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US 9,437,978 B2Granted
Modular electrical connector
OwnerWesley G. Greeninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for providing electrical energy and related components is provided. More specifically, a universal module that is adapted to fit within a junction box commonly found in building construction is provided. The wire cable associated with a dwelling, for example, is interconnected to the module, which provides a plurality of locations for receipt of corresponding electrical connectors of an outlet or switch. The modules quickly and safely receive an electrical component, which reduces time and associated costs related to electrical system installation, repair, or modification.
Claims30
A modular electrical connector, comprising:
- a junction box having an aperture adapted to receive a wire cable comprised of a hot wire, a neutral wire, and a ground wire, the junction box having a cavity on a lateral surface thereof;
- a mounting plate adapted for interconnected to a building member, said mounting plate having an anchor that is selectively received by said cavity in said junction box to interconnect said junction box to said building member;
- a module having:
- a first connector for selective receipt of the hot wire,
- a second connector for selective receipt of the neutral wire,
- a third connector for selective receipt of the ground wire,
- a clip for selective interconnection with a portion of said junction box,
- a first receptacle;
- a second receptacle;
- a third receptacle;
- a first side receptacle;
- a second side receptacle;
- a third side receptacle;
- an indicator that illuminates when at least one of the hot wire, the neutral wire, and ground wire are properly interconnected to said module;
- and
- an electrical component having a first prong for interconnection to said first receptacle of said module, a second prong for interconnection to said second receptacle, and a third prong for interconnection to said third receptacle.
13 more elements
A modular electrical connector, comprising:
- a module adapted for interconnection to a junction box that accommodates a wire cable comprised of a hot wire, a neutral wire, and a ground wire, said module having:
- a first connector for selective receipt of the hot wire,
- a second connector for selective receipt of the neutral wire,
- a third connector for selective receipt of the ground wire,
- a first electrical member;
- a second electrical member;
- a third electrical member;
- a first side electrical member;
- a second side electrical member;
- a third side electrical member;
- a junction component having a fourth electrical connector for interconnection to said first electrical member of said module, a fifth electrical connector for interconnection to said second electrical member of said module, and a sixth electrical connector for interconnection to said third electrical member of said module;
- and
- wherein said first side receptacle, said second side receptacle, and said third side receptacle is adapted to receive a connector, said connector also being adapted to interface with a second module that is not interconnected to a wire cable.
10 more elements
A method of providing electrical energy to an outlet, comprising:
- providing a module interconnected to a wire cable, said module comprising:
- a first connector for selective receipt of the hot wire,
- a second connector for selective receipt of the neutral wire,
- a third connector for selective receipt of the ground wire,
- a clip for selective interconnection with a portion of said junction box,
- a first receptacle;
- a second receptacle;
- a third receptacle;
- a first side receptacle;
- a second side receptacle;
- a third side receptacle;
- and
- an indicator that illuminates when at least one of the hot wire, the neutral wire, and ground wire are properly interconnected to said module;
- providing an outlet having a first a first prong for interconnection to said first receptacle of said module, a second prong for interconnection to said second receptacle, and a third prong for interconnection to said third receptacle;
- providing electrical current to said module by way of said wire cable;
- and
- providing electrical current to said outlet via said module.
14 more elements
A module for transferring electrical energy from a wire cable to an outlet, the wire cable having a hot wire, a neutral wire, and a ground wire, comprising:
- a first connector for selective receipt of the hot wire,
- a second connector for selective receipt of the neutral wire,
- a third connector for selective receipt of the ground wire,
- a first electrical member;
- a second electrical member;
- a third electrical member;
- a first side electrical member;
- a second side electrical member;
- a third side electrical member;
- and
- wherein said module further comprising a first connector interface that is associated with said first electrical connector, a second electrical connector interface that is associated with said second electrical connector, and a third electrical connector portion associated with said third electrical connector;
- and
- wherein said first electrical connector interface includes a first electrical connector arm associated with said first side receptacle, said second electrical connector interface includes a second electrical connector arm associated with said second side receptacle, and said third electrical connector interface includes a third electrical connector arm associated with said third side receptacle.
10 more elements
A modular electrical connector, comprising:
- a module adapted for interconnection to a junction box that accommodates a wire cable comprised of a hot wire, a neutral wire, and a ground wire, said module having:
- a first connector for selective receipt of the hot wire,
- a second connector for selective receipt of the neutral wire,
- a third connector for selective receipt of the ground wire,
- a first electrical member;
- a second electrical member;
- a third electrical member;
- a first side electrical member;
- a second side electrical member;
- a third side electrical member;
- a junction component having a fourth electrical connector for interconnection to said first electrical member of said module, a fifth electrical connector for interconnection to said second electrical member of said module, and a sixth electrical connector for interconnection to said third electrical member of said module;
- wherein said first side receptacle, said second side receptacle, and said third side receptacle is adapted to receive a connector, said connector also being adapted to interface with a second module that is not interconnected to a wire cable;
- and
- wherein said first electrical connector includes a first electrical connector arm associated with said first side receptacle, said second electrical connector includes a second electrical connector arm associated with said second side receptacle, and said third electrical connector includes a third electrical connector arm associated with said third side receptacle.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.