Quick clip assembly for strap element of electrical receptacle
AssigneeHubbell Incorporated
InventorPatrick J. Tiberio
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A quick clip assembly for a strap element of an electrical receptacle is provided that expedites mounting of a wall plate to an electrical receptacle. The strap element is connected to an electrical receptacle and has an opening therein to receive a fastener. A resilient member is connected to the strap element such that a free end of the resilient member overlies the strap element opening. The free end of the resilient member flexes and engages the fastener inserted through the strap element opening without substantial rotation.
Claims22
A quick clip assembly for a strap element of an electrical receptacle, comprising:
- a strap element connectable to an electrical receptacle, said strap element having an opening therein receiving a fastener;
- and
- a resilient member connected to said strap element and having a free end overlying said strap element opening, said free end of said resilient member flexing when engaging said fastener inserted through said strap element opening, said free end having first and second fingers between which said fastener passes and is received.
An electrical receptacle, comprising:
- a housing;
- a strap element connected to said housing, said strap element having a first opening therein;
- a resilient member connected to said strap element such that a free end of said resilient member overlies said strap element opening;
- a face plate covering said housing and said strap element, said face plate having a second opening therein;
- and
- a fastener received in said second opening in said face plate and in said first opening in said strap element, said fastener flexing said free end of said resilient member toward said housing to facilitate retention of said fastener.
A method of securing a wall plate to an electrical receptacle, comprising the steps of
- positioning a wall plate over a face plate of an electrical receptacle such that a first fastener hole in the wall plate is aligned with a second fastener hole in the face plate and a third fastener hole in a stap element connected to the electrical receptacle;
- and
- pushing a fastener into the first, second and third fastener holes without substantial rotation such that the fastener engages a resilient member connected to a strap element of the electrical receptacle, thereby securing the wall plate to the electrical receptacle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.