US2042105A - Movable electric receptacle - Google Patents

Description

.- 26, 1936. w. J. KELLEY Q 2,042,105

MOVABLE ELECTRIC RECEPTACLE Filed March 9, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 [72 vzrzzor WEJLEY I #51. L EV y 26, 1936. w, KELLEY 2,042,105

MOVABLE ELECTRIC RECEPTACLE Filed March 9, 1934 s Sheets-Sheet 2 z ,7, .2/ I v WEsL EYf/l ELLEY Y E L L E K i w MOVABLE ELECTRIC RECEPTACLE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 9, 1954 I INVENTOR WESLEYJ KELLEY ATTORNEY6 Patented May 26, 1936 snares MOVABLE ELECTRIC REUEPEAQIE Wesley .i. Kelley, mnneapolis, Minn.

Application March 9, 1934, Serial No. 314,819

7 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in movable electric receptacles, and more particularly to a novel mounting for an electric receptacle adapted to be supported in a base board or other suitable support, whereby the receptacle may be conveniently moved from one place to another to accommodate electrical appliances, such as a radio or lamp, without the necessity of employing extension cords, which are often objectionable.

An object of the invention is to provide a movable electric receptacle comprising a suitable support having an elongated recess therein, open at one side to the atmosphere through a longitudinally extending slot in which the receptacle is slidably mounted, and means being provided for closing said slot, but permitting free movement of the receptacle therein.

A further object of the invention is to provide an elongated supporting member having one or more electric receptacles slidably mounted therein and adapted for independent movement, and a pair of electric conductors being mounted in said support and concealed therein in such a manner that they cannot be engaged by an instrument from the exterior of the support.

Other objects of the invention reside in the particular construction of the slot closing means; in the means provided in connection with the receptacle for operating or flexing the slot closing means to permit free traveling movement of the receptacle in said slot; and, in the general construction of the slot closing means, whereby the slot is maintained closed at all times, regardless of the position of the receptacle or the number of such receptacles supported in the slot, and also, whereby the receptacles are adapted for independent movement; and, in the specific construction of the slot closing means which coinprises a pair of oppositely disposed flexible members provided at their adjacent edges with interlocking elements. which automatically operate to connect together said flexible members to there'- by positively close the slot at opposite sides and between adjacent receptacles,

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following description and accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in the annexed claims. 5

In the accompanying drawings, there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the' various objects .of the invention, but it is to be the exact features shown as various changes may understood that the invention is not confined to showing two receptacles, and the means pro-- vided for closing the slot;

Figure 2 is a sectional detail view on the line 2-2 of Figure 3, showing the action of the slot closing means at each receptacle;

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;.

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view on the line M of Figure 3, showing'the means provided at opposite sides of the receptacle for actuating the slot closing means; I

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view of the receptacle removed from the rest ofothe apparatus;

Figure 6 is a sectional view on the line l5-t of Figure 7, showing another construction wherein the slot closing means consists of a pair of overlapping resilient elements;

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view on the line 1-? of Figure 6, showing the positions of the slot closing elements at the point where the extension oi the receptacle extends through the slot;

Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line M of Figure 9, showing another construction wherein the slot closing means consists of a pair of flexible spring actuated ribbons mounted in suitable guides provided in the walls of the slot;

Figure 9 is a front view of Figure 8 showing a single receptacle mounted in the slot;

Figure '10 is an enlarged detail sectional view on the line lt-lt of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a detail sectional view showing a simple manner of securing the slot closing ribbons to the body of the receptacle;

Figure 12 is a view showing still another construction wherein the slot in which the receptacle is mounted is open, and the electric conductors are concealed within the device so that they cannot be engaged from the open slot;

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 12 showing the device mounted in a base board;

Figure 14 is a detail sectional view of the receptacle removed from the guide slot;

Figure 15 is a bottom view of the receptacle;

and

Figure 16 is a view showing the device provided with two receptacles adapted for independent movement.

In the selected embodiment of the invention here shown, for purposes of disclosure, there is edges of the members 6-4 of the strips 4 are I spaced apart to provide a longitudinally extending slot 1, extendingsubstantially the full length of the recess or chamber 3'.

The receptacle, generally indicated by the numeral 8, is shown comprising a body portion 9 having a reduced extension Ii, provided at its inner end with oppositely extending projections or flanges I2, spaced from the adjacent face E3 of the body 9. The reduced extension ii is receivable in the slot 1, and the flanges i2-i2 engage the inner faces of the members 6@ of the strips 4, to thereby retain the receptacle in operatlve position in the slot 1.

v The receptacle is here shownprovided with a pair of spaced apertures I4 and IS in which are mounted flexible contacts i6 and I! provided with electrical conductor strips l8 and 19 which pass through the reduced extension ii and terminate within the recess or chamber 3, in flexible contact elements 2| and 22. The contacts 2| and 22 electrically engage a pair of fixed conductors 23 and 24, respectively,-shown secured to an insulating bar 25 suitably secured in the bottom of the recess'or chamber 3 by such means as screws 26. It will thus be seen that the resilient contacts l3 and ll of the receptacle 8 are constantly electrically engaged with the conductors 23 and 24. The conductors 23 and 24 are connected to a suitable source of electrical energy by such means as wires 21 and 28.

