US3030605A - Heavy duty receptacle - Google Patents

Description

April 17, 1962 v. l.. cARlsslMl 3,030,605

HEAVY DUTY RECEPTACLE Original Filed Sept. l2, 1955 www 3,039,605 HEAVY ylDUFi( RECEPTACLE Vincent L. Carissimi, Fairfield, Conn., assigner to The Bryant Eiectric Company, Bridgeport, Conn., a corporation of tonnecticut Continuation of application Ser. No. 533,614, Sept. 12 1955. This application Nov. l5, .1960, Ser. No. 69,421

S Claims. (Ci. 339-126) ,My invention relates to a wiring device and moreparticularly to `a new and improved heavy duty receptacle.

'This application forms a continuation of an application of V. L. Carissimi filed September l2, 1955, Serial No. 33,614, now abandoned, entitled 'Heavy Duty Receptacle, and assigned tothe present assignee.

Heretofore numerous heavy duty receptacles have been manufactured but they have been objectionable 'because yit has been difficult to attach the supply conductors 'to the receptacle which diiiculties have naturally increased the cost of wiring a range receptacle. In particular, some such prior devices have required that each ofthe electrical conductors, which are connected to the receptacle, be spaced from each other and bent at an angle to each of the other conductors so as to properly engage the terminals. Inasmuch as heavy duty circuits require a relatively heavy gauge Wire, such as No. 6 and No. t3 gauge in the case of electric range circuits, such bending cannot be readily accomplished. Also, range receptacles are normally supplied for either flush or surface mounting which heretofore has entailed two different designs of receptacle and this has increased the cost of veach 'type of receptacle.

Accordingly, one object of my invention 'is to provide a new and improved wiring device with a minimum of low cost components which is adapted vto be cooperable with different mounting members so that the device may be either flush or surface mounted.

Another object of my invention is `,to provide anew and improved wiring device which may quickly and easily be connected to `heavy gauge electrical conductors within a limited space.

Still another objcctof my invention is to provide a new and improved wiring device having a plurality of electrical terminals which may be connected to a plurality of substantially parallel electrical supply conductors.

Another more specific object of my invention is to vprovide a new and improved wiring device having separate base and cover members with electrical terminal assemblies therein, which members Iare assembled :together by p one centrally located means and which members maybe secured to an outlet box by means extending on an axis coincident with the axis of the means for securing the members together.

Another object of my invention is 'to provide a new and improved wiring device having separate base and cover members with electrical terminal assemblies 'therein, which terminal assemblies are accessible externally of the base through openings which are offset from the center of the terminal assemblies.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a new and improved wiring device having separate base and cover members having portions thereof which are spaced from each other and between which are located mounting means having offset tabs offset therebetween.

Another object `of my invention is to provide a new and improved wiring device which maybe mounted in an outlet box comprising a pair of pivotally movable .members.

Another more specific obiect of my invention is to provide a new and improved wiring device having a two-,piece housing one part of which is pivotally movable on the arent .4 otherand the other part of whichhas means for limiting such pivotal movement.

Still another more specific object of my invention is to provide a new Aand improved wiring device having .a two-piece housing one Vpart of which is pivotally .movable on the other and which parts have intertting means for positioning one part with the other.

An important object of my invention is to provide a new and improved wiring device having all the components required for wiring the device permanently secured to the device.

These and other objects of my invention will 'become more apparent upon consideration of the Vfollowing detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, when taken in conjunction with the attachedvdrawings, inwhich:

FIGURE l is a top plan view of one form ofreceptacle constructed in accordance with the Aprinciples of my invention;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational View of ythe receptacle as shown vin FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is the bottom plan view of the receptacle as shown in FIG. A1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view ofthe receptacle as shown in FIGS. 'l to 3 with the lterminal part thereof omitted taken Vsubstantially along 'the lines IV-IV of FIGS. 1 to 3;

FIG. 5 is a par-tical cross-sectional view of the receptacle as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 taken substantially along 'rhs nu@ v v of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 isa side elevational View of another form of receptacle constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention 'having portions thereof broken away to showthe internal construction thereof; and

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the receptacle as shown in FIG. 6.

