped notch such as indicated by the numeral 150 at the free end of projection 128. The apex of the notches in a particular row of proj~c-tions lie along a common axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cover member 78 to provide a cradle for a particular individual conductor of a multiconductor electrical cable in the manner illustra.ted in FIGS. 9 and 10. In the arrangeme.nt illustrated therein, the two outer rows comprising, respectively, projections 128, 130 and 132, . and projection 134, 186 and 138, are adapted to support the T&E~ 778 ~LIDS~i23 1 usual curr~nt-carrying c~nductors of a multiconductor electrical cable while the center ro~ comprising projec-tions 140,142 146, and 148 are adapted to support the usual ground conductor of such cable. The V-notched projections are all of equal height and positionally arrallyed to insure that each of the conductors supported thereby will be aligned with a respective conductor receiving portion of an associated contact means 60, 62, and 74 located within the body member 42 of the receptacle 40 as the cover member 78 is brought lnto engagement with the body member 42. As the cover member 78 is urged into fu].l latched engagement with the body memb2r 42 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 11, the conductors which are cradled within the bifurcated free ends of the projections in the cover member 78 are, accordingly, urged against the respective conductor receiving portions of the contact means 60, 62, and 74 for electrical and mechanical engagement therewith. After assemb.ly, the cover member projections serve as a strain relief by locking the conductors in place adj~cent the respective contact means.
The electrical receptacle 40 may be mounted to a - suitably apertured supporting surface.by the employment of mounting means such as pawl means 152 and 154 (FIG. 3, 25 and 26) each of which comprises a hub portion 156, 158, respec-ti~ely, and a finger portion 160, 162, respectively, each finger portion 160, 162 extending radially outwardIy from its associated hub portion. Both pawl means 152 and 154 are similarly ~onstructed and further comprise a gusset portion such as 164 (FIG. li extending betw~en the hub portion and finger portion at each pawl means. Each of the hub portions 156 and 158 have a longitudinal bore ext~nding :: -- 18 --`
T~.B 778 ~L~S~623 f 1 therethrough for thre~ded ~ngag~ment with the shank portion of ~ res~ective screw me~ns 166 and lk8, the shank portions of which extend generally transversely through the flanged portion 46 of the base portion 44 o~ the body member 42.
S Each of the screw means 166 and 168 inclucles a head portion 170, 172, respectively, (FIG. 2) which is accessible from the ~ront surface of the flanged portion 46 so that upon , rotation of the screw means 166 and 168, the respective pawlmeans 152 and 154 are caused to be deployed and axially displaced in a manner shown more clearly in FIG. 25 and 26.
The body member 42 is provided with a pair of pawl stops 174 - and 176 (FIG. 3) each arranged to limit the rotational travel of a respective pawl means 152, 154 as shown in FIG.
. 27. The pawl stops 174 and 176 extend generally parallel to the axis of a respective screw means 166 and 168 generally '~
normal to the plane of the base portion 44 of the body member 42'and are arranged to intercept the arc of a respective finger portion 160, 162 of a pawl means 152, 154. Accordingly, the pawl means 152 and 154 may be deployed from a first position closely adjacent and within the periphery of the sidewalls 48 and 48' of the body member 42 (FIG. 3) to a second position substantially as shown by the ,dotted outlines 178 and 178' in FIG. 2S and by the solid outline in ' , FIG. 27 by:rotating each of the screw means 166 and 168 with-~ 25 the aid of a tool such as screw driver 180 (FIG, 25) in the ' direction shown by the arrows 1820 As the Einger portions , 160 and 162 of the pawl means 152 and 154 contact a respective pawl stop 174, 176, further rotation of the pawl means is thus restrained and each of the pawl means 152 and 154 is f' 30 caused to ride along the threaded portion of a respective ~t~B 778 s~ 3 1 screw me~n~ .1.66,168 toward3 the flanged portion 46 of the base portion 44 .in a di.rection indicated general:Ly by the arrows 184 and 186 in FIG. 25. As-each of the screw means 16~. and 168 i~ fur-ther rotated, the associated pawl means finger portions 160 and 162 are caused to bear against the adjac~nt surface of a supporting wall 188, in a manner shown more clearly in FIG. 26. The wall 188 is thus sandwiched between a respective finger portion 160, 162 of the pawl means l5~, 154, and the flanged portion 46 of the receptacl~
; 10 40 to lock the receptacle 40 .in the desired position within the supporting wall 188. The shank portion of each of the - sc~ew means 166 and 168 extends through the flanged portion 46 of the base portion 44 and into a respective supporting boss 190, 192 (FIG. 4~. Extending rearwardly from each of the bosses 190, 192, is a channel 194 ~FIG. 26) disp.osed adjacen.t the shank portion of each of the screw means 166 and 168 and having an interior surface arranged to provide a nest for an associated hub means 156, 158, of the pawl means 152, 154. Each of the channels 194 is further provided with a lip portion 196 illustrated more clearly in FIGS. 26 and 27. The channels 194 and the lip portions 196 are essentially I of the same length and encompass a portion of the total axial dlstance transv~rsed by the pawl means 50 that each of : khe.flnger portions 160 and 162 of the pawl means 152 and .