An important feature of this invention resides in the means provided for constantly maintaining the slot I closed, regardless of the position 'or positions of the receptacle or receptacles, as shown in Figure 1. In devices of this character, it is of utmost importancethat the electric conductors 23 and 24 be so concealed and protected that persons cannot accidentally come in contact therewith.

To thus close the slot 1, there is shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, a pair of flexible elements 23 and 3|, having portions clampingly secured between the wedge-shaped members I and 3 of the strips 4 by suitable screws 32. The adjacent edges of theflexible elements 29 and 3! overhang the walls of the slot I, deflned by the adjacent edges of the wedge-shaped members 3-3, and are shown provided with spaced link elements, generally indicated by the numerals 33 and 34, which are commonly known to the trade as zippers."

Suitable devices "are shown secured to opposite sides of each receptacle ladapted to actuate the interlocking links 33 and 34 to move them into and'out of, interlocking engagement, as the receptacle is moved lengthwise in the slot 1.

These actuating devices are of ordinary wellknown construction such as commonly used in connection .with zipper fasteners, and it is therefore thought unnecessary. to herein illustrate and-describe the sam'ein detail. a

. By'means of the flexible elements 23 and 3| and the zipper devices33,'3l, and 33, it will readily be that as the receptacle is moved 5 from oneposition to another in the slot 1, one of the'zlppe'r devices will'actuate the elements 33 and 34, at one side of thereceptacle. and thus operatively connect them together, while the device 35 at the opposite side of the receptacle will cause the links 33 and 34 to become disconnected to thereby permit the reduced extension i I of the receptacle to pass freely back and forth between 6 the two flexible members 23 and 3|, as best shown in Figure 2.

In Figures 6 and '1, there is illustrated another construction wherein the slot closing means consists of a pair of resilient ribbon-like members 10 36 and 31, preferably having their adjacent edges arranged in overlapping relation, as shown in Figure 6. The outer edges of the members 33 and 31 are secured to the supporting member or base board 38 by suitable clamping strips 33 and ll, 15 secured in rabbets 42 provided in the face of the supporting member 38 by such means as screws 53. The adjacent edges of the clamping strips ll overhang the spaced walls of the chamber or recess 3, and are spaced apart to provide a longi- 20 tudinally extending slot 34 in which the reduced portion ii of the receptacle 8 may trava.

The slot closing elements 36 and 3'I may be constructed of a suitable spring metal or other suitable resilient material, capable of flexing, as 26 shown in Figures 6 and 7, to permit the reduced portion ll of the receptacle to pass freely back and forth in the slot 34.

Figures 8, 9, 10, and 11 illustrate a construction wherein the slot closing means consists of a 30 The ribbon- like elements 45 and 43 have their 40;

edges received in suitable guides 43 provided in the adjacent edges of a pair of longitudinal strips or plates I52, secured in recesses 53' provided in the face of the supporting member 2, by such means as screws. The adjacent edges of the 45; plates 52 cooperate to provide the walls of the slot 3|. 7

In the form here shown, the movement of the receptacle 8 will, of course, be limited to the a length of the flexible elements or ribbons ll and 50. f; The receptacle, however, is freely movable back and forth-in the slot ii in the same manner shown in the previous figures, and may therefore be positioned at any point within the length of theslot. I v i i In the construction shown in Figures 1 and 7, two or more receptacles may be mounted in the same slot, andeach is adaptedfor movement independently of the other. In these figures, the slot closing elements do not move in a lengthwise direction in the slot, as "does the flexible ribbon-like elements shownin Figure 8. The slot closing elements, shown in Figures 1 to 8 are separated by the reduced portion ll of the receptacle, as shown in Figures 2 and-6, after which they resume their normal closed positions, as hereinbefore described.

Figures 12 to 16, inclusive, show another con struction, comprising an elongated supporting member 33 recessed as shown at 33. A longitudinally'extending rib I1 is shown provided between the receaes ",upon which is suitably secured'a strip or plate of insulating material- ",to the bottom face of which a pair of conductor bars 33 and ii are suitablyisecuredas 75.

shown in l2 and 13. The insulating strip or -plate 58 may be of bakelite and secured to the rib 51 by suitable means such as screws, indicated at 62 in Figure 13.

Similar insulating strips or plates 63 and 6% are suitably secured to the upper faces of the supporting member 55, and have their adjacent edges spaced apart to provide an elongated opening or slot 65 in which an electric receptacle 86 is slidably mounted. The slot '85 is disposed directly over the lower or inner plate 58 and the opposed edge portions of the latter extend into the recesses 56 beneath the edge portions of the plates 63 and 56, so that it is practically impossible for anyone to insert an instrumentality into the slot 65 in such a manner as to engage the electric conductors 59 and 6!.

