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US 10,594,101 B2Granted
Electrical outlet with interchangeable faceplate modules
AssigneeHubbell Incorporated
InventorJohn Brower
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electrical outlet assembly includes a sub-faceplate having a front surface and first set of contacts position on the front surface. An outer faceplate includes an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface having a second set of contacts. The outer faceplate is releasably connected to the sub-faceplate so that the first set of contacts connect to the second set of contacts.
Claims15
An electrical outlet assembly comprising:
- a sub-faceplate having a front surface and a first set of electrical contacts positioned on the front surface;
- and
- an outer faceplate having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface having a second set of electrical contacts;
- wherein the outer faceplate is releasably connected to the sub-faceplate so that the first set of electrical contacts forms an electrical connection with the second set of electrical contacts,
- wherein the outer faceplate includes a circuit board electrically connected to the second set of electrical contacts, and
- wherein the sub-faceplate includes a receptacle opening.
3 more elements
An electrical outlet assembly comprising:
- a sub-faceplate having a front surface and a first set of electrical contacts positioned on the front surface, wherein the sub-faceplate is configured to connect to a receptacle opening;
- a first outer faceplate having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface having a second set of electrical contacts, and the outer surface having a first configuration;
- and
- a second outer faceplate having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface having a third set of electrical contacts, and the outer surface having a second configuration different than the first configuration;
- wherein the first outer faceplate and the second outer faceplate are selectively, releasably connectable to the sub-faceplate so that the first set of electrical contacts forms an electrical connection with either the second or third set of electrical contacts,
- wherein the first outer faceplate includes a circuit board electrically connected to the second set of electrical contacts and the second outer faceplate includes a circuit board electrically connected to the third set of electrical contacts, and
- wherein the first set of electrical contacts includes pin contacts.
4 more elements
A method of providing a modular electrical outlet assembly comprising:
- providing a sub-faceplate having a front surface and a first set of electrical contacts positioned on the front surface, wherein the sub-faceplate is configured to connect to a receptacle opening;
- and
- providing a plurality of outer faceplates, each of the plurality of outer faceplates having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface having a second set of electrical contacts, and the outer surface having different configurations;
- wherein the outer faceplates are selectively, releasably connectable to the sub-faceplate so that the first set of electrical contacts forms an electrical connection with the second set of electrical contacts, and
- wherein each of the plurality of outer faceplates includes a circuit board electrically connected to the second set of electrical contacts;
- wherein the different configurations respectively include a three-prong receptacle opening, a USB receptacle opening, a wireless charger, and a display screen.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.