.Referring to FIGS. 1 lto 5, it will be noted that a receptacle constructed in accordancerwith `the Vprinciples -of my Vinvention comprises a base 2 which is enclosed byrneans of a cover 6, and 'has a yoke 4 located, V`in part, between the base 2 and the cover. The yoke 4 is formed from any suitable material havingsutiicient structural strength such as sheet steel, while the base 2 vand the cover 6 are `formed from any suitable insulating material, such as a molded insulating material which may readily be provided with the structure as 4hereinafter described.

As shown, the base 2 extends `downwardly from the yoke 4 andthe cover 6 and is provided with a generally Y-shaped cross section so as to Vprovide the base 2 with 'three angularly shaped downwardly extending larms 3a, 8b and 8c. Each of the arms Srl, -8b and 8c is provided with an elongated recess 10 having an approximately square cross section which extends downwardly fromfthe `upper surface vof the base 2 with its lower end located adjacent the lower `surface `of Ithe base 2. Each recess 1d is yformed so as to closely receive elongated terminals 12 therein, which terminals 12 may be lformed from lany suitable conductive ymaterial such as copper 101 an alloy thereof. As shown, each terminal .12 comprises an upper contact engaging portion and a ylower conductor connectving portion which portions are formed so that the :terminals 12 may easily vbe formed from flat sheets or strips of `such a conductive material. The conductor connectking portion of each terminal :12. is generally .U-'shaped and comprises a pair of upwardly extending larms 14 which are 'located inwardly and :adjacent the sides of the recesses 10 and a bight portion 16 which yextends across the bottom of the recesses '10.

The contact `engaging portion of each terminal 12 comprises a pair of intermediate portions 18 which Aare formed integral with each of the arms 14 and `each of which extends vsingularly upwardly away from lthe bight portion 16 of the terminal 12 and inwardly toward the center of the recess 10. The inner end of each intermediate portion 18 is formed to provide a vertically upwardly extending contact engaging portion 22, which portions 22 are laterally spaced from each other a distance slightly less than the thickness of the prong on a standard electrical connector, so that the portions 22 will electrically and mechanically engage the sides of such prongs. Thereafter, if desired, the upper end of each contact engaging portion 22 may be provided with an angular upwardly and outwardly extending flange portion 24 to facilitate the insertion of such a prong between the contact engaging portions 22. It will be noted that the ange portions 24 and the upper end of the contact engaging portions 22 of the terminals 12 are located above the upper surface of the base 2, and accordingly the underside of the cover 6 is provided with an upwardly extending recess 26 in alignment with each of the recesses 10 to freely receive such portions of the terminals 12 therein.

In order to make electrical connections to the terminals 12, each arm Sa, 8b and Sc is provided with an upwardly extending central opening 2S which extends from the lower surface of each arm 8a, 8b and 8c into! the recess 10 thereabove so as to expose the central portion of the bight portion 16 of each of the terminals 12 from the underside of the base 2. The bight portion 16 of each terminal 12 is also provided with a clearance opening in vertical alignment with a portion of the opening 2S in the same arm 8a, 8b and 8c so that a binding screw 30 may be inserted from the underside of the base 2 into `each arm 8a, 8b and 8c with its threaded shank extending freely through the bight portion of the terminals 12. As shown, the head of each screw 30 is located below the bight portion 16 of its cooperable terminal 12 within its opening 2S, and it has a clamping nut 32 threadedly Secured to its inner end. The clamping nut 32 is rectangular in form and has its sides located adjacent opposed surfaces of the arms 14 so as to be non-rotatably received between the spaced arms 14 of the terminals 12. Preferably, the threads at the end of the threaded portion of each screw 30 are upset so that each nut 32 is captively received on its cooperable screw 30.

