CA1051532A - Electrical contacts for electrical receptacle - Google Patents
Electrical contacts for electrical receptacleInfo
- Publication number
- CA1051532A CA1051532A CA299,383A CA299383A CA1051532A CA 1051532 A CA1051532 A CA 1051532A CA 299383 A CA299383 A CA 299383A CA 1051532 A CA1051532 A CA 1051532A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- slot
- portions
- electrical
- plane
- contact means
- 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
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Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE:
An electrical receptable comprises an integrally molded body member and flanged face plate formed preferably as a duplex receptable 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. The electrical contacts are formed from a single strip of preferably highly conductive metallic material configured to selectively receive the conventional current carrying and the ground conductors of a conventional multi-conductor non-metallic sheathed electrical cable.
An electrical receptable comprises an integrally molded body member and flanged face plate formed preferably as a duplex receptable 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. The electrical contacts are formed from a single strip of preferably highly conductive metallic material configured to selectively receive the conventional current carrying and the ground conductors of a conventional multi-conductor non-metallic sheathed electrical cable.
Description
~.~5~53~
This applicatlon is a division ~ copending Canadian application Serial No. 240,461 filed Novemb~r 25, 1975.
~ACKGRO~ND OF THE INVENTION:
, , _ ,, , , ,__ .
`~ Field of the Invention:
, i . -- , ___ __ ~ he 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 elec~rical receptacle well known in the art comprises generally a pair of plug receiving outlets more co~monly described as a duplex receptacle comprising a plastic body member containlng 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. ~he recepacles are generally provided with screw terminals on either side thereof adapted to receive the bared ends.of the individual condu~tors of a multiconductor non-sheathed electrical : . .
cable. Such prior art receptacle~ are further generally provided with mcunting ears to which are loosely fastened a~sembly screws for mounting the receptacle to a metallic box previously installed within an opening in a wall or like - ~uppor~ member. A separate face plate is thereafter required to be fastened to the front of th~ receptacle for a~thetic and safety purposes. Although t~ere have been ~ome improve~
n.ents mad~ in recent yeax~ with respect to the manner of
This applicatlon is a division ~ copending Canadian application Serial No. 240,461 filed Novemb~r 25, 1975.
~ACKGRO~ND OF THE INVENTION:
, , _ ,, , , ,__ .
`~ Field of the Invention:
, i . -- , ___ __ ~ he 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 elec~rical receptacle well known in the art comprises generally a pair of plug receiving outlets more co~monly described as a duplex receptacle comprising a plastic body member containlng 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. ~he recepacles are generally provided with screw terminals on either side thereof adapted to receive the bared ends.of the individual condu~tors of a multiconductor non-sheathed electrical : . .
cable. Such prior art receptacle~ are further generally provided with mcunting ears to which are loosely fastened a~sembly screws for mounting the receptacle to a metallic box previously installed within an opening in a wall or like - ~uppor~ member. A separate face plate is thereafter required to be fastened to the front of th~ receptacle for a~thetic and safety purposes. Although t~ere have been ~ome improve~
n.ents mad~ in recent yeax~ with respect to the manner of
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1 attaching the cable conductor~ to the receptacle, the timc, expense, an~ incon~Jenien~e assoc:Lated with as3embling the . metallic box, electrical receptacle, and face plate to one another to provide a complete unit has undergone little ; 5 appreciable change and represents a burden~ome, time-con- -suming, and relatively expensive operation wherein the user . . .
is required to sever the cable, strip b~ck the installation from a portion thereof and individually connect the conductors to an associated terminal within the electrical receptacle ; .
; 10 after feeding the cable through an aperture in the receptacle supporting junction box. The user is faced with an additional - .
~ - prQblem of having to maintain a stock of face plates which :~ are generally supplied separately f~om the receptacle and ~:
which may be readily lost or misplaced among the proliferation lS 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 me~ber to avoid having the face plate secured thereto at an oblique angle since only minor adjustment is possible betwee~
the axis o~ the junct.ion box and the ~xi~ of the Eace l~lat~
after installation. The assembler is presented with a further difficulty in having to provide within the junction ~ -box a given length of ~tripped cable to permi~ manipulation of the receptacle for subsequent rewirins or replacement and which must be looped and stored within the junction box af~er the assembly is completed which, in the e~ent two or .
~ore c-bleg are brought into the junction box, results in a ~ 3 - ~.
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multlpliclty of conne~tor lecld~ ~herewi~hin all looped abolJt In random f~hion and lnterferlng wlth the rea~sembly of the electrical receptacle to the ~unc~lon box durlng a ~ubsequent wlring operation.
The inventlon according to the parent application over-; comes the limitations and difficulties noted above with respect to prior art devices by providing a preEerably inte~rally molded plastic electrical receptacle of unitary construction having self-contained mounted means and a releasably latchable cover member to provide an assembly which is simpler, less expensive, more reliable, and more convenient than such prior art devices. The receptacle is molded preferably from a relatively rigid electrically insulat~
ing plastic material and comprises a body member defined by a series of interconnected upstanding w~lls to provide a partially ; enclosed cable receiving cavity. Molded or formed integrally with one end of the cavi~y is a base portion having a generally planar fla~ged portion extending outwardly from the periphery of the body - member~ the front surface of the base portion being suitably apertured to provide a series of selectived spaced openin~s adapted to receive the blades of an electrical plug~ Located adjacent the rear surface of the fla~ged portion of the base member at opposite corners of the outer periphery of the body member are a pair of mounti~g pawls ea~h supported on a rotata~le 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 receptàcle to be mounted withln a suitably apertured opening in a w811 or other support member. The cable receiving cavity ls pro~ided .' dap/~
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1 with a ~rles of up~t~ndiny elcctrical con~act support~
arranycd in a predeter~lned pattern to provide ~upport or electrical contacts having tab receiving portions adapted to mate with the blades of an electrical plug in.serted through the openings in the base portion. The electrical contacts are readily manufactured preferably from a single strip of highly conducti~e metallic material and are selectively formed to provide an insulation severing and conductor - engaging slotted portion having independently deflectable finger portions which are arranged to sever the installation ~ -and engage the conductive portion of a respective 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 electrically insulating plastic material in a generally flat rectangular ; shape and comprising a series of projections extending out-;' wardly f rom the inner surface thereof and aligned in generally longitudinally extending parallel rows, each projection havi~g a generally V-shaped bifurcated free end adapted to provide a cr~dle 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 d~flectable arms extendinq from opposing sides of tile cover member, each arm having an opening adapted to coincide with a selectively located . , :
protrusion on the outer surface of the body member when the : .
; cover member is seated firmly against the open end thereof.
To establish a particular orientation of the cover member on the body member, where desired, the width of the latching members may be differently proportioned and the sidewalls of :' _ 5 _ " :' :
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the body m~bcr provide(l wlth correspon(ling palr~ o~ up~t~ndin~
parallel rib~, providing ~electively spaced channel~ each colnclding with a respectlve latch member. ~ plurality of such electrlcal reccp~acles may be installed in a ~uxtap~sed arrange-ment by the use of a stepped fram~ arranged to provide a seat for the flanged portion of each of the receptacles. The framed a~sembly may be mounted within a suitable opening in a wall or other support structure by the deployment oE the mounting pawls of each receptacle in a manner essen~ially similar to that used to mount a single receptacle to such support.
Thus the invention according to the parent application broadly deines an electrical receptacle comprislng, in combination, a body member formed from electrically insulating plastîc material and including wall portions ~oined to one another to define a cable receiving cavity, the wall portions being seated upon a base portio~ molded integrally therewith, the base portion having a - flanged portion extending outwardly beyond the external perimeter of the wall portions for mounelng the body member to a supporting surface, the base portion having contact supports selectively locaeed within the cable receiving cavity for supporting at least a pair of spaced electrical contacts therewithin, the base member being suitably apertured to prDvide plug recei~ing slo~s arranged to accept the contacts of an electrical plug, the base member further having at least a pair of electrical contacts disposed ~lthin the contact supports and aligne~ 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 foxmed from elecercially insulating plastic maeerial and arranged ~o selectively qeat agalnst the wall portions to provide a closure ~`
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.
.
. .
l~s l.s3a fox the expo~ed opcrllng ~ ~he body member cable receivlng cavlty, the c~ver member including ca~le ~upport rnearl~ di~po~cd adJace~
one surPace thereof, the cable support mean~ bclng selectlvely positloned Oll the cover ~ember for alignment wi~h the body member contact supports upon the selec~ive seating of the cover member agalnst the body member wall portions for urging the respective conductors o an electrical cable against respective ones of the electrical contacts located within the body member cable recelving cavity, the cover member further comprising latch means for selec-tive engagement with the body member to permlt the cover member tobe releasably locked to the ~ody member.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The electrlcal contacts pre~iously described may also ` be considered to be novel in the manner in which they eliminate the : need for separately severing the insulation from an insulated conductor to electrically jo.in the conductor to the contact.
Thus the invention of the present application provides ~ contact means for an elec~rical receptacle, comprising: a single : strip of highly conduc~ive thisl metallic material having a generally U-shaped conductor receiving central portion having a bigh~ portion snd leg portions, and arm portions each contiguous with an extending in an opposite direction fro~ the free end o~ a respecti~e leg por~ion, the arm portions lying along a common plane which intersects ~he respective planes of the leg por~lons along a line generally : parallel to the longit~dinal axi~ of the bight portion, the arm portions each terminating in a looped portion of ~lattened con-figuration and lying in a plane generally parallel to the plane of ~- the arm portlons to provide a tab receiving slot arranged to resiliently engage a terminatislg end of an electrical plug, the ,~ .
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leg portions eZlCh having a fir~t slot extencling from one edge of the leg portion a predetermined diutance in direction generally parallel ~o the axls of the bigllt portion, the first slot communicating with a second slot extendlng selectlvely out~ardly from either side of the base of the ~irst slot in a direction generally perpendicular to the axis o~ the flrst slot to provide an independently deflectable finger portion on each side of the first slot, the finger portions being offset from the plane of its associated leg portion in opposite directions, the first slots lying along a common axis orlented generally parallel to the plane of the arm portions, the opposing edges of the ~irst slot being arran~ed to sever the insulation and contact the conductive portion of an insula~ed electrical conducttr fortibly urged thereinto.
.
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1 attaching the cable conductor~ to the receptacle, the timc, expense, an~ incon~Jenien~e assoc:Lated with as3embling the . metallic box, electrical receptacle, and face plate to one another to provide a complete unit has undergone little ; 5 appreciable change and represents a burden~ome, time-con- -suming, and relatively expensive operation wherein the user . . .
is required to sever the cable, strip b~ck the installation from a portion thereof and individually connect the conductors to an associated terminal within the electrical receptacle ; .
; 10 after feeding the cable through an aperture in the receptacle supporting junction box. The user is faced with an additional - .
~ - prQblem of having to maintain a stock of face plates which :~ are generally supplied separately f~om the receptacle and ~:
which may be readily lost or misplaced among the proliferation lS 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 me~ber to avoid having the face plate secured thereto at an oblique angle since only minor adjustment is possible betwee~
the axis o~ the junct.ion box and the ~xi~ of the Eace l~lat~
after installation. The assembler is presented with a further difficulty in having to provide within the junction ~ -box a given length of ~tripped cable to permi~ manipulation of the receptacle for subsequent rewirins or replacement and which must be looped and stored within the junction box af~er the assembly is completed which, in the e~ent two or .
~ore c-bleg are brought into the junction box, results in a ~ 3 - ~.
- ~ .
:~:. . .
. ~: . , . . : . . -~5~
multlpliclty of conne~tor lecld~ ~herewi~hin all looped abolJt In random f~hion and lnterferlng wlth the rea~sembly of the electrical receptacle to the ~unc~lon box durlng a ~ubsequent wlring operation.
The inventlon according to the parent application over-; comes the limitations and difficulties noted above with respect to prior art devices by providing a preEerably inte~rally molded plastic electrical receptacle of unitary construction having self-contained mounted means and a releasably latchable cover member to provide an assembly which is simpler, less expensive, more reliable, and more convenient than such prior art devices. The receptacle is molded preferably from a relatively rigid electrically insulat~
ing plastic material and comprises a body member defined by a series of interconnected upstanding w~lls to provide a partially ; enclosed cable receiving cavity. Molded or formed integrally with one end of the cavi~y is a base portion having a generally planar fla~ged portion extending outwardly from the periphery of the body - member~ the front surface of the base portion being suitably apertured to provide a series of selectived spaced openin~s adapted to receive the blades of an electrical plug~ Located adjacent the rear surface of the fla~ged portion of the base member at opposite corners of the outer periphery of the body member are a pair of mounti~g pawls ea~h supported on a rotata~le 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 receptàcle to be mounted withln a suitably apertured opening in a w811 or other support member. The cable receiving cavity ls pro~ided .' dap/~
. : , - . . , ~ : . ~. , .. - -.- , , . . . . .:
~5l~>~
1 with a ~rles of up~t~ndiny elcctrical con~act support~
arranycd in a predeter~lned pattern to provide ~upport or electrical contacts having tab receiving portions adapted to mate with the blades of an electrical plug in.serted through the openings in the base portion. The electrical contacts are readily manufactured preferably from a single strip of highly conducti~e metallic material and are selectively formed to provide an insulation severing and conductor - engaging slotted portion having independently deflectable finger portions which are arranged to sever the installation ~ -and engage the conductive portion of a respective 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 electrically insulating plastic material in a generally flat rectangular ; shape and comprising a series of projections extending out-;' wardly f rom the inner surface thereof and aligned in generally longitudinally extending parallel rows, each projection havi~g a generally V-shaped bifurcated free end adapted to provide a cr~dle 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 d~flectable arms extendinq from opposing sides of tile cover member, each arm having an opening adapted to coincide with a selectively located . , :
protrusion on the outer surface of the body member when the : .
; cover member is seated firmly against the open end thereof.
To establish a particular orientation of the cover member on the body member, where desired, the width of the latching members may be differently proportioned and the sidewalls of :' _ 5 _ " :' :
,, :~: `'' , ,. ~ ' ' ., ;;
:: , : ~ ~: ,: :: , - , ,. . , :
'~O~ J~
the body m~bcr provide(l wlth correspon(ling palr~ o~ up~t~ndin~
parallel rib~, providing ~electively spaced channel~ each colnclding with a respectlve latch member. ~ plurality of such electrlcal reccp~acles may be installed in a ~uxtap~sed arrange-ment by the use of a stepped fram~ arranged to provide a seat for the flanged portion of each of the receptacles. The framed a~sembly may be mounted within a suitable opening in a wall or other support structure by the deployment oE the mounting pawls of each receptacle in a manner essen~ially similar to that used to mount a single receptacle to such support.
Thus the invention according to the parent application broadly deines an electrical receptacle comprislng, in combination, a body member formed from electrically insulating plastîc material and including wall portions ~oined to one another to define a cable receiving cavity, the wall portions being seated upon a base portio~ molded integrally therewith, the base portion having a - flanged portion extending outwardly beyond the external perimeter of the wall portions for mounelng the body member to a supporting surface, the base portion having contact supports selectively locaeed within the cable receiving cavity for supporting at least a pair of spaced electrical contacts therewithin, the base member being suitably apertured to prDvide plug recei~ing slo~s arranged to accept the contacts of an electrical plug, the base member further having at least a pair of electrical contacts disposed ~lthin the contact supports and aligne~ 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 foxmed from elecercially insulating plastic maeerial and arranged ~o selectively qeat agalnst the wall portions to provide a closure ~`
~ dap 1'~3 . .
.
.
. .
l~s l.s3a fox the expo~ed opcrllng ~ ~he body member cable receivlng cavlty, the c~ver member including ca~le ~upport rnearl~ di~po~cd adJace~
one surPace thereof, the cable support mean~ bclng selectlvely positloned Oll the cover ~ember for alignment wi~h the body member contact supports upon the selec~ive seating of the cover member agalnst the body member wall portions for urging the respective conductors o an electrical cable against respective ones of the electrical contacts located within the body member cable recelving cavity, the cover member further comprising latch means for selec-tive engagement with the body member to permlt the cover member tobe releasably locked to the ~ody member.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The electrlcal contacts pre~iously described may also ` be considered to be novel in the manner in which they eliminate the : need for separately severing the insulation from an insulated conductor to electrically jo.in the conductor to the contact.
Thus the invention of the present application provides ~ contact means for an elec~rical receptacle, comprising: a single : strip of highly conduc~ive thisl metallic material having a generally U-shaped conductor receiving central portion having a bigh~ portion snd leg portions, and arm portions each contiguous with an extending in an opposite direction fro~ the free end o~ a respecti~e leg por~ion, the arm portions lying along a common plane which intersects ~he respective planes of the leg por~lons along a line generally : parallel to the longit~dinal axi~ of the bight portion, the arm portions each terminating in a looped portion of ~lattened con-figuration and lying in a plane generally parallel to the plane of ~- the arm portlons to provide a tab receiving slot arranged to resiliently engage a terminatislg end of an electrical plug, the ,~ .
~ '~' ' ~ .
:~ dap~
- ............ - . . :
.: . ~' : ' -~;: ; ' . : :
: .
~- ~os~
leg portions eZlCh having a fir~t slot extencling from one edge of the leg portion a predetermined diutance in direction generally parallel ~o the axls of the bigllt portion, the first slot communicating with a second slot extendlng selectlvely out~ardly from either side of the base of the ~irst slot in a direction generally perpendicular to the axis o~ the flrst slot to provide an independently deflectable finger portion on each side of the first slot, the finger portions being offset from the plane of its associated leg portion in opposite directions, the first slots lying along a common axis orlented generally parallel to the plane of the arm portions, the opposing edges of the ~irst slot being arran~ed to sever the insulation and contact the conductive portion of an insula~ed electrical conducttr fortibly urged thereinto.
.
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1 ~RIEF D CRIE'TION F TltE D~WINC'~:
FIG. 1 i~ a ~ide elevational view of an electrical receptacle constructed in accordance with the concepts of S 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 of 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.
PIG. 6 is a fragmentary top plan view of a further embodiment of a contact means for an electrical receptacle constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.
FI~. 7 is a front elevational view o~ a further ~ embodiment of an electrical receptacle constructed in accord-9 ance with the concepts of the invention.
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 the terminating ends of the conductors of a multicon~
ductor electrical cable cradled in the cover member.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view, similar to FIG. 8, showing an intermediate portion o~ the conductors o~ a ~ulticonductor cable cradled in the cover member.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view, partly cut away and partly in section, of the device o~ FIG. 1 showin~ the manner of connecting an electrical multiconductor cahle ~thereto.
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~ l FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the device of FIG.
`: 1.
FI~. 13 is a fragmentary perspectlve vle~, 3howing 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 accordance with the concepts of the invention.
,, FIG. 16 is a perspective view~ partly cut away and ~;~; partly ln section, of the device of FIG. 14.
PIG. 17 is a side elevational view of a further ~; 15 embodiment of the conductor receiving portion of a contact means for an electrical receptacle constructed in accordance ~ith the concepts of the invention.
FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of yet another emhodiment of the conductor receiving portion of a contact means or an electrical receptacle constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.
FIG. l9 is a fragmentary top plan view of ye~
another embodiment of the conductor receiving portion of a contact means for an electrical receptacle constructed in ~5 accordance with the concepts of the invention.
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the ground con-ductor contact means for an electrical receptacle constructed iD accordance with the conceptq of the invention.
FIG. 21 is a fragmentary perspective v$ew, partly in section, of a further embodiment of a ground conductor ., . :
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l rec~ivlng contact mcans for an electrical rcceptacle con-structed in accordance with thc concept~ of the inventlon.
~ FIG. 22 is a fragmentary front elevatlonal view, : in section, showing the ground conductor support means of the S device of FIG. l.
PIG. 23 i9 a frag~nentary perspective view, partly in section, of 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 perspectiv~ view of a further e~bodiment of contact means for an electrical receptacle constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.
PIG. 25 is a side elevational ~iew, similar to FIG. 1, showing the manner in which the mounting means thereof are deployed to mount the device to a supporting st~ucture.
/ FIG. 26 is a fragmentary side elevational view, - partly in section, showing engagement of the mounting means ; ~0 of the device of FIG. 1 to an adjacent wall structure.
FIG. 27 is a fragmentary rear elevational view, s.howing the mounting means and associated structure oE the . : device of FIG. 1.
~` FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a further emhodi-ment of mounting means for an electrical receptacle constructed in accordance with the concept~ of the i~vention.
FIG. 29 is a perspecti~e view of the device o~
FIG. 28. fully deployed.
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FIG; 30 i3 a perspecti~e view o~ another embodiment of mountl~g means for an electrical recept~cle constructed in accordance with the concept~ of the invention.
FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the device of PIG. 30 ~ully deployed.
FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a ganged receptacle assembly constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.
FIG. 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 respective drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS: - -.~ .
Turnlng now to FIGS. l, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, l0, ll, 12, 13, 25, 26, 27, 32, and 33 there is shown an electrical receptacle 40 eonstructed 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 . ~ 20 a flanged portion 46 surrounding the body mem~er 42 and extend-ing beyond the periphery thereof. The body member 42 comprises , a box-like structure formed from a plurality of upstanding wall portiQns including a pair of sidewalls 48, 48' and a pair ~ of end walls 50, 50' tFIG. 4). The interior of the sidewalls - 25 48 and 48' and the end walls 50, and 50' combine to define ~able receiving cavity 52 which will be described in greater detail hereafter. As shown in g~eater detail in FIG.
.
1 ~RIEF D CRIE'TION F TltE D~WINC'~:
FIG. 1 i~ a ~ide elevational view of an electrical receptacle constructed in accordance with the concepts of S 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 of 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.
PIG. 6 is a fragmentary top plan view of a further embodiment of a contact means for an electrical receptacle constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.
FI~. 7 is a front elevational view o~ a further ~ embodiment of an electrical receptacle constructed in accord-9 ance with the concepts of the invention.
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 the terminating ends of the conductors of a multicon~
ductor electrical cable cradled in the cover member.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view, similar to FIG. 8, showing an intermediate portion o~ the conductors o~ a ~ulticonductor cable cradled in the cover member.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view, partly cut away and partly in section, of the device o~ FIG. 1 showin~ the manner of connecting an electrical multiconductor cahle ~thereto.
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~ l FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the device of FIG.
`: 1.
FI~. 13 is a fragmentary perspectlve vle~, 3howing 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 accordance with the concepts of the invention.
,, FIG. 16 is a perspective view~ partly cut away and ~;~; partly ln section, of the device of FIG. 14.
PIG. 17 is a side elevational view of a further ~; 15 embodiment of the conductor receiving portion of a contact means for an electrical receptacle constructed in accordance ~ith the concepts of the invention.
FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of yet another emhodiment of the conductor receiving portion of a contact means or an electrical receptacle constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.
FIG. l9 is a fragmentary top plan view of ye~
another embodiment of the conductor receiving portion of a contact means for an electrical receptacle constructed in ~5 accordance with the concepts of the invention.
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the ground con-ductor contact means for an electrical receptacle constructed iD accordance with the conceptq of the invention.
FIG. 21 is a fragmentary perspective v$ew, partly in section, of a further embodiment of a ground conductor ., . :
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l rec~ivlng contact mcans for an electrical rcceptacle con-structed in accordance with thc concept~ of the inventlon.
~ FIG. 22 is a fragmentary front elevatlonal view, : in section, showing the ground conductor support means of the S device of FIG. l.
PIG. 23 i9 a frag~nentary perspective view, partly in section, of 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 perspectiv~ view of a further e~bodiment of contact means for an electrical receptacle constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.
PIG. 25 is a side elevational ~iew, similar to FIG. 1, showing the manner in which the mounting means thereof are deployed to mount the device to a supporting st~ucture.
/ FIG. 26 is a fragmentary side elevational view, - partly in section, showing engagement of the mounting means ; ~0 of the device of FIG. 1 to an adjacent wall structure.
FIG. 27 is a fragmentary rear elevational view, s.howing the mounting means and associated structure oE the . : device of FIG. 1.
~` FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a further emhodi-ment of mounting means for an electrical receptacle constructed in accordance with the concept~ of the i~vention.
FIG. 29 is a perspecti~e view of the device o~
FIG. 28. fully deployed.
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FIG; 30 i3 a perspecti~e view o~ another embodiment of mountl~g means for an electrical recept~cle constructed in accordance with the concept~ of the invention.
FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the device of PIG. 30 ~ully deployed.
FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a ganged receptacle assembly constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.
FIG. 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 respective drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS: - -.~ .
Turnlng now to FIGS. l, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, l0, ll, 12, 13, 25, 26, 27, 32, and 33 there is shown an electrical receptacle 40 eonstructed 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 . ~ 20 a flanged portion 46 surrounding the body mem~er 42 and extend-ing beyond the periphery thereof. The body member 42 comprises , a box-like structure formed from a plurality of upstanding wall portiQns including a pair of sidewalls 48, 48' and a pair ~ of end walls 50, 50' tFIG. 4). The interior of the sidewalls - 25 48 and 48' and the end walls 50, and 50' combine to define ~able receiving cavity 52 which will be described in greater detail hereafter. As shown in g~eater detail in FIG.
4, the interior of the body member 4~ comprises a series of aligned contact support~ 54, 54', 56~ 56' and 58, 5~' which ':
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1 comprise ~lectively shapc:d up~tandLng portlon~ ~ff~x~d to the base portion 44 o~ th~ hody member 42 and pr~:ferably molded integ~ally therewith. The contact support~ 54, 54' and 58 form a nest for a first contact means 60 while the contact supports 56, 56' and 58' form a nest for a second contact means 62. Each oE the supports 54, 54', 56, and 56' border a respective ~perture 64, 64', 66, 66' extending . qenerally transversely thxough the base member 44 and propor-'~ tioned to receive the blades of an electrical plug whlch are guided through the' aforesaid apertures or openings in ~:~ the base portion 44 for contact with selective portions of - the first and second contact mean~ 60 and 62, respectively.
~s further illustrated in F.IG. 2, the base member 44 is provided with additional openings 68, 68' adapted to receive ~': 15 the grouncl 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 ocnductor contact : , , j means 74 shown in greater detail in ~IG. 20 and which will .. . .
be described in greater detail herea:Eter. The contact means 74 is supported within the cable receiving cavity 52 of the ~ody member 42 by,a series of further support means 75, 75' ` ' and 76, 76' the inner surfaces of which define a channel ,. ., ,arranged to tightly abut the sides oP the~contact means 74 to retain the contact means 74 in the desired position : 25 within the body member 42. To provide a complete enclosure, , :, there is provided a cover member 78 having latch portions 80 and 80' ~PIG. 8) adapted to mate with corresponding latch engaging protrusions 82 and 82' ~FIG. 4~ selectively located . on the first and second sidewalls 4B and 48', respectively, : 30 'of ~ndy me~ber 42. Each of the latch portions 80 and 80' ~.
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1 comprise ~lectively shapc:d up~tandLng portlon~ ~ff~x~d to the base portion 44 o~ th~ hody member 42 and pr~:ferably molded integ~ally therewith. The contact support~ 54, 54' and 58 form a nest for a first contact means 60 while the contact supports 56, 56' and 58' form a nest for a second contact means 62. Each oE the supports 54, 54', 56, and 56' border a respective ~perture 64, 64', 66, 66' extending . qenerally transversely thxough the base member 44 and propor-'~ tioned to receive the blades of an electrical plug whlch are guided through the' aforesaid apertures or openings in ~:~ the base portion 44 for contact with selective portions of - the first and second contact mean~ 60 and 62, respectively.
~s further illustrated in F.IG. 2, the base member 44 is provided with additional openings 68, 68' adapted to receive ~': 15 the grouncl 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 ocnductor contact : , , j means 74 shown in greater detail in ~IG. 20 and which will .. . .
be described in greater detail herea:Eter. The contact means 74 is supported within the cable receiving cavity 52 of the ~ody member 42 by,a series of further support means 75, 75' ` ' and 76, 76' the inner surfaces of which define a channel ,. ., ,arranged to tightly abut the sides oP the~contact means 74 to retain the contact means 74 in the desired position : 25 within the body member 42. To provide a complete enclosure, , :, there is provided a cover member 78 having latch portions 80 and 80' ~PIG. 8) adapted to mate with corresponding latch engaging protrusions 82 and 82' ~FIG. 4~ selectively located . on the first and second sidewalls 4B and 48', respectively, : 30 'of ~ndy me~ber 42. Each of the latch portions 80 and 80' ~.
