ENCLOSURE FOR ELECTRICAL RECEPTACLE

• US 20090294147A1
• Filed: 05/28/2008
• Published: 12/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lincoln Global Incorporated (Lincoln Electric Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Lincoln Global Incorporated (Lincoln Electric Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: STOCKTON, Darren J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,642,458 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 174/56
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/52 Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases

Abstract

An enclosure for an electrical receptacle includes walls having one or more recesses for receiving associated electrical conductors. The recesses may be covered by at least a first membrane enclosing the recess. The conductors may be manually inserted through the membrane wherein the membrane and/or the recess is self-sealing to automatically encapsulate the girth of the associated electrical conductors.

Claims

1. An enclosure for an associated electrical receptacle, comprising:

an open front side configured to receive an associated electrical receptacle; and

,

a substantially enclosed rear side for inhibiting fluid from contacting the associated electrical receptacle, wherein the substantially enclosed rear side includes one or more sealed recesses for receiving one or more associated electrical conductors respectively, wherein each of the one or more electrical conductors has a defined circumference and wherein each of the one or more sealed recesses comprises a seal.

2. The enclosure as defined in claim 1, wherein the one or more sealed recesses are self-sealing such that the seal of each of one or more sealed recesses encloses around the circumference of the one or more associated electrical conductors when the one or more electrical conductors are inserted through the one or more sealed recesses respectively.

3. The enclosure as defined in claim 2, wherein the enclosure is a unitary article molded from a thermoplastic elastomer.

4. The enclosure as defined in claim 2, wherein the enclosure is constructed from melt processible elastomer.

5. The enclosure as defined in claim 1, wherein the seal of the one or more sealed recesses, comprises at least a first membrane covering the one or more sealed recesses for inhibiting the passage of fluid.

6. The enclosure as defined in claim 5, wherein the at least a first membrane is sufficiently thin to be punctured, thus forming at least a first punctured membrane, by inserting the one or more associated electrical conductors into the one or more sealed recesses respectively.

7. The enclosure as defined in claim 6, wherein the at least a first punctured membrane encircles the circumference of the one or more associated electrical conductors for substantially preventing fluid from passing between the one or more sealed recesses and the one or more associated electrical conductors.

8. The enclosure as defined in claim 5, wherein the at least a first membrane is constructed at least in part from a thermoplastic elastomer.

9. The enclosure as defined in claim 5, wherein the diameter of the one or more sealed recesses are undersized with respect to the circumference of the one or more associated electrical conductors.

10. The enclosure as defined in claim 5, wherein the at least a first membrane is constructed at least in part from a thermoset polymer.

11. The enclosure as defined in claim 5, wherein the at least a first membrane is constructed from melt processible elastomer.

12. The enclosure as defined in claim 1, wherein the open front side further comprises a face having a raised rib for sealing against an associated mounting surface.

13. The enclosure as defined in claim 2, wherein the substantially enclosed rear side includes at least a first weep hole.

14. The enclosure as defined in claim 13, wherein the enclosure is substantially symmetrical about a center plane;

and,

wherein the at least a first weep hole comprises a first and at least a second weep hole fashioned on distally opposed sides of the enclosure.

15. An article of equipment, comprising:

an equipment housing having one or more walls defining a mounting surface and a receptacle opening;

one or more electrical conductors operatively disposed within the equipment housing, wherein the one or more electrical conductors have a defined circumference;

a receptacle enclosure having a front face for mounting the receptacle enclosure to the mounting surface and a substantially enclosed rear side for inhibiting the passage of fluid through the receptacle enclosure, the receptacle enclosure having one or more recesses for receiving the one or more electrical conductors and means for self-sealing the one or more recesses around the circumference of the one or more electrical conductors, wherein the means includes a seal that encloses around the one or more electrical conductors when each of the one or more electrical conductors is inserted through the one or more recesses; and

,

an electrical receptacle sized for mounting within the receptacle enclosure.

16. The article of equipment as defined in claim 15, wherein the receptacle enclosure is comprised of a thermoplastic elastomer.

17. The article of equipment as defined in claim 15, wherein the front face comprises a ledge and a raised rib extended from the ledge for sealing the interface between the receptacle enclosure and the mounting surface.

18. A method of installing an electrical receptacle in a receptacle enclosure, comprising the steps of:

providing a receptacle enclosure having walls defining an open front side and a substantially enclosed rear side, wherein the substantially enclosed rear side includes one or more self-sealing recesses fashioned in the walls, wherein each of the one or more of the self-sealing recesses comprises a seal;

providing an electrical receptacle for installation within the receptacle enclosure, the electrical receptacle having at least a first terminal for receiving at least a first associated electrical conductor;

inserting the at least a first associated electrical conductor, wherein each electrical conductor has a defined circumference, into the receptacle enclosure thereby piercing the seal of the one or more self-sealing recesses, wherein seal encloses around the circumference of the electrical conductor; and

,

connecting the at least a first associated electrical conductor to the electrical receptacle.

19. The method as defined in claim 18, wherein the one or more self-sealing recesses are covered by one or more membranes respectively;

and,

wherein the one or more membranes have a thickness in the range between substantially zero to 0.150 inch.

20. The method as defined in claim 18, wherein the receptacle enclosure further comprises at least a first weep hole for draining associated fluid from within the receptacle enclosure.