Prewired electrical apparatus having quick connect components

• US 6,870,099 B1
• Filed: 07/24/2003
• Issued: 03/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gary Lee Petrak, James Douglas Schultz, Michael Henry Weber, Ronald D. Shaw
• Original Assignee: Gary Lee Petrak, James Douglas Schultz, Michael Henry Weber, Ronald D. Shaw
• Inventors: Shaw, Ronald D., Schultz, James Douglas, Weber, Michael Henry, Petrak, Gary Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, DHIRUBHAI R
• Application Number:
  US10/626,354
• Time in Patent Office: 607 Days
• Field of Search: 174/53, 174/50, 174/57, 174/66, 174/60, 174/58, 220/241, 220/3.2, 220/3.92, 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, comprising a junction box, a hub, a junction device, and a cover plate. Wiring from the building is connected to the hub using alternative means 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. One embodiment of the hub accommodates circuitry that functions with the junction device while simultaneously accommodates 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;

a first set of wires extending into the junction box;

a second set of wires extending into the junction box, the second set of wires including a plurality of input wires and a plurality of output wires corresponding to the input wires;

a hub mounted in the junction box, the hub comprising plural slots and a plurality of first conductive paths forming a first electric circuit with the plural slots and individual wires of the first set of wires, the hub further comprising a plurality of second conductive paths forming a second electric circuit with the input and output wires of the second set of wires, wherein the first and second circuits are electrically isolated from each other; and

a junction device attached to the junction box and being electrically connected to 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, wherein the junction device is attached to the junction box via interference there between.

5. The power distribution system of claim 1, wherein the hub further comprises a plurality of set screws that compress each of the first set of wires against a conductive surface on the hub to thereby mechanically and conductively attach each of the first set of wires to the hub.

6. 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.

7. The power distribution system of claim 1, further comprising indicia letters that correspond to the wires, wherein the indicia letters are arranged so as to indicate proper wiring of a pre-determined circuit design.

8. The power distribution system of claim 1, wherein the junction device comprises plural posts for positioning within the slots of the hub to thereby complete the first electric circuit.

9. The power distribution system of claim 8, wherein the plural posts are each arranged in a duplex configuration.

10. The power distribution system of claim 1, wherein the hub further comprises a means of mechanically and conductively attaching the second set of wires thereto.

11. The power distribution system of claim 10, 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 10, further comprising at least wiring schematic that corresponds with at least one of the second conductive paths, so as to visually indicate the orientation of the at least one second conductive path.

15. The power distribution system of claim 1, further comprising at least one wiring schematic that corresponds with at least one of the first conductive paths, so as to visually indicate the orientation of the at least one first conductive path.

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 hub permits visual inspection of the first and second sets of wires without disassembly thereof.

18. The power distribution system of claim 1, wherein the junction box comprises a front opening and the junction device comprises a cover plate, the cover plate being integrally attached to the junction device such that the front opening of the junction box is substantially covered thereby.

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

19. A power distribution system, comprising:

a junction box;

a first set of wires extending into the junction box;

a second set of wires extending into the junction box, the second set of wires including a plurality of input wires and a plurality of output wires corresponding to the input wires;

a hub mounted in the junction box comprising a means of mechanically and conductively attaching the first and second set of conductive wires thereto, wherein the hub further comprises at least one slot and 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 wherein the hub further comprises a plurality of second conductive paths forming a second electric circuit with the input and output wires of the second set of wires, such that the first and second electric circuits are electrically isolated from each other; and

a junction device attached to the junction box and being electrically connected to the first electric circuit and comprising at least one post for positioning within the at least one slot of the hub to thereby complete the first electric circuit.

20. The power distribution system of claim 19, 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.

21. The power distribution system of claim 20, wherein the first area is distinguishable from the second area because the first and second areas are colored differently.

22. The power distribution system of claim 20, wherein the first area is distinguishable from the second area because of a distinguishing symbol located on the hub.

23. The power distribution system of claim 19, further comprising at least one wiring schematic that corresponds with at least one of the first conductive paths, so as to visually indicate the orientation of the at least one first conductive path.

24. The power distribution system of claim 19, further comprising at least wiring schematic that corresponds with at least one of the second conductive paths, so as to visually indicate the orientation of the at least one second conductive path.

26. The power distribution system of claim 19, wherein the hub permits visual inspection of the first and second sets of wires without disassembly thereof.