The present description is related to electrical connection mechanisms. More specifically, the present description is related to a receptacle box with a plugin connector.
Receptacle boxes are currently used in electrical wiring for residential and commercial applications. Receptacle boxes often have a fastening mechanism by which they can be fastened to a wall stud, and the boxes have an enclosure that defines a receiving chamber.
Different electrical devices can be received within the receiving chamber, such as one or more outlets, one or more switches, ground fault outlets, among others. In order to electrically connect the electrical devices, power is brought to the receptacle box through a set of power wires. The electrical device often has its own set of wires that are then connected to the power wires. In some examples, the ends of the power wires are stripped of an insulator, and the electrical device wires are also stripped of their insulators, and the sets of wires are connected together using wiring nuts.
In other examples, the power wires are connected to the receptacle box using terminals that secure the power wires using screws. Even in these examples, the electrical device (such as the outlet, the switch, etc.) still has a set of wires that needs to be stripped and connected to the terminals inside the receptacle box.
These types of wiring systems are cumbersome. They also make it difficult to change the electrical device. For instance, if a resident wishes to switch the electrical device from an on/off type switch to a dimmer switch, the resident will be exposed to the bare conductors of the power wires, or the bare wires of the electrical devices that are being replaced.
An electrical receptacle box defines a receiving chamber that has a first set of push-in receiver connectors for receiving elongate prongs on an electrical device that is inserted into the receiving chamber, and a second set of push-in receiver connectors for receiving power wires. The first and second sets of push-in receiver connectors are electrically connected to one another so that the elongate prongs on the electrical device inserted into the first set of push-in receiver connectors receive power from the power wires inserted into the second set of push-in receiver connectors. The receiving chamber can have a wall that forms a periphery defining an opening to the receiving chamber. The electrical device can be integrally formed with (or otherwise fixedly attached to) a faceplate that can be fitted to, and attached to, the wall defining the periphery of the opening in the receiving chamber.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. The claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in the background.
In the example shown in
In the example shown in
It can thus be seen that power is provided from wires 124 to electrical device 136 without using any wiring nuts or screw terminals, and without ever exposing the user to bare electrical wires or connectors within receptacle 100. The connection of power wires 124 to connectors 120 is efficient, and the connection of electrical device 136 to connectors 122 can be done quickly and efficiently without exposure to bare wires or bare connectors.
Therefore, if the user wishes to change the electrical device 136 to a different electrical device (such as to a two-outlet configuration), then the user simply needs to remove faceplate 134 and the integrally molded (or otherwise integrally formed or fixedly attached) electrical device 136 and replace it with another faceplate that has one or more other electrical devices that are integrally formed or fixedly attached to that faceplate. The configuration of the electrical connections in connector box 118 is illustratively standardized so that faceplates 134 with integrally formed or fixedly attached electrical devices 136 can be manufactured with desired stud configurations so that, when plugged into a connector box 118, power is properly supplied to the electrical device connected to the faceplate.
It will also be noted that, while not shown in
It will be appreciated that the electrical device that is integrally formed or otherwise fixedly attached to a faceplate can take a wide variety of different forms. As illustrated in the Figures, the electrical device can be an outlet or multiple outlets, or an electrical switch. The electrical device can also be a combination switch/outlet, a gang box, a ground fault outlet, a rheostat or a low voltage electrical device. Similarly, the receptacle (illustrated as receptacles 100, and 160 in the Figures) can also take different forms. The receptacle can also be a light base to which a light fixture is attached, a ceiling fan base or a base for another electrical device. The electrical device that plugs into the base illustratively includes the studs that plug into the push-in receiving connectors in the base.
The present receptacle thus improves safety by being configured so that no exposed wires, bus runs, or contacts are exposed inside the enclosure. This reduces the likelihood of possible injury from energized sources within the enclosure. Spring tension loaded or screw in place connections can be used, thus reducing the likelihood the wires will become dislodged, once connected. This also reduces the likelihood of poor connections, which may lead to the potential for overheating. Further, the wire configurations are illustratively identified on the enclosure or the junction box, along with identified input and output configurations. These indicators can be stamped into the box to provide installers with correctly aligned wire configurations. This reduces the likelihood of reverse polarization mistakes. Further, tabs can be provided with through holes that are tapered to accept sheetrock screws or nails, for fastening to framing studs. This allows for either left side or right side attachment to the framing stud. The tabs can be configured for either one ½ inch or ⅝th inch sheetrock, with thickness stamped on to the enclosure to reduce the likelihood of an incorrect box being used with a given sheetrock thickness during installation. Similarly, the cover plate may have two molded-in screw hole insertion points which assist in holding the wiring or termination devices in place. The present system makes continuity checks easier and faster, and also saves time and materials by eliminating the need to insert and pull extra wires into each junction box. The modular design works with all wiring/termination devices, both high and low voltage devices. The modular design can be used with wire configurations of 2-5 wires (or different configurations) wherein the wires are solid or twisted wires. The receptable can be used in walls, floors, ceilings, etc., and can be designed for single and gang box deployments. The receptacle can be used in daisy chain implementation and either indoor or outdoor use.
