Electrical outlet box

This invention relates to a device allowing a plurality of electrical devices to be operated from the same power source at one time. The device comprises a compact attractive unit housing a plurality of receptacles for receiving electrical plugs commonly used on automotive accessories. An electrically conductive, and rigid bar runs the length of the box and electrically connects the positive pole of each receptacle while mechanically locating the rear of each receptacle. An electrically conductive plate runs the length of the box, serving as both the ornamental facing of the box and electrically connecting the negative pole of each receptacle to the ground wire. The current entering the box runs through an automatically resetting circuit breaker, which operates to prevent damage to the system from an overload of current being drawn through the device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention is primarily for use in motor vehicles but may be 
successfully employed in any 12 volt direct current electrical circuit, 
where the simultaneous use of several devices is required. 
Those concerned with the problem have usually resorted to a method of 
wiring the outlets together to form a complete circuit. This method 
requires the use of many short segments of wire and much labor to assemble 
the total device. These wires are not able to support and mechanically 
locate the outlets. Therefore, a separate structure was required to affix 
the outlet in position. This design lead to a device that was difficult 
and expensive to assemble because it required a large amount of material 
and labor to produce. 
Another problem encountered by a device which allowed a plurality of 
electrical devices to be operated simultaneously was the problem of 
over-heating and electrical overloads. Many of those concerned with this 
problem resorted to the use of in line fuses which have to be replaced 
periodically and are inconvenient. Consequently, there is a need for a 
device which is economical to produce and is free of the bother of fuses. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to an electrical outlet box for use in twelve 
volt direct current electrical systems. A non-conductive, rectangular 
housing is used protecting a rectangular, rigid, conductive bar, located 
by vertical slots in the ends of the housing. Electrical contacts are 
placed into the sides of the bar and are the source of current picked up 
by any electrical accessory connected to the device. A conductive sleeve 
is incorporated to receive the current returning from the accessory and 
seeking ground. The sleeve and the bar are insulated from each other by a 
resilient insulating device which allows the electrical contact means to 
mechanically locate the rear end of the sleeve to the bar without shorting 
the circuit. A conductive plate collects the current from the conductive 
sleeves and a second contact means transmits the current to the ground 
wire. A circuit breaker is incorporated in the circuit where the current 
first enters the outlet box to interrupt the circuit when more than a 
predetermined current is drawn into the device. 
An object of the present invention is to provide an improved electrical 
outlet box. 
Another object of the invention is to provide an outlet box of a design 
allowing a plurality of outlets. 
A further object of the invention is to provide an outlet box which is 
economical to assemble by designing its components to serve as many 
functions as possible. 
A further object of this invention is to provide an outlet box which is 
safe to use by incorporating an automatic circuit breaker to disengage the 
flow of electricity should too much current be drawn into the device. 
A further object of this invention is to provide an outlet box which does 
not require internal wiring and excessive labor to assemble. 
Still another object of the invention is to provide an outlet box of the 
general type characterized above which is simple and economical yet 
dependable and durable. 
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become 
apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when 
considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
FIG. 1 shows a non-conductive housing 1 made of plastic. Entry means 2 are 
provided in the front side of the housing to allow entry of conductive 
sleeves. An access means 3 is provided in the top wall of the housing. (A 
cover plate 4 is provided to cover the access means 3.) The housing 1 is 
provided with slots 5 in the end walls to locate the conductive bar 6. 
Conductive sleeves 7 are shown running through the entry means 2 and to 
the bar 6. An insulator 8 is shown between the conductive sleeve 7 and the 
bar 6. 
FIG. 1 also illustrates the placement of a standard cigar lighter 15, a 
standard cigar lighter sleeve 16 and a standard cigar lighter clip 17. 
Referring now to FIG. 2, a conductive metal plate 9 is shown. This plate 
has holes which align with the entry holes 2 provided in the housing 1. 
The conductive sleeves 7 are shown inserted in the said entry hole 2 and 
through the corresponding holes in the metal plate 9. An electrical 
contact screw 10 is provided in the center of each conductive sleeve 7. 
This contact serves to allow the pickup of electricity from the bar 6 and 
affixes the aft end of each conductive sleeve to the bar 6. An insulator 8 
is shown inside each conductive sleeve and prevents electrical contact 
between the sleeve 7 and the contact 10. This insulator is held in place 
by the contact screw 10. A contact screw 11 electrically connects the 
plate with the ground wire 12. 
Referring now to FIG. 3, the incorporation of the circuit breaker 13 is 
shown. All the current from the current wire 14 passes into the circuit 
breaker 13 and then is conducted to the bar 6 unless the current load 
exceeds the predetermined amount set into the device, in which case the 
current is interrupted by the circuit breaker 13. 
FIG. 3 also illustrates how the device is assembled. The conductive sleeves 
7, the insulators 8, the conductive plate 9 and the bar 6 are all held in 
place by the contact screws 10. These screws, when tightened, pull the 
conductive sleeves 7 snugly into the entry means 2, which locates the 
conductive plate 9. The screw holds the insulators 8 in place and pull the 
conductive bar 6 snugly against the slots 5, thereby allowing a simple, 
efficient means for construction of the device. 
Accordingly, it is believed that all of the objects mentioned above are 
accomplished by use of the preferred embodiment disclosed herein. 
Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are 
possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood 
that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be 
practiced otherwise than as specifically described.