Abstract:
The present invention relates to a retractable electrical receptacle assembly which is installed into a standard electrical box and is substantially flush to a mounting surface into which the electrical box is mounted. The invention may be mounted into a wall, floor, countertop or work surface. The invention can be installed as part of new electrical service or can replace an existing outlet by wiring into an existing electrical box. The invention includes at least one operative socket in the closed position and at least one additional operative socket in the open position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application repeats a substantial portion of prior application Ser. No. 14/943,737 filed Nov. 17, 2015 which claims the benefit of PCT/US2015/015682 filed Feb. 12, 2015 and adds additional disclosure not presented in the prior applications, it may constitute a continuation-in-part of the prior application. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0002]    The invention relates to an electrical outlet assembly. More particularly, the invention relates to a retractable electrical outlet assembly that fits into standard electrical outlet box which electrical outlet assembly comprises electrical outlet sockets available for use in the closed position and opens to expose additional electrical outlet sockets for use in the open position. 
       Description of Related Art 
       [0003]    In today&#39;s environment, more and more electronic devices and appliances are in use which require electrical outlets and data ports for providing power to, and recharging, such devices. Standard electrical outlets are most commonly found in duplex and quadraplex configurations which limits the number of devices or appliances that can be plugged in at any one time. Changing an existing electrical outlet into an outlet with additional sockets is expensive and requires installation of a larger outlet box, changes to the wall and electrical wiring. In many instances, there may not be room in the wall to accommodate the larger outlet box. 
         [0004]    The problem with limited outlet sockets has been overcome in the past by power strips or multi-outlet converters with multiple sockets that plug into an existing outlet. These outlet strips and converters are cumbersome with the power strips hanging from a cord and the converters protruding out from the outlet. Therefore, it is desirable to provide an electrical outlet and data port assembly that provides additional outlets while still fitting into existing standard electrical boxes. More particularly, it is desirable to provide an electrical outlet and data port assembly that has outlets and data ports in the closed position and opens to expose additional electrical outlet sockets and data ports in the open position. 
         [0005]    There have been a number of recessing telescoping electrical receptacle assemblies disclosed which when in the service position the electrical outlet sockets are exposed and when in the closed position a closure plate is flush with the building member to which the assembly is attached. U.S. Pat. No. 2,811,574 issued Oct. 29, 1957 to Guerrero, U.S. Pat. No. 2,811,575 issued Oct. 29, 1957 to Guerrero, U.S. Pat. No. 3,433,886 issued Mar. 18, 1969 to Myers and U.S. Pat. No. 3,794,956 issued Feb. 26, 1974 to Dubreuil each describe a telescoping receptacle assembly with a seal to prevent the introduction of fluids. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,127,630 issued Oct. 3, 2000 to McKenzie, describes a recessible electrical receptacle with an open-ended housing mounted to a building member with a hinged closure pivotable from a service position to a recessed position flush with the building member. The socket of the electrical receptacle is only accessible in the open or service position. 
         [0007]    A number of patents and published applications have been directed at providing recessible power outlets and data ports mounted to work surfaces. U.S. Pat. No. 4,551,577 issued Nov. 5, 1987 to Byrne describes a retractable power center which includes a rectangular housing formed in a work surface with a clamping arrangement to secure the housing to the work surface. The power outlets are arranged inside the rectangular housing. U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,562 issued Jul. 27, 1993 to Pierce describes a desktop wire management system with outlet receptacles mounted on a module cover mounted over the receptacles in a removable storage compartment. U.S. 2008/0200050 A1 published Aug. 21, 2008 describes an expandable power and data distribution center capable of pivoting between open and closed positions with the sockets exposed when in the open position. 