It can thus be seen that the present discussion provides a receptacle to which a plurality of different electrical devices can be quickly and efficiently attached. In addition, power can be provided to, and received from, the receptacle by quickly and easily attaching power wires as well. The receiving chamber defined by the receptacle allows the operator (who may be installing an electrical device with a faceplate, switching an electrical device with a faceplate, etc.) to perform the operation without being exposed to bare electrical conductors. Also, by having a standardized connection structure (in terms of how the connectors in the connector box are electrically coupled to one another) standardized faceplates with integrally formed or fixedly connected electrical devices can be manufactured in a very efficient manner.
Example 1 is an electrical receptacle, comprising:
an enclosure including a floor, opposing side walls, an upper wall, and a back wall; and
a junction box fixedly attached to the back wall and having a first set of push-in receiving connectors within the enclosure and a second set of push-in receiving connectors electrically connected to the first set of push-in receiving connectors, the second set of push-in receiving connectors being exposed to an exterior of the enclosure.
Example 2 is the electrical receptacle of any or all previous examples wherein the junction box is configured with the second set of push-in receiving connectors being exposed to the exterior of the enclosure through the upper wall.
Example 3 is the electrical receptacle of any or all previous examples wherein the second set of receiving connectors are configured to define receiving openings that are coterminous with an exterior surface of the top wall.
Example 4 is the electrical receptacle of any or all previous examples and further comprising:
an electrical device having a set of male connectors configured to be received within the first set of push-in receiving connectors.
Example 5 is the electrical receptacle of any or all previous examples wherein the electrical device is configured with a first surface and a second surface, the set of male connectors extending away from the second surface of the electrical element for push-in engagement with the first set of push-in receiving connectors in the junction box within the enclosure.
Example 6 is the electrical receptacle of any or all previous examples wherein the first surface of the electrical device is configured to face outwardly relative to the enclosure in a direction opposite set of male connectors.
Example 7 is the electrical receptacle of any or all previous examples and further comprising:
a faceplate integrally formed with the electrical device and sized to close the enclosure upon insertion of the set of male connectors into the first set of push-in receiving connectors.
Example 8 is the electrical receptacle of any or all previous examples wherein the second set of push-in receiving connectors comprise wire-receiving connectors that frictionally engage and hold wires therein.
Example 9 is the electrical receptacle of any or all previous examples wherein the junction box is integrally formed with the back wall of the enclosure.
Example 10 is the electrical receptacle of any or all previous examples wherein the junction box is adhesively attached to the back wall of the enclosure.
Example 11 is the electrical receptacle of any or all previous examples wherein the electrical device comprises an outlet.
Example 12 is the electrical receptacle of any or all previous examples wherein the electrical device comprises a switch.
Example 13 is the electrical receptacle of any or all previous examples wherein the electrical device comprises a fixture base.
Example 14 is the electrical receptacle of any or all previous examples wherein the electrical device comprises a plurality of outlets.
Example 15 is the electrical receptacle of any or all previous examples wherein the electrical device comprises a gang box.
Example 16 is the electrical receptacle of any or all previous examples wherein the electrical device comprises a rheostat.
Example 17 is the electrical receptacle of any or all previous examples wherein the electrical device comprises a low voltage electrical device.
Example 18 is an electrical receptacle, comprising:
an enclosure including a floor, opposing side walls, an upper wall, and a back wall;
a junction box fixedly attached to the back wall and having a first set of push-in receiving connectors within the enclosure and a second set of push-in receiving connectors electrically connected to the first set of push-in receiving connectors, the second set of push-in receiving connectors being exposed to an exterior of the enclosure through the upper wall; and
an electrical device having a set of male connectors configured to be received within the first set of push-in receiving connectors.
Example 19 is the electrical receptacle of any or all previous examples and further comprising:
a faceplate integrally formed with the electrical device and sized to close the enclosure upon insertion of the set of male connectors into the first set of push-in receiving connectors.
Example 20 is an electrical receptacle, comprising:
an enclosure including a floor, opposing side walls, an upper wall, and a back wall;
a junction box fixedly attached to the back wall and having a first set of push-in receiving connectors within the enclosure and a second set of push-in receiving connectors electrically connected to the first set of push-in receiving connectors, the second set of push-in receiving connectors being exposed to an exterior of the enclosure;
an electrical device having a set of male connectors configured to be received within the first set of push-in receiving connectors; and
a faceplate integrally formed with the electrical device and sized to close the enclosure upon insertion of the set of male connectors into the first set of push-in receiving connectors.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to examples, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention
The present application is based on and claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 63/155,475, filed Mar. 2, 2021, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63155475 | Mar 2021 | US |