Abstract:
A waterproof simplex receptacle includes a main body and a front portion. The front portion includes a front surface and rear surface. Terminals are recessed rearwardly from openings formed in the front surface, and are connected to wires extending rearwardly from the main body. The front surface includes a first surface portion, in the vicinity of the openings, which is positioned forwardly from a second surface portion that is located generally outboard of the first surface portion. Optionally, the first surface portion may be in the form of outwardly-extending ridges around the terminal openings, a convex surface, or a sloped or slanted surface, for example, and configured to direct water or other liquids away from the terminal openings associated with the terminals.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 12/816,089, filed Jun. 15, 2010, which claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application, Ser. No. 61/268,702, filed Jun. 15, 2009, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     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. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     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. 
     In this regard, a substantial advance in the art was achieved through the development of waterproof simplex receptacles as disclosed in Byrne, U.S. Pat. No. 7,244,128, issued Jul. 17, 2007. The Byrne &#39;128 patent is incorporated by reference herein. Specifically, the Byrne &#39;128 patent discloses the use of a simplex receptacle body having a front portion with a front surface and rear surface. Terminals extend through the front portion, and are disclosed as including a ground terminal, neutral terminal and hot terminal. The terminals are electrically connected to a set of electrical wires or cables extending rearwardly from the receptacle. The receptacle also includes a rear housing. A waterproofing clip is disclosed which includes an upper portion extending lengthwise across the clip, and a pair of vertically connecting portions extending downwardly from opposing ends of the upper portion. At the lower ends of the vertical connecting portions, spring legs extend forwardly from each of the vertical connecting portions. The spring clips are resilient in nature and sized so as to be “snap fitted” around the main housing body of the rear housing. With the rear housing and the waterproofing clip, the rear portion of the simplex receptacle is essentially waterproof, and resists seepage of water or other liquids therein. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the invention, an electrical receptacle assembly includes at least one receptacle. The receptacle assembly has a main receptacle body, with a front portion and a front surface thereof. A series of terminals extends through the front portion and outwardly through the front surface. The terminals receive an electrical plug of an electrical device to be energized. The assembly also includes a series of electrical wires or cables, numbering the same as the number of electrical terminals associated with the main receptacle body. The wires or cables are adapted to provide electrical power when electrically coupled to the main receptacle body. The main receptacle body includes a rear body housing positioned at a rear of the front portion. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, each of the terminals extending through the front surface includes an outwardly extending ridge. Each of the ridges is sized and configured so that if the front surface is positioned at any angle between horizontal and vertical, inclusive, liquid located on the front surface is prevented from dripping through the terminals as a result of the size and configuration of the ridges. 
     In accordance with the further aspect of the invention, the assembly includes a waterproofing clip having a resilient configuration, adapted to be snap fitted around the rear body housing and coupled to the main receptacle body. The clip includes an upper portion extending lengthwise, a pair of vertically connecting portions extending downwardly from the upper portion, and a pair of resilient legs extending forwarding from lower ends of the vertically connecting portions. 
     In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the front surface is angled, so that if the front portion is laid flat against a horizontal surface, the front surface will be positioned at an angle relative to the horizontal surface. The angle is sufficient in size and configured so that the front surface will tend to shed water. 
     In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, the front surface includes a curved configuration. The curved configuration is such that if the front portion is positioned supine, liquid dripping downwardly onto the front surface will be directed outwardly toward an edge of the front portion and off of the front surface. Still further, the curvature of the front surface can be such that each point on the front surface can slope outwardly toward the edge of the front portion. 
     In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the receptacle assembly includes at least two terminals extending from the front surface. A resilient protective element is positioned immediately below the front surface and positioned in between the two terminals. The resilient element includes a pair of resilient portions covering each of the two terminals when not in use. The resilient portions are connected together by a mid-section. When terminal blades are inserted into the terminals, the blades abut the resilient portions and exert forces on the portions so as to cause the protective element to bend inwardly and downwardly. When the resilient portions are bent inwardly and downwardly, the terminal blades are free to move into and be received within the terminals. When the blades are removed from the terminals, the resilient portions return to positions which cover and shield the terminals. 
