Electrical receptacle

• US 4,726,788 A
• Filed: 07/28/1986
• Issued: 02/23/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary of Agriculture
• Original Assignee: The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary of Agriculture
• Inventors: F'Geppert, Erwin
• Primary Examiner(s): Desmond, Eugene F.
• Application Number:
  US06/891,808
• Time in Patent Office: 575 Days
• Field of Search: 339/126 R, 339/126 J, 339/129, 339/130, 339/94 A, 339/94 M, 339/89 R, 339/89 M, 439/271, 439/312, 439/336, 439/549, 439/550, 439/551
• US Class Current: 439/551
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/746 using a screw ring

Abstract

An electrical receptacle containing a multiple number of pin-type connectors, wherein the receptacle housing is a tubular metal member susceptible to manufacture by low cost screw machine procedures. Most surfaces of the metal member are centered on the tube axis, except that a circular flange on the member has a localized flat surface machined thereon for anti-rotation lock action. The receptacle is designed to be secured in place by a concealed nut for protection against theft or vandalism.

Claims

1. In combination:

an electrical equipment enclosure comprising a wall (14b) defining an external face and an internal face;

said enclosure wall having a circular opening therethrough, said circular opening including a cylindrical counterbore (63) defining a radial surface (61) facing the zone outside the equipment enclosure;

said enclosure wall (14b) being configured to define a flat upstanding shoulder surface (49) on its external face in close adjacency to the cylindrical counterbore; and

electrical receptacle adapted to fit into the circular opening in the enclosure wall to provide an electrical connection between the associated electrical equipment and an exterior plug-cable unit;

said electrical receptacle comprising a one piece tubular wall (10b) having a circular flange (12b) radiating outwardly therefrom at an intermediate point therealong to seat against the aforementioned external face of said enclosure wall (14b);

said circular flange (12b) having a localized flat edge surface (47) at one point therearound adapted to abut against said upstanding shoulder surface (49) to preclude rotation of the receptacle in the circular opening;

said one piece tubular wall having a central cylindrical section sized to fit into said cylindrical counterbore (63);

said cylindrical section defining a flat radial surface (59) in opposing relation to the aforementioned radial surface (61) when the electrical receptacle is installed on the equipment enclosure;

an annular gasket (26b) interposed between said two radial surfaces to seal the annular joint between said tubular wall and circular opening;

a plural number of electrical pin connectors (28) within the space circumscribed by the tubular wall;

an elastomeric material molded within the tubular wall around the pin connectors to operatively locate said pin connectors for engagement with electrical contacts within the aforementioned plug-cable unit;

said tubular wall having a first end area (40) locatable within the equipment enclosure, and a second end area (35) locatable outside the equipment enclosure;

each said end area having screw threads formed thereon; and

a nut (43) threadable on the first end area threads within the equipment enclosure to clamp the receptacle in place on said enclosure wall (14b);

said nut being inaccessible from points outside the equipment enclosure;

said circular flange (12b) having a radial dimension that is comparable to the wall thickness of each end area (35 or

     40) whereby the major diameter of the electrical receptacle is only slightly greater than the diameter measured across the first end area of the tubular wall.