Modular GFCI receptacle

• US 6,767,245 B2
• Filed: 10/26/2001
• Issued: 07/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Inventors: King, Gerald N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Son V.
• Application Number:
  US10/045,541
• Publication Number:
  US 20020072272A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,005 Days
• Field of Search: 439/107, 439/535, 439/538, 439/539, 439/650, 361/42-51, 335/18-24
• US Class Current: 439/535
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/655 with earth brace
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7135 with ground fault protector H01R13/7132 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/78 with additional earth or shield contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94

Abstract

The modular electrical component for electrical wiring systems is provided. The modular electric component includes a removable electrical device, a base unit that fits within a junction box in the electrical wiring system and a mounting strap used to secure the base unit to the junction box. Typically, the removable electrical device has a plurality of power contacts that extend from a rear cover of the device, and the base unit has a plurality of terminal connections. The power contacts electrically connect to the terminal connections, when the replaceable electrical device is mated with the base unit. The movable electrical device may be, for example, a receptacle or switch. Preferably, the removable electrical device is a circuit interrupting device, such as a ground fault circuit interrupting device.

Claims

1. A modular electrical wiring device assembly, comprising:

a base component having side walls formed with a plurality of first cavities as well as a plurality of interior grooves formed therein to receive a plurality of electrically conductive members including receptacle contact surfaces;

a central adaptor component formed independently of said base component, the central adaptor component having a plurality of projecting posts for inserting into the grooves, wherein each of the projecting posts is inserted into corresponding grooves and nestling within each of said first cavities to hold each of the conductive members between the base component and said central adaptor component, a front of the central adaptor component having a second cavity bounded by a circumference side wall, and a plurality of openings formed therethrough; and

an electrical wiring device component having opposite faces and a rear portion, said electrical wiring device component including electrically conductive projections extending from said rear portion, said rear portion being inserted into and nestling within said second cavity, said electrically conductive projections extending through said openings in said recessed wall and into electrical contact with said receptacle contact surfaces when said electrical wiring device component is assembled with said central adaptor component and the base component.

2. The modular electrical wiring device assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one ground terminal connection extends into said base component;

and

wherein said electrical wiring device component has at least one ground contact extending from said rear portion of the electrical wiring device component, said at least one ground contact being capable of being releasably connected to said at least one ground terminal connection.

3. The modular electrical wiring device assembly according to claim 1, wherein said electrical wiring device component comprises a receptacle.

4. The modular electrical wiring device assembly according to claim 1, wherein said electrical wiring device component comprises a switch.

5. The modular electrical wiring device assembly according to claim 1, wherein said electrical wiring device component comprises a circuit interrupting device.

6. The modular electrical wiring device assembly according to claim 1, wherein said base component is configured to fit within a single gang junction box in an electrical wiring system.

7. The modular electrical wiring device assembly according to claim 1, wherein said base is configured to fit within a multiple gang junction box in an electrical wiring system.

8. The modular electrical wiring device assembly according to claim 1, wherein

a circuit interrupting portion located within the electrical wiring device component for breaking a conductive path to at least one of the electrically conductive projections.

9. The modular electrical wiring device assembly according to claim 8, wherein at least one ground terminal connection extends into said base component;

and

wherein said electrical wiring device component has at least one ground contact extending from said rear portion of the electrical wiring device component, said at least one ground contact being capable of being releasably connected to said at least one ground terminal connection.

10. The modular electrical wiring device assembly according to claim 8, wherein said electrical wiring device component comprises a receptacle.

11. The modular electrical wiring device assembly according to claim 8, wherein said electrical wiring device component comprises a switch.

12. The modular electrical wiring device assembly according to claim 8, wherein said electrical wiring device comprises a circuit interrupting device.