Patent Publication Number: US-2022239085-A1

Title: Recessed electrical outlet

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority under 35 USC § 120 from U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/141,029, entitled “Recessed Electrical Outlet,” which was filed on Jan. 25, 2021, in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The present general inventive concept relates generally to an electrical outlet, and particularly, to a recessed electrical outlet. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     An electrical socket is a common piece of equipment in a building that connects electrical equipment to a power supply. The type of the electrical socket may differ in voltage and/or current rating. 
     However, the electrical socket generally shows the same façade with two and/or three pin sockets exposed, such that a large plug inserted into one of the sockets will extend away from the socket. As such, the protruding plug limits placement of furniture around the plug and cord. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a recessed electrical outlet that adjusts a position of the plug, such that only the cord is exposed. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present general inventive concept provides a recessed electrical outlet. 
     Additional features and utilities of the present general inventive concept will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the general inventive concept. 
     The foregoing and/or other features and utilities of the present general inventive concept may be achieved by providing a recessed electrical outlet removably disposed within at least a portion of a wall, the recessed electrical outlet including a receptacle box, including a first recessed surface recessed with respect to an outer surface of the receptacle box, and a second recessed surface disposed on at least a portion of the first recessed surface and recessed with respect to the outer surface of the receptacle box, and at least one socket disposed on at least a portion of the first recessed surface to receive at least one external plug therein. 
     The first recessed surface may be angularly disposed away from at least a portion of the outer surface of the receptacle box and angularly disposed away from at least a portion of the second recessed surface at a center portion of the receptacle box. 
     The first recessed surface and the second recessed surface may form a V-shape with respect to an entirety of the outer surface of the receptacle box. 
     The first recessed surface may prevent the at least one external plug from being visible with respect to a side elevation view of the receptacle box while the at least one external plug is connected to the at least one socket. 
     The recessed electrical outlet may further include at least one USB port removably disposed on at least a portion of the first recessed surface to receive the at least one external plug therein. 
     The recessed electrical outlet may further include at least one cable port removably disposed on at least a portion of the first recessed surface to receive the at least one external plug therein. 
     The recessed electrical outlet may further include a light linearly disposed on at least a portion of the first recessed surface to illuminate a surrounding area thereof. 
     The recessed electrical outlet may further include a control panel disposed on at least a portion of the first recessed surface and comprising at least one socket switch, the control panel to turn on the at least one socket in response to depressing the at least one socket switch a first time, and turn off the at least one socket in response to depressing the at least one socket switch a second time. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and/or other features and utilities of the present generally inventive concept will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates a front perspective view of a recessed electrical outlet including two three-pin sockets, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept; 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates a front perspective view of the recessed electrical outlet including a three-pin socket and two USB ports, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a front perspective view of the recessed electrical outlet including three three-pin sockets and a cable port, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept; and 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a sectional view of an interior of the recessed electrical outlet, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various example embodiments (a.k.a., exemplary embodiments) will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings in which some example embodiments are illustrated. In the figures, the thicknesses of lines, layers and/or regions may be exaggerated for clarity. 
     Accordingly, while example embodiments are capable of various modifications and alternative forms, embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the figures and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit example embodiments to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, example embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure. Like numbers refer to like/similar elements throughout the detailed description. 
     It is understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art. However, should the present disclosure give a specific meaning to a term deviating from a meaning commonly understood by one of ordinary skill, this meaning is to be taken into account in the specific context this definition is given herein. 
     List of Components 
     Recessed Electrical Outlet  100   
     Receptacle Box  110   
     First Recessed Surface  111   
     Second Recessed Surface  112   
     Sockets  120   
     Universal Serial Bus Ports  130   
     Cable Port  140   
     Light  150   
     Control Panel  160   
     Socket Switch  161   
     Light Switch  162   
     Exterior Plate  170   
     Plate Fasteners  171   
     Connecting Cover  180   
     Springs  181   
     Liquid Sensor  190   
       FIG. 1A  illustrates a front perspective view of a recessed electrical outlet  100  including two three-pin sockets  120 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept. 
