Modular electrical receptacle

• US 7,628,643 B2
• Filed: 08/27/2008
• Issued: 12/08/2009
• 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:
  US12/199,644
• Publication Number:
  US 20090053925A1
• Time in Patent Office: 468 Days
• Field of Search: 439/535, 439/502, 439/539, 439/215, 439/536
• US Class Current: 439/535
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/514 composed as a modular blocks or assembly, i.e. composed of co-operating parts provided with contact members or holding contact members between them
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6666 with built-in overvoltage protection
• 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 modular electrical receptacle configured so that more than one of the modular electrical receptacles can be connected to form a larger receptacle connected to a single source of power. The modular electrical receptacle includes a housing having a front surface with a first and a second electrical outlet. The housing further includes a first tab extending from a first end and a second end extending from a second end for securing the modular receptacle to an in-wall electrical box. The housing further includes a power link, such as a conductive extension, for connecting directly to another module and providing the other module with access to the single source of power. The power link can be three links for connecting a positive line, a neutral line and a ground line to another module. The housing also includes a coupler for connecting the housing to a power link of another module. Again, three couplers can be provided for the positive, neutral and ground lines. The power link(s) and coupler(s) can be on opposing sides of the module. A plurality of modules can be utilized to build a receptacle having four outlets, six outlets and more.

Claims

1. A modular electrical receptacle comprising:

an electrical receptacle outlet housing containing a first electrical receptacle outlet and a second electrical receptacle outlet, the first electrical receptacle outlet and the second electrical receptacle outlet positioned on a front surface of the housing;

a first mounting tab extending from a first end of the housing and a second mounting tab extending from a second end of the housing, the first and second mounting tabs configured to secure the modular electrical receptacle to an in-wall mounting box;

a first power link on a first side of the housing, the first power link configured to connect directly to a first other modular electrical receptacle and electrically link the modular electrical receptacle to the first other modular electrical receptacle, wherein electrical power provided to the modular electrical receptacle is provided to the first other modular electrical receptacle through the first power link.

2. The modular electrical receptacle of claim 1 further comprising:

a first coupler for electrically connecting the modular electrical receptacle to a first power link from a second other modular electrical receptacle.

3. The modular electrical receptacle of claim 2 wherein the first coupler is positioned on a second side of the housing.

4. The modular electrical receptacle of claim 2 wherein the first power link comprises an electrically conductive prong extending from the first side of the housing.

5. The modular electrical receptacle of claim 4 wherein the first coupler comprises a slot in the housing for receiving a first link in the form of an electrically conductive prong.

6. The modular electrical receptacle of claim 2 further comprising:

a second power link on the first side of the housing; and

,

a third power link on the first side of the housing wherein the first power link provides access to the positive line, the second power link provides access to the neutral line and the third power link provides access to the ground line.

7. The modular electrical receptacle of claim 6 further comprising:

a second coupler for electrically connecting the modular electrical device to a second power link from the second other modular electrical receptacle; and

,

a third coupler for electrically connecting the modular electrical device to a third power link from the second other modular electrical receptacle.

8. The modular electrical receptacle of claim 1 further comprising:

a first activation tab on the housing, the first activation tab configured to connect a conductive element in a second other modular electrical receptacle to the first power link of the second other modular electrical receptacle to complete an electrical circuit to enable the first power link of the second other modular electrical receptacle to provide electrical power to the modular electrical receptacle.

9. The modular electrical receptacle of claim 8 further comprising:

a first activator in the housing, the first activator configured for engagement with the first activation tab on the housing of the first other modular electrical receptacle.

10. The modular electrical receptacle of claim 9 wherein the first activator comprises a slot formed in the housing for receiving the first activation tab on the housing of the first other modular electrical receptacle.