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1 extend from th~ sLdq3 oE ~h~ covcr m~mber 78 yencr~lly :~ normal to the inner surface thereof and ~re ~p~ced apart from onc ~noth~r a dist~nce gcnerally equival~nt to the ~: spacing between the outer surfaces of the sidewalls 48 and 48' of the body member 42. The latch portions 8~ and 80' each comprise a pair of generally parallel spaced leg portions . 84, 84' and 88, 86' respectively, each of which is joined to the cover member 78 at one end, the juncture bctween 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 portions 80 and 80' at its junct~re with the cover member 78. Each of the latch portions 80 and 80' further i comprises an interconnecting portion 90, 90', respectively, joining 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 th~ leg portions 84 and 86 and the interconnecting portions 90 of latch portion 80 define a first aperture 92, while the inner edges of the leg portions 84' and 86' and the interconnecting portion 90' of latch portion 80' define a second aperture 92' each suitably dimensioned to locktngly mate with the respective latch : engagin.g protrusions 82 and 82' on the body member 42. The interconnecting portions 90 and 90' are further provided with a beveled interior surface 94, 94' generally adjacent ~ :
the leading edge of each of the latch portions 80 and 80', only one tg4'~ of such surfaces being visible in FIG. 8~
The beveled surfaces 94, 94' serve to deflect each of the latch portions 80 and 80' outwardly upon engagement with a respective latch engaging protrusion 82, 82' aq the cover m~mber 78 is ;":
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1 urged over the body mcmbcr 42, so that upon full closure o the co~er membsr 7a the inner edge 96, 96' o~ each latch portion 80, 80', xespeetively, abuts the adjacent edge oP a latch engaging protrusion B2, 82', to ~ecurely lock the cover member 78 to the body member 42. The cover member 78, may, of course, be readily moved from the body member 42 by manually deflecting each of the latch portions 80 and 89' outwardly sufficiently to disengage the edges 96 and 96' ~rom the latch engaging protrusions 82 and 82'. Alternatively, although not illustrated, the cover member 78 may be provided with latch engaging protrusions such as 82, 82', and the ~ body member 42 provided with latch portions such as 80, 80' ; to provide a similar but reversed latch arrangement. Depending " outwardly from the first sidewall 48 of body member 42, are a first pair of ribs 98, 98' (FIG. 4) arranged to provide a guide channel for the latch portion B0. In a similar manner the secol~d sidewall 48' is provided with a pair of depending ribs 100, 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 Oe 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 - .
~5 latch portion 80, 80', thus insuring that the cover member 78 may be latched to the body member 42 in the deslred `~ orientation. Alternatively, although not illustrated, each o the latch portions 80, 80' may be provided with longitudinally sxtending ribs and the sidewalls 48~ 48' of the body member 39 42, provided with mating suitably located reces~es to provide , `: .
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1 a slmll~r guiding ~nd channclllng effect. Each of the end wall~ 50 and 50' of the body member 42 i~ proYlded wlth a respectivc notched portion 102 and 102' arranged to provide clearancc for the incoming electrical cable. The cove~
member 78 is provided with an upstanding portion 104 which, . although shown adjacent only one end of the the cover member 78 in PIG. 8 may be provided at both end~ in a similar mapner and arranged to fit closely within a respective one ~: of the notched portion 102, and 102' in the body memher 42 : 10 thus providing a selecti~e closure for the unused cable .
-; entry~ay essentially as shown in FIG. 12 where, for example, an electrical cable terminates at the electrical receptacle .; 40. The upstanding portion 104 is frangibly 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 entr~way for a cable at either end of the receptacle 40.
: This arrangement has the additional advantage of permitting a cable such as 108 tFlG. 10) to be terminated to the electrical .
~ receptacle 40 midspan of its length where the ends of the ::
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cable 108 are to extend beyond both ends of the body member ~ 42. In th~ case of a single ended termination, as shown in - FIG. 9, the upstanding portion 104 has been left intact at : ~ 25 one end of the cover member 78 but has been broken away from the other ~nd so as to permit an electrical cable such as 110 to be brought into and terminated at the receptacle 40 : ~om only one end. Where it is desired to provide an entryway ~or more ~han one cable at a given end of the body member 42, ther~ may be advantageously provided an arrangemen~ such , ~
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1 as th~t illu~trated Ln FIG. 13, in which either or both oP
th~ notched portions 102 and 102' may b~ modifi~d a3 at 112 to include a frangibl~ portlon 11~ dlsposed wlthin the notch~d portion 112 which, incidently, has a total d~pth greater than that required to provide an entry~ay for a ~, single electrical cable, but i5 appropriately reduced by the "~ height of the frangible portion 114. Consequently, in the '- e~ent mor~ than one electrical cable is to be inserted within the electrical receptacle 40 from a given end, the ', 10 frangible portion 114 may then be broken away from the remainder of the notched ~ortion 112 to provide an enlarged ; - ope~ing adapted to receive the additional cables therethrough.
CommenRurate with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13, the ' upstanding portion 104 of cover member 78 will have a depth generaLly equivalent to the unobstructed opening of the no*ched 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, he provided with a notched portion such as 112 within either or both of the end walls thereof as necessary or desirable. As,further - illust~at~d 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 (FIG. 13) or 102 and '` 25 102' (FIG. 4) to provide an increased area of closure there-between. The cover member 78 is further provided with cable guides 120 and 120' (FIG. 8) each of ~hich includes a respec-tive pa~r of upstanding leg portion~ 122, 122' and 124, ;~ 124', each pair at least partially defining a channel like ~ 30 opening to xestrict lateral movemen~ of an electrical cable ~, , ~ ' ' '. , ~
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:, :,', ', .: ' " . ', 1 such ~ 108 or 110 within the cover member 78 during ~ndafter assembly. Each pair of lcg portlon~ 122, 122' and 124, 124' are joined at their respective base~ by an intercon-necting portion 126, 126', respectively, adapted to maintain the cable at a given height above the inner surface of the cover memb~r 78. ~lso depending outwardly generally normal to the interior surface of the cover member 78 are a series of projections aligned in rows which are axially oriented ; generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cover membe~ 78. One such row includes projections 128, 130, and 132. Another such row includes projections 134, 136, and - 138. ~etween the aforementioned two rows is a third row including projections 140, 142, 146 and 148, projections 146 and 148 di~fering, however, from projections 140 and 142 in 15 prsviding a guide rather than a support, for the centrally disposed conductor. The cable guides 126 and 126' are disposed along a common axis in general alignment with an - axi.s joining the p~ojections 140, 142, 146, and 148. All of the aforementioned projections except projections 146 and ~:~
. 20 148 are provided with a bifurcated free end which, as illus- ~.
`~ 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 notch~s in a particular row of projec-tions lie along a common axis generally parallel to the :~
longitudinal axis o~ the cover member 7~ to provide a cradle ~;
~: . for a particular individual conductor of a multiconductor electrical cable in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. In the arrangement illustrated therein, the two ou~er ro~s comprising, respectively, projections 128, 130 and 132, : 30 and proiections 134, 136 and 133, are adapted to ~upport the 17 - :
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1 usual currfJnt-cclrrying conductors of a multiconductor ~lectrical :: cable while the c~nter row cornpri3ing p~ojections 140,142 : 146, .and 148 are ad~pted to support the usual ground conductor~: of such cable. The V-notched projections are all of equal ~: 5 height and positionally arranged to insure that each of the conductors supportcd thereby ~il1 be aligned with a respective conductor receiving portion of an associate~ conta~t means 60, 62, and 74 located within the body memb~r 42 of the receptacle 40 as the cover member 78 is brought into engagement lO with the body member 42. As the cover member 78 is urged into full Latched engagement with the body member 42 in the manner illustrated in FIG. ll, the conductors which are cradled within the bifurcated free ends of the projections :` in the cover member 78 a~e, accordingly, urged against the : 15 respective conductor receiving portions of the contact means 60, 62, and 74 for electrical and mechanical engagement ;l therewith. After assembly, the cover member projections serve as a strain relief by locking the conductors in place ~- adjacent 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 o~ which comprises a hub portion 156, 158, respectively, and a finger portion 160, 162, respectively, each finger portion 160, l62 extending radially outwardly from l~s associated hub portion. Both pawl means 152 and lS4 axe similarly construc~ed and further comprise a gusset portion such as 164 (FIG. l) extending between the hub portion and fingex p~rtion at each pawl means. Each of the hUb portions lS6 and l58 have a longitudinal bore extending ' ,~
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1 thereth~ough for thread~d engagemcnt with the ~h~nk portion of a resp~ctive screw me~ns 166 and 168, the sh~nk portion~
of which extend generally transversely through the flanged portion 46 of the base portion 44 of fhe body member 42.
Each of the ~crew means lfi6 and 168 includes a head portion 170, 172, respectively, (FIG. 2) which is accessible from the front surface of the flanyed portion 46 so that ~pon rotation of the screw means 166 and 168, th~ respective pawl means 152 and 154 are caused to be deployed and axially ~ 10 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 !,:15 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 r~spective ::
-~inger portion 160, 162 of a pawl means 152, 154. ~ccordingly, .~ the pawl means 152 and 154 may be deployed from a first ~: 20 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.. 25 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 182. As the finger portions `: 160 and 162 of the pawl meaDs 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 caused to ride along the threaded portlon oP a respective 19 . . . :' ~: :
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1 ~crew means 166,16~ tow~d~ the flan~ed portion 46 o~ the ba.qe portion 44 in a dircction inclicated generally by the arrow~ 184 and 186 in E~IG. 25. A~ each of the 3crew means 166 and 168 is further rotated, the a~sociated pawl ~ean~
finger portions 160 and 162 are caused to bear against the adja~ent surface of ~ supporting wall 188, in a manner shown more clearly in FIG. 26. The ~all 188 is thus sandwiched between a respective finger portion 160, 162 of the pawl ~ mean~ 15~, 154, and the flanged portion 46 of the receptacle :~ 10 40 to lock the receptacle 40 in the desired position within the supporting wall 188. The shank portion of each of the - screw 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 (~IG. 26) disposed adjacent the shank portion of each of the screw means 166 and 168 and having an interior surface arranged to provide a ne~t for an associated hub means 156, 158, of the pawl means 152, 154. Each of the channels 194 is further provided with ;, 20 a lip portion lY6 illustrated more clearly in FIGS. 26 and 27. The channels 194 and the lip portions 196 are essentially a.f the same length and encompass a portion of the total axial distance transv~rsed by the pawl means so that each of . the ~inger portions 160 and 162 of the pàwl means 152 and ::.
154 may be rotated freely into their deployed position :
: . ~ithout inte~ference from either the channel 194 or lip portiQn 196 at the initiation of the mounting operation.
However, as the sorew means 166 and 168 are rotated, each of the pawl ~eans 152 and 154 i.~ caused to advan~e forwardly axially along a respective threaded portion of the ~crew . ' ' ' ,' .~ .