It will be particularly noted that each binding screw 30 is offset to one side of the bight portion 16 of its cooperable terminal 12 and is offset to the same side of its cooperable clamping nut 32 so that the bare end of an inserted conductor may be located on the other side of the bight portion 16 of terminals 12 between its upper surface and the lower `surface of the nut 32.. Each arm 8a, 8b and 8c is also provided with a slot 34 in one of its sides which extends outwardly from the recess 10 and upwardly from the underside of the base 2. Each slot 34 in each arm 8a, 8b and 8c faces substantially the same direction due to the Y-shape of the base `2 and is substantially in alignment with the part of the bight portion 16 which engages an inserted conductor. Each slot 34 is provided with a sufficient width so that the bare end of a supply conductor may easily be inserted therethrough, which, if desired, may be increased beyond that which is necessary for such insertion of the supply conductor, to expose -a portion of the vertically extending threaded portion of the screws 30 so that during the process of wiring the device the ends of the supply conductors may visibly be located between the bight portion 16 of the terminals 12 and the clamping nuts 32. Also, if desired, each slot 34 may be connected to the opening 28 in the same arms 8a, 8b and 8c by providing each opening 28 with an elongated portion 36 which extends across the outer surface of each arm 8a, 8b and 8c of the base 2 to the adjacent slot 34.

Although the direction in which each screw 30 is olfset with relation to its cooperable bight portion 16 of the terminals 12 is not critical with respect to my invention, the binding screws 30 in the arms 8b and 8c are preferably otfset outwardly of the arms to facilitate wiring the device as hereinafter described. The screw 3d located in the arm 8a may be offset to either side of the bight portion 16 of its cooperable terminal 12. As is well known, the supply conductors are normally located within an outlet box housing so that the supply conductors are substantially parallel to each other at a point adjacent the screws 3l of the receptacle. By positioning such supply conductors so that they are spaced outwardly and in alignment with the slots 34, the bare end of the central conductor may easily be inserted directly through the slot '34 in the arm 8a, while the conductors to each side of the central conductor may have their bare ends slightly bent inwardly toward each other wd thereafter inserted through the slots 34 in the arms 3b and Sc, depending upon which side of the central conductor they are located.

It will be noted however that the bare ends of the conductors to each side of the central conductor may be forced directly into the slots 34 of the arms 8b and 8c without any prebending as the outwardly located screws 3i) therein will deect the bare ends inwardly the small amount required. Such ease of wiring is particularly desirable in wiring range receptacles due to the heavy gauge wire which is normally employed for such purpose and due to the limited space which is available. The bare ends of all the supply conductors are located between the opposed surfaces of the bight portion 16 of the terminal 12 and the clamping nuts 32 so that they may be clamped therebetween by properly turning the screws 3?.

As shown, the cover 6 has a circular upper portion 4t) which has a Y-shaped projection 42 extending downwardly from the under surface of the upper portion 4). The outer ends of the arms of the Y-shaped portion 42 are all spaced inwardly of the outer edge of the upper shaped projection 42 of the cover 6 is closely receivedY therein and so that the upper surface of the yoke 4 adjacent the opening 25 engages the under surfaces of the upper portion 40 adjacent the projections 42. After the cover 6 has been so located, the yoke 4 and the cover 6 may then be placed on the base 2 so that the'lower surface of the projection 42 engages the upper surface of the arms 8a, 8b, 8c.

In order to secure the base 2, the yoke 4 and the cover 6 together in such relationship, the base 2 and the cover 6 are provided with opposed centrally located recesses 44 and 46 respectively, the inner portions of which are spaced vertically from each other. The recesses 44 and 46 are joined together by means of aligned circular openings 43 and S2 in the base 2 and the cover 6, respectively, which are of a smaller size than the recesses 44 and Thereafter, the base 2 may be secured to the cover 6 by inserting the shank of a suitable rivet or eyelet 54 through the aligned openings 48, S2 so that its head engages the bottom of one of the recesses 44 or 46 and thereafter providing the other end of the rivet with a suitable head engaging the bottom of the other recess 44 or 46.