       FIG. 1B  illustrates a front perspective view of the recessed electrical outlet  100  including a three-pin socket  120  and two USB ports  130 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept. 
       FIG. 1C  illustrates a front perspective view of the recessed electrical outlet  100  including three three-pin sockets  120  and a cable port  140 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a sectional view of an interior of the recessed electrical outlet  100 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept. 
     The recessed electrical outlet  100  may be constructed from at least one of metal, plastic, wood, glass, and rubber, etc., but is not limited thereto. Moreover, the recessed electrical outlet  100  may be waterproof, such that the recessed electrical outlet  100  may prevent water from moving therein. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A through 2 , the recessed electrical outlet  100  may include a receptacle box  110 , a plurality of sockets  120 , a plurality of universal serial bus (USB) ports  130 , at least one cable port  140 , a light  150 , a control panel  160 , an exterior plate  170 , a connecting cover  180 , and a liquid sensor  190 , but is not limited thereto. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1A through 2 , the receptacle box  110  is illustrated to have a rectangular shape. However, the receptacle box  110  may be a rectangular prism, circular, conical, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, or any other shape known to one of ordinary skill in the art, but is not limited thereto. 
     The receptacle box  110  may include a first recessed surface  111  and a second recessed surface  112 , but is not limited thereto. 
     The receptacle box  110  may be removably disposed within at least a portion of a wall  10 . Moreover, the first recessed surface  111  and/or the second recessed surface  112  may be recessed with respect to an outer surface and/or an entire outer edge (i.e. an outer perimeter) of the receptacle box  110 . As such, the first recessed surface  111  and/or the second recessed surface  112  may be recessed with respect to the wall  10 . 
     Also, the first recessed surface  111  may be angularly disposed away from at least a portion of the entire outer edge of the receptacle box  110  and angularly disposed away from at least a portion of the second recessed surface  112  at a center portion of the receptacle box  110 . Similarly, the second recessed surface  112  may be angularly disposed away from at least another portion of the entire outer edge of the receptacle box  110  and angularly disposed away from at least a portion of the first recessed surface  112  at the center portion of the receptacle box  110 . In other words, the first recessed surface  111  and/or the second recessed surface  112  may bend toward the center portion of the receptacle box  110 , such that the first recessed surface  111  and/or the second recessed surface  112  may form a V-shape with respect to the entire outer edge of the receptacle box  110 . 
     Each of the plurality of sockets  120  may include a three-pin socket and a two-pin socket, but is not limited thereto. Alternatively, and/or in addition thereto, any other number of pin sockets may be used. Although, the plurality of sockets  120  is described in plurality, only a single socket  120  may be used. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A through 10 , the plurality of sockets  120  may be removably disposed on at least a portion of the first recessed surface  111 . Moreover, each of the plurality of sockets  120  may receive at least one external plug  20  (e.g., a two-prong plug, a three-prong plug, a USB plug, a cable plug, etc.) to connect thereto, such that the plurality of sockets  120  sends power to the at least one external plug  20 . Due to the position of the first recessed surface  111  and/or the second recessed surface  112 , each of the plurality of sockets  120  connected to the at least one external plug  20  may be angularly disposed in a similar direction as the first recessed surface  111 , such that the at least one external plug  20  may not extend perpendicularly with respect to the wall  10 . In other words, the first recessed surface  111  and/or the plurality of sockets  120  may prevent the at least one external plug  20  from being visible with respect to a side elevation view of the receptacle box  110 , such as viewing the entire outer edge of the receptacle box  110  while disposed within the wall  10 . Accordingly, only a cord of the at least one external plug  20  may be visible. 
