Thermostatically controlled electrical outlet apparatus

• US 5,294,838 A
• Filed: 01/13/1992
• Issued: 03/15/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gerard D. Juravich
• Original Assignee: Gerard D. Juravich
• Inventors: Juravich, Gerard D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellinen, A. D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FLEMING, FRITZ M
• Application Number:
  US07/819,985
• Time in Patent Office: 792 Days
• Field of Search: 307/117, 307/147, 307/39, 361/347, 361/428, 361/355, 361/161-165, 361/211, 361/640, 361/637, 361/826, 361/628, 439/110-122, 439/209, 439/211, 439/214, 439/216, 439/372, 174/49, 174/66, 174/68.2, 174/100, 174/99 B, 362/226, 362/285
• US Class Current: 307/117
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1909 whose output amplitude can only take two discrete values
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/20 with sensing elements having variation of electric or magnetic properties with change of temperature G05D23/13 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/065 with built-in electric apparatus

Abstract

An outlet housing includes a plurality of electrical outlets directed through a front wall thereof in electrical communication with a plug member mounted to a rear wall of the housing. A first selector switch is arranged to control electrical communication of the electrical plug with the outlets when below a predetermined temperature, or selectively above that predetermined temperature. A second selector switch is arranged to effect selective bypassing of a control circuit to effect direct electrical communication of the electrical plug with the electrical outlets bypassing a thermostatically controlled control circuit.

Claims

1. A thermostatically controlled electrical outlet apparatus, comprising,

a primary housing, wherein the primary housing includes a primary housing front wall, a primary housing rear wall, primary housing spaced side walls, a primary housing top wall, and a primary housing bottom wall, and

at least one electrical outlet member directed through the primary housing front wall, and

a housing plug member extending exteriorly of the primary housing rear wall, and

control means within the primary housing to effect electrical communication between the housing plug member and the electrical outlet, and

a temperature sensor in operative communication with the control means, and

a switching member in electrical communication with the control means, and

a thermostat control mounted to the primary housing front wall, and

a first selector switch in electrical communication between the at least one electrical outlet member and the housing plug member selectively above or below a predetermined temperature directed by the thermostatic control, and

a voltage reducer in operative communication with the housing plug member and in electrical communication with the control means for providing continuous electrical energy input into the control means, and

a second selector switch mounted into the primary housing in operative communication with the switching member to effect direct electrical communication between the housing plug member and the electrical outlet, and

a slide adapter, the slide adapter including spaced slide adapter side walls, each slide adapter side wall including a locking rod projecting orthogonally and exteriorly of the side wall, and the slide adapter including a slide adapter electrical outlet directed through a slide adapter front wall, and the slide adapter including a slide adapter rear wall, the slide adapter rear wall including respective first, second, and third electrical contact heads mounted to the slide adapter rear wall, with each contact head including a contact post extending from the electrical contact head to the slide adapter rear wall, with each electrical contact head defined by a predetermined thickness and each of the respective first, second, and third electrical contact heads in electrical communication with the slide adapter electrical outlet, and an adapter receiving housing arranged for reception of the slide adapter therewithin, and

the adapter receiving housing includes spaced parallel adapter receiving housing side walls and an adapter receiving housing rear wall, with the adapter receiving housing of a generally U-shaped configuration, and each of the adapter receiving housing side walls includes a side wall slot extending from an upper distal end of each adapter receiving housing side wall and spaced above an adapter receiving housing side wall lower distal end of each adapter receiving housing side wall, and each side wall slot arranged for receiving a locking rod of the slide adapter therethrough, and each locking rod including a fastener securable to each locking rod and fastened to each locking rod exteriorly of one of said adapter receiving housing side walls, and the adapter receiving housing rear wall includes a respective first, second, and third contact plate arranged for electrical communication with the respective first, second, and third electrical contact heads, and

a first and second T-shaped guide plate mounted to the adapter receiving housing rear wall extending forwardly thereof between the adapter receiving housing side walls defining a second control slot therebetween, and a first L-shaped end plate positioned adjacent the first T-shaped guide plate defining a first control slot between the first T-shaped guide plate and the first L-shaped end plate, and a second L-shaped end plate positioned adjacent the second T-shaped guide plate to define a third control slot between the second L-shaped end plate and the second T-shaped guide plate, and the first, second, and third control slots spaced from the respective first, second, and third electrical contact plates a predetermined spacing equal to the predetermined thickness of each of said first, second, and third electrical control heads to effect electrical communication between each of said respective first, second, and third electrical control heads and each respective first, second, and third electrical contact plates.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the slide adapter top wall includes a latching loop member pivotally mounted thereto, wherein the latching loop member includes a pivot mount fixedly secured to the slide adapter top wall, and the primary housing including a primary housing top wall boss receiving the latching loop member thereabout when the primary housing plug member is directed into the slide adapter electrical outlet.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein the primary housing bottom wall includes a support shelf extending orthogonally and beyond the primary housing front wall for accommodating an appliance thereon.