As has been indicated, the underside of the Y-shaped projection 42 is provided with the recesses 26 on each arm thereof `so that the upper ends of the terminals 12 may be freely received therein. The cover 6 is also provided with spaced openings 56 each of which is in alignment with the parallel portions 22 of one of the terminals 12 so that the prongs' (not shown) of an inserted connector may engage the parallel portions 22 of the terminals 12. It, of course, is to be realized that the angular spacing of the openings 56 has been standardized by the industry so that they may receive the prongs of a standard connect'or. If desired, one of the openings 56 may be provided with an offset portion 17 to receive a similarly formed grounding prong. When the offset portion 17 is provided it is neces'sary to eliminate the upper portion of the arm 14 adjacent the offset portion 17 in order to provide clearance for the inserted grounding prong.

In order to provide means for firmly securing the yoke 4 between the under surface of the cover 6 and the base 2, the base 2 is provided with three projections 58a, SSb and 60. As shown, the projections 58a and 58h are located between the arms 8a and 8b; and 3a and 8c, respectively, while 4the projection 60 its located between the arms 8b and 8c. Although the projection 60 differs somewhat in size and shape from the projections 58a and 58h, such difference is not critical with respect to my invention and is only due to the particular construction of my device. The projections 58a, 58h and 60 are all utilized in the same manner for the same purposes. As shown, the projections 58a, 58h and 60 all extend outwardly from the center of the base 2 and upwardly beyond the upper surface of the arms 8a, 8b and 8c toward the yoke 4, so that each provides a flat upper surface 27 spaced above the upper surface of the arms 8a, 8b and 8c. When the base 2 and the cover 6 are assembled as indicated so that the arms 8a, 8b and 8c engage the arms of the projection 42, the upper surfaces 27 formed by the projections 58a, 5812 and 60 are spaced from the under surface of the upper portion 40 of the cover 6 a distance somewhat greater than the thickness of material from which the yoke 4 is fabricated.

As has been indicated, the opening 25 in the yoke 4 is Y-shaped so that a portion of the yoke 4 is provided between each of the arms of the projection 42, which portions are located between the under surface of the upper portion 40 of the cover 6, and the upper surfaces 27 formed by the projections 58a, 58b and 69. As can be appreciated, as the yoke 4 is preferably formed from sheet steel, the portions of the yoke 4 between the surfaces 27 and the under surface of the upper portion 40 will not be tightly received therebetween. Accordingly, in order to overcome any looseness of the yoke 4, each of such portions of the yoke 4 is provided with an intergal offset lug 62 which extends inwardly toward the center of the opening 25. The lugs 62 are offset downwardly from the main portion of the yoke 4 a distance greater than the space between the main portion of the yoke 4 and the top surfaces 27 of the base, so that when the base 2, the yoke 4 and the cover 6 are assembled as indicated, the rivet 54 will pull the surfaces 27 on the base 2 toward the under surface of portion 40 of the cover 6 so that the lugs 62 will be deformed. In order that the base 2 and the cover 6 are tightly secured together, the yoke 4 is preferably formed from sheet steel which has sufficient resiliency so that when the lugs 62 are so deformed they provide a triumvirate bias support therebetween. In order to mount such an assembled receptacle, the yoke 4 is provided with a plurality of openings, of any suitable type, which are spaced apart standard distances so that they may be engaged by fastening means in a standard outlet box for such a receptacle.