:~ 25 154 may.be rotated freely into their deployed position wi~hout interference from either the channel 194 or lip portion 196 at the initiation of the mounting operation.
However, as the screw means 166 and 16~ are rotated, each of the pawl means 152 and 154 i~ caused to advance forwardly axially along a respective threaded portion o the screw !
20 ~-~ - T6U 778 :~5C~6~3 1 means l66 and 168 until each of the pawl means 152 and 154 has entered the area encompassed by the lip portion of an assoc.iated channel 194. In this position, the pawl means i9 partially restrained from rotating in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed from the front of the receptacle 40, beyond a position shown generally by the dotted outline 152 in FIG. 27 so that in the event of vibration or movement of the receptacle 40 the mounting pawls 152 and 154 are effec-tively restrained in their arcuate travel and are always at least partially deployed for engagement with the adjacent surface of the supporting wall 188. To remove the receptacle 40 from the supporting structure, each of the screw means 166 and 168 must be backed off sufficiently to cause an associated pawl means 152, 154 to be moved axially rearwardly sufficiently to cause an associated finger portion 160, 162 to traverse the entire length of an associated restraining lip 196 so that each of the pawl means may then be freely rotated back into its undeployed position essentially as . S}lOWn in FIG. 3. A modified form of the lip portion 196 is illustrated in FIGS. 28 and 29 and includes an upstanding finger 193 which functions both as a restraining means and guide ~eans for each of the pawl means 152 and 154. A
further embod:iment of a rotational restraining means is shown in ~IGS. 30 and 31 wherein each of the pawl means is provided with a hook-like extension 200 extending outwardly from its finger portion and arranged to overlie an upstanding ~ rib portion 202 located on the body member 42 and extending generally parallel to the axis of an associated screw mqans 166 and 168. Thus, in the undeployed state~ the pawl means and its aR~ociated hook-like extension 200 are positioned e~en-i; . .
.. .~
~:- . . ., .: .
~ - . .
T6E~ 778 1 tially ~5 ~hown in F:[G. 30. After deployment, as shown in FIG. 31, the hook-like extension 200 is caused to be engaged about -the rib portion 202 wh.ich both guides and supports the pawl means as it is advanced towards the flanged portion 46 of the base portion 44.
Turning now to FIGS. 14 and 16 the contact means 60 located.within the body memher 42 of the electrical receptacle 40 is shown in further detail. Since the contact means 62 is essen~ial.ly identical to the contact means 60 10 but is formed as a mirror image thereof, all reEerence to the contact means 60 will be deemed to include a similar but complimentary structure with regard to the contact means 62.
The contact means 60 may be conveniently manufactured prefer~
ably from a single s-trip of highly conductive metallic material such as, brass, copper, or other well known conduc-tive materlals and includes a generally U-shaped conductor .engagillg central portion 204 having a bight portion 206 and extending leg portions 208 and 203'. The free end of each of the lçg portions 208 and 208' is joined to a respective :~ 20 arm portion 210, 210' disposed substantially at right angles ; to the plane of a respective leg portion 208, 208', said arm ` portions lying in a common plane. Each of the arm portions 210 and 21.0' terminates in a respective looped portion 212, 212' of generally flattened configuration so as to provide a respective tab receiving slot 214, 214' oriented in generally.
; parallel relatlonship with the plane of an associated arm portion 210, 210', each of the tab receiving slots 21~, 214' being arranged to slidably receive the blade of a common electrical plUgD Ths gap between the opposing wall surface~
fo~ming the tab receiving slot 214, 214' is selective~y T~B 778 ~S~6~3 1 dimension~d to provide a relatively tight fit about such blade to insure secure and reliable electrical and mechanical contact therebetween. Each looped portion, 212, 212', is - provided with outwardly flared extending portions 216, 218, respectively, for partially guiding an associated blade of an electrical plug into a respective tab receiving slok 214, - 214'. Each of the leg por-tions 208, and 208' of the contact means 60 is provided with a first slot 220, 220' (FIG. 16) extendlng a given length generally parallel to the axis of the bight portion 206 of the central portion 204, each of the first slots 220 and 220' terminating at a second slot ~ 222, 222', respectively, axially oriented generally normal to the axis of its respective first slot 220, 220' to define a generally inverted T-shape. The first and second slots of each leg portion 208, 208', thus define a pair of opposingly disposed finger portions 224, 224', and 226, 226', respectively, each of the finger portions being independently deflectable ~ and having a free edge arranged to sever the insulation about and engage the conducting portion of an in~ulated conductor forcibly -thereinto. As further illustrated in FIG. 14, the finger portions 224, 224' are offset from one another in opposite directions fxom the plane of their associated :Leg portlon 208, and the finger portions 226, 226' are offset from one another in opposite directions from the plane of their associated leg portion Z08', so that each of the finger portions of a pair such as 224 : and 224' wi:Ll ~e deflected away from one another in opposite dlxections when subjected to the force of, for example, an electrical conductor urged between the f inger portions and having a diameter slightly greater than the . . .:
1 T&B 778 ~S~ 3 1 width of the respective slot 220. The finger portion.s 224, 224', will of course, tend to return to their oriqinal un deflecte~ position, thereby maintaining tight electrical and mechanical engagement with the engaged portion of the electri-cal conductor. An identical situation occu.rs with respect to the finger por-tions 226, 226' which are formed in essenti~ . .
ally the same manner as the finger portions 224, 224'.
Accordingly, a conductor spanning the U-shaped portion 204 of the contact means 60 generally parallel to the plane of the arm por-tions 210, 210' is securely held between the two pair of finger portions and is thereby electrically joined - to the remainder of the contact means 60. Although the arrangement shown in FIG. 16 has been found to ~e entirely adequate in the case of a single conductor, a third slot 228 (FIG. 17) disposed intermed.tate the length o~, and intersect-- ing the first slot 220, 220', may ~e introduced into a respective leg portion 20fl, 208', to provide two pair of independently deflectable finger portions 230, 230', and 232, 232l located along the length of an associated slot 220., 220'. Accordingly, conductors of different diameters, which, by way of example, are illustrated by the dotted outlines 234, 236 in FIG. 17, may be forcibly urged into a respective slot 220, 220' in overlying relationship and independently engaged between an associated pai.r of finger portions, such as 230, 230' and 232, 232', to minimize the effect o deflection of one pair of finger portions upon the other pair.. In this manner either the larger or smaller diameter conductor may be lntroduced first into the slot~
220, 220' without effecting the electrical and mechanical integrity of the connection formed between both conducto~s . - 24 -j T6~ 778 i ~L~Sa~523 1 and the c~lltact m~ans. Tn a simllar manner, an additional, slot may be provided along the length of the first slot 220, 220l in a manner illustrated, for example, in FIG. 18 where there is shown a conductor'receiving leg portion 238 having a long,itudinally d,isposed first slot 240 terminating at a second slot 242 and furth~r intersected by additional slots 244 and 246 to provide three pair of individually deflectable fingers 248, 248', 250, 250', and 252, 252'. ~ach of thP
slots 242, 244, and 246 may further terminate at an additional slot such as indicated at 254, 254', 256, 256' and 258,'258', respectively, providing increased flexibility for each of ~- the independently deflectable finger portions 248, 248' 250, 250' and 252, 252'.. As further,illustrated in FIG~ 19 the finger portions located on one side of the slot 240 may be alternatingly offset from the plane of their associated leg portion 238, that is, the finger portion 252, as viewed in FIGo 19 ~ is offset to the left of the plane of ~he leg portion 238 while the finger portion 250 is offset to the right of the plane of the leg portion 238 and, accordingly1 the finger portion 248 may be offset in the same direction as the finger portion 252. The alternating offset arrangemen , described hereinabove may, of course, be modified so that each of the finger portions, such as 248, 250, and 252 . located on one side of. the slot 240 may be offset in the ~ ~5 same direction from the plane of their associated leg portion -I 238 while the finger portions 248', 250, and 252' located on ,l the other side of the slot 240 may be offset in the opposite ' directi~on from the plane of their associated leg portion 238. It ha~ been found, however, that an alternating offset arrangement provide~ a llghtly better distribution of !
