Reorientable electrical outlet

Abstract

A reorientable electrical outlet employs rotatable female electrical receptacle(s) to allow rotation of a male plug while connected in the rotatable female electrical receptacle. The disclosed technique is adaptable to a variety of rotatable female electrical receptacles ranging from typical residential two receptacles, polarized/grounded receptacles, and non-grounded receptacles. The prongs of a male plug may be inserted into the rotatable female electrical receptacle and rotated to desired positions and remain substantially fixed. Male plug interference with other electrical receptacles is minimized.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of electrical outlets, and in particular, to a reorientable electrical outlet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As the number of electrical appliances acquired by a household grows, the need for convenient access to numerous electrical outlets grows. Electrical outlets are, of course, well known in the art and typically comprise a face plate, multiple female sockets, and an outlet body.

In a typical residential electrical outlet, the female electrical sockets are fixed in orientation. The fixed orientation of the socket can reduce the flexibility of the electrical outlet. In some applications, the fixed socket orientation effectively reduces a two-socket outlet to a single-socket outlet.

A variety of techniques have been devised to increase the flexibility of power delivery sockets and plugs. For example, a species of low profile male plugs has been developed that orient the power cord off the axis of the male plug prongs. Rather than extending perpendicularly away from the wall in which the socket is mounted, such power cords extend off to a side or angle and consequently reduce power cord intention into living space or interference with furniture. Such low profile male plugs can reduce the flexibility of the outlet, however. For example, in polarized socket and plug arrangements, the required directional orientation dictates that the plug be inserted in only one direction. In some cases, particularly in four socket outlets, this can result in power cord interfere with access to other sockets in the same outlet.

There are prior techniques to ensure that the power cord does not overlay other outlet receptacles. Examples of such designs are illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,927,376 to Dickie and U.S. Pat. No. 3,975,075 to Mason. Some of these problems may be resolved by a male plug design in which the cord rotates with respect to the prongs. An example of a rotatable male plug is purportedly shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,026,618 to Straka. Many of these designs allow free movement between the male plug and power cord around a 360 degree path. The plugs are not, however, designed to be set or held at any particular angular position.

Socket interference can become particularly acute when a transformer for low voltage devices is integrated with a male power socket for direct insertion in a wall outlet. Such box-like transformers may directly block access to other sockets in the outlet face plate.

A conventional electrical outlet ordinarily allows only symmetrical positioning of the multiple female electrical receptacles. Thus, when an integrated male plug-transformer is plugged into one female electrical receptacle of an electrical outlet, an adjacent socket is typically blocked. To mitigate this interference, a multiplug adapter may be inserted into a female electrical receptacle to accommodate multiple male plugs in a given female electrical receptacle of the electrical outlet. This can present, however, an electrical hazard, in addition to an unsightly mess.

Electrical wiring codes may vary in different parts of a country or from country to country. Some electrical codes require female receptacles in the same electrical outlet box to be positioned horizontally with respect to one another, while other codes require female electrical receptacles in the same electrical outlet box to be positioned vertically with respect to one another. In some instances, electrical appliances can be readily accommodated by an electrical outlet of a certain orientation but may not be suitable for use with electrical outlets oriented at 90 degrees from the given orientation.