The modification of my invention shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is similar in many aspects to the modification previously described and, accordingly, like parts have been identified by the same reference numerals. In place of the yoke 4, this modification employs a separate cover 67 which may be removably secured to a separate mounting base 65. The base 65 and the cover 67 may be formed from any suitable material having sufficient structural strength, such as steel or an alloy of aluminum which may easily be formed as hereinafter described and which has sufficient resiliency as heretofore indicated. The base 65 is U-shaped having an elongated bight portion with an upper arm 66 extending outwardly from its upper end and a lower arm 68 extending outwardly from its lower end. In order to mount the base 65 to any suitable surface, its bight portion is provided with suitable mounting means, not shown, such as screw receiving openings. In order to facilitate locating the cover 67 on the base 65, it will be noted that the outer end of the arm 66 is provided with a downwardly offset ledge 8i) which is approximately parallel to the upper arm 66 and which extends the entire width thereof. Similarly, the outer end of arm 68 is formed with an upwardly offset projection 82 at each side thereof which extends approximately parallel to the arm 68 so as to provide a pair of supports at each side of the arm 68.

The cover 67 is also U-shaped having a front bight portion 72 of =a size so as to extend laterally across the free ends of both of the arms 66 and 68 of the base 65. The sides 70 of the cover 67 are formed so as to extend over the sides of the arms 66 and 68 and the night portion of the base 65 so that when the cover 67 is secured to the base 65 a complete housing assembly is obtained. The cover 67 is provided with an opening and lugs, not shown, similar to the opening 25 and the lugs 62 which have previously been described in connection with the cover 6 for receiving and mounting the receptacle therein and for securing the base 2 with respect thereto, as has previously been described. It will be noted that a hollow rivet 74 is employed to hold the base 2 and the cover 6 in place of the rivet 54 previously described, which functions in the same manner as the rivet 54. Due to the use of the hollow rivet 54, an elongated bolt 76 may be located so as to have its shank portion extending through the opening in the rivet 76 and have its threaded end threadedly engage a suitable threaded opening 78 in the bight portion of the base 65. Thus, it Will be noted that the means for securing the cover 6 to the base 2, and the cover 67 to the base 65 each have the same central axis.

The cover 67 is also provided with an integral flange 9i) which is located `at the upper edge of its front big-ht portion 72 and which extends 4between the sides 70 thereof. Similarly, the lower edge of the front portion 72 of the cover 67 is provided with a pair of laterally spaced inwardly extending projections 92 each of which is located adjacent one of the sides 70. The flange 9i) and the projections 92 are of a size so as to ybe freely located on the Voffset ledge 80 and the projections 82, respectively, on the base 65. By such construction, the cover 67 may easily be mounted on the base 65 by placing the free edges of the projections 92 into engagement with the lower surface of the projections 82 and thereafter rotating the cover 67 about such engaged parts as an axis, until the ledge 80 slides below the flange 9i), and its outer edge engages the inner surface of the cover 67 to prevent further movement of the cover 67. Thereafter, the bolt 76 may be threadedly inserted into the base 65 as previously indicated to hold the entire assembly together. If desired, the lower arm 68 of the base 65 may be provided with a notch 94 at each of its sides adjacent its bight portion, and each side 70 of the cover 67 may be provided with integral inwardly extending projections 96 adjacent its free edge, which are of a size and located so as to be cooperable with each other when the cover 67 is so secured to the base 65. Thus, as the cover 67 is rotated as previously described, the projections 96 will be moved so as to enter the notches 94 whereby the cover 67 will be engaged by the base 65 during the period the bolt 76 is secured. Such engagement of the projections 96 and the notches 94 supports the cover 67 on the base 65 so that the bolt 76 may be easily inserted as indicated.

In order to make electrical connections to the receptacle, -both the bight portion and the arm 68 of the base 65 may be provided with a suitable knockout 99, only one of which is shown. Thus, in wiring the receptacle the supply conductors are inserted through a knockout 99 and connected to the terminals 12 in the manner previously described, while the cover 67 is separated from the base 65. Thereafter the cover 67 may be mounted on the base 65, as described above; however, as the cover 67 need only travel through a small arcuate distance to form a totally enclosed housing, it will -be obvious that the supply conductors will not be unnecessarily bent during such time.

Thus, it will be noted that by my invention I have provided a new and improved receptacle which is readily adapted for use both as a iiush or surface mounted unit. Further, due to the unique terminal construction, wiring connections may quickly be made to the receptacle even with the heavy gauge wire normally employed. Also, all the parts of my device are captively located so that no parts can become loose, disengaged or lost during the period it is being connected.

Although I have shown and described particular modifications of my invention in accordance with the patent statutes, I am aware that other modications `are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. Accordingly, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawing be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim as my invention:

l. A wiring device comprising a support having a generally Y-shaped opening therethrough, an insulating cover having :a surface thereon of a size substantially to cover said Y-shaped opening, a Y-shaped projection extending outwardly from said surface on said cover so as to be received by said Y-shaped opening in said support with each of its arms located in one of the arms of said opening and with said surface on said cover engaging one side of said support, an insulating base having a Y-shaped portion engaging the outer end of said projection on said cover in a plane spaced from the other side of said support, said base having at least one projection located between a pair of its arms extending beyond said plane of engagement with an outer surface in engagement with said other side of said support, said base projection limiting rotative movement of said base relative to said cover, means for securing said cover to said base, and said support having integral resilient means located between said surface on said cover and said outer surface of said projection on said base for biasing said base away from said support.

2. An electrical receptacle comprising a metallic generally rectangular shaped two-part housing, one part of which has an elongated front portion, an insulating base located within said housing and spaced from one end thereof, a slotted insulating cover positioned over said base and on the outer side of said front portion of said one housing part and having a portion extending laterally and inwardly through an opening in said front portion, a plurality of contacts located in respective recesses in said base, means for supporting said one housing part relative to the other housing part and said base and cover relative to each other and to said housing, said supporting means including interengaging portions of the sides and ends of said Vhousing parts substantially to oppose movement of said housing parts in a lateral plane relative to each other, and said supporting means including a hollow fastener attaching said base to said cover to preclude separating movement of the same and including an elongated projection on said base laterally engageable with said inwardly extending cover portion to preclude relative lateral movement between said base and said cover, said front portion of said one housing part having a resilient tab engaging said base projection, and another fastener extending through the hollow of the first mentioned fastener and securing said insulating cover relative to said other housing part with said cover holding said housing parts against separating movement, and means for enabling conductors to be attached to said contacts, respectively, through said one housing end.

3. A wiring device comprising a support having a noncircular opening therethrough, an insulating cover having a surface thereon of a size substantially to cover said support opening, an elongated non-circular projection substantially conforming in contour with the contour of said support opening and extending from said cover surface through said cover opening to hold said cover against rotative movement relative to said support, an insulating base having an elongated portion engaging an outer end of said cover projection in one plane spaced from said support, means for securing said cover to said base, said securing means including at least one base projection extending beyond said one plane and between spaced laterally extending portions of said cover projection so as to limit lateral movement of said base relative to said cover, said base projection having an outer surface positioned adjacently of said support, and said support having integral resilient means engaging one of said cover surface and said base projection surface to provide for resiliently positioning said support relative to said base and said cover. t

4. An electrical receptacle comprising a metallic generally rectangular shaped two part housing, one part of which has an elongated front portion, an insulating base located within said housing, a slotted insulating cover positioned over said base and on the outer side of said front portion of said one housing part and having a portion extending laterally and inwardly through an opening in said front portion, a plurality of contacts located in respective recesses in said base, means for supporting said one housing part relative to the other housing part and said base and cover relative to each other and to said housing, said supporting means including a hollow fastener attaching said base to said cover to preclude separating movement of the same and including an elongated projection on said base laterally engageable with said inwardly extending cover portion to preclude relative lateral movement between said base and said cover, said front portion of said one housing part having a resilient tab engaging said base projection, and another fastener extending through the hollow of the first mentioned fastener and securing said insulating cover relative to said other housing part with said cover holding said housing parts against separating movement.

