CA2011897C - Multiple outlet receptacle and mountings therefor - Google Patents
Multiple outlet receptacle and mountings therefor Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2011897C CA2011897C CA002011897A CA2011897A CA2011897C CA 2011897 C CA2011897 C CA 2011897C CA 002011897 A CA002011897 A CA 002011897A CA 2011897 A CA2011897 A CA 2011897A CA 2011897 C CA2011897 C CA 2011897C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- wiring device
- adapter plate
- box
- plate
- wiring
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R25/00—Coupling parts adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts, e.g. for distributing energy to two or more circuits
- H01R25/006—Coupling parts adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts, e.g. for distributing energy to two or more circuits the coupling part being secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. duplex wall receptacle
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
- H02G3/00—Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles
- H02G3/02—Details
- H02G3/08—Distribution boxes; Connection or junction boxes
- H02G3/18—Distribution boxes; Connection or junction boxes providing line outlets
Abstract
A wiring device of the type which by itself is configured for surface mounting is made more universally mountable by an adapter plate to which the device may be joined and the adapter plate joined to any of a number of different outlet box configurations. In addition and alternatively, a wiring device so described may be further utilized with a portable box on which it is mounted, which portable box has sidewalls with cord openings communicating to the devise. All such configurations are designed for compactness and shallowness from a front face which may provide a plurality of outlet openings. In addition, the wiring device of the present invention utilizes a snub hole wiring termination configuration that facilitates installation.
Description
1 54,995 MULTIPLE OUTLET RECEPTACLE AND MOUNTINGS THEREFOR
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to electrical wiring devices and particularly to unitary receptacles having multiple outlets and to mounting arrangements for such receptacles.
In Wiley Patent 4,583,799, April 22, 1986, there was presented a multiple outlet receptacle of which a specific embodiment disclosed has four outlets to. permit four electrical appliances to be plugged in at one receptacle location. The receptacle may be used, for example, for office lighting applications where it would normally be installed in a ceiling recess fixture, such as an outlet box or concrete ring, or some other surface mounting. The receptacle is designed to have a shallow body of molded insulatif~g material with an integral mounting flange at the rear edges of the body. Internal contact elements 'of the four outlets are located within the housing portion of the body and the front face has plug blade receiving apertures for communicating with the internal contact elements. A rear closing plate of insulating material is configured to fit within the back edge of the housing portion substantially flush with the mounting flange and provides .a substantially planar rear surface for the entire unit.
In the exemplary receptacle of the patent, the internal contacts extend forwardly from first and second conductive plates that rest within the housing. A first conductive plate is configured as a ring and is located near the periphery of the unit while the second~conductive 2 54,995 plate is configured to fit within the aperture of the first plate and can be made from the same piece of starting material as the first plate. Each plate supports a contact element for each of the four receptacles that is aligned with a plug aperture in the front face. For a grounding receptacle, a third group of internal contact elements is included that is attached to a third conduc tive plate that is located on the outside, rearward, surface of the closing plate and extends through apertures within the closing plate.
The description of receptacles of the aforemen-tioned patent is incorporated herein by reference. Such receptacles have been successful in providing compact, reliable, attractive, and easy-to-use multiple outlet receptacles, particularly in a surface mounting arrange-went.
While not limited in all respects to the same exact form of receptacle as aforementioned but taking such a multiple outlet receptacle as an example, the present invention has objectives which include further variations for mounting such receptacles and particularly in embodiments which permit the flush mounting of such a receptacle, as opposed to merely surface mounting, either with a conventional outlet box or a new portable box also included as part of the present invention.
By achieving a flush mounted arrangement for an outlet box it is possible to provide such a receptacle for general household as well as commercial use in situations where otherwise cumbersome cube taps and the like have been commonly used. One such situation would be that for a television set, video cassette recorder, and a lamp, all at a common location.
One-aspect of the present invention is a wiring device adapter plate that is for mounting an electrical wiring device such as a multiple outlet receptacle with an electrical outlet box. The wiring device is, generally, one having contact elements within a housing of molded insulating material that is otherwise separately usable 3 54,995 for mounting on a surface. The adapter plate comprises a major plate portion and a rim extending around the periphery of the major plate portion and extending forward therefrom, providing a shallow recess for accommodating and matching in lateral extent a wiring devise with which the adapter plate is to be used. The rim, for example, may just accommodate a flange of a multiple outlet receptacle as illustrated in the aforemen-tioned Wiley patent and may further have an extent from front to back substantially matching that of the edge of the flange with which it is matched.
The adapter plate also includes means for facilitating the fastening of the wiring device to the adaptor plate. This means may, for example, be a pair of fastener bosses integrally molded with the rest of the plate and diagonally disposed thereon that include fastener apertures. The adaptor plate also includes means for facilitating the fastening of the adaptor plate to an electrical outlet box or the like. The latter means includes fastener apertures variously located so as to permit mounting to one or more different types of electrical outlet boxes. For example, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the fastener apertures, provided as the means for facilitating the fastening of the adaptorl plate to and electrical outlet box, include apertures located for facilitating the fastening of the adaptor plate to a single gang outlet box while other fastener apertures are located for facilitating the fastening of the adaptor plate to a two-gang electrical outlet box of a first configuration as well as apertures for facilitating the fastening of the adaptor plate to a two-gang electrical outlet box of an alternative con-figuration.
The major plate portion of the adapter plate has an opening therein configured to allow wiring from an outlet box to extend through the adapter plate to a wiring device when used therewith. The opening for the wiring may be, in one example, a substantially rectangular 4 54,995 opening with a rearward extending guide wall that fits within and facilitates the location of the adapter plate with a single-gang outlet box.
Fastener bosses on the major plate portion of the adapter plate, whether for use in facilitating fastening of a wiring device to the adapter plate or for facilitating fastening of the adapter plate to an outlet box, are provided that extend upwardly from the major plate portion to a common height less than that of the rim of the adapter plate. Such fastener bosses axe configured to support, in use of the adapter plate, a wiring device used therewith and, particularly, in one form of the invention, to achieve a substantially flush relationship of the mounting flange of a wiring device, as described above, with the rim surface.
A further aspect of the invention relates to a wiring device portable box for use with an electrical wiring device of the type having contact elements within a housing of molded insulating material otherwise separately usable for mounting on a surface. The portable box comprises a back and sidewalls upstanding from the back arid defining a substantially rectangular box with an open front, all of molded insulating material. At-least one opening is pravided within the sidewalls for use a~ a cord passage and the portable box further includes means for facilitating the fastening of the wixing device to the portable box, such as a pair of diagonally disposed fastener bosses having fastener apertures.
The cord passages preferably include a pair of openings each having internally adjacent cord grip configurations integrally molded with the back and sidewalls of the box. Each' of the cord grip configura tions preferably comprises a partial cylindrical surface extending from the opening into the box for accommodating a cord in an orientation substantially parallel to the box back and a front edge at the inner end of the partial cylindrical surface extending upwardly therefrom.
Additionally, the box comprises for each of the cord grip 54,995 configurations, an upper clamp of separately molded insulating material that is secured thereto for retention of the cord therein against the front edge.
In one form the sidewalls of the portable box 5 are configured to support the lateral edge of the wiring device without appreciable overlap.
Alternatively, the portable box may be con-figured so that the sidewalls accommodate the wiring device and that the wiring device is supported in a manner such as on fastener bosses, all similarly to that described above with respect to the adapter plate, so that a substantially flush mounting of the wiring device within the portable box may also be achieved in those instances where the wiring device includes a mounting 15~ flange. Where the wiring device does not include a mounting flange, a recessed orientation may still be desirable and may be accomplished consistent with the general aspects of the present invention. The portable box is provided with one or more openings in the back thereof for optional use in fastening of the box to an underlying support.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention the wiring device itself, namely a multiple outlet receptacle generally in accordance with the above-mentioned wiley patent, is modified and improved by having contact elements attached to the respective conductive plates by being staked thereto; avoiding the necessity of riveting or the like as used heretofore, and also by having terminals on the back surface of the device for wiring connections that are symmetrically disposed about the center point of the back surface of the device for facilitating wiring thereto.
Additionally, a wiring device in accordance with the present invention, whether a multiple outlet recep tacle or some other device is provided which comprises an insulating housing containing contact elements and having a number of wiring terminations accessible on the exterior of the housing, each of the wiring terminations comprising 6 54,995 a screw terminal in a contact plate to which one or more of the contact ealements are joined and, proximate to the screw terminal, an aperture through the contact plate for receiving a wine conductor, t:he plate aperture being located over a compartment within the housing bounded by one or more insulating walls integrally mol.d~ed with the housing. This compartment is configured f~~r slidably receiving a length of wire conductor to facilitate installation by use of a technique of i:aserting a conductor into the aperture and compartment and then wrapping a turn of the conductor around the scr~sw terminal and tightening it. The compartment preferably has a cross-sectional dimension that is small relative to the depth of the compartment to help retain ~~n inserted conductor therein. While such a wiring ~~ermination feature (which may be referred to as a "snub-hole"
termination) is g;uite useful in relation to a multiple outlet receptacle: of the type particularly de:acribed, it is not limited thereto.
2o In yei: another aspect, the present: invention provides a wiring device adapter plate for mounting to an electrical outlet box an electrical wiring de'Tice of the type having coni:act elements within a housing of molded insulating material, said electrical wiring d~svice being otherwise separately usable for mounting on a surface, which adapter plate comprises: a major plane portion;
means for facilitating the fastening of the wiring device to the adapter plate; means for i=acilitatincf the fastening of the adapter plate to aray of a plurality of electrical outlet: box configurations including fastener apertures located for facilitating the fastening of the adapter plate to a single gang outlet box; said major plaits portion having a rim extending around and forward therefrom providing a recE~ss for accommodating said wiring device with which the adapter plate is to be used; said major plate portion also having a substantially :rectangular opening therein with a rearwardly extending guide wall that fits within, and facilitates location of the adapter plate ~0 1197 6a 54,995 with, a single: gang outlet box, said substantially rectangular opening being configured to allow wiring from the outlet box to extend through the adapter plate to a wiring device when used therewith.
In yet another aspect, the preseni: invention provides a wiring device and wiring device adapter plate combination for mounting to an electrical outlet box, comprising: a wiring device that is a receptacle having four outlets with contact elements within a housing of molded insulating material having a latera:L edge and otherwise separately usable for mounting on a :surface;
a wiring device adapter plate comprising, a major plate portion with a rim located around its periphery, means for facilitating the fastening of the wiring device to the adapter plate, means for facilitating tree fastening of the adapter plate to any of a plurality of electrical outlet box configurations; the wiring device having its lateral edge located within the rim of the adapter plate;
the wiring device comprising plug blade apex:tures in a front face of the housing comnrunicating to the contact elements for each of the outlets, the plug blade apertures being configured for receiving plug blades of four angle plugs oriented i.n four different orthogonal directions.
