Patent ID: 6786766
Filing Date: 2004-09-07
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
An electrical outlet box comprising in combination:(a). a rear wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, and two identical side walls that extend outwardly from the rear wall, with said rear wall being normal to all other walls, and said identical side walls being parallel to each other with said top and bottom walls also being parallel, to thereby define an open enclosure; (b). an electrical device, having one or more outlets, positioned within said enclosure and said device carrying thereon at least two prepared solid conductors for making electrical connections according to common polarity; (c). at least one sheathed electrical cable entering the enclosure via a preformed aperture within at least one of said walls, said cable also having a plurality of prepared solid conductors for making electrical connections according to polarity; (d). a multiplicity of terminal blocks for establishing reliable electrical connection between said electrical device conductors and said cable conductors, said blocks being positioned within and mounted to at least one wall of said enclosure by mounting means; (e). each terminal block having a substantially rectangular shape that carries thereon first and second receiving apertures having a common polarity, the first aperture adapted for acceptance of a manually inserted conductor of said cable and the second aperture adapted for receiving a manually inserted conductor of the electrical device; (f). each terminal block also having a body cavity formed therein, for containing an aligned gripping means associated with first and second receiving apertures for grasping and electrically connecting the inserted cable and electrical device conductors; (g). each terminal block also bearing upon its exterior surface at least one releasing means associated with said first and second receiving apertures for selective release and disconnection of conductors of step (f); (h). said releasing means adapted for manual insertion of a depression tool into said terminal block to release said gripping means to thereby allow manual removal of cable and electrical device conductors; (i). an apertured faceplate for closing said open enclosure and protecting contents of said enclosure including said conductors, terminal blocks, and electrical device; and (j). said apertures within said faceplate being dimensioned and shaped to accommodate electrical connection between said electrical device housed within the enclosure and an external electrical appliance by means of an electrical plug piercing outlets of said electrical device.