Grounding type adaptor receptacle

Abstract

An electrical grounding-type adaptor receptacle providing, from a standard duplex wall outlet, multiple circuits to accommodate a plurality of electrical plugs. The adaptor includes a wall plate or housing which has the configuration of a truncated pyramid and is adapted to overlie and completely conceal the outlet opening of the wall receptacle. Two pairs of parallel-connected conductive prongs protrude from the rear of the housing and are adapted to be inserted in the recess pairs respectively of the wall outlet for electrical contact with the circuits thereof. Carried by the housing are multiple three-conductor sockets for receiving grounding-type appliance plugs, the sockets being connected in parallel with one another and with the parallel-connected prongs. To provide the grounding function there is disposed within the housing an elongate conductor bar substantially in line with the sockets, the conductor bar having multiple spring fingers adapted to be engaged by the ground pins of the plugs. The conductor bar is secured by a mounting screw, which in turn is received in the grounded mounting nut in the wall outlet. The arrangement is such that the mounting screw for the adaptor operates to mechanically hold it in a position overlying the wall outlet, while at the same time providing an electrical ground connection for the conductor bar. Thus, three-circuit grounding type plugs which are inserted into the adaptor will have their third pins grounded at all times, regardless of whether the adaptor is employed with conventional two-circuit or three-circuit wall outlets.