         [0008]    None of the above references, taken alone or in combination, are seen as teaching or suggesting the presently claimed retractable electrical and data port outlet assembly which assembly has socket accessible for operative use in the closed position and provides additional sockets for operative use in the open positions. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention overcomes the above limitation of the above inventions by providing a retractable electrical receptacle assembly which is installed into a standard electrical box and is substantially flush or parallel to a mounting surface into which the electrical box is mounted. The invention can be installed into an outlet box with a volume as small as 18 sq. in. A typical 18 sq. in. volume electrical outlet box generally measures 3″ long×2″ wide×2½″ deep. The invention may be directly wired to electrical service inside an electrical box installed into a wall, floor, countertop or work surface. It is understood that the electrical outlet box is not part of the invention and the invention can be installed in any appropriate sized outlet box. The invention can be installed as part of new electrical service or can replace an existing outlet by wiring inside an existing electrical box connecting directly to the building electrical service and is small enough to fit inside a residential or commercial wall space. The invention includes at least one operative socket in the closed position and at least one additional operative socket in the open position. A socket as used herein means the female receptacle or jack end of any type of connector having at least one hole including but not limited to electrical socket, electrical outlet, coaxial, or any type of data or communication ports or any other connection in which a plug end is inserted into a receptacle to complete an electrical, data or communication connection. It is understood that any opening into which an electrical appliance, data or communication device can be connected is a socket and the use of the term as used herein shall not be considered limiting. The invention comprises a substantially rectangular housing adapted to fit inside a standard electrical box with at least one outwardly open side. The invention further comprises a multi-socket connector having at least two flat adjacent socket surfaces comprising at least one socket opening on each of the two adjacent surfaces. The socket opening in the first and second surfaces are oriented so that the prongs of plugs simultaneously inserted into each of the two sockets do not intersect inside the multi-socket connector. The multi-socket connector is pivotally mounted to the housing so that in the closed position one of the two adjacent socket surfaces is exposed and the second adjacent socket surface is recessed inside the housing. In the pivoted open position of the invention, both the at least one socket openings on the first surface and the at least one socket opening on the second surface are both accessible. The assembly further comprises one or more cover plates which attach to the peripheral flange of the housing and optionally to the closed socket surface. The invention further includes a lock-release button that locks the multi-socket connector in the closed position. The lock release button may be a sliding lock release button that is slid away from the invention to allow the multi-socket connector to pivot into the open position. 
         [0010]    The object of the invention is to provide a recessed retractable electrical receptacle assembly with at least one exposed operable socket in the closed position capable of being opened to expose additional operable sockets. 
         [0011]    Another object of the invention is to provide a recessed retractable electrical receptacle assembly which is adapted to fit into a standard electrical box which can increase the number of sockets in the same space. 
         [0012]    A further object of the invention is to provide a recessed retractable electrical receptacle assembly which comprises both electrical sockets and data communication ports in the same assembly. 
         [0013]    Another object of the invention is to provide a recessed retractable electrical receptacle assembly which comprises sockets with either at least one ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) or Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI). 
         [0014]    Yet another object of the invention is to provide a recessed retractable electrical receptacle assembly which when installed maintains substantially the appearance of a typical outlet. 
         [0015]    A further object of the invention is to provide a recessed retractable electrical receptacle assembly that has no external wires making it safe and easy to install. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of the components of one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the multi-socket connector of the invention articulated in the closed position. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention in the closed position. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of one embodiment showing the multi-socket connector of the invention in the open position. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the one embodiment invention in use in the open position. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a top plane view of one embodiment the invention in the open position. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a top plane view of one embodiment the multi-socket connector of the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a side plane view of one embodiment the invention in the open position. 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a front plane view of one embodiment the invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the invention showing the receptacle cover plate, the installation flange cover plate, the multi-socket assembly, the housing and the sliding lock-release button. 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the multi-socket connector inside the housing with the slide-lock button installed, without the installation flange cover plate and receptacle cover plate installed. 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the back of the multi-socket connector inside the housing and showing the wire connector on the back of the housing. 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  is a detail of the wire connector. 
           [0030]      FIG. 14  is exploded view of the invention and an outlet box into which it can be installed. 
           [0031]      FIG. 15  is a side view of the long side of the invention installed into an outlet box in the open position. 
           [0032]      FIG. 16  is a side view of the width of the invention installed into an outlet box in the open position. 
           [0033]      FIG. 17  is a front view of the invention in the open position as it appears after installation into a mounting surface. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of the invention is shown in an exploded view. The invention comprises a housing  10  that prevents access to electrical wiring when installed in a standard electrical box  20  while also provides an open space for the multi-socket assembly component to move in and out, a multi-socket connector  30  which has sockets on two adjacent sides, a cover plate  40  and a means for pivoting the multi-socket connector between a closed position and an open position. The invention presented includes an multi-socket connector that has accessible sockets when in the closed position, similar to a standard electrical outlet. When the invention is open, the design of the inventions presents additional sockets (standard electrical, USB, or other). The invention is designed and adapted to fit into a standard electrical box  20  making it retro-fittable to most residential or commercial applications. As used herein, a standard electrical box measures approximately 2″ wide×3″ long with a depth of between 1½″ to 3½″ deep. The preferred standard electrical outlet box is 2″×3″×3½″ and has a volume of 18 cubic inches. 
         [0035]    The housing  10  is substantially a rectangular box with at least one open side  17  and sized and adapted to fit into a standard electrical box  20 . The housing  10  includes a peripheral flange  11  on the open side  17  of the housing  10 . The housing  10  may include one or more hinge barrels  13  on the edge of the open side that does not have the peripheral flange. The hinge barrels are for connecting to the other components of the invention and for providing a pivoting means  18 . Any appropriate type of hinge can be used to connect the multi-socket assembly to the housing and provide a pivoting means as described herein. 
         [0036]    The peripheral flanges may have one or more bore holes  12  which correspond to the bore holes  22  of a standard electrical box  20 . The housing  10  can be connected to the standard electrical box by inserting a screw through the flange bore hole  12  and electrical box bore hole  22 . 
         [0037]    The invention further provides a multi-socket connector  30  which is sized and adapted to fit into the housing  10 . The multi-socket connector  30  is a substantially closed box containing standard electrical connector wiring for connecting electrical and data communication devise male end plugs. The multi-socket connector  30  has at least one socket opening  31  on each of two adjacent surfaces. Any number of multiple socket configurations can be imagined. The configuration shown in  FIGS. 1-9  has two GFCI sockets on the exposed surface and two USB sockets on the hidden surface adapted for use in a standard electrical single gang box  20 . However, it is intended that the invention encompassed any connector type and includes any standard size electrical box. 
         [0038]    The multi-socket connector has a flat closed position surface  33  adjacent and substantially perpendicular to a flat open position surface  34 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3  the sockets  31  on the closed position surface  33  are exposed and available for use in the closed position.  FIGS. 2 and 3  also show that the open position surface  34  is recessed inside the housing  10  in the closed position. As can be seen in  FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 , the multi-socket connector is adapted to pivotally open to expose the sockets  31  on the open position surface  34 .  FIGS. 4, 5 and 6  shows that both the sockets  31  on the open position surface  34  and sockets  31  on the closed position surface  33  are available for use only in the open position. 
         [0039]    The multi-socket connector  30  is adapted so that the open socket surface  34  clears the housing  10  during the outward pivotal articulation between the closed position as shown in  FIGS. 2, 3, 9, 10 and 11  and open position as shown in  FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 14, 16, 17 and 18 . The relative angle between the multi-socket connector and the closed surface  33  in the open position is preferably less than 90 degrees. Preferably the relative angle between is 45 degrees as shown in  FIG. 16 . The appropriate angle must be selected to allow the multi-socket connector  30  to clear the housing  10 . The angle optimally provides for the proper orientation of the sockets on the closed surface  33  and the adjacent open surface  34  such that the socket bore holes do not intersect inside the multi-socket connector  30  which would cause interference and arcing. The proper angle also allows the device plugs to lie flat against the closed surface  33  and open surface  34  as can best be seen in  FIG. 5 . The sockets as shown in the  FIGS. 1-17  are oriented horizontally relative to the width of the housing which prevents intersection of the sockets bores inside the multi-socket connector  30 . 
         [0040]    The multi-socket connector may optionally include at least one connection tab  37  for connecting the multi-socket connector  30  to the cover plate  40 . The tab  37  of the multi-socket connector  30  may be connected to the cover plate  40  by any preferable connecting means such adhesive, screws, rivets, male and female snap connector and the like. As seen in  FIGS. 3 and 9 , the cover plate  40  forms a substantially flush border around the exposed multi-socket connector closed surface  33  of the multi-socket connector  30  forming a framed multi-socket connector  55 .  FIG. 8  shows the multi-socket connector  30  attached to cover plate backside  41  by the tabs  37  in the open position of the invention.  FIG. 11  shows multiple snap connections  13  on the peripheral flange  11  which correspond to snap connections on the flange cover plate  45 . When the flange cover is attached to the peripheral flange a framed multi-socket connector  55  is formed as shown in  FIGS. 14 and 17 . 
