Multiple outlet receptacle with circuit breaker and continuity switch mechanisms

• US 5,109,316 A
• Filed: 01/04/1991
• Issued: 04/28/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Inventors: Murphy, Glenn L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tolin, Gerald P.
• Application Number:
  US07/637,581
• Time in Patent Office: 480 Days
• Field of Search: 200/297, 200/51 R, 200/51.02, 200/51.04, 307/112, 307/113, 307/130, 307/131, 307/155, 439/535, 439/538, 439/536, 439/682, 174/53, 174/54, 174/57, 174/58, 361/334, 361/356, 361/357, 361/376, 361/425, 361/426, 361/428, 361/62, 361/114
• US Class Current: 361/643
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/70 with built-in switch
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/006 the coupling part being secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. duplex wall receptacle

Abstract

A multiple outlet receptacle has a molded insulating body which includes multiple groups of internal contact elements disposed in the body and defining multiple electrical outlets adapted for receiving multiple outlet plugs. The receptacle also has a circuit breaker mechanism and a continuity switch mechanism mounted in the body and connected in series with one another and with an electrical power cord and each of the multiple electrical outlets for respectively protecting external electrical circuits plugged into the multiple electrical outlets and switching on and off external electrical circuits plugged into the multiple electrical outlets.

Claims

1. A multiple outlet receptacle, comprising:

(a) a molded insulating body having a front face with plug blade receiving apertures formed therein;

(b) means disposed in said body and aligned with said apertures in said front face and defining multiple electrical outlets for receiving multiple outlet plugs;

(c) means for supplying electrical power being attached to said body; and

(d) a circuit breaker mechanism and a continuity switch mechanism mounted side-by-side one another in said body and connected in series with one another and with said electrical power supplying means and each of said multiple electrical outlets for respectively protecting external electrical circuits when plugged into said multiple electrical outlets and switching on and off external electrical circuits plugged into said multiple electrical outlets;

(e) said molded insulating body including a base having a bottom wall and a continuous side wall formed integrally with said bottom wall and defining an open top, said circuit breaker mechanism and said continuity switch mechanism being mounted in side-by-side position to said base and respectively having a reset actuating element and a switch actuating element being positioned side-by-side one another and projecting from said molded insulating body through said side wall of said base thereof for access at the exterior of said body;

(f) said body also including a cover separate from said base, said cover having a mounting flange portion detachably attached to said continuous side wall of said base so as to close said open top thereof, said cover also having a housing portion formed integrally on and projecting outwardly from said mounting flange portion, said housing portion containing said multiple electrical outlet defining means and having said front face with plug blade receiving apertures formed therein.

2. The receptacle as recited in claim 1, wherein said multiple electrical outlets include multiple groups of internal contact elements disposed in said housing portion of said body and aligned with said apertures in said front face of said housing portion.

3. The receptacle as recited in claim 2, wherein said circuit breaker mechanism and said continuity switch mechanism each has a pair of terminals connected in series with said contact elements and said electrical power supplying means.

4. The receptacle as recited in claim 3, further comprising:

a first electrical conductor interconnecting one of said terminals of said circuit breaker mechanism or said continuity switch mechanism and a first group of said internal contact elements; and

a second electrical conductor interconnecting one of said terminals of said circuit breaker mechanism and one of said terminals of said continuity switch mechanism.

5. The receptacle as recited in claim 4, wherein said electrical power supplying means is an electrical power cord including an electrical plug and a pair of electrical conductors connected at one end to said plug, one of said conductors being connected at an opposite end to a second group of said internal contact elements and the other of said conductors being connected at an opposite end to the other of said terminals of said circuit breaker mechanism or said continuity switch mechanism.