Combination outlet assembly and power distribution unit including the same
AssigneeCIS Global LLC
InventorKarl Klaus Dittus
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electrical outlet assembly includes a molded housing having side walls, end walls extending between the side walls, a bottom wall interconnecting the side walls and the end walls, and an outlet core extending upwardly from the bottom wall into a space defined between the side and end walls. In one example, a first end wall of the end walls includes a latch portion that is deflectable relative to the space to selectively secure an electrical plug that is engaged with the outlet core. In another example, a biasing element is attached to the molded housing to bias the latch portion toward the outlet core.
Claims20
An electrical outlet assembly, comprising:
- a molded housing including:
- side walls defining a first length;
- end walls extending between the side walls, the end walls defining a second length that is shorter than the first length,
- a bottom wall interconnecting the side walls and the end walls;
- and
- an outlet core extending upwardly from the bottom wall into a space defined between the side and end walls,
- a first end wall of the end walls including a latch portion formed within the end wall that is deflectable relative to the space to selectively secure an electrical plug that is engaged with the outlet core;
- and
- a biasing element attached to the first end wall to bias the latch portion toward the outlet core.
An electrical outlet assembly, comprising:
- a monolithic housing that includes an outlet core, and walls that define a space around the outlet core to receive an electrical plug,
- a first wall of the walls extending from a base to a free edge and forming a cantilevered latch portion that is movable relative to the space and the outlet core to selectively retain an electrical plug;
- a slot defined by the first wall, the slot arranged on an opposite side of the cantilevered latch portion from the free edge and extending from an exterior of the first wall towards the outlet core;
- and
- a biasing element removably secured to the first wall within the slot to contact an exterior side of the cantilevered latch portion, to bias the cantilevered latch portion toward the outlet core.
A method of manufacturing an electrical outlet assembly, the method comprising:
- molding a housing that includes an outlet core, and walls that define a space around the outlet core and a top opening to receive an electrical plug, with a first wall of the walls forming a cantilevered latch portion that is movable relative to the space and the outlet core to retain an electrical plug;
- and
- securing a biasing element within a slot defined by the first wall, the slot arranged on an opposite side of the cantilevered latch portion from the top opening and extending from an exterior of the first wall towards the outlet core, so that the biasing element contacts an exterior side of the cantilevered latch portion to bias the cantilevered latch portion toward the outlet core.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.