CA1203591A - Wiring device capable of automatic assembly - Google Patents
Wiring device capable of automatic assemblyInfo
- Publication number
- CA1203591A CA1203591A CA000434399A CA434399A CA1203591A CA 1203591 A CA1203591 A CA 1203591A CA 000434399 A CA000434399 A CA 000434399A CA 434399 A CA434399 A CA 434399A CA 1203591 A CA1203591 A CA 1203591A
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- Prior art keywords
- wall
- grounding
- chamber
- electrical receptacle
- pair
- Prior art date
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
An electrical receptacle for mounting in an electrical wall box including a housing comprising a base compartment and a cover secured to the base compartment by snap-mounting connections. The receptacle preferably includes recesses for receiving the prongs of two plugs and holes for receiving the leads of conductors for the two plugs. First and second electrical connecting members are mounted in the base compartment and a grounding electrical connecting member is mounted between the first and second connecting members, each along with means for engaging the plug contacts and means for fastening the conductors.
An electrical receptacle for mounting in an electrical wall box including a housing comprising a base compartment and a cover secured to the base compartment by snap-mounting connections. The receptacle preferably includes recesses for receiving the prongs of two plugs and holes for receiving the leads of conductors for the two plugs. First and second electrical connecting members are mounted in the base compartment and a grounding electrical connecting member is mounted between the first and second connecting members, each along with means for engaging the plug contacts and means for fastening the conductors.
Description
31L2~35~1 ~IR:ING DE~I:OE CA3?AB3:E OF ~UTOMA~IC ASS~ LY
T~e present invention relates generally to electrical receptacles mounted in walls and more particularly to receptacles that can be automatically assembled.
Electrical wall receptacles adapted to accept the prongs of plugs generally have a cover and a back held together by a wrap-around metal strap and ~y metal drive pins. Also, mounting flanges at each end of the receptacle have a pair of snap-off "ears," or washers, connected to each ~lange.
Such standard wall receptacles are capable of limited automatic assembly. Drive pins are knocked through apertures in the flanges of the receptacle. Then a wrap-around metal strap is positioned around the length of the receptacle.
If either drive pin is not well-placed, the back of the receptacle assembly can become loose or actually separate from the cover. Also, a certain safety hazard exists because of the metals present, nameIy the wrap-around strap, the drive pins, and the metal washers. Finally, a number of separate entities are present that must be manufactured separately and then assembled in addition to the internal connectors, namely, the two drive pins, the strap, and the metal ears. These limitations and disadvantages of the prior art are well-known to people associated with the industry.
The present invention contemplates the elimination of most of the above limitations and disadvantages of the prior art.
Accordingly, it is an object of an aspect of this invention to provide an electrical wall receptacle that is capable of automatic assembly.
~2~3591 It is an object of an aspect of this invention to pxovide an electrical receptacle-capabIe of receiving the pronys and the ground of at least one plug that is capable of fully automatic assem~ly.
It i~ an object of an aspect of this invention to provide an el:ectrical receptacle made of non-conductive material that has a cover capable of being snap-mounted onto a back.
It is an object of an aspect of the present invention to provide a plastic receptacle having a cover and a rear compartment made of modified polyvinyl chloride.
It is an object of an aspect of the invention to provide a receptacle that is capable of receiving the prongs and grounds of two plugs and that can be snap-mounted during assembly.
It is an object of an aspect of this invention to provide an electrical receptacle capable of being snap-assembled and that has a cover and a rear compartment made of electrîcally non-conductive material.
It is an object of an aspect of the present invention ~o provide a non-metal receptacle capable of being snap-assembled that also has a pair of non-metal washers at either side of the housing that are capable of being snapped off for use as washers.
It is an object of an aspect of the present invention to provide a snap-mounted receptacle of non-conductive material that is capable of receiving a pair of connecting members for connecting the prongs of a pair of plugs to the leads of conductors of cable in a wall box to which the receptacle is mounted and of receiving a ground connecting member that is locked into the receptacle and that is capable of electrically connecting the ground contacts. of a pair of plugs to a grounding conductor at the wall ~ox~
An aspect of the invention is as follows:
~n electrical receptacle device, in combination comprising:
a housing including a base membèr and a cover member, securing means for snap-mcunting said cover member to said base member,.
said base member h.aving a rear wall, a pair of opposed end walls, and a pair of opposed side walls secured to the edge portions of said rear wall, said walls defining a compartment, said cover member forming at least one pair:of!recesses capable of passing the first and second contacts of at least one plug and forming at least one aperture capable of passing a grounding contact ~or said at least one plug, first connecting means mounted in said compartment for electrically connecting said first contact with the lead of a first conductor, second connecting means mounted in said compartment spaced from said first connecting means for electrically connecting said second contact with the lead of a second conductor, grounding connecting means mounted in said compartment spaced from and positioned between said first and second connecting means, said grounding connecting means being for electrically connecting said grounding contact with. the lead of a grounding conductor, said base member forming passage means for passing said leads for said first and second conductors and said grounding conductor to said first and second connecting means and said - 3 ~
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grounding connecting means reæpectively, engaging means for removably connecting said first, second,- and grounding contacts with said first, second, and grounding connecting means respectively, means for fastening said leads of said first, second, and grounding conductors with said fîrst, second, and grounding connecting means respectively, and means for attaching said housing to a mounting member.
By way of added explanation, the present invention fulfills the above objects and overcomes the limitations and disadvantages of the prior art by providing a novel receptacle device that includes a housing having a base forming a compartment and a cover secured to the base by a securing mechanism adapted to snap-mount the cover to the base. The cover and ~ase are made of a moldable, electrically non-conductive material, preferably a modified polyvinyl chloride tPVC~. The cover forms recesses for passing at least one pair of first and second contacts for at least one plug and preferably two pair of first and second contacts for two plugs. The cover also forms at least one aperture for passing at least one grounding contact for at least one plug and preferably two apertures for passing grounding contacts for two plugs. The base compartment includes passages for passing leads from at least one pair of first and second conductors and preferably leads rom two pair of irst and second conductors from a wall box into the housing.
A first connecting member and a secona connecting member capable of electrically connecting the respective first and second contacts with the leads of the respective first and second conductors are positioned along the opposing side walls of the compartment. Each connecting member is provided - 3a ~
lZt~3S~l with alternate mechanisms for fastening leads for the fir~t and second conductors. One mechanism i~ a conventional screw locking, or holding, mechanisms that fixes a wire lead between a screw head and a plate, and a push-in wiring type mechanism that loc~s the lead between a bîased clip and a plate. Each connecting member is further provi.ded with.
receptacles for removabLy connecting the ~irst and second contacts.
- 3b -~2~3S~l A grounding contact member is located in the base compartment between the first and second connecting members. Each connecting member is positioned in a separate ch~mber defined in the base compartment by side and end walls, intermediate walls, and a short side wall. The grounding connecting member is locked into the middle chamber; the connecting member includes a bend or crimp that is disposed at right angles to the main longitudinal portion of the grounding member. The bend is set in a side chamber formed in part by the short wall. The side chamber also holds a screw and nut fastening mechanism for fastening the lead of the grounding conductor from the wall box. A hole formed by the rear wall of the base compartment is capable of passing the lead of the grounding conductor to the side chamber for connection to the lead fastening mechanism. A pair of flanges extend from the ends of the base compartment with bolt holes for connecting to the wall box or wall plate. A
pair of plastic washers made of the same material as the housing are connected to each of the flanges; breaking indentations are formed between the washers and the main body of each flange to allow easy breaking off of the washers.
The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of a specific embodiment of the invention together with the accompanying drawings, wherein reference characters denote similar elements through the several views, and in which:
Fig. 1 is a top view of the device according to the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the device taken through line 2-2 in Fig. l;
lZ9~35~1 Fig. 3 is a top view of the base taken through line 3-3 of Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of a locking tab taken through line 4-4 of Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken through line 5-5 in Fig. 3;
Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken through line 6-6 in Fig. 3;
Fiq,~7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 7-7 in Fig. 3; and Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 8-8 in Fig. 3.
Fig. 9 is a view of the rear wall of the base member in isolation.
Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the grounding connecting member.
Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the electrical connecting members.
Reference is now made in detail to the drawings.
Fig. 1 illustrates a top view of electrical device 10 and Fig. 2 shows device 10 in side sectional elevation. As best seen in Fig. 2, device 10 includes a housing 12 which comprises a base member 14 and forming a compartment 29 and a cover member 16 which in turn is snap-mounted to base member 14 in a manner to be described. Housing 12 is set into electrical wall box 17 which is flush mounted to wall 19. A cover mounting plate 21 is set over cover 16 of the present invention and is secured to cover 16 b~ center mounting screw 23(shown in section in Fig.l). A pair of side mounting screws 11 through opposed mounting tabs 13 extending f ~LZ~35~;
from the opposed ends of base 14 via screw holes 15.
Screws 147 pass through tabs 145 of base 14 into wall 19 in a conventional manner with wall cover plate 21 set over screws 147 again in a conventional manner leaving the receptacles of cover 16 exposed for electrical connection.
Device 10 is arranged and constructed in the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings described as being capable of receiving the prong contacts and gr~unding contacts of two plugs. It is understood that the present invention as described herein can apply equally to a devicé arranged and constructed to receove the contacts of a single plug within the spiri-t of the invention.
Cover member 16 and base member 14 are made of a non-conductive material that also has a resilient ~uality for snap-mounting and that furthermore is moldable. The material preferred is a modified polyvinyl chloride(PVC).
Fig. 1 illustrates cover 16 forming two first recesses 18 and 18' capable of receiving two first prongs, or male contacts 22 and 22' respectively and two second recesses 20 and 20' capable of receiving two second prongs, or male contacts, 24 and 24' respectively. The plugs holding contacts 22 and 22' and 24 and 24' are not illustrated. The first plug would have first prong contact 22 and second prong contact 2~; and the second plug would have first prong contact 72' and second prong contact 24'. Cover 16 further forms first and second passages 26 and 26' capable of receiving first and second ~rounding contacts 28 and 28' of the first and second plugs.
-~Z~359~l As shown in Fig. 3, first and second elongated connecting members 30 and 31 respectively are mounted in compartment 29 in a manner to be described. Members 30 and 31 are electrically conductive and made of metal. First member 30 is for electrically connecting first contacts 22 and 22' with first leads 32 and 32' respectively of the two first conductors that extend from a connecting box 17 mounted in a wall or the like into base compartment 14 in a manner to be described.
Likewise, second member 31 is for electrically connecting ,. . . .
second contacts 24 and 24' with second leads 36 and 36' respectively of two of the second conductors that extend from the connecting box mentioned above into compartment 29 in a manner to be described. Alternate positions for leads 32 and 32' and leads 36 and 36' are shown in phantom lines as leads 32a and 32'a and leads 36a and 36'a. Also, elongated electrically conductive grounding connecting member 40 is likewise mounted in compartment 29 in a manner to be described positioned between the f~rst and second connecting members 30 and 31. Grounding connecting member 40 is for electrically connecting first and second grounding contacts 28 and 28' for the first and second plugs with lead 42 of grounding conductor(not shown) from the connecting box mentioned above that extends into compartment 29 in a manner to be described.
As best seen in Figs. 2,3, and 9, base 14 includes a rear wall 44 and an opposed open side 46. Rear wall 44 is to be set into wall box 17 while open side 46 is set facing outward from the box. Open side 46 is overlaid by cover 16 when cover 16 is snap-mounted to base 14. Opposed first and second end walls 48 and 49 intersect rear wall 44. First and second substantially parallel side walls 51 and 52 also intersect rear wall 44 and in addition intersect end walls 48 and 49.
~Z~35~ï
Rear wall 44, end walls 48 and 49, and side walls 51 and 52 form compartment 29. End walls 48 and 49 include three angled wall portions 54 which meet side walls 51 and 52.
End walls 48 and 49 include three angled wall portions 53 disposed below projecting members 56 that extend from base compartment 14 at the intersections of side walls 48 and 49 with second side wall 52 and the intersection of first side wall with first end wall 48 in a manner that will be discussed in detail .... ., .~ .. .
below. Side walls 51 and 52 are preferably longer than end walls 48 and 49 are wide. First and secind walls 51 and 52 forms first and second wall openings 54 and 55 respectively approximately midway between end walls 4 8 and 49.
- A first intermediate wall 57 extends inwardly inwardly into compartment 14 from rear wall 44 to open side 46 between end walls 48 and 49 substantially parallel to and spaced from first side wall 54. A spaced portion 58 of first intermediate wall 57 is located between open side 46 and spaced from second end 49 so that first intermediate wall 57 extends inwardly a short distance from rear wall 44. Likewise, as seen in side view in Fig, 2 and in top view in Fig. 1, wall 57 is spaced from open side 46 at center portion 59 in order to receive transverse ceriter brace portion 61 of cover 16. As seen in Fig. 3, a short structural wall 60 extends at right angles from wall 57 spaced from second end wall 49 to first side wall 51.
A second intermediate wall 63 generally extends inwardly into compartment 14 from rear wall 44 to open side 46 between first end wall 48 to a position spaced from said second end wall 49. Second intermediate wall 63 is substantially parallel to and spaced from both second side wall 52 and first 359~
intermediate wall 57. Wall portion 64 extends at approximately right angles at the mated spaced position from second intermediate wall 63 to second side wall 52. Wall portion 64 is preferably spaced from second end wall 49 as is structural wall 60. In the same arrangement as the first intermediate wall, second intermediate wall 63 is spaced from open side 46 at a center portion amalagous to center portion 59 of forst intermediate wall 57 in order to receive center , brace portion 61 of cover 16. .
Rear wall 44, first end wall 48, first side wall 51, second end wall 49, and first intermediate wall 57 define a first chamber 66, which is open at open side 46. First chamber 66 can also be defined by short structural wall 60 rather than second end wall 49. Likewise, rear wall 44, first end wall 51, second side wall 52, and second intermediate wall 63 define a second chamber 67. Also, rear wall 44, first end wall 48, first intermediate wall 57, second intermediate wall 63, second end wall 55, second side wall 52, and wall portion 64 define a middle chamber 68. Middle chamber 68 includes elongated middle chamber portion 60 formed between first and second end walls 48 and 49 and a side chamber 70 of middle chamber 68 formed between second end wall 49, wall portion 64, and second side wall 52.
First connecting member 30 is positioned in first chamber 66, which is adapted to receive member 30. Second connecting member 31 is positioned in second chamber 67, which is adapted to receive member 31. Grounding connecting member 40 is positioned in middle chamber 68, which is adapted to receive member 40. Grounding member 40 includes elongated portion 72 and bend portion 73, which extends~at approximately right angles to portion 72. Elongated portion 72 is positioned in ~Z~35~
elongated middle chamber portion 69 and bend portion 73 is positioned in side chamber portion 70. Thus, grounding connecting member 40 is prevented from being moved relative to end walls 48 and 49 and to side walls 51 and 52 by the bent, or crimped, positioning.
First connecting member 30 includes two contact receptacles 76 and 76' for removably engaging first contacts 22 and 22' respectively; receptacles 76 and 76' are connected to opposite ends of elongated first member 30. Second connecting . ~.
member 31 includes two receptacles 78 and 78' for removably engaging second contacts 24 and 24' respectively; receptacles 78 and 78' are connected to opposite ends of elongated second member 31. Each receptacle includes conventional oppositely positioned arms forming a recess oriented for receiving the particular contact intended for it. Each receptacle has a base en~ disposed proximate to rear wall 44 which is in turn connected to each respective connecting member by an arm 82, whi-ch is resilient to a limited extent as an aid in positioning the contact in the receptacle during insertion. First receptacles 76 and 76' are disposed in association with first recesses 18 and 18' and second receptacles 78 and 78' are disposed in association with second recesses 20 and 20' for convenient reception of each receptive contact.
As best seen in isolation in Fig, 10, grounding connecting member 40 includes two grounding receptacles 84 and 84' for removably engaging first and second grounding contacts 28a and 28' respectively; receptacles 84 and 14' are connected to opposlte ends of elongated portion 72 of grounding member 40. Grounding member 40 includes a plate that disposed across ~2~35~1 middle chamber 68 with a pair of locking flanges 88 positioned approximately at the center area between end walls 48 and 49 and having a pair of tabs 89(Fig. 9) set into tab recesses formed in cavity 91 in rear wall 44. A plate hole 90 is formed in grounding member 40 approximately midway between end walls 48 and 49 for the purpose of receiving a center mounting screw 23 set into the wall cover plate 21 through cover screw hole 92 and finally into the grounding connecting member screw hole 90 thus acting to fasten cover plate 21, device 10, and grounding member 40 together. Receptacles 84 and 84' are conventional receptacles with paired arms extending toward first and second passages 26 and 26' respectively in cover 16; the arms are positioned around respective plate recesses 85, 85' which accept the ends of grounding contacts 28 and 28'.
First and second connecting members 30 and 31 are further adapted to fasten the first and second leads of the conductors extending from wall box 12. Each connecting member has alternate types of mechanisms for fastening the leads, one type being a conventional screw locking mechanism and the other type being a push-in wiring mechanism.
As seen in isolation in Fig. 11, first connecting member 30 includes paired first screw holding, or locking, mechanisms 100 and 100' for fastening the bare wire leads(not shown) of the two first conductors(not shown) from wall box 17.
Screw locking mechanisms 100 and 100' are positioned at first wall opening 54(Fig.3) of first side wall 51 and face outward from base compartment 14. The screw locking mechanisms are conventional and each includes a screw base wall 101 fox each screw 99 to press the particular conductor lead wire against. A screw-receiving recess 106(Fig. 3) is formed behind each base wall 101. Recesses 106 are defined in part by first and second intermediate walls 57 and 63.
359~
Preferably a slot 102 between each screw mechanism is formed an~ which opens toward rear wall 44 and which settles around a mounting tab 103 (Fig. 2) positioned in side walls 51 and 52. The tab 103 in turn being connected to a tab flange 104 (Fig. 2) extending from the adjoining intermediate walls 57 and 63 and rear wall 44.
In the same manner as for member 30, connecting member 31 likewise includes similar paired second screw locking mechanisms 107 and 107l for fastening the wire leads of the two second conductors(not shown) of the two second conductors (not shown) from wall box 17. Screw locking mechanisms 107 and 107' are positioned at second wall opening 55(Fig. 3) at second side wall 52 and face outward from base compartment 14.
Each includes a base wall 101 for each screw 99 to screw press the conductor wire lead against. Preferably each member 31 forms a slot 102 between each screw mechanism that opens toward wall 44 and that settles around a mounting tab 103 pos~tioned in side wall 52, similar to the tab 103 in side wall 51, the tab in turn being connected to tab flange 104 extending from the adjoining intermediate second wall 63 and rear wall 44.
Fig. 1 shows only one first paired screw locking mechanism 100 and one second paired screw locking mechanism 107, each located nearest first end wall 48 since there is a shift of the mechanisms towards second end wall 49 to compensate for the preferable off~center positioning grounding passages 26 and 26' towards second end wall 49 relative to first and second recesses 18 and 20 for the contacts of first plug and first and second recesses 18' and 20' for the contacts of the second plug. It is noted that the first passage 26 could be positioned towards first end wall 48 within the spirit of the /
:~.Z'fJ~5~91 invention thus centering the contacts of the first andsecond plugs, but, of course, the arrangement of the elements would differ.
As best seen in Figs. 9 and 11, the wiring for each of the leads for each first conductor lead 32 and 32' and each second conductor lead 36 and 3Ç' passes through pairs of grooves formed in rear wall 44. In particular, a pair of open-sided grooves 109 and 109' formed in rear wall 44 at the edge of first side wall 51 for passing leads of first conductors 32a and 32a' respectively from wall box 17 to first screw locking mechanisms 100 and 100' respectively.
One of the grooves of each groove pair is adapted to pass the conductor to the screw mechanism and the other to receive the loose end of the base wire after passing around the threaded portion of each screw 99. Similarly, an open-sided groove pair 110 and open-sided groove pair 110' are formed in rear wall 44 at the edge of second side wall 52 for passing leads 36a and 36a' of the second conductors to second screw locking mechanisms 107 and 107' respectively.
The alternate type of mechanism available for fastening the conductor leads to the first and second connecting members 30 and 31 is the push-in wiring type mechanism which is mounted with the screw locking mechanism described previously and seen in Fig. 11. One biased clamp mechanism 113 is positioned in proximity to each first and second screw locking mechanism 100,101' and 107, 107' connected to connecting members 30 and 31 respectively. A clamp mechanism 113 is positioned between receptacle 76 and screw locking mechanism 100; between receptacle 76' and screw locking mechanism 100'; between receptacle 28 and screw locking mechanism 107; and between receptacle 28' and screw locking mechanism 107'. Each clamp mechanism includes a resilient, ( ~L~2(~3S9~L
biasable clamp arm 116 positioned in proximity to each arm82. As described previously, an arm 82 extends from each receptacle 76,7~', 78 and 78' outwardly to base walls 101 of each screw locking mechanism. Likewise, biasable clamp axms 116 are connected to base walls 101 via flanges 105. Each clamp arm 116 is spaced from each arm 82 so as to define apertures 118 that are adapted to fasten, or secure, push-in leads for conductors 34,34', 38, and 38' to the clamp~mecnanisms 113. The leads must, of.course, be of the ty~e --adapted to be pushed into the clamp mechanisms 113, which then pin each lead.and prevent it from being withdrawn by way of a conventional arrangement of each clamp arm 116 being angled against the return route of travel of each lead.
Rear wall 44 forms first holes 122 and 122' for passing leads 32 and 3Z' respectively for the first conductors and second holes 123 and 123' for passing leads 36 and 36' respectively for the second conductors to the first and second clamp mechanisms 113.
As seen in Fig. 3 and in isolation in Fig. 10, grounding connecting member 40 includes as previously described a bend portion 73 that is connected to elongated portion 72 and is disposed across side chamber 70 of middle chamber 68. As further seen in Figs. 5 and 6, a pair of tabs 126 extend from the end of elongated portion 73 proximate to side wall 51 to rear wall 44 forming inner passage 127 coextensive with outer passage 128 formed in side wall 51 spaced from rear wall 44.
