Abstract An electrical receptacle comprises an integrally molded body member and flanged face plate formed preferably as a duplex receptacle for the receipt of conventional two and three wire electrial plugs. The interior of the body member comprises a series of selectively positioned contact supports for engagement with novel contact means suitably aligned therewithin. A mating cover member designed to latch with the body member is provided with inwardly directed projections selectiely aligned in a series of rows to provide discrete cradles for each of the conductors of a multiconductor electrical cable to be attached to the receptacle. The receptacle is provided with mounting pawls rotatably and axially replaceable for contact with the inner surface of a support structure and is operable from the front surface of the receptacle which comprises in one embodiment, a pair of pawl supporting screws the head portions of which are accessible from the front surface of the face plate. The electrical contacts are formed from a single strip of preferably highly conductive metallic material configured to selectively receive the conventional current carrying and the ground conductors of a conventional multiconductor non-metallic sheathed electrical cable. Each of the contacts is selectively formed to provide a U-shaped portion selectively slotted to provide highly effective insulation severing and conductor engaging independently deflectable finger portions designed to provide a rapid, secure, and permanent connection to the respective cable conductors. The contacts are further provided with flattened looped portions arranged to resiliently engage the contacts of an electrial plug inserted within the receptacle. Juxtaposed receptacles may be mounted in a frame and secured to a suitably apertured support member to provide a compact ganged assembly of increased capacity.
Mounting means for an electrical receptacle having an enclosed body member, a base portion integrally joined to said body member and having a flanged portion extending beyond the periphery of said body member, said mounting means comprising: pawl means rotatably connected to said flanged portion and having a finger portion movable from a first position within the confines of the outer periphery of said body member to a second position beyond the confines of the outer periphery of said body member; means for rotatably deploying said pawl means finger portion from said first position to said second position; means for displacing said pawl means along an axis generally normal to the plane of said base member flanged portion adjacent said body member; and means for selectively restraining the rotational movement of said pawl means along a given portion of its length of axial displacement, said restraining means comprising a first planar pawl stop and a second planar pawl stop, said first pawl stop extending rearwardly from said base member flanged portion parallel to the path of axial displacement of said pawl means finger portion for stopping said pawl means in said second position, said second pawl stop being shorter than said first pawl stop and extending rearwardly from said base member flanged portion generally parallel to a portion of the path of axial displacement of said pawl means finger portion and lying in a plane generally parallel to and spaced from the plane of said first pawl stop to provide a channel-like passageway for said pawl means finger portion along a portion of the path of axial displacement of said pawl means finger portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
274 words
Mounting means for an electrical receptacle having an enclosed body member, a base portion integrally joined to said body member and having a flanged portion extending beyond the periphery of said body member, said mounting means comprising: pawl means rotatably connected to said flanged portion and having a finger portion movable from a first position within the confines of the outer periphery of said body member to a second position beyond the confines of the outer periphery of said body member; means for rotatably deploying said pawl means finger portion from said first position to said second position; means for displacing said pawl means along an axis generally normal to the plane of said base member flanged portion adjacent said body member; and means for selectively restraining the rotational movement of said pawl means along a given portion of its length of axial displacement, said restraining means comprising a first planar pawl stop and a second planar pawl stop, said first pawl stop extending rearwardly from said base member flanged portion parallel to the path of axial displacement of said pawl means finger portion for stopping said pawl means in said second position, said second pawl stop being shorter than said first pawl stop and extending rearwardly from said base member flanged portion generally parallel to a portion of the path of axial displacement of said pawl means finger portion and lying in a plane generally parallel to and spaced from the plane of said first pawl stop to provide a channel-like passageway for said pawl means finger portion along a portion of the path of axial displacement of said pawl means finger portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
127 words
Mounting means as defined in claim 1 wherein said pawl means comprises a generally cylindrical hub portion having an aperture extending longitudinally therethrough, said means for rotatably deploying said pawl means and said means for axially displacing said pawl means comprising screw means having a shank portion extending through said base portion flanged portion and threadably engaged within said pawl means hub portion aperture, said screw means having a head portion accessible from the surface of said flanged portion opposite said body member wherein, upon the selective rotation of said screw means in a first direction, said pawl means is caused to be rotatably deployed from its said first position to its said second position and is further caused to be axially displaced towards said flanged portion.