Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02563862 2014-01-09
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MODULAR ELECTRICAL RECEPTACLE
DESCRIPTION
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] None.
TECHNICAL FIELD
10003] The present invention is generally related to an electrical
receptacle having a
plurality of receptacle outlets wired in common to a single source of
electrical energy, and
more particularly, to a standard wall mounted electrical receptacle having
four, six, eight or
more receptacle outlets wired in common to a single cable. The present
invention is also
generally related to a two-sided electrical receptacle and an electrical box
configured to house
the two-sided electrical receptacle, and more particularly, to a two-sided
electrical receptacle
having electrical outlets on both sides for placement in a wall common to two
adjacent rooms
and to an electrical box having an opening for each side of the electrical
receptacle and sized
to span the width of the wall. The present invention is also generally related
to an improved
electrical receptacle adapter, and more particularly, to an electrical plug in
adapter having
multiple adapter outlets configured to receive two or more transformer type
plugs. The
present invention is further related to a modular electrical receptacle or
device that is
mounted in a wall.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Access to electrical power within a building or other similar
structure is typically
provided by electrical receptacles or outlets that receive the prongs of a
plug. The electrical
receptacles in a permanent structure are traditionally mounted in electrical
outlet boxes within
the wall so that the face of the receptacles are flush with the surface of the
wall.
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[0005] Providing power for each of the electrical outlets requires wiring
the outlets to a
source of electrical power. Electrical receptacles are usually provided in the
form of a duplex
receptacle having two receptacle outlets. Two duplex receptacles can be placed
side by side
to form a quadplex receptacle, however, each of the duplex receptacles must be
separately
wired. Accordingly, the more receptacle outlets needed or provided in a
structure, the more
wiring required. This can lead to mistakes in wiring and increases the time
and cost of
installation.
[0006] U.S. Patent No. 5,601,455 to Bagga discloses a quadruplex receptacle
having four
receptacle outlets which can be connected in common to a single electrical
cable. The
receptacle outlets can be at different orientations with respect to each
other. The receptacle
outlets are mounted within a plastic housing which "can be surface mounted,
mounted over a
variety of types of outlet boxes, mountable with or without an adapter plate
to various
surfaces or can be used as a portable device when assembled to a special
back." (See e.g.,
Bagga at column 1, lines 35-39). Bagga does not disclose or suggest providing
a housing
with flanges for placement of the receptacle in a standard in-wall outlet box,
or expanding the
receptacle to provide more than four receptacle outlets or placing receptacle
outlets on more
than one side of the housing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention provides a multiplex receptacle (having four,
six, eight, etc.,
receptacle outlets) for permanent in-wall mounting that only requires a single
connection to a
power source. The present also provides a permanent in-wall mounted multiplex
receptacle
having the top receptacle outlets turned upside down to accommodate a non-
standard plug
(e.g., including a transformer) without covering the lower receptacle outlet.
The present
invention also provides a single housing multiplex receptacle having
receptacle outlets on a
first side and an opposing second side for placement in a wall between a first
room and a
second room. The two-sided multiplex receptacle may also embody the upside
down top
receptacle outlets, and require only a single connection to the power source.
[0008] In one embodiment of the invention, a multiplex electrical outlet
receptacle
comprises a housing containing a first electrical receptacle outlet, a second
electrical
receptacle outlet, a third electrical receptacle outlet, and a fourth
electrical receptacle outlet.
The housing includes at least a first tab of flange extending from the top of
the housing and at
least a second tab or flange extending from the bottom of the housing. The
first and second
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tabs are configured for connecting the housing to a permanently secured in-
wall electrical
box and mounting the receptacle flush with the wall. The multiplex electrical
outlet
receptacle further includes a single electrical cable connection on the
housing. The single
electrical cable connection may include a hot wire, a neutral wire and a
ground wire. The
single electrical cable connection provides a power supply for each of the
first, second, third
and fourth electrical receptacle outlets.
[0009] The multiplex electrical outlet receptacle can include a plurality
of additional
electrical outlets, such as, for example, a fifth electrical outlet or a sixth
electrical outlet. The
single electrical cable connection provides a power supply for the additional
outlets in the
same manner as the first, second, third and fourth outlets.
[0010] The multiplex receptacle includes internal circuitry, such as a bus,
to connect each
of the receptacles to the power supply connection. For example, the multiplex
receptacle can
include a common positive line bus and a common neutral line bus within the
housing.
Additionally, the multiplex receptacle may include a common ground bus within
the housing.
[0011] Each of the outlets can have standard apertures for connection to a
three-pronged
plug. Specifically, the outlets can include a first opening for connecting a
plug to a positive
line, a second opening for connecting the plug to a neutral line and a third
opening for
connecting the plug to a ground line.
[0012] In another embodiment of the invention, a two-sided multiplex
electrical
receptacle for providing wall mounted outlets on both sides of a wall
comprises a receptacle
housing having a first side and an opposing second side containing receptacle
outlets. A first
receptacle outlet is positioned on the first side of the housing and a second
receptacle outlet is
also positioned on the first side of the housing. The housing is specifically
dimensioned to
span the width of the wall. In this regard, housings of varying wall depths
can be configured
for the two-sided multiplex receptacle to accommodate various widths of
different walls.
Alternatively, the housing could be provided with an adjustable (e.g., a
sliding portion) depth
to allow it to be placed in walls of varying depths.
[0013] The two-sided multiplex receptacle can be expanded to include
additional
receptacle outlets. For example, a third receptacle outlet can be positioned
on the first side of
the housing and, a fourth receptacle outlet can be positioned on the second
side of the
housing. Accordingly, the multiplex receptacle forms, in effect, a duplex for
each side of a
common wall. Additional receptacle outlets can be added to form a quadplex or
greater on
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each side of the housing. Moreover, each side does not necessarily have to
have the same
number of receptacle outlets, but can be modified to fit the needs of the
rooms associated
with each side.
[0014] The first receptacle outlet is positioned above the third receptacle
outlet when the
housing is oriented in a vertical position. However, the receptacle outlets
would be side by
side if the housing is oriented in a horizontal position. Similarly, the
fourth receptacle outlet
is positioned above the second receptacle outlet when the housing is oriented
in a vertical
position, and is side by side with the second receptacle when the housing is
oriented
horizontally.
[0015] Similar to the above embodiments, the two-sided multiplex electrical
receptacle is
preferably formed to have each of the receptacles, from both sides, connected
in common to a
single cable connected to a source of electrical energy. That is, internal
structure (e.g., buses)
in the housing allows each of the receptacles to connect to the cable. Again,
the cable can
have a single positive line, a single negative or neutral line, and a single
ground line. This
avoids separately connecting each of the receptacles to the cable (or
separately connecting
each side of the housing - if the housing incorporates two receptacles as set
forth above).
Moreover, the two-sided multiplex electrical receptacle could comprise a
plurality of
additional receptacle outlets positioned on the first side; and, a plurality
of additional
receptacle outlets positioned on the second side.
[0016] The two-sided multiplex electrical receptacle further comprises a
first mounting
bracket connected to the housing proximate the first side for engaging and
securing the
multiplex receptacle to an electrical junction box, and a second mounting
bracket connected
to the housing proximate the second side for engaging and securing the
multiplex receptacle
to the electrical junction box.
[0017] In a further embodiment of the present invention, an electrical box
for mounting
electrical receptacle outlets on both sides of a wall separating a first room
and a second room
comprises a metal frame configured for placement in a wall. The frame is
primarily for a
standard wall separating two rooms of a structure having a wood or metal frame
supporting
drywall on both sides of the frame. The metal frame includes a first side with
an opening
configured to expose a first electrical outlet and a second electrical outlet
of an electrical
receptacle, and a second side opposing the first side with an opening
configured to expose a
third electrical outlet and a fourth electrical outlet of an electrical
receptacle. The metal
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frame could hold two separate receptacles, or a two-sided multiplex receptacle
as described
herein. Moreover, the metal frame could be dimensioned to expose a plurality
of receptacle
outlets on each side of the wall.
