US1660290A - Electrical receptacle and attachment - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 21, 1928.

Filed July 14. 1920 2 SheQts-Sheet 1 Iller. n.

Feb. 21, 1928,

' R. B, BENJAMIN lEH'JEGTRICL RECEPTIM'LE4 ND ATTACHMENT Filed July 14. 1920 2 sheets-sheet 2 Z n verz/bor:

Patented Feb. 2l, 1928..

UNITED STATES PATENT caricia.

REUBEN B. BENJAMIN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO BENJAMIN ELECTRIC lll/lf.ANU'FAGTIJ'RI1\T(3|Y COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION 0F ILLINOIS.

nLEornIeAn nnonrfraonn AND ATTACHMENT.

Application filed July' 14, 1920. Serial No. 396,198..

My invention relates to electrical devices and more specifically to a wall receptaclev or the like, and an attachable fixture for connection therewith.

One of' the objects of my invention is to provide such a construction which will be durable and eiicient in use, compact in conf struction and cheap to manufacture.

Further objects will appear from the detailed description to follow and from the appended claims. y

In the drawings in which an embodiment of my invention is shown Fig. 1 is a face view of a wall receptacle;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the wall receptacle and a fitting secured thereto;

Fig. 3 is an end view of the connecting end of the fitting shown in Fig. 2

Fig. 4 is a Vertical sectional view showing the connection between the fitting and recep` tacle;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section 5 5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. t3 is a face view of the receptacle base and the parts supported thereby;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view showing the switch mechanism;

Fig. 8 is a face View of the receptacle with the fixture removed and a cover substituted; and

Fig. Si is a perspective view of' the cover shown in Fig. 8.

'i'he construction shown in the drawings comprises in a general way ay duplex receptacle 10 mounted in :t metal outlet box 11, and un electrical fixture or fitting 12 which can be detachably secured with respect to the receptacle 10. 'The duplex receptacle 10 1s shown as having a receptacle portion 13-for cooperation with a connecting device of. the push-in type. und a receptacle portion 1.4 of the lldisou type.

'lhe Edison receptacle is of the safety type, that is, both the shell and center contacts 15 and 16 respectively. are normally dead, and are not electrically connected with the fced circuit until the connecter device is screwed in. This is accomplished by providing the center Contact 1G with a quick-break switch mechanism 1T, which is inoved to on" position to connect the center contact 16 with the l'ccdcircuit when the connector is screwed in, and making the threaded Chell contact 15 tiltable so that it may be brought on the line intol and yout of contact with respect to the live contact member 18. l Before describing in further detail th constructionof the Edison receptacle, I willl describe the construction of the fixture 12 and the cooperating receptacle portion 13. In order to electrlcally connect the fixture 12 with'the receptacle 13, the fixture is provided with a 'pair of push-in contact blades 19, which `can be pushed into engagement with a. pair of spring contact finger devices 20 secured to the receptacle portion 13. In order to mechanically connect the' fixture 12 with the receptacle portion 13, thev fixture 12 is provided with a pair of hook members 21 (see Fig. 4) which hook into a pair of openings 22 in the supporting plate: 23, which is secured to the outlet box 11 by means of screws 24. As shown in Fig. 4 the shank: of the hooks 21 substantially fill the holes 22 when the fixture is swung down into position,I and as the upwardly-extending hook portion 21 extends behind the supporting plate 23 the fixture 12 cannoty be disconnected from the' receptacle portion 13 by means of a downward or sidewise force exerted on the fixture.

As shown in Fig. 4, the hooks 21 are provided with shoulder portionsfor engagement with the inner and outer. `faces respectively of the supporting plate 23, to prevent in and out movement of the hooks after they are connected. The upper shoulder of the hook engages the inner face of the plate and the lower shoulder of the hook engages f the outer face of the plate.

In order to prevent the fixture from being disconnected by an upward force exerted on the fixture, the yoke-shaped latching mem ber 25 is provided (see Figs. 3 and 4) whichA latching member is slidably mounted on the fixture 12., and has a pair of latching fingers 26 which swing into a pair. of openings 27 in the supporting plate 423 when the fixture 12 is swungdown about the hooks 21 as a pivot. After the latching fingers `26 have swung into openings 27 the latching member 25 may be pulled u by means of a thumbscrew 28, which pul s the latching fingers 26 up to the position shown in Fig. 4,' in which the upper edge of the opening 27 is engaged in a notch in the' latching finger 26.

The hook members 21 may be formed as integral parts of a sheet metal stamping, this stamping comprising also a cup-shaped por-A tion 29 which is secured to the stem or conduit 30 of the fixture by means of a bushing Y 32 to which the contact blades 19 of the fixture and the corresponding `wiring terminals 33 are secured. rlhe blades 19 may be formed as part of an integral stamping, which integral stamping also comprises the binding plate of the binding terminal 33. These stampings forming the binding plates and contact blades are secured to the insulating base by means of hollow rivet members 34 embedded in the insulating base 32 (Fig.

For housing the base of the xture, a suitable ornamental canopy or cup-shaped` housing member 35 is provided, which is slipped on over the stem or conduit and embraces the bushing 31 and the cup-shaped stamping 29 and the parts supported thereby.

The head of the screw 28, previously referred to, bears on this canopy and is threaded into the cross-bar of the yokeshaped latehing member 25 so that screwing in on the screw 28 will draw the latching member 25 upwardly, to cause the latching member 26 to engage the supporting plate 23.

To connect the fixture 12 with the wall receptacle, the outer end of the fixture is tilted up, and the hook members 21 are inserted inthe holes'22, and the fixture is then swung down about the hooks 21 as a pivot to cause the latching members 26 to enter the lower openings`27. The screw 28 is then screwed into the latching member 25 to cause the latch fingers'26'to be drawn upwardly, so that the supporting plate 23 will engage within the notches of these latching fingers.

As the fixture 12 is swungdown, the projecting contact blades 19 will swing into and enter the openings 36 in the receptacle portion 13 and will engage the spring contact devices 19. This swinging into engagement of the contact blades 19 is 'feasible because the contact blades are not extremely long and because the lower edges of the openings 36 are elongated somewhat to permit the blades to pass in their swinging movement.

1t will be seen that the fixture `12 may thus -be firmly supported with respect to the receptacle portion 13, and that the connect-t` ing parts will be completely. enclosed and housed in the ornamental canopy or hous ing 35.

For guiding the latching member 25 in `its sliding movement, the arm 37 is provided with elongated slots 38, which engages lugs 39, formed integral 'with the cup-shaped stamping member 29.

Referring now more in detail to the construction of the safety Edison receptacle, the

switch mechanism shown herein comprises 4a pivoted switch arm 40, oscillatable back and forth, a coil compression `spring 41 acting on the oscillatable arm 40, a, swinging -with respect to a pair of spring contact fingers 45, one of which contact fingers is electrically connected with the wiring terminal 46 (Fig. 6) by means of the conducting strip 47, and the other of whichis electrically connected with the center contact 16, which acts on the plungerV 48, to actuate the lswitch mechanism 17. The electrical connection between the spring contact lingers and the center contact 16'is effected by'means of the conducting strip 49, and the screw 50, which is threaded into the` nut 51 to hold the center contact in place.

For normally holding the threaded shell contact 15 out of engagement with the live contact 18, a U'shaped wire spring 52 is pro vided, the arms of which straddle the threaded shell contact and bear ony the flange portion 53 thereof, to hold this fiange portion 53 away from the live contact 18. lVhen, however, the insertible device is screwed into the threaded shell contact 15, and engages the center contact 16, the first ellect is to pull the upper 4edge of the threaded shell contact outward, to bring the flange 53 into engagement with the live contact 18. This movement. of the threaded shell contact takes place before the` movement of the center contact, because of the relative stiffness 'of the springs 43 and' 52. The spring 43 is so stiff that the center contact will not yield until the threaded shell contact 15 has been pulled `outzmd brought to Aa stop against the live contact 18. Thereupon a further screwing in of the plug will push the center contact 16 inward and this will act on the plunger 48 to cause the switch mechanism 17 to move to on position to connect the center contact 16 electrically with the wiring terminal 46 thus completing the circuit. y

As shown in Fig. 6, the live Contact 18 is always electrically connected with the wiring terminal 54. Also asshown in Fig. 6 the spring Contact devices 20 are electrically connected withy the wiring terminals 46 and '54 respectively.

