Abstract:
Systems and other embodiments associated with a universal faceplate assembly are described. According to one embodiment, a faceplate includes a substantially planar plate base configured to mount on a wiring enclosure. At least one opening in the plate base is configured receive a receptacle. The opening is configured to receive receptacles of a first receptacle type or a second receptacle type. The faceplate also includes a faceplate notch in a front surface of the plate base configured to receive a receptacle tab. The receptacle tab is disposed on receptacles of the first receptacle type or the second receptacle type. The receptacle tab is configured to allow a fastener to pass through the faceplate notch and the receptacle tab to attach the receptacle to the faceplate.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Marine power pedestals provide access to utilities, such as electrical power, to docked marine vessels. Standard marine power pedestals have hard wired electrical receptacles of specific amperage. Typical amperages provided by a marine pedestal include 20 A service, 30 A service, and 50 A service. Each type of receptacle has its own configuration. Because the receptacles are not intended to be changed, the casing of the marine power pedestal encloses the electric receptacles. This limits the amperage of the receptacles to the amperage of the receptacles originally installed, despite vessels using the docking facilities having different amperage requirements and needs. The power pedestals may include special mounting features for the specific types of receptacles that are to be installed in the pedestal. The receptacles are protected by covers that are molded with the casing. The covers are designed based on the dimensions of the hardwired electrical receptacles. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, a faceplate includes a substantially planar plate base configured to mount on a wiring enclosure. At least one opening in the plate base is configured receive a receptacle. The opening is configured to receive receptacles of a first receptacle type or a second receptacle type. The faceplate also includes a faceplate notch in a front surface of the plate base configured to receive a receptacle tab. The receptacle tab is disposed on receptacles of the first receptacle type or the second receptacle type. The receptacle tab is configured to allow a fastener to pass through the faceplate notch and the receptacle tab to attach the receptacle to the faceplate. 
     In one embodiment, an electrical enclosure assembly includes an enclosure configured to house one more receptacles and associated wiring. The electrical enclosure assembly also includes a faceplate having a plate base with a front surface and at least one opening configured receive a receptacle and a faceplate notch. The faceplate notch has a faceplate notch hole, and the faceplate notch is configured to align with a receptacle tab disposed on the receptacle. The receptacle tab has a receptacle hole. The electrical enclosure assembly also includes a cover having a cover tab with a cover hole. The cover is configured to be seated over the receptacle. The electrical enclosure assembly further includes a fastener configured to couple the faceplate, the receptacle, the enclosure, and the cover by passing through the faceplate notch hole, the receptacle tab, the enclosure tab, and the cover tab. 
     In one embodiment a universal receptacle faceplate assembly kit is described. The universal receptacle faceplate assembly kit includes a faceplate. The faceplate includes a substantially planar plate base configured to mount on a wiring enclosure and at least one opening in the plate base. The at least one opening is configured receive a receptacle of a first receptacle type or a second receptacle type. The faceplate also includes a faceplate notch in a front surface of the plate base configured to receive a receptacle tab disposed on receptacles of the first receptacle type or the second receptacle type. 
     The universal receptacle faceplate assembly kit also includes a set of covers. A cover includes a cover tab. The cover is configured to surround a receptacle of a selected receptacle type. The universal receptacle faceplate assembly kit further includes a fastener configured to couple the faceplate, a receptacle, and the cover by passing through the faceplate notch, the receptacle tab, and the cover tab. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate various systems, methods, and other embodiments of the disclosure. It will be appreciated that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g., boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one embodiment of the boundaries. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that in some embodiments one element may be designed as multiple elements or that multiple elements may be designed as one element. In some embodiments, an element shown as an internal component of another element may be implemented as an external component and vice versa. Furthermore, elements may not be drawn to scale. 
         FIG. 1A  is a schematic illustration of a marina power pedestal that includes one embodiment of a universal receptacle faceplate assembly. 
         FIG. 1B  is a schematic illustration of a marina power pedestal that includes one embodiment of a universal receptacle faceplate assembly. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a universal receptacle faceplate assembly. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of one embodiment of a universal receptacle faceplate assembly. 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a faceplate cover. 
         FIG. 4B  is a front view of one embodiment of a faceplate cover. 
         FIG. 4C  is a cross section view of one embodiment of a faceplate cover. 
         FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a faceplate cover. 
         FIG. 5B  is a front view of one embodiment of a faceplate cover. 
         FIG. 5C  is a cross section view of one embodiment of a faceplate cover. 
         FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a faceplate cover. 
         FIG. 6B  is a front view of one embodiment of a faceplate cover. 
         FIG. 6C  is a cross section view of one embodiment of a faceplate cover. 
         FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a faceplate cover. 
         FIG. 7B  is a front view of one embodiment of a faceplate cover. 
         FIG. 7C  is a cross section view of one embodiment of a faceplate cover. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The universal receptacle faceplate assembly described herein allows receptacles of different configurations to be installed on the same faceplate. This simplifies the assembly of the power pedestal and makes changing the amperage of the power pedestal less difficult. Accordingly, the receptacles can be changed to accommodate changing power needs. The universal receptacle faceplate assembly is configured to fit receptacles of various sizes and shapes. The universal receptacle faceplate assembly is designed to be used in a marine context, such as in a power pedestal. However, the universal faceplate assembly may be used in a multitude of environments (e.g., home and building, recreational vehicle park, and so on). 
     The universal receptacle faceplate assembly described herein includes an enclosure configured to house at least one receptacle and its associated wiring. The enclosure is fitted with a faceplate that is removable. The faceplate has openings sized to hold receptacles of several configurations (e.g., 20 A, 30 A, 50 A). Accordingly, even if the receptacles are changed the faceplate does not have to be changed. A cover corresponding to the opening of the faceplate is affixed around the receptacle to protect the installed receptacle configuration. The enclosure, faceplate, receptacles, and cover are assembled using a series of tabs, notches, and holes designed to fit together. 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates an embodiment of a power pedestal  10  that includes one embodiment of a universal receptacle faceplate assembly  25  shown with an optional access door. The power pedestal  10  has multiple ports that yield access to utilities such as power, cable, phone, internet, water, and sewage. For example, the valves  22  provide fresh water. In addition to access to fresh water, the power pedestal  10  provides access to media. Access unit  23  may provide access to a circuit breaker, cable jacks, phone jacks, and/or internet jacks. Hubs  24  are used to pump out the sewage from a head or the accumulated liquid in a bilge. 
     As will be described in more detail below, one or more power receptacles are housed in the universal receptacle faceplate assembly  25 . The power receptacles provide access to electrical infrastructure. The receptacles housed in the universal receptacle faceplate assembly  25  can be changed to accommodate varying amperage needs. The power pedestal  10  also has a pedestal cover  30  with light lenses  32 . The light lenses  32  let light escape from the interior of the power pedestal  10  to light the area. 
       FIG. 1B  illustrates an embodiment of a power pedestal  10  that includes similar features as the power pedestal  10  of  FIG. 1A , In one embodiment of a universal receptacle faceplate assembly  25  shown with an optional cover. For protection from environmental contaminants (e.g., particulates, precipitates, insects), the universal receptacle faceplate assembly  25  may be aligned at an acute angle with the ground. 
       FIG. 2  shows a universal receptacle faceplate assembly  25 . The universal receptacle faceplate assembly  25  is assembled to an enclosure  130 . The enclosure  130  is configured to be installed in the power pedestal and will house wiring that provides electricity to receptacles in the enclosure. The enclosure  130  includes a faceplate  135 . The enclosure  130  encloses a first power receptacle  150  and a second power receptacle  155 . The first power receptacle  150  is covered by a first cover  140 . The second power receptacle  155  is covered by a second cover  145 . The first cover  140  and the second cover  145  are configured differently to accommodate the different shapes of the first power receptacle  150  and the second power receptacle  155 . 
       FIG. 3  shows an exploded view of one embodiment of a universal receptacle faceplate assembly  25 . The components of the universal receptacle faceplate assembly  25  include the enclosure  130 , the faceplate  135 , the first receptacle  150 , the first cover  140 , the second receptacle  155 , and the second cover  145 . The enclosure  130  houses the receptacles  150 ,  155  and their associated wiring. The faceplate  135  is mounted in the interior portion  131  of the enclosure  130 . The faceplate  135  is mounted to a set of enclosure tabs  132 ,  133 ,  134 ,  136 ,  137 ,  138  in the interior portion  131  of the enclosure  130 . The set of enclosure tabs have corresponding holes that align with holes on the faceplate  135 . For example, the enclosure tab  132  has an enclosure hole  239   d . The enclosure hole  239   d  is aligned with a faceplate hole  239   c  in the faceplate  135  such that a fastener (e.g., rod, screw, nail, bolt) can be used to attach the faceplate  135  to the enclosure  130  by passing through both the faceplate hole  239   c  and the enclosure hole  239   d  in the enclosure tab  132 . 
     Four points of contact between the enclosure  130  and the faceplate  135  are shown by virtue of the faceplate notches and corresponding enclosure tabs and enclosure holes. Additionally, two points of contact between the enclosure  130  and the faceplate  135  are made by virtue of enclosure tabs  134  and  138 . Faceplate hole  232   a  in the faceplate  135  corresponds to enclosure hole  232   b  in enclosure tab  138 . Faceplate hole  234   a  in the faceplate  135  corresponds to enclosure hole  234   b  in enclosure tab  134 . 
     More or fewer contact points could be used to attach the faceplate  135  to the enclosure  130 . The set of tabs may be machined or molded as a part of the enclosure  130  or affixed to the interior portion  131  of the enclosure  130  with a fastening agent (e.g., adhesive, glue, clamps, latches). The placement of the tabs in the interior portion  131  of the enclosure may be based on the design of the enclosure  130 , the faceplate  135 , or any combination of parts of the universal receptacle faceplate assembly  25 . Should the position of the tabs be changed, the position of the holes in the corresponding parts of the universal receptacle faceplate assembly  25  can be changed such that the holes of the various parts maintain alignment. 
     The faceplate  135  is configured to be fit with receptacles. Accordingly, the openings  235 ,  237  in the faceplate are shaped to accommodate either a first receptacle  150  or a second receptacle  155 . The openings  235 ,  237  are sized to accommodate receptacles of all types (e.g., 20 A, 30 A, 50 A) so that the same faceplate may be used regardless of the types of receptacles that are installed in the enclosure  130 . The same tab and corresponding holes system described above is used to attach the first receptacle  150  and the second receptacle  155  to the faceplate  135 . Specifically, the faceplate is configured with a set of notches  236   a ,  236   b ,  238   a ,  238   b . The notches  236   a ,  236   b  in the faceplate  135  correspond to a set of tabs  157 ,  158 , respectively, affixed to the first receptacle  150 . The notches  238   a ,  238   b  in the faceplate  135  correspond to a set of tabs  159 ,  160 , respectively, affixed to the second receptacle  155 . 
     The first receptacle  150  is configured with a receptacle tab  157 . The receptacle tab  157  corresponds to the faceplate notch  236   a  in the faceplate  135 . The receptacle tab  157  is configured to nest within the faceplate notch  236   a  such that the tab  157  is flush with the faceplate  135  when the tab  157  is seated in the faceplate notch  236   a . The receptacle tab  157  has a receptacle hole  259   b . The receptacle hole  259   b  corresponds to the faceplate hole  259   c  and the enclosure hole  259   d . Thus, the first receptacle  150  can be affixed to the faceplate  135  and the enclosure  130  using one fastener. The first receptacle  150  is also configured with a receptacle tab  158  corresponding to a faceplate notch  236   b . The receptacle tab  158  has a receptacle hole  239   b  that is aligned with the faceplate hole  239   c  in the faceplate notch  236   b  and the enclosure hole  239   d  in the enclosure tab  132 . 
     The second receptacle  155  is configured with a receptacle tab  159 . The receptacle tab  159  corresponds to a faceplate notch  238   a . The receptacle tab  159  is configured to nest within the faceplate notch  238   a . The receptacle tab  159  has a receptacle hole  261   b . The receptacle hole  261   b  corresponds to the faceplate hole  261   c  and the enclosure hole  261   d . The second receptacle  155 , the faceplate  135 , and the enclosure  130  can be assembled by passing a fastener through the corresponding receptacle hole  261   b , the faceplate hole  261   c , and the enclosure hole  261   d . The second receptacle  155  is also configured with a receptacle tab  160  corresponding to a faceplate notch  238   b . The receptacle tab  160  has a receptacle hole  241   b  that corresponds to the faceplate hole  241   c  in the faceplate notch  238   b  and the enclosure hole  241   d  in the enclosure tab  132 . 
