Modular electrical receptacle

• US 5,584,714 A
• Filed: 06/07/1995
• Issued: 12/17/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Group Dekko Incorporated (Graham Holdings Company)
• Original Assignee: Pent Assemblies, Inc.
• Inventors: Kondas, Shawn J., Karst, Ronald E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Assistant Examiner(s): STANDIG, BARRY
• Application Number:
  US08/476,359
• Time in Patent Office: 559 Days
• Field of Search: 439/210, 439/211, 439/212, 439/214, 439/215, 439/650, 439/653, 439/107
• US Class Current: 439/215
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/35 for non-simultaneous co-operation with different types of contact member, e.g. socket co-operating with either round or flat pin
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/64 Means for preventing incorrect coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/006 the coupling part being secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. duplex wall receptacle

Abstract

The invention is directed to a modular electrical receptacle including a housing and a faceplate. The faceplate is integral with or attached to the housing, and has at least two parallel blade openings and at least two T-slot blade openings. The parallel blade openings are disposed along a common longitudinal axis, and each T-slot blade opening is associated with a respective parallel blade opening. At least one plug-in electrical connector is attached to the housing and/or the faceplate. A conductor member defines at least two T-slot blade sockets, with each T-slot blade socket associated with a respective one of the T-slot blade openings. The conductor member interconnects at least one connector with each T-slot blade socket. The conductor member can be of monolithic or two-piece construction.

Claims

1. A modular electrical receptacle, comprising:

a housing;

a faceplate being one of integral with and attached to said housing, said faceplate having at least two parallel blade openings and at least two T-slot blade openings, said parallel blade openings disposed along a common longitudinal axis, each said T-slot blade opening associated with a respective said parallel blade opening;

two plug-in electrical connectors, each said connector including a plurality of electrical contact receiving openings, each said connector being directly attached to opposing ends of at least one of said housing and said faceplate; and

a rigid conductor member defining at least two T-slot blade sockets, each said T-slot blade socket associated with a respective one of said T-slot blade openings, said conductor member interconnecting each said connector with each said T-slot blade socket.

2. The modular electrical receptacle of claim 1, wherein said conductor member is monolithic.

3. A modular electrical receptacle, comprising:

a housing;

two plug-in electrical connectors, each said connector including a plurality of electrical contact receiving openings, each said connector being directly attached to opposing ends of said housing;

a first conductor member defining at least two parallel blade sockets, said parallel blade sockets disposed along a common longitudinal axis; and

a second rig conductor member defining at least two T-slot blade sockets, each said T-slot blade socket disposed in association with a respective said parallel blade socket;

wherein each of said first conductor member and said second conductor member extends to and connects with at least one said connector.

4. A modular electrical receptacle, comprising:

a housing;

two plug-in electrical connectors, each said connector being directly connected to opposing ends of said housing, each said connector including a plurality of electrical contact receiving openings;

a first conductor member disposed within said housing and defining at least one parallel blade socket; and

a second rigid conductor member disposed within said housing defining at least one T-slot blade socket associated with said parallel blade socket;

wherein each of said first conductor member and said second conductor member extends to and connects with each of said connectors.