In. order to provide a finished appearance to the wall receptacle when the fixture 12 is removed. a detachable sheet metal cover 55V to hold the ornamental plate 55 in its proper position :1s-shown in Fig. 8. e

y n Having thus described my invention, what .engaging means on said receptacle and plugin device,v 'forsupporting said plug-in device with its conduit in horizontal positlon, said interengaging means comprising a hook fixed1y` secured to said plug-in device, and latching means comprising a yoke-shaped member slidably mounted on said plug-in device, and having a pair of latching fingers on the yoke arms.

2. The combination'with a receptacle ,having its face lying in a substantially vertical plane, of a plug-in device comprisinga plugin portion and a conductor conduit extending from said plug-in portion, and means 'on said receptacle and said plug-in device for supporting said plug-indevice with its conductor conduit in horizontal position, said imeans comprising a. cup-shaped housing, a Ihook securedtto said cup-shaped houslng and guide iingers also secured to said cup-shaped housing, and latching means comprising a member slidably mountedon said guide fingers, and having a latch finger for engaging said receptacle, saidplugin device comprisirg an insulatingbase located in said cupshaped housing and contactV members supported by said insulating base.

43.. The combinationwith a receptacle having a vertical face, and an apertured supporting plate adjacent saidface, of a combination electrical connector and fixture supporting device. and a fitting supported there- Aby, said combination device being provided with means through the 'apertures in said-plate to hookl including hooks insertable behind-,said plate whereby it can be connected with respect to'said receptacle i by means of a downward swinging motion about said hook Yconnection and means for preventing `wardlv. I

4. Thefcombination with a receptacle having a vertical face, and an apertured sunporting' plate adjacent said face, of a combination-electrical connector and fixture sup- Y orting device` and a fitting supported theresaid fitting from being swung upy, said combination device being provided with -means including hooks insertable through the apertures in said plate to hook behind said plate whereby it can be connected with respect to said receptacle by :means ci? a downward swinging motion about sald hook connection and latching means for preventing saidfitting from being swung upwardly.

5. The combination with a receptacle havin its :tace substantially vertical, and provided with a supporting plate having a flat apertured portion, of means` for electrically connecting the fixture with said receptacle and n"mechanically connecting and securing said fixture with respect to said receptacle, said means comprising plug-in contacts for engaging the receptacle contacts, anda plurality of hook members having Shanks ex- 'f' tending through said apertured flat'portion and head portions engaging behind said flat l I portion, one located above said contacts, and

cooperating with said flat portion; and surrounding` said contacts, said'plate having apertures through which said hooks may be inserted to hook in behind the plate.K

7. The combination wit-hY a receptacleprovidedwith asupporting plate having a fiat portion, of means for electrically connecting the fixture with said receptacle and mechanically connecting and supporting said fixture with respect to said receptacle, said-means comprising an insulating base,v plug-in contacts mounted on said hase 'for'engagingthe` receptacle contacts, at least three book members cooperating with said flat portion and surrounding said plug-in contacts, and provisions for relative sliding movement between a number of-said hooksand said insulating base. said plate* having aperturesthrough which said hooks may be inserted to hook in behind the plate.

8. The combination with a receptacle provided With a supporting plate having a flat portion, of means for electrically connecting the fixture with said receptacle and mechanically connecting and supporting said fixture with respect to said receptacle, said means comprising an insulating base, plug-incontacts mounted on said base 'for engaging the receptacle cont-acts, atleast three hook members cooperating with said Hat portion and surrounding said plug-in contacts. and provisions forrelative movement between a number of said hooks and said insulating base. said plate having apertures through Iwhich said hooks may be inserted toY hook in behind theplate.

9, The combination with a receptacle havits face substantially vertical, and provided with a supporting plate having a flat apertured portion, of means for electrically conill!) mechanically connecting and securing said fixture with respect to said receptacle,V said means comprising plug-in contacts for engaging the receptacle contacts, and a plurality of hook members extending through said apertured flat portion and surroundr ing said contacts, some located above. and

some located below said contacts, said hookmembers having points extending inthe same direction and engaging behind said flat `said supporting plate, and latching 4means for holdingsaid hook members in hooked engagement with said plate said plate having apertures through which said hooks may be inserted tohook in behind the plate.

11. The combination With a receptacle provided With a supporting plate having a fiat portion, of means for electrically connecting 'the xture with said receptacle and mechanically eonnecting and supporting said fixture with respect to said receptacle, said means comprising plug-in contacts for' engaging said receptacle contacts, a vertical supporting plate, a plurality of hook members having hooked engagement with said supporting plate, and latching` means engaging said plate for holding said hook members in hooked engagement with said plate said plate having apertures through which said hooks may be inserted to hook in behind the plate.

12. The combination with a receptacle provided with a supporting plate havinga flat portion, of means for electrically connecting the fixture with said receptacle and mechanically connecting and supporting said fixture with respect to said receptacle, said means lcomprising plug-in contacts for engaging i the receptacle contacts, a plurality of hook members cooperating with said ilat portion, a canopy for housing said means, andfmeans accessible from the outside of said canopy for holding said hook members in hooked engagement-with said plate said plate having apertures through which said hooks may be inserted to hook in behind the plate.v

13. The combination with a fixture and a receptacle, of means for electrically connecting said fixture with respect to said receptacle and mechanically connecting and supporting said fixture with respect to said receptacle, said means comprising a supporting plate having a fiat portion, a plug-in device aving plug-in contacts for engagement with contacts o the receptacle, and a bracket on which said fixture is mounted, said bracket y being provided with hook members, and said at portion beiner apertured to afford passages therethrougth to enable the hook mem- .bers to be inserted and hooked behind said plate, and to provide forthe engagement of said plug-in device with said receptacle.

14. The combination with a fixture and a receptacle, olf-means for electrically connecting said-fixture With respect to said receptacle, and mechanically connecting and support-ing said fixture with respect to said receptacle, said means comprising a supporting plate having alat portion, having openings therein, said plug-in device having plug- -in contacts for engagement with contacts of the receptacle, and a plurality of hook members for extending through the openin s in said supporting plate, each of said y ook members being provided with a pair of shoulders, for engaging the inner and outer faces of said plate respectively, to prevent in and out movement of said hook with respect to said plate.

15. An outlet box, a fiat plate in front ofA said outlet box, a receptacle carried by said plate, said receptacle being provided With spaced entrance openings to receive the contact blades ofa separable attachment plug cap, said plate having an opening into which said receptacle projects substantially iiush With said plate, and having a plurality of holes surrounding said openinor and distinct therefrom, means for electrically connecting a ixture with said receptacle, and mechanically connecting` and-supportin it with respect thereto, comprising a p 11g-in device having contact blades for engagement with therefrom, means for electrically connecting a fixture with said receptacle, and mechanically connecting and supporting it with respect thereto, comprising a plug-in device having contact blades for engagement with 'said receptacle contacts, 4and a bracket hav `ing a' plurality of hook members'positloned `to enter said holes to connect said brackbt with said plate, and locking means for holding said hook members in said holes.

17. The combination oia supporting plate 'adapted'to be secured over an outlet box, a

receptacle secured to one side of said plate,

said plate having an opening and said receptacle having a portion extending through aecomo said opening, and provided with recesses, electncal contacts 1n said recesses, and a Y combined xture supporting and electrical connecting device, comprising a base of insulatmg material, contacts carried thereby arranged to enter said recesses and engage v"adapted to be secured over an outlet box,

saidplate having an opening, a receptacle carried thereby, and having a portion accesfsible through said opening, and substantially flush with said plate, said plate having la plurality of holes spaced away from said opening, saidl receptacle having recesses,

' electrical contacts in said recesses, and a fixture securing and electrical connecting device, comprising a member having hooks for entering vsaid holesand a base having contacts for'engaging the receptacle contacts, said base and hook-carrying member having relative movement to permit the hooks to be inserted into said holes and said member to be moved parallel with the face of said rev ceptacle tot cause said hooks to engage be hinds'aid plate.

y19. A combined fixture support and electrical connector, comprising a plate having side flange portions extending at right angles Withsaid plate, and having a pair of hooks formed thereon for insertion into `holes in` avsupporting plate, an insulating base located between said flange portions and electrical connecting blades carried by said insulating base for insertion into a re. ceptacle.