     Each of the plurality of USB ports  130  may include a USB  1 . 0  port, a USB  2 . 0  port, a USB  3 . 0  port, a USB-C port, and a USB 4  port, but is not limited thereto. Although, the plurality of USB ports  130  is described in plurality, only a single USB port  130  may be used. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1B , the plurality of USB ports  130  may be removably disposed on at least a portion of the first recessed surface  111 . Moreover, each of the plurality of USB ports  130  may receive the at least one external plug  20  to connect thereto, such that the plurality of USB ports  130  sends power to the at least one external plug  20 . Due to the position of the first recessed surface  111  and/or the second recessed surface  112 , each of the plurality of USB ports  130  connected to the at least one external plug  20  may be angularly disposed in a similar direction as the first recessed surface  111 , such that the at least one external plug  20  may not extend perpendicularly with respect to the wall  10 . In other words, the first recessed surface  111  and/or the plurality of USB ports  130  may prevent the at least one external plug  20  from being visible with respect to a side elevation view of the receptacle box  110 , such as viewing the entire outer edge of the receptacle box  110  while disposed within the wall  10 . 
     The at least one cable port  140  may include a coaxial connector (e.g., an F-type connector), but is not limited thereto. Alternatively, and/or in addition thereto, any other type of coaxial connectors may be used. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A through 10 , the at least one cable port  140  may be removably disposed on at least a portion of the first recessed surface  111 . Moreover, the at least one cable port  140  may receive the at least one external plug  20  to connect thereto, such that the at least one cable port  140  sends power and/or a signal (e.g., cable, satellite, etc.) to the at least one external plug  20 . Due to the position of the first recessed surface  111  and/or the second recessed surface  112 , the at least one cable port  140  connected to the at least one external plug  20  may be angularly disposed in a similar direction as the first recessed surface  111 , such that the at least one external plug  20  may not extend perpendicularly with respect to the wall  10 . In other words, the first recessed surface  111  and/or the at least one cable port  140  may prevent the at least one external plug  20  from being visible with respect to a side elevation view of the receptacle box  110 , such as viewing the entire outer edge of the receptacle box  110  while disposed within the wall  10 . 
     Accordingly, any of the plurality of sockets  120 , the plurality of USB ports  130 , and/or the at least one cable port  140  may be exchanged for the components based on a preference of a user and/or a manufacturer. 
     Furthermore, a size (i.e. length, width, height) of the receptacle box  110  may be adjusted based on a size of the at least one external plug  20 , such that the at least one external plug  20  may be hidden as described above. 
     The light  150  may be linearly disposed on at least a portion of the receptacle box  110 . More specifically, the light  150  may linearly extend from a first edge of the receptacle box  110  to a second edge of the receptacle box  110  opposite with respect to the first edge of the receptacle box  110 . Accordingly, the light  150  may illuminate a surrounding area of the receptacle box  110 . Furthermore, the light  150  may be visible with respect to a side elevation view of the receptacle box  110 , such as viewing the entire outer edge of the receptacle box  110  and/or the wall  10 . As such, the light  150  may operate as a nightlight. 
     The control panel  160  may include at least one socket switch  161  and a light switch  162 , but is not limited thereto. 
     The control panel  160  may be disposed on at least a portion of the receptacle box  110 . Moreover, the at least one socket switch  161  may turn on at least one of the plurality of sockets  120 , at least one of the plurality of USB ports  130 , and/or the at least one cable port  140  in response to depressing the at least one socket switch  161  a first time, and turn off at least one of the plurality of sockets  120 , at least one of the plurality of USB ports  130 , and/or the at least one cable port  140  in response to depressing the at least one socket switch  161  a second time. In other words, the at least one socket switch  161  may be used to turn on and/or turn off the power of at least one of the plurality of sockets  120 , at least one of the plurality of USB ports  130 , and/or the at least one cable port  140 . 