Consequently, there is a need for an angularly reorientable electrical socket to accommodate male plugs of a variety of configurations and combinations while remaining substantially fixed at a selected angular orientation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A reorientable electrical outlet having a housing cavity in a stationary housing and a rotatable electrical female receptacle seated therein is disclosed. In one embodiment of the present invention, a pivot pin about which the female electrical receptacle can rotate in the housing cavity while maintaining electrical communication secures the rotatable electrical female receptacle in the housing cavity. The rotatable female electrical receptacle includes a set of electrically conductive sleeves situated in radial and electrical isolation from one another. The housing cavity has a set of annular nonconductive structures formed in concentric relation to one another to support a set of electrically conductive pathways on which the electrically conductive sleeves track. The rotatable female electrical receptacle further includes a set of apertures on a exterior top surface aligned with the electrically conductive sleeves for allowing a set of prongs of a male plug to extend through to acquire electrical contact with the electrically conductive pathways via the electrically conductive sleeves. The electrically conductive pathways, in turn, are connected to a set of wire conductors, thereby providing electrical communication between the male plug inserted in the rotatable electrical female receptacle and the wire conductors. In one embodiment, a locking mechanism is employed to releasably fix the position of the rotatable female electrical receptacle at a selected angular orientation. The male plug can be rotated to and fixed at a selected angular orientation with respect to the stationary housing of the electrical outlet body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment devised in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional top view of the reorientable electrical outlet of the present invention taken on the axis line 4 — 4 of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG.2 depicting a reorientable electrical outlet devised in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4A is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG.3 depicting details of a conductive common sleeve in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG.3 depicting details of a conductive power sleeve in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention taken on the axis line 6 — 6 of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 6 is an enlarged transverse cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention taken on the axis line 8 — 8 of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 7A is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG.6 depicting details of a conductive power connector sleeve contacting a power-common double-sided hollow conductive pathway in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7B is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG.6 depicting details of a conductive common connector sleeve contacting a power-common double-sided hollow conductive pathway in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates separated elements of FIG. 6 including a male plug, a female electrical receptacle and a housing cavity of a stationary housing of a preferred embodiment devised in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9A is a bottom view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 9B is an elevation view of the preferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 9 A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, spatially orienting terms are used such as “top,” “bottom,” “outward,” “exterior,” and the like. It is to be understood that these terms are used for convenience of description of the preferred embodiments by reference to the drawings. These terms do not necessarily describe the absolute location in space that any part must assume. The letters A and B associated with reference numerals indicate replica of the same element.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Reorientable electrical outlet 20 is preferably formed of nonconductive material such as plastic or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and is comprised of a plate 30 having a faceplate portion 35 and a receptacle housing 40 having two housing cavities 45 A and 45 B. Countersunk screw holes 50 A and 50 B receive screws for mounting reorientable electrical outlet 20 in a desired surface, such as an electrical box or wall.

Two grounded female electrical receptacles 60 A and 60 B are accommodated in respective receptacle housing cavities 45 A and 45 B through circular apertures 70 A and 70 B. Each of female electrical receptacles 60 A and 60 B exposed surfaces 73 A and 73 B, respectively.

Female electrical receptacles 60 A and 60 B further include apertures 80 A, 90 A and 80 B, 90 B, respectively, oriented for insertion of conventional power prong 92 and common prong 93 of depicted exemplary male plug 95 . The depicted apertures 80 A, 90 A and 80 B, 90 B are generally of different size and shape as may be determined by a specific electrical code and/or standard. Each depicted female electrical receptacle 60 A and 60 B further includes respective ground apertures 100 A and 100 B. For example, in FIG. 1 , ground aperture 100 B receives ground prong 97 of male plug 95 . The dotted lines 99 X, 99 Y, and 99 Z indicate the respective relationships of the depicted prongs and the corresponding apertures.

In a preferred embodiment, female electrical receptacle 60 A with common aperture 80 A, power aperture 90 A, and ground aperture 100 A forms a female electrical receptacle subassembly. Female electrical receptacle 60 A subassembly fits into circular aperture 70 A. The diameter of the aperture 70 A is slightly larger than the diameter of the female electrical receptacle 60 A subassembly. The female electrical receptacle 60 A subassembly is movably attached to receptacle housing 40 by an axial shaft 120 A. Likewise, female electrical receptacle 60 B is movably connected to receptacle housing 40 with axial shaft 120 B. In operation, when male plug 95 is plugged into reorientable electrical outlet 20 , it can be easily reoriented to a desired angular position by modifying the angular orientation of rotatable female electrical receptacle 60 A, thereby allowing an easy deployment of different orientations of a variety of electrical male plugs having varying sizes and configurations.

Although, the depicted preferred embodiments of the invention employ two grounded female electrical receptacles, it should be understood that the invention is usable for a variety of female electrical receptacles including those that employ a single receptacle. It should also be recognized that the apertures 80 , 90 , and 100 in female electrical receptacle 60 can be replaced by any type of similar female socket that allows proper insertion and contact with a mating male-type conductive prongs of a male plug. Moreover, the invention is not limited to use with 110-220 V AC-type or DC-type appliances.