[0018] The electrical box further includes at least a first mounting tab
positioned
proximate the first side for securing a first electrical receptacle having the
first electrical
outlet and the second electrical outlet, and at least a second mounting tab
positioned
proximate the second side for securing a second electrical receptacle having
the third
electrical outlet and the fourth electrical outlet.
[0019] In yet a further embodiment of the invention, a multiplex receptacle
adapter is
disclosed. The adapter is of the type that plugs into a standard (e.g., in-
wall) receptacle, and
includes two or more receptacles on the adapter. The adapter of the this
embodiment is
uniquely configured to accommodate a first transformer plug and a second
transformer plug.
In prior adapters, typically having two or three receptacle outlets, the
outlets are positioned
too close to allow for two transformer plugs to utilize the same adapter at
the same time.
This is because a typical transformer plug is sufficiently wide such that a
second transformer
plug would not be able to be placed in the second or third outlet of the
adapter when a first
transformer plug is plugged into the firs receptacle of the adapter. The
present multiplex
receptacle adapter comprises a generally rectangular housing having a first,
or front, side and
an opposing second, or back, side. The back side of the housing has a first
plug blade or
prong extending outward from the back side and a second plug blade or prong
extending
from the back side. The first plug blade and the second plug blade are
positioned to
interconnect the adapter (i.e., plug it into) to a receptacle outlet connected
to a source of
electrical energy, such as a wall outlet. The plug blades on the back side of
the housing can
also include a ground prong. The housing includes a first adapter receptacle
outlet positioned
proximate a first end of the first side of the housing, and a second adapter
receptacle outlet
positioned proximate a second end of the first side of the housing. The first
side of the
housing is sized so that the first adapter receptacle outlet is separated from
the second adapter
receptacle outlet by a sufficient distance to concurrently accommodate a first
transformer
plug connected to the first adapter receptacle outlet, and a second
transformer plug connected
to the second adapter receptacle outlet (e.g., five inches). Such transformer
plugs can have a
width dimension of three inches or more. A third adapter receptacle outlet can
optionally be
positioned on the first side of the housing between the first adapter
receptacle and the second
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adapter receptacle. The first and second adapter receptacle outlets, and the
optional third
adapter receptacle outlet can be positioned as a single row of outlets and may
include
additional outlets.
[0020] The first adapter receptacle outlet includes a first slot for
accepting a first blade of
a first plug, a second slot for accepting a second blade of the first plug and
a third slot for
accepting a ground prong of the first plug. The first slot, second slot and
third slot of the first
adapter receptacle outlet can be oriented in a first position. That is, while
the positioned of
the first and second slot with respect to each other and with respect to the
ground slot is
generally fixed to accommodate a three pronged plug, the slots can be placed
on the first side
of the adapter in a variety of positions. For example, the ground slot could
be positioned
proximate a bottom portion of the first side, a side portion or the top
portion (with the first
and second slots adjusting accordingly to fit the three pronged plug. While
holding the
adapter with the first side facing you, the ground slot would appear either
above the first and
second slots, below these slots or to the side of the slots.
[0021] Similarly, the second adapter receptacle outlet includes a first
slot for accepting a
first blade of a second plug, a second slot for accepting a second blade of
the second plug and
a third slot for accepting a ground prong of the second plug. The first slot,
second slot and
third slot of the second adapter receptacle outlet can be oriented in a second
position different
than the first position of the first adapter receptacle outlet. For example,
the adapter can be
configured so that the third slot of the first adapter receptacle outlet is
positioned above the
first slot and the second slot of the first adapter receptacle outlet, and the
third slot of the
second adapter receptacle outlet is positioned below the first slot and the
second slot of the
second adapter receptacle outlet.
[0022] In another embodiment of the invention, a multiplex receptacle
adapter comprises
a housing configured to have a generally rectangular box shape having a first
front side and
an opposing second rear side. The adapter includes a first plug prong
extending from the
second side of the housing and a second plug prong extending from the second
side of the
housing, the first and second prongs arranged to interconnect the adapter to a
first removed
receptacle outlet (i.e., a receptacle outlet to which the multiplex adapter
can be plugged into,
e.g., an in-wall receptacle outlet) connected to a source of electrical
energy. The adapter
further includes a first adapter receptacle outlet on the first side of the
housing having a first
slot for receiving a first prong of a first plug, a second slot for receiving
a second prong of the
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first plug, and a third slot for receiving a ground prong of the first plug,
the first slot, second
slot and third slot of the first adapter receptacle outlet having a first
orientation and, a second
adapter receptacle outlet on the first side of the housing having a first slot
for receiving a first
prong of a second plug, a second slot for receiving a second prong of the
second plug, and a
third slot for receiving a ground prong of the second plug, the first slot,
second slot and third
slot of the second adapter receptacle outlet having a second orientation
different from the first
orientation of the first slot, second slot and third slot of the first adapter
receptacle outlet.
[0023] The adapter can further include a third adapter receptacle outlet on
the first side of
the housing having a first slot for receiving a first prong of a third plug, a
second slot for
receiving a second prong of the third plug, and a third slot for receiving a
ground prong of the
third plug, the first slot, second slot and third slot of the third adapter
receptacle outlet having
a third orientation. The third orientation can be different than both the
first orientation and
the second orientation, or it can be different from just one these (and thus
be the same as the
other).
[0024] The adapter can also include a fourth adapter receptacle outlet on
the first side of
the housing having a first slot for receiving a first prong of a fourth plug,
a second slot for
receiving a second prong of the fourth plug, and a third slot for receiving a
ground prong of
the fourth plug, the first slot, second slot and third slot of the fourth
adapter receptacle outlet
having a fourth orientation. The fourth orientation can be different the other
orientations or
the same as one of them.
[0025] When the adapter is positioned in an upright position (i.e., when
facing the user)
the first adapter receptacle outlet can have an orientation wherein the third
slot of the first
adapter receptacle outlet is positioned above the first slot and the second
slot of the first
adapter receptacle outlet, and the second adapter receptacle outlet can have
an orientation
wherein the third slot of the second adapter receptacle outlet is positioned
below the first slot
and the second slot of the second adapter receptacle outlet. Alternatively,
when the adapter is
positioned in an upright position the third slot of the first adapter
receptacle can be positioned
to the left of the first slot and the second slot of the first adapter
receptacle outlet, and the
third slot of the second adapter receptacle outlet can be positioned to the
right of the first slot
and the second slot of the second adapter receptacle outlet.
[0026] The first adapter receptacle outlet, the second adapter receptacle
outlet and the
third adapter receptacle outlet can be positioned in a single row on the first
side of the
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housing. In another embodiment, the first adapter receptacle outlet, the
second adapter
receptacle outlet, the third adapter receptacle outlet, and the fourth adapter
receptacle outlet
are positioned in two rows on the first side of the housing. In this
embodiment the housing
can include a third plug prong extending from the second side of the housing
and a fourth
plug prong extending from the second side of the housing to allow the housing
to connect to a
second removed receptacle outlet connected to the source of electrical energy.
[0027] In a further embodiment of the invention a multi-switch device is
disclosed. The
multi-switch device can comprise a housing configured for mounting on a wall.