     Also, the light switch  162  may turn on the light  150  in response to depressing the light switch  162  a first time, and turn off the light  150  in response to depressing the light switch  162  a second time. In other words, the at least one socket switch  161  may be used to turn on and/or turn off the power of the light  150 . 
     The exterior plate  170  may include a plurality of plate fasteners  171  (e.g., a screw, a nail, a bolt, a washer, an adhesive, a magnet, etc.), but is not limited thereto. 
     The exterior plate  170  may be removably connected to the wall  10  via the plurality of plate fasteners  171 . The exterior plate  170  may cover the entire outer edge of the receptacle box  110  as oriented against the wall  10 . 
     The connecting cover  180  may include a plurality of springs  181 , but is not limited thereto. 
     The connecting cover  180  may be disposed on at least a portion of the receptacle box  110 . The connecting cover  180  may removably connect the receptacle box  110  within the wall using the plurality of springs  181 . Additionally, the plurality of springs  181  may prevent damage to the receptacle box  110  within the wall  10 . 
     The liquid sensor  190  may include a circuit breaker, but is not limited thereto. 
     The liquid sensor  190  may be disposed on at least a portion of the receptacle box  110  behind the wall  10 . Moreover, the liquid sensor  190  may disable an electrical connection between the plurality of sockets  120 , the plurality of USB ports  130 , the at least one cable port  140 , the light  150 , and/or the control panel  160  in response to detecting a liquid (e.g., water) on the receptacle box  110 , the plurality of sockets  120 , the plurality of USB ports  130 , the at least one cable port  140 , the light  150 , the control panel  160 , the exterior plate  170 , the connecting cover  180 , and/or the liquid sensor  190 . As such, the liquid sensor  190  may prevent electrical damage thereto due to the liquid. 
     Therefore, the recessed electrical outlet  100  may adjust the position of the external plug  20  to prevent it from protruding away from the wall  10 . As such, the recessed electrical outlet  100  may facilitate organization of furniture around the recessed electrical outlet  100 . 
     The present general inventive concept may include a recessed electrical outlet  100  removably disposed within at least a portion of a wall  10 , the recessed electrical outlet  100  including a receptacle box  110 , including a first recessed surface  111  recessed with respect to an outer surface of the receptacle box  110 , and a second recessed surface  112  disposed on at least a portion of the first recessed surface  111  and recessed with respect to the outer surface of the receptacle box  110 , and at least one socket  120  disposed on at least a portion of the first recessed surface  111  to receive at least one external plug  20  therein. 
     The first recessed surface  111  may be angularly disposed away from at least a portion of the outer surface of the receptacle box  110  and angularly disposed away from at least a portion of the second recessed surface  112  at a center portion of the receptacle box  110 . 
     The first recessed surface  111  and the second recessed surface  112  may form a V-shape with respect to an entirety of the outer surface of the receptacle box  110 . 
     The first recessed surface  111  may prevent the at least one external plug  20  from being visible with respect to a side elevation view of the receptacle box  110  while the at least one external plug  20  is connected to the at least one socket  120 . 
     The recessed electrical outlet  100  may further include at least one USB port  130  removably disposed on at least a portion of the first recessed surface  111  to receive the at least one external plug  20  therein. 
     The recessed electrical outlet  100  may further include at least one cable port  140  removably disposed on at least a portion of the first recessed surface  111  to receive the at least one external plug  20  therein. 
     The recessed electrical outlet  100  may further include a light  150  linearly disposed on at least a portion of the first recessed surface  111  to illuminate a surrounding area thereof. 
     The recessed electrical outlet  100  may further include a control panel  160  disposed on at least a portion of the first recessed surface  111  and comprising at least one socket switch  120 , the control panel  160  to turn on the at least one socket  120  in response to depressing the at least one socket switch  161  a first time, and turn off the at least one socket  120  in response to depressing the at least one socket switch  161  a second time. 
     Although a few embodiments of the present general inventive concept have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the general inventive concept, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.