LOW VOLTAGE ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION CIRCUIT

• US 20070184703A1
• Filed: 04/10/2007
• Published: 08/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: KCSM Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Kyung H. Kim
• Inventors: Kim, Kyung
• Granted Patent: US 7,547,221 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/346
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/652 with earth pin, blade or socket
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/70 with built-in switch
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/78 with additional earth or shield contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/006 the coupling part being secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. duplex wall receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/164 Connecting locations formed by flush mounted apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 29/00 Coupling parts for selective co-operation with a counterpart in different ways to establish different circuits, e.g. for voltage selection, for series-parallel selection, programmable connectors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/956 with means to allow selection of diverse voltage or polarity

Abstract

The low voltage electricity distribution circuit of the present invention is an electrical outlet that includes a receptacle mounted to a recess including either a plurality of wires or a bus bar system. The receptacle has at least one continuously live power socket and at least one switched power socket disposed on it. Each of the power sockets is capable of receiving an appliance plug. The receptacle is movable along the recess to a different location to allow for appliances, for example lamps or computers, to be located at many different points along the wall. In other forms of the distribution circuit a stand-alone unit that is fixed in place may be provided. Additionally, accessories for the above receptacles and sockets are provided.

Claims

1. A plug receptacle for receiving an electrical plug in two orientations, comprising

a first aperture in the receptacle for receiving a plug in a first orientation;

a second aperture in the receptacle for receiving the plug in a second orientation; and

;

a third aperture in the receptacle for receiving the plug in both the first orientation and the second orientation, the first and third apertures forming a first socket, the second and third receptacles forming a second socket, said first and second orientations of the plug being different orientations.

2. The plug receptacle of claim 1, further comprising ground apertures for receiving a grounding pin in each orientation.

3. The plug receptacle of claim 1, wherein the second orientation of the plug is the first orientation of the plug rotated by 180 degrees.

4. The plug receptacle of claim 3, wherein the rotation by 180 degrees is a rotation of 180 degrees about the third aperture.

5. The plug receptacle of claim 1, further comprising an AC power source connected through a switch to the plug receptacle, wherein the placement of a first pin of the plug into the first aperture allows the first pin to electrically contact the AC power source through the switch.

6. The plug receptacle of claim 5, wherein the placement of a second pin of the plug into the third aperture allows the second pin to electrically contact a neutral power source.

7. The plug receptacle of claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third apertures are rectangular.

8. The plug receptacle of claim 1, wherein the third aperture is larger than the first and second apertures.

9. The plug receptacle of claim 1, wherein the third aperture is positioned between the first and second apertures.

10. The plug receptacle of claim 1, wherein none of the first, second, and third apertures are configured to accept a ground pin of an electrical plug.

11. The plug receptacle of claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third apertures are positioned along a first line, wherein the first, second and third apertures have an elongated dimension, and wherein a second line running along the length of the elongated dimension is perpendicular to the first line.

12. A plug receptacle for receiving an electrical plug, said receptacle comprising:

a first aperture;

a second aperture; and

a third aperture, wherein said first and second apertures are arranged to form a first socket for an electrical plug that has two pins, and wherein said second and third apertures are arranged to form a second socket for the electrical plug, wherein exactly one of the apertures is shared by the two sockets.

13. The plug receptacle of claim 12, wherein none of the first, second, and third apertures are configured to accept a ground pin of an electrical plug.

14. An electrical outlet, comprising:

a first electrical conductor;

a second electrical conductor;

a third electrical conductor; and

a receptacle having first and second sockets each capable of accepting an electrical device plug for connection to the conductors, the first socket configured to provide power from the first and second conductors, the second socket configured to provide power from the second and third conductors, wherein the sockets are formed by a plurality of apertures extending through the receptacle, each aperture being configured to receive a pin of the electrical device plug, the first socket being formed by a first aperture aligned with the first conductor and a second aperture aligned with the second conductor, the second socket being formed by the second aperture and a third aperture aligned with the third conductor.

15. The electrical outlet of claim 14, wherein the first, second, and third apertures are linearly aligned with each other.

16. The electrical outlet of claim 14, wherein a ground fault circuit interrupt circuit is incorporated into the outlet.

17. The plug receptacle of claim 14, wherein the second aperture is larger than the first aperture, and wherein the second aperture is positioned between the first and third apertures.

18. The plug receptacle of claim 14, wherein the first, second, and third apertures are arranged so that a standard U.S. type plug can be inserted into a) the first and third apertures or b) the second and third apertures, but not c) the first and second apertures.

19. A kit comprising at least one insulated safety cap having three prongs configured to be inserted into three corresponding non-ground apertures opening at a surface of an electrical outlet, each aperture configured to receive a pin of an electrical device plug, the safety cap configured to substantially cover and insulate the non-ground apertures from contact at the surface of the outlet.

20. The kit of claim 19, further comprising at least one insulated safety cap having a single prong configured to be inserted into one of the non-ground apertures of the electrical outlet, the safety cap having the single prong being configured to substantially cover and insulate the non-ground aperture into which the safety cap is inserted from contact at the surface of the outlet.