US3922586A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ground fault detecting power outlet
Assignee: ITE Imperial Corp
•
Filing: 1974-04-01
•
Granted: 1975-11-25
•
Expires: 1994-04-01
Abstract
Abstract A plug-in type power outlet fitting for an electric service panel is provided with ground fault interrupting capabilities. The power outlet fitting includes a three-prong duplex outlet portion electrically and mechanically secured to a ground fault detector-interruptor subassembly to form a unitary block-like structure.
Inventors
- 👤 Aldon L Buxton
- 👤 Leonard Donnerstag
- 👤 Carl E Gryctko
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 21:58
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02B; H02B1/00; H02B1/015; H02B1/04; H02B1/056
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
355 words
A power outlet device removably mountable in an electric power distribution panel, said device including a ground fault detector-interrupter first means, a receptacle means, and an elongated unitary generally block-like insulating housing means including a first housing portion for said first means and a second housing portion for said receptacle means; said second housing portion including a front section, a rear section and retaining means securing said sections together and securing said first and second housing portions together; said first means including a line terminal at one end of said first housing portion operatively engaging a distribution panel hot conductor positioned at the rear of said first housing portion; said receptacle means including hot load contact means, grounding contact means, line neutral contact means and load neutral contact means; first conductor means within said housing means extending through said first means and connecting said hot load contact means to said line terminal; said hot load contact means being operatively engaged by plug prong means extending through opening means in the front of said second housing poriton; said grounding contact means having a first portion operatively engaged by plug prong means extending through opening means in the front of said second housing portion and having a second portion engaged with a panel ground conductor at the rear of said device; said load neutral contact means being operatively engaged by Plug prong means extending to opening means in the front of said second housing portion; said hot load and load neutral contact means having substantially identical constructions; a block-like insulating member disposed within said second housing portion between said front and rear sections; said grounding contact means extending through said member with said first and second portions of said grounding contact means projecting from said member at its front and rear, respectively; said line neutral contact means being maintained by said member at a position both insulated from said load neutral contact means and operatively engaged with a panel neutral conductor at the rear of said device; second conductive means within said housing extending through said first means and connecting said line and load neutral contact means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
355 words
A power outlet device removably mountable in an electric power distribution panel, said device including a ground fault detector-interrupter first means, a receptacle means, and an elongated unitary generally block-like insulating housing means including a first housing portion for said first means and a second housing portion for said receptacle means; said second housing portion including a front section, a rear section and retaining means securing said sections together and securing said first and second housing portions together; said first means including a line terminal at one end of said first housing portion operatively engaging a distribution panel hot conductor positioned at the rear of said first housing portion; said receptacle means including hot load contact means, grounding contact means, line neutral contact means and load neutral contact means; first conductor means within said housing means extending through said first means and connecting said hot load contact means to said line terminal; said hot load contact means being operatively engaged by plug prong means extending through opening means in the front of said second housing poriton; said grounding contact means having a first portion operatively engaged by plug prong means extending through opening means in the front of said second housing portion and having a second portion engaged with a panel ground conductor at the rear of said device; said load neutral contact means being operatively engaged by Plug prong means extending to opening means in the front of said second housing portion; said hot load and load neutral contact means having substantially identical constructions; a block-like insulating member disposed within said second housing portion between said front and rear sections; said grounding contact means extending through said member with said first and second portions of said grounding contact means projecting from said member at its front and rear, respectively; said line neutral contact means being maintained by said member at a position both insulated from said load neutral contact means and operatively engaged with a panel neutral conductor at the rear of said device; second conductive means within said housing extending through said first means and connecting said line and load neutral contact means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A power outlet device as set forth in claim 1 in which the retaining means includes a bracket secured to one side of said first housing portion and operatively engaged with a sidewall of an extending section of said second housing portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A power outlet device as set forth in claim 2 in which a part of the bracket is sandwiched between said front and rear sections.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
A power outlet device as set forth in claim 1 in which the first means includes cooperating contact means constituting a portion of the first conductor means; and an operating handle operatively connected to said contact means for selectively opening and closing the latter; said handle being accessible at the front of said housing means for manual operation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A power outlet device as set forth in claim 1 in which the line terminal, the second portion of the grounding contact means and the line neutral contact means each constitutes a plug-in type terminal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
A power outlet device as set forth in claim 1 in which said line terminal, said second portion of the grounding contact means and said line neutral contact means each constituting a plug-in type terminal; said receptacle means including first and second plug-prong receiving receptacles connected in electrical parallel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-24 | 1979-05-26 | 1979-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-24 | 1983-05-26 | 1983-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-24 | 1987-05-26 | 1987-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |