US4245880A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Convenience outlet
Assignee: TE Connectivity Corp
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Filing: 1979-03-05
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Granted: 1981-01-20
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Expires: 1999-03-05
Abstract
Abstract A convenience outlet is disclosed for use in groups or alone at any point where it is desirable to have electrical power available. The individual convenience outlet has a housing of rigid insulative material enclosing terminals which have a receptacle configuration on one end adapted to mate with a conventional plug and on the opposite end are adapted to mate with conductors. The other end of each terminal is preferably profiled to effect an insulation displacement termination of a conductor but also can be profiled to mate with a terminated conductor. The terminals also include means for grounding the outlet to a mounting box, panel, or the like.
Inventors
- 👤 John A. Zimmerman, Jr.
- 👤 William B. Long
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 09:52
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R25/00; H01R25/006; H01R13/00; H01R13/58; H01R4/00; H01R4/24; H01R4/2416; H01R4/2445
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
A convenience outlet adapted to be mounted in an aperture of a panel or the like comprising: a housing of rigid insulative material having a forwardly directed mating face and a rearwardly opening termination cavity, at least two apertures in a patterned array opening in said mating face and leading to said cavity, a rearwardly directed shoulder spaced from said mating face, and mounting means including at least one forwardly directed, cantilevered mounting leg resiliently mounted on said housing, each said leg having a profiled free end directed towards said shoulder and adapted to engage one side of a panel, the opposite side of which engages said shoulder to hold the outlet therein, a rear cover member adapted to close said rear cavity and having means to detachably secure said rear cover member to said housing and a patterned array of apertures therein; a plurality of terminals mounted in said cavity each with a mating portion directed towards a respective aperture in said mating face and a conductor engaging portion directed towards said rear cover member and accessible through said apertures in said rear cover member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
A convenience outlet adapted to be mounted in an aperture of a panel or the like comprising: a housing of rigid insulative material having a forwardly directed mating face and a rearwardly opening termination cavity, at least two apertures in a patterned array opening in said mating face and leading to said cavity, a rearwardly directed shoulder spaced from said mating face, and mounting means including at least one forwardly directed, cantilevered mounting leg resiliently mounted on said housing, each said leg having a profiled free end directed towards said shoulder and adapted to engage one side of a panel, the opposite side of which engages said shoulder to hold the outlet therein, a rear cover member adapted to close said rear cavity and having means to detachably secure said rear cover member to said housing and a patterned array of apertures therein; a plurality of terminals mounted in said cavity each with a mating portion directed towards a respective aperture in said mating face and a conductor engaging portion directed towards said rear cover member and accessible through said apertures in said rear cover member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A convenience outlet according to claim 1 further comprising conductor guiding grooves on edges of opposing side walls at the rear of said housing, said grooves being aligned with a conductor engaging portion of a respective terminal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A convenience outlet according to claim 1 wherein said conductor engaging portion of each said terminal comprises: a slotted plate adapted to make insulation piercing engagement with a respective conductor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A convenience outlet according to claim 1 wherein said conductor engaging portion of each said terminal comprises: a socket adapted to receive a mating connector therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
84 words
A convenience outlet according to claim 1 wherein said conductor engaging portion of each said terminal comprises: a slotted plate adapted to make insulation piercing engagement with a respective conductor; plate segments connected to each marginal edge of said slotted plate by bights and folded to lie parallel to and spaced from said slotted plate defining a receptacle therebetween; whereby said terminal can be engaged by a conductor in said slot and a terminated conductor the terminal of which is received in said receptacle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A convenience outlet according to claim 1 wherein said conductor engaging portion of each said terminal comprises: a blade adapted to be received in a mating socket terminal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A convenience outlet according to claim 1 wherein one of said terminals is a ground terminal and further comprises: a grounding tine projecting from said housing to engage the panel in which said outlet is mounted.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-01-20 | 1984-07-21 | 1985-01-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-01-20 | 1988-07-21 | 1989-01-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-01-20 | 1992-07-21 | 1993-01-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |