Electrical component assembly

• US 7,241,171 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2005
• Issued: 07/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: Herzog, Richard R.
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, THANH TAM T
• Application Number:
  US11/080,582
• Publication Number:
  US 20050215116A1
• Time in Patent Office: 847 Days
• Field of Search: 439/357, 439/533, 439/546, 439/547, 439/549, 439/558, 439/559, 439/617, 439/618, 439/682, 439/683, 439/936, 439/953
• US Class Current: 439/547
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5213 Covers
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5219 Sealing means between coupling parts, e.g. interfacial seal
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5227 with evacuation of penetrating liquids
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/64 Means for preventing incorrect coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/74 Means for mounting coupling parts in openings of a panel
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 33/225 secured to structure or printed circuit board
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/72 using a heat shrinking insulating sleeve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/918 Multilamp vehicle panel

Abstract

An electrical assembly for mounting an electrical device, such as a lamp socket, in an appliance has first and second components on opposite sides of a wall of the appliance. The first component is attached to the wall and closes a hole through the wall on a first side thereof. The second component is attached to the first component and closes the hole on an opposite side of the wall. Complementary quick connect electrical terminals are provided in the first and second components whereby electrical connection is established as the first and second components are attached one to the other.

Claims

1. An assembly for holding an electrical component in a wall having a hole, said assembly comprising:

a first component configured for attachment to the wall and to cover the hole on one side of the wall, said first component having a latch, said first component including a protuberance configured for mating engagement with a first notch in the wall to ensure proper alignment of said first component with the wall when positioning said first component with respect to the wall so as to be able to attach said first component to the wall and said protuberance being further configured for mating engagement with a second notch in the wall when said first component is securely attached to the wall;

a peripheral skirt surrounding said first component for engaging the wall and covering the hole on the one side of the wall;

a plurality of bosses in said first component for receiving first electrical terminals said bosses being open to an opposite side of the wall, and said bosses being situated on said first component such that said latch is positioned between said bosses;

a second component including a base configured for attachment to the first component and to cover the hole from a second side of the wall, said second component further including a plurality of terminal slots configured for holding second electrical terminals for electrically coupling with said first electrical terminals, said second component defining an aperture for receiving and engaging said latch for securing said second component to said first component, said base having baffles on opposite sides of said aperture such that said second electrical terminals are disposed outwardly of said baffles relative to said aperture such that each baffle is positioned between said aperture and an associated terminal slot; and

a second component skirt for engaging the wall on a side opposite the side engaged by said skirt of said first component.

2. The assembly of claim 1, said base having a weep hole for conducting moisture away from said first electrical terminals and said second electrical terminals.

3. The assembly of claim 2, said weep hole in flow communication with a space between said baffles.

4. The assembly of claim 1, said latch including a tapered distal end and a lip for compressively securing said second component against the wall.

5. The assembly of claim 1, said first component having first and second terminal bosses with first electrical terminals therein, and wires leading from said female terminals out of said first and second terminal bosses.

6. The assembly of claim 5, said terminal bosses have a seal protecting said first electrical terminals, with said wires extending through said seal.

7. The assembly of claim 6, said seal including resin material in said bosses.

8. The assembly of claim 6, said seal including a shrink sleeve.

9. The assembly of claim 6, said seal being a cap.

10. The assembly of claim 1, said first component including a rotating lock configuration for attaching said first component to the wall.

11. The assembly of claim 1, each boss having an external trough for capturing and directing moisture.

12. The assembly of claim 1, each boss having a ledge for engaging each terminal.