In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a wiring device and wiring device portable box combination comprising: an electrical wiring device that is a receptacle with four outlets with contact elements within a housing of molded insulating material otherwise separately usable for mounting on a surface:; a wiring device portable: box comprising a back and sidewalls upstanding from the back and defining a boy: of molded insulating material with an open front, at least one opening within the sidewalls for use as a. card passage, means for facilitating the fastening of the wiring device to the portable box; the wiring device and the ~~ortable box being fastened together using the means for i=acilitating the fastening; the wiring device comprising plug blade 2 0 1 1 0 9 7 ~~ 2 ~ ~~9~
6b 54,995 apertures in a front face of th.e housing communicating to the contact elements for each of the outlets, the plug blade apertures being configured for receiving plug blades of four angle plugs oriented in. four different orthogonal directions.
Each of the foregoing features contribute to enhancing the flexibility of use of wiring devices, particularly multiple outlet receptacles, so that they can be applied in a greater varies=y of mounting arrangements with reliability and attractiveness.
THE DRAWING
Figures 1 is an exploded, perspective view of a wiring device, adapter plate, and an outlet box combina-tion in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
Figures 2 and 3 are exploded, perspective views illustrating alternative mounting arrangements with various outlet boxes of an adapter plate in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Figures 4 is a sectional view of an adapter plate as shown in Fig:a. 1 to 3 taken on a central plane such as IV-IV as shown in Fig. l;
FigurE: 5 is an exploded, perspective view of a wiring device and portable box combination in accordance with an embodimE_nt of the present invention;
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to electrical wiring devices and particularly to unitary receptacles having multiple outlets and to mounting arrangements for such receptacles.
In Wiley Patent 4,583,799, April 22, 1986, there was presented a multiple outlet receptacle of which a specific embodiment disclosed has four outlets to. permit four electrical appliances to be plugged in at one receptacle location. The receptacle may be used, for example, for office lighting applications where it would normally be installed in a ceiling recess fixture, such as an outlet box or concrete ring, or some other surface mounting. The receptacle is designed to have a shallow body of molded insulatif~g material with an integral mounting flange at the rear edges of the body. Internal contact elements 'of the four outlets are located within the housing portion of the body and the front face has plug blade receiving apertures for communicating with the internal contact elements. A rear closing plate of insulating material is configured to fit within the back edge of the housing portion substantially flush with the mounting flange and provides .a substantially planar rear surface for the entire unit.
In the exemplary receptacle of the patent, the internal contacts extend forwardly from first and second conductive plates that rest within the housing. A first conductive plate is configured as a ring and is located near the periphery of the unit while the second~conductive 2 54,995 plate is configured to fit within the aperture of the first plate and can be made from the same piece of starting material as the first plate. Each plate supports a contact element for each of the four receptacles that is aligned with a plug aperture in the front face. For a grounding receptacle, a third group of internal contact elements is included that is attached to a third conduc tive plate that is located on the outside, rearward, surface of the closing plate and extends through apertures within the closing plate.
The description of receptacles of the aforemen-tioned patent is incorporated herein by reference. Such receptacles have been successful in providing compact, reliable, attractive, and easy-to-use multiple outlet receptacles, particularly in a surface mounting arrange-went.
While not limited in all respects to the same exact form of receptacle as aforementioned but taking such a multiple outlet receptacle as an example, the present invention has objectives which include further variations for mounting such receptacles and particularly in embodiments which permit the flush mounting of such a receptacle, as opposed to merely surface mounting, either with a conventional outlet box or a new portable box also included as part of the present invention.
By achieving a flush mounted arrangement for an outlet box it is possible to provide such a receptacle for general household as well as commercial use in situations where otherwise cumbersome cube taps and the like have been commonly used. One such situation would be that for a television set, video cassette recorder, and a lamp, all at a common location.
One-aspect of the present invention is a wiring device adapter plate that is for mounting an electrical wiring device such as a multiple outlet receptacle with an electrical outlet box. The wiring device is, generally, one having contact elements within a housing of molded insulating material that is otherwise separately usable 3 54,995 for mounting on a surface. The adapter plate comprises a major plate portion and a rim extending around the periphery of the major plate portion and extending forward therefrom, providing a shallow recess for accommodating and matching in lateral extent a wiring devise with which the adapter plate is to be used. The rim, for example, may just accommodate a flange of a multiple outlet receptacle as illustrated in the aforemen-tioned Wiley patent and may further have an extent from front to back substantially matching that of the edge of the flange with which it is matched.
The adapter plate also includes means for facilitating the fastening of the wiring device to the adaptor plate. This means may, for example, be a pair of fastener bosses integrally molded with the rest of the plate and diagonally disposed thereon that include fastener apertures. The adaptor plate also includes means for facilitating the fastening of the adaptor plate to an electrical outlet box or the like. The latter means includes fastener apertures variously located so as to permit mounting to one or more different types of electrical outlet boxes. For example, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the fastener apertures, provided as the means for facilitating the fastening of the adaptorl plate to and electrical outlet box, include apertures located for facilitating the fastening of the adaptor plate to a single gang outlet box while other fastener apertures are located for facilitating the fastening of the adaptor plate to a two-gang electrical outlet box of a first configuration as well as apertures for facilitating the fastening of the adaptor plate to a two-gang electrical outlet box of an alternative con-figuration.
The major plate portion of the adapter plate has an opening therein configured to allow wiring from an outlet box to extend through the adapter plate to a wiring device when used therewith. The opening for the wiring may be, in one example, a substantially rectangular 4 54,995 opening with a rearward extending guide wall that fits within and facilitates the location of the adapter plate with a single-gang outlet box.
Fastener bosses on the major plate portion of the adapter plate, whether for use in facilitating fastening of a wiring device to the adapter plate or for facilitating fastening of the adapter plate to an outlet box, are provided that extend upwardly from the major plate portion to a common height less than that of the rim of the adapter plate. Such fastener bosses axe configured to support, in use of the adapter plate, a wiring device used therewith and, particularly, in one form of the invention, to achieve a substantially flush relationship of the mounting flange of a wiring device, as described above, with the rim surface.
A further aspect of the invention relates to a wiring device portable box for use with an electrical wiring device of the type having contact elements within a housing of molded insulating material otherwise separately usable for mounting on a surface. The portable box comprises a back and sidewalls upstanding from the back arid defining a substantially rectangular box with an open front, all of molded insulating material. At-least one opening is pravided within the sidewalls for use a~ a cord passage and the portable box further includes means for facilitating the fastening of the wixing device to the portable box, such as a pair of diagonally disposed fastener bosses having fastener apertures.
The cord passages preferably include a pair of openings each having internally adjacent cord grip configurations integrally molded with the back and sidewalls of the box. Each' of the cord grip configura tions preferably comprises a partial cylindrical surface extending from the opening into the box for accommodating a cord in an orientation substantially parallel to the box back and a front edge at the inner end of the partial cylindrical surface extending upwardly therefrom.
Additionally, the box comprises for each of the cord grip 54,995 configurations, an upper clamp of separately molded insulating material that is secured thereto for retention of the cord therein against the front edge.
In one form the sidewalls of the portable box 5 are configured to support the lateral edge of the wiring device without appreciable overlap.
Alternatively, the portable box may be con-figured so that the sidewalls accommodate the wiring device and that the wiring device is supported in a manner such as on fastener bosses, all similarly to that described above with respect to the adapter plate, so that a substantially flush mounting of the wiring device within the portable box may also be achieved in those instances where the wiring device includes a mounting 15~ flange. Where the wiring device does not include a mounting flange, a recessed orientation may still be desirable and may be accomplished consistent with the general aspects of the present invention. The portable box is provided with one or more openings in the back thereof for optional use in fastening of the box to an underlying support.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention the wiring device itself, namely a multiple outlet receptacle generally in accordance with the above-mentioned wiley patent, is modified and improved by having contact elements attached to the respective conductive plates by being staked thereto; avoiding the necessity of riveting or the like as used heretofore, and also by having terminals on the back surface of the device for wiring connections that are symmetrically disposed about the center point of the back surface of the device for facilitating wiring thereto.
Additionally, a wiring device in accordance with the present invention, whether a multiple outlet recep tacle or some other device is provided which comprises an insulating housing containing contact elements and having a number of wiring terminations accessible on the exterior of the housing, each of the wiring terminations comprising 6 54,995 a screw terminal in a contact plate to which one or more of the contact ealements are joined and, proximate to the screw terminal, an aperture through the contact plate for receiving a wine conductor, t:he plate aperture being located over a compartment within the housing bounded by one or more insulating walls integrally mol.d~ed with the housing. This compartment is configured f~~r slidably receiving a length of wire conductor to facilitate installation by use of a technique of i:aserting a conductor into the aperture and compartment and then wrapping a turn of the conductor around the scr~sw terminal and tightening it. The compartment preferably has a cross-sectional dimension that is small relative to the depth of the compartment to help retain ~~n inserted conductor therein. While such a wiring ~~ermination feature (which may be referred to as a "snub-hole"
termination) is g;uite useful in relation to a multiple outlet receptacle: of the type particularly de:acribed, it is not limited thereto.
2o In yei: another aspect, the present: invention provides a wiring device adapter plate for mounting to an electrical outlet box an electrical wiring de'Tice of the type having coni:act elements within a housing of molded insulating material, said electrical wiring d~svice being otherwise separately usable for mounting on a surface, which adapter plate comprises: a major plane portion;
means for facilitating the fastening of the wiring device to the adapter plate; means for i=acilitatincf the fastening of the adapter plate to aray of a plurality of electrical outlet: box configurations including fastener apertures located for facilitating the fastening of the adapter plate to a single gang outlet box; said major plaits portion having a rim extending around and forward therefrom providing a recE~ss for accommodating said wiring device with which the adapter plate is to be used; said major plate portion also having a substantially :rectangular opening therein with a rearwardly extending guide wall that fits within, and facilitates location of the adapter plate ~0 1197 6a 54,995 with, a single: gang outlet box, said substantially rectangular opening being configured to allow wiring from the outlet box to extend through the adapter plate to a wiring device when used therewith.
In yet another aspect, the preseni: invention provides a wiring device and wiring device adapter plate combination for mounting to an electrical outlet box, comprising: a wiring device that is a receptacle having four outlets with contact elements within a housing of molded insulating material having a latera:L edge and otherwise separately usable for mounting on a :surface;
a wiring device adapter plate comprising, a major plate portion with a rim located around its periphery, means for facilitating the fastening of the wiring device to the adapter plate, means for facilitating tree fastening of the adapter plate to any of a plurality of electrical outlet box configurations; the wiring device having its lateral edge located within the rim of the adapter plate;
the wiring device comprising plug blade apex:tures in a front face of the housing comnrunicating to the contact elements for each of the outlets, the plug blade apertures being configured for receiving plug blades of four angle plugs oriented i.n four different orthogonal directions.
In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a wiring device and wiring device portable box combination comprising: an electrical wiring device that is a receptacle with four outlets with contact elements within a housing of molded insulating material otherwise separately usable for mounting on a surface:; a wiring device portable: box comprising a back and sidewalls upstanding from the back and defining a boy: of molded insulating material with an open front, at least one opening within the sidewalls for use as a. card passage, means for facilitating the fastening of the wiring device to the portable box; the wiring device and the ~~ortable box being fastened together using the means for i=acilitating the fastening; the wiring device comprising plug blade 2 0 1 1 0 9 7 ~~ 2 ~ ~~9~
6b 54,995 apertures in a front face of th.e housing communicating to the contact elements for each of the outlets, the plug blade apertures being configured for receiving plug blades of four angle plugs oriented in. four different orthogonal directions.
Each of the foregoing features contribute to enhancing the flexibility of use of wiring devices, particularly multiple outlet receptacles, so that they can be applied in a greater varies=y of mounting arrangements with reliability and attractiveness.
THE DRAWING
Figures 1 is an exploded, perspective view of a wiring device, adapter plate, and an outlet box combina-tion in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
Figures 2 and 3 are exploded, perspective views illustrating alternative mounting arrangements with various outlet boxes of an adapter plate in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Figures 4 is a sectional view of an adapter plate as shown in Fig:a. 1 to 3 taken on a central plane such as IV-IV as shown in Fig. l;
FigurE: 5 is an exploded, perspective view of a wiring device and portable box combination in accordance with an embodimE_nt of the present invention;
7 ~ y 54,995 Figure 6 is a plan view of a portable box of the type shown in the combination of Fig. 5;
Figure 7 is a rear plan view of a wiring device in accordance within an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 8A is a view of the device of Fig. 7 with the back cover plate and ground contact plate of the device removed so as to view the inner contact plates;
Figure 8B is a side elevation view of part of the contact structure of Fig. 8A; and, Figure 9 is an exploded, perspective view of partial elements of a wiring device illustrating wiring terminations in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF TFIE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to Fig. 1, a wiring device 10 is shown which is of the type having contact elements within a housing of molded insulating material. In this embodiment the wiring device 10 is a multiple outlet receptacle generally in accordance with the above~mentioned Wiley patent and further illustrated in Figs. 7 through 9 herein which will be subsequently described. Figure 1 shows the wiring device 10 in combination with a wiring device adapter plate 30 which is for mounting with an electrical outlet box of various types. :A combination with one type of electrical outlet box 50, a conventional single gang outlet box for a duplex receptacle, is illustrated in Fig.
1.
,In this embodiment the wiring device 10 a shallow depth width, has a front face.l2 in which the plug apertures 14 for all of the outlets appear. The front face 12 has an overall configuration that is substantially rectangular with rounded corners. Additionally, the wiring device 10 illustrated has extending from its contact housing 10a a mounting flange lOb integrally molded with the housing. The mounting flange 10b also has a substantially rectangular configuration with rounded corners. Other configurations for the wiring device 10, with or without a mounting flange, are suitable for use in 1 t 8 54,995 the practice of the invention involving the use of a wiring device adapter plate 30 as shown. The wiring device 10 is one mountable by itself in certain configura-tions on a surface, such as by use of fasteners through apertures 16 in the illustrated flange 10b, now made more flexible and multifunctional by use of the adapter plate 30.
The adapter plate 30 has means fox facilitating attachment of the wiring device l0 thereto which, in this embodiment, comprises fastener bosses 36 diagonally disposed therein extending from a major plate portion 32.
The fastener bosses 36 have apertures 36a receptive of fasteners 16a that extend through; the similarly oriented apertures 16 of the wiring device 10.
The adapter plats 30 as mentioned comprises a major plate portion 32 from~which the fastener bosses 36 for mounting the wiring device 10 extend. The adapter plate 30 also has a rim 34 extending around its periphery and extending forward therefrom and providing a recess for accommodating and substantially matching in lateral extent a wiring device used with the adapter plate.
In this embodiment the rim 34 of the adapter plate 30 is intended to fit around the edge of the fairing device such as around the edge of the mounting flange lob of the depzcted device 10. In alternative embodiments it is suitable to have an adapter plate to which a wiring device is mounted on a surface, such as the rim surface, without being nested therein. In any of its configura-tions, the adapter plate 30 allows an ultimate combina-tion in which the adapter plate holds the wiring device and there is a multiplicity of alternative means for fastening the adapter plate t~ a variety of outlet boxes ' or the like as will be further described.
In this embodiment the adapter plate has a central aperture 38 of generally rectangular configuration which, as shown in Fig. 4, also has a rearwardly extending guide wall 40. The central aperture 38 is for permitting wires 52 'from an outlet box 50 to extend through the r 9 ~.~:~°~.~ 54, 995 adapter plate 30 to be joined with the wiring device: 20 on its rear surface. The configuration of the aperture 38 and the presence of the rearward guide wall 40 are not critical but the configuration as shown helps generally locate the adapter plate 30 in combination with a single-gang outlet box 50 wherein the guide wall enters within the box edge 54. Also the guide wall 4o helps by providing smooth surfaces across which the conductors pass.
The adapter plate 30 of. Fig. 1 has five different means for facilitating the attachment of the plate to an outlet box. Such means, in this example, comgrise fastener apertures of certain locations, in pairs. A first pair of fastener apertures 42 are centrally located in the major plate portion 32 and match the configuration of the single-gang outlet box 50 for mounting a single duplex receptacle as shown in Fig. 1;
screws 42a pass through apertures 42 into the correspond-ing apertures of the outlet box.
The adapter plate 30 also includes a pair of apertures 44 within the major plate portion 32 diagonally disposed for facilitating the mounting of the plate a two-gang outlet box 51 as is illustrated in Fig. 2. Alterna-tively, an additional pair of fastener apertures 46 on the other diagonal as compared to the pair 44 are also useful for mounting to such a two-gang device; any or all four of apertures 44 and 46 may be used.
In the illustrated adapter plate 30 fastener bosses 47 in the upper left and lower right corners are provided in a configuration that allows two alternative pairs of fastener openings 48 and 49. A pair 48 inward from the rim 34 are oriented for use with a four-inch conventional outlet box. This particular form of outlet box is not illustrated in the drawing. Such an outlet box is also one to which tY~e wiring device 10, can be directly mounted using its fastener apertures 16. Thus one sees that the adapter plate 30 not only allows mounting to different forms of outlet boxes than the wiring device 54,995 itself may be mounted but also allows mounting to some of the same forms of outlet box configurations but with a different result in appearance, namely the achievement of a flush mounting as opposed to surface mounting.
5 The portion plate 32 also has a pair of apertures 49 that extend partially within the rim 34 of the device and are used as shown in Fig. 3 for the type of outlet box known in the trade as the 4-11/16 inches square outlet box 52, which has more common usage in Canada than 10 in the United States. (The four inch box referred to in the preceding paragraph is similar to the box 70 but with somewhat different overall size and fastener location).
The fastener bosses are all disposed with their front surfaces in 36 and 47 a common plane so that when I the wiring device 10 is inserted within the recess afforded by 'the rim 34, those bosses support the device, in this case the flange 10b of the device, with the upper or front face of the.flange substantially flush with the face of the rim.
It is further noted that the fastener bosses 47 include recesses about the apertures 48 and 49 such that the fasteners used to mount the plate to an outlet box are recessed away from the plane referred to on which the flange of the wiring device rests.
The adapter plate 30 may be configured with a plurality of different means for facilitating mounting of a wiring device so as to accommodate different wiring devices. That is, if wiring devices became available with fastener apertures disposed in a somewhat different pattern than those of the illustrative embodiment, an adapter plate may be readily configured to permit mounting thereto.
Tt will be incidentally noted that the illustrated wiring device 10 has optional fastener openings 18 in locations that match those of a two~gang outlet box or an octagon ring.
Figure 5 illustrates a combination of a portable box 80 and a wiring device 10 in accordance with an 11 ~ °~ ~ ~ 54, 995 embodiment of the present invention.
The portable box 80 herein is one specifically canfigured for use with an electrical wiring device l0 of the type illustrated having contact elements within a housing of molded insulating material and otherwise separately useful for mounting on a surface. The portable box 80 is configured for stand-alone use, i.e., not for mounting within a wall as is an outlet box. The portable box 80 (also see Fig. 6) has a back 82 and sidewalls 84 upstanding from the back and defining a~ box of molded insulating material with an open front. There is at least one opening 86 within the sidewalls 84 for use as a cord passage. In this embodiment there are two openings 86 in diagonally opposite. corners of the portable box 80 for feed-through applications. The portable box 80 also has means for facilitating the fastening of the wiring device to the box. In this instance that means comprises fastener apertures 88 provided at opposing diagonal corners of the. portable box 80 to mate with the fastener openings of the illustrative wiring device 10.
When only a single opening 86 is provided in the sidewalk 84 for use as a cord passage, the box 80 suffices to permit connection of the wiring device 10 to conductors without feedthrough. In the illustrative embodiment of Fig. 5, the two openings 86 allows wiring to the device with feedthrough.
The illustrative box 80 itself is further illustrated in Fig. 6. Each of the pair of openings 86 has an internally adjacent cord grip configuration 90 integrally molded with the back 82 and sidewalls 84. Each of the cord grip configurations 90 comprises a partial cylindrical surface 91 extending from the opening 86 into the box for accommodating a cord in an orientation substantially parallel to the box back. In this embodi-ment that surface has a rib 92 extending transversely across. There is also a front edge 93 at the inner end of the partial cylindrical surface 91 extending upwardly therefrom. Tn addition the box 8U comprises for each of 12 ~~.~~~ 54,995 the cord grip configurations 90 an upper clamp 94 (Fig. 5) of separately molded insulating material that is secured thereto for retention of a cord 95 therein against the front edge 93. The clamp 94 is engaged to the core grip 90 by fasteners 96. The upper clamp 94 fits within the front lip or edge 93. When a cord 95 is in place and the fasteners 96 are tightened, the clamp 94 bears down on the cord and holds it securely between the clamp and the front lip. The front of the clamp 94 and the front edge 93 may each have a partial arcuate portion that accommodates the cord 95. .
In the embodiment shown the molding of the insulating material for box 80, such as a thermoplastic material, is facilitated by avoiding thick sections of material, hence the occurrence of the empty compartments 97 and apertures 98 or partial apertures that are merely intended to allow uniform and. quick curing.
The portable box 80 may be configured with fastener apertures 99~in the back wall 82 for optional use in securing the box to another surface. When that is done, of course, the box 80 ceases to be portable, although it again becomes so if unfastened.
In the embodiment illustrated the device 10 sits on the edge of sidewalk 84 without overlap beyond the sidewalls. This is a preferred arrangement. It is also possible for the device 10 to extend within the sidewalls 84 in the manner of the rim 32 0~ the adapter plate 30, if desired. The configurations of the box 80 and device 10 may be other than the generally rectangular shapes shown, such as a more circular configuration or perhaps even an approximately triangular configuration.
The portable box 80 is readily distinguished in its characteristics from a conventional electrical outlet box used for wall installation. It is shallow to a marked extent having a lateral extent, such as diagonally across the illustrated embodiment, that is several times (e. g. at least about five times) greater than its depth.
It serves as an electrically insulated shroud for the r~~~~~r 13 54,995 wiring joined to the wiring device 10 with which the box 80 is combined and allows portability in the use of that device while preserving safety and good appearance.