FIG. 2 depicts an enlarged cross-sectional view from the top of reorientable electrical outlet 20 taken on the axis line 4 — 4 of FIG. 1 . With continuing reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 , housing cavity 45 A includes a set of concentric annular electrical conductor supporting structures 140 A as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 . With continuing reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 , a set of concentric annular conductor supporting structures 140 A includes concentric annular components 150 A, 160 A, and 162 A. For a three-prong male plug-receptive design, the set of concentric annular conductor supporting structures 140 A includes an outer annular conductor bearing surface 170 A that supports conductive circular ground pathway 220 A, a middle annular conductor bearing surface 180 A which supports conductive circular common pathway 230 A, and an inner annular conductor bearing surface 190 A that supports conductive circular power pathway 232 A. Each of concentric aimular bearing surfaces 170 A, 180 A, and 190 A is configured to be in electrical isolation from one another by inter-placed nonconductive concentric annular components 160 A and 162 A.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 , female electrical receptacle 60 A subassembly includes ground conductive connector sleeve 200 A to receive ground prong 97 , power conductive connector sleeve 205 A to receive power prong 92 and common conductive connector sleeve 210 A to receive common prong 93 , respectively. Ground conductive connector sleeve 200 A angularly tracks on conductive ground pathway 220 A. Power conductive connector sleeve 205 A and common conductive connector sleeve 210 A angularly track within common pathway 230 A and power pathway 232 A, respectively.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are respective enlarged views depicting details of common conductive connector sleeve 210 A and power conductive connector sleeve 205 A of FIG. 3 . Sleeves 205 A and 210 A are depicted in different sizes to correspond with electrical code-dictated polarization. Referring to FIG. 4A , common conductive connector sleeve 210 A comprises conductive track connectors 211 A and 212 A disposed oppositely in electrical isolation. Nonconductive track component 214 A prohibits electrical connectivity of common conductive connector sleeve 210 A to conductive power pathway 232 A. Conductive track connector 211 A establishes electrical communication to conductive common pathway 230 A.

In depicted FIG. 4B , power conductive connector sleeve 205 A comprises conductive track connectors 206 A and 207 A disposed oppositely in electrical isolation. Nonconductive track component 209 A prohibits electrical connectivity of power conductive connector sleeve 205 A to conductive power pathway 230 A. Conductive track connector 206 A establishes electrical communication to conductive common pathway 232 A.

In operation, rotatable female electrical receptacle 60 A subassembly is configured to establish electrical communication between a conductive pathway and a power prong through a conductive connector sleeve. For example, power prong 92 inserted in power conductive connector sleeve 205 A via aperture 80 A is in electrical communication with power pathway 232 A.

FIG. 5 illustrates an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention taken on the axis line 6 — 6 of FIG. 2 . For clarity of the present exposition, an identical design to rotatable female electrical receptacles 60 A and 60 B and corresponding housing cavities 45 A and 45 B is assumed. The depicted embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 5 is illustrated with reference to female electrical receptacle 60 B and associated housing cavity 45 B. In order to sustain rotatable female electrical receptacle 60 B subassembly at a desired orientation, an oppositely disposed pair of spring loaded balls 235 B and 240 B is employed. A plurality of radial apertures including apertures 245 B and 250 B are formed on the outward circumferential face 260 B of rotatable female electrical receptacle 60 B. Apertures 245 B and 250 B are axially spaced at regular intervals and are adapted to releasably engage reciprocal oppositely disposed pair of spring loaded balls 235 B and 240 B disposed in housing cavity 45 B of integrated receptacle housing portion 40 . Apertures 245 B and 250 B with reciprocal oppositely disposed pair of spring loaded balls 235 B and 240 B releasably lock the position of rotatable female electrical receptacle 60 B with respect to plate 30 . Consequently, a substantially locked position of male plug 95 with respect to plate 30 may be obtained at a selected angular orientation. In one embodiment, reorientable electrical outlet 20 can, therefore, allow male plug 95 to be oriented along a 360 degree rotation.

As will be understood, the particular locking structure may take on numerous other forms. As one example, the locking structure may include a plurality of ribs and reciprocal notches.

Female electrical receptacle 60 B subassembly can be rotated, if necessary, to not interfere with the use of adjacent female electrical receptacle 60 A of the reorientable electrical outlet 20 . The oppositely disposed pair of spring loaded balls 235 B and 240 B ensures that once placed in a desired position, the female electrical receptacle 60 B will not move significantly on its own accord. Axial shaft 120 B acts as a pivot about which female electrical receptacle 60 B may rotate. The position of female electrical receptacle 60 B with respect to plate 30 can be releasably locked at a fixed desired angular orientation. It should be realized that the female electrical receptacle 60 B subassembly of reorientable electrical outlet 20 need not be held together by axial shaft 120 B. Pins, screws, fasteners, glue or snap-together parts are merely some of the structures that may be employed to perform the function of axial shaft 120 .

FIG. 6 shows an enlarged transverse cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention taken on the axis line 8 — 8 of FIG. 2 . Electrically conductive prongs 92 , 93 , and 97 of male plug 95 extend in a perpendicular direction through exterior bottom surface 320 toward the exposed top surface 73 B of female electrical receptacle 60 B. Conductive prongs include a live or power prong 92 , a common prong 93 and a ground prong 97 . Prongs 92 , 93 , and 97 are oriented for insertion into power conductive connector sleeve 205 B through power aperture 80 B, common conductive connector sleeve 210 B through common aperture 90 B, and ground conductive connector sleeve 200 B through ground aperture 100 B, respectively.

With continuing reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 , both rotatable female electrical receptacles 60 A and 60 B are fitted with properly aligned O-rings 340 A and 340 B, respectively. For example, O-ring 340 B is aligned with conductive connector sleeves 200 B, 205 B and 210 B properly positioned within housing cavity 45 B conductive circular pathways 220 B and 230 B, while secured with axial shaft 120 B. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, lubricated rubber O-rings 340 A and 340 B are employed as a seal to prevent entry of undesirable material in housing cavities 45 A and 45 B.

FIG. 7A is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 6 depicting details of power conductive connector sleeve 205 B. Nonconductive track component 208 B is placed between conductive track connectors 206 B and 207 B to provide electrical isolation from one another. FIG. 7B is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 6 depicting details of common conductive connector sleeve 210 B. Nonconductive track component 213 B is inter-placed between conductive track connectors 211 B and 212 B to provide electrical isolation from one another.

FIG. 8 illustrates separated elements of FIG. 6 including male plug 95 , female electrical receptacle 60 B and housing cavity 45 B. Female electrical receptacle 60 B sits in housing cavity 45 B and is secured with axial shaft 120 B about which female electrical receptacle 60 B rotates in housing cavity 45 B while in electrical communication with housing cavity 45 B.

FIG. 9A depicts a bottom view of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 of the present invention. Raised border 32 elevates outlet 20 above its mounting surface. With continuing reference to FIGS. 8 and 9A , common wire conductor 350 B, ground wire conductor 351 B, and power wire conductor 352 B are connected to respective conductive common pathway 230 B, conductive ground pathway 220 B, and conductive power pathway 232 B. As shown in FIG. 9A and 9B , reorientable electrical outlet 20 incorporates molded indentions on the back of female electrical receptacles 60 A and 60 B. Molded indentions in border 32 , i.e., wire guides 355 B, 356 B, and 357 B, are provided as pathways for common wire conductor 350 B, ground wire conductor 351 B, and power wire conductor 352 B to lay within.

