Patent Publication Number: US-2021184407-A1

Title: Modular electrical receptacle assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to electrical power receptacle assemblies, and, more particularly, to modular electrical receptacle covers. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In many applications, electrical receptacles are needed to receive and distribute power. They are required in permanent locations such as walls in fixed structures, as well as temporary locations such as modular office furniture. Many types of receptacles are required according to the needs of users. Some receptacles, for example, include distribution of power for computers, telephones, and corded appliance, etc. The electrical receptacles also are required in places that are convenient for the user, and they may need to be re-locatable. 
     A receptacle cover plate, as known in the industry does not actually cover the portion of the electrical receptacle that provides a user access to the electrical connection, but rather covers the internal coupling of wires to the receptacle. The cover generally convers a box that is mounted to a structural member in a wall and the cover is generally secured to the box or the receptacle itself using fasteners such as screws. 
     What is needed in the art is an electrical system that allows for electrical power delivery without the use of fasteners being seen by a user. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to an improved electrical receptacle cover arrangement. 
     The present invention provides a modular wall system having an electrical receptacle assembly mounted therein. The electrical receptacle assembly including an electrical receptacle receiving assembly, at least one electrical receptacle electrically coupled to the electrical receptacle receiving assembly and first and second plates. The first plate is coupled to the electrical receptacle receiving assembly. The first plate has an opening through which the at least one electrical receptacle is accessible. The second plate is installed substantially parallel to the first plate. The second plate having an opening that only accommodates access to the at least one electrical receptacle. 
     The present invention further provides an electrical receptacle assembly for use in a modular wall system, the electrical receptacle assembly including an electrical receptacle receiving assembly, at least one electrical receptacle electrically coupled to the electrical receptacle receiving assembly and first and second plates. The first plate is coupled to the electrical receptacle receiving assembly. The first plate has an opening through which the at least one electrical receptacle is accessible. The second plate is installed substantially parallel to the first plate. The second plate having an opening that only accommodates access to the at least one electrical receptacle. 
     The present invention further provides an electrical receptacle assembly including a housing, an electrical receptacle receiving assembly positioned within the housing and at least one electrical receptacle electrically coupled to the electrical receptacle receiving assembly. The electrical receptacle includes first and second plates. The first plate is coupled to the electrical receptacle receiving assembly, and the first plate has an opening through which the at least one electrical receptacle is accessible. The second plate is installed substantially parallel to the first plate. The second plate is coupled to the first plate and/or the housing without using any fasteners extending through the second plate, the second plate having openings that accommodate access to the at least one electrical receptacle. 
     An advantage of the present invention is that the outlet assembly presents a clean look without fasteners being exposed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a modular wall system having an electrical receptacle assembly of the present invention therein; 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of an electrical receptacle receiving assembly which is part of the electrical receptacle assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the electrical receptacle assembly of  FIG. 1  without an outer cover plate; and 
         FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the electrical receptacle assembly of  FIGS. 1 and 3  with the outer cover plate installed. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the invention, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown an embodiment of a modular wall system  10  with an electrical receptacle assembly  12  installed therein. Electrical receptacle assembly  12  has a clean look with no exposed fasteners being seen. 
     Now, additionally referring to  FIGS. 2-4 , modular wall system  10  includes a movable wall panel  14  in which electrical receptacle assembly  12  is positioned. Electrical receptacle assembly  12  includes an electrical receptacle receiving assembly  16 , at least one electrical receptacle  18  electrically coupled to electrical receptacle receiving assembly  16 , a first plate  20  and a second plate  22 . 
     First plate  20  is coupled to electrical receptacle receiving assembly  16  by way of fasteners  24 . First plate  20  has an opening  26  through which the at least one electrical receptacle  18  is accessible. The second plate  22  is installed substantially parallel to first plate  20 , and second plate  22  has an opening  28  that only accommodates access to the at least one electrical receptacle  18 . 
     First plate  20  is coupled to electrical receptacle receiving assembly  16  by way of fasteners  24  that extend through first plate  20  and engage screw receiving bosses  30  on electrical receptacle receiving assembly  16 . First plate  20  may serve to position and retain electrical receptacles  18  to electrical receptacle receiving assembly  16 . Second plate  22  covers fasteners  24  that extend through first plate  20 . Electrical receptacle receiving assembly  16  is shown in  FIG. 2  ready to accept two receptacles  18 . Electrical receptacle receiving assembly  16  is configured to supply electricity to electrical receptacles  18  and assembly  16  provides for electrical distribution to other electrical assemblies. Electrical receptacle receiving assembly  16  is installed within wall  14 . While electrical receptacle receiving assembly  16  is shown as an assembly for one embodiment of the present invention, other assemblies the perform the same function are also contemplated. 
     Electrical receptacle assembly  12  further includes a bezel  32  or a housing  32  that extends around an interior open edge (not shown) in wall panel  14 . Second plate  22  is coupled to bezel  32 , housing  32  and/or first plate  20 . However, second plate  22  has no fasteners extending therethrough, and the only openings in second plate  22  are provided so that outlet receptacles  18  are accessible to a user. Opening  26  in first plate  20  that accommodates the electrical receptacles  18  has the same shape as opening  28  in second plate  22 . 
     Second plate  22  may be coupled to first plate  20 , bezel  32  or housing  32  by way of clips, interference tolerances of the parts, or hidden retainers. Second plate  22  is removable so that access to first plate  20  can be obtained for disassembly of electrical receptacle assembly  12 . 
     While electrical receptacles have been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.