Multiplex electrical receptacle

• US 6,955,559 B2
• Filed: 09/10/2003
• Issued: 10/18/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chrestos T. Pyrros
• Original Assignee: Chrestos T. Pyrros
• Inventors: Pyrros, Chrestos T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zarroli, Michael C.
• Application Number:
  US10/659,154
• Publication Number:
  US 20050042916A1
• Time in Patent Office: 769 Days
• Field of Search: 439535-539, 439650-652, 174/53
• US Class Current: 439/535
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/006 the coupling part being secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. duplex wall receptacle
• 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

A multiplex electrical outlet receptacle comprises a housing containing four or more receptacle outlets. The housing contains at least one tab extending from the top of the housing and at least one tab extending from the bottom of the housing to permanently secure the housing to an in-wall electrical box. A single electrical cable connection on the housing connects each of the four or more electrical receptacle outlets to a power source. The housing of the multiplex electrical outlet receptacle includes internal wiring and/or buses to connect each of the outlets in common to the electrical cable. Additionally, a two-sided multiplex receptacle and a corresponding electrical box are configured to provide electrical outlets to both sides of a wall. Additionally, a multi-receptacle plug-in adapter configured to allow more than one transformer type plug to connect to the adapter at the same time. Further, a multi-switch device comprises two or more switches commonly wired to a source of electrical power in a single housing. The switches control distinct loads. Additionally, the switches can be on opposing sides of the housing for providing switches to both sides of a wall.

Claims

1. A multiplex electrical outlet receptacle comprising:

a single housing containing a first non-removable electrical receptacle outlet having a first blade slot for connecting a first plug blade to a positive line and a second blade slot for connecting a second plug blade to a neutral line, a second non-removable electrical receptacle outlet, a third non-removable electrical receptacle outlet, and a fourth non-removable electrical receptacle outlet;

a first tab extending from the top of the housing and a second tab extending from the bottom of the housing, the first and second tabs configured for connecting the housing to a permanently secured in-wall electrical box;

a single electrical cable connection on the housing, the single electrical cable connection providing a power supply for each of the first, second, third and fourth non-removable electrical receptacle outlets.

2. The multiplex electrical outlet receptacle of claim 1 further comprising:

a fifth non-removable electrical receptacle outlet in the housing wherein the single electrical cable connection provides a power supply for the fifth electrical non-removable receptacle outlet.

3. The multiplex electrical outlet receptacle of claim 2 further comprising:

a sixth non-removable electrical receptacle outlet in the housing wherein the single electrical cable connection provides a power supply for the sixth non-removable electrical receptacle outlet.

4. The multiplex electrical outlet receptacle of claim 3 further comprising:

a plurality of additional receptacle outlets in the housing wherein the single electrical cable connection provides a power supply for each of the plurality of additional electrical outlets.

5. The multiplex electrical outlet receptacle of claim 1 further comprising:

a plurality of additional receptacle outlets in the housing wherein the single electrical cable connection provides a power supply for each of the plurality of additional electrical outlets.

6. The multiplex electrical outlet receptacle of claim 1 wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth non-removable electrical outlets have a common positive line bus and a common neutral line bus within the housing.

7. The multiplex electrical outlet receptacle of claim 6 wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth non-removable electrical outlets have a common ground bus within the housing.

8. The multiplex electrical outlet receptacle of claim 5 wherein each of the first, second, third, fourth and plurality of additional electrical outlets have a common positive line bus and a common neutral line bus within the housing.

9. The multiplex electrical outlet receptacle of claim 5 wherein each of the first, second, third, fourth and plurality of additional electrical outlets have a common ground bus within the housing.

10. The multiplex electrical outlet receptacle of claim 1 wherein the second, third and fourth receptacle outlets include a first blade slot for connecting a first plug blade to a positive line, a second blade slot for connecting a second plug blade to a neutral line and an opening for connecting a ground prong of a plug to a ground line, and wherein the first receptacle includes an opening for connecting a ground prong of a plug to a ground line.

11. The multiplex electrical outlet receptacle of claim 10 wherein the first non-removable receptacle outlet is positioned above the second non-removable receptacle outlet, and wherein the opening in the first receptacle outlet is positioned above the first blade slot and the second blade slot in the first non-removable receptacle outlet and the opening in the second receptacle outlet is positioned below the first blade slot and the second blade slot in the second non-removable receptacle outlet.

12. A two-sided multiplex electrical receptacle for providing wall mounted outlets on both sides of a wall comprising:

a receptacle housing having a first side and an opposing second side, wherein the first side of the housing is for providing a wall mounted outlet on a first side of a wall and the second side of the housing is for providing a wall mounted outlet on a second side of a wall;

a first receptacle outlet positioned on the first side of the housing;

a second receptacle outlet positioned on the second side of the housing; and

,

a first tab extending from the top of the housing and a second tab extending from the bottom of the housing, the first and second tabs configured for connecting the housing to a permanently secured in-wall electrical box.

13. The two-sided multiplex electrical receptacle of claim 12 further comprising:

a third receptacle outlet positioned on the first side of the housing; and

,

a fourth receptacle outlet positioned on the second side of the housing.

14. The two-sided multiplex electrical receptacle of claim 13 further comprising:

a fifth receptacle outlet positioned on the first side;

a sixth receptacle outlet positioned on the first side;

a seventh receptacle outlet positioned on the second side; and

,

an eighth receptacle outlet positioned on the second side.

15. The two-sided multiplex electrical receptacle of claim 13 wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth receptacle outlets are contained in a single housing having a single electrical cable connection for connection in common to a single cable carrying a source of electrical energy.

16. The two-sided multiplex electrical receptacle of claim 12 further comprising:

a plurality of additional receptacle outlets positioned on the first side; and

,

a plurality of additional receptacle outlets positioned on the second side.

17. The two-sided multiplex electrical receptacle of claim 16 wherein all of the receptacle outlets on the first side of the housing and the second side of the housing are connected in common to a single cable carrying a source of electrical energy.

18. The two-sided multiplex electrical receptacle of claim 12 further comprising:

a first mounting bracket connected to the housing proximate the first side for engaging and securing the multiplex receptacle to an electrical junction box.

19. The two-sided multiplex electrical receptacle of claim 18 further comprising:

a second mounting bracket connected to the housing proximate the second side for engaging and securing the multiplex receptacle to the electrical junction box.

20. The two-sided multiplex electrical receptacle of claim 16 further comprising

a first mounting bracket connected to the housing proximate the first side for engaging and securing the multiplex receptacle to an electrical junction box;

and,

a second mounting bracket connected to the housing proximate the second side for engaging and securing the multiplex receptacle to the electrical junction box.