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US 2020/0006901 A9Published application
Modified electrical devices
AssigneeSnapRays LLC DBA SnapPower
InventorsJeremy C. Smith, Sean D. Watkins, Martin Johnson, Kyle Hill
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In one example, a modified electrical device includes a body and at least one connector on the body to make power and control connections with an active cover plate. In some embodiments, a wall plate system may include a modified electrical device or receptacle and/or an active cover plate.
Claims20
A wall-plate system comprising:
- an active cover plate comprising:
- a face plate;
- a back plate;
- electrical circuitry sandwiched between the face plate and the back plate;
- at least one electrical connector extending rearward from the active cover plate, wherein the electrical connector comprises:
- at least two conductors;
- and
- a mechanical structure joined to and surrounding the at least two conductors, wherein the at least two conductors extend from the mechanical structure.
5 more elements
An electrical receptacle, extending in longitudinal, lateral, and transverse directions that are orthogonal to one another, comprising:
- a body with a front surface;
- a human interface portion extending from the front surface;
- a rear surface opposite the front surface;
- a side surface joining the front face to the rear surface;
- and
- a female connector disposed on the side surface of the body, wherein the female connector comprises:
- a cavity comprising walls and an aperture;
- at least one electrical conductor disposed in the cavity and surrounded by the walls on at least four sides and accessible through the aperture.
5 more elements
A wall-plate system comprising:
- an electrical receptacle comprising:
- a body with a front surface;
- a human interface portion extending from the front surface;
- a rear surface opposite the front surface;
- a side surface joining the front surface to the rear surface;
- and
- a female connector disposed on the side surface of the body, wherein the female connector comprises:
- a cavity comprising walls and an aperture;
- and
- at least one receiving conductor disposed in the cavity and on the side surface of the receptacle and surrounded by the walls and accessible through the aperture;
- and
- an active cover plate comprising:
- a face plate;
- a back plate;
- electrical circuitry sandwiched between the face plate and the back plate;
- at least one male electrical connector extending rearward from the active cover plate, wherein the electrical connector comprises:
- at least one mating conductor;
- and
- a mechanical structure joined to and surrounding the at least one mating conductor, wherein the mechanical structure is configured to enter the cavity of the female receptacle through the aperture and place the mating conductor in contact with the receiving conductor of the electrical receptacle.
16 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.