5. A wiring device comprising a support having a noncircular opening therethrough, an insulating cover having a surface thereon of a size substantially to cover said support opening and engaging one side of said support, an elongated non-circular projection substantially conforming in contour with the contour of said support opening and extending outwardly from said cover surface, an insulating base having an elongated portion engaging an outer end of said cover projection in one plane spaced from said support, means for securing said cover to said base, said securing means including at least one base projection extending beyond said one plane and between spaced laterally extending portions of said cover projection so as to limit lateral movement of said base relative to said cover, said base projection having an outer surface positioned adjacently of said support, and said support having integral resilient means engaging said base projection surface to provide for resiliently positioning said support relative to said base and said cover.

6. A wiring device comprising a support having a generally Y-shaped opening therethrough, an insulating cover having a surface thereon of a size substantially to cover said support opening, a Y-shaped projection extending outwardly from said surface on said cover and through said support opening with each of its arms located in one of the arms of said support opening and with said surface on said cover engaging one side of said support, an insulating base having an elongated Yshaped portion engaging the outer end of said cover projection in a plane spaced from the other side of said support, means for securing said cover to said base, said securing means including a fastener for precluding separating movement of said base and said cover and including at least one projection located between a pair of the arms of said base extending beyond said plane of engagement and between a pair of said arms of saidcover and having an outer surface positioned adjacently of said other side of said support, said base projection limiting lateral movement of said base relative to said cover, and said support having integral resilient means engaging said outer surface of said base projection to provide for resiliently positioning said support relative to said base and said cover.

7. An electrical receptacle comprising an elongated generally rectangularly shaped housing of two mating parts, one of said housing parts being U-shaped from side to side and the other of said housing parts being U-shaped from end to end, a support of insulating material positioned in said housing and spaced from one end thereof, said one housing part having its bight portion frontally faced, said bight portion having an opening through which said support extends, said support having a face portion extending over said opening and being located on said bight portion, openings in said support face portion providing access to contacts suitably supported within said Ihousing, one end region of the bight portion of said one housing part and the outer end region of one of the end legs of said other housing part having separable yet interengageable hinge-like portions which enable said one housing part to be pivoted into mating and assembled relation with said other housing part, the other end region of the bight portion of said one housing part and the outer end region of the other end leg of said other housing part having resiliently interengaging portions which hold said hinge-like portions against longitudinal separation when said housing parts are pivoted into assembled relation, said one end leg of said other housing part having at least one notch located inwardly of its outer end region, at least one side leg of said one housing part having a tab located to nterlatch with said notch when said housing parts are pivoted into assembled relation so as to provide for holding said hinge-like portions against separation in the frontal direction, and a fastener 10 extending through said support and engaging the bight portion of said other housing part so as to secure said receptacle in assembled relation.

8. A wiring device comprising an elongated base of insulating material having a Y-shaped cross section to provide said base with three elongated arms, an elongated recess extending longitudinally within each of said base arms, respectively, an opening extending laterally into the recess in each base arm and inwardly from a reference plane to one side of said base, an electrical contact being supported in each of said recesses and having a laterally extending portion through which a screw is extended ni the longitudinal direction, said screw being externally accessible for twisting movement and having its shank laterally offset to one side of a reference plane extending longitudinally along the associated arm recess and perpendicularly through the associated arm opening and being located centrally of the associated arm opening so as to enable a conductor to be inserted for engagement through the associated arm opening laterally of said screw shank, and a nut threadedly engaging each of said screws to provide for secure engagement of an inserted conductor against the adjacent contact portion.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,097,483 Freeman Nov. 25, 1913 2,231,868 Allen Feb. 18, 1941 2,354,748 Franklin Aug. 1, 1944 2,459,832 McKinley Ian. 25, 1949 2,577,974 McKinley Dec. 11, 1951 2,946,838 Bellek July 26, 1960 2,950,457 Slater Aug. 23, 1960

Images