     A further aspect of the invention includes a baffle element positioned substantially below the front surface and in between the two terminals. The baffle element includes a baffle mid-portion positioned directly below the front portion in between the two terminals. The baffle mid-portion is connected to a resilient and triangular wedge which extends partially upwardly into and covers one of the terminals when not in use. A flat portion is integral with or otherwise connected to an opposing end of the baffle mid-portion. When blades are extended into the terminals, the triangular wedge is made to move downwardly so as to be free to move in a horizontal configuration. With the baffle mid-portion essentially holding the flat portion and the triangular wedge in a configuration where the baffle mid-portion tends to contract, the mid-portion is free to contract when the triangular wedge is removed from abutment with one of the terminals. When the blades are extended downwardly, the baffle element contracts to a configuration where the terminal blades are free to move downwardly and into the terminals. When the terminal blades are removed, the baffle element returns to a state which will prevent seepage of liquid through the terminals. Still further, the flat portion of the baffle element can be coupled to, or otherwise replaced by a further triangular wedge which abuts the other terminal when the blades are removed from the terminal. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
       The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an elevation view of a known simplex receptacle body; 
         FIG. 2  is a right-side view of the simplex receptacle body shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a left-side view of the simplex receptacle body shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view of the simplex receptacle body shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an underside view of the simplex receptacle body shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a partially exploded and plan view showing the relative positioning of the simplex receptacle body and electrical wires or cables to be connected to the simplex receptacle bodies; 
         FIG. 7  is a right-side view of the simplex receptacle body and the electrical wires or cables shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a right-side view similar to  FIG. 7 , but showing the electrical wires or cables in an interconnected configuration with the simplex receptacle body; 
         FIG. 9  is a right-side view showing the interconnected electrical wires or cables and the simplex receptacle body, and further showing a sectional side view of the rear housing to be mounted to the simplex receptacle body; 
         FIG. 10  is a right-side elevation view similar to  FIG. 9 , but showing the sectional view of the rear housing as it is positioned when coupled to the simplex receptacle body; 
         FIG. 11  is a partially exploded and right side view showing the interconnected simplex receptacle body, electrical wires or cables, rear housing and the waterproofing clip positioned so as to be interconnected to the rear housing; 
         FIG. 12  is a right-side elevation view similar to  FIG. 11 , but showing the waterproofing clip in its interconnected position; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective and partially exploded view, somewhat similar to  FIG. 7 , in that it shows the positioning of the electrical wires or cables as they are being interconnected to the simplex receptacle body; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view similar to  FIG. 13 , but showing the electrical wires or cables interconnected to the simplex receptacle body; 
         FIG. 15  is similar to  FIG. 11 , but shows, in perspective view, the interconnected simplex receptacle body, rear housing, electrical wires or cables, and the waterproofing clip in a position to be connected; 
         FIG. 16  is similar to  FIG. 12 , but shows the entire interconnection of the waterproof simplex receptacle, in perspective view; 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a simplex receptacle in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 18  is a side, elevation view of the receptacle shown in  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a plan view of the receptacle shown in  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a further side, elevation view of the receptacle shown in  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a simplex receptacle in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 22  is a side, elevation view of the receptacle shown in  FIG. 21 ; 
         FIG. 23  is a side, elevation view showing the watershedding housing of the receptacle shown in  FIG. 21 , and showing the same at a 10° angle relative to horizontal; 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a waterproof simplex receptacle in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 25  is a side, elevation view of the receptacle shown in  FIG. 24 ; 
         FIG. 26  is a side, elevation view, showing the configuration of the watershedding front housing of the receptacle of  FIG. 24 ; 
         FIG. 27  is a perspective and exploded view of a simplex receptacle, and showing means for providing a liquid dam when internal blades are inserted into the receptacle; 
         FIG. 28  is a perspective view of the receptacle shown in  FIG. 27 , with the terminal blades inserted into the receptacle; 
         FIG. 29  is a further embodiment of a simplex receptacle, showing a differing dam configuration, and further showing the terminal blades and a receptacle in an exploded view; and 
         FIG. 30  is a perspective view of the receptacle shown in  FIG. 29 , with the terminal blades extended into the receptacle. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The principles of the invention are disclosed, by way of example, in a number of embodiments of waterproof simplex receptacles having structure and features directed to watershedding. These embodiments are illustrated in  FIGS. 17-30 . For purposes of understanding general principles of waterproof simplex receptacles, a waterproof simplex receptacle  100  will first be described with respect to  FIGS. 1-16 . This particular simplex receptacle  100  is disclosed in commonly owned Byrne U.S. Pat. No. 7,244,128 issued Jul. 17, 2007. Following the descriptions of simplex receptacle  100 , the embodiments of the simplex receptacle in accordance with the invention will be described. 
