Apparatus that enables low cost installation of a secure and tamper proof assembly that accommodates lifeline support for power line communication devices

• US 7,034,225 B2
• Filed: 03/09/2005
• Issued: 04/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Edgecom (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Original Assignee: Edgecom (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Inventors: Thompson, Scott Randall, Askildsen, Bernt Askild
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, DHIRUBHAI R
• Application Number:
  US10/906,864
• Publication Number:
  US 20050200284A1
• Time in Patent Office: 412 Days
• Field of Search: 174/66, 174/67, 174/135, 220/241, 220/242, 220/3.8
• US Class Current: 174/66
• CPC Class Codes: H01K 1/62 One or more circuit elements structurally associated with the lamp
• 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 25/006 the coupling part being secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. duplex wall receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/12 for flush mounting
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/14 Fastening of cover or lid to box
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/18 providing line outlets

Abstract

A novel apparatus is disclosed that provides a secure, tamperproof, and cordless installation to securely and reliably couple any electronic device directly onto any standard power outlet. The installation is easy, certification free, and does not need to reduce the number of available power outlets. The apparatus also enables reliable and effective signal coupling for power line control and communication devices including X.10, HomePlug, and other proprietary power line based physical layers. For these types of systems the apparatus may provide life line support using a battery or any other form of energy storage. The device is optimally installed directly onto a standard wall outlet by replacing the current face plug with a housing that can be affixed directly onto the duplex outlet with screws that attach to any existing threaded hole used by conventional or other mounting devices within a wall box.

Claims

1. A wall-box mountable assembly comprising:

(a) a back-plate that is mountable to any conventional single, duplex, or multiplex electrical wall-box,

(b) an electrical connector and power supply transformer that is mounted to the back plate or any other part of the assembly and a plurality of power receptacle extensions on the device that plugs directly into any conventional single, duplex, or multiplex electrical receptacle and supplies power to the internal components and to a plurality of power receptacles that are accessible on the outside of the assembly;

(c) multiple modular power-line communication interface cards and supporting electronic components mounted to the back-plate or any other part of the assembly;

(d) an assembly having internal components and electronic hardware being mounted on the back plate or any other part of the assembly to support a battery back-up system;

(e) a battery for back-up power that is able to connect to the assembly and electronic hardware to support the battery back-up system;

(f) a set of communication interface jacks that are mounted to the back plate or any other part of the assembly;

(g) an enclosing faceplate having a first plurality of openings for the outlet extensions and a second plurality of openings for said jacks;

(h) a removable faceplate that easily snaps on and off of the enclosing faceplate to provide access for installation and removal of said battery;

(I) a plurality of mounting devices and electronics to support antennas, acoustic transceivers, diodes, infrared sensors or other wireless communications systems for wireless communications between the box and any other device.

2. A wall box mountable assembly of the type in claim 1 and further comprising:

(a) a device on the enclosing face-plate that prevents an un-intended user from opening the device or from pulling the faceplate so that the faceplate can be accessed only by using a release key device through keyed access points;

(b) said enclosing faceplate of that can be snap mounted to clips that are mounted on the back-plate and can be removed by using a release pin through access points;

(c) said enclosing faceplate of that can be snap mounted to clips that are mounted on the back-plate and can be removed by pulling the unit off of the snap-on clips;

(d) the use of any chemical, rubber sealant, screws, snap-on mechanisms, barbed anchors, spring loaded elbow clamps, or any other mechanical means including pressure, heat, or chemical adhesion or any combination thereof to mount the back-plate to the outlet-box.