.. . ..
. . .
T~B 778 ~ 3 l Eorces along one sl.de of the slot 240 where a plurality of conductors are dispos~d in overlying relationship within the . 510t ~40. The bight portion 206 of ~he U-shaped portion 204 ¦ of the contact means 60 is further provided with a lanced ¦ 5 projection 260 (FIG. 16) extending outwardly from the rear surface o~ the bight portion 206 for enga~ement with the adjacent w~ll surface of -the contac-t support within the body memher 42 to lock the contact means 60 in a given position within the body member 42.
Turning now to FIGS. 6 and 15, either or both of the contact means 60 and 62 may be modified to provide a con-- tact means 26Z essentially similar to either of said contact means 60 or 6.2 but further provided with an additional looped portion such as 264 disposed generally normal to a respective looped portion 212, 212' described heretofore. To facilltate : the emp~oyment of the arrangement shown in FI~. 6, the base portion of the receptacle is modified essentially as shown in FIG. 7 to provide a T-shaped slot 266 arranged to co.incide : with one end of the contact means 262, and a rectangular slot .
268 essentially duplicative of slots 64, 64' illustrated in . . . .
FIG. 2, and similarly arranged to coincide with a respective looped end of the contact means 60. The additional looped portion 264 i9 also provided with a fla-ttened configuration to define a tab receiving slot 270 planarly oriented generally .- 25 perpendicular to the plane of the tab receivin~ slot 214' of contact means 60 to provide a socket arrangement adapted ~o receive both 120 V.A.C. and 220 V.A.C. electrical plugs, where necessary or desirable. For duplex operationp both ends of the contact means 262 may be provided with an addi-.-t.ional looped portion 264.(FIG. 15), each disposed adjacent : -- .
, T~B 778 ~54~1~23 1 the termin~ting end of a respective arm port.ion 272, 272'.
The additional looped p~rtion.s 264 are also provided with outwardly flared extending portions 274 similar to the flared portions 216 and 218 illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17 and function in a simil.ar manner in providing a guide or the respective plug blades inserted therewithin. The contact means 60 and 62 and the contact means 262 are designed primarily to provide an in-terconnection between the conven-tional current-carrying conductors of an incoming electrical cable and the blades of an electrical plug inserted within the receptacle. The ground contact means 74 shown in plan - view in FIG~ 4 is illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 20 and is also preferably manufactured from a single strip of highly conductive metallic material suitably formed to provide a generally U-shaped conductor receiving portion 276 having a bight portion 278 and extending leg portions 280 and 280'. The leg portions 280 and 280' are slotted as at 282, 282', respectively, to provide a conductor receiving channel for the ground conductor of a multiconductor electri-cal cable such as described heretofore. Extending from the ~ free end of the leg portion 280 in generally normal planar relationship therewith is a channel-like arm portion 284 from which depends the first finger por~ion 70, while the second finger portion 72 extends from one edge of the remain-. 25 ing leg portion 280' and is formed essentially as a mirror image of the first finger portion 70. The finger portions 70 and 72.of contact means 74 are arranged to coincide with th~ ap~rtures 68 and 68', respectively, in th~ base.portion 44 of the body member 42.so as to bear against the respective ~round pin o an electrical plug inserted within the corxespond-- .
lr6B 778 62~3 ing apertures 68, 68' in the ~ase por-t.ion 44. The ]ongitudinally e~-tending upturned edges 76, 76' of the arm por-tion 284 of the contact means 74 are arranged to engage the adjacent wall portions of the contact support means 75, 75' (FIG. 4) within the body member 42 of the receptacle 40 to maintain the contact means 74 in a given position between the contact means 60 and 62. The edges 76 and 76' may be serrated as sho~n at 286, 286' in FI~. 21 to increase the interengagement between such edges and the adjacent wall of the contact supports in the body member 42. The arm portion 284 of the ground contact means 74 is further suppor-ted on.struts 288, ~ 288' (FIG. 22~ extending upwardly from the base portion 44 of the body memb~r 42, intermediate the contact support means 75, 75' (FIG. 4).
Turning now to FIGS. 23 and ~4, the conductor receivlng slots in each of the contact means 60 and 62 and the ground conductor contact means 74 may be eliminated, and an arrangement similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 23 and - 24 suhstituted therefore. In FIG. 23, there is shown a portion of a ground conductor contact means 290 having outwardly extending flanged portions 292 and 294 each suitably apertured to receive an.associated threaded member such as a scraw 296, 298 which may be tightened about the bared looped end of a conductor (not shown) to electrically and mechanicall~
. 25 connect the conductor to the contact means 290. The contact : means 60 and 62 may be similarly modified as shown for example in FIG.. 24. As illustrated therein, each of ~he arm portions may be provided with an associated overhanging flanged portio~ 300, 302, suitably apertured to receive a threaded member ~uch as a screw 304, 306 which may similarly . ' .
~r~3 778 l be ti~htened about the b~red looped end of an electrical conductor for el~ctrical ~nd mechanical engagement there~7ith.
Turning now to FIG',. 32 and 33, two or more electrical ~eceptacles 40 may be mounted in side by side relationship in a supporting wall such as 308 by the employ-~e~t of a suitably dimensioned frame 310 the i.nner periphery of which is recessed as at 3:L2 to provide a supporting step for the peripheral edge of the flanged portions of each of the receptacles 40~ To initiate the installation, one or more eleçtrical cables such as 314 are first fed through a suitably proportioned aperture 315 in the supporting wall 308 and through the frame 310 for attachment to each of the receptacles 40. The receptacles 40 are then placed against the recess 312 of the frame 310 in jux.taposed relationship and the partial as~embly including the receptacles 40 and the frame 310 positioned against the aperture 316 in the .~ supporting wall 308. The mounting pawls 152 and 154 may now be deployed by xota.ting the screws 166 and 168, as described ~ereinabove, SQ that the finger portions thereof are caused to rotate outwardly and advance forwardly against the rear . suxface of the supporting wall 308, thereby providingla completed installation essentially as shown in FIG. 33. It will of course be readily appreciated that, due to the nature of the assembly, extreme care in forming the aperture 316 is not required since the frame 310 and the electrical receptacles 40 comprise essentially a self-contained unit : which may be relatively freely manipulated both vertically and horizontally within the dimensions of the aper~ure 316 : prior to deploying and advanci:ng the mounting pawls 152 and ~, 30 154. It will also b.e appreciated that although two such . .
: - 29 -- . , ~ ;~ . . . . ~, ...... .
, T&B 778 l050~2;~
1 electrical receptacles 40 are shown in the assembly il-lustrated in FIG. 33, almost any number may be cooperatively joined in a similar manner wi~hout departing from the spirit of the invention and within the concepts herein disclosed.
The ernbodiments of the invention in which an exlcusive property or privilege is claimed are defined a~
followso ',' " "" ' , , ' , , "' '~
' " , ' ,. ~ .
Claims (15)
1. An electrical receptacle comprising, in combination, a body member formed from electrically insulating plastic material and including wall portions joined to one another to define a cable receiving cavity, said wall portions being seated upon a base portion molded integrally therewith, said base portion having a flanged portion extending outwardly beyond the external perimeter of said wall portions for mount-ing said body member to a supporting surface, said base portion having contact supports selectively located within said cable receiving cavity for supporting at least a pair of spaced electrical contacts therewithin, said base member being suit-ably apertured to provide plug receiving slots arranged to accept the contacts of an electrical plug, said base member further having at least a pair of electrical contacts disposed within said contact supports and aligned with respective ones of said base member slots to receive the contacts of an electri-cal plug inserted within said base member apertures; and a cover member formed from electrically insulating plastic material and arranged to selectively seat against said wall portions to provide a closure for the exposed opening of said body member cable receiving cavity, said cover member includ-ing cable support means disposed adjacent one surface thereof, said cable support means being selectively positioned on said cover member for alignment with said body member contact sup-ports upon the selective seating of said cover member against said body member wall portions for urging the respective con-ductors of an electrical cable against respective ones of said electrical contacts located within said body member cable receiving cavity, said cover member further comprising latch means for selective engagement with said body member to permit said cover member to be releasably locked to said body member.
2. An electrical receptacle as defined in Claim 1 wherein said cover member latch means comprises a first latch por-tion and a second latch portion extending, respectively, from opposing sides of said cover member generally normal to the plane of said cover portion, said body member wall portions comprising a first sidewall and a second sidewall arranged in generally parallel spaced relationship, each of said first and said second sidewalls having guide means cooperative with a respective one of said first and said second cover member latch portions to selectively locate said cover member on said body member.
3. An electrical receptacle as defined in Claim 2 wherein said first and said second latch portions each comprise a pair of spaced, generally parallel leg portions each resiliently joined at one end to said cover member said leg portions being joined together at their other end by an interconnecting portion, there being a opening defined by the interior edges of said leg portions and said interconnecting portion of each of said first and said second latch portions, said body member first and second sidewalls each further comprising a latch engaging protrusion arranged to seat within a respective one of said first and said second latch portion openings as said cover member is disposed intimately over said body member.
4. An electrical receptacle as defined in Claim 3 wherein each of said first and said second sidewall guide means comprises a pair of selectively spaced, generally parallel rib portions extending outwardly from the outer surface of a respective body member sidewall, each of said pair of rib portions defining a selectively dimensioned channel for slidably receiving a respective one of said first and said second latch portions therewithin.
5. An electrical receptacle as defined in Claim 4 wherein said first sidewall channel has a first given width and said second sidewall channel has a second given width, said second given width being different than said first given width, said first latch portion having a width arranged to closely conform to said first sidewall channel first given width, and said second latch portion having a width arranged to closely conform to said second sidewall channel second given width, for locating said cover member on said body member in only one given orientation.
6. An electrical receptacle as defined in Claim 2 wherein said body member wall portions further comprise a first end wall and a second end wall, each of said first and said second end walls being joined to a respective end of each of said first and said second sidewalls, at least one of said first and said second end walls having a notched portion arranged to provide clearance for an electrical cable received within said cable receiving cavity.
7. An electrical receptacle as defined in Claim 6 wherein said cover member further comprises an upstanding portion located generally adjacent one end of said cover member, said upstanding portion being selectively dimensioned to mate with said body member end wall notched portion to provide a closure thereat.
8. An electrical receptacle as defined in Claim 7 wherein said upstanding portion is frangibly connected to said cover member for selective removal therefrom.
9. An electrical receptacle as defined in Claim 1 wherein said cable support means comprises a series of aligned projections, of predetermined height extending outwardly from the inner surface of said cover member, said projections being arranged in parallel rows extending lengthwise of said cover member, each of said projections having a bifurcated free end, said bifurcated free ends of a given row of said projection forming a cradle for an electrical conductor.
10. An electrical receptacle as defined in Claim 9 wherein said bifurcated free end of each of said cover member pro-jections has converging inner surfaces defining a generally V-shaped notch thereat.
11. An electrical receptacle as defined in Claim 9 wherein said projections are arranged in at least two parallel rows.
12. An electrical receptacle as defined in Claim 11 wherein each of said rows comprise at least two said projections.
13. An electrical receptacle as defined in Claim 9 wherein said projections are arranged in three parallel rows, the outer two rows of said three parallel rows being adapted to cradle the conventional current carrying conductors of a three-wire multiconductor electrical cable, the center row of said three parallel rows being adapted to cradle the the conventional ground conductor of a three-wire multi-conductor electrical cable.