The receptacle 5B is shown in detail in Figures 14 and 15, and comprises suitable apertures bl and 6B in which are mounted flexible contact clips 69 and H; respectively. Flexible contacts 12 and 73 are electrically connected to the lower ends of the clips 67 and W, and are preferably shaped as shown in Figure 13, whereby they extend around the opposed edges of the insulating plate 58 and have their terminals contacting with the conductor bars 59 and 6| with a yielding pressure. Thus, the contact clips 69 and H of the receptacle 66 are always in electrical connection with the circuit whereby the plug is always ready for use, regardless of where it may be positioned in the slot 85 of the supporting member 55.

The receptacle may be moulded of bakelite, and is shown provided at its bottom with an elongated portion ld extending across the diameter of the plug and having oppositely disposed flanges l5 and It formed thereon, which cooperate with adjacent faces of the receptacle to provide opposed recesses or grooves 11 adapted to receive the adjacent edges of the insulating plates 63 and 64, as will readily be understood by reference to Figures 12 and 13. The width of the portion 14 is slightly less than the width of the slot whereby the receptacle may readily be moved back and forth in said slot.

The device shown in Figure 12 is very compact and small in size, and may be fitted into a comparatively small groove or recess provided in the face of a base board, a door casing. a ceiling, or any other suitable place where it may be found desirable to provide electric outlets. In the form here shown, any number of receptacles may be mounted in the slot 65, and all of such receptacles are movable independently of one another whereby they may readily be positioned along the wall or ceiling to accommodate electric-appliances or fixtures stationed about a room or shop.

The device is very simple and inexpensive an comprises comparatively few parts. Thesupporting member 55 may be formed of any suitable material such as bakelite or wood, and, in some instances it may be desirable'to form it of sheet metal, in which case, the conductor bars 59 and SI must, of course, be well insulated therefrom. The device may be made to any suitable length and, if desired, may extend the full length of a room. The receptacles 6b are comparatively simple in'construction, as is clearly shown in the drawings, and when fltted into the slot 65, as shown in Figure 12, may be moved freely back and forth therein and any strain exerted thereon will be taken up entirely by the opposed flanges l5 and I6, fitting against the inner faces of the insulating plates 88 and 8d. The receptacles are inserted into the slot 88 from one end of the device, as willreadily be understood by reference to Figures 12 and 18.

The invention herein set forth, may readily be embodied in the construction of a base board or other suitable supporting member at small cost, and provides means whereby the receptacles may be freely moved about from place to place within the length of the slot in which they are supported, to thereby conveniently position them with respect to the electrical appliances to be served thereby. The slot closing elements posi-' tively close the slot so that access cannot be had to. the chamber or recess 3 in which the electrical conductors 23 and 2 3 are mounted, thereby avoiding accidents from electric shocks, which might occur if the slots were open and the con ductors 28 and as exposed.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device of the class described, a member having an elongated recess therein open at one side, electric conductors in said recess, guides extending lengthwise of the recess, a receptacle mounted for traveling movement in said guides and having contacts engaging said conductors, and flexible, non-resilient means constantly closing the open side of said recess and permitting free movement of the receptacle therein.

2. In a device of the class described, a member having an elongated recess therein open at one side, electric conductors in said recess, a receptacle mounted for traveling movement in said recess and having contacts engaging said conductors, and means at opposite sides of said recess adapted for interlocking engagement to thereby close said recess and permitting free movement of the receptacle therein.

3. In a device of the class described, a member having an elongated recesstherein open at one side, electric conductorsin said recess, an electric receptacle mounted for traveling movement in said recess and electrically associated. with said conductors, and zipper means for constantly closing the open side of said recess and permitting free movement of the receptacle therein.

4. In a device of the class described, a supporting member having an elongated recess therein, a wall of said recesshaving a longitudinally extending slot therein of less width than the width of said recess, a receptacle slidably mounted in said slot, means in said recess for supplying electric current to the receptacle, and non-resilient means closing the slot and permitting free movement of the receptacle therein.

5. In a device of the class described, a supporting member having an elongated recess therein, a wall of said recess having a longitudinally ing member having an elongated recess therein provided at one side with a wall having a longitudinally extending slot therein communicating with the recess, electric conductors in said recess, connected to a source of electric energy, a receptacle slidably mounted in the slot in said Vail and having contacts constantly enzazinz said conductors, zipper means at opposite sides of said slots for closing the same, and means on the ing means having an elongated recess therein open at one side, electric conductors in said recess, an electric receptacle mounted for traveling movement lengthwise o; the recess and electrical- 1y associated with said conductors, and interlockable means constantly closing the open side oi. said recessa -WESLEY J. mm.s

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