         [0041]    In the preferred embodiment, the multi-socket connector  30  has at least one pivoting means  18  such as a barrel hinge as shown in the  FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 7  or any other appropriate pivoting mechanism along a peripheral edge. In the case of a barrel hinge, the hinge barrels of the multi-socket connectors  30  are capable of being lined up with the hinge barrels  13  of the housing  10  to form a substantially continuous linear barrel for accepting a hinge pin  44  to create a hinge. The hinge connects the multi-socket connector  30  to the housing  10  and allows the multi-socket connector  30  to pivot outwardly away from the housing  10  from the closed position to the open position. 
         [0042]    Referring now to  FIG. 10 , which shows the preferred embodiment as a combined multi-socket connector and housing unit with removable receptacle cover plate  40 , removable installation flange cover plate  45  and removable lock-release button  50 . The housing  10  is rectangular box with a width, length, and depth. The housing has a back and four (4) sides and is open to the front. In the preferred embodiment, the housing is between 2″ and 3″ deep×1″ to 2″ wide×2″ and 4″ wide. The open front has two parallel width peripheral edges and two parallel length peripheral edges which is surrounded on the two width edges and one length edge by a peripheral installation flange and on one length edge is one part of a hinge. The peripheral installation flange barrel portion  18  is shown in  FIG. 11 . The multi-socket connector  30  is connected to the housing  10  by a pin  44  and barrel hinge  18  along one of the length peripheral edges of the housing  10  and one of the length peripheral edges of the multi-socket assembly  30 . A least one spring  52  is attached to the barrel pin for providing spring force to facilitate opening the multi-socket assembly. The peripheral installation flange of the housing  11  is further shown comprising installation bore holes  12  for connecting the housing to a electrical outlet box.  FIG. 10  further shows the removable receptacle cover plate  40 , removable installation flange cover plate  11  and removable lock-release button  50 . The housing may further comprise a spring-loaded lock-release on the peripheral installation flange which may optionally be opposite the barrel hinge. The housing comprises a wire connector shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13  which protrudes from the housing back. The wire connector comprises intersecting screw bore holes  61  and wire holes  62  on perpendicular sides. Inside each wire bore hole is an electrical contact connected to the multi-socket assembly internal receptacle wiring. In this preferred embodiment of the invention, the invention is installed by first removing the removable installation flange cover plate  45  and removable lock-release  50 . Optionally, the removable receptacle cover plate may be removed as in shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11  and may be optionally switched for optional color choices. The combined multi-socket assembly housing unit  60  is first wired to the electrical service wiring through the electrical box. The electrical service wiring which includes a ground or protective wire, a neutral wire and a single phase or “hot” wire are stripped of the protective covering to expose a sufficient amount of bare wire. The bare wires are inserted into the corresponding wire bore holes  62  and screws inserted into the screw bore holes  61  are tightened so that the electrical service wiring makes tight connections with the electrical contacts in the wire bore holes  62 . Once wired, the combined multi-socket assembly housing unit is inserted into, and connected to the electrical outlet box by inserting screws through the installation bore holes  12  in the peripheral installation flange  11 . The lock release button  50  is snapped onto the snap connection on the spring-loaded tab on the peripheral installation flange as shown in  FIG. 11 . Likewise, the receptacle cover plate  40  and installation flange cover plate  45  are snapped into place by connecting corresponding male and female snap connectors on the peripheral installation flange and closed position receptacle surface and the back of the installation flange cover plate  45  and receptacle cover plate. The installation flange cover plate  45  surrounds the closed position receptacle surface on the top and bottom widths and the length opposite the hinge  18  of the peripheral installation flange  11 . The installation flange cover plate is sufficiently deep to completely cover the peripheral installation flange  11  and makes contact with the mounting surface. Once the installation flange cover plate  45  is snapped in place, it is substantially flush with the receptacle surface in the closed position with the installed receptacle cover plate. Preferably, the installation flange cover plate  45  is between 3″ and 4″ wide and 4″ and 5″ wide. Most preferably, the width of the installation flange cover plate is 3 1/64″ a length of 4 51/64″. As can be seen in  FIG. 14-17 , the installation flange cover plate  45  is stationery once installed and does not pivot when the multi-socket assembly is in the open position. The protrusion from the installation cover plate and the intersection of the open and closed receptacle surfaces in the open position is less than 2″ and preferably less than 1½″. As can be in  FIG. 15 , the distance from the intersection of the open and closed receptacle surface is preferably 37 mm. The width of the open and closed receptacle surface is 67 mm. The installation flange cover plate  45  preferably has a length of 122 mm and a width of 76.7 mm. 
         [0043]    The present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments described herein, but is intended to encompass any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.