In the illustrated embodiment, the box 80 is so a shallow that the cord opening 86 encompasses a substantial part, more than half, of the sidewall 84 in which it occurs. The portable box 80 shown is not intended for or configured for receiving within it common wiring devices such as a conventional wall switch or duplex receptacle.
It is uniquely configured for use in association with wiring devices such as that illustrated that are otherwise surface-mountable, that is, by mounting in configurations not involving location within a conventional outlet box.
In particular, the portable box 80 is most suitable for use with a shallow multi-outlet wiring device 10 as illu-strated and one in which the edge of the wiring device, in this case the edge of the mounting flange 10b, closely matches the front of the portable box sidewalls 84.
Certain aspects of the wiring device 10 per se have been modified and improved in relation to that of the above-mentioned Wiley patent. These will now be described.
Figure 7 shows a back view of the wiring device 10. In common with the previously patented device, a back insulating cover 19 fits within an openinr~ of the main housing portion 10a and, when assembled, provides a substantially flush surface. Likewise in common with the previously patented device, a ground plate 20 is located on the exterior of the back cover 19, assisted by certain locator channels 19a of raised insulating material.
Fasteners 21 extend through the grounding plate 20 and the back cover 19 into the interior of the device 10 which has fastener bosses (not shown) receptive of such fasteners.
The grounding plate 20 has a grounding screw 22 for a ground wire connection.
Additionally, the back cover 19 has openings 19b accessing terminal screws 23 for connection to the internal contacts. Access is also provided to break-off 14 54,995 tabs 24 are provided to allow the device to be used as two separate pairs of receptacles on separate circuits.
In contrast to the previously patented embodi ment, the wiring terminal screws 23 are all located symmetrically about the center paint of the back surface of the device 10 to simplify wiring connections. In addition, the terminal screws 23 associated with wiring terminations are of a novel and very efficient design involving a snub hole configuration which will be further 1o described in detail subsequently in connection with Figs.
8A and 9. In Fig. 7 it is seen that adjacent each of the terminal screws 23 is an aperture through the contact plate to which the terminal screw is joined.
In Fig. 8A certain features are shown that are common with the embodiment depicted in the aforementioned patent. The internal power contacts of the device arc attached to contact plates that include a central plate 60 with a contact 61 for each of the four outlets, and a peripheral surrounding plate 62 with an additional .20 contact 63 for each of the four outlets, the peripheral plate having the optional breakaway tabs 24. Each of the contacts 61 and 63 extends frontwardly from the plates 60 and 62 as shown in Fig. 8A, hence they are seen only by their staked joints to the plates in this view.
The contact plates 60 and 62 are coplanar as in the patented embodiment and they rest on insulating support walls 64 that occur in the molded housing 10a of which a limited part is apparent in this view. Further, a portion of an insulating housing wall 65 extends between the coplanar plates 60 and 62 and with it compartments 66 are illustrated through which the ground contacts attached to the ground plate 20, which has been removed in this figure, are accommodated.
Among the differences from the embodiment of the former patent are that here the contact elements 61 and 63 are each attached to their respective contact plates by staking. In the embodiment of the patent conventional riveted contacts were used. In the present embodiment the 15 . : .~,~..1,~.'~~~,~ 54, 995 staked contacts 61 and 63 are each an integral unit comprising, as shown in Fig. 8B, a pair of facing spring elements 61a and 61b through, which a plug blade passes, and also a third transverse spring element 61c. This configuration ensures tight reception and retention of the plug blades. By "staking" is meant the technique utilizing a tab on one piece that is inserted through an aperture of a second piece and then struck to deform the tab so it grips the underside of the second piece. Here each spring element 61a and 61b has a tab 72 that extends through hole 73 in the plate 62. Tab 72 has been struck ~peened or swaged) to be deformed 'to the resulting configuration where portions 72a and 72b grip the plate 62.
Furthermore in the view of Fig. 8A are shown snub holes 67, through plates 60 and 62, adjacent to each of the terminal screws 23. Now with reference to Fig. 9 there will described the snub hale wiring termination technique as is used for each of the wiring terminations of the device 10. Illustrated in Fig. 9 is part of the back cover 19 thereof and part of one of the contact plates such as the inner contact plate 60 which rests on insulating support walls 64 within the housing 10a as illustrated.
The screw terminal 23 itself extends through threads 68 in the contact plate 60 into a compartment 69 in the base 10a which is merely intended to accommodate, and avoid interference with, the screw. The contact plate snub hale 67 is aligned with a housing snub hole 70 which, in this example has an entrance portion 70a of a first diameter and an inner portion 70b that has a smaller diameter but is sufficient to accommodate wires to be used with the wiring device, such as numbers 14 or 16 stranded or solid, or number 12, solid.
The snub hole and mounting base configurations in association with the screw terminal 23 in the flat contact plate 63 is advantageous in allowing quick wiring by merely going through a simple procedure. The method is 16 ~~~~ ~~~ 54,995 to first insert the end of a wire conductor 71 into the snub hole 67 and then 70 as far as it will go, wrapping the wire about the screw terminal 23 in a partial turn, as shown, and tightening the screw. The use of the snub hole 70 means that the wire remains reasonably secure while the wrapping of the partial turn about the screw terminal is performed and, of course, the tightening of the screw completes the connection. Tf desired for any purpose, more than a partial turn of wire about the screw may be performed.
The snub hole wiring technique as employed in the mufti-outlet device depicted can be applied generally to wiring devices and is not limited to the specific embodiment or any embodiment as described herein. It is particularly suitable where a terminal screw is located in a flat contact plate supported on insulating walls of a housing.
It is therefore seen that a wiring device, such as a multiple outlet receptacle, can be made of improved design and with a variety of mounting configurations provided by the adapter plate and portable box described.
Other modifications may be made in accordance with the general description herein.
Figure 7 is a rear plan view of a wiring device in accordance within an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 8A is a view of the device of Fig. 7 with the back cover plate and ground contact plate of the device removed so as to view the inner contact plates;
Figure 8B is a side elevation view of part of the contact structure of Fig. 8A; and, Figure 9 is an exploded, perspective view of partial elements of a wiring device illustrating wiring terminations in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF TFIE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to Fig. 1, a wiring device 10 is shown which is of the type having contact elements within a housing of molded insulating material. In this embodiment the wiring device 10 is a multiple outlet receptacle generally in accordance with the above~mentioned Wiley patent and further illustrated in Figs. 7 through 9 herein which will be subsequently described. Figure 1 shows the wiring device 10 in combination with a wiring device adapter plate 30 which is for mounting with an electrical outlet box of various types. :A combination with one type of electrical outlet box 50, a conventional single gang outlet box for a duplex receptacle, is illustrated in Fig.
1.
,In this embodiment the wiring device 10 a shallow depth width, has a front face.l2 in which the plug apertures 14 for all of the outlets appear. The front face 12 has an overall configuration that is substantially rectangular with rounded corners. Additionally, the wiring device 10 illustrated has extending from its contact housing 10a a mounting flange lOb integrally molded with the housing. The mounting flange 10b also has a substantially rectangular configuration with rounded corners. Other configurations for the wiring device 10, with or without a mounting flange, are suitable for use in 1 t 8 54,995 the practice of the invention involving the use of a wiring device adapter plate 30 as shown. The wiring device 10 is one mountable by itself in certain configura-tions on a surface, such as by use of fasteners through apertures 16 in the illustrated flange 10b, now made more flexible and multifunctional by use of the adapter plate 30.
The adapter plate 30 has means fox facilitating attachment of the wiring device l0 thereto which, in this embodiment, comprises fastener bosses 36 diagonally disposed therein extending from a major plate portion 32.
The fastener bosses 36 have apertures 36a receptive of fasteners 16a that extend through; the similarly oriented apertures 16 of the wiring device 10.
The adapter plats 30 as mentioned comprises a major plate portion 32 from~which the fastener bosses 36 for mounting the wiring device 10 extend. The adapter plate 30 also has a rim 34 extending around its periphery and extending forward therefrom and providing a recess for accommodating and substantially matching in lateral extent a wiring device used with the adapter plate.
In this embodiment the rim 34 of the adapter plate 30 is intended to fit around the edge of the fairing device such as around the edge of the mounting flange lob of the depzcted device 10. In alternative embodiments it is suitable to have an adapter plate to which a wiring device is mounted on a surface, such as the rim surface, without being nested therein. In any of its configura-tions, the adapter plate 30 allows an ultimate combina-tion in which the adapter plate holds the wiring device and there is a multiplicity of alternative means for fastening the adapter plate t~ a variety of outlet boxes ' or the like as will be further described.
In this embodiment the adapter plate has a central aperture 38 of generally rectangular configuration which, as shown in Fig. 4, also has a rearwardly extending guide wall 40. The central aperture 38 is for permitting wires 52 'from an outlet box 50 to extend through the r 9 ~.~:~°~.~ 54, 995 adapter plate 30 to be joined with the wiring device: 20 on its rear surface. The configuration of the aperture 38 and the presence of the rearward guide wall 40 are not critical but the configuration as shown helps generally locate the adapter plate 30 in combination with a single-gang outlet box 50 wherein the guide wall enters within the box edge 54. Also the guide wall 4o helps by providing smooth surfaces across which the conductors pass.
The adapter plate 30 of. Fig. 1 has five different means for facilitating the attachment of the plate to an outlet box. Such means, in this example, comgrise fastener apertures of certain locations, in pairs. A first pair of fastener apertures 42 are centrally located in the major plate portion 32 and match the configuration of the single-gang outlet box 50 for mounting a single duplex receptacle as shown in Fig. 1;
screws 42a pass through apertures 42 into the correspond-ing apertures of the outlet box.
The adapter plate 30 also includes a pair of apertures 44 within the major plate portion 32 diagonally disposed for facilitating the mounting of the plate a two-gang outlet box 51 as is illustrated in Fig. 2. Alterna-tively, an additional pair of fastener apertures 46 on the other diagonal as compared to the pair 44 are also useful for mounting to such a two-gang device; any or all four of apertures 44 and 46 may be used.
In the illustrated adapter plate 30 fastener bosses 47 in the upper left and lower right corners are provided in a configuration that allows two alternative pairs of fastener openings 48 and 49. A pair 48 inward from the rim 34 are oriented for use with a four-inch conventional outlet box. This particular form of outlet box is not illustrated in the drawing. Such an outlet box is also one to which tY~e wiring device 10, can be directly mounted using its fastener apertures 16. Thus one sees that the adapter plate 30 not only allows mounting to different forms of outlet boxes than the wiring device 54,995 itself may be mounted but also allows mounting to some of the same forms of outlet box configurations but with a different result in appearance, namely the achievement of a flush mounting as opposed to surface mounting.
5 The portion plate 32 also has a pair of apertures 49 that extend partially within the rim 34 of the device and are used as shown in Fig. 3 for the type of outlet box known in the trade as the 4-11/16 inches square outlet box 52, which has more common usage in Canada than 10 in the United States. (The four inch box referred to in the preceding paragraph is similar to the box 70 but with somewhat different overall size and fastener location).