A screw-and-nut fastening mechanism 129 is positioned in side chamber 70 with screw head 130 disposed in outer passage 128 and threaded portion 130 through tab passage 127 and outer.passage, or aperture, 128 into side chamber 70 where a nut 132 is mounted to threaded portion 131. Nut 132 is spaced 1~3S~
from outer passage 128 and adjacent tabs 126. Rear wall44 forms a hole 133 that leads into one side of side chamber 70 between both screw head 131 and tabs 126 and preferably curved nut 132. Hole 133(Fig. 9) is adapted to pass lead 42 of the grounding conductor from wall box 17 into side chamber 70 where the lead can be fastened to mechanism 129.
Nut 132 and screw head 130 are drawn together upon screwing of head 130 thus fastening lead 42 between them. Nut 132 is also drawn into electrical contact with tab 126 during the fastening process, thus creating an electrical connection between grounding lead 42 and grounding connector 40.
Receptacle 10 is capable is capable of being automatically assembled by way of having snap-mounting connections extending from both cover 16 and base 14. In particular, cover 16 is adapted to be laid over open side 16 of compartment 29 and be snap-mounted to base ~4 by means of four snap-mounting connections in accordance with the present invention and as illustrated in the preferred embodiment in Figs. 1 and 3 and in detail in Fig.4, the latter applicable to both members 136 and 136'. Three snap-mounting members 136 each includes a cover tab 139 extending into a slot 140, preferably tapered as illustrated, ~ormed three projecting members 56 that extends from each angled wall portion 53 described previously at the areas of intersection of first and second end walls 48 and 49 with second side wall 52 and first side wall 51 with first end wall 48. Projecting member 56 extend outwardly from base 14 at open side 46, in proximity to cover 16.
Each tab 139 is provided with an outwardly projecting lip 141 at the end of each tab, lip 141 fitting over a ridge 142 extending transversely across the outer wall, or track, of each slot 140. Each tab 139 is resiliently biased in ~I Z~35~'1 accordance with the resilient material of the device asdescribed, a mosified polyvinyl chloride(PVC). A fourth snap-mounting member 136l is positioned on housing 12 between outer passage 128, that is, side chamber 70, and first connecting member 30. Here, in the same manner as snap-mounting members 136, cover tab 139 extends into slot 140 formed in fourth projecting member 56' that extends from first side wall Sl at open side 46 located as described.
Again, tab 139 has lip 141 that clips over ridge 142 on the _ .. , t ..." ~
outside track of slot 140.
Extending from each mounting tab 13 are a pair of washer ears 149. A breaking line 150 formed between each of the four ears and their mounting tabs 13 allows easy breaking off of the washers for general use.
The embodiments of the invention particularly disclosed here are presented merely as examples of the invention. Other embodiments, forms, and modifications of the invention coming within the proper scope of the invention will, of course, readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art;
T~e present invention relates generally to electrical receptacles mounted in walls and more particularly to receptacles that can be automatically assembled.
Electrical wall receptacles adapted to accept the prongs of plugs generally have a cover and a back held together by a wrap-around metal strap and ~y metal drive pins. Also, mounting flanges at each end of the receptacle have a pair of snap-off "ears," or washers, connected to each ~lange.
Such standard wall receptacles are capable of limited automatic assembly. Drive pins are knocked through apertures in the flanges of the receptacle. Then a wrap-around metal strap is positioned around the length of the receptacle.
If either drive pin is not well-placed, the back of the receptacle assembly can become loose or actually separate from the cover. Also, a certain safety hazard exists because of the metals present, nameIy the wrap-around strap, the drive pins, and the metal washers. Finally, a number of separate entities are present that must be manufactured separately and then assembled in addition to the internal connectors, namely, the two drive pins, the strap, and the metal ears. These limitations and disadvantages of the prior art are well-known to people associated with the industry.
The present invention contemplates the elimination of most of the above limitations and disadvantages of the prior art.
Accordingly, it is an object of an aspect of this invention to provide an electrical wall receptacle that is capable of automatic assembly.
~2~3591 It is an object of an aspect of this invention to pxovide an electrical receptacle-capabIe of receiving the pronys and the ground of at least one plug that is capable of fully automatic assem~ly.
It i~ an object of an aspect of this invention to provide an el:ectrical receptacle made of non-conductive material that has a cover capable of being snap-mounted onto a back.
It is an object of an aspect of the present invention to provide a plastic receptacle having a cover and a rear compartment made of modified polyvinyl chloride.
It is an object of an aspect of the invention to provide a receptacle that is capable of receiving the prongs and grounds of two plugs and that can be snap-mounted during assembly.
It is an object of an aspect of this invention to provide an electrical receptacle capable of being snap-assembled and that has a cover and a rear compartment made of electrîcally non-conductive material.
It is an object of an aspect of the present invention ~o provide a non-metal receptacle capable of being snap-assembled that also has a pair of non-metal washers at either side of the housing that are capable of being snapped off for use as washers.
It is an object of an aspect of the present invention to provide a snap-mounted receptacle of non-conductive material that is capable of receiving a pair of connecting members for connecting the prongs of a pair of plugs to the leads of conductors of cable in a wall box to which the receptacle is mounted and of receiving a ground connecting member that is locked into the receptacle and that is capable of electrically connecting the ground contacts. of a pair of plugs to a grounding conductor at the wall ~ox~
An aspect of the invention is as follows:
~n electrical receptacle device, in combination comprising:
a housing including a base membèr and a cover member, securing means for snap-mcunting said cover member to said base member,.
said base member h.aving a rear wall, a pair of opposed end walls, and a pair of opposed side walls secured to the edge portions of said rear wall, said walls defining a compartment, said cover member forming at least one pair:of!recesses capable of passing the first and second contacts of at least one plug and forming at least one aperture capable of passing a grounding contact ~or said at least one plug, first connecting means mounted in said compartment for electrically connecting said first contact with the lead of a first conductor, second connecting means mounted in said compartment spaced from said first connecting means for electrically connecting said second contact with the lead of a second conductor, grounding connecting means mounted in said compartment spaced from and positioned between said first and second connecting means, said grounding connecting means being for electrically connecting said grounding contact with. the lead of a grounding conductor, said base member forming passage means for passing said leads for said first and second conductors and said grounding conductor to said first and second connecting means and said - 3 ~
~LZ1~3S~
grounding connecting means reæpectively, engaging means for removably connecting said first, second,- and grounding contacts with said first, second, and grounding connecting means respectively, means for fastening said leads of said first, second, and grounding conductors with said fîrst, second, and grounding connecting means respectively, and means for attaching said housing to a mounting member.
By way of added explanation, the present invention fulfills the above objects and overcomes the limitations and disadvantages of the prior art by providing a novel receptacle device that includes a housing having a base forming a compartment and a cover secured to the base by a securing mechanism adapted to snap-mount the cover to the base. The cover and ~ase are made of a moldable, electrically non-conductive material, preferably a modified polyvinyl chloride tPVC~. The cover forms recesses for passing at least one pair of first and second contacts for at least one plug and preferably two pair of first and second contacts for two plugs. The cover also forms at least one aperture for passing at least one grounding contact for at least one plug and preferably two apertures for passing grounding contacts for two plugs. The base compartment includes passages for passing leads from at least one pair of first and second conductors and preferably leads rom two pair of irst and second conductors from a wall box into the housing.