The housing
includes a first switch contained in the housing where the first switch is
configured to control
completion of a first circuit for providing electrical power to a first load
(such as a light
source). A second switch is also contained in the housing. The second switch
is configured
to control completion of a second circuit for providing electrical power to a
second load. A
first line connection is provided on the housing for connecting the first
switch and the second
switch to a first line associated with a source of electrical power.
Accordingly, only one
connection to the power source is required to accommodate both switches, thus
reducing the
labor and materials involved in wiring the switches. The first line connection
on the housing
can be a neutral line associated with the source of electrical power. The
device can further
include a second line connection on the housing for connecting the first
switch and the
second switch to a ground line associated with the source of electrical power.
[0028] The device can include a first mounting tab or flange extending from
the housing
for mounting the device in a wall mounted electrical box. The housing could
also include a
second or additional mounting tabs or flanges.
[0029] The device can include a first internal bus in the housing
connecting the first
switch to the first line connection and the second switch to the first line
connection.
Similarly, the device can include a second internal bus in the housing
connecting the first
switch to the second line connection and the second switch to the second line
connection.
[0030] In addition to a first switch and a second switch the device can
include a third
switch contained in the housing, where the third switch is configured to
control completion of
a third circuit for providing electrical power to a third load. The third
switch can also be
connected to the first and second line connections. In fact a plurality of
additional switches
can be contained in the housing. The plurality of additional switches can be
configured to
control completion of a plurality of corresponding additional circuits for
providing electrical
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power to a plurality of corresponding additional loads. Each of the plurality
of additional
switches can be connected to the first and second line connections.
[0031] The housing of the multi-switch device can include a first side and
an opposing
second side. The first switch can be positioned on the first side and the
second switch can be
positioned on the second side. The device could include a third switch
contained in the
housing positioned on the first side of the housing, and a fourth switch
contained in the
housing positioned on the second side of the housing.
[0032] In yet a further embodiment of the invention, a multi-switch device
for providing
one or more switches on two sides of a common wall dividing a first room and a
second room
is disclosed. The device comprises a housing having a first side and an
opposing second side
separated from the first side a sufficient distance to span a depth of a wall
common to a first
location (i.e., a first room) and an adjacent second location (i.e., a second
room). The device
includes a first switch contained in the housing positioned on the first side
where the first
switch is configured to control completion of a first circuit for providing
electrical power to a
first load; and, a second switch contained in the housing positioned on the
second side where
the second switch configured to control completion of a second circuit for
providing
electrical power to a second load.
[0033] The two-sided multi-switch device can further comprise a first line
connection on
the housing for connecting the first switch and the second switch to a first
line associated
with a source of electrical power, and a second line connection on the housing
for connecting
the first switch and the second switch to a ground line associated with the
source of electrical
power. The first line connection on the housing can be connected to a neutral
line associated
with the source of electrical power, and the second connection can be
connected to a ground
line associated with the source of electrical power.
[0034] The device can include a first mounting tab extending from the
housing for
mounting the device in a wall mounted electrical box. Additionally, the device
can include a
first internal bus in the housing to connect the first switch to the first
line connection and the
second switch to the first line connection, and a second internal bus in the
housing to connect
the first switch to the second line connection and the second switch to the
second line
connection.
[0035] The device can further include a third switch contained in the
housing positioned
on the first side, the third switch configured to control completion of a
third circuit for
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providing electrical power to a third load and, a fourth switch contained in
the housing
positioned on the second side, the fourth switch configured to control
completion of a fourth
circuit for providing electrical power to a fourth load. In fact the device
can include a first
plurality of additional switches contained in the housing positioned on the
first side where the
first plurality of additional switches are configured to control completion of
a corresponding
first plurality of circuits for providing power to a corresponding first
plurality of loads and, a
second plurality of additional switches contained in the housing positioned on
the second side
where the second plurality of additional switches are configured to control
completion of a
corresponding second plurality of circuits for providing power to a
corresponding second
plurality of loads. In this case the device can include a first line
connection on the housing
for connecting the first switch, the second switch, the first plurality of
additional switches,
and the second plurality of additional switches to a first line associated
with a source of
electrical power. This can also be done with a second line connection.
[0036] In a further embodiment of the invention, a duplex electrical outlet
receptacle
comprises a housing containing a first electrical outlet having a first
orientation and a second
electrical outlet having a second orientation different from the first
orientation. The duplex
receptacle further includes a first flange and optionally a second flange for
flush mounting the
receptacle in a wall. The flanges extend from the top and bottom of the
housing proximate
the side containing the outlets.
[0037] In yet a further embodiment of the invention, a module comprises a
housing
containing a first electrical receptacle outlet and a first switch. Moreover,
the housing can
contain additional receptacle outlets and additional switches.
[0038] In yet a still further embodiment of the invention, a module
comprises a housing
having a first side and a second opposing side wherein a first electrical
receptacle outlet is
contained in the housing on the first side and, a first switch is contained in
the housing on the
second side. Moreover, the first side can include additional outlets and
switches. Similarly,
the second side can contain additional outlets and switches.
[0039] According to a further embodiment of the invention, a modular
electrical
receptacle is disclosed which can be connected to other modular electrical
receptacles to
create larger receptacles for in-wall mounting. The receptacle is preferably
designed to fit
into a standard in-wall receptacle box and utilize a standard cover. In one
form, the modular
electrical receptacle comprises a housing containing a first electrical
receptacle outlet and a
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second electrical receptacle outlet positioned on a front surface of the
housing. The housing
includes a first mounting tab or flange extending from a first end of the
housing and a second
mounting tab extending from a second end of the housing. The flanges allow the
receptacle
to be secured to an in-wall electrical box. When connected to one or more
other modular
electrical receptacles, it is not necessary for each modular receptacle to
include the tabs. The
housing further includes connectors ¨ such as screw connectors ¨ for
connecting the modular
electrical receptacle to a source of electrical power. The screw connectors
can be on the top
of the housing or on the back side of the housing. Again, when connected to
one or more
other modules, it is only necessary for one module to include the screw
connectors because
each of the modules draws power from a single connection as explained below.
[0040] The housing includes a first power link on a first side of the
housing. The first
power link is configured to connect directly to another modular electrical
receptacle. For
example, the first power link can be an electrically conductive prong, pin or
other type of
connector (e.g., an L-shaped prong, a hook-shaped prong, a spring type
connector, etc.)
extending from the housing which mates with structure on another receptacle.
The first
power link electrically connects a first modular electrical receptacle to a
second modular
electrical receptacle.
[0041] The housing can include a first coupler for electrically connecting
the modular
electrical device to a first power link from another modular electrical
receptacle. In one form
of the invention, the first coupler is positioned on a second side of the
housing. Additionally,
the first coupler can comprise a slot in the housing for receiving a firsts
link in the form of an
electrically conductive prong from another module.
[0042] Preferably, the modular electrical receptacle includes a second
power link on the
first side of the housing and a third power link on the first side of the
housing wherein the
first power link provides access to the positive line, the second power link
provides access to
the neutral line and the third power link provides access to the ground line.
The housing can
further include a second coupler for electrically connecting the modular
electrical device to a
second power link from another modular electrical receptacle and a third
coupler for
electrically connecting the modular electrical device to a third power link
from the another
modular electrical receptacle.
[0043] The housing further includes a first activation tab on the housing.
The first
activation tab is configured to enable the first power link of another modular
electrical
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receptacle. Additionally, the housing includes a first activator in the
housing. The first
activator is configured for engagement with the first activation tab on the
housing of another
modular electrical receptacle. The first activator can comprise a slot formed
in the housing
for receiving the first activation tab on the housing of another modular
electrical receptacle.
The tab can push an element in the housing to complete an electrical
connection to the first
power link. Similar structure (e.g., activation tab and activator) can be
utilized for the second
and third power links and couplers.