The fastener bosses are all disposed with their front surfaces in 36 and 47 a common plane so that when I the wiring device 10 is inserted within the recess afforded by 'the rim 34, those bosses support the device, in this case the flange 10b of the device, with the upper or front face of the.flange substantially flush with the face of the rim.
It is further noted that the fastener bosses 47 include recesses about the apertures 48 and 49 such that the fasteners used to mount the plate to an outlet box are recessed away from the plane referred to on which the flange of the wiring device rests.
The adapter plate 30 may be configured with a plurality of different means for facilitating mounting of a wiring device so as to accommodate different wiring devices. That is, if wiring devices became available with fastener apertures disposed in a somewhat different pattern than those of the illustrative embodiment, an adapter plate may be readily configured to permit mounting thereto.
Tt will be incidentally noted that the illustrated wiring device 10 has optional fastener openings 18 in locations that match those of a two~gang outlet box or an octagon ring.
Figure 5 illustrates a combination of a portable box 80 and a wiring device 10 in accordance with an 11 ~ °~ ~ ~ 54, 995 embodiment of the present invention.
The portable box 80 herein is one specifically canfigured for use with an electrical wiring device l0 of the type illustrated having contact elements within a housing of molded insulating material and otherwise separately useful for mounting on a surface. The portable box 80 is configured for stand-alone use, i.e., not for mounting within a wall as is an outlet box. The portable box 80 (also see Fig. 6) has a back 82 and sidewalls 84 upstanding from the back and defining a~ box of molded insulating material with an open front. There is at least one opening 86 within the sidewalls 84 for use as a cord passage. In this embodiment there are two openings 86 in diagonally opposite. corners of the portable box 80 for feed-through applications. The portable box 80 also has means for facilitating the fastening of the wiring device to the box. In this instance that means comprises fastener apertures 88 provided at opposing diagonal corners of the. portable box 80 to mate with the fastener openings of the illustrative wiring device 10.
When only a single opening 86 is provided in the sidewalk 84 for use as a cord passage, the box 80 suffices to permit connection of the wiring device 10 to conductors without feedthrough. In the illustrative embodiment of Fig. 5, the two openings 86 allows wiring to the device with feedthrough.
The illustrative box 80 itself is further illustrated in Fig. 6. Each of the pair of openings 86 has an internally adjacent cord grip configuration 90 integrally molded with the back 82 and sidewalls 84. Each of the cord grip configurations 90 comprises a partial cylindrical surface 91 extending from the opening 86 into the box for accommodating a cord in an orientation substantially parallel to the box back. In this embodi-ment that surface has a rib 92 extending transversely across. There is also a front edge 93 at the inner end of the partial cylindrical surface 91 extending upwardly therefrom. Tn addition the box 8U comprises for each of 12 ~~.~~~ 54,995 the cord grip configurations 90 an upper clamp 94 (Fig. 5) of separately molded insulating material that is secured thereto for retention of a cord 95 therein against the front edge 93. The clamp 94 is engaged to the core grip 90 by fasteners 96. The upper clamp 94 fits within the front lip or edge 93. When a cord 95 is in place and the fasteners 96 are tightened, the clamp 94 bears down on the cord and holds it securely between the clamp and the front lip. The front of the clamp 94 and the front edge 93 may each have a partial arcuate portion that accommodates the cord 95. .
In the embodiment shown the molding of the insulating material for box 80, such as a thermoplastic material, is facilitated by avoiding thick sections of material, hence the occurrence of the empty compartments 97 and apertures 98 or partial apertures that are merely intended to allow uniform and. quick curing.
The portable box 80 may be configured with fastener apertures 99~in the back wall 82 for optional use in securing the box to another surface. When that is done, of course, the box 80 ceases to be portable, although it again becomes so if unfastened.
In the embodiment illustrated the device 10 sits on the edge of sidewalk 84 without overlap beyond the sidewalls. This is a preferred arrangement. It is also possible for the device 10 to extend within the sidewalls 84 in the manner of the rim 32 0~ the adapter plate 30, if desired. The configurations of the box 80 and device 10 may be other than the generally rectangular shapes shown, such as a more circular configuration or perhaps even an approximately triangular configuration.
The portable box 80 is readily distinguished in its characteristics from a conventional electrical outlet box used for wall installation. It is shallow to a marked extent having a lateral extent, such as diagonally across the illustrated embodiment, that is several times (e. g. at least about five times) greater than its depth.
It serves as an electrically insulated shroud for the r~~~~~r 13 54,995 wiring joined to the wiring device 10 with which the box 80 is combined and allows portability in the use of that device while preserving safety and good appearance.
In the illustrated embodiment, the box 80 is so a shallow that the cord opening 86 encompasses a substantial part, more than half, of the sidewall 84 in which it occurs. The portable box 80 shown is not intended for or configured for receiving within it common wiring devices such as a conventional wall switch or duplex receptacle.
It is uniquely configured for use in association with wiring devices such as that illustrated that are otherwise surface-mountable, that is, by mounting in configurations not involving location within a conventional outlet box.
In particular, the portable box 80 is most suitable for use with a shallow multi-outlet wiring device 10 as illu-strated and one in which the edge of the wiring device, in this case the edge of the mounting flange 10b, closely matches the front of the portable box sidewalls 84.
Certain aspects of the wiring device 10 per se have been modified and improved in relation to that of the above-mentioned Wiley patent. These will now be described.
Figure 7 shows a back view of the wiring device 10. In common with the previously patented device, a back insulating cover 19 fits within an openinr~ of the main housing portion 10a and, when assembled, provides a substantially flush surface. Likewise in common with the previously patented device, a ground plate 20 is located on the exterior of the back cover 19, assisted by certain locator channels 19a of raised insulating material.
Fasteners 21 extend through the grounding plate 20 and the back cover 19 into the interior of the device 10 which has fastener bosses (not shown) receptive of such fasteners.
The grounding plate 20 has a grounding screw 22 for a ground wire connection.
Additionally, the back cover 19 has openings 19b accessing terminal screws 23 for connection to the internal contacts. Access is also provided to break-off 14 54,995 tabs 24 are provided to allow the device to be used as two separate pairs of receptacles on separate circuits.
In contrast to the previously patented embodi ment, the wiring terminal screws 23 are all located symmetrically about the center paint of the back surface of the device 10 to simplify wiring connections. In addition, the terminal screws 23 associated with wiring terminations are of a novel and very efficient design involving a snub hole configuration which will be further 1o described in detail subsequently in connection with Figs.
8A and 9. In Fig. 7 it is seen that adjacent each of the terminal screws 23 is an aperture through the contact plate to which the terminal screw is joined.
In Fig. 8A certain features are shown that are common with the embodiment depicted in the aforementioned patent. The internal power contacts of the device arc attached to contact plates that include a central plate 60 with a contact 61 for each of the four outlets, and a peripheral surrounding plate 62 with an additional .20 contact 63 for each of the four outlets, the peripheral plate having the optional breakaway tabs 24. Each of the contacts 61 and 63 extends frontwardly from the plates 60 and 62 as shown in Fig. 8A, hence they are seen only by their staked joints to the plates in this view.
The contact plates 60 and 62 are coplanar as in the patented embodiment and they rest on insulating support walls 64 that occur in the molded housing 10a of which a limited part is apparent in this view. Further, a portion of an insulating housing wall 65 extends between the coplanar plates 60 and 62 and with it compartments 66 are illustrated through which the ground contacts attached to the ground plate 20, which has been removed in this figure, are accommodated.
Among the differences from the embodiment of the former patent are that here the contact elements 61 and 63 are each attached to their respective contact plates by staking. In the embodiment of the patent conventional riveted contacts were used. In the present embodiment the 15 . : .~,~..1,~.'~~~,~ 54, 995 staked contacts 61 and 63 are each an integral unit comprising, as shown in Fig. 8B, a pair of facing spring elements 61a and 61b through, which a plug blade passes, and also a third transverse spring element 61c. This configuration ensures tight reception and retention of the plug blades. By "staking" is meant the technique utilizing a tab on one piece that is inserted through an aperture of a second piece and then struck to deform the tab so it grips the underside of the second piece. Here each spring element 61a and 61b has a tab 72 that extends through hole 73 in the plate 62. Tab 72 has been struck ~peened or swaged) to be deformed 'to the resulting configuration where portions 72a and 72b grip the plate 62.
Furthermore in the view of Fig. 8A are shown snub holes 67, through plates 60 and 62, adjacent to each of the terminal screws 23. Now with reference to Fig. 9 there will described the snub hale wiring termination technique as is used for each of the wiring terminations of the device 10. Illustrated in Fig. 9 is part of the back cover 19 thereof and part of one of the contact plates such as the inner contact plate 60 which rests on insulating support walls 64 within the housing 10a as illustrated.
The screw terminal 23 itself extends through threads 68 in the contact plate 60 into a compartment 69 in the base 10a which is merely intended to accommodate, and avoid interference with, the screw. The contact plate snub hale 67 is aligned with a housing snub hole 70 which, in this example has an entrance portion 70a of a first diameter and an inner portion 70b that has a smaller diameter but is sufficient to accommodate wires to be used with the wiring device, such as numbers 14 or 16 stranded or solid, or number 12, solid.
The snub hole and mounting base configurations in association with the screw terminal 23 in the flat contact plate 63 is advantageous in allowing quick wiring by merely going through a simple procedure. The method is 16 ~~~~ ~~~ 54,995 to first insert the end of a wire conductor 71 into the snub hole 67 and then 70 as far as it will go, wrapping the wire about the screw terminal 23 in a partial turn, as shown, and tightening the screw. The use of the snub hole 70 means that the wire remains reasonably secure while the wrapping of the partial turn about the screw terminal is performed and, of course, the tightening of the screw completes the connection. Tf desired for any purpose, more than a partial turn of wire about the screw may be performed.
The snub hole wiring technique as employed in the mufti-outlet device depicted can be applied generally to wiring devices and is not limited to the specific embodiment or any embodiment as described herein. It is particularly suitable where a terminal screw is located in a flat contact plate supported on insulating walls of a housing.
It is therefore seen that a wiring device, such as a multiple outlet receptacle, can be made of improved design and with a variety of mounting configurations provided by the adapter plate and portable box described.
Other modifications may be made in accordance with the general description herein.
Claims (30)
1. A wiring device adapter plate for mounting to an electrical outlet box an electrical wiring device of the type having contact elements within a housing of molded insulating material, said electrical wiring device being otherwise separately usable for mounting on a surface, which adapter plate comprises:
a major plate portion;
means for facilitating the fastening of the wiring device to the adapter plate;
means for facilitating the fastening of the adapter plate to any of a plurality of electrical outlet box configurations including fastener apertures located for facilitating the fastening of the adapter plate to a single gang outlet box;
said major plate portion having a rim extending around and forward therefrom providing a recess for accommodating said wiring device with which the adapter plate is to be used;
said major plate portion also having a substantially rectangular opening therein with a rearwardly extending guide wall that fits within, and facilitates location of the adapter plate with, a single gang outlet box, said substantially rectangular opening being configured to allow wiring from the outlet box to extend through the adapter plate to a wiring device when used therewith.
a major plate portion;
means for facilitating the fastening of the wiring device to the adapter plate;
means for facilitating the fastening of the adapter plate to any of a plurality of electrical outlet box configurations including fastener apertures located for facilitating the fastening of the adapter plate to a single gang outlet box;
said major plate portion having a rim extending around and forward therefrom providing a recess for accommodating said wiring device with which the adapter plate is to be used;
said major plate portion also having a substantially rectangular opening therein with a rearwardly extending guide wall that fits within, and facilitates location of the adapter plate with, a single gang outlet box, said substantially rectangular opening being configured to allow wiring from the outlet box to extend through the adapter plate to a wiring device when used therewith.
2. A wiring device adapter plate for mounting to an electrical outlet box an electrical wiring device of the type having contact elements within a housing of molded insulating material, said electrical wiring device being otherwise separately usable for mounting on a surface, which adapter plate comprises:
a major plate portion;
means for facilitating the fastening of the wiring device to the adapter plate;
means for facilitating the fastening of the adapter plate to any of a plurality of electrical outlet box configurations;
said major plate portion having a plurality of fastener bosses extending upwardly therefrom to a common height less than that of a rim extending around and forward from said major plate portion, said fastener bosses configured to support, in use of the adapte plate, a wiring device used therewith;
said fastener bosses including a first pair of diagonally oriented bosses serving as said means for facilitating the fastening of the wiring device to the adapter plate;
said fastener bosses also including a second pair of bosses diagonally oriented oppositely to said, first pair and serving as, at least part of, said means for facilitating the fastening of the adapter plate to a 2-gang electrical outlet box.
a major plate portion;
means for facilitating the fastening of the wiring device to the adapter plate;
means for facilitating the fastening of the adapter plate to any of a plurality of electrical outlet box configurations;
said major plate portion having a plurality of fastener bosses extending upwardly therefrom to a common height less than that of a rim extending around and forward from said major plate portion, said fastener bosses configured to support, in use of the adapte plate, a wiring device used therewith;
said fastener bosses including a first pair of diagonally oriented bosses serving as said means for facilitating the fastening of the wiring device to the adapter plate;
said fastener bosses also including a second pair of bosses diagonally oriented oppositely to said, first pair and serving as, at least part of, said means for facilitating the fastening of the adapter plate to a 2-gang electrical outlet box.
3. A wiring device adapter plate in accordance with claim 2 wherein:
said major plate portion has a substantially rectangular opening therein with a rearwardly extending guide wall that fits within, and facilitates location of the adapter plaice with, a single gang outlet box, said substantially rectangular opening being configured to allow wiring to extend through the adapter plate to a wiring device when used therewith;
said major plate portion further having fastener openings for fasteners to join the adapter plate to a single gang outlet box.
said major plate portion has a substantially rectangular opening therein with a rearwardly extending guide wall that fits within, and facilitates location of the adapter plaice with, a single gang outlet box, said substantially rectangular opening being configured to allow wiring to extend through the adapter plate to a wiring device when used therewith;
said major plate portion further having fastener openings for fasteners to join the adapter plate to a single gang outlet box.
4. A wiring device adapter plate in accordance with claim 3 wherein:
said major plate portion has additional fastener openings for fasteners to join the adapter plate to a 2-gang outlet box.
said major plate portion has additional fastener openings for fasteners to join the adapter plate to a 2-gang outlet box.
5. A wiring device and wiring device adapter plate combination for mounting with an electrical outlet box, comprising:
an electrical wiring device having contact elements within a housing of molded insulating material having a lateral edge and otherwise separately usable for mounting on a surface in combination with a wiring device adapter plate in accordance with claim 1, with said lateral edge of said wiring device located within said rim of said adapter plate.
an electrical wiring device having contact elements within a housing of molded insulating material having a lateral edge and otherwise separately usable for mounting on a surface in combination with a wiring device adapter plate in accordance with claim 1, with said lateral edge of said wiring device located within said rim of said adapter plate.
6. wiring device and wiring device adapter plate combination for mounting with an electrical outlet box, comprising:
an electrical wiring. device having contact elements within a housing of molded insulating material having a lateral edge and otherwise separately usable for mounting on a surface in combination with a wiring device adapter plate in accordance with claim 2, with said lateral edge of said wiring device located within said rim of said adapter plate.
an electrical wiring. device having contact elements within a housing of molded insulating material having a lateral edge and otherwise separately usable for mounting on a surface in combination with a wiring device adapter plate in accordance with claim 2, with said lateral edge of said wiring device located within said rim of said adapter plate.
7. A wiring device and wiring device adapter plate combination for mounting with an electrical outlet box, comprising:
an electrical wiring device having contact elements within a housing of molded insulating material having a lateral edge and otherwise separately usable for mounting on a surface in combination with a wiring device adapter plate in accordance with claim 3, with said lateral edge of said wiring device located within said rim of said adapter plate.
an electrical wiring device having contact elements within a housing of molded insulating material having a lateral edge and otherwise separately usable for mounting on a surface in combination with a wiring device adapter plate in accordance with claim 3, with said lateral edge of said wiring device located within said rim of said adapter plate.
8. A wiring device and wiring device adapter plate combination for mounting with an electrical outlet box, comprising:
an electrical wiring device having contact elements within a housing of molded insulating material having a lateral edge and otherwise separately usable for mounting on a surface in combination with a wiring device adapter plate in accordance with claim 4, with said lateral edge of said wiring device located within said rim of said adapter plate.
an electrical wiring device having contact elements within a housing of molded insulating material having a lateral edge and otherwise separately usable for mounting on a surface in combination with a wiring device adapter plate in accordance with claim 4, with said lateral edge of said wiring device located within said rim of said adapter plate.
9. A wiring device and wiring device adapter plate combination in accordance with claim 6 wherein:
said lateral edge of said wiring device housing includes an integrally molded mounting flange of less thickness than a portion of the housing with the contact elements therein and said mounting flange rests against said fastener bosses and extends frontward therefrom so as to be substantially flush with said rim of said adapter plate.
said lateral edge of said wiring device housing includes an integrally molded mounting flange of less thickness than a portion of the housing with the contact elements therein and said mounting flange rests against said fastener bosses and extends frontward therefrom so as to be substantially flush with said rim of said adapter plate.
10. A wiring device and wiring device adapter plate combination in accordance with claim 6 wherein:
said wiring device is a multiple outlet receptacle.
said wiring device is a multiple outlet receptacle.
11. A wiring device and wiring device adapter plate combination in accordance with claim 10 wherein:
said wiring device has four outlets comprising plug blade apertures in a front face of said housing communicating to said contact elements for each of said outlets, said plug blade apertures being configured for receiving plug blades of four angle plugs oriented in four different orthogonal directions.
said wiring device has four outlets comprising plug blade apertures in a front face of said housing communicating to said contact elements for each of said outlets, said plug blade apertures being configured for receiving plug blades of four angle plugs oriented in four different orthogonal directions.
12. A wiring device and wiring device adapter plate combination in accordance with claim 5 wherein:
said wiring device has rear surface terminals located substantially symmetrically in relation to the center of a rear surface of said wiring device and said adapter plate rectangular opening is centrally located in said adapter plate so as to simplify wiring thereto.
said wiring device has rear surface terminals located substantially symmetrically in relation to the center of a rear surface of said wiring device and said adapter plate rectangular opening is centrally located in said adapter plate so as to simplify wiring thereto.
13. A wiring device and wiring device adapter plate combination in accordance with claim 10 wherein:
said contacts of said multiple outlet receptacle include a first group of contact elements attached to a first conductive plate configured as an apertured ring and a second group of contact elements attached to a second conductive plate that is disposed within said aperture of said first conductive plate, said conductive plates being oriented generally parallel to said major plate portion of said adapter plate.
said contacts of said multiple outlet receptacle include a first group of contact elements attached to a first conductive plate configured as an apertured ring and a second group of contact elements attached to a second conductive plate that is disposed within said aperture of said first conductive plate, said conductive plates being oriented generally parallel to said major plate portion of said adapter plate.
14. A wiring device and wiring device adapter plate combination in accordance with claim 13 wherein:
said first and second groups of contact elements are attached to said first and second conductive plates, respectively, by being staked to said plates.
said first and second groups of contact elements are attached to said first and second conductive plates, respectively, by being staked to said plates.
15. A wiring device and wiring device adapter plate combination in accordance with claim 13 wherein:
each of said first and second conductive plates is supported within said housing on integrally molded insulating support walls and has, at at least one location thereon, a wiring termination comprising a screw terminal and, proximate to said screw terminal, an aperture through said plate for receiving a wire conductor, said plate aperture being located over a compartment bounded by one or more of said insulating support walls, said compartment being configured for slidably receiving a length of the wire conductor to facilitate installation by use of a technique of inserting a conductor into said aperture and compartment and then wrapping a turn of the conductor around said screw terminal and tightening it.
each of said first and second conductive plates is supported within said housing on integrally molded insulating support walls and has, at at least one location thereon, a wiring termination comprising a screw terminal and, proximate to said screw terminal, an aperture through said plate for receiving a wire conductor, said plate aperture being located over a compartment bounded by one or more of said insulating support walls, said compartment being configured for slidably receiving a length of the wire conductor to facilitate installation by use of a technique of inserting a conductor into said aperture and compartment and then wrapping a turn of the conductor around said screw terminal and tightening it.
16. A wiring device and wiring device portable box combination comprising:
an electrical wiring device having contact elements within a housing of molded insulating material otherwise separately usable for mounting on a surface;
a wiring device portable box having a back and sidewalls upstanding from said back and defining a box of molded insulating material with an open front;
at least one opening within said sidewalls for use as a cord passage having a respective internally adjacent cord grip configuration integrally molded within said back and said sidewalls;
said cord grip configuration comprising a partial cylindrical surface extending from said opening into said box for accommodating a cord in an orientation substantially parallel to said box back and a front edge at the inner end of said partial cylindrical surface extending upwardly therefrom;
said cord grip configuration also comprising an upper clamp of separately molded insulating material that is secured thereto for retention of a cord therein against said front edge;
means for fastening the wiring device to the portable box comprising a pain of oppositely disposed fastener bosses to which the wiring device is fastened;
said at least one opening for use as a cord passage comprising a pair of openings oppositely disposed in diagonally opposite corners of said box and said fastener bosses being located in the other diagonally opposite corners of said box, said back having an additional one or more openings for optional use in fastening of the box to an underlying support.
an electrical wiring device having contact elements within a housing of molded insulating material otherwise separately usable for mounting on a surface;
a wiring device portable box having a back and sidewalls upstanding from said back and defining a box of molded insulating material with an open front;
at least one opening within said sidewalls for use as a cord passage having a respective internally adjacent cord grip configuration integrally molded within said back and said sidewalls;
said cord grip configuration comprising a partial cylindrical surface extending from said opening into said box for accommodating a cord in an orientation substantially parallel to said box back and a front edge at the inner end of said partial cylindrical surface extending upwardly therefrom;
said cord grip configuration also comprising an upper clamp of separately molded insulating material that is secured thereto for retention of a cord therein against said front edge;
means for fastening the wiring device to the portable box comprising a pain of oppositely disposed fastener bosses to which the wiring device is fastened;
said at least one opening for use as a cord passage comprising a pair of openings oppositely disposed in diagonally opposite corners of said box and said fastener bosses being located in the other diagonally opposite corners of said box, said back having an additional one or more openings for optional use in fastening of the box to an underlying support.
17. A wiring device and wiring device portable box combination comprising:
an electrical wiring device having contact elements within a housing of molded insulating material otherwise separately usable for mounting on a surface;
a wiring device portable box having a back and sidewalls upstanding from said back and defining a box of molded insulating material with an open front;
at least one opening within said sidewalls for use as a cord passage having a respective internally adjacent cord grip configuration integrally molded with said back and said sidewalls;
said cord grip configuration comprising a partial cylindrical surface extending from said opening into said box for accommodating a cord in an orientation substantially parallel to said box back and a front edge at the inner end of said partial cylindrical surface extending upwardly therefrom;
said cord grip configuration further comprising an upper clamp of separately molded insulating material that is secured thereto for retention of a cord therein against said front edge;
means for fastening the wiring device to the portable box comprising a pair of oppositely disposed fastener bosses to which the wiring device is fastened, said sidewalls supporting a mayor extent of a total peripheral edge of the wiring device, without appreciable overlap;
said wiring device having four outlets comprising plug blade apertures in a front face of said housing communicating to said contact elements for each of said outlets, said plug blade apertures being configured for receiving plug blades of four angle plugs oriented in four different orthogonal directions.
an electrical wiring device having contact elements within a housing of molded insulating material otherwise separately usable for mounting on a surface;
a wiring device portable box having a back and sidewalls upstanding from said back and defining a box of molded insulating material with an open front;
at least one opening within said sidewalls for use as a cord passage having a respective internally adjacent cord grip configuration integrally molded with said back and said sidewalls;
said cord grip configuration comprising a partial cylindrical surface extending from said opening into said box for accommodating a cord in an orientation substantially parallel to said box back and a front edge at the inner end of said partial cylindrical surface extending upwardly therefrom;
said cord grip configuration further comprising an upper clamp of separately molded insulating material that is secured thereto for retention of a cord therein against said front edge;
means for fastening the wiring device to the portable box comprising a pair of oppositely disposed fastener bosses to which the wiring device is fastened, said sidewalls supporting a mayor extent of a total peripheral edge of the wiring device, without appreciable overlap;
said wiring device having four outlets comprising plug blade apertures in a front face of said housing communicating to said contact elements for each of said outlets, said plug blade apertures being configured for receiving plug blades of four angle plugs oriented in four different orthogonal directions.
18. A wiring device and wiring device portable box combination in accordance with claim 16 wherein:
said contacts of said wiring device include a first group of contact elements attached to a first conductive plate configured as an apertured ring and a second group of contact elements attached to a second conductive plate that is disposed within said aperture of said first conductive plate, said conductive plates being oriented generally parallel to said box back.
said contacts of said wiring device include a first group of contact elements attached to a first conductive plate configured as an apertured ring and a second group of contact elements attached to a second conductive plate that is disposed within said aperture of said first conductive plate, said conductive plates being oriented generally parallel to said box back.
19. A wiring device and wiring device portable box combination in accordance with claim 18 wherein:
said first and second groups of contact elements are attached to said first and second conductive plates, respectively, by being staked to said plates.
said first and second groups of contact elements are attached to said first and second conductive plates, respectively, by being staked to said plates.
20. A wiring device and wiring device portable box combination in accordance with claim 18 wherein:
each of said first and second conductive plates is supported within said housing on integrally molded insulating support walls and has, at at least one location thereon, a wiring termination comprising a screw terminal and, proximate to said screw terminal, an aperture through said plate for receiving a wire conductor, said plate aperture being located over a compartment bounded by one or more of said insulating support walls, said compartment being configured for slidably receiving a length of the wire conductor to facilitate installation by use of a technique of inserting a conductor into said aperture and compartment and then wrapping a turn of the conductor around said screw terminal and tightening it.
each of said first and second conductive plates is supported within said housing on integrally molded insulating support walls and has, at at least one location thereon, a wiring termination comprising a screw terminal and, proximate to said screw terminal, an aperture through said plate for receiving a wire conductor, said plate aperture being located over a compartment bounded by one or more of said insulating support walls, said compartment being configured for slidably receiving a length of the wire conductor to facilitate installation by use of a technique of inserting a conductor into said aperture and compartment and then wrapping a turn of the conductor around said screw terminal and tightening it.
21. A wiring device and wiring device adapter plate combination for mounting to an electrical outlet box, comprising:
a wiring device that is a receptacle having four outlets with contact elements within a housing of molded insulating material having a lateral edge and otherwise separately usable for mounting on a surface;
a wiring device adapter plate comprising, a major plate portion with a rim located around its periphery, means for facilitating the fastening of the wiring device to the adapter plate, means for facilitating the fastening of the adapter plate to any of a plurality of electrical outlet box configurations;
the wiring device having its lateral edge located within the rim of the adapter plate;
the wiring device comprising plug blade apertures in a front face of the housing communicating to the contact elements for each of the outlets, the plug blade apertures being configured for receiving plug blades of four angle plugs oriented in four different orthogonal directions.
a wiring device that is a receptacle having four outlets with contact elements within a housing of molded insulating material having a lateral edge and otherwise separately usable for mounting on a surface;
a wiring device adapter plate comprising, a major plate portion with a rim located around its periphery, means for facilitating the fastening of the wiring device to the adapter plate, means for facilitating the fastening of the adapter plate to any of a plurality of electrical outlet box configurations;
the wiring device having its lateral edge located within the rim of the adapter plate;
the wiring device comprising plug blade apertures in a front face of the housing communicating to the contact elements for each of the outlets, the plug blade apertures being configured for receiving plug blades of four angle plugs oriented in four different orthogonal directions.
22. A wiring device and wiring device adapter plate combination in accordance with claim 21 wherein:
the wiring device has rear surface terminals located substantially symmetrically in relation to the center of a rear surface of the wiring device and the adapter plate has a rectangular opening centrally located in the major plate portion so as to simplify wiring to the terminals.
the wiring device has rear surface terminals located substantially symmetrically in relation to the center of a rear surface of the wiring device and the adapter plate has a rectangular opening centrally located in the major plate portion so as to simplify wiring to the terminals.
23. A wiring device and wiring device adapter plate combination in accordance with claim 21 wherein:
the contacts of the receptacle include a first group of contact elements attached to a first conductive plate configured as an apertured ring and a second group of contact elements attached to a second conductive plate that is disposed within said aperture of said first conductive plate, the conductive plates being oriented, generally parallel to the major plate portion of the adapter plate.
the contacts of the receptacle include a first group of contact elements attached to a first conductive plate configured as an apertured ring and a second group of contact elements attached to a second conductive plate that is disposed within said aperture of said first conductive plate, the conductive plates being oriented, generally parallel to the major plate portion of the adapter plate.
24. A wiring device and wiring device adapter plate combination in accordance with claim 23 wherein:
the first and second groups of contact elements are attached to the first and second conductive plates, respectively, by being staked to the plates.
the first and second groups of contact elements are attached to the first and second conductive plates, respectively, by being staked to the plates.
25. A wiring device and wiring device adapter plate combination in accordance with claim 23 wherein:
each of the first and second conductive plates is supported within the housing on integrally molded insulating support walls and has, at at least one location thereon, a wiring termination comprising a screw terminal and, proximate to the screw terminal, an aperture through the plate for receiving a wire conductor, the plate aperture being located over a compartment bounded by one or more of the insulating support walls, the compartment being configured for slidably receiving a length of the wire conductor to facilitate installation by use of a technique of inserting a conductor into the aperture and compartment and then wrapping a turn of the conductor around the screw terminal and tightening it.
each of the first and second conductive plates is supported within the housing on integrally molded insulating support walls and has, at at least one location thereon, a wiring termination comprising a screw terminal and, proximate to the screw terminal, an aperture through the plate for receiving a wire conductor, the plate aperture being located over a compartment bounded by one or more of the insulating support walls, the compartment being configured for slidably receiving a length of the wire conductor to facilitate installation by use of a technique of inserting a conductor into the aperture and compartment and then wrapping a turn of the conductor around the screw terminal and tightening it.
26. A wiring device and wiring device portable box combination comprising:
an electrical wiring device that is a receptacle with four outlets with contact elements within a housing of molded insulating material otherwise separately usable for mounting on a surface;
a wiring device portable box comprising a back and sidewalls upstanding from the back and defining a box of molded insulating material with an open front, at least one opening within the sidewalls for use as a cord passage, means for facilitating the fastening of the wiring device to the portable box;
the wiring device and the portable box being fastened together using the means for facilitating the fastening;
the wiring device comprising plug blade apertures in a front face of the housing communicating to the contact elements for each of the outlets, the plug blade apertures being configured for receiving plug blades of four angle plugs oriented i:n four different orthogonal directions.
an electrical wiring device that is a receptacle with four outlets with contact elements within a housing of molded insulating material otherwise separately usable for mounting on a surface;
a wiring device portable box comprising a back and sidewalls upstanding from the back and defining a box of molded insulating material with an open front, at least one opening within the sidewalls for use as a cord passage, means for facilitating the fastening of the wiring device to the portable box;
the wiring device and the portable box being fastened together using the means for facilitating the fastening;
the wiring device comprising plug blade apertures in a front face of the housing communicating to the contact elements for each of the outlets, the plug blade apertures being configured for receiving plug blades of four angle plugs oriented i:n four different orthogonal directions.
27. A wiring device and wiring device portable box combination in accordance with claim 26 wherein:
the wiring device has rear surface terminals located substantially symmetrically in relation to the center of a rear surface of said wiring device.
the wiring device has rear surface terminals located substantially symmetrically in relation to the center of a rear surface of said wiring device.
28. A wiring device and wiring device portable box combination in accordance with claim 26 wherein:
the contacts of the wiring device include a first group of contact elements attached to a first conductive plate configured as an apertured ring and a second group of contact elements attached to a second conductive plate that is disposed within the aperture of the first conductive plate, the conductive plates being oriented, generally parallel to the box back.
the contacts of the wiring device include a first group of contact elements attached to a first conductive plate configured as an apertured ring and a second group of contact elements attached to a second conductive plate that is disposed within the aperture of the first conductive plate, the conductive plates being oriented, generally parallel to the box back.
29. A wiring device and wiring device portable box combination in accordance with claim 28 wherein:
the first and second groups of contact elements are attached to the first and second conductive plates, respectively, by being staked to the plates.
the first and second groups of contact elements are attached to the first and second conductive plates, respectively, by being staked to the plates.