A first connecting member and a secona connecting member capable of electrically connecting the respective first and second contacts with the leads of the respective first and second conductors are positioned along the opposing side walls of the compartment. Each connecting member is provided - 3a ~
lZt~3S~l with alternate mechanisms for fastening leads for the fir~t and second conductors. One mechanism i~ a conventional screw locking, or holding, mechanisms that fixes a wire lead between a screw head and a plate, and a push-in wiring type mechanism that loc~s the lead between a bîased clip and a plate. Each connecting member is further provi.ded with.
receptacles for removabLy connecting the ~irst and second contacts.
- 3b -~2~3S~l A grounding contact member is located in the base compartment between the first and second connecting members. Each connecting member is positioned in a separate ch~mber defined in the base compartment by side and end walls, intermediate walls, and a short side wall. The grounding connecting member is locked into the middle chamber; the connecting member includes a bend or crimp that is disposed at right angles to the main longitudinal portion of the grounding member. The bend is set in a side chamber formed in part by the short wall. The side chamber also holds a screw and nut fastening mechanism for fastening the lead of the grounding conductor from the wall box. A hole formed by the rear wall of the base compartment is capable of passing the lead of the grounding conductor to the side chamber for connection to the lead fastening mechanism. A pair of flanges extend from the ends of the base compartment with bolt holes for connecting to the wall box or wall plate. A
pair of plastic washers made of the same material as the housing are connected to each of the flanges; breaking indentations are formed between the washers and the main body of each flange to allow easy breaking off of the washers.
The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of a specific embodiment of the invention together with the accompanying drawings, wherein reference characters denote similar elements through the several views, and in which:
Fig. 1 is a top view of the device according to the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the device taken through line 2-2 in Fig. l;
lZ9~35~1 Fig. 3 is a top view of the base taken through line 3-3 of Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of a locking tab taken through line 4-4 of Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken through line 5-5 in Fig. 3;
Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken through line 6-6 in Fig. 3;
Fiq,~7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 7-7 in Fig. 3; and Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 8-8 in Fig. 3.
Fig. 9 is a view of the rear wall of the base member in isolation.
Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the grounding connecting member.
Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the electrical connecting members.
Reference is now made in detail to the drawings.
Fig. 1 illustrates a top view of electrical device 10 and Fig. 2 shows device 10 in side sectional elevation. As best seen in Fig. 2, device 10 includes a housing 12 which comprises a base member 14 and forming a compartment 29 and a cover member 16 which in turn is snap-mounted to base member 14 in a manner to be described. Housing 12 is set into electrical wall box 17 which is flush mounted to wall 19. A cover mounting plate 21 is set over cover 16 of the present invention and is secured to cover 16 b~ center mounting screw 23(shown in section in Fig.l). A pair of side mounting screws 11 through opposed mounting tabs 13 extending f ~LZ~35~;
from the opposed ends of base 14 via screw holes 15.
Screws 147 pass through tabs 145 of base 14 into wall 19 in a conventional manner with wall cover plate 21 set over screws 147 again in a conventional manner leaving the receptacles of cover 16 exposed for electrical connection.
Device 10 is arranged and constructed in the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings described as being capable of receiving the prong contacts and gr~unding contacts of two plugs. It is understood that the present invention as described herein can apply equally to a devicé arranged and constructed to receove the contacts of a single plug within the spiri-t of the invention.
Cover member 16 and base member 14 are made of a non-conductive material that also has a resilient ~uality for snap-mounting and that furthermore is moldable. The material preferred is a modified polyvinyl chloride(PVC).
Fig. 1 illustrates cover 16 forming two first recesses 18 and 18' capable of receiving two first prongs, or male contacts 22 and 22' respectively and two second recesses 20 and 20' capable of receiving two second prongs, or male contacts, 24 and 24' respectively. The plugs holding contacts 22 and 22' and 24 and 24' are not illustrated. The first plug would have first prong contact 22 and second prong contact 2~; and the second plug would have first prong contact 72' and second prong contact 24'. Cover 16 further forms first and second passages 26 and 26' capable of receiving first and second ~rounding contacts 28 and 28' of the first and second plugs.
-~Z~359~l As shown in Fig. 3, first and second elongated connecting members 30 and 31 respectively are mounted in compartment 29 in a manner to be described. Members 30 and 31 are electrically conductive and made of metal. First member 30 is for electrically connecting first contacts 22 and 22' with first leads 32 and 32' respectively of the two first conductors that extend from a connecting box 17 mounted in a wall or the like into base compartment 14 in a manner to be described.
Likewise, second member 31 is for electrically connecting ,. . . .
second contacts 24 and 24' with second leads 36 and 36' respectively of two of the second conductors that extend from the connecting box mentioned above into compartment 29 in a manner to be described. Alternate positions for leads 32 and 32' and leads 36 and 36' are shown in phantom lines as leads 32a and 32'a and leads 36a and 36'a. Also, elongated electrically conductive grounding connecting member 40 is likewise mounted in compartment 29 in a manner to be described positioned between the f~rst and second connecting members 30 and 31. Grounding connecting member 40 is for electrically connecting first and second grounding contacts 28 and 28' for the first and second plugs with lead 42 of grounding conductor(not shown) from the connecting box mentioned above that extends into compartment 29 in a manner to be described.
As best seen in Figs. 2,3, and 9, base 14 includes a rear wall 44 and an opposed open side 46. Rear wall 44 is to be set into wall box 17 while open side 46 is set facing outward from the box. Open side 46 is overlaid by cover 16 when cover 16 is snap-mounted to base 14. Opposed first and second end walls 48 and 49 intersect rear wall 44. First and second substantially parallel side walls 51 and 52 also intersect rear wall 44 and in addition intersect end walls 48 and 49.
~Z~35~ï
Rear wall 44, end walls 48 and 49, and side walls 51 and 52 form compartment 29. End walls 48 and 49 include three angled wall portions 54 which meet side walls 51 and 52.
End walls 48 and 49 include three angled wall portions 53 disposed below projecting members 56 that extend from base compartment 14 at the intersections of side walls 48 and 49 with second side wall 52 and the intersection of first side wall with first end wall 48 in a manner that will be discussed in detail .... ., .~ .. .
below. Side walls 51 and 52 are preferably longer than end walls 48 and 49 are wide. First and secind walls 51 and 52 forms first and second wall openings 54 and 55 respectively approximately midway between end walls 4 8 and 49.
- A first intermediate wall 57 extends inwardly inwardly into compartment 14 from rear wall 44 to open side 46 between end walls 48 and 49 substantially parallel to and spaced from first side wall 54. A spaced portion 58 of first intermediate wall 57 is located between open side 46 and spaced from second end 49 so that first intermediate wall 57 extends inwardly a short distance from rear wall 44. Likewise, as seen in side view in Fig, 2 and in top view in Fig. 1, wall 57 is spaced from open side 46 at center portion 59 in order to receive transverse ceriter brace portion 61 of cover 16. As seen in Fig. 3, a short structural wall 60 extends at right angles from wall 57 spaced from second end wall 49 to first side wall 51.
A second intermediate wall 63 generally extends inwardly into compartment 14 from rear wall 44 to open side 46 between first end wall 48 to a position spaced from said second end wall 49. Second intermediate wall 63 is substantially parallel to and spaced from both second side wall 52 and first 359~
intermediate wall 57. Wall portion 64 extends at approximately right angles at the mated spaced position from second intermediate wall 63 to second side wall 52. Wall portion 64 is preferably spaced from second end wall 49 as is structural wall 60. In the same arrangement as the first intermediate wall, second intermediate wall 63 is spaced from open side 46 at a center portion amalagous to center portion 59 of forst intermediate wall 57 in order to receive center , brace portion 61 of cover 16. .
