Waterproof simplex receptacle

A simplex receptacle body (102) includes a front portion (108) with a front surface (104) and a rear surface (106). Terminals (110) extend through the front portion (108). A clip (138) is “snap-fit” on a rear housing (132), so as to provide waterproofing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFISHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to electrical systems and, more particularly, to electrical receptacles mounted in configurations where they may be susceptible to water or other liquid damage or danger.

2. Background Art

The use of computers, telecommunications equipment and other electronic devices is continuing to rapidly increase in office, commercial, industrial and other environments. As a result, the importance of efficiently supplying power throughout these environments is also increasing. Historically, one problem with use of electrical power is the positioning of electrical power outlet ports, such as electrical receptacles. Positioning of these devices is important with respect to both convenience and cost efficiency. Electrical receptacles for supplying power to various types of devices (lighting, computers, etc) must be located in accessible positions for all types of use.

In this regard, it is known to employ electrical receptacles directly mounted to various types of furniture, such as bookshelves and desks. These receptacles may be mounted at a location substantially above a floor surface, and allow the user to interconnect electrical devices near their locations of use, thereby avoiding the necessity of running device cords and cables a substantial distance.

A system employing covered receptacles mounted within a workstation is disclosed in Propst, U.S. Pat. No. 4,372,629 issued Feb. 8, 1993. The Propst arrangement includes a desk top having a rear cover hinged to a vertical back panel. Receptacles are mounted to the lower portion of the cover and bristles extend horizontally from the cover to an edge of the desktop when the cover is closed. When the cover is opened, the user can “plug in” the cord of a desired electrical device and close the cover, with the cord then extending through the bristles.

A further advance of the prior art was achieved with the commonly owned Byrne, U.S. Pat. No. 4,747,788 issued May 31, 1988. In this patent, a retractable power center is disclosed which is manually operable. The power center includes a movable and vertically slidable power carriage utilized to mount electrical receptacles. The carriage can be extended between an open position and a closed, retracted position.

In Brownlie, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,984,982 issued Jan. 15, 1991 an access flooring module is provided, which is mounted in an opening provided in a floor. The module is moveable between open and closed positions, so as to receive electrical components such as power sockets.

Timmerman, U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,668, issued Nov. 19, 1996 discloses a temporary power/data tap for delivery electrical power and data service to a work surface from a distant standard wall or floor mounted electrical receptacle. Another device comprising utility receptacles and specifically directed to use in a work surface is disclosed in Gevaert, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,156 issued Jan. 20, 1998.

In accordance with the foregoing, various types of configurations exist with respect to mounting electrical receptacles. However, one problem with a number of known electrical receptacles relates to the potential damage (or dangerous situations) from environmental conditions. For example, electrical receptacles may be constructed and configured in such a way as to be susceptible to damage from water or other fluids. As well known in the electrical industry, water spillage or the like may result not only in damage to electrical components, but may also cause dangerous situations, due to electrical arcing or similar electrical malfunctions caused by water spillage and seepage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention, a simplex receptacle is constructed in accordance with the invention, in a manner so as to provide substantial waterproof properties. The simplex receptacle includes a main body having electrical terminals. The terminals may include hot, neutral and ground terminals. Electrical wires or other cabling are electrically coupled to the terminals. A rear housing is provided, which is connected by any suitable means to a rear surface of the main receptacle body. A waterproofing clip is then positioned on the main body, so as to essentially enclose any openings which may exist in the rear portion of the simplex receptacle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The principles of the invention are disclosed, by way of example, in a waterproof simplex receptacle100. The waterproof simplex receptacle100will be described with respect toFIGS. 1-16. In accordance with the invention, the waterproof simplex receptacle includes a receptacle body having electrical wires or cables interconnected thereto. A rear housing is formed around the rear portion of the receptacle body, and substantially encloses the electrical wires or cables. For purposes of providing waterproof properties, a waterproofing clip is appropriately sized and configured so as to fit around portions of the rear housing, in a manner so as to “block” any openings and prevent any water seepage into the rear housing.

Turning to the drawings,FIGS. 1–5illustrate, standing alone, a simplex receptacle body102in accordance with the invention. With specific reference toFIGS. 1–5, the receptacle body102includes a front portion108having a substantially square or otherwise rectangular configuration. The front portion108includes a front surface104and a rear surface106. Extending through the front portion108are a series of three terminals110. In the particular embodiment disclosed herein, the terminals include a ground terminal112, neutral terminal114and hot terminal116. These terminals are conventional in nature and well known in the prior art. Further, it should be emphasized that various other electrical terminal configurations can be utilized for a simplex receptacle in accordance with the invention, without departing from the basic novel concepts of the invention.

The simplex receptacle body102also includes a connecting mount118, comprising an elongated element extending rearwardly from the rear surface106of the front portion108. The connecting mount118can be utilized for appropriately securing various elements of the waterproof simplex receptacle100.

With reference now toFIGS. 6–9,13and14, the waterproof simplex receptacle100is adapted to be utilized with a set of electrical wires or cables120. As shown, for example, inFIGS. 6 and 13, the electrical wires or cables120comprise three wires or cables. These three wires or cables120further comprise a ground wire122, neutral wire124and hot wire126. These wires are conventional in nature and may be separate wires, conduit or other type of cabling. Connected at the end of the ground wire122is a conventional ground connector130. Connected to the ends of each of the neutral wire124and hot wire126is a female connector128. Again, these connectors are conventional in nature. The ground connector130may be connected in any conventional manner to the ground terminal112of the simplex receptacle body102. Correspondingly, the female connector128associated with the neutral wire124may be electrically connected to the neutral terminal114of the receptacle body102. Still further, the female connector128associated with the hot wire126may be electrically connected in a conventional manner to the hot terminal116of the receptacle body102. This interconnection is shown inFIGS. 8 and 14.

The waterproof simplex receptacle100in accordance with the invention further includes what is characterized as a rear housing132. The rear housing132is shown inFIGS. 9,10,11,12,15and16. With reference to these drawings, the rear housing132has a shape and configuration whereby it can be secured to the rear surface106of the simplex receptacle body102, in a manner so as to substantially enclose the electrical wires or cables120. With reference to the drawings, the rear housing132includes an upper box-like structure134. The upper box structure134extends lengthwise across the top of the rear surface106of the simplex receptacle body102. Below the upper box134is a main housing body136. The main housing body136has a substantially box-like configuration, and substantially encloses the female connectors128associated with the neutral and hot wires124,126respectively. As shown inFIG. 9, the rear housing132is inserted as part of the simplex receptacle100through the electrical wires or cables120, and connected by any conventional means to the rear surface106of the receptacle body102.

In accordance with one of the principal concepts of the invention, the waterproof simplex receptacle100also includes a waterproofing clip138. The waterproofing clip138is primarily shown inFIGS. 11,12,15and16. In particular, a perspective view of the waterproofing clip138is illustrated inFIG. 15. As shown therein, the waterproofing clip138includes an upper portion140extending lengthwise across the clip138. A pair of vertical connecting portions142extend downwardly from opposing ends of the upper portion140. At the lower ends of the vertical connecting portions142, spring legs144extend forwardly from each of the vertical connecting portions142. These elements of the waterproofing clip138may be separate and interconnected, or may preferably be constructed integral with each other. In particular, the spring clips144may be resilient in nature and sized so as to be “snap fitted” around the main housing body136of the rear housing132. The spring legs144comprise a left leg146and right leg148. As previously stated, the legs144are resilient in nature, so as to appropriately snap fit on the rear housing132, thereby appropriately securing all elements fo the waterproof simplex receptacle100. With the rear housing132and the waterproofing clip138, the rear portion of the simplex receptacle100is essentially waterproof, and will resist any seepage of water or other liquids therein.

It should be emphasized that other configurations of the waterproof simplex may be utilized. Also, the concepts associated with the waterproof simplex may be applied to other types of receptacle configurations, such as duplex receptacles. As earlier mentioned, various types of electrical wires or cables may be utilized, and the simplex receptacle may have various terminal configurations, such as the absence of a ground terminal or the like. Still further, it is apparent that one of the advantages of waterproof simplex receptacles in accordance with the invention is that the rear housing and waterproofing clip may be “retrofitted” to existing simplex receptacles. Also, the concepts associated with the invention as embodied within the waterproof simplex receptacle100are not limited with respect to any particular sizes or dimensions of receptacles.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the pertinent arts that other embodiments of the invention can be designed. That is, the principles of the invention are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein. Accordingly, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and other variations of the above-described illustrative embodiments of the invention may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concept of the invention.