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1 means lh6 and lfi8 until each of the pa~ll rnean.~ 152 and 154 has enter~d the area ancompasscd by th~ llp portlon of an associated channel 194. In thi~ posltlon, the pawl m~ans i~
partially restrained from rotatin~ in a counterclo~kwise direction, zs vlewed 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 pawl~ 152 and 154 are effec-: tively restrained in their arcuate travel and are always at least partially deployed for engagement with the adjacent surface o~ 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 .j lip 196 so that each of the pawl means may then be freely rotated back into its undeployed position essentially as shown in FIG. 3. A modified form of the lip portion 196 is ill~strated in FIGS. 28 and 29 and includes an upstanding :~, . finger 198 which functions both as a restraining means and guide means for each of the pawl means l52 and 154. A :. -. fur~her embodiment of a rotational restraininq means is : shown in FIGS. 30 and 31 wherein each of the pawl means is -provided with a hook-like extension 200 extending outwardly f~om its finger portion and arra~ged to overlie an upstanding ~ .
rib portion 202 located on the body member 42 and extending generally parallel to the axis of an associated screw means :
166 and 168. Thu~, in the undeployed state, the pawl means .
: . 30 and it3 as~ociated hook-like extension 200 are positioned esYen-, ., .
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1 tially as ~hown ln F'IG, 30. ~fter deployment, as shown in FIG. 31, the hook-like extension 200 ~g caused to be engaged about the rib portion 202 which 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 member 42 of the electrical receptacle 40 is shown in further detail. Since the contact means 62 is essentially identical to the contact means 60 but is formed as a mirror image thereof, all reference 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 strip of highly conductive metallic material such as, brass, copper, or other well known conduc-~ tive materials and includes a generally U-shaped conductor;~ engaging central portion 204 having a bight portion 206 and extending leg portions 208 and 208'. The frse end of each of the leg portions 208 and 208' is joined to a respective 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 210' t~rminates in a respective looped portion 212, 212' of generally flattened configuration so as to provide a respeotive tab re~eiving slot 214, 214' oriented in generally parallel relationship 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 plug. The gap be~ween the opposing wall surfaces forminq ~he tab receiving slot 214, 214' is selectively ~, .' , . ..
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1 dimen~ion~d to provide a relatively tight fit about such blade to Lnsllre secur~ and reliabl~ electrical ~nd mechanical contact ther~between. Each looped portion, 212, 212', is provided wlth outwardly flared extending portions 216, 218, ; 5 respectively, for partially guiding an associated blade of an electrical plug into a respective tab rec~iving slot 214, 214'. Each of the leg portions 20~, and 208' of the contact means 60 is provided with a first slot 220, 220' (FIG. 16) extending 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 oE
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 baving a free edge arranged to sever the insulation about and engage the conducting portion of an insulated conductor forcibly thereinto. As further illustrated in ~ .
FIG. 14, the finger portions 224, 224' are offset from o~e another in opposite directions from the plane of their associated leg portion 208, and the finger portions 226, 226' are offset from one another in opposite directions from the plane of their associated leg portion 208', so that each of the finger portions of a pair such as 224 and 224' will be deflected away from one another in opposite directions when subjected to the force of, for example, an el~ctrical conductor urged between the finger portions and having a diameter slightly greater than ~he .' ~ ' ' .
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1 width o~ tho respectlv~ slot 220. Tho fing~r portlon3 224, ;~ 224', will of course, t~nd to return to their orlyinal un-deflected position, ther~by maintaining tight el~ctrical and mechanical engagement with the enyaged portion of the electri-cal conductor. An identical situation occurs with respect to the finger portions 226, 226' which are formed in essenti-ally the same manner as the finger portions 224, 224'.
Accordingly, a conductor spanning the V-shaped portion 204 - of the contact means 60 generally parallel to the plane of the arm portions 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. ~lthough the ~ arrangement shown in FIG. 16 has been found to be entirely ; adequate in the case of a single conductor, a third slot 228 ~ 15 (FIG. 17) disposed intermediate the length of, and intersect-~ .
' ing the ~irst slot 220, 220', may be introduced into a `. respective leg portion 208, 208', to provide two pair of . .
lndependently deflectable finger portions 230, 230', and 232, 232' located along the length of an associated slot 220, ~20'. 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 pair of finger portions, such as 230, 230' and 232, 232', to minimize the effect of deflection of one pair of finger portions upon the :~
othe~ pairO In this manner either the larger or smaller diameter conductor may be introduced irst into the slots 220, 220' without effecting the electrical and mechanical inte~rity of the connection formed ~etween both conductors ... ' ' : 24 - :.. . .
~i .
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: : :: : :: . :
: : . : :: . ::: ... -, ::. : .:
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1 and thc contact me~ns. In a ~imilar manner, an additional s1Ot may be providcd along the lengt:h of the first slot 220, 220' in a manner illustrated, for example, in FIG. 18 where there is shown a conductor receiving le~ portion 238 having a longitudinally disposed first slot 240 terminating at a : second slot 242 and further intersected by additional slots 244 and 246 to provide three pair of individually deflectable fingers 248, 248', 250, 250', and 252, 252'. Each of the 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 i~dependently deflectable finger portions 248, 248' 250, 250' and 252, 252'. As further illustrated in ~IG. 19 the .
: , . , finger portions located on one side oE the slot 240 may be alternatingly offset from the plane of their associated leg ~ poxtion 238, that is, the finger portion 252, as viewed in ; FIG. 19, is offset to the left of the plane of the leg portion 238 while the finger portion 250 is offset to the right of the plane of the leg portion 238 and, accordingly, the.finger portion 248 may be offset in the same direction . as the finger portion 252. The alternating offset arrangement ; 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 : 25 same direction from the plane o their associated leg portion 238 while the finger portions 248', 250, and 252' located on the other side of the slot 240 may be offset in the opposlte direction from the plane of their associated leg portion 238. It ha~ been found, however, that an alternating offset ~ 30 arrangement provides a slightly better distribution of .' . ' ' ~:
,; , , - 25 -'. ~
. ~, ",",, " .. .. . . . . . . .
:, ., : . '' ' ~OSiLt:~
l forc~s al~ng ono 3ide of th~ ~lot 240 wh~re a plurallty o~
conductors are di3pos~d in overlyilly relatLonship wlthin the ~lot 240~ I'he bight portion 206 of thc U~shap~d E~ortlon 204 o~ the cont~ct means 60 is further provided w$th a lanced projection 260 (FIG. 16) extending outwardly from the rear surface of the bight portion 206 for engagement with the :~ adjacent wall surface of the contact support within the bodyma~ber 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 262 essentially similar to either of said contact means 60 or 62 but further provided with an additional looped portion such as 264 disposed generally normal to a respective . .looped portion 212, 212' described hereto~ore. To facilitate . . the employment of the arrangement shown in FIG. 6, the base portion of the receptacle is modified essentially as shown n FIG. 7 to provide a T-shaped slot 266 arranged to coincide , with one end of the contact means 262, and a rectangular slot :, 20 268 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 is also provided with a flat~ened configuration :~ :
;~ to define a tab receiving slot 270 planarly oriented generally ~.
perpendicular to the plane of the tab receiving slot 214' o~
: contact means 60 to provide a socket arrangement adapted to re eive both 120 V.A.C. and 220 V.A.C. electrical plugs, I . where necessary or desirable. For duplex operation, both ends o~ the contact means 262 may be provided with an addi-, tional looped portion 264 ~FIG. 15~, eaoh di~posed adjacent ~ 26 -~ ! .
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1 the tcrminating ond o~ a respective arm portion 272, 272'.
The additional looped portion3 264 are ~lso provlded ~lith ; outwardly flared extending portlons 274 similar to the flared portions 216 and 218 illustrated ln FIGS. 16 and 17 s and function in a similar manner in providing a guide for - the respective pl~g blades inserted therewithin. The contact means 60 and 62 and the contact means 262 are designed primarily to provide an interconn~ction between the conven- , ' ~,' tional cur,rent-carrying conductors of an incoming electrical ~, 10 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 ! hi~hly conductive metallic material suitably formed to , 15 provide a generally U-shaped conductor receiving portion 276 having a b'ight portion 278 and extending leg portions 280 and 280'. The leg portions 280 and 280' are slotted as at ` 28Z, 2~2', r'espectiYely, to pro~ide a conductor receiving ~, ', channel for the gro~nd conductor of a multiconductor electri-cal'cable such as described heretofore. Extending from the free end of the leg portion 280 in generally nGrmal planar relationship therewith is a channel-like arm portion 284 from which depends the first finger portion 70, while the ~econd finger portion 72 extends from one edge of the remain-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 the apertures 68 and 68', respectively, in the base portion 44 o~ the body member 42 3O as to bear against the respecti~e 30 ' ~round pin of an electrical plug inserted within the corre~pond-.
,. ~ `
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l ing aperturcs 68, fi8' ln the base portion 44. The longitudlnally ~ exte~ding upturned edges 76, 76' of the arm portion 2~4 o~
:; the contact means 74 are arrangcd to engage the adjaccnt wall portions of the contact support means 75, 75' (FIG. 4) within the body member 42 of the receptacle 40 to maintain the contact mean~ 74 ln a given position between the contact : means 60 and 62. .The edges 76 and 76' may be serrated as ~ shown at 286, 286' in FIG. 21 to increase the interengagement ; between such edges and the adjacent wall o~ the contact supports in the body member 42. The arm portion 284 of the ground contact means 74 is further supported on struts 288, 288' ~FIG. 22) extending upwardly from the base portion 44 of the body member 42, intermediate the contact support means 75, 75' (FIG. 4).
.~ lS Turning now to FIGS. 23 and 24, the conductor --.
` receiving slots in each of the contact means 60 and 62 and : the g~ound conductor contact means 74 may be eliminated, and ~ :
. an arrangement similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 23 and - 24 substituted therefore. In FIG. 23, there is shown a ~. :
portion of a ground conductor contact means 290 having l ~ . outwardly extending flanged portions 292 and 294 each suitably :.1~ apertured to receive an associated threaded member such as ascrew 296~ 2~8 which may be tightened about the bared looped ~ ~ end of a conductor ~not shown) to electrically and mechanically : 25 connect the conductor to the contact means 290. The contact.
mean~ 60 and 62 may be similarly modified as shown or .
example in FIG. 24. As illustrated therein, each of the arm portions may be provided with an as~ociated overhanging .: . , .
flanged portion 300, 302, suitably apertured to receive a : threaded me~ber s~ch a~ a screw 304, 306 which may similarly ~-:~ . .
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: 1 be tightened about the bared looped end of an electrical conductor for electri~al and mechanic~l engagement therewith.
Tuxning now to FIGS. 32 and 33, two or more electric~l recept~cles 40 may be mounted in side by ~ide relationship in a supporting wall s~ch as 308 by the employ-ment of a suitably dimension~d frame 310 the inner periphery of.which is recessed as at 312 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 electrical cables such as 314 are first fed through a ~ suitably proportioned aperture 316 in the supporting wall : , 308 and through the frame 310 fo~ attachment to each of the : receptacles 40. The receptacles 40 are then placed against ~ the recess 312 of the frame 310 in juxtaposed relationship :~ 15 and the partial assembly including the receptacles 40 and ~ the frame 310 positioned against the aperture 316 in the :' supportin~ wall 308. The mounting pawls 152 and 154 may now be deployed by rotating the screws 166 and 168, as described ~, .
hereinabove, so that the finger portions thereof are caused ~' to rotate outwardly and advance forwardly against the rear , surface of the supporting wall 308, thereby providing a . completed installation essentially as shown in FIG. 33. It ` ~ wlll cf course be readily appreciated that, due to the nature of the assembly, extreme care in forming the aperture .
.:~ 25 316 is not required since the frame 310 and the electrical . i receptacles 40 comprise essentially a self-contained unit .
:: , ~`. i which may be relatively freely manipulated both ~ertically and horizontally within the dimensions of the aperture 316 ~: . prior to deploying and advancing the mounting pawls 152 and 154. It will al~o be appreciated that although two such ;','. ' , ~ ~ `
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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 without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the concepts herein disclosed.
.
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1 extend from th~ sLdq3 oE ~h~ covcr m~mber 78 yencr~lly :~ normal to the inner surface thereof and ~re ~p~ced apart from onc ~noth~r a dist~nce gcnerally equival~nt to the ~: spacing between the outer surfaces of the sidewalls 48 and 48' of the body member 42. The latch portions 8~ and 80' each comprise a pair of generally parallel spaced leg portions . 84, 84' and 88, 86' respectively, each of which is joined to the cover member 78 at one end, the juncture bctween 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 portions 80 and 80' at its junct~re with the cover member 78. Each of the latch portions 80 and 80' further i comprises an interconnecting portion 90, 90', respectively, joining 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 th~ leg portions 84 and 86 and the interconnecting portions 90 of latch portion 80 define a first aperture 92, while the inner edges of the leg portions 84' and 86' and the interconnecting portion 90' of latch portion 80' define a second aperture 92' each suitably dimensioned to locktngly mate with the respective latch : engagin.g protrusions 82 and 82' on the body member 42. The interconnecting portions 90 and 90' are further provided with a beveled interior surface 94, 94' generally adjacent ~ :
the leading edge of each of the latch portions 80 and 80', only one tg4'~ of such surfaces being visible in FIG. 8~
The beveled surfaces 94, 94' serve to deflect each of the latch portions 80 and 80' outwardly upon engagement with a respective latch engaging protrusion 82, 82' aq the cover m~mber 78 is ;":
~ 13 ~
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1 urged over the body mcmbcr 42, so that upon full closure o the co~er membsr 7a the inner edge 96, 96' o~ each latch portion 80, 80', xespeetively, abuts the adjacent edge oP a latch engaging protrusion B2, 82', to ~ecurely lock the cover member 78 to the body member 42. The cover member 78, may, of course, be readily moved from the body member 42 by manually deflecting each of the latch portions 80 and 89' outwardly sufficiently to disengage the edges 96 and 96' ~rom the latch engaging protrusions 82 and 82'. Alternatively, although not illustrated, the cover member 78 may be provided with latch engaging protrusions such as 82, 82', and the ~ body member 42 provided with latch portions such as 80, 80' ; to provide a similar but reversed latch arrangement. Depending " outwardly from the first sidewall 48 of body member 42, are a first pair of ribs 98, 98' (FIG. 4) arranged to provide a guide channel for the latch portion B0. In a similar manner the secol~d sidewall 48' is provided with a pair of depending ribs 100, 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 Oe 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 - .
~5 latch portion 80, 80', thus insuring that the cover member 78 may be latched to the body member 42 in the deslred `~ orientation. Alternatively, although not illustrated, each o the latch portions 80, 80' may be provided with longitudinally sxtending ribs and the sidewalls 48~ 48' of the body member 39 42, provided with mating suitably located reces~es to provide , `: .
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1 a slmll~r guiding ~nd channclllng effect. Each of the end wall~ 50 and 50' of the body member 42 i~ proYlded wlth a respectivc notched portion 102 and 102' arranged to provide clearancc for the incoming electrical cable. The cove~
member 78 is provided with an upstanding portion 104 which, . although shown adjacent only one end of the the cover member 78 in PIG. 8 may be provided at both end~ in a similar mapner and arranged to fit closely within a respective one ~: of the notched portion 102, and 102' in the body memher 42 : 10 thus providing a selecti~e closure for the unused cable .
-; entry~ay essentially as shown in FIG. 12 where, for example, an electrical cable terminates at the electrical receptacle .; 40. The upstanding portion 104 is frangibly 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 entr~way for a cable at either end of the receptacle 40.
: This arrangement has the additional advantage of permitting a cable such as 108 tFlG. 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 th~ case of a single ended termination, as shown in - FIG. 9, the upstanding portion 104 has been left intact at : ~ 25 one end of the cover member 78 but has been broken away from the other ~nd so as to permit an electrical cable such as 110 to be brought into and terminated at the receptacle 40 : ~om only one end. Where it is desired to provide an entryway ~or more ~han one cable at a given end of the body member 42, ther~ may be advantageously provided an arrangemen~ such , ~
. - 15 -:
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1 as th~t illu~trated Ln FIG. 13, in which either or both oP
th~ notched portions 102 and 102' may b~ modifi~d a3 at 112 to include a frangibl~ portlon 11~ dlsposed wlthin the notch~d portion 112 which, incidently, has a total d~pth greater than that required to provide an entry~ay for a ~, single electrical cable, but i5 appropriately reduced by the "~ height of the frangible portion 114. Consequently, in the '- e~ent mor~ than one electrical cable is to be inserted within the electrical receptacle 40 from a given end, the ', 10 frangible portion 114 may then be broken away from the remainder of the notched ~ortion 112 to provide an enlarged ; - ope~ing adapted to receive the additional cables therethrough.
CommenRurate with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13, the ' upstanding portion 104 of cover member 78 will have a depth generaLly equivalent to the unobstructed opening of the no*ched 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, he provided with a notched portion such as 112 within either or both of the end walls thereof as necessary or desirable. As,further - illust~at~d 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 (FIG. 13) or 102 and '` 25 102' (FIG. 4) to provide an increased area of closure there-between. The cover member 78 is further provided with cable guides 120 and 120' (FIG. 8) each of ~hich includes a respec-tive pa~r of upstanding leg portion~ 122, 122' and 124, ;~ 124', each pair at least partially defining a channel like ~ 30 opening to xestrict lateral movemen~ of an electrical cable ~, , ~ ' ' '. , ~
", ' ' ,:
.
., ~ .
:, :,', ', .: ' " . ', 1 such ~ 108 or 110 within the cover member 78 during ~ndafter assembly. Each pair of lcg portlon~ 122, 122' and 124, 124' are joined at their respective base~ by an intercon-necting portion 126, 126', respectively, adapted to maintain the cable at a given height above the inner surface of the cover memb~r 78. ~lso depending outwardly generally normal to the interior surface of the cover member 78 are a series of projections aligned in rows which are axially oriented ; generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cover membe~ 78. One such row includes projections 128, 130, and 132. Another such row includes projections 134, 136, and - 138. ~etween the aforementioned two rows is a third row including projections 140, 142, 146 and 148, projections 146 and 148 di~fering, however, from projections 140 and 142 in 15 prsviding a guide rather than a support, for the centrally disposed conductor. The cable guides 126 and 126' are disposed along a common axis in general alignment with an - axi.s joining the p~ojections 140, 142, 146, and 148. All of the aforementioned projections except projections 146 and ~:~
. 20 148 are provided with a bifurcated free end which, as illus- ~.
`~ 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 notch~s in a particular row of projec-tions lie along a common axis generally parallel to the :~
longitudinal axis o~ the cover member 7~ to provide a cradle ~;
~: . for a particular individual conductor of a multiconductor electrical cable in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. In the arrangement illustrated therein, the two ou~er ro~s comprising, respectively, projections 128, 130 and 132, : 30 and proiections 134, 136 and 133, are adapted to ~upport the 17 - :
.. ..... . , . , :
~3 ~
1 usual currfJnt-cclrrying conductors of a multiconductor ~lectrical :: cable while the c~nter row cornpri3ing p~ojections 140,142 : 146, .and 148 are ad~pted to support the usual ground conductor~: of such cable. The V-notched projections are all of equal ~: 5 height and positionally arranged to insure that each of the conductors supportcd thereby ~il1 be aligned with a respective conductor receiving portion of an associate~ conta~t means 60, 62, and 74 located within the body memb~r 42 of the receptacle 40 as the cover member 78 is brought into engagement lO with the body member 42. As the cover member 78 is urged into full Latched engagement with the body member 42 in the manner illustrated in FIG. ll, the conductors which are cradled within the bifurcated free ends of the projections :` in the cover member 78 a~e, accordingly, urged against the : 15 respective conductor receiving portions of the contact means 60, 62, and 74 for electrical and mechanical engagement ;l therewith. After assembly, the cover member projections serve as a strain relief by locking the conductors in place ~- adjacent 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 o~ which comprises a hub portion 156, 158, respectively, and a finger portion 160, 162, respectively, each finger portion 160, l62 extending radially outwardly from l~s associated hub portion. Both pawl means 152 and lS4 axe similarly construc~ed and further comprise a gusset portion such as 164 (FIG. l) extending between the hub portion and fingex p~rtion at each pawl means. Each of the hUb portions lS6 and l58 have a longitudinal bore extending ' ,~
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1 thereth~ough for thread~d engagemcnt with the ~h~nk portion of a resp~ctive screw me~ns 166 and 168, the sh~nk portion~
of which extend generally transversely through the flanged portion 46 of the base portion 44 of fhe body member 42.