Rear wall 44, first end wall 48, first side wall 51, second end wall 49, and first intermediate wall 57 define a first chamber 66, which is open at open side 46. First chamber 66 can also be defined by short structural wall 60 rather than second end wall 49. Likewise, rear wall 44, first end wall 51, second side wall 52, and second intermediate wall 63 define a second chamber 67. Also, rear wall 44, first end wall 48, first intermediate wall 57, second intermediate wall 63, second end wall 55, second side wall 52, and wall portion 64 define a middle chamber 68. Middle chamber 68 includes elongated middle chamber portion 60 formed between first and second end walls 48 and 49 and a side chamber 70 of middle chamber 68 formed between second end wall 49, wall portion 64, and second side wall 52.
First connecting member 30 is positioned in first chamber 66, which is adapted to receive member 30. Second connecting member 31 is positioned in second chamber 67, which is adapted to receive member 31. Grounding connecting member 40 is positioned in middle chamber 68, which is adapted to receive member 40. Grounding member 40 includes elongated portion 72 and bend portion 73, which extends~at approximately right angles to portion 72. Elongated portion 72 is positioned in ~Z~35~
elongated middle chamber portion 69 and bend portion 73 is positioned in side chamber portion 70. Thus, grounding connecting member 40 is prevented from being moved relative to end walls 48 and 49 and to side walls 51 and 52 by the bent, or crimped, positioning.
First connecting member 30 includes two contact receptacles 76 and 76' for removably engaging first contacts 22 and 22' respectively; receptacles 76 and 76' are connected to opposite ends of elongated first member 30. Second connecting . ~.
member 31 includes two receptacles 78 and 78' for removably engaging second contacts 24 and 24' respectively; receptacles 78 and 78' are connected to opposite ends of elongated second member 31. Each receptacle includes conventional oppositely positioned arms forming a recess oriented for receiving the particular contact intended for it. Each receptacle has a base en~ disposed proximate to rear wall 44 which is in turn connected to each respective connecting member by an arm 82, whi-ch is resilient to a limited extent as an aid in positioning the contact in the receptacle during insertion. First receptacles 76 and 76' are disposed in association with first recesses 18 and 18' and second receptacles 78 and 78' are disposed in association with second recesses 20 and 20' for convenient reception of each receptive contact.
As best seen in isolation in Fig, 10, grounding connecting member 40 includes two grounding receptacles 84 and 84' for removably engaging first and second grounding contacts 28a and 28' respectively; receptacles 84 and 14' are connected to opposlte ends of elongated portion 72 of grounding member 40. Grounding member 40 includes a plate that disposed across ~2~35~1 middle chamber 68 with a pair of locking flanges 88 positioned approximately at the center area between end walls 48 and 49 and having a pair of tabs 89(Fig. 9) set into tab recesses formed in cavity 91 in rear wall 44. A plate hole 90 is formed in grounding member 40 approximately midway between end walls 48 and 49 for the purpose of receiving a center mounting screw 23 set into the wall cover plate 21 through cover screw hole 92 and finally into the grounding connecting member screw hole 90 thus acting to fasten cover plate 21, device 10, and grounding member 40 together. Receptacles 84 and 84' are conventional receptacles with paired arms extending toward first and second passages 26 and 26' respectively in cover 16; the arms are positioned around respective plate recesses 85, 85' which accept the ends of grounding contacts 28 and 28'.
First and second connecting members 30 and 31 are further adapted to fasten the first and second leads of the conductors extending from wall box 12. Each connecting member has alternate types of mechanisms for fastening the leads, one type being a conventional screw locking mechanism and the other type being a push-in wiring mechanism.
As seen in isolation in Fig. 11, first connecting member 30 includes paired first screw holding, or locking, mechanisms 100 and 100' for fastening the bare wire leads(not shown) of the two first conductors(not shown) from wall box 17.
Screw locking mechanisms 100 and 100' are positioned at first wall opening 54(Fig.3) of first side wall 51 and face outward from base compartment 14. The screw locking mechanisms are conventional and each includes a screw base wall 101 fox each screw 99 to press the particular conductor lead wire against. A screw-receiving recess 106(Fig. 3) is formed behind each base wall 101. Recesses 106 are defined in part by first and second intermediate walls 57 and 63.
359~
Preferably a slot 102 between each screw mechanism is formed an~ which opens toward rear wall 44 and which settles around a mounting tab 103 (Fig. 2) positioned in side walls 51 and 52. The tab 103 in turn being connected to a tab flange 104 (Fig. 2) extending from the adjoining intermediate walls 57 and 63 and rear wall 44.
In the same manner as for member 30, connecting member 31 likewise includes similar paired second screw locking mechanisms 107 and 107l for fastening the wire leads of the two second conductors(not shown) of the two second conductors (not shown) from wall box 17. Screw locking mechanisms 107 and 107' are positioned at second wall opening 55(Fig. 3) at second side wall 52 and face outward from base compartment 14.
Each includes a base wall 101 for each screw 99 to screw press the conductor wire lead against. Preferably each member 31 forms a slot 102 between each screw mechanism that opens toward wall 44 and that settles around a mounting tab 103 pos~tioned in side wall 52, similar to the tab 103 in side wall 51, the tab in turn being connected to tab flange 104 extending from the adjoining intermediate second wall 63 and rear wall 44.
Fig. 1 shows only one first paired screw locking mechanism 100 and one second paired screw locking mechanism 107, each located nearest first end wall 48 since there is a shift of the mechanisms towards second end wall 49 to compensate for the preferable off~center positioning grounding passages 26 and 26' towards second end wall 49 relative to first and second recesses 18 and 20 for the contacts of first plug and first and second recesses 18' and 20' for the contacts of the second plug. It is noted that the first passage 26 could be positioned towards first end wall 48 within the spirit of the /
:~.Z'fJ~5~91 invention thus centering the contacts of the first andsecond plugs, but, of course, the arrangement of the elements would differ.
As best seen in Figs. 9 and 11, the wiring for each of the leads for each first conductor lead 32 and 32' and each second conductor lead 36 and 3Ç' passes through pairs of grooves formed in rear wall 44. In particular, a pair of open-sided grooves 109 and 109' formed in rear wall 44 at the edge of first side wall 51 for passing leads of first conductors 32a and 32a' respectively from wall box 17 to first screw locking mechanisms 100 and 100' respectively.
One of the grooves of each groove pair is adapted to pass the conductor to the screw mechanism and the other to receive the loose end of the base wire after passing around the threaded portion of each screw 99. Similarly, an open-sided groove pair 110 and open-sided groove pair 110' are formed in rear wall 44 at the edge of second side wall 52 for passing leads 36a and 36a' of the second conductors to second screw locking mechanisms 107 and 107' respectively.
The alternate type of mechanism available for fastening the conductor leads to the first and second connecting members 30 and 31 is the push-in wiring type mechanism which is mounted with the screw locking mechanism described previously and seen in Fig. 11. One biased clamp mechanism 113 is positioned in proximity to each first and second screw locking mechanism 100,101' and 107, 107' connected to connecting members 30 and 31 respectively. A clamp mechanism 113 is positioned between receptacle 76 and screw locking mechanism 100; between receptacle 76' and screw locking mechanism 100'; between receptacle 28 and screw locking mechanism 107; and between receptacle 28' and screw locking mechanism 107'. Each clamp mechanism includes a resilient, ( ~L~2(~3S9~L
biasable clamp arm 116 positioned in proximity to each arm82. As described previously, an arm 82 extends from each receptacle 76,7~', 78 and 78' outwardly to base walls 101 of each screw locking mechanism. Likewise, biasable clamp axms 116 are connected to base walls 101 via flanges 105. Each clamp arm 116 is spaced from each arm 82 so as to define apertures 118 that are adapted to fasten, or secure, push-in leads for conductors 34,34', 38, and 38' to the clamp~mecnanisms 113. The leads must, of.course, be of the ty~e --adapted to be pushed into the clamp mechanisms 113, which then pin each lead.and prevent it from being withdrawn by way of a conventional arrangement of each clamp arm 116 being angled against the return route of travel of each lead.
Rear wall 44 forms first holes 122 and 122' for passing leads 32 and 3Z' respectively for the first conductors and second holes 123 and 123' for passing leads 36 and 36' respectively for the second conductors to the first and second clamp mechanisms 113.
As seen in Fig. 3 and in isolation in Fig. 10, grounding connecting member 40 includes as previously described a bend portion 73 that is connected to elongated portion 72 and is disposed across side chamber 70 of middle chamber 68. As further seen in Figs. 5 and 6, a pair of tabs 126 extend from the end of elongated portion 73 proximate to side wall 51 to rear wall 44 forming inner passage 127 coextensive with outer passage 128 formed in side wall 51 spaced from rear wall 44.
A screw-and-nut fastening mechanism 129 is positioned in side chamber 70 with screw head 130 disposed in outer passage 128 and threaded portion 130 through tab passage 127 and outer.passage, or aperture, 128 into side chamber 70 where a nut 132 is mounted to threaded portion 131. Nut 132 is spaced 1~3S~
from outer passage 128 and adjacent tabs 126. Rear wall44 forms a hole 133 that leads into one side of side chamber 70 between both screw head 131 and tabs 126 and preferably curved nut 132. Hole 133(Fig. 9) is adapted to pass lead 42 of the grounding conductor from wall box 17 into side chamber 70 where the lead can be fastened to mechanism 129.
Nut 132 and screw head 130 are drawn together upon screwing of head 130 thus fastening lead 42 between them. Nut 132 is also drawn into electrical contact with tab 126 during the fastening process, thus creating an electrical connection between grounding lead 42 and grounding connector 40.
Receptacle 10 is capable is capable of being automatically assembled by way of having snap-mounting connections extending from both cover 16 and base 14. In particular, cover 16 is adapted to be laid over open side 16 of compartment 29 and be snap-mounted to base ~4 by means of four snap-mounting connections in accordance with the present invention and as illustrated in the preferred embodiment in Figs. 1 and 3 and in detail in Fig.4, the latter applicable to both members 136 and 136'. Three snap-mounting members 136 each includes a cover tab 139 extending into a slot 140, preferably tapered as illustrated, ~ormed three projecting members 56 that extends from each angled wall portion 53 described previously at the areas of intersection of first and second end walls 48 and 49 with second side wall 52 and first side wall 51 with first end wall 48. Projecting member 56 extend outwardly from base 14 at open side 46, in proximity to cover 16.
Each tab 139 is provided with an outwardly projecting lip 141 at the end of each tab, lip 141 fitting over a ridge 142 extending transversely across the outer wall, or track, of each slot 140. Each tab 139 is resiliently biased in ~I Z~35~'1 accordance with the resilient material of the device asdescribed, a mosified polyvinyl chloride(PVC). A fourth snap-mounting member 136l is positioned on housing 12 between outer passage 128, that is, side chamber 70, and first connecting member 30. Here, in the same manner as snap-mounting members 136, cover tab 139 extends into slot 140 formed in fourth projecting member 56' that extends from first side wall Sl at open side 46 located as described.
Again, tab 139 has lip 141 that clips over ridge 142 on the _ .. , t ..." ~
outside track of slot 140.
Extending from each mounting tab 13 are a pair of washer ears 149. A breaking line 150 formed between each of the four ears and their mounting tabs 13 allows easy breaking off of the washers for general use.
The embodiments of the invention particularly disclosed here are presented merely as examples of the invention. Other embodiments, forms, and modifications of the invention coming within the proper scope of the invention will, of course, readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art;
Claims (18)
1. An electrical receptacle device, in combination, comprising:
a housing including a base member and a cover member, securing means for snap-mounting said cover member to said base member, said base member having a rear wall, a pair of opposed end walls, and a pair of opposed side walls secured to the edge portions of said rear wall, said walls defining a compartment, said cover member forming at least one pair of recesses capable of passing the first and second contacts of at least one plug and forming at least one aperture capable of passing a grounding contact for said at least one plug, first connecting means mounted in said compartment for electrically connecting said first contact with the lead of a first conductor, second connecting means mounted in said compartment spaced from said first connecting means for electrically connecting said second contact with the lead of a second conductor, grounding connecting means mounted in said compartment spaced from and positioned between said first and second connecting means, said grounding connecting means being for electrically connecting said grounding contact with the lead of a grounding conductor, said base member forming passage means for passing said leads for said first and second conductors and said grounding conductor to said first and second connecting means and said grounding connecting means respectively, engaging means for removably connecting said first, second, and grounding contacts with said first, second, and grounding connecting means respectively, means for fastening said leads of said first, second, and grounding conductors with said first, second, and grounding connecting means respectively, and means for attaching said housing to a mounting member.
a housing including a base member and a cover member, securing means for snap-mounting said cover member to said base member, said base member having a rear wall, a pair of opposed end walls, and a pair of opposed side walls secured to the edge portions of said rear wall, said walls defining a compartment, said cover member forming at least one pair of recesses capable of passing the first and second contacts of at least one plug and forming at least one aperture capable of passing a grounding contact for said at least one plug, first connecting means mounted in said compartment for electrically connecting said first contact with the lead of a first conductor, second connecting means mounted in said compartment spaced from said first connecting means for electrically connecting said second contact with the lead of a second conductor, grounding connecting means mounted in said compartment spaced from and positioned between said first and second connecting means, said grounding connecting means being for electrically connecting said grounding contact with the lead of a grounding conductor, said base member forming passage means for passing said leads for said first and second conductors and said grounding conductor to said first and second connecting means and said grounding connecting means respectively, engaging means for removably connecting said first, second, and grounding contacts with said first, second, and grounding connecting means respectively, means for fastening said leads of said first, second, and grounding conductors with said first, second, and grounding connecting means respectively, and means for attaching said housing to a mounting member.
2. An electrical receptacle according to claim 1, wherein said at least one plug is two plugs, said two plugs being first and second plugs, and said at least one pair of recesses are two first and second recesses capable of passing two first and two second contacts respectfully of said plugs, one first and one second recess being associated with said first plug and one first and one second recess being associated with said second plug, and said at least one aperture are first and second passages capable of passing first and second grounding contacts of said first and second plugs respectfully; and said first connecting means is for electrically connecting said first two contacts with the first leads of two first conductors; said second connecting means is for electrically connecting said two second contacts with the second leads of two second conductors; and said grounding connecting means is for electrically connecting said first and second grounding contacts with said lead of said grounding conductor.
3. An electrical receptacle in accordance with claim 2, wherein said first connecting means includes a first electrically conductive member, said second connecting means includes a second electrically conductive member, and said grounding connecting means includes an electrically conductive grounding member, said compartment including a first chamber, a second chamber, and a middle chamber positioned between said first and second chambers, said first and second members being positioned in said first and second chambers and said grounding member being positioned in said middle chamber.
