Pass + Seymour, Inc.

Parag J Mehta

Jean-Claude Marcou

Vincent Barbo

Gunter Callas

An electrical receptacle of the type having movable shutter members positioned to prevent insertion of objects other than electric plugs through the plug blade-receiving openings into contact with line terminals. Two identical shutter members, each having a camming portion and a blocking portion, are mutually assembled for relative, linear movement in either of two, opposite directions from a centered position to which they are biased by a pair of coil springs. Rigid objects inserted through the receptacle openings contact an angularly disposed surface on the camming portion of the shutter members, causing lateral movement of the element. When the blades of a plug are inserted, both shutter members move laterally to permit continued advance of the blades into the terminal contacts. When a single object is inserted, the blocking portion of one shutter element prevents advance of the object. A lip on the blocking portion prevents passage of the inserted object around the shutter element. Other features include compatibility of the shutter structure with existing receptacles, including those with straight straps, a one-piece spacer supporting the shutter elements for low-friction movement and ease of automated assembly.

Electrical receptacle with safety shutter

A method of automatically assembling wiring devices of the type having mounting straps in a continuous sequence, the disclosed wiring device being a duplex wall receptacle. A strip of the mounting strap material is fed longitudinally, being alternately moved by equal increments and stopped to place each segment of the strip progressively at a plurality of operational stations. Portions of the strip are removed to form blanks for the mounting straps which remain mutually attached at positions along each side of the strip which form end portions of the blanks and, ultimately, of the mounting straps. One or more additional strips in which ground contact blanks have been formed are fed in a direction perpendicular to that of the first strip and the ground contact blanks are staked to the mounting strap blanks and severed from their respective strips. Front and rear housing sections, the latter having terminal members positioned therein, are moved from opposite sides of the strip in which the mounting strap blanks are formed into mutual engagement, enclosing a medial portion of the mounting strap. At the endmost station, the strip is severed to provide a fully assembled wiring device.

Method of assembling wiring devices in continuous succession

A duplex receptacle consisting of molded plastic base and cover portions, a pair of terminals having female contacts for receiving plug blades, and a mounting strap. The terminals are formed with a minimum of bending operations from blanks cut in succession from a metal strip in a manner minimizing the distance of die progression per blank, and reducing scrap. The contacts have a configuration which enhances electrical communication with the inserted plug blades. Portions of the cover cooperate with the contacts to increase blade retention force. A portion of the mounting strap is exposed through an opening in the cover to provide further advantages. The spring arms on the terminals include structure which inhibits dislodgement of conductors connected to the receptacle by push-wire terminations.

Growing community of inventors

Copaigue, NY, United States of America

Parag J Mehta