[0044] The housing can include additional elements to allow one receptacle
to connect to
another. For example, each housing can be provided with snap-fit elements on
the sides of
the housing. In an alternative embodiment, the snap-fit and/or connector
elements can be
incorporated with or into the power link(s) and coupler(s).
[0045] The receptacle can include a non-conductive cover that is positioned
over the
power link(s). The cover would act as a safety measure if the receptacle was
not attached to
another receptacle through its power link(s). The cover could be removable or
integrated
(i.e., non-detachable) with the power link(s).
[0046] According to another embodiment of the invention, a duplex
electrical receptacle
connectable to one or two other duplex electrical receptacles is disclosed.
The duplex
electrical receptacle comprises a housing including a front surface, a first
side and a second
side. The front surface of the housing contains a first electrical receptacle
outlet and a second
receptacle outlet. The housing includes a first power connector on the first
side of the
housing, and a second power connector on the second side of the housing. The
first power
connector is configured to mate with a second power connector of another
duplex electrical
receptacle, and the second power connector is configured to mate with a first
power
connector of another duplex electrical receptacle. Accordingly, the duplex
electrical
receptacle can be connected to two other receptacles to form a receptacle with
six outlets.
Additional receptacles can be connected to the two other receptacles in like
manner to
indefinitely increase the number of outlets.
[0047] The first power connector can include an electrically conductive
prong extending
from the first side of the housing. The second power connector can include a
slot in the
second side of the housing. A first activation mechanism, such as a tab, can
be disposed on
the second side of the housing for enabling a first power connector of another
duplex
electrical receptacle. Similarly, a second activation mechanism can be
disposed on the first
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side of the housing for engaging a first activation mechanism of another
duplex electrical
receptacle. The second activation mechanism can comprise a slot and a spring
loaded
element. The spring loaded element can be moved by the tab to electrically
connect the first
power connecter to provide a complete circuit.
[0048] According to yet a further embodiment of the invention, a modular
electrical
receptacle connectable to another electrical receptacle for mounting in a wall
comprises a
housing having a first side and a second side, the housing containing a first
electrical
receptacle outlet and a second electrical receptacle outlet. The housing
includes a positive
line connector on the first side of the housing for connecting directly to
another modular
electrical receptacle and a a neutral line connector on the first side of the
housing for
connecting directly to the another modular electrical receptacle. The housing
can further
include a ground line connector on the first side of the housing for
connecting directly to
another modular electrical receptacle. The housing can further include a
positive line port for
directly receiving a positive line connector of another modular electrical
receptacle.
Similarly, the housing can include a neutral and a ground line port to
directly receive a
neutral connector and a ground connector of another modular electrical
receptacle.
[0049] Additionally, according to yet a further embodiment of the
invention, the modular
electrical receptacle can comprising a housing having a first side with a
first and a second
electrical outlet, and an opposing second side with a first and a second
electrical outlet. In
this embodiment, the modular electrical receptacle can have a width sufficient
to span a wall
and provide outlets for both sides of the wall. The power connections and
activation
described above can be utilized in this embodiment.
[0050] The modular electrical receptacle can be utilized for other
electrical devices. For
example, the receptacle can contain a switch. Two or more receptacles can be
combined as
described above to form a unit with more than one switch.
[0051] Further aspects of the invention are disclosed below and shown in
the
accompanying Figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0052] The invention can be better understood with reference to the
following drawings.
The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead
being placed
CA 02563862 2006-10-13
14
upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover,
in the drawings,
like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several
views.
[0053] FIGURE us a front plan view of a multiplex receptacle having a
common cable
connection in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0054] FIGURE 2 is a front plan view of a multiplex receptacle having a
common cable
connection in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;
[0055] FIGURE 3 is a front plan view of a multiplex receptacle having a
common cable
connection in accordance with yet a further embodiment of the present
invention;
[0056] FIGURE 4 is a side view of a multiplex receptacle having a common
cable
connection in accordance with a still further embodiment of the present
invention;
[0057] FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of an electrical junction box for
housing the
multiplex receptacle of FIGURE 4;
[0058] FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view of an electrical junction box for
use with the
multiplex receptacle of FIGURE 4;
[0059] FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of a multiplex receptacle adapter in
accordance
with the prior art;
[0060] FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of a multiplex receptacle adapter in
accordance
with another embodiment of the present invention;
[0061] FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of a multiplex receptacle adapter in
accordance
with a further embodiment of the present invention;
[0062] FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of a multiplex receptacle adapter
having
receptacles at different orientations in accordance with yet a further
embodiment of the
present;
[0063] FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of another multiplex receptacle
adapter having
receptacles at different orientations in accordance with another embodiment of
the invention;
[0064] FIGURE 12 is a perspective view of a multiplex receptacle adapter
having
receptacles at different orientations in accordance with yet another
embodiment of the
invention;
[0065] FIGURE 13 is a perspective view of a multiplex receptacle adapter
having
receptacles at different orientations in accordance with a still further
embodiment of the
invention;
CA 02563862 2006-10-13
[0066] FIGURE 14 is a perspective view of a multi-switch module in
accordance with
another aspect of the present invention;
[0067] FIGURE 15 is a perspective view of a two-sided multi-switch module
in
accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention;
[0068] FIGURE 16 is a perspective view of two modular electrical
receptacles in
accordance with another embodiment of the invention;
[0069] FIGURE 17 is an enlarged perspective view of the corners of the
modular
electrical receptacles of FIGURE 16;
[0070] FIGURE 18 is a cross-sectional view of an electrical connection with
a cover
along the line 18-18 of FIGURE 17;
[0071] FIGURE 19A is a cross-sectional view of a power link or connector of
a first
modular electrical receptacle and a coupler of a second modular electrical
receptacle spaced
apart from each other;
[0072] FIGURE 19B is a cross-sectional view of the power link engaging the
coupler and
being activated;
[0073] FIGURE 20 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of two
modular
receptacles with switches replacing several of the outlets;
[0074] FIGURE 21 is a front view of a further embodiment of multiple
modular
receptacles secured to an in-wall mounting box;
[0075] FIGURE 22 is a perspective view of a first two-sided modular
electrical receptacle
and a partial view of a second two-sided modular electrical receptacle;
[0076] FIGURE 23 is a front view of a plurality of two-sided modular
electrical
receptacles secured to an in-wall mounting box; and,
[0077] FIGURE 24 is a cross-sectional view of the modular receptacles of
FIGURE 23
taken along the line 24-24.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0078] While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different
forms, there
is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred
embodiments of the
invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be
considered as an
exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to
limit the broad
aspects of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.
CA 02563862 2006-10-13
,
,
16
100791 Referring to Figure 1, one embodiment of a multiplex receptacle 10
of the present
invention is shown having four receptacles or electrical outlets 12 (i.e., a
quadplex
receptacle). Each of the four outlets 12 include three apertures for receiving
a conventional
three-pronged plug. Specifically, each outlet 12 includes a first blade slot
14 to receive the
neutral prong or blade of the plug, a second blade slot 16 to receive the hot
blade of the plug,
and a ground slot 18 to receive a ground prong of the plug.
10080] The four electrical outlets 12 are collectively contained in a
single housing 20
having the outer dimensions of a standard quadplex receptacle. The multiplex
receptacle 10
also includes four mounting flanges or tabs 22 extend from the housing 20
proximate the
front face of the housing 20. Two of the mounting tabs are positioned on the
top of the
housing and two on the bottom (As used herein, the terms "top and "bottom" are
used as
reference terms with respect to the receptacles as shown in the Figures. Such
receptacles are
often mounted sideways wherein the mounting tabs would appear to extend from
the sides of
the housing 20 rather than the top or bottom). The mounting tabs 22 allow for
conventional
mounting of the multiplex receptacle 10 in a standard in-wall electrical
outlet box 24.
Specifically, the mounting tabs 22 on the multiplex receptacle 10 mate with
flanges or tabs 26
connected to the outlet box 24. Screws (not shown) can be utilized to secure
the multiplex
receptacle 10 to the outlet box 24 via apertures in the corresponding tabs 22
and 26.
[0081] The multiplex receptacle shown in Figures 1 and 2 will fit behind a
standard
quadplex wallplate (not shown) which can be attached to the outlet box 24.
Screw holes 27
are provided on the front face of the housing 20 to secure the wallplate to
the multiplex
receptacle 10. The wallplate along with the outlet box 24 will effectively
enclose the
multiplex receptacle 10 within a wall, exposing the outlets 12 for use on the
surface of the
wall.
100821 The housing 20 of the multiplex receptacle 10 includes three input
screws 28, 30,
and 32 on one of the sides of the housing 20 for connection to a power source
of electrical
energy. The first screw 28 and second screw 30 can be connected via a hot wire
and a neutral
wire to the power source of electrical energy. The third screw 32 can be
connected by a
ground wire to the ground of the power source. The three lines (hot, neutral
and ground) are
collectively considered as a single cable (whether or not they are bundled or
packaged
together) or connection to the power source (i.e., a second connection to a
power source
would require a second set of hot, neutral and ground wires, either from the
source, or daisy
CA 02563862 2006-10-13
17
chained from another device that is electrically coupled to the source). The
housing 20
further includes two output screws, i.e., a fourth screw 31 and a fifth screw
33, on an
opposing side to allow the multiplex receptacle 10 to be connected to another
device utilizing
standard NEMA wiring in a daisy chain relationship. An output ground screw or
connector
(not shown) can also be optionally provided.
[00831 Unlike other conventional wall mounted quadplex receptacles, the
multiplex
receptacle 10 of the present invention only requires a single connection to
the power source.
This is because the multiplex receptacle 10 internally includes a bus or other
similar circuitry
that connects each of the four outlets 12 to the hot, neutral and ground wires
connected to the
housing 20 via the three screws 28, 30 and 32. The buses may have different
configurations
from that shown in the Figures. Preferably, the housing includes a first bus
34 for connecting
each of the outlets 12 to the hot wire, a second bus 36 for connecting each of
the outlets 12 to
the neutral wire, and a third bus 38 (each of the buses 34, 36 and 38 are
shown in phantom)
for connecting each of the outlets 12 to the ground wire. Accordingly, the
multiplex
receptacle 10 of the present invention does not require multiple connections
to the power
source. This facilitates installation of the multiplex receptacle 10 and cuts
down on the
installation time needed (and the labor costs associated with such time).
Moreover, having
one connection for all four outlets 12 reduces the chances of incorrectly
wiring a receptacle
because fewer connections are needed.
[0084] Although the preferred embodiment is shown with a single phase cable
(i.e., one
hot wire, one neutral wire and one ground wire), the invention can be utilized
with a two
phase cable comprising four wires or a three phase cable comprising five
wires. In each case,
the key is that the device only requires one connection to each of the wires,
and internally
connects all of the receptacle outlets to such wires without requiring
multiple connections.
[0085] As shown in Figure 1, the three apertures 14, 16 and 18 in each of
the outlets 12
are oriented in the same position. However, the receptacle outlets 12 may be
oriented in
varying directions. For example, in another embodiment of the invention shown
in Figure 2,
another multiplex receptacle 40 is shown wherein the apertures 14, 16 and 18
of the top two
outlets 12 are flipped with respect to the bottom two outlets 12. This allows
non-standard
plugs (e.g., plugs with transformers) to utilize the upper two outlets without
covering the
lower two outlets. This feature can be used with the other embodiments of the
invention
described herein. Similar to the embodiment of Figure 1, the multiplex
receptacle 40 shown
CA 02563862 2006-10-13
18
in Figure 2 is also provided with a first, second and third bus 34, 36 and 38
connected to a
first, second and third screw 28, 30 and 32, respectively, for connecting each
of the outlets to
the hot wire, neutral wire and ground wire.
[0086] Carrying the invention beyond the standard quadplex receptacle
having four
receptacle outlets, Figure 3 shows a multiplex receptacle 50 having six or
more receptacle
outlets 12 (the invention can be utilized with an indefinite amount of
receptacle outlets). The
multiplex receptacle 50 includes a housing 52 configured to hold each of the
six or more
outlets 12. An electrical outlet box 54 can be provided to mount the multiplex
receptacle 50
in a wall. The electrical outlet box 54 will only require modification in the
width dimension
to accommodate the width of the multiplex receptacle 50. The width will depend
on the
number of electrical receptacle outlets in the multiplex receptacle 50. The
housing includes a
plurality of mounting flanges or tabs 56 that match with a corresponding
plurality of flanges
or tabs 58 in the outlet box 54 to mount the multiplex receptacle 50 to the
outlet box 54.
While the embodiment shown in Figure 3 includes a top and bottom tab 56 for
each pair of
outlets 12, fewer tabs 56 can be utilized.
[0087] Again, similar to the embodiment of Figure 1, the multiplex
receptacle 50 includes
a first bus 60, a second bus 62 and a third bus 64. Preferably, the first bus
62 connects each
of the outlets 12 to the hot wire via a first screw 66, the second bus 36
connects each of the
outlets 12 to the neutral wire via a screw 68, and the third bus 38 (each of
the buses 34, 36
and 38 are shown in phantom) connects each of the outlets 12 to the ground
wire via a screw
70. Similar to the above embodiments, the multiplex receptacle 50 of the
present invention
does not require multiple connections to the power source.
[0088] A further embodiment of the invention in shown in the cross-
sectional view of
Figure 4. A one-piece, two-sided multiplex receptacle 71 is shown providing
receptacle
outlets 12 on each side of a wall 74. The wall 74, for example, can be a
common wall 74
separating two rooms of a building.
[0089] Whenever possible or practical, electricians installing electrical
outlets in new
construction attempt to coordinate placement of receptacles on each side of
walls common to
two rooms at the same location. That is, during construction (after an area
has been framed
and before drywalling) the electrician will typically place a first electrical
outlet box facing a
first room at the same spot a second electrical outlet box is placed facing a
second room in a
wall that is common to both the first and second room. In such instances, a
first receptacle
CA 02563862 2006-10-13
19
(e.g., a duplex, quadplex etc.) is placed in the first electrical outlet box
and a second
receptacle is placed in the second electrical outlet box. A first conduit pipe
may then be used
to hold wiring from an electrical power source to the first electrical outlet
box, and a second
conduit pipe may be used to hold wiring from the power source to the second
electrical outlet
box.
[0090] The present invention eliminates the need for providing a second
electrical outlet
box, a second conduit pipe, and a second (i.e., separate) receptacle. The
multiplex receptacle
71 shown in Figure 4, includes a housing 76 having a first face 78 with one or
more
receptacle outlets 12, and an opposing second face 80 having one or more
receptacle outlets
12. The housing 72 of the multiplex receptacle 71 is configured to have a side
dimension that
spans the width of the wall 74. Varying side dimensions can be made to
accommodate
varying wall thicknesses. Alternatively, the two-sided multiplex receptacle
can be provided
with an adjustable configuration (e.g., a sliding connection) to allow for a
single receptacle to
accommodate a large number of differing wall thicknesses.
[0091] This embodiment of the invention allows the multiplex receptacle 71
to provide
one or more receptacle outlets 12 for both sides of the wall in a single
receptacle. The
multiplex receptacle 71 could, for example, have a single receptacle, a duplex
or a quadplex
or larger, on each of the first and second sides 78 and 80. Moreover, it is
possible to
configure the housing so that the number of outlets 12 on each side 78 and 80
is different than
the other.
[0092] Similar to the other embodiments above, the two-sided multiplex
receptacle 71 is
preferably configured to connect each of the receptacles 12 (in this instance
on both sides of
the receptacle 71) in common to a single power line or cable. The housing 72
is provided
with a first screw 82, a second screw 84 and a third screw 86 to connect to a
hot line, neutral
line and ground line associated with the power source (output screws can be
provided on an
opposing side of the receptacle 71 to daisy the chain the receptacle 71 to
another device).
Internal circuitry, such as one or more buses, can be provided to connect the
power line (i.e.,
the hot, neutral and ground lines) to the receptacles 12.
[0093] The two-sided multiplex receptacle can also be provided with a fire
or spark
containment shield between the two sides of the receptacle containing the
outlets 12. The
shield prevents sparks or fire from traversing the wall.
CA 02563862 2006-10-13
[0094] A modified electrical outlet box 90 is needed to hold the two-sided
multiplex
receptacle 71 in the wall 74. The outlet box 90 is configured to have a width
that spans the
width of the wall 74 to place the outlets 12 in the appropriate position on
either side. The
outlet box 90 includes a first opening on a first side to expose the
receptacle outlets 12 on the
first side 78 of the multiplex receptacle 71, and a second opening on the
second side to
expose the receptacle outlets 12 on the second side 80 of the multiplex
receptacle.
[0095] The electrical outlet box 90 can further include one or more flanges
92 with hooks
94 on the first side of the box. The hooks 94 cooperate with apertures in
flanges or tabs 96
extending proximate the first side 78 of the housing 72 of the two-sided
multiplex receptacle
71 to secure the first side 78 of the housing 72 to the outlet box 90. Flanges
or tabs 98
extending from the second side of the outlet box 90 can be used with screws
100 to secure
flanges or tabs 102 extending from proximate the second side 80 of the housing
72 to the
outlet box 90.
[0096] Figure 5 shows one embodiment of the electrical outlet box 90
without the two-
sided multiplex receptacle 71 in place. Figure 6 shows a cross-section of the
outlet box 90
shown in Figure 5.
[0097] The box 90 can have various designs for the connecting the two-sided
multiplex
receptacle 71 to the box 90. The box 90 can be constructed of metal, plastic,
a composite or
some other approved material. Moreover, the box 90 can be made of varying
widths to
accommodate varying wall thicknesses. Alternatively, the box 90 can be
provided with a
sliding or adjustable mechanism or configuration (e.g., a sleeve type design)
to allow the box
90 to be adjusted to the appropriate width of a particular wall.
[0098] The receptacle outlets 12 can be of various designs and ratings
depending on the
intended use. For example, the receptacles can be a "standard" or "designer"
NEMA
receptacle style. The receptacles can be 5-15R 15-amp or 5-20R 20-amp
receptacle types.
The receptacles could also be "standard grade" or "hospital grade." The
receptacles could
also be configured to have an isolated ground or not to have an isolated
ground.
Additionally, the receptacles may contain surge protection, fuses, or other
electronics.
[0099] In another aspect of the present invention, various multiplex plug-
in adapters are
provided that include unique structural and functional capabilities over that
shown in the
prior art. Referring to Figure 7, a typical prior art multiplex adapter 100 is
shown having a
generally rectangular box shaped housing 102. The housing includes a top wall
104 and an
CA 02563862 2006-10-13
21
opposing bottom wall (not visible), a first side 106 and an opposing second
side (not visible),
and a front side or face 108 and an opposing back side or face (not visible).
The front face
108 includes three receptacle outlets 110 (each configured to receive a three
pronged plug).
As shown in phantom, the backside includes two or more prongs 111 to plug the
adapter into
an outlet connected to a source of electrical power, such as a standard wall
receptacle outlet.
[0100] In accordance with the prior art, the receptacle outlets 110 on the
adapter 100 are
placed close together on the front face 108 of the housing 102. The distance
between the
receptacle outlets 110 is sufficient to allow a standard three pronged plug to
be inserted into
each of the outlets 110 at the same time. However, the outlets in the prior
art adapter 100 are
too close together to allow for two transformer type plugs to utilize the
adapter 100. That is,
the transformer type plug is sufficiently wide (on the order of three inches)
that even if the
two receptacle outlets 110 proximate the first and second sides were used,
there would not be
sufficient room to plug in both transformer plugs.
[0101] To overcome the space problem associated with a typical two or three
outlet prior
art adapter, the present invention provides a variety of adapters that allow
two (or more)
transformer type plugs to be plugged into the adapters at the same time.
Different
embodiments of the present invention are shown in Figures 8-13.
[0102] In a first embodiment shown in Figure 8, an adapter 112 is disclosed
having a first
receptacle outlet 114 and a second receptacle outlet 116 positioned on the
front face 118 of
the housing 120 of the adapter 112. Unlike the prior art adapter 100 shown in
Figure 7, the
first and second receptacle outlets 114 and 116 of the adapter 112 of Figure 8
are spaced a
sufficient distance to allow a first transformer plug to be plugged into the
first outlet 114 and
a second transformer outlet to be plugged into the second outlet 116 at the
same time.
[0103] As shown in Figure 9 in a modified embodiment, an adapter 122 can
optionally be
provided with a third receptacle outlet 124 between the first outlet 114 and
the second outlet
116. As indicated by the broken lines 126, additional receptacle outlets can
also be provided
between the first and second outlets 114 and 116. Each of the outlets on the
adapter could be
positioned a sufficient distance from an adjacent outlet to allow for multiple
transformer
plugs to be plugged into adjacent outlets at the same time.
[0104] In the embodiments shown in Figures 8 and 9, as well as in the prior
art adapter
100, each of the outlets on the front face of the respective adapter has the
same orientation.
That is, the relationship of the first slot 130, second slot 132 and ground
(or third) slot 134 of
CA 02563862 2006-10-13
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each of the outlets with respect to the front face of the housing is the same.
Each ground slot
134 is positioned below a vertical first slot 130 and vertical second slot
132.
[0105] In an alternative embodiment shown in Figure 10, an adapter 138 is
provided
having a first receptacle outlet 140 positioned proximate one side of the
housing 142 of the
adapter 138, and a second receptacle outlet 144 positioned proximate a second
side of the
housing 142. The first outlet 140 is provided with a first orientation wherein
the ground slot
134 is to the left side of a horizontal first slot 130 and horizontal second
slot 132 ( In order to
allow for receipt of the prongs of a standard plug, the first, second and
ground slots must
maintain a specific configuration with respect to each other. However, the
orientation of the
three slots collectively with respect to the face of the adapter can be
modified). The second
outlet 144 is provided with a second orientation different from the first
orientation wherein
the ground slot 134 is positioned to the right of a horizontal first slot and
horizontal second
slot. In this manner, two transformer plugs could be plugged into the first
and second outlets
140 and 144 without contacting each other regardless of the distance between
the outlets.
This is because the prongs of a transformer plug are typically positioned at
one end of the
transformer plug. The adapter 138 can be provided with a third outlet 146 (or
more outlets
as indicated by the broken lines) shown having a further orientation different
from either of
the first or second outlets 140 and 144. Alternatively, the third outlet 146
(or other additional
outlets) could have an orientation the same as one of the first or second
outlets 140 and 144.
[0106] In a still further embodiment shown in Figure 11, a vertically
disposed adapter
148 is shown. The adapter 148 includes a first top receptacle outlet 150
having a first
orientation and a second bottom adapter 152 having a second orientation.
Specifically, in the
first orientation the ground slot is preferably positioned above a vertical
first slot and a
vertical second slot, and in the second orientation the ground slot is
positioned below a
vertical first slot and a vertical second slot (i.e., a standard orientation).
[0107] Figures 12 and 13 disclose two embodiments of multiplex adapters 154
and 156,
respectively, having four receptacle outlets with varying orientations. The
adapter 154 in
Figure 12 includes a first top receptacle outlet 158 and a second bottom
receptacle outlet 160,
both on the left side of the front face of the adapter (to one facing the
adapter), having a first
orientation where the ground slot is to the left of a horizontal first slot
and a horizontal
second slot. The adapter 154 also includes a third top receptacle outlet 162
and a fourth
bottom receptacle outlet 164, both on the right side of the front face, having
a second
CA 02563862 2006-10-13
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23
orientation where the ground slot is to the right of a horizontal first slot
and a horizontal
second slot.
[0108] Each of the receptacle outlets of the adapter 156 shown in Figure
13, has a
different orientation from the other three. A first top left receptacle outlet
166 (again, to one
facing the adapter) is oriented to have the ground slot above a vertical first
slot and a vertical
second slot. A second bottom left receptacle outlet 168 is oriented to have
the ground slot to
the left of a horizontal first slot and a horizontal second slot. A third top
right receptacle
outlet 170 is oriented to have the ground slot to the right of a horizontal
first slot and a
horizontal second slot. Finally, a fourth bottom right receptacle outlet 172
is oriented to have
the ground slot below a vertical first slot and a vertical second slot in a
standard position.
[0109] Figure 12 shows a single set of prongs 111 to plug the adapter into
an outlet
connected to a source of electrical power. However, as shown in Figure 13, two
sets of
prongs 111 could be used for the four outlet type adapters. Alternatively, a
first set of prongs
with just an additional ground prong may be used.
[0110] In a further embodiment, a plug-in adapter can be provided with a
first side having
one or more receptacle outlets and an opposing second side having one or more
receptacle
outlets. The first and second sides being generally perpendicular to an outlet
the adapter
would be plugged into. Additionally, this can be further expanded to provide
one or more
receptacle outlets on the top and/or bottom portions or surfaces of the
adapter, as well as on
the front face of the adapter. The receptacle outlets can be provided to have
different
orientations with respect to adjacent outlets and/or with outlets on an
opposing side or surface
of the adapter.
[0111] In a further aspect of the present invention, Figures 14 and 15
disclose
embodiments of a multi-switch module or device. Similar to the various
embodiments of the
multiplex receptacles described with respect to Figures 1-6, the multi-switch
modules
combine two or more switches in a common housing. Such modules can further
reduce the
time and costs involved in installing and wiring such switches.
[0112] Referring to Figure 14, a multi-switch module 180 is shown. The
multi-switch
module includes a housing 182 containing a first switch 184 and a second
switch 186. As
indicated by the broken lines 188, the housing can also contain a plurality of
additional
switches, or at a minimum a third switch 190.
CA 02563862 2006-10-13
24
[0113] Each switch is shown in Figure 14 having a top and bottom flange 192
for
connecting the multi-switch module 180 to a corresponding flange 194 in an
electrical box
196. However, fewer flanges 192 and 194 can be utilized. Moreover, other known
means
can be utilized to connect the multi-switch module 180 to the electrical box
196.
[0114] The housing includes a first screw connection 198 for connecting the
module 180
to a neutral line connected to a source of electrical power, and a second
screw connection 200
for connecting the module to a ground line associated with the source of
electrical power.
Each of the switches are connected in common to the neutral and ground
connections 198 and
200. Preferably, an internal bus is utilized to connect each of the switches
to the neutral and
ground connections 198 and 200. Each switch in the module will include a
separate screw
connection 202 for connecting the respective switch to a respective load that
is to be
controlled by the switch (not all screw connections 202 are shown).
[0115] In a separate embodiment shown in Figure 15, a multi-switch device
or module
204 includes a housing 206 adapted to fit between a wall that separates a
first room or area
from a second room or area. The housing 206 is configured to hold a first
switch 208 on a
first side 210 of the housing 206, and a second switch 212 on an opposing
second side 214 of
the housing 206. The housing 206 includes a first screw connection 216 for
connecting the
module 204 to a neutral line connected to a source of electrical power, and a
second screw
connection 218 for connecting the module 204 to a ground connection line
associated with
the source of electrical power. Each of the switches are connected in common,
preferably by
an internal bus, to the neutral and ground connections 216 and 218. Each
switch is provided
with a screw connection 220 for connecting the switch to a load that is to be
controlled by the
switch (not all screw connections 220 are shown).
[0116] The two-sided multi-switch module 204 can have more than one switch
on each
side of the housing 206. In one preferred example, the two-sided multi-switch
module 204
includes two switches on the first side and two switches on the second side.
However, each
side could have an indefinite number of switches. The number may be dictated
by the
requirements of the respective rooms or areas the switches are placed in.
[0117] The housing 206 may be placed in an electrical box 222 similar to
the box for
containing the two-sided multiplex receptacles discussed herein. Appropriated
flanges or
brackets can be provided on the housing 206 to connect the module 204 to the
device.
CA 02563862 2006-10-13
=
[0118] The multi-switch modules could also be configured to have an
isolated ground or
not to have an isolated ground. Additionally, the multi-switch modules may
contain surge
protection, fuses, or other electronics.
[0119] Similar to the multiplex receptacles discussed herein, the
multi-switch modules
reduces the cost and time associated with wiring the switches during
construction. This also
reduces the likelihood of mis-wiring one of the switches because fewer
connections are
required.
[0120] In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, a first
and a second modular
duplex electrical receptacle 300 configured for mounting in an in-wall box are
shown in
Figure 16. The modular duplex electrical receptacles 300 can be connected
together to create
a receptacle with four outlets. Additional modular receptacles 300 can be
connected to the
two receptacles 300 to create receptacles with six or more outlets in the same
manner.
[0121] Each receptacle 300 includes a housing 302 having a front
surface 304 with a first
electrical outlet 306 and a second electrical outlet 306 (i.e., forming a
duplex receptacle). A
tab or flange 308 extends from a first end 310 of the housing and a second end
312 of the
housing 302. The tabs 308 allow for securing the modular electrical receptacle
to a standard
in-wall mounting box.
[0122] Additionally, each housing 302 includes a first, second and
third screw connector
314, 316 and 318 for connecting the modular electrical receptacle 300 to a
positive line,
neutral line and ground line of a source of electrical power. The screw
connectors 314, 316,
318 are shown on the top of the housing, however, they can also be positioned
on the back of
the housing. Additionally, the screw connectors could also be placed on one of
the sides of
the housing. While each modular electrical receptacle 300 can be identical,
for the reasons
discussed further it is not necessary that each module include mounting tabs
308 and/or screw
connectors 314, 316 and for connecting the housing to a source of electrical
power.
[0123] The receptacles 300 are modular in that they are designed to
connect together for
form a larger receptacle. Moreover the connection electrically links the
receptacles 300.
Thus, only one of the receptacles 300 needs to be connected to the source of
power via the
screw connectors 314, 316 and 318.
[0124] To electrically connect a first modular electrical receptacle
300 to a second
modular electrical receptacle 300, (referring to the receptacle on the right
hand side of Figure
16) the housing includes a first power link or connector 320 on a first side
322 of the housing
CA 02563862 2006-10-13
26
302. The first power link 320 links to the positive line of the receptacles.
The housing 302
also includes a second power link or connector 324 for the neutral line, and a
ground link or
connector 326. The housing 302 can have fewer or more links as appropriate to
handle
electrically linking one receptacle to another. Moreover, although shown as
three separate
links 320, 324 and 326, a single link can incorporate one or more of the line
connections into
a single structure having conductively insulated connectors.
[0125] The housing 302 (now referring to the receptacle 300 on the left
hand side of
Figure 16) includes a first, second and third connector or coupler 328, 330,
332 on a second
side 334 of the housing 302 for receiving and mating with the power and ground
links or
connectors 320, 324, 326. In the embodiment shown, the first, second and third
couplers 328,
330, 332 include a slot formed in the housing for receiving the respective
power or ground
link. Each link 320, 324, 326 connects to a conductive element 336 in the
housing 302 as
shown in Figures 19A and 19B.
[0126] As shown in cross-section in Figure 18 and in the enlarged view of
Figure 17,
each link can include a non-conductive cover 338 to cover the link when not
connected to
another receptacle 300. The cover 338 can be removable. However, in another
embodiment
(e.g., with and L-shaped prong link) the cover can be integrally formed with
the either the
housing or the link. In this embodiment the cover would include an opening for
a mating
element in the coupler of another receptacle.
[0127] Another safety feature provided in the receptacles 300 is an
activation system for
enabling each line. The activation system includes an activation tab 340
positioned below
each slot of the first, second and third couplers 328, 330, 332 on the second
side of the
housing 302 which mates with an activator 342 below the power and ground links
320, 324,
326 on the first side of the housing. The activators 342 can include a slot
which allows
access for the activator tab 340.
[0128] Referring to Figures 19A and 19B, the activator tab 340 contacts a
conductive
element 344 and pushes it to another conductive element 346 and to an end 347
of the power
link 320 to complete a circuit and enable the link. The conductive element can
be bendable
about a pivot point and/or can be connected to a spring element biased against
movement to
make the connection. The activator tab 340 can be formed from a non-conductive
material
such as plastic.
CA 02563862 2006-10-13
27
101291 Referring to Figures 20 and 21, the modular concept can be used for
receptacles
with one or more switches 350. Other electrical devices can also be utilized
in like manner.
Figure 21 shows the receptacles secured to a receptacle box 351.
[0130] In accordance with another embodiment of the modular electrical
receptacle, a
two-sided electrical receptacle 352 is shown in Figures 22-24. The two-sided
modular
electrical receptacle 352 includes a first and second outlet 306 on a first
side 354 of the
housing 352, and a first and second outlet 306 on an opposing second side 356
of the
housing. The receptacle 352 is designed to provide outlets to both sides of a
wall 358 as
show in Figure 24. The receptacles 352 connect together in a similar manner as
discussed
above.
[0131] According to a further embodiment a connecting adapter can be
provided to allow
two one-sided electrical receptacles 302 to be combined to form a two-sided
receptacle.
[0132] Referring back to Figures 16 and 17, the housing 302 of the
receptacles 300 can
include first and second snap-fit elements 360, 362 for connecting the
housings 302 (in some
cases, the power link(s) and coupler(s) can also incorporate elements for
connecting the
housings 302). The housing 302 includes a first snap-fit element 360 in the
form of a prong
on the top of the first side 322 of the housing 302 and a second snap-fit
element 362 in the
form of a slot on the bottom of the first side 322. The second side 334 of the
housing 302
includes opposing mating snap-fit elements 360, 362. Although not shown in
Figure 22,
similar snap-fit elements can be provided for the two-sided receptacle.
[0133] Additionally, each of the receptacles can include a bracket to allow
connection to
additional screw connectors or posts, or other accessories.
[0134] Each of the multiplex receptacles, modular receptacles or adapters
or switches
described herein can also include or be provided with additional circuitry
typically associated
with such devices. For example, the multiplex receptacles can include surge
protection
circuitry and/or a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) and/or home
automation control
circuitry (e.g., a PLC etc.).
[0135] In a further embodiment of the invention, a module can be configured
having one
or more receptacle outlets along with one or more switches in the same
housing. This
combination module can be either a one-sided flush wall mounted module, or a
two-sided
module. Numerous combinations of receptacle outlets and switches can be
utilized in this
embodiment.
CA 02563862 2006-10-13
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[0136] Potential receptacle and/or adapter and/or switch types that can be
used in the
present invention include, but are not limited to: US-standard 2-pole, 3-pole,
and 4-pole;
NEMA Standards; CSA Standards; Canada, CS22.2, No.42; CSA 22.2; UL Standards;
UL817; NEMA 1-15R; NEMA 2-20R; NEMA 5-15R; NEMA 5-20R; NEMA 6-15R;
NEMA 6-20R; NEMA 10-20R; NEMA 11-15R; NEMA 11-20R; NEMA 14-15R; NEMA
14-20R; NEMA 15-15R; NEMA 15-20R; NEMA L1-15R; NEMA L2-20R; NEMA
L5-15R; NEMA L5-20R; NEMA L5-30R; NEMA L6-15R; NEMA L6-20R; NEMA L6-30R;
NEMA L10-20R; NEMA L10-30R; NEMA L11-15R; NEMA L11-20R; NEMA L11-30R;
NEMA L14-20R; NEMA L14-30R; NEMA L15-20R; NEMA L15-30R; NEMA L18-20R;
NEMA L18-30R; NEMA L21-20R; NEMA L21-30R; IEC 60320; IEC 320 C-13; IEC 320
C-14; IEC 320 C-15; IEC 320 C-16; IEC 320 C-17; IEC 320 C-19; IEC 320 C-20;
BS4491;
EN60320; EN60950 CE; Continental Europe Standard 2-pole, 3-pole, and 4-pole;
Shuko
Standards; Europlug Standard CEE7/16, CEE7, CEE7V11, CEE7-XVI, CEE7-XVII, and
variations; Europe CEE Standards, including CEE7, CEE7/4, CEE7/7, CEE7/16, and
variations; Great Britain Standard 2-pole, 3-pole, and 4-pole, and BS1363 or
BS1363A,
BS546; Great Britain Standard BS4491, BS5733; BS3456; BS5733; ASTA Standard
120;
France Standard 2-pole, 3-pole, and 4-pole; Belgium Standard 2-pole, 3-pole,
and 4-pole;
Germany Standard 2-pole, 3-pole, and 4-pole; Germany DIN and VDE Standards;
Australia/New Zealand, Australian 2-pole, 3-pole, and 4-pole; Australia SAA
document AS
3112, A83112, A83100; Switzerland, 2-pole, 3-pole, and 4-pole, and SEV 1011;
India
Standard 2-pole, 3-pole, and 4-pole; Italy Standard 2-pole, 3-pole, and 4-
pole, and CEI
23-16NII; South Africa Standard 2-pole, 3-pole, and 4-pole; South Africa
Standard SABS
164, SABS 1514; Denmark Standard 2-pole, 3-pole, and 4-pole, and Afsnit 107-2-
D1; Israel
Standard 2-pole, 3-pole, and 4-pole, and SI 32; Japan Standard 2-pole, 3-pole,
and 4-pole,
and JIS 8303; Japan MITI and JIS Standards, J18; Russian Standard 2-pole, 3-
pole, and
4-pole, and Gost 7396; IEC 309; BS 4343; CEE17; and Decora type.
[0137] It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the
present
invention, particularly, any "preferred" embodiments, are merely possible
examples of
implementations, merely setting forth for a clear understanding of the
principles of the
invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-
described
embodiment(s) of the invention without substantially departing from the spirit
and principles
CA 02563862 2006-10-13
29
of the invention. All such modifications are intended to be included herein
within the scope
of this disclosure and the present invention and protected by the following
claims.