14. An electrical receptacle as defined in Claim 11 wherein said cover member further includes a cable guide comprising a pair of selectively spaced struts extending outwardly from the inner surface of said cover member generally adjacent one end of said cover member.
15. An electrical receptacle as defined in Claim 14 wherein said cable guide is located generally along the longitudinal axis of said cover member.
Priority Applications (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA240,461A CA1050623A (en) | 1975-11-25 | 1975-11-25 | Electrical receptacle |
| CA299,383A CA1051532A (en) | 1975-11-25 | 1978-03-21 | Electrical contacts for electrical receptacle |
| CA299,382A CA1058735A (en) | 1975-11-25 | 1978-03-21 | Mounting means for electrical receptacle |
| CA299,384A CA1051531A (en) | 1975-11-25 | 1978-03-21 | Electrical contacts for electrical receptacle |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA240,461A CA1050623A (en) | 1975-11-25 | 1975-11-25 | Electrical receptacle |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1050623A true CA1050623A (en) | 1979-03-13 |
Family
ID=4104597
Family Applications (3)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA240,461A Expired CA1050623A (en) | 1975-11-25 | 1975-11-25 | Electrical receptacle |
| CA299,383A Expired CA1051532A (en) | 1975-11-25 | 1978-03-21 | Electrical contacts for electrical receptacle |
| CA299,384A Expired CA1051531A (en) | 1975-11-25 | 1978-03-21 | Electrical contacts for electrical receptacle |
Family Applications After (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA299,383A Expired CA1051532A (en) | 1975-11-25 | 1978-03-21 | Electrical contacts for electrical receptacle |
| CA299,384A Expired CA1051531A (en) | 1975-11-25 | 1978-03-21 | Electrical contacts for electrical receptacle |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (3) | CA1050623A (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4274696A (en) * | 1979-11-23 | 1981-06-23 | Amp Incorporated | Electrical connecting device for wiring systems |
-
1975
- 1975-11-25 CA CA240,461A patent/CA1050623A/en not_active Expired
-
1978
- 1978-03-21 CA CA299,383A patent/CA1051532A/en not_active Expired
- 1978-03-21 CA CA299,384A patent/CA1051531A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA1051532A (en) | 1979-03-27 |
| CA1051531A (en) | 1979-03-27 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US3957336A (en) | Electrical receptacle | |
| CA2011897C (en) | Multiple outlet receptacle and mountings therefor | |
| US4460234A (en) | Double-ended modular jack | |
| US3856376A (en) | Electrical connector | |
| CA1167539A (en) | Electrical receptacle of molded body construction | |
| US5135411A (en) | Multiple outlet receptacle and mountings therefor | |
| JP3195345B2 (en) | Pluggable connectors and bridging adapters | |
| US4317608A (en) | Slotted pate terminal for stranded wire | |
| CA1160706A (en) | Electrical connector for terminating flat multiconductor cable | |
| EP0571156A2 (en) | Electrical connector housing assembly and an electrical terminal therefor | |
| CA1085013A (en) | Electrical conductor terminating system | |
| EP0279508B1 (en) | Electrical terminal | |
| US5547391A (en) | Commoning electrical connector | |
| US4854885A (en) | Electrical outlet receptacle with non-metallic mounting strap and automatic grounding | |
| US4089579A (en) | Ribbon connector constructions | |
| US4895532A (en) | Modular connector coupler with selective commoning system | |
| US6309229B1 (en) | Electrical track and adapter assembly | |
| GB2129628A (en) | Terminal block | |
| CA1158734A (en) | Cord adapter | |
| US4545631A (en) | Offset electrical outlet | |
| US4208083A (en) | Solderless electrical connector | |
| CA1050623A (en) | Electrical receptacle | |
| US3967873A (en) | Wire terminal electrical contact | |
| GB2026784A (en) | Electrical plugs | |
| CA1058735A (en) | Mounting means for electrical receptacle |