Each of the ~crew means lfi6 and 168 includes a head portion 170, 172, respectively, (FIG. 2) which is accessible from the front surface of the flanyed portion 46 so that ~pon rotation of the screw means 166 and 168, th~ respective pawl means 152 and 154 are caused to be deployed and axially ~ 10 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 !,:15 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 r~spective ::
-~inger portion 160, 162 of a pawl means 152, 154. ~ccordingly, .~ the pawl means 152 and 154 may be deployed from a first ~: 20 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.. 25 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 182. As the finger portions `: 160 and 162 of the pawl meaDs 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 caused to ride along the threaded portlon oP a respective 19 . . . :' ~: :
;,' : "' ~35~ 5'~'~
1 ~crew means 166,16~ tow~d~ the flan~ed portion 46 o~ the ba.qe portion 44 in a dircction inclicated generally by the arrow~ 184 and 186 in E~IG. 25. A~ each of the 3crew means 166 and 168 is further rotated, the a~sociated pawl ~ean~
finger portions 160 and 162 are caused to bear against the adja~ent surface of ~ supporting wall 188, in a manner shown more clearly in FIG. 26. The ~all 188 is thus sandwiched between a respective finger portion 160, 162 of the pawl ~ mean~ 15~, 154, and the flanged portion 46 of the receptacle :~ 10 40 to lock the receptacle 40 in the desired position within the supporting wall 188. The shank portion of each of the - screw 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 (~IG. 26) disposed adjacent the shank portion of each of the screw means 166 and 168 and having an interior surface arranged to provide a ne~t for an associated hub means 156, 158, of the pawl means 152, 154. Each of the channels 194 is further provided with ;, 20 a lip portion lY6 illustrated more clearly in FIGS. 26 and 27. The channels 194 and the lip portions 196 are essentially a.f the same length and encompass a portion of the total axial distance transv~rsed by the pawl means so that each of . the ~inger portions 160 and 162 of the pàwl means 152 and ::.
154 may be rotated freely into their deployed position :
: . ~ithout inte~ference from either the channel 194 or lip portiQn 196 at the initiation of the mounting operation.
However, as the sorew means 166 and 168 are rotated, each of the pawl ~eans 152 and 154 i.~ caused to advan~e forwardly axially along a respective threaded portion of the ~crew . ' ' ' ,' .~ .
'.
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1 means lh6 and lfi8 until each of the pa~ll rnean.~ 152 and 154 has enter~d the area ancompasscd by th~ llp portlon of an associated channel 194. In thi~ posltlon, the pawl m~ans i~
partially restrained from rotatin~ in a counterclo~kwise direction, zs vlewed 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 pawl~ 152 and 154 are effec-: tively restrained in their arcuate travel and are always at least partially deployed for engagement with the adjacent surface o~ 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 .j lip 196 so that each of the pawl means may then be freely rotated back into its undeployed position essentially as shown in FIG. 3. A modified form of the lip portion 196 is ill~strated in FIGS. 28 and 29 and includes an upstanding :~, . finger 198 which functions both as a restraining means and guide means for each of the pawl means l52 and 154. A :. -. fur~her embodiment of a rotational restraininq means is : shown in FIGS. 30 and 31 wherein each of the pawl means is -provided with a hook-like extension 200 extending outwardly f~om its finger portion and arra~ged to overlie an upstanding ~ .
rib portion 202 located on the body member 42 and extending generally parallel to the axis of an associated screw means :
166 and 168. Thu~, in the undeployed state, the pawl means .
: . 30 and it3 as~ociated hook-like extension 200 are positioned esYen-, ., .
' ~
.
, .' ' . .: ' . ; ' ' " ' ' ' , ' . ' ' . , . . ' ' ' ': ;: : ., ', . " '' .' ' .,., ' " " ,', ~ ' ' , ' " ' ',. . : ' ' : : ' '' :, ': ',' ': " ' ,~: ,''' '' ' ','''' '~' ' ' ' ' ' . ': ' , '': .... , : ', .', .' ' , ' ' , :' ': ~ :- ' ' ., ' ~ . . , , . , ' , ' ' ' :-, ' ' ' ' : ' 5~
1 tially as ~hown ln F'IG, 30. ~fter deployment, as shown in FIG. 31, the hook-like extension 200 ~g caused to be engaged about the rib portion 202 which 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 member 42 of the electrical receptacle 40 is shown in further detail. Since the contact means 62 is essentially identical to the contact means 60 but is formed as a mirror image thereof, all reference 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 strip of highly conductive metallic material such as, brass, copper, or other well known conduc-~ tive materials and includes a generally U-shaped conductor;~ engaging central portion 204 having a bight portion 206 and extending leg portions 208 and 208'. The frse end of each of the leg portions 208 and 208' is joined to a respective 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 210' t~rminates in a respective looped portion 212, 212' of generally flattened configuration so as to provide a respeotive tab re~eiving slot 214, 214' oriented in generally parallel relationship 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 plug. The gap be~ween the opposing wall surfaces forminq ~he tab receiving slot 214, 214' is selectively ~, .' , . ..
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:: . : . . : .
3;~
1 dimen~ion~d to provide a relatively tight fit about such blade to Lnsllre secur~ and reliabl~ electrical ~nd mechanical contact ther~between. Each looped portion, 212, 212', is provided wlth outwardly flared extending portions 216, 218, ; 5 respectively, for partially guiding an associated blade of an electrical plug into a respective tab rec~iving slot 214, 214'. Each of the leg portions 20~, and 208' of the contact means 60 is provided with a first slot 220, 220' (FIG. 16) extending 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 oE
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 baving a free edge arranged to sever the insulation about and engage the conducting portion of an insulated conductor forcibly thereinto. As further illustrated in ~ .
FIG. 14, the finger portions 224, 224' are offset from o~e another in opposite directions from the plane of their associated leg portion 208, and the finger portions 226, 226' are offset from one another in opposite directions from the plane of their associated leg portion 208', so that each of the finger portions of a pair such as 224 and 224' will be deflected away from one another in opposite directions when subjected to the force of, for example, an el~ctrical conductor urged between the finger portions and having a diameter slightly greater than ~he .' ~ ' ' .
, ;, .
:~ .. , : ... .. . . . . .
:,. ~: :: :.. . . - , ~ .. , ~ , , , :
: : . : ' ':' : ' '. ' ' - : . :,: ' .; : ::
::. : , . . ., . : :
:: . :: - .:, ' .
: ~.: ,- , , :: . : ~ .
1 width o~ tho respectlv~ slot 220. Tho fing~r portlon3 224, ;~ 224', will of course, t~nd to return to their orlyinal un-deflected position, ther~by maintaining tight el~ctrical and mechanical engagement with the enyaged portion of the electri-cal conductor. An identical situation occurs with respect to the finger portions 226, 226' which are formed in essenti-ally the same manner as the finger portions 224, 224'.
Accordingly, a conductor spanning the V-shaped portion 204 - of the contact means 60 generally parallel to the plane of the arm portions 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. ~lthough the ~ arrangement shown in FIG. 16 has been found to be entirely ; adequate in the case of a single conductor, a third slot 228 ~ 15 (FIG. 17) disposed intermediate the length of, and intersect-~ .
' ing the ~irst slot 220, 220', may be introduced into a `. respective leg portion 208, 208', to provide two pair of . .
lndependently deflectable finger portions 230, 230', and 232, 232' located along the length of an associated slot 220, ~20'. 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 pair of finger portions, such as 230, 230' and 232, 232', to minimize the effect of deflection of one pair of finger portions upon the :~
othe~ pairO In this manner either the larger or smaller diameter conductor may be introduced irst into the slots 220, 220' without effecting the electrical and mechanical inte~rity of the connection formed ~etween both conductors ... ' ' : 24 - :.. . .
~i .
:: .~ .. .. . .. .. .. . . .. .
: : :: : :: . :
: : . : :: . ::: ... -, ::. : .:
S~5~'~
1 and thc contact me~ns. In a ~imilar manner, an additional s1Ot may be providcd along the lengt:h of the first slot 220, 220' in a manner illustrated, for example, in FIG. 18 where there is shown a conductor receiving le~ portion 238 having a longitudinally disposed first slot 240 terminating at a : second slot 242 and further intersected by additional slots 244 and 246 to provide three pair of individually deflectable fingers 248, 248', 250, 250', and 252, 252'. Each of the 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 i~dependently deflectable finger portions 248, 248' 250, 250' and 252, 252'. As further illustrated in ~IG. 19 the .
: , . , finger portions located on one side oE the slot 240 may be alternatingly offset from the plane of their associated leg ~ poxtion 238, that is, the finger portion 252, as viewed in ; FIG. 19, is offset to the left of the plane of the leg portion 238 while the finger portion 250 is offset to the right of the plane of the leg portion 238 and, accordingly, the.finger portion 248 may be offset in the same direction . as the finger portion 252. The alternating offset arrangement ; 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 : 25 same direction from the plane o their associated leg portion 238 while the finger portions 248', 250, and 252' located on the other side of the slot 240 may be offset in the opposlte direction from the plane of their associated leg portion 238. It ha~ been found, however, that an alternating offset ~ 30 arrangement provides a slightly better distribution of .' . ' ' ~:
,; , , - 25 -'. ~
. ~, ",",, " .. .. . . . . . . .
:, ., : . '' ' ~OSiLt:~
l forc~s al~ng ono 3ide of th~ ~lot 240 wh~re a plurallty o~
conductors are di3pos~d in overlyilly relatLonship wlthin the ~lot 240~ I'he bight portion 206 of thc U~shap~d E~ortlon 204 o~ the cont~ct means 60 is further provided w$th a lanced projection 260 (FIG. 16) extending outwardly from the rear surface of the bight portion 206 for engagement with the :~ adjacent wall surface of the contact support within the bodyma~ber 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 262 essentially similar to either of said contact means 60 or 62 but further provided with an additional looped portion such as 264 disposed generally normal to a respective . .looped portion 212, 212' described hereto~ore. To facilitate . . the employment of the arrangement shown in FIG. 6, the base portion of the receptacle is modified essentially as shown n FIG. 7 to provide a T-shaped slot 266 arranged to coincide , with one end of the contact means 262, and a rectangular slot :, 20 268 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 is also provided with a flat~ened configuration :~ :
;~ to define a tab receiving slot 270 planarly oriented generally ~.
perpendicular to the plane of the tab receiving slot 214' o~
: contact means 60 to provide a socket arrangement adapted to re eive both 120 V.A.C. and 220 V.A.C. electrical plugs, I . where necessary or desirable. For duplex operation, both ends o~ the contact means 262 may be provided with an addi-, tional looped portion 264 ~FIG. 15~, eaoh di~posed adjacent ~ 26 -~ ! .
, . ~ . . . .
' ~ '` ' :~ ', ,',' .' , ' '.' ' . ' ' ', ` ' '''`, ' ` , : ~ ,. ': .
'' ' , ' '' " , ' , ' '` ', ~ ' "
1 the tcrminating ond o~ a respective arm portion 272, 272'.
The additional looped portion3 264 are ~lso provlded ~lith ; outwardly flared extending portlons 274 similar to the flared portions 216 and 218 illustrated ln FIGS. 16 and 17 s and function in a similar manner in providing a guide for - the respective pl~g blades inserted therewithin. The contact means 60 and 62 and the contact means 262 are designed primarily to provide an interconn~ction between the conven- , ' ~,' tional cur,rent-carrying conductors of an incoming electrical ~, 10 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 ! hi~hly conductive metallic material suitably formed to , 15 provide a generally U-shaped conductor receiving portion 276 having a b'ight portion 278 and extending leg portions 280 and 280'. The leg portions 280 and 280' are slotted as at ` 28Z, 2~2', r'espectiYely, to pro~ide a conductor receiving ~, ', channel for the gro~nd conductor of a multiconductor electri-cal'cable such as described heretofore. Extending from the free end of the leg portion 280 in generally nGrmal planar relationship therewith is a channel-like arm portion 284 from which depends the first finger portion 70, while the ~econd finger portion 72 extends from one edge of the remain-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 the apertures 68 and 68', respectively, in the base portion 44 o~ the body member 42 3O as to bear against the respecti~e 30 ' ~round pin of an electrical plug inserted within the corre~pond-.
,. ~ `
1' - :,: ,, , : ~
- . :- ...
.
~V5~5~
l ing aperturcs 68, fi8' ln the base portion 44. The longitudlnally ~ exte~ding upturned edges 76, 76' of the arm portion 2~4 o~
:; the contact means 74 are arrangcd to engage the adjaccnt wall portions of the contact support means 75, 75' (FIG. 4) within the body member 42 of the receptacle 40 to maintain the contact mean~ 74 ln a given position between the contact : means 60 and 62. .The edges 76 and 76' may be serrated as ~ shown at 286, 286' in FIG. 21 to increase the interengagement ; between such edges and the adjacent wall o~ the contact supports in the body member 42. The arm portion 284 of the ground contact means 74 is further supported on struts 288, 288' ~FIG. 22) extending upwardly from the base portion 44 of the body member 42, intermediate the contact support means 75, 75' (FIG. 4).
.~ lS Turning now to FIGS. 23 and 24, the conductor --.
` receiving slots in each of the contact means 60 and 62 and : the g~ound conductor contact means 74 may be eliminated, and ~ :
. an arrangement similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 23 and - 24 substituted therefore. In FIG. 23, there is shown a ~. :
portion of a ground conductor contact means 290 having l ~ . outwardly extending flanged portions 292 and 294 each suitably :.1~ apertured to receive an associated threaded member such as ascrew 296~ 2~8 which may be tightened about the bared looped ~ ~ end of a conductor ~not shown) to electrically and mechanically : 25 connect the conductor to the contact means 290. The contact.
mean~ 60 and 62 may be similarly modified as shown or .
example in FIG. 24. As illustrated therein, each of the arm portions may be provided with an as~ociated overhanging .: . , .
flanged portion 300, 302, suitably apertured to receive a : threaded me~ber s~ch a~ a screw 304, 306 which may similarly ~-:~ . .
:~ - 2~ -., .j .
: . .:, ~ - .. ~ : i , ,, :
~L~5~53~
: 1 be tightened about the bared looped end of an electrical conductor for electri~al and mechanic~l engagement therewith.
Tuxning now to FIGS. 32 and 33, two or more electric~l recept~cles 40 may be mounted in side by ~ide relationship in a supporting wall s~ch as 308 by the employ-ment of a suitably dimension~d frame 310 the inner periphery of.which is recessed as at 312 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 electrical cables such as 314 are first fed through a ~ suitably proportioned aperture 316 in the supporting wall : , 308 and through the frame 310 fo~ attachment to each of the : receptacles 40. The receptacles 40 are then placed against ~ the recess 312 of the frame 310 in juxtaposed relationship :~ 15 and the partial assembly including the receptacles 40 and ~ the frame 310 positioned against the aperture 316 in the :' supportin~ wall 308. The mounting pawls 152 and 154 may now be deployed by rotating the screws 166 and 168, as described ~, .
hereinabove, so that the finger portions thereof are caused ~' to rotate outwardly and advance forwardly against the rear , surface of the supporting wall 308, thereby providing a . completed installation essentially as shown in FIG. 33. It ` ~ wlll cf course be readily appreciated that, due to the nature of the assembly, extreme care in forming the aperture .
.:~ 25 316 is not required since the frame 310 and the electrical . i receptacles 40 comprise essentially a self-contained unit .
:: , ~`. i which may be relatively freely manipulated both ~ertically and horizontally within the dimensions of the aperture 316 ~: . prior to deploying and advancing the mounting pawls 152 and 154. It will al~o be appreciated that although two such ;','. ' , ~ ~ `
,.-.- ~:;; , :
,' . . ... . . - . ~. :-. : . : -~L~)51.. j 3~
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 without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the concepts herein disclosed.
.
:;:
::
- 30 ~ : -:. .
, . , ,, .,:..... , . , , : ~ ~ .
.. ~ . . 1 , -- :. - : . . ~- : . . : .
.. ..
Claims (7)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. Contact means for an electrical receptacle, comprising: a single strip of highly conductive thin metallic material having a generally U-shaped conductor receiving central portion. having a bight portion and leg portions, and arm portions each contiguous with and extending in an opposite direction from the free end of a respective leg portion, said arm portions lying along a common plane which intersects the respective planes of said leg portions along a line generally parallel to the long-itudinal axis of said bight portion, said arm portions each terminating in a looped portion of flattened configuration and lying in a plane generally parallel to the plane of said arm portions to provide a tab receiving slot arranged to resiliently engage a terminating end of an electrical plug, said leg portions each having a first slot extending from one edge of said leg portion a predetermined distance in direction generally parallel to the axis of said bight portion, said first slot communicating with a second slot extending selectively outwardly from either side of the base of said first slot in a direction generally perpendicular to the axis of said first slot to provide an independently deflectable finger portion on each side of said first slot, said finger portions being offset from the plane of its associated leg portion in opposite directions, said first slots lying along a common axis oriented generally parallel to the plane of said arm portions, the opposing edges of said first slot being arranged to sever the insulation and contact the conductive portion of an insulated electrical conductor forcibly urged thereinto.
2. Contact means as defined in claim 1, each of said leg portions further having a third slot intersecting said first slot generally intermediate the length thereof, said third slot extending selectively outwardly from either side of said first slot in a direction generally perpendicular to the axis of said first slot to provide a further independently deflectable finger portion on each side of said first slot.
3. Contact means as defined in claim 1 further compris-ing an additional looped portion extending contiguously from said first mentioned looped portion, said additional looped portion having a flattened configuration and lying in a plane generally normal to the plane of said first mentioned looped portion and in a direction generally parallel thereto, said additional looped portion providing an additional tab receiving slot communicating with said first mentioned tab receiving slot.
4. Contact means as defined in claim 2 wherein said further independently deflectable finger portions are offset from the plane of their associated leg portion in opposite directions from one another, the finger portions located adjacent a given side of said first slot being offset in the same direction from the plane of their associated leg portion.
5. Contact means as defined in claim 2 wherein said further independently deflectable finger portions are offset from the plane of their associated leg portion in opposite directions from one another, each of said finger portions located adjacent a given side of said first slot being offset from the plane of its associated leg portion in a direction opposite to that of an adjacent finger portion.
6. Contact means as defined in claim 1 wherein said looped portions are each provided with outwardly flared extending portions flanking an associated tab receiving slot to provide an entryway therefor.
7. Contact means as defined in claim 1 wherein said contact portion bight portion comprises a protuberance extending outwardly from the outer surface thereof for engagement with an adjacent wall of said receptacle to retain said contact means in a given position within said 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 |
|---|---|
| CA1051532A true CA1051532A (en) | 1979-03-27 |
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 |
| CA299,384A Expired CA1051531A (en) | 1975-11-25 | 1978-03-21 | Electrical contacts for electrical receptacle |
| CA299,383A Expired CA1051532A (en) | 1975-11-25 | 1978-03-21 | Electrical contacts for electrical receptacle |
Family Applications Before (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA240,461A Expired CA1050623A (en) | 1975-11-25 | 1975-11-25 | 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) |
Cited By (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 CA299,384A patent/CA1051531A/en not_active Expired
- 1978-03-21 CA CA299,383A patent/CA1051532A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (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 |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA1051531A (en) | 1979-03-27 |
| CA1050623A (en) | 1979-03-13 |
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