1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to electrical devices, and particularly to compact electrical wiring devices.
2. Technical Background
Electrical circuit installation is a labor intensive and time consuming process that may require electricians of various skill levels. Essentially, the process includes several phases. The first phase is commonly referred to as the rough-in stage. The second stage may be referred to as the termination phase.
During the rough-in stage either conduit or armored cable is placed throughout the structure as per the build-out plans. Junction boxes and wiring device boxes are also installed throughout the structure. Junction boxes are deployed to house connection points where two or more conductors are to be joined. Wiring device boxes are deployed at locations where electrical service is desired. After the boxes have been placed in the structure, the electrical cabling is pulled through the conduits. At the end of this step in the process, electrical wiring is disposed between the distribution panel and each wiring device box. The leads from the electrical wiring extend from the boxes and are visible and accessible for the next phase of the installation process.
As noted above, after the rough-in process is complete the electrical devices must terminated, i.e., the electrical wires are connected to the electrical wiring devices. Accordingly, each electrical wire is stripped and connected to the terminals of the electrical device.
There are drawbacks to the process described above. One drawback relates to the rough-in phase of the process, while another drawback relates to the termination phase. With regard to the rough-in phase, in conventional grounding circuits, the conduit system is employed as the grounding path. The conduit system is grounded at the service entrance and connected to intervening sub-panels, grounded structures, and other grounded equipment. While this grounding method affords protection to both personnel and equipment, it may be problematic from an electromagnetic (EMI) standpoint. In particular, the conduit system may function as an antenna that receives electromagnetic noise propagating in the environment. The electromagnetic noise is transmitted by the conduit system as EMI. As those skilled in the art will recognize EMI may adversely affect the performance of electronic equipment such as computers, telecommunications equipment, testing and calibration equipment, and solid state cash registers, to name a few non-limiting examples.
With regard to the termination phase of the installation process, this aspect of the installation process is the most time consuming portion of the process, and hence, the most costly. A journeyman electrician must perform or supervise the termination of each wiring device.
Accordingly, what is needed is an efficient, labor saving, and cost-effective system for terminating electrical devices to the electrical wiring system. Further, what is also needed is an electrical circuit installation system and method that prevents the propagation of electromagnetic noise within a structure's conduit system.
The present invention addresses the needs identified above. The present invention provides an efficient, labor saving, and cost-effective system for terminating electrical devices to the electrical wiring system. Further, the present invention provides an electrical circuit installation system and method that prevents the propagation of electromagnetic noise within a structure's conduit system.
One aspect of the present invention is directed to an electrical wiring system for use in an AC electrical circuit disposed between an AC distribution point and a terminus point. The AC electrical circuit includes a hot AC power transmitting wire and a neutral AC power transmitting wire extending from the AC power distribution point to at least one wiring box. The AC distribution point is in an upstream direction relative to the at least one wiring box and the terminus point is in a downstream direction relative to the at least one wiring box. The at least one wiring box has at least one aperture and an open side. The AC hot power transmitting wire and the AC neutral power transmitting wire are routed into the at least one aperture and accessible at the open side after a rough-in phase of installation. The system includes a connector including a housing having a connector hot contact assembly and a connector neutral contact assembly disposed therein. The housing includes at least one first connector power interface and a second connector power interface. The at least one first connector power interface includes a first hot contact portion of the connector hot contact assembly and a first neutral contact of the connector neutral contact assembly. The first hot contact portion is configured to terminate the hot AC power transmitting wire such that a first portion of the hot AC power transmitting wire extends in the upstream direction and a second portion of the hot AC power transmitting wire extends in the downstream direction. The first neutral contact portion is configured to terminate the neutral AC power transmitting wire such that a first portion of the neutral AC power transmitting wire extends in the upstream direction and a second portion of the neutral AC power transmitting wire extends in the downstream direction, the second connector power interface including a second hot contact portion of the connector hot contact assembly and a second neutral contact portion of the connector neutral contact assembly, the connector not being configured to connect to the wiring box. An electrical wiring device includes a device housing having a cover portion and rear portion. The cover portion includes at least one user-accessible interface element connected to an AC electric circuit disposed in the device housing. The electrical wiring device also includes mounting structure coupled to the device housing. The mounting structure is configured to couple the electrical wiring device to the device box. The electrical wiring device further includes a wiring device power interface including a hot AC electric contact and a neutral AC electric contact. The wiring device power interface is configured to mate with the second connector power interface to establish electrical connectivity between the hot AC electric contact and the second hot contact portion, and the neutral AC electric contact and the second neutral contact portion.
In another aspect, the present invention is directed to an electrical wiring system that includes electrical wiring system for use in an AC electric power distribution system. The AC electric power distribution system includes a plurality of AC electric power transmitting wires including a plurality of hot power transmitting wires and a plurality of neutral power transmitting wires, the at least one wiring box having at least one aperture and an open side. The plurality of hot power transmitting wires and the plurality of neutral power transmitting wires are routed into a device box and accessible at an open side of the device box after a rough-in phase of installation. The system includes a connector including a connector housing. A plurality of first contacts are disposed in a predetermined pattern within the connector housing including a hot contact and a neutral contact. A termination arrangement is connected to the plurality of first contacts. The termination arrangement is configured to terminate the plurality of AC electric power transmitting wires by electrically connecting the plurality of hot power transmitting wires together and electrically connecting the plurality of neutral power transmitting wires together. The connector and the termination arrangement are arranged in a detached relationship relative to the device box after termination. An electrical wiring device includes a device housing having a face portion and rear portion. The face portion includes a first set of receptacle blade openings disposed at one end of the device housing and a second set of receptacle blade openings disposed at an opposite end of the device housing. A mounting structure is coupled to the device housing. The mounting structure is configured to couple the electrical wiring device to the device box. A hot contact structure is disposed in the housing and including a first hot face receptacle contact structure in communication with a corresponding one of the first set of receptacle blade openings, a second hot face receptacle contact structure in communication with a corresponding one of the second set of receptacle blade openings, and a hot contact accessible via the connection arrangement. A neutral contact structure is disposed in the housing and including a first neutral face receptacle contact structure in communication with a corresponding one of the first set of receptacle blade openings, a second neutral face receptacle contact structure in communication with a corresponding one of the second set of receptacle blade openings, and a neutral contact accessible via the connection arrangement. The connection arrangement is configured to latch the connector in a mating relationship such that the plurality of first contacts mate with the hot contact and the neutral contact to establish electrical continuity therebetween.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the invention as described herein, including the detailed description which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary of the invention, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operation of the invention.
Reference will now be made in detail to the present exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. An exemplary embodiment of the electrical wiring system of the present invention is shown in
In accordance with the invention, the present invention is directed to an electrical wiring system that includes a plug connector including a plurality of plug contacts. The plug connector is configured to terminate a plurality of wires. An electrical wiring device includes a cover member, a body member, and a ground strap disposed between the cover member and the body member. The body member includes a receptacle configured to accept the plug connector and a plurality of device contacts. The plurality of device contacts are configured to mate with the plurality of plug contacts when the plug connector is inserted into the receptacle. Accordingly, the present invention provides an efficient, labor saving, and cost-effective system for terminating electrical devices to the electrical wiring system. The present invention also provides an electrical circuit installation system and method that prevents the propagation of electromagnetic noise within a structure's conduit system.
As embodied herein, and depicted in
In
Referring to
Ground strap 34 also includes two lateral support members 352 that rigidly interconnect the two mounting yokes 340. As shown, the lateral support members 352 are substantially parallel one to the other and disposed along a lateral side portion of the body member perimeter.
As embodied herein and depicted in
Referring to
As embodied herein and depicted in
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When wires 12 are terminated, electrical connectivity is established between the female contacts 206, 208 and their respective wires 12A, 12B, 12C. The feed-through connector 20, like other connector 20 embodiments, includes a latch mechanism 202 (hidden in
As embodied herein and depicted in
Referring to
Referring to
Those skilled in the art will understand that contacts 206 and 208 may be of any suitable type and reference is made to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/680,797, which is incorporated herein by reference as though fully set forth in its entirety, for a more detailed explanation of plug connectors 20 and plug contacts (206, 208).
All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening.
The recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.
All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not impose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed.
No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. There is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/933,943, filed on Nov. 1, 2007, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/691,116 filed on Mar. 26, 2007, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 11/357,563 filed on Feb. 17, 2006, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/032,420 filed on Jan. 10, 2005, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/680,797 filed on Oct. 7, 2003, the contents of which is relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, and the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 is hereby claimed.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 11691116 | Mar 2007 | US |
Child | 11933943 | US | |
Parent | 11357563 | Feb 2006 | US |
Child | 11691116 | US | |
Parent | 11032420 | Jan 2005 | US |
Child | 11357563 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 11933943 | Nov 2007 | US |
Child | 12396214 | US | |
Parent | 10680797 | Oct 2003 | US |
Child | 11032420 | US |