Wire guides 355 B, 356 B, and 357 B and conductor set screws 380 B, 381 B, and 382 B with associated holding clamps 360 B, 361 B, and 362 B with serrated edges are provided to all the connections of wire conductors 350 B, 351 B, and 352 B. Conductor set screws 380 B, 381 B, and 382 B utilize a compression design for ease of connection and subsequent insertion into an associated receptacle box. Conductive connector bands 390 B, 391 B, and 392 B are employed to conductively connect the respective conductive power, common and ground pathways 232 B, 230 B, and 220 B of the female electrical receptacle 60 B. A preferred rotatable outlet 20 has integrated isolation rim 400 to allow wire conductors 350 B, 351 B, and 352 B and conductor set screws 380 B, 381 B, 382 B to be recessed from any contact points within the receptacle box. Conductive prongs 92 , 93 , and 97 oriented for insertion into reorientable electrical outlet 20 can be positioned such that a portion of each prong 92 , 93 , and 97 including the distal end can be seated in the corresponding prong receiving conductive connector sleeves 200 B, 205 B and 210 B to acquire electrical contact with a respective one of conductive pathways 220 B 230 B, and 232 B.

In operation, when male plug 95 prongs 92 , 93 , and 97 are inserted in respective conductive connector sleeves 200 B, 205 B and 210 B of female electrical receptacle 60 B, they acquire electrical contact to corresponding conductive connector sleeves 200 B, 205 B and 210 B. Since conductive connector sleeves 200 B, 205 B and 210 B track on associated conductive pathways 220 B 230 B, and 232 B connected to wire conductors 350 B, 351 B, and 352 B, male plug 95 prongs 92 , 93 , and 97 acquire electrical connection to respective wire conductors 350 B, 351 B, and 352 B. For example, ground prong 97 seated in ground conductive connector sleeve 200 B contacts annular conductive ground pathway 220 B which is electrically connected to ground wire conductor 351 B. In this manner, an electrical connection for 360 degrees can be provided between each prongs 92 , 93 , and 97 and a respective one of the wire conductors 350 B, 351 B, and 352 B. As female electrical receptacle 60 B is rotated relative to plate 30 , prongs 92 , 93 , and 97 seated in conductive connector sleeves 200 B, 205 B and 210 B move along associated annular conductive pathways 220 B and 230 B while substantially maintaining electrical connection.

The various conductive components employed in the depicted embodiment of the present invention are preferably of brass. However, as persons skilled in the art will recognize, any suitable conductive material can be employed for this purpose. For example, use of brass, copper, steel alloys, and other alloys is prevalent. The employed nonconductive components of the depicted embodiment of the present invention can be of any suitable nonconductive or insulative material including plastic and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Again, those skilled in the art will appreciate that any suitable nonconductive or insulative material may be employed. For clarity of the present exposition, a simple exemplary reorientable electrical outlet 20 is illustrated, although those skilled in the art will appreciate, reorientable electrical outlet 20 described here is adaptable to a variety of models, configurations and may be devised to include many other types of female electrical receptacles and adapters. For example, the present invention may be embodied in an adapter devised to convert a fixed socket to a reorientable facility.

It should also be understood that, the number, form, and structure of female electrical receptacles are merely examples and not to be construed as design limitations required for employment in the present invention. For example, female electrical receptacles 60 A and 60 B could range from typical residential receptacles, both grounded and non-grounded, all the way up through power strip, 220V receptacles, and up through 480V receptacles including 2, 3, 4, or more prong-receptive designs. These devices can allow for prongs of a variety of male plugs to be inserted into the female electrical receptacles and rotated to any desired positions, so as to allow for non-interfering positioning with regards to other male plugs or other types of restrictions which could preclude the use of any given male plug into an adjacent female electrical receptacle.

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, female electrical receptacles may be devised to include only oppositely disposed apertures oriented for insertion of conventional power and common prongs of an exemplary non-polarized male plug. Such a two-prong male plug-receptive design of the female electrical receptacles requires no outer concentric annular conductor supporting structure component for the absent ground prong, which is present in the case of the three-prong male plug-receptive preferred embodiment.

The embodiments described above are merely illustrative and skilled persons can make variations on them without departing from the scope of the invention. Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A reorientable electrical outlet comprising:a stationary housing; first and second female electrical receptacles, each receptacle having first and second electrically conductive sleeves electrically isolated from each other; first and second annular conductive paths; first and second housing cavities disposed in the stationary housing to receive the first and second female electrical receptacles, the first and second housing cavities each having annular conductive path surfaces against which are disposed the first and second annular conductive paths, respectively; and first and second axial shafts about which the first and second female electrical receptacles angularly move in the first and second housing cavities respectively while maintaining electrical communication between the first electrically conductive sleeve and the first annular conductive path and between the second electrically conductive sleeve and the second annular conductive path.

2. The reorientable electrical outlet of claim 1, wherein the stationary housing further comprises:a set of molded pathways for a set of wire conductors to lay within to accommodate a series connection between the first and second female electrical receptacles.

3. The reorientable electrical outlet of claim 1, wherein the first and second female electrical receptacles further comprise:an exposed surface; first and second apertures through the exposed surface aligned with the first and second electrically conductive sleeves to allow first and second prongs of a male plug to extend through the first and second apertures respectively, to acquire electrical contact with the first and second electrically conductive sleeves.

4. The reorientable electrical outlet of claim 1, wherein a set of molded indentations is formed as recessed wire guides for a set of wire conductors.

5. The reorientable electrical outlet of claim 4, further comprising a set of conductor screws and holding clamps with serrated edges employed to create a set of connections to the set of wire conductors on the back of each female electrical receptacle.

6. The reorientable electrical outlet of claim 5, further comprising conductive connector bands to conductively connect the set of connections of each female electrical receptacle.

7. The reorientable electrical outlet of claim 1 further comprising:a third electrically conductive sleeve electrically isolated from the first and second electrically conductive sleeves; and a third conductive path in electrical communication with the third electrically conductive sleeve.

8. The reorientable electrical outlet of claim 7, wherein an O-ring seals each female electrical receptacle with its associated housing cavity.

9. The reorientable electrical outlet of claim 7, wherein the first, second, and third electrically conductive sleeves are of brass.

10. The reorientable electrical outlet of claim 7, wherein the first, second, and third electrically conductive pathways are of brass.

11. The reorientable electrical outlet of claim 7 wherein the first and second female electrical receptacles further comprise:an exposed surface; first, second and third apertures through the exposed surface aligned with the first, second and third electrically conductive sleeves to allow first, second, and third prongs of a male plug to extend through the first, second, and third apertures respectively, to acquire electrical contact with the first, second, and third electrically conductive sleeves.

12. The reorientable electrical outlet of claim 11, wherein the first, second, and third prongs of the male plug are power, common, and ground, respectively.

13. The reorientable electrical outlet of claim 11, wherein the male plug can be rotated 360 degrees.

14. The reorientable electrical outlet of claim 7, wherein a plurality of radial apertures are formed on a circumferential facing of the first and second female electrical receptacles.

15. The reorientable electrical outlet of claim 14, further comprising an oppositely disposed pair of spring-loaded balls disposed in each housing cavity of the stationary housing employed to substantially hold each female electrical receptacle at a selected angular orientation.

16. The reorientable electrical outlet of claim 14, wherein the radial apertures located on the circumferential facing of each female electrical receptacle are axially spaced and adapted to releasably engage reciprocal oppositely-disposed spring loaded balls disposed in each housing cavity.

17. The reorientable electrical outlet of claim 7, further comprising an integrated face plate.

18. The reorientable electrical outlet of claim 17, wherein the set of conductor screws utilizes a compression design for the ease of connection and subsequent insertion into an associated receptacle box.

19. The reorientable electrical outlet of claim 17, wherein the stationary housing has an integrated isolation rim to recess the set of wire conductors and the set of conductor screws.

20. A reorientable electrical outlet comprising:a stationary housing; an electrical receptacle having first and second electrically conductive sleeves electrically isolated from each other; first and second annular conductive paths; a housing cavity disposed in the stationary housing to receive the female electrical receptacle, the housing cavity having annular conductive path bearing surfaces upon which are disposed the first and second annular conductive paths, respectively; and an axial shaft about which the female electrical receptacle angularly moves in the housing cavity while maintaining electrical communication between the first electrically conductive sleeve and the first annular conductive path and between the second electrically conductive sleeve and the second annular conductive path.

21. The reorientable electrical outlet of claim 20 further comprising:a third electrically conductive sleeve electrically isolated from the first and second electrically conductive sleeves; and a third conductive path in electrical communication with the third electrically conductive sleeve.