4. An electrical receptacle in accordance with claim 3, wherein said first chamber adjoins a first side wall and said second chamber adjoins a second side wall, and said middle chamber includes a side chamber adjoining said first side wall, said grounding member including an elongated portion and a bend portion extending at approximately right angles from said elongated portion, said bend portion being disposed in said side chamber.
5. An electrical receptacle according to claim 4, wherein said engaging means includes two first receptacles and two second receptacles connected to opposite ends of said first member and of said second member respectfully, said two first and two second receptacles being positioned in association with said two first and two second recesses respectfully, said two first receptacles, being adapted to receive said two first contacts and said two second receptacles being adapted to receive said two second contacts.
6. An electrical receptacle according to claim 5, wherein said engaging means further includes first and second grounding receptacles positioned at opposite ends of said grounding member and associated with said first and second passages, said first and second receptacles being adapted to receive and first and second grounding contacts respectively of said first and second plugs.
7. An electrical receptacle according to claim 6, wherein said means for fastening includes two first screw holding mechanisms connected to the center portions of said first and second conductive members respectively, said first and second side walls forming first and second side openings respectively, said first and second screw holding mechanisms being disposed at said first and second side openings respectively.
8. An electrical receptacle according to claim 7, wherein said passage means includes two first pairs of open-sided grooves formed by said rear wall at said first opening of said side wall and two second pairs of open-sided grooves formed by said rear wall at said second opening at said second side wall, said two first pair of grooves being adapted to pass said leads of said two first conductors to said two first screw holding mechanisms and said two second pairs of grooves being adapted to pass said leads of said second conductors to said second screw holding mechanisms.
9. An electrical receptacle according to claim 8, wherein said means for fastening further includes two first biased clamp mechanisms connected to said first conductive member, each first clamp mechanism being positioned between one or the other of said two first receptacles and of said two first screw holding mechanisms; and two second biased clamp mechanisms connected to said second conductive member, each second clamp mechanism being positioned between one or the other of said two second receptacles and two second screw holding mechanisms.
10. An electrical receptacle according to claim 9, wherein said passage means further includes two first pair of holes formed by said rear wall and associated with said two first biased clamp mechanisms, and two second pair of holes formed by said rear wall and associated with said two second biased clamp mechanisms, said two first pair of holes being adapted to pass said two first conductors to said two first biased clamp mechanisms and said two second pair of holes being adapted to pass said two second conductors to said two second biased clamp mechanisms.
11. An electrical receptacle according to claim 10, wherein said means for fastening further includes a screw-and-nut fastening mechanism disposed in said side chamber and adapted to engage said lead of said grounding conductor, said bend portion of said grounding member including a tub disposed in said side chamber between the screw head and the nut of said screw and nut fastener, said first side wall forming an aperture leading to said side chamber, said screw head being disposed in said aperture, whereby said screw head can be turned.
12. An electrical receptacle according to claim 11, further including a first intermediate wall spaced from said first side wall and extending from said rear wall to said open side between a first end wall and a position spaced from a second end wall, and a wall portion extending at an approximately right angles from said first intermediate wall at said position to said first side wall; and a second intermediate wall spaced from said first intermediate wall and from said second side wall extending from said first end wall to said second end wall; said first end wall, said first side wall, and said wall portion defining said first chamber; said rear wall, said first end wall, said second side wall, and a transverse wall between said position and said second side wall defining said second chamber; and said rear wall, said first and second intermediate walls, said second end wall, said first side wall to said wall portion, and said wall portion defining said middle chamber, said middle chamber including said elongated chamber between said first and second end walls and a side chamber formed by wall portion, said first side wall and said second end wall.
13. An electrical receptacle according to claim 12, wherein said passage means includes said rear wall of said base member forming a grounding conductor hole opening to said side chamber between said screw head and said nut.
14. An electrical receptacle according to claim 13, wherein said securing means includes a plurality of projecting members extending outwardly from said compartment proximate to said open side and to said cover, said projecting members forming slots extending toward said rear wall, said slots having ridges extending transversely across the outer wall of each of said slots; and said cover having a plurality of resiliently biased tabs adapted to extend into said plurality of slots, each said tab having a transverse lip extending outwardly from the end of said tab, said lip being adapted to snap over each said ridge of said slot, whereby said cover is snap-mounted to said base compartment over said open side.
15. An electrical receptacle according to claim 14, wherein said plurality of tabs and slots is four.
16. An electrical receptacle according to claim 15, wherein said means for attaching includes a pair of mounting tabs connected to said first and second end walls of said base member at said open side, said flanges each forming a screw hole adapted to receive a mounting screw.
17. An electrical receptacle according to claim 16, further including a pair of washers connected to the ends of each said mounting tab, said mounting tabs forming a breaking line between said mounting tabs and said
18. An electrical receptacle according to claim 1, wherein said non-conductive material, is a modified polyvinyl chloride.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US43062982A | 1982-09-30 | 1982-09-30 | |
| US430,629 | 1982-09-30 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1203591A true CA1203591A (en) | 1986-04-22 |
Family
ID=23708367
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000434399A Expired CA1203591A (en) | 1982-09-30 | 1983-08-11 | Wiring device capable of automatic assembly |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1203591A (en) |
Cited By (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7806736B2 (en) | 2008-07-01 | 2010-10-05 | Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Wiring device terminal and related method of termination |
| US7909664B2 (en) | 2009-05-29 | 2011-03-22 | Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Wire termination apparatus and method |
| US7963812B2 (en) | 2009-05-29 | 2011-06-21 | Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Wire termination apparatus and method |
| US8047883B2 (en) | 2009-05-29 | 2011-11-01 | Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Wire termination mechanisms and methods of use |
| US8137145B2 (en) | 2009-05-29 | 2012-03-20 | Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Wiring termination mechanisms and use thereof |
| US11495895B2 (en) | 2019-05-01 | 2022-11-08 | Hubbell Incorporated | Terminations for electrical wiring devices |
| US12003070B2 (en) | 2017-01-06 | 2024-06-04 | Hubbell Incorporated | Electrical wiring devices with screwless connection terminals |
-
1983
- 1983-08-11 CA CA000434399A patent/CA1203591A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7806736B2 (en) | 2008-07-01 | 2010-10-05 | Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Wiring device terminal and related method of termination |
| US7909664B2 (en) | 2009-05-29 | 2011-03-22 | Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Wire termination apparatus and method |
| US7963812B2 (en) | 2009-05-29 | 2011-06-21 | Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Wire termination apparatus and method |
| US8047883B2 (en) | 2009-05-29 | 2011-11-01 | Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Wire termination mechanisms and methods of use |
| US8137145B2 (en) | 2009-05-29 | 2012-03-20 | Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Wiring termination mechanisms and use thereof |
| US12003070B2 (en) | 2017-01-06 | 2024-06-04 | Hubbell Incorporated | Electrical wiring devices with screwless connection terminals |
| US12068565B2 (en) | 2017-01-06 | 2024-08-20 | Hubbell Incorporated | Electrical wiring devices with screwless connection terminals |
| US12088052B2 (en) | 2017-01-06 | 2024-09-10 | Hubbell Incorporated | Electrical wiring devices with screwless connection terminals |
| US11495895B2 (en) | 2019-05-01 | 2022-11-08 | Hubbell Incorporated | Terminations for electrical wiring devices |
| US12068566B2 (en) | 2019-05-01 | 2024-08-20 | Hubbell Incorporated | Terminations for electrical wiring devices |
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