Electrical receptacle with open corner region

• US 7,734,038 B2
• Filed: 05/01/2006
• Issued: 06/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ortronics Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Original Assignee: Ortronics Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Inventors: Martich, Mark E., Hathaway, Robert M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Briney, III; Walter F
• Application Number:
  US11/415,739
• Publication Number:
  US 20070263855A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,499 Days
• Field of Search: 379/413.04, 439/344, 439/676, 174/50, 174/53, 174/520, 174/549
• US Class Current: 379/413.04
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6641 with diode with LED H01R13/7175
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/73 Means for mounting coupling parts to apparatus or structures, e.g. to a wall

Abstract

An electrical receptacle with an open corner region facilitates electrical connection between an electrical device positioned in the receptacle and a conduit, cable or like wiring that passes through the open corner region. The open corner region is defined by a side wall, top face and rear wall of the receptacle. The receptacle is particularly adapted for use with electrical devices that include a connector that aligns with the open corner region, e.g., an access point.

Claims

1. An electrical receptacle, comprising:

a base, a first substantially L-shaped side wall, a second side wall, a substantially L-shaped top face and a substantially L-shaped rear wall that define an enclosure for receipt of at least an outwardly directed plug,

wherein the first substantially L-shaped side wall, the substantially L-shaped top face and the substantially L-shaped rear wall define an open corner region, and

wherein an opening is defined by the enclosure that is in communication with the open corner region and that is adapted to accommodate positioning of at least a portion of the outwardly directed plug therewithin.

2. An electrical receptacle according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle includes mounting flanges that define apertures for receipt of mounting screws.

3. In combination,

a. an electrical receptacle that includes a base, a first substantially L-shaped side wall, a second side wall, a substantially L-shaped top face and a substantially L-shaped rear wall that define an enclosure, wherein the first substantially L-shaped side wall, the substantially L-shaped top face and the substantially L-shaped rear wall define an open corner region and wherein an opening is defined by the enclosure that is in communication with the open corner region;

and

b. an electrical device that includes a rearwardly directed connector positioned within the enclosure,

wherein the rearwardly directed connector substantially aligns with the open corner region of the electrical receptacle and is positioned at least in part within the opening defined by the enclosure.

4. The combination of claim 3, wherein the electrical device is an access point.

5. The combination of claim 4, wherein the access point supports wireless functionality.