Prewired electrical apparatus having quick connect components

• US 6,617,511 B2
• Filed: 07/18/2002
• Issued: 09/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Speedplex, LLC
• Original Assignee: Speedplex, LLC
• Inventors: Shaw, Ronald D., Schultz, James Douglas, Weber, Michael Henry, Petrak, Gary Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Reichard, Dean A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Estrada, Angel R.
• Application Number:
  US10/198,567
• Publication Number:
  US 20020185296A1
• Time in Patent Office: 418 Days
• Field of Search: 174/53, 174/50, 174/59, 174/51, 174/48, 174/65.R, 174/57, 174/58, 174/66, 174/60, 220/3.2, 220/3.3, 220/3.7, 220/3.92, 220/3.94, 220/4.01, 220/4.02, 220/3.6
• US Class Current: 174/53
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 1/5866 characterised by the use of a plug and socket connector
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/76 with sockets, clips or analogous contacts and secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. to a wall
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/086 Assembled boxes
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/14 Fastening of cover or lid to box

Abstract

A power distribution system, suitable for use in a building is provided, having a junction box, a hub, a junction device, and a cover plate. Wiring from the building is connected to the hub using various alternatives such as stab-in connections, set screws, or loop screws, and color coding facilitates proper wiring. Also, the junction device is a modular piece that can be attached to the junction box via interference there between. Furthermore, a cover plate can be attached to the junction device via interference there between, or the cover plate can be integrally attached to the junction device. The hub can accommodate circuitry that functions with the junction device while simultaneously accommodating circuitry wholly independent of the junction device. As such, the power distribution system enables wiring to be completed more quickly and accurately, in a wider variety of applications, thereby advantageously reducing associated costs.

Claims

1. A power distribution system comprising:

a junction box comprising a plurality of walls attached so as to define a cavity and at least one opening formed in at least one wall and extending there through;

a first set of wires extending into the junction box through the at least one opening;

a second set of wires extending into the cavity of the junction box through the at least one opening;

a hub mounted in the cavity of the junction box, wherein the hub permits visual inspection of the first and second sets of wires without disassembly of the hub, the hub further comprising;

a means of mechanically and conductively attaching the first and second sets of wires to the hub,

at least one slot,

a plurality of first conductive paths forming a first electric circuit with the at least one slot and individual wires of the first set of wires, and

a plurality of second conductive paths forming a second electric circuit with individual wires of the second set of wires, wherein the first and second circuits are electrically isolated from each other; and

a junction device slidably attaching to the junction box wherein the junction device further comprises at least one post for positioning within the at least one slot of the hub to thereby complete the first electric circuit.

2. The power distribution system of claim 1, wherein the junction device comprises a switch.

3. The power distribution system of claim 1, wherein the junction device comprises an outlet.

4. The power distribution system of claim 1, further comprising a cover plate attached to the junction device via interference there between, wherein the cover plate exhibits no visible means of attachment while the cover plate is attached to the junction device.

5. The power distribution system of claim 1, wherein the junction device further comprises an integrally-attached cover plate.

6. The power distribution system of claim 1, wherein the hub further includes a plurality of screws that compress each wire of the first and second sets of wires against a conductive surface on the hub to thereby mechanically and conductively attach each of the wires to the hub.

7. The power distribution system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of color coding patches that correspond to individual wires in the first set of wires, wherein the plurality of color coding patches is arranged so as to indicate proper wiring of a pre-determined circuit design.

8. The power distribution system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of letters that correspond to individual wires in the first set of wires, wherein the plurality of letters is arranged so as to indicate proper wiring of a pre-determined circuit design.

9. The power distribution system of claim 1, wherein the at least one post is arranged in an arcuate configuration.

10. The power distribution system of claim 1, wherein the at least one post is arranged in a conventional duplex configuration.

11. The power distribution system of claim 1, wherein the hub further comprises a first area and a second area, wherein the first area is visually distinguishable from the second area, and wherein the first area corresponds to the first set of wires and the second area corresponds to the second set of wires, so as to visually distinguish the first set of wires from the second set of wires.

12. The power distribution system of claim 11, wherein the first area is distinguishable from the second area because the first and second areas are colored differently.

13. The power distribution system of claim 11, wherein the first area is distinguishable from the second area because of a distinguishing symbol located on the hub.

14. The power distribution system of claim 1, further comprising a first wiring schematic on an exterior surface of the hub that corresponds with the first conductive paths, so as to visually indicate the first conductive paths of the first electric circuit.

15. The power distribution system of claim 14, further comprising a second wiring schematic on the exterior surface of the hub that corresponds with the second conductive paths, so as to visually indicate the second conductive paths of the second electric circuit.

16. The power distribution system of claim 1, further comprising a writing surface upon which a user may make markings.

17. The power distribution system of claim 1, wherein the junction device is attached to the junction box via interference there between.