DUAL INTERCHANGEABLE ELECTRICAL RECEPTACLE

• US 20140162478A1
• Filed: 12/12/2012
• Published: 06/12/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hydrofarm, LLC (Hydrofarm Holdings Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hydrofarm Incorporated (Hydrofarm Holdings Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wardenburg, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 9,088,087 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/136
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/44 Means for preventing access to live contacts making use of a switch actuated by engagement of counterpart H01R13/7036
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/447 Shutter or cover plate
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/22 with additional earth or shield contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/00 Coupling parts adapted for co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts for dissimilar contact members H01R13/35; supported only by co-operation with a counterpart H01R31/00; with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/90

Abstract

A dual electrical receptacle having a backshell having a proximal end and a distal end; a wiring assembly housed within said backshell and configured for connection to an electrical cord from said proximal end of said backshell; a first female receptacle electrically connected to said wiring assembly and disposed inside said backshell, said first female receptacle having a first receptacle configuration; a second female receptacle electrically connected to said wiring assembly and disposed inside said backshell, said second female receptacle having a second receptacle configuration; a frame disposed on said distal end of said backshell and around said first and second female receptacles; a cover slidingly disposed on said frame which selectively covers said first female receptacle when said second female receptacle is uncovered for use, and which can be slidingly translated to cover said second female receptacle when said first female receptacle is to be used.

Claims

1. A dual electrical receptacle, comprising:

a backshell having a proximal end and a distal end;

a wiring assembly housed within said backshell and configured for connection to an electrical cord through said proximal end of said backshell;

a first female receptacle electrically connected to said wiring assembly and disposed inside said backshell, said first female receptacle having a first receptacle configuration;

a second female receptacle electrically connected to said wiring assembly and disposed inside said backshell, said second female receptacle having a second receptacle configuration;

a frame disposed on a distal edge of said distal end of said backshell, said frame surrounding said first and second female receptacles; and

a cover slidingly disposed on said frame, said cover structured for slidable translated on said frame to selectively cover one of said first and second female receptacles while leaving the other receptacle exposed and available for use.

2. The dual electrical receptacle of claim 1, wherein said backshell includes a proximal portion through which a cord or cable is disposed for connection to said wiring assembly, and a distal portion for housing at least a portion of a wiring assembly, said distal portion shaped as a rectangular cuboid box.

3. The dual electrical receptacle of claim 1, wherein said backshell and said frame are integrally molded plastic.

4. The dual electrical receptacle of claim 1, wherein said first female receptacle is disposed in a recess in said frame, and said second female receptacle is disposed on a projection extending from said distal end of said backshell.

5. The dual electrical receptacle of claim 4, wherein said slidable cover includes a wall on a first side and an opening on a second side, said opening accommodating said, such that when said slidable cover is covering said second female receptacle, said wall partitions said first and second female receptacles.

6. The dual electrical receptacle of claim 1, wherein said frame is generally rectangular in shape and includes slots disposed along each of the longer sides, and said sliding cover is U-shaped and includes a front portion and arms, each of said arms having an interior tab for slidable insertion into said slots.

7. The dual electrical receptacle of claim 1, wherein said frame is generally rectangular in shape and includes tabs disposed along each of the longer sides, and said sliding cover is U-shaped and includes a front portion and arms, each of said arms having an interior slot into which said tabs are slidably inserted.

8. The dual electrical receptacle of claim 1, wherein said frame includes top and bottom portions, each having a pair of bale wire holes disposed on opposing sides of said frame for insertion of the ends of a bale wire, and further including a selectively removable bale wire that can be selectively installed on either side of said frame using said bale wire holes, said bale wire providing strain relief and cord lock functions.

9. A dual electrical receptacle, comprising:

a backshell having a proximal portion, a proximal end, a distal portion, and a distal end;

a wiring assembly housed within said backshell;

a first female receptacle electrically connected to said wiring assembly and disposed inside said backshell;

a second female receptacle electrically connected to said wiring assembly and disposed inside said backshell;

a slidable receptacle cover disposed on said distal end of said backshell for selectively covering one of said first and second female receptacles while exposing the other.

10. The dual electrical receptacle of claim 9, further including a flange disposed on said distal end of said backshell.

11. The dual receptacle of claim 10, wherein said flange is generally rectangular in shape and includes surface structure with which said slidable receptacle cover is operably connected.

12. The dual receptacle of claim 11, wherein said first and second female receptacles have different pin configurations.

13. The dual receptacle of claim 11, wherein said sliding receptacle cover is translated along the longer sides of said flange.

14. The dual receptacle of claim 11, further including a selectively removable strain relief and cord lock wire having a first position for locking a cord with a plug connected to said first female receptacle and a second position for locking a cord with a plug coupled to said second female receptacle.