     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. 1-5  illustrate, standing alone, a simplex receptacle body  102  in accordance with the invention. With specific reference to  FIGS. 1-5 , the receptacle body  102  includes a front portion  108  having a substantially square or otherwise rectangular configuration. The front portion  108  includes a front surface  104  and a rear surface  106 . Extending through the front portion  108  are a series of three terminals  110 . In the particular embodiment disclosed herein, the terminals include a ground terminal  112 , neutral terminal  114  and hot terminal  116 . 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 body  102  also includes a connecting mount  118 , comprising an elongated element extending rearwardly from the rear surface  106  of the front portion  108 . The connecting mount  118  can be utilized for appropriately securing various elements of the waterproof simplex receptacle  100 . 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 6-9 ,  13  and  14 , the waterproof simplex receptacle  100  is adapted to be utilized with a set of electrical wires or cables  120 . As shown, for example, in  FIGS. 6 and 13 , the electrical wires or cables  120  comprise three wires or cables. These three wires or cables  120  further comprise a ground wire  122 , neutral wire  124  and hot wire  126 . These wires are conventional in nature and may be separate wires, conduit or other type of cabling. Connected at the end of the ground wire  122  is a conventional ground connector  130 . Connected to the ends of each of the neutral wire  124  and hot wire  126  is a female connector  128 . Again, these connectors are conventional in nature. The ground connector  130  may be connected in any conventional manner to the ground terminal  112  of the simplex receptacle body  102 . Correspondingly, the female connector  128  associated with the neutral wire  124  may be electrically connected to the neutral terminal  114  of the receptacle body  102 . Still further, the female connector  128  associated with the hot wire  126  may be electrically connected in a conventional manner to the hot terminal  116  of the receptacle body  102 . This interconnection is shown in  FIGS. 8 and 14 . 
     The waterproof simplex receptacle  100  in accordance with the invention further includes what is characterized as a rear housing  132 . The rear housing  132  is shown in  FIGS. 9 ,  10 ,  11 ,  12 ,  15  and  16 . With reference to these drawings, the rear housing  132  has a shape and configuration whereby it can be secured to the rear surface  106  of the simplex receptacle body  102 , in a manner so as to substantially enclose the electrical wires or cables  120 . With reference to the drawings, the rear housing  132  includes an upper box-like structure  134 . The upper box structure  134  extends lengthwise across the top of the rear surface  106  of the simplex receptacle body  102 . Below the upper box  134  is a main housing body  136 . The main housing body  136  has a substantially box-like configuration, and substantially encloses the female connectors  128  associated with the neutral and hot wires  124 ,  126  respectively. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the rear housing  132  is inserted as part of the simplex receptacle  100  through the electrical wires or cables  120 , and connected by any conventional means to the rear surface  106  of the receptacle body  102 . 
     The waterproof simplex receptacle  100  also includes a waterproofing clip  138 . The waterproofing clip  138  is primarily shown in  FIGS. 11 ,  12 ,  15  and  16 . In particular, a perspective view of the waterproofing clip  138  is illustrated in  FIG. 15 . As shown therein, the waterproofing clip  138  includes an upper portion  140  extending lengthwise across the clip  138 . A pair of vertical connecting portions  142  extend downwardly from opposing ends of the upper portion  140 . At the lower ends of the vertical connecting portions  142 , spring legs  144  extend forwardly from each of the vertical connecting portions  142 . These elements of the waterproofing clip  138  may be separate and interconnected, or may preferably be constructed integral with each other. In particular, the spring clips  144  may be resilient in nature and sized so as to be “snap fitted” around the main housing body  136  of the rear housing  132 . The spring legs  144  comprise a left leg  146  and right leg  148 . As previously stated, the legs  144  are resilient in nature, so as to appropriately snap fit on the rear housing  132 , thereby appropriately securing all elements for the waterproof simplex receptacle  100 . With the rear housing  132  and the waterproofing clip  138 , the rear portion of the simplex receptacle  100  is 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 waterproof simplex receptacle  100  are not limited with respect to any particular sizes or dimensions of receptacles. 
     The principles of the invention will now be described with respect to a first embodiment of a waterproof simplex receptacle  200  in accordance with the invention. The simplex receptacle  200  is illustrated in  FIGS. 17-20 . With reference thereto, the receptacle  200  includes a simplex receptacle body  202 , with a front portion  208  having a front surface  204  and rear surface  206 . Terminals  210 , in the form of female terminals, extend through the front surface  204 . The terminals  210  include a ground terminal  212 , neutral terminal  214 , and hot terminal  216 . The terminals  210  are connected to wires  218  extending rearwardly from the receptacle  200 . 
     At the rear of the front portion  208  is a main or rear body housing  220 . Releasably secured to the main body housing  220  is a waterproofing clip  222 , essentially corresponding to the clip  138  previously described herein. 
     In accordance with the invention, each of the terminals  210  on the front surface  204  includes an outwardly extending ridge  224 . These ridges are particularly shown in  FIG. 17 . The ridges  224  in accordance with the invention provide two features. First, if the front surface  204  is in any manner horizontal, and liquid is located on the front surface  204 , the liquid is prevented from dripping through the terminals  210  through the ridges  224 . Further, if the simplex receptacle  200  is laid on its side, so that the front surface  204  is essentially vertically disposed, the ridges  224  will prevent any water or other liquids which are dripping downwardly in a vertical direction from entering the apertures for the terminals  210 . In this particular embodiment, two of the ridges  224  are shown as being of a substantially rectangular configuration. These two ridges  224  are separately associated with differing ones of the neutral terminal  214  and hot terminal  216 . The other ridge  224 , associated with the ground terminal  212 , essentially has a semi-circular configuration, substantially corresponding to the shape of the ground terminal  212  itself. It should be emphasized that a number of different configurations could be utilized with respect to the shapes and formats of the ridges, without departing from the novel concepts of the invention. 
     A second embodiment of a waterproof simplex receptacle in accordance with the invention is shown as receptacle  300  and illustrated in  FIGS. 21 ,  22 , and  23 . With reference thereto, the receptacle  300  includes a main body  302  and a front portion  308 . The front portion  308  includes a front surface  304  and rear surface  306 . Terminals  310 , which may be in the form of female terminals, extend outwardly from the front surface  304 . In accordance with the example embodiment of the receptacle  300 , the terminals  310  can include a ground terminal  312 , neutral terminal  314  and hot terminal  316 . The terminals  310  can be connected to wires  318  extending rearwardly from the receptacle  300 . 
     At the rear of the front portion  308  is a main body housing  320 . If desired, a waterproofing clip  322  can be releasably secured to the main body housing  320 . The waterproofing clip  322  can essentially correspond to the waterproofing clip  222  and to clip  138  previously described herein. Although the receptacle  300  can include the waterproofing clip  322 , the front surface  304  of the front portion  308  does not necessarily have to include any kind of outwardly extending ridges associated with the terminals  310 , such as those corresponding to the outwardly extending ridges  224  associated with the terminals  210  of the previously described receptacle  200 . 
     However, in accordance with the invention, the front surface  304  is angled. This angular configuration is particularly shown in  FIGS. 22 and 23 , where in  FIG. 23  only the front portion  308  is shown, and it is indicated therein that the front surface  304  has an angle of 10° when the front portion  308  is laid flat against a horizontal surface  323 . With this angled configuration, the front surface  304  will tend to shed water, even when positioned in a supine configuration. It should be emphasized that other angular configurations of front surfaces could be utilized, without departing from the novel concept of the invention. 
     A third embodiment of a receptacle in accordance with the invention is shown as simplex receptacle  400  illustrated in  FIGS. 24 ,  25 , and  26 . As shown therein, the receptacle  400  includes a main receptacle body  402  extending rearwardly and housing the general circuitry of the receptacle  400 . Positioned at the front of the main body  402  is a front portion  408 . The front portion  408  includes a front surface  404  and rear surface  406 . Terminals  410  extend outwardly from the front surface  404 . The terminals  410  are shown in  FIG. 24  as including a ground terminal  412 , neutral terminal  414  and hot terminal  416 . Wires  418  extend rearwardly from the body  402 . In accordance with the invention, and as particularly shown in  FIG. 24 , the front surface  304  has a curved configuration, whereby each point on the front surface  404  is sloping outwardly toward an edge  426  of the front portion  408 . With this configuration, and with the front portion laying supine as shown in  FIG. 26 , any water or other liquid which drips downwardly onto the front surface  404  will be directed outwardly toward the edge  426  and off the front surface  404 . Again, it may be emphasized that the front surface  404  is shown with a particular curvature. However, the invention is not limited to the specific curvature shown for the front surface  404 . 
     A further embodiment of the invention is shown as a simplex receptacle  500  as illustrated in  FIGS. 27 and 28 . With reference thereto, the receptacle  500  includes a main receptacle body  502 , having a front portion  508 . The front portion  508  includes a front surface  504 . Terminals  510  extend outwardly from the front surface  504 . In this particular instance, only two of the terminals  510  are illustrated. Also illustrated is a pair of terminal blades  528  which can be conductively received within the terminals  510 . 
     In accordance with the invention, and for purposes of preventing water from seeping into the terminals  510  when not in use, a resilient protective element  530  is positioned immediately below and in between the terminals  510 . The protective element  530  includes a pair of resilient portions  532  which resiliently cover each of the terminals  510  when not in use. The resilient portions  532  are connected together by a mid-section  534 . When the terminal blades  528  are inserted into the terminals  510 , as is expressly shown in  FIG. 28 , the resilient portions  532  of the protective element  530  will bend inwardly and downwardly. With this movement, the terminal blades  528  are free to move into the terminals  510 . When the blades  528  are again removed from the terminals  510 , the resilient portions  532  will resiliently return to a position as shown in  FIG. 27 , where they are essentially shielding terminals  510 . 
     A still further embodiment somewhat similar to the receptacle  500  is shown as receptacle  600  in  FIGS. 29 and 30 . As shown therein, the receptacle  600  includes a main body  602 , with a front portion  608 . The front portion  608  includes a front section  604 , having a pair of terminals  610  extending outwardly therefrom. Terminal blades  628  are adapted to be received within the terminals  610 . For purposes of shielding the terminals  610  when not in use, the receptacle  600  includes a baffle element  636  positioned as particularly shown in  FIG. 29 , when the terminals  610  are not in use. The baffle element  636  includes a baffle mid-portion  640 . The baffle mid-portion  640  is connected at one end to a resilient and triangular wedge  638  which extends upwardly into and covers one of the terminals  610  when not in use. A flat portion  642  is connected to the opposing end of the baffle mid-portion  640 . When the blades  628  are extended into the terminals  610 , the triangular wedge is made to move downwardly so as to be free to move in a horizontal configuration. With the baffle mid-portion essentially holding the flat portion  642  and triangular wedge  638  in a configuration where the baffle mid-portion  640  wants to contract, the mid-portion  640  is free to contract when the triangular wedge  638  is removed from abutment with one of the terminals  610 . The flat portion  642  can also be connected to a wedge or similar element which abuts the other terminal  610 . Accordingly, when the blades  628  are extended downwardly, the baffle element  636  will be capable of contracting to the configuration shown in  FIG. 30 . With this contraction, the terminal blades  628  are free to move downwardly and into the terminals  610 . When they are removed, the baffle element  636  can return to the state shown in  FIG. 29 . 
     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 concepts of the invention.