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US 8,011,937 B2Granted
Unitary member with multiple outlets having surge protection circuitry
AssigneeLeviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
InventorsDennis A. Oddsen, Steve Zacharevitz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A unitary body has both a plurality of outlets and protection circuitry integrated therein. An indicator device in the body provides a visual signal to indicate normal operation of the outlets. The protection circuitry may be a transient voltage surge suppressor (TVSS), a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI), and/or an integrated circuit breaker. Another indicator device provides an audible signal in accordance with failure of the protection circuit. In a particular embodiment, the body has six outlets and the protection circuitry is a transient voltage surge suppressor (TVSS). The visual signal is provided by an LED, and an alarm buzzer sounds when the TVSS is disabled.
Claims35
A multiple outlet receptacle unit comprising:
- a body configured to be mounted and installed within an in-wall-mounted box in the form of a single gang box;
- a plurality of outlets on the body comprising at least three outlets positioned in a single face of said body, each outlet having a first blade opening configured to receive a first blade to make a line connection, a second blade opening configured to receive a second blade to make a neutral connection, and a third opening configured to receive a ground prong to make a ground connection wherein said first and second blade openings for at least one outlet of said at least three outlets are positioned at a right angle to said first and second blade openings of another outlet of said at least three outlets;
- a protection circuit integrated into the body, the protection circuit including at least one of a transient voltage surge suppressor (TVSS), a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) and an integrated circuit breaker;
- and
- a first indicator device providing a visual signal regarding normal operation of the outlets.
2 more elements
A multiple outlet receptacle unit comprising:
- a body which is configured to be mounted and installed within a double-gang box,
- a plurality of outlets on the body comprising at least six outlets positioned in a single face of said body, each outlet having a first blade opening configured to receive a first blade to make a line connection, a second blade opening configured to receive a second blade to make a neutral connection, and a third opening configured to receive a ground prong to make a ground connection;
- the body has a first portion and a second portion, each portion including three outlets arranged in a triplex arrangement characterized by two of said three outlets having their first blade openings disposed along a set of parallel lines and the third of said three outlets having its first blade opening disposed substantially at right angles to the set of parallel lines;
- and
- a protection circuit integrated into the body, the protection circuit including at least one of a transient voltage surge suppressor (TVSS), a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) and an integrated circuit breaker;
- and
- a first indicator device providing a visual signal regarding normal operation of the outlets.
4 more elements
A receptacle assembly comprising:
- a body configured to mount in a double wall box, the body having a top member, wherein
- the top member has a surface with a plurality of openings therein, forming a plurality of sockets comprising at least six sockets,
- wherein said plurality of sockets each include a ground prong opening, a neutral blade opening and a phase blade opening,
- wherein each of said ground prong openings are positioned adjacent to each other, in an inner region of said top member, and inside of said neutral blade openings, and said phase blade openings;
- wherein said at least six sockets comprise a first set of sockets and a second set of sockets wherein at least two slots of each socket of said first set of sockets are orientated substantially parallel to each other and at least two slots of each socket of said second set of sockets are orientated substantially parallel to each other.
2 more elements
An electrical device comprising:
- a double ganged wall box which is mounted in a wall;
- a body mounted in said double ganged box, the body having a top member, wherein
- the top member has a surface with a plurality of openings therein, forming a plurality of sockets comprising at least six sockets,
- wherein said plurality of sockets each include a ground prong opening, a neutral blade opening and a phase blade opening,
- wherein each of said ground prong openings are positioned adjacent to each other, in an inner region of said top member, and inside of said neutral blade openings, and said phase blade openings;
- wherein said at least six sockets comprise a first set of sockets and a second set of sockets wherein at least one slot of each socket of said first set of sockets is orientated substantially parallel to each other and at least one slot of each socket of said second set of sockets is orientated substantially parallel to each other.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.