Multifunctional construction molding with integrated electrical interconnect and outlet

• US 7,374,444 B1
• Filed: 11/17/2004
• Issued: 05/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Odyssian Technology, LLC
• Original Assignee: Odyssian Technology, LLC
• Inventors: Bennett, Barton E
• Primary Examiner(s): Leon; Edwin A.
• Application Number:
  US10/990,849
• Time in Patent Office: 1,280 Days
• Field of Search: 439/215, 439/94, 439110-122, 439207-212, 439/100, 439351-352, 439/358
• US Class Current: 439/215
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/652 with earth pin, blade or socket
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/78 with additional earth or shield contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/006 the coupling part being secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. duplex wall receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/142 Their counterparts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/145 Details, e.g. end pieces or joints H01R25/147 takes precedence

Abstract

An electrical distribution system that in one embodiment includes a structural or trim member having a slot, the slot including at least two continuous electrical conductors, each having an exposed electrical contact surface and separated from one another by a dielectric material. The electrical distribution system may also include a plug-in outlet receptacle including at least one set of receiving apertures, for receiving an electrical plug and at least two electrical contactors electrically connected to respective apertures for providing electrical power to a device plugged into the outlet receptacle, wherein the contactors are configured for receipt into the slot, and further configured so that when plugged therein one of the contactors makes electrical contact with one of the continuous conductors, and the other contactor makes electrical contact with the other continuous conductor.

Claims

1. An electrical distribution system comprising:

a structural or trim member having a slot, said slot including at least two continuous electrical conductors, each conductor having an exposed electrical contact surface that extends continuously along substantially the entire length of the slot and is accessible to receive electrical contact anywhere along the length and separated from one another by a dielectric material; and

a plug-in outlet receptacle including at least one set of receiving apertures, for receiving an electrical plug and at least two electrical contactors electrically connected to respective apertures for providing electrical power to a device plugged into said outlet receptacle, said contactors configured for receipt into said slot anywhere along the continuous length of the contact surfaces therein, and further configured so that when plugged therein one of said contactors makes electrical contact with one of said continuous conductors, and said other contactor makes electrical contact with said other continuous conductor.

2. The electrical distribution system as set forth in claim 1, further including a corner electrical connector for plugging into slots of two adjacent structural/trim members for providing an electrical connection therebetween.

3. The electrical distribution system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said structural or trim member is selected from a group consisting of a baseboard, a chair rail, a window or door molding/frame, a modular wall, a mantle, a railing, a furniture unit or a structural wall.

4. The electrical distribution system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said conductors extend along opposite sides of said slot.

5. The electrical distribution system as set forth in claim 4, including three conductors with two on one side of said slot and one on the other side of said slot.

6. The electrical distribution system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the contactors of said plug-in outlet receptacle can be plugged into said slot at any desired location along the length thereof.

7. The electrical distribution system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said slot includes three conductors.

8. The electrical distribution system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said contactors are mounted on a dielectric material that is attached to said outlet receptacle.

9. The electrical distribution system as set forth in claim 8, wherein said contactors are parallel to one another and extend in a direction parallel to said conductors in said slot when plugged therein.

10. An electrical distribution system comprising:

at least one structural or trim member having a slot with at least two conductors mounted therein, said conductors having a contact surface and spaced apart by a dielectric material; and

a plug-in outlet receptacle having at least one set of receiving apertures for receiving an electrical plug and at least two contactors electrically connected to respective apertures to provide electrical power to a device plugged therein, said contactors configured to be plugged in said slot so that one contactor makes electrical contact with one conductor, and the other contactor makes electrical contact with the other conductor, said plug-in outlet receptacle being movable along the length of said slot to obtain electrical contact while plugged in at different locations along the length therein.

11. The electrical distribution system as set forth in claim 10, including a power control module remotely controlling the electrical power to said outlet receptacle.

12. The electrical distribution system as set forth in claim 10, including three conductors with two conductors located on one side of said slot and one conductor located on the opposite side of said slot.

13. The electrical distribution system as set forth in claim 10, including at least three structural or trim members with one of said structural or trim members being a connection member to electrically connect the other two structural/trim members to one another.

14. The electrical distribution system as set forth in claim 13, wherein said slot of said connection member is filled with a dielectric material.

15. The electrical distribution system as set forth in claim 13, wherein said slot of said connection member has a cover mounted thereover.

16. An electrical distribution system comprising:

a structural or trim member with a slot therein and at least two conductors mounted therein, said conductors each having a contact surface extending continuously along substantially the entire length of the slot creating an extended electrical receptacle running along the slot and spaced apart by a dielectric material, and

a plug-in outlet receptacle having at least one set of receiving apertures for receiving an electrical plug from a device to be plugged therein, and at least two contactors electrically connected to respective apertures to provide electrical power thereto, said contactors mounted on a dielectric material as configured to be plugged in and received in said slot so that one contactor makes electrical contact with one conductor and the other contactor makes electrical contact with the other conductor.

17. The electrical distribution system as set forth in claim 16, wherein said contactors are mounted generally parallel to one another on said dielectric material and extend in a direction generally parallel to said conductors in said slot when plugged therein.

18. The electrical distribution system as set forth in claim 16, including a power control module to remotely control power to said outlet receptacle.

19. The electrical distribution system as set forth in claim 16, wherein the outlet receptacle includes an infrared receiver to individually control a device plugged in said outlet receptacle.

20. The electrical distribution system as set forth in claim 16, including three conductors and three contactors.

21. The electrical distribution system as set forth in claim 20, wherein one of said conductors is mounted along an opposite side of said slot from said other two conductors.

22. An electrical distribution system comprising:

a structural trim member a slot therein and at least two conductors mounted therein, said conductors each having a contact surface extending continuously along substantially the entire length of the slot and spaced apart by a dielectric material; and

a plug-in member for providing electrical power to a device, said plug-in member having at least two contactors electrically isolated from one another and configured to be plugged in and received in said slot anywhere along the continuous length of the contact surfaces therein so that one contactor makes electrical contact with one conductor, and the other contactor makes electrical contact with the other conductor.

23. The electrical distribution system as set forth in claim 22, wherein the plug-in member includes a body portion and a plug-in portion, the plug-in portion including at least one panel, the contactors being located on the panel.

24. The electrical distribution system as set forth in claim 23, wherein the plug-in member includes receiving bores in the body portion to receive an electrical plug and the panel extends substantially perpendicular to the length of the bores.

25. The electrical distribution system as set forth in claim 23, wherein the panel is plugged into the slot and the contactors extend along the panel in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the panel is inserted.

26. The electrical distribution system as set forth in claim 23, wherein the plug-in member includes three contactors.

27. The electrical distribution system as set forth in claim 26, wherein two of the contactors are located on one side of the panel and one contactor is located on the other side of the panel.