     Four contact points are illustrated between the first receptacle  150 , the second receptacle  155 , and the faceplate  135 . However, more or fewer contact points could be used to attach the first receptacle  150  and the second receptacle  155  to the faceplate  135 . The set of tabs on the receptacles  150  and  155  may be formed as a part of receptacles  150  and  155  or affixed after manufacture with a fastening agent (e.g., adhesive, glue, clamps, latches). 
     The first receptacle  150  is a 50 A receptacle and the second receptacle  155  is a 30 A receptacle. The universal receptacle faceplate assembly  25  is capable of accommodating receptacles of different amperages. The first receptacle  150  and the second receptacle  155  are shaped differently and have different sizes. Accordingly, the tabs on the receptacles  150  and  155  may be adapted so that they properly mate with the faceplate notches. 
     A cover is chosen to fit the receptacle that the cover surrounds. The first cover  140  is specifically configured to closely surround 30 amp receptacle  150 . The second cover  145  is specifically configured to closely surround a 20 amp receptacle  155 . The covers  140  and  145  are attached using the same tab and hole system that the receptacles  150  and  155 , the faceplate  135 , and the enclosure  130  use. For example, the first cover  140  is configured to fit over the first receptacle  150 . The first cover  140  has a first cover tab  271 . The first cover tab  271  corresponds to the receptacle tab  157 . The first cover tab  271  has a cover hole  259   a  that corresponds to the receptacle hole  259   b , the faceplate hole  259   c , and the enclosure hole  259   d . Thus, the first cover  140 , the first receptacle  150 , the faceplate  135 , and the enclosure  130  can be attached by passing a fastener through the corresponding holes  259   a ,  259   b ,  259   c , and  259   d.    
     The first cover  140  is configured with a second cover tab  272  having a cover hole  239   a . The second cover tab  272  corresponds to the receptacle tab  153  having the receptacle hole  239   b . Therefore, the first cover  140 , the first receptacle  150 , the faceplate  135 , and the enclosure  130  can be attached by passing a fastener through the corresponding holes  239   a ,  239   b ,  239   c , and  239   d . While two contact points are shown between the cover  140  and the receptacle  150 , more or fewer may be used. 
     The second cover  145  is configured to fit over the second receptacle  155 . The second cover  145  has a first cover tab  273 . The first cover tab  273  corresponds to the receptacle tab  159 . The first cover tab  273  of the second cover  145  has a cover hole  261   a  that corresponds to the receptacle hole  261   b , the faceplate hole  261   c , and the enclosure hole  261   d . Thus, the second cover  145 , the second receptacle  155 , the faceplate  135 , and the enclosure  130  can be attached by passing a fastener through the corresponding holes  261   a ,  261   b ,  261   c , and  261   d.    
     The second cover  145  also has a second cover tab  274 . The second cover tab  274  has a cover hole  241   a  corresponding to the receptacle hole  241   b  of the second receptacle  155 , the faceplate hole  241   c , and the enclosure hole  241   d . A fastener attaches the second cover  145  to the second receptacle  155 , the faceplate  135 , and the enclosure  130  by passing through the corresponding holes  241   a ,  241   b ,  241   c , and  241   d . As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the faceplate  135  can fit receptacle/covers of various amperages in either opening  235 ,  237 . 
     For example, the first receptacle  150  and the first cover  140  could be installed in the opening  235  and the second receptacle  155  and the second cover  145  could be installed in the opening  237 . 
       FIG. 4A  is a rear perspective view of one embodiment of the first cover  140 . The first cover  140  has an opening  141  to allow a 50 A receptacle, such as receptacle  150  (not shown) to pass through the first cover  140 . The size and shape of the opening  141  are determined by the size and shape of the 50 A receptacle. The first cover  140  has flanges  440  and  445 . The flanges  440  and  445  do not extend around the area of the first cover  140  where the cover tabs  271 ,  272  because the cover tabs  271 ,  272  are configured to be seated into tabs of a receptacle, such as tabs  157 ,  158  (not shown). 
