Electrical outlet assembly

Details Electrical outlet assembly Electrical outlet assembly

2000-01-20

2001-04-24

Donovan, Lincoln (Department: 2839)

Electrical connectors

With insulation other than conductor sheath

Plural-contact coupling part

C439S535000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06220897

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electrical outlet assembly for use in connecting an electrical appliance to a source of electrical power.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
Electrical outlets are common in residential and commercial establishments, and elsewhere, for connecting various electrical appliances to a source of electrical power. Commonly, electrical power is supplied to building through a central panel in which there are replaceable fuses or resettable breakers for each electrical circuit in the building. Each electrical circuit has one or more electrical outlets placed strategically in various rooms in the building. Most commonly, the electrical outlets are inset into walls. The outlets have a pair of sockets into which plugs of electrical appliances may be inserted. These electrical outlets are housed in metal boxes placed in the walls during construction where electrical power is needed.
As electrical appliances have become used more extensively, it has become common practice to use a device comprising a plurality of sockets connected electrically to a plug which is insertable into a wall socket. In this way, a plurality of appliances may be connected to a single wall socket. A special type of this device is a power spike and line noise protector which is useful for plugging in sensitive electronic equipment, such as computers. An example of a commercially available power spike and line noise protector is sold under the trade-mark, Power Bar. Power Bars typically have three to six sockets connected electrically to a plug at the end of an extension cord. Problems with Power Bars are that they can be tripping hazards and unsightly. A problem with conventional wall mounted electrical outlets is that, when there is a power overload and a breaker needs to be reset or a fuse needs to be replaced, one must go to the fuse box which is often inconveniently located in the basement or garage of a home. Also, many people are unfamiliar with the operation of central switch boxes and are hesitant or reluctant to attempt to reset a tripped breaker or to replace a burnt-out fuse. The present invention seeks to provide a solution to the aforementioned problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an electrical outlet assembly installable in a wall of a building for use in connecting an electrical appliance to a source of electrical power. The electrical outlet assembly includes an electrical outlet and a housing for releasably receiving the electrical outlet. The electrical outlet has at least one outlet socket for receiving an electrical connector of the appliance, an outlet connector, and means for electrically connecting the outlet socket to the outlet connector. The housing has a power terminal, the power terminal having a housing socket for releasably receiving the outlet connector, and means for electrically connecting the housing socket to a power source. The housing also has an opening sized to receive the electrical outlet therethrough and for communicating with an exterior of the wall when the housing is mounted inset in the wall. When the housing is mounted inset in the wall and the housing socket is connected to the power source, the electrical outlet may be releasably received in the housing by inserting the electrical outlet through the opening and releasably inserting the outlet connector in the housing socket. An electrical appliance may then be connected to the power source by inserting an electrical connector of the appliance in a socket of the electrical outlet.


REFERENCES:
patent: 1568156 (1926-01-01), Herskovitz
patent: 2433917 (1948-01-01), McCartney
patent: 3609647 (1971-09-01), Castellano
patent: 4245880 (1981-01-01), Zimmerman, Jr. et al.
patent: 4504103 (1985-03-01), Woedl
patent: 4705342 (1987-11-01), Schwartz
patent: 4717350 (1988-01-01), Lax
patent: 4778399 (1988-10-01), Schenk
patent: 4930047 (1990-05-01), Peterson
patent: 5257946 (1993-11-01), MacMillan et al.
patent: 5844763 (1998-12-01), Grace et al.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Electrical outlet assembly does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Electrical outlet assembly, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Electrical outlet assembly will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2461292