20. A combined fixture support andvelectrical connector for cooperation with receptacle provided with an apertured vsupporting plate, comprising an insulating base, electrical contacts carried by said base for insertion into the receptacle, a. plurality of hooks for insertion into apertures in said supporting plate, and means for slidably mounting said hooks with respect to -said base, whereby said hooks can be moved into engaging position with the plate after the v. plug contacts have been inserted into the receptacle. 21. In, comprising a. receptacle having contacts and a flat face plate having a flat front, said flat front being provided withl a plurality of spaced openings, and a hanging portion comprising a member having hooks for engagement with the edges of the face plate openings and a plug having contacts, sai-d a lighting fixture, a wall portionl member andA plug being movable relatively to each other whereby the member may be moved to bring the hooks into engagement with the edges of the face plate openings after the plug contacts have been engaged with the receptacle contacts.

22. In combination, a plug receptacle having contacts, a flat face plate in front of the receptacleand havinga central opening affording access to said receptacle and a plurality of additional openings adjacent said central opening, means for mechanically securing a fixture in position with respect to said receptacle comprising a member havin hooks which engage with the edges of sai f additional openings, means for electrically connecting said fixture with respect to said receptacle comprising a plug having contacts for engaging the receptacle contacts, said plug and member beine movable relatively to each other whereby said hooks may be brought into engaging position with the face plate after the plug contacts haveibeen engaged with the receptacle contacts, and means for locking the hanging portion of" the fixture to the wall portion.

23.' In a lighting fixture, a wall portion comprising a receptacle having contacts and a face plate having a flat front provided with slots, and a member having hooks adapted to enter said face plate` slots and be moved intol engagement with the edges of said slots, and a plug embraced by said member having contacts adapted to-be pushed into engagement with the receptacle contacts at the same time the/hooks enter the face plate slots, said member being movable relaatively to the plug to bring the hooks into eigagement with the edges of 'the face plate s ots.

24. In a lighting fxtur,e a: Wall portion comprising a receptacle having contacts and a face plate havinga fiat front provided with slots, and a Y-member having hooks adapted to enter said face platesIOts and be moved into engagement with the edges of said slots, a plug' embraced by said member having contacts adapted to be pushed into engagement with the receptacle contacts at the same time the hooks enter the face plate slots, said member being movable relatively to the plug to bring the hooks into engages ment with the edges of the face late slots, and means for locking the member to the vface plate.

25. A xture unit comprising a securing member having -side portlons, spaced hoo members formedintegral with and projecting forwardly from the marginal edges of said side portions and a contact plu mounted between said side portions and aving a limited amount of movement relative to the securin member.

26. e combination, a lug receptacle, a supporting plate having a at apertured portion, and fixture means comprising a securing part having a plurality of retaining projections and a plug loosely mounted with respect to said part so that the part may be moved relative y to. the plug, said plug .being adapted to make electricalV connection with the plu receptacle and said projections being a apted tol pass through the apertured plate and by movement of the part which carries the projections relativel'y'to the plug and the face plate, 'bring such projections intolocking engagement with the face late.

v 27. The com ination, a plug receptacle, a supporting plate having a' fiat apertured portion, and fixture means comprising aA securing part having a plurality of retaining projections and a plug loosely mounted with respect to said part so that the part may be moved relatively to the plug, said yplug being adapted to make electrical conn ection Wlth the plug receptacle andsaid projections bein adapted to pass through the apertured p ate and by movement of the part which carries the projections relatively to the plug and the .face plate bring such projections into locking engagement with the face plate and means for locking the securing part with respect to the face plate.

aps

ceptacle, comprising a member having supl porting projections adapted to pass through and engage behind the apertured plate, and

a plug movably mounted with respect tov said memberV and having contacts for cooperation with the receptacle contacts.

29. The combination of a supporting plate adapted to be secured over an outlet box and having an opening and a plurality of `holes surrounding said opening and distinct therefrom, a receptacle carried by the plate projecting into said opening substantially flush with saidplate, and means for electrically connecting a fixture with said receptacle and mechanically connecting and securing a fixture with respect to said receptacle, comprising a plug-in device having plug-in contacts :for engagement with the receptacle contacts, and a bracket having a pluralityof hook members positioned to enter said holes.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name..

. REUBEN B. BENJAMIN

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