Integrated electrical receptacle system for outdoor application

A block for containing a receptacle assembly, the receptacle assembly having a passageway for containing an electrical device and a length of an electrical conductor, the passageway having a second longitudinal axis, a first portion of the passageway having an outer surface having a first shape generally corresponding to a shape of an outer surface of a body formed by the intersection of a first cylinder with a second cylinder, the first cylinder having a third longitudinal axis and the second cylinder having a fourth longitudinal axis, the third longitudinal axis being coaxial with the second longitudinal axis of the passageway, the fourth longitudinal axis being generally parallel to and spaced-apart from the third longitudinal axis, a second portion of the passageway having a generally circular cross sectional shape, the block comprising:

• a first side having a first exterior surface and a first interior surface;
• a second side opposed to and spaced from the first side, the second side having a second exterior surface and a second interior surface;
• a cavity extending from the first interior surface to the second interior surface, the cavity having a first cavity opening in the first side and a second cavity opening in the second side, the first cavity opening having a third sidewall extending from the first exterior surface of the first side to the first interior surface of the first side, the third sidewall circumscribing the first cavity opening and having a third shape generally corresponding to the first shape of the outer surface of the first portion of the passageway, the second cavity opening having a fourth sidewall extending from the second exterior surface of the second side to the second interior surface of the second side, the fourth sidewall circumscribing the second cavity opening and having fourth shape generally corresponding to the generally circular cross sectional shape of the second portion of the passageway, the second cavity opening having a fifth longitudinal axis coaxial with the third longitudinal axis of the first cylinder.

A method for preparing a block for receiving a receptacle assembly having a passageway having a second longitudinal axis, a first portion of the passageway having an outer surface having a first shape generally corresponding to a shape of an outer surface of a body formed by the intersection of a first cylinder with a second cylinder, the first cylinder having a third longitudinal axis, the second cylinder having a fourth longitudinal axis, the third longitudinal axis being coaxial with the second longitudinal axis of the passageway, the fourth longitudinal axis being generally parallel to and spaced a second distance from the third longitudinal axis, a second portion of the passageway having a generally circular cross sectional shape, the block having a first side and a second side opposed to and spaced a first distance from the first side, the first side having a first exterior surface and a first interior surface, the second side having a second exterior surface and a second interior surface, a cavity extending from the first interior surface to the second interior surface, the method comprising the steps of:

• drilling a first circular opening through the first side of the block, the first circular opening forming a first cavity opening, the first circular opening having a sixth longitudinal axis corresponding to the to the second longitudinal axis of the passageway;
• drilling a second circular opening through the first side of the block, the second circular opening having a seventh longitudinal axis corresponding to the fourth longitudinal axis;
• and
• drilling a third circular opening through the second side of the block, the third circular opening forming a second cavity opening, the third circular having an eighth longitudinal axis coaxial with the sixth longitudinal axis.

An receptacle system for containing an electrical device and a length of an electrical conductor extending from a supply conduit to the electrical device, the receptacle system comprising:

• a block comprising:
• a first side having a first exterior surface and a first interior surface;
• a second side opposed to and spaced a first distance from the first side, the second side having a second exterior surface and a second interior surface;
• and
• a cavity extending from the first interior surface to the second interior surface, the cavity having a first cavity opening in the first side and a second cavity opening in the second side;
• a receptacle assembly comprising:
• an enclosure having a unitary wall forming a chamber for containing the electrical device, the unitary wall having a first chamber opening for providing access to the electrical device, the first chamber opening corresponding to the first cavity opening;
• a flange integral with the unitary wall and attached to the block;
• a hub integral with the unitary wall, the hub providing a second chamber opening for receiving a portion of the length of the electrical conductor;
• a tubular member having a first longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end, the tubular member extending from the hub to the second cavity opening, the first end being joined to the hub;
• and
• a conduit coupling having a first coupler and a second coupler, the first coupler being joined to the second end of the tubular member, the second coupler for being joined to the supply conduit,
• whereby the receptacle assembly forms a passageway within the cavity, the passageway having a second longitudinal axis and extending from the first exterior surface of the block to the second exterior surface of the block, the passageway being impermeable to fluid within the block.