30. A wiring device and wiring device portable box combination in accordance with claim 28 wherein:
each of the first and second conductive plates is supported within the housing on integrally molded insulating support walls and has, at at least one location thereon, a wiring termination comprising a screw terminal and, proximate to the screw terminal, an aperture through the plate for receiving a wire conductor, the plate aperture being located over a compartment bounded by one or more of the insulating support walls, the compartment being configured for slidably receiving a length of the wire conductor to facilitate installation by use of a technique of inserting a conductor into the aperture and compartment and then wrapping a turn of the conductor around the screw terminal and tightening it.
each of the first and second conductive plates is supported within the housing on integrally molded insulating support walls and has, at at least one location thereon, a wiring termination comprising a screw terminal and, proximate to the screw terminal, an aperture through the plate for receiving a wire conductor, the plate aperture being located over a compartment bounded by one or more of the insulating support walls, the compartment being configured for slidably receiving a length of the wire conductor to facilitate installation by use of a technique of inserting a conductor into the aperture and compartment and then wrapping a turn of the conductor around the screw terminal and tightening it.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US07/340,198 US4978318A (en) | 1989-04-19 | 1989-04-19 | Multiple outlet receptacle and mountings therefor |
| US340,198 | 1989-04-19 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2011897A1 CA2011897A1 (en) | 1990-10-19 |
| CA2011897C true CA2011897C (en) | 2000-08-22 |
Family
ID=23332306
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002011897A Expired - Lifetime CA2011897C (en) | 1989-04-19 | 1990-03-09 | Multiple outlet receptacle and mountings therefor |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4978318A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2011897C (en) |
Families Citing this family (44)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5124876A (en) * | 1990-03-22 | 1992-06-23 | Hubbell Incorporated | Multiple outlet receptacle with surge suppression |
| US5102355A (en) * | 1990-12-24 | 1992-04-07 | Hubbell Incorporated | Multiple outlet locking receptacle |
| US5109316A (en) * | 1991-01-04 | 1992-04-28 | Hubbell Incorporated | Multiple outlet receptacle with circuit breaker and continuity switch mechanisms |
| US5460542A (en) * | 1991-12-23 | 1995-10-24 | Raceway Components, Inc. | Multiple-outlet receptacle |
| ES2106995T3 (en) * | 1993-04-15 | 1997-11-16 | Material De Instalacion Eunea | SPACED MULTIDIMENSIONABLE MODULAR FRAME FRAME FOR SUPPORTS OR SUPPORTS OF ELECTRICAL DEVICES. |
| GB9403607D0 (en) * | 1994-02-25 | 1994-04-13 | Mk Electric Ltd | An electrical accesory mounting |
| US5777263A (en) * | 1997-04-18 | 1998-07-07 | Hubbell Incorporated | Ground plate adapters |
| US6114623A (en) * | 1998-10-16 | 2000-09-05 | Hubbell Incorporated | Poke-through floor fitting |
| US6039607A (en) * | 1998-12-15 | 2000-03-21 | Top Power Supply Cord Set Co, Limited | Electric plug |
| US6126462A (en) * | 1999-04-26 | 2000-10-03 | Lam; Siu Ling | Universal adapter |
| US6696640B1 (en) | 1999-08-23 | 2004-02-24 | Walker Systems, Inc. | Quad receptacle, dual circuit flush poke-through wiring fitting with internally mountable communication/data jacks |
| US7367121B1 (en) * | 2000-01-05 | 2008-05-06 | Protectconnect | Electrical wiring method |
| US6353180B1 (en) | 2000-01-11 | 2002-03-05 | Hubbell Incorporated | Bus bars for poke-through floor fitting |
| US6551130B2 (en) | 2001-02-09 | 2003-04-22 | Hubbell Incorporated | 4×8 fire rated poke through fitting |
| US20060191697A1 (en) * | 2001-09-06 | 2006-08-31 | Herman Cardenas | Structured wiring box |
| US7027310B2 (en) * | 2002-05-14 | 2006-04-11 | Woodward Governor Company | Electronic monitor mounting configuration |
| USRE43156E1 (en) | 2002-06-06 | 2012-02-07 | Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Receptacle with shaped surface |
| US6923663B2 (en) * | 2002-09-17 | 2005-08-02 | Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Triplex receptacle |
| US8011937B2 (en) * | 2002-09-17 | 2011-09-06 | Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Unitary member with multiple outlets having surge protection circuitry |
| US7183503B2 (en) * | 2003-12-23 | 2007-02-27 | Wiremold Company | Recessed in-floor fitting |
| US7166798B2 (en) * | 2003-12-23 | 2007-01-23 | Wiremold, Co. | Spring-activated in-floor fitting |
| US20050170690A1 (en) * | 2004-02-02 | 2005-08-04 | Cole Michael T. | Signal connection device poke-thru assembly |
| US7278878B2 (en) * | 2004-03-29 | 2007-10-09 | Mechanical Answers Llc | Method and apparatus for A.C. outlet having grounds-out receptacles |
| ES2214159B1 (en) * | 2004-04-15 | 2005-03-16 | Fabricacion De Material Electrico, S.A. | IMPROVEMENTS IN THE BOXES FOR ELECTRICAL SCREENING. |
| US7347724B2 (en) * | 2004-12-16 | 2008-03-25 | Theodore P Crupi | Electrical multiple receptacle outlet |
| ES2257227B1 (en) * | 2006-03-13 | 2007-03-16 | Fabricacion De Material Electrico S.A. | ELECTRICAL SCREEN BOX AND PARTS ASSEMBLY FOR INSTALLATION. |
| US20080011503A1 (en) * | 2006-07-13 | 2008-01-17 | Thomas & Betts International, Inc. | Universal recessed while-in-use box and cover |
| GB2440184A (en) * | 2006-07-18 | 2008-01-23 | Kevin Carroll | Electrical accessory box comprising stop member |
| US8063317B2 (en) * | 2006-08-29 | 2011-11-22 | Wiremold, Co. | Recessed poke-through fitting |
| US7635110B2 (en) | 2006-08-29 | 2009-12-22 | Wiremold, Co. | Retention and mounting bracket for recessed electrical outlet box |
| US8242365B2 (en) * | 2006-08-29 | 2012-08-14 | The Wiremold Company | Cover for recessed electrical outlet box |
| DE102007004905A1 (en) * | 2007-01-25 | 2008-08-07 | Siemens Ag | Attachment of an electrical device to a receiving plate, in particular to a control panel, and adapters for such attachment |
| US8445779B1 (en) | 2008-01-09 | 2013-05-21 | Arlington Industries, Inc. | Two gang electrical box for rapid mounting using hole saw |
| US20100099287A1 (en) * | 2008-10-02 | 2010-04-22 | Colburn Eric R | Bidirectional socket |
| US7824196B1 (en) * | 2009-07-17 | 2010-11-02 | Hubbell Incorporated | Multiple outlet electrical receptacle |
| US8497424B2 (en) | 2010-05-25 | 2013-07-30 | Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Universal box system |
| US8937247B1 (en) * | 2011-06-15 | 2015-01-20 | Hubbell Incorporated | Mounting plate for mounting an electrical device to an electrical device box |
| US8439692B1 (en) * | 2011-11-01 | 2013-05-14 | Hubbell Incorporated | Bus bar arrangements for multiple outlet electrical receptacles |
| US10249996B2 (en) * | 2017-01-04 | 2019-04-02 | Richard Jon Hassey | Television commercial silencer electrical wall outlet receptacle tap |
| ES1188884Y (en) * | 2017-05-25 | 2017-10-20 | Fabricacion De Mat Electrico S A | ELECTRICAL SCREEN BOX |
| USD901388S1 (en) * | 2018-08-14 | 2020-11-10 | Parabit Systems, Inc. | Charging station |
| USD944726S1 (en) | 2019-12-07 | 2022-03-01 | Parabit Systems, Inc. | Charging station |
| USD1018447S1 (en) | 2022-01-12 | 2024-03-19 | Parabit Systems, Inc | Charging stanchion |
| USD1017535S1 (en) | 2022-03-10 | 2024-03-12 | Parabit Systems, Inc | Charging stanchion |
Family Cites Families (11)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB673907A (en) * | 1948-09-17 | 1952-06-11 | British Thomson Houston Co Ltd | Improvements in and relating to electric contact terminals |
| US4082915A (en) * | 1976-12-21 | 1978-04-04 | Harry Silver | Electrical junction box |
| US4443654A (en) * | 1981-10-19 | 1984-04-17 | Butler Manufacturing Company | Flush floor fitting |
| US4632491A (en) * | 1983-04-15 | 1986-12-30 | Harvey Hubbell Incorporated | Wire retaining assembly |
| US4591656A (en) * | 1983-05-31 | 1986-05-27 | Butler Manufacturing Company | Activation kits for pre-sets |
| US4583799A (en) * | 1983-10-17 | 1986-04-22 | Westinghouse Electric Corp. | Multiple outlet receptacle |
| US4812130A (en) * | 1985-06-27 | 1989-03-14 | Rca Licensing Corp. | Printed circuit board with mounted terminal |
| GB8612588D0 (en) * | 1986-05-23 | 1986-07-02 | Kinloch Electronics Ltd | Cable clamp |
| US4837406A (en) * | 1987-05-29 | 1989-06-06 | Emmons David J | Face plate and electrical component assembly |
| US4842155A (en) * | 1987-06-01 | 1989-06-27 | Begin Jr John R | Mounting apparatus for electrical devices |
| US4818822A (en) * | 1987-11-04 | 1989-04-04 | Yahraus Norman J | Junction box |
-
1989
- 1989-04-19 US US07/340,198 patent/US4978318A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1990
- 1990-03-09 CA CA002011897A patent/CA2011897C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2011897A1 (en) | 1990-10-19 |
| US4978318A (en) | 1990-12-18 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CA2011897C (en) | Multiple outlet receptacle and mountings therefor | |
| US5135411A (en) | Multiple outlet receptacle and mountings therefor | |
| US6945815B1 (en) | Quick connect electrical outlet | |
| CA1215153A (en) | Multiple outlet receptacle | |
| CA1055555A (en) | Terminal housing for an electrical resistance heater | |
| US4828513A (en) | Electrical housing assembly for removable placement on a table top | |
| US5723817A (en) | Snap-on wallplate system | |
| US6923663B2 (en) | Triplex receptacle | |
| US5788517A (en) | Cordless extension system | |
| CA2168299C (en) | Quadriplex receptacle | |
| EP1260006A2 (en) | Quick connecting universal electrical box and wiring-system | |
| US20030183409A1 (en) | Worksurface power module system with interchangeable covers | |
| CA2051870C (en) | Multiple outlet receptacle with circuit breaker and continuity switch mechanisms | |
| US5003127A (en) | Interfloor power/communication connection apparatus | |
| US5836777A (en) | Electrical outlet device for connection with various types of plugs | |
| CA2312645C (en) | Non-metallic outlet box having a ground strap with plural ground screw | |
| US4470656A (en) | Connector assembly for undercarpet communication cable and power cable | |
| US5556297A (en) | Snap-on extension wire socket with electrical conductor insulation piercer | |
| JP2001515651A (en) | Telecommunication connectors with improved performance | |
| CA2029260C (en) | Flush mounted receptacle and plug with pin and sleeve type contacts | |
| US4545631A (en) | Offset electrical outlet | |
| US7230182B1 (en) | Wall plate for a locking receptacle | |
| US3967873A (en) | Wire terminal electrical contact | |
| US4502744A (en) | Switching cable assembly | |
| US7029332B2 (en) | Flat plug structure |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |