Baseboard with movable electrical outlet

• US 5,052,937 A
• Filed: 03/27/1990
• Issued: 10/01/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bryan D. Glen
• Original Assignee: Bryan D. Glen
• Inventors: Glen, Bryan D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Paumen, Gary F.
• Application Number:
  US07/499,703
• Time in Patent Office: 553 Days
• Field of Search: 439/110-122, 439/207, 439/209-211, 439/214, 439/213, 439/216, 439/332-334, 439/361, 439/359
• US Class Current: 439/120
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/14 Rails or bus-bars constructed so that the counterparts can be connected thereto at any point along their length supporting elements for lighting devices, displaceable along guiding elements and making electrical contact with conductors running along the guiding elements F21V21/35

Abstract

Existing electrical outlet tracks require that the outlet be slid from one location to another along the track. The present invention provides a readily movable electrical receptacle which also discourages contact with the conductors. The receptacles of the present invention can be readily installed at any location along a baseboard conductor without sliding of the receptacle. This is accomplished using a T-shaped element which is inserted through the lengthwise groove of the continuous track and rotated into place. Screw-mounted bars are used to tighten the receptacle into place at the chosen location.

Claims

1. An electrical distribution system comprising:

a) an elongated housing having a front panel defining a hollow interior, and an elongated slot formed in said front panel, said front panel having an inner and outer surface;

b) first and second electrical conduction means fixed to the inner surface of said front panel, each said conduction means being parallel to and spaced from said slot;

c) means for providing an electrical differential between said first and second conduction means; and

d) movable receptacle means for releasably engaging said housing comprising a front face having electrical plug receptacle means, means for releasably securing said movable receptacle to said housing and means for engaging said conduction means, said conduction engaging means comprising an elongated bar having a width less than said slot and conductive elements fixed to an inner surface of said bar and connected to said electrical receptacle means, said conduction engaging means being adapted to engage said conduction means when said receptable means is installed in said slot, and said means for securing is movable from a first withdrawn position to a second slot-engaging position;

wherein said means for securing comprises two second elongated bars spaced to either side of said conductor engaging means, each said second elongated bar being threadably movable on a screw and provided with tenon means for mating with said slot.

2. The electrical distribution system of claim 1 wherein said first and second electrical conduction means are fixed at respective locations above and below said slot.

3. The electrical distribution system of claim 1 wherein said conduction means comprises positive, negative and ground conductors.

4. The electrical distribution system of claim 1 wherein said conduction-engaging means is T-shaped.

5. The electrical distribution system of claim 3 wherein said conduction-engaging means is T-shaped, and one side of the top of the T is longer than the other side.

6. The electrical distribution system of claim 1 wherein said housing further comprises divider means forming separate lengthwise compartments in said housing for receiving cables.

7. The electrical distribution system of claim 1 wherein said means for providing an electrical differential comprises a body having a projection adapted to be mounted in an end of said hollow interior and provided with first and second conductors located to contact said first and second conduction means on said front panel, and terminal means connected to said first and second conductors for connection to a source of electrical power.

8. The electrical distribution system of claim 1 further comprising connector means having first and second ends, each end having a projection adapted to be fixedly mounted in an end of said hollow interior and provided with first and second conductors located to contact said first and second conduction means on said front panel, whereby an electrical connection is made between the conduction means of first and second housings when said first and second ends of said connector means are mounted in said first and second housings.

9. The electrical distribution system of claim 8 wherein said connector means comprises a central vertical post and said first and second ends meet said post at right angles.

10. The electrical distribution system of claim 6 further comprising connector means having first and second ends, each end having a projection adapted to be fixedly mounted in an end of said hollow interior and provided with first and second conductors located to contact said first and second conduction means on said front panel, whereby an electrical connection is made between the conduction means of first and second housings when said first and second ends of said connector means are mounted in said first and second housings.

11. The electrical distribution system of claim 10 wherein said connector means comprises a central vertical post and said first and second ends meet said post at right angles.

12. The electrical distribution system of claim 11 wherein said central post is provided with apertures adapted to communicate with said lengthwise cable compartments.

13. The electrical distribution system of claim 1 wherein said means for securing further comprises a surface adapted for bearing against said outer surface of said front panel when said means for securing is in said slot-engaging position.

14. The electrical distribution system of claim 6 wherein said housing further comprises a removable strip for providing access to one of said cable compartments.