Electricity: conductors and insulators – Boxes and housings – With electrical device
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-05
2001-08-28
Reichard, Dean A. (Department: 2831)
Electricity: conductors and insulators
Boxes and housings
With electrical device
C174S066000, C220S241000, C439S650000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06281438
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention is directed to the field of power receptacles and more particularly to a flush mount power receptacle with an integral wall plate which does not have to be grounded.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A typical prior art device includes a base member of insulating material into which electrical contacts are placed and closed by a cap of insulating material. The base member is mounted in an aperture of a metal mounting plate and riveted thereto. A metal strap extends from the rivet adjacent to the ground contact to the ground contact to ground the metal mounting plate. Slots and keyhole apertures permit the mounting plate to be mounted to an electrical box or support. The cap extends beyond the mounting plate. The extension of the cap and the difference in materials and color make the device appear unfinished.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is directed to a flush mount power receptacle with integral wall plate. A base member is formed with a plurality of separate chambers extending from a first end to a second end into which are placed electrical contacts. The contacts are held in place in the chambers by retainers on the back surface of an insert coupled to the base member by locking tabs and a fastener extending through the insert into the base member. A wall plate is molded onto or otherwise attached to the base member and extends beyond it to cover an electrical box or support to which the receptacle is mounted. A recess in the wall plate adjacent the base member permits the insert to be positioned flush with the top surface of the wall plate in the central region of the wall plate. The wall plate is tapered from the central region to each of the four side edges to provide a smooth transition from the receptacle to a mounting surface. A plurality of slots and keyhole apertures permit the wall plate to be mounted to an electrical box or support. In that the wall plate is made of insulating material as is true of the body member no grounding strap is required. When the insert is in place, the wall plate provides a pleasing, finished appearance.
The electrical contacts are each provided with two identification tabs that mate with key ways in the walls of the separate chambers so that only a particular electrical contact type can be placed within each chamber and each contact admitted is properly oriented. Slots in the insert permit only the correctly shaped and oriented prongs of an electrical plug to be inserted into the electrical contacts. It is an object of this invention to provide a novel flush mount power receptacle with integral wall plate.
It is an object of this invention to provide a novel flush mount power receptacle with integral wall plate formed of insulating material which does not require grounding of the wall plate.
It is another object of this invention to provide a novel flush mount power receptacle with integral wall plate and insert which when assembled provides a smooth, unbroken surface which is aesthetically pleasing.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a novel flush mount power receptacle with integral wall plate and base member having chambers therein each to receive only one type of electrical contact and to orient such contact with respect to said face plate.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a novel flush mount power receptacle having a base member containing a plurality of chambers, each chamber containing a particular electrical contact type and an insert having a set of apertures therein to admit the prongs of a selected electrical plug therein.
Other objects and features of the invention will be pointed out in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose, by way of example, the principles of the invention, and the best modes which are presently contemplated for carrying them out.
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patent: 6010347 (2000-01-01), Lee
Desilets Pierre
Rathbun Leonard C.
Spanedda Joseph
Tansi Hakki M.
Leviton Manufacturing Co. Inc.
Patel Dhiru R
Reichard Dean A.
Sutton Paul J.
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