     With reference to  FIG. 4B , the first cover tab  271  is configured with the cover hole  259   a  and the second cover tab  272  is configured with the cover hole  239   a .  FIG. 4C  is a cross section view of the first cover  140 . 
       FIG. 5A  is a rear perspective view of one embodiment of the second cover  145 . The second cover  145  has an opening  147  to allow a 30 A receptacle, such as receptacle  155  (not shown) to pass through the second cover  145 . The size and shape of the opening  147  are determined by the size and shape of the 30 A receptacle. The second cover  145  has flanges  540  and  545 . The flanges  540  and  545  do not extend around the area of the second cover  145  where the cover tabs  273 ,  274  because the cover tabs  273 ,  274  are configured to be seated into tabs of a receptacle, such as tabs  159 ,  160  (not shown). 
     With reference to  FIG. 5B , the first cover tab  273  is configured with the cover hole  261   a  and the second cover tab  274  is configured with the cover hole  241   a .  FIG. 5C  is a cross section view of the second cover  145 ,  FIG. 6A  is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a cover  180 . The cover  180  has an opening  185  to allow a rectangular receptacle (not shown) to pass through the cover  180 . The size and shape of the opening  185  are determined by the size and shape of the receptacle. The cover  180  has a first cover tab  181  and a second cover tab  182 . The first cover tab  181  is configured with a first cover hole  183 . The second cover tab  182  is configured with a second cover hole  184 . The cover holes  183 ,  184  correspond to holes on the receptacle. In this manner the cover  180  can be affixed to the receptacle. 
     With reference to  FIG. 6B , the first cover tab  181  is configured with the cover hole  183  and the second cover tab  182  is configured with the cover hole  184 .  FIG. 6C  is a cross section view of the cover  180 . 
       FIG. 7A  is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a cover  180 . The cover  190  does not have an opening. Cover  190  protects the wiring in a power pedestal when a receptacle is not installed The cover  190  has a first cover tab  191  and a second cover tab  192 . The first cover tab  191  is configured with a first cover hole  193 . The second cover tab  192  is configured with a second cover hole  194 . The cover holes  193 ,  194  correspond to holes on the faceplate (not shown). In this manner the cover  190  can be affixed to the faceplate. 
     With reference to  FIG. 7B , the first cover tab  191  is configured with the cover hole  193  and the second cover tab  192  is configured with the cover hole  194 .  FIG. 7C  is a cross section view of the cover  190 . 
     While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the illustrated methodologies in the figures are shown and described as a series of blocks, it is to be appreciated that the methodologies are not limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks can occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from that shown and described. Moreover, less than all the illustrated blocks may be used to implement an example methodology. Blocks may be combined or separated into multiple components. Furthermore, additional and/or alternative methodologies can employ additional blocks that are not illustrated. 
     References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “one example”, “an example”, and so on, indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) so described may include a particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation, but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element or limitation. Furthermore, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, though it may. 
     While example systems, methods, and so on have been illustrated by describing examples, and while the examples have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the systems, methods, and so on described herein. Therefore, the disclosure is not limited to the specific details, the representative apparatus, and illustrative examples shown and described. Thus, this application is intended to embrace alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims. 
     To the extent that the term “includes” or “including” is employed in the detailed description or the claims, it is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as that term is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. 
     To the extent that the term “or” is used in the detailed description or claims (e.g., A or B) it is intended to mean “A or B or both”. When the applicants intend to indicate “only A or B but not both” then the phrase “only A or B but not both” will be used. Thus, use of the term “or” herein is the inclusive, and not the exclusive use. See, Bryan A. Garner, A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage 624 (2d, Ed. 1995). 
     To the extent that the phrase “one or more of, A, B, and C” is used herein, (e.g., a data store configured to store one or more of, A, B, and C) it is intended to convey the set of possibilities A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, and/or ABC (e.g., the data store may store only A, only B, only C, A&amp;B, A&amp;C, B&amp;C, and/or A&amp;B&amp;C). It is not intended to require one of A, one of B, and one of C. When the applicants intend to indicate “at least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C”, then the phrasing “at least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C” will be used.