Abstract: A communications wiring system includes a communications network interface device for routing a plurality of source signals between respective ones of a plurality of types of electrical sources and a number of reconfigurable outlet assemblies. Each reconfigurable outlet assembly selectively establishes electrical connection with predetermined ones of the electrical sources, via a cable. The communications network interface device receives and splits the source signals into a predetermined number of subsignals which are routed to respective reconfigurable outlet assemblies. Each reconfigurable outlet assembly includes an outlet and a number of interchangeable electrical connectors, such as modular jacks, adapted to be removably mounted to the outlet for establishing electrical connection with a predetermined electrical source. In order to establish electrical connection with a different electrical source, a first electrical connector can be removed and a second electrical connector can be inserted therein.

Abstract: A dual modular jack insert subassembly 10 for use in a network outlet assembly 2 or in a patch panel including a mounting insert 16 to which modular jacks 12 with conventional panel stops 14 are attached without the use of additional fasteners. The mounting insert 16 is a molded member with a front window 20 through which the modular jacks 12 are accessible. Latch arms 18 extend rearwardly from the mounting insert, and a snap fastener 22 located on the inside of each latch arm opposes a window jamb 26 on a side of the window. The panel stops 14 cam the snap fastener 2 outward when the modular jacks 12 are inserted from the rear. The panel stops 14 are positioned in a channel 38 between the snap fastener 22 and a front shoulder 28 when properly mounted on the mounting insert 16.

Abstract: This invention relates to an inlet valve assembly for central vacuum systems and the method of installing the same. In particular, this invention relates to an inlet valve assembly including an inlet face plate, a mounting plate, having a deformable mounting flange, and an electrical receptacle integrally formed with a high voltage wire. In some uses, the inlet valve assembly also can include a low voltage wire which can be used to complete a low voltage circuit to initiate a central vacuum motor. The mounting plate can accommodate the electrical receptacle in a temporary position and the inlet face plate can rear mount the receptacle into a locked position where the receptacle is securely attached to the inlet face plate. In this manner, the receptacle may be mounted to the inlet face plate even though one end of the high voltage wire is already wired into an electrical box.

Abstract: An assembly for use in connecting data communications equipment to a data communications network includes a network wiring connector 2, mating modular network connector receptacle inserts 4, a cover 6 and a mounting frame 10. The mounting frame 10 is a one piece member, preferably stamped and formed from a flat metal blank. The mounting frame 10 has a flat rear panel 12 with slots 14 in which the wiring connector 2 is mounted. The insert 4 is an edge card member with a connector interface or receptacle 62 which is aligned with openings 72 in the cover to provide an accessible mating interface for a plug attached to the data communications equipment. Side supports 22 on the mounting frame 10 extend forward to support the front end of the insert 4 and provide latching engagement surface 26 cooperative with snap latches 74 on the insert 4. Frame mounting arms having intermediate sections 16 and distal mounting flange sections 18, 20 extend from the top and bottom of the central rear panel section 12.

Abstract: A modular system is provided that has a fixture that will accept substantially any electrical device and can be plugged into any one of a plurality of fixture supports, and similarly unplugged, to permit removal, replacement, and/or reorientation with relative ease to obtain any desired configuration of electrical devices without the need for repeated rewiring.

Abstract: A wall mountable electrical socket for securement in an opening formed in a plasterboard wall. The socket includes a wall plate having a central opening with a rearwardly extending cylindrical member, and a plug housing insertable through the opening. Guide slots in the cylindrical member guide the housing to a position of locking engagement. During insertion, the housing cams tine members of the cylindrical member into piercing engagement with the wall.

Abstract: A cable harness for managing cables originating from devices supported by an office work surface and from external power and telecommunication sources is disclosed. The harness comprises a stationary plate and a carrier plate. The stationary plate has an upper edge portion and a front surface adapted for fixed attachment with an upright wall of a furniture system. The carrier plate has a front surface, an opposing rear surface, and a lower edge portion pivotally interconnected with the stationary plate upper edge portion. The carrier plate includes a first plurality of apertures configured to receive electrical power receptacles serially aligned in a first lower row, and further includes a second plurality of apertures configured to receive electronic cable connectors serially aligned in a second upper row. The first lower row is located between the carrier plate lower edge portion and the second upper row.

Abstract: A data communications outlet kit is shown comprising a mounting frame, an outlet connector module and an external outlet cover. The outlet connector module comprises a housing, an edge connector and a connector insert, whereby the edge connector is for electrical connection between a data communications cable and the insert and the insert is for making electrical connection between the edge connector and an external connector, such as a modular plug. The outlet connector housing comprises an outlet housing box integrally molded to an outlet box cover by thin breakable webs, and to the cover are integrally molded two strain relief means that can be broken off the cover, one for a smaller cable diameter range and the other for a larger cable diameter range. Tapered pegs provisionally support the strain relief means to the cover while mounting the cover to the rear of the outlet housing box, engaging in holes in the strain relief means such that the strain relief means can be held thereon with a wedge effect.

Abstract: A snap locking mounting scheme for securing wire connectors is presented. In accordance with the connector mounting scheme, a wire termination assembly is removably secured in a mounting base by a snap locking mechanism. The wire termination assembly includes a mounting strip which is connected to a wire termination block at one end and is snap locked into the mounting base at the other end. The termination assembly further including an interconnecting device (e.g., telecommunication modular jack) connected to the termination block by a plurality of wires.

Abstract: A face plate assembly, to be decoratively and functionally secured over an electrical switch or output source, the assembly including a frame structure having at least one opening in a flat central area thereof which is structured and disposed to surroundingly engage an electricity control casing protruding therethrough, and a plurality of decorative key plates, each having a pair of protruding pegs structured and disposed to be snugly, yet removably fitted into correspondingly positioned protruding apertures in the frame structure, and at least one utility key plate having a pair of protruding pegs positioned so as to correspondingly position the utility key plate over the electricity control casing and being structured to enable an electricity control within the electricity control casing to be functional.

Abstract: A cover plate assembly for a wall box mounted in an opening in a wall, the wall box having at least one pair of tabs provided with threaded holes on standard centers adapted to receive screws mounting at least one electrical circuit device within the wall box. The assembly includes a frame situated to overlie the wall surrounding the opening in which the wall box is mounted, the frame having an inside perimeter dimensioned to surround the wall box, and inwardly projecting flanges having openings to overlie the threaded electrical device mounting holes for engagement by the electrical circuit device mounting screws. The assembly also includes a safety plate overlying and fixed to each electrical circuit device, each safety plate having an outer edge dimensioned vertically to overlie the frame inwardly projecting flanges and dimensioned horizontally to cover the space occupied by the electrical circuit device to which each safety place is fixed.

Abstract: A construction of a panel includes at least one opening defined therein, a first and a second box are respectively disposed beside the opening of the panel, each of the first and second boxes has a hole defined therein and an extending live line and an extending ground line respectively extend from the first box and the second box and extend along sides defining the opening, one end of the extending live/ground line is in communication with the corresponding holes of the first and the second boxes. The extending live and extending ground lines are respectively and electrically connected to an electrical element disposed in the panel, which has two conductive plates extending therefrom, each of the conductive plates has an L-shaped plate extending transversely therefrom so as to receive the extending live/ground lines between the L-shaped plate and the conductive plate.

Abstract: This invention relates to an inlet valve assembly for central vacuum systems and the method of installing the same. In particular, this invention relates to an inlet valve assembly including an inlet face plate, a mounting plate, having a deformable mounting flange, and an electrical receptacle integrally formed with a high voltage wire. In some uses, the inlet valve assembly also can include a low voltage wire which can be used to complete a low voltage circuit to initiate a central vacuum motor. The mounting plate can accommodate the electrical receptacle in a temporary position and the inlet face plate can rear mount the receptacle into a locked position where the receptacle is securely attached to the inlet face plate. In this manner, the receptacle may be mounted to the inlet face plate even though one end of the high voltage wire is already wired into an electrical box.

Abstract: A receptacle wall plate having built-in circuitry for protecting electrical devices. The wall plate has a face plate for receiving at least one plug of an electrical device, and an inner surface and rounded edges which extend toward the wall to form a hollow body. When a plug is inserted through the face plate, an electrical circuit mounted in the hollow body automatically connects to the plug and protects the electrical devices from surges or other dangerous electrical conditions. In addition, electricity is automatically supplied to the electrical circuit when the plug is inserted through the face plate.

Abstract: An electrically balanced connector assembly is presented. The assembly comprises a printed circuit board including integrally defined capacitive elements designed to compensate for reactive imbalance of electrical components connected thereto. A pair of wire termination blocks mounted to a first side of the circuit board are connected by circuitry on the circuit board to a corresponding pair of modular jacks mounted to a second side of the circuit board. The capacitive elements are connected between selected leads of the modular jacks and the wire termination blocks by the circuitry. The circuit board assembly is mounted in a panel yoke which includes a pair of apertures for allowing access to the modular jacks aligned therein. The apertures and circuit board assembly are orientated to allow connecting modular cords to gravity feed into and from the modular jacks. The panel yoke includes means for snaplockedly securing the panel yoke to a panel or a wall plate.

Abstract: A network wall plate includes a wall plate shell, a plurality of transmission-line adapting sockets removably installed on the wall plate shell, a plurality of transmission-line connectors which can be respectively plugged into the transmission-line adapting sockets, and two screw bases capable of passing therethrough screws to fix the wall plate onto a wall surface, wherein at least one of the transmission-line connectors can be removably plugged into one of the transmission-line adapting sockets. The present wall plate is designed to be diversified, to have an increased socket density and/or to provide an improved appearance.

Abstract: A cable holding device for holding a communication cable beside an electrical power outlet box. The cable holding device comprises a frame having a main portion and an integral base portion, extending at a right angle to the main portion of the frame, for attachment to the side wall of a power outlet box with a front face of the main portion of the frame preferably substantially coplanar with a front face of the outlet box defined by the front edges of the walls of the outlet box. The frame has at least one tab to which a communication cable may be secured. A variety of tabs are disclosed, some of which have a hole connected with an access slot for receiving the cable. The tab may be manually bent to enlarge the slot to allow passage of the cable to the opening after which the slot may be at least partially closed to retain the cable in the opening.

Abstract: A protective covering system is disclosed for use with an electrical receptacle having a front face with openings to receive prongs of an electrical plug. The system includes a protective cover having an adhesive backing for adhering to the front face of the receptacle and apertures for alignment with the openings. Locating projections protrude from the receptacle and locating holes are provided in the cover for registering with the locating projections on the receptacle to properly locate the cover thereon. Preferably, the adhesive backing is an adhesive strip substantially about the periphery of the back side of the cover, and the recessed area in the front face of the receptacle has a depth at least equal to the thickness of the cover.

Abstract: A slide type electric wall receptacle comprising a fixed receptacle body and a slide receptacle body slidable along the fixed receptacle body in a direction perpendicular to the front surface of the receptacle body such that it moves between its withdrawn position at which the electric outlets are hidden in the receptacle body and its protruded position at which the electric outlets are exposed externally. The slide receptacle body has at its lower wall electric outlets so that a plug of an electric appliance can be connected to each exposed outlet under the condition that it is disposed in parallel to the front surface of the receptacle. The slide receptacle body comprises a front member provided with the electric outlets and protruded outwardly of the outer plate at the protruded position of the slide receptacle body and a rear member coupled to the front member and disposed in the fixed receptacle body to slide along the fixed receptacle body.

Abstract: A phone jack box consisting of an enclosure adapted to receive phone jack terminals therein, and a wall plate clampingly engaged to a front frame portion of the enclosure in a secure manner is provided. The wall plate includes at least one wire cord outlet which is covered with a lid.

Abstract: A safety electrical outlet is disclosed which uses a covered outlet box in which the electrical contacts are on the back of the cover, and cannot easily be reached by a person (especially a child) poking into the socket. The contacts in turn form a portion of a circuit with electrically conductive leads and risers from the ordinary business power conduits. The corresponding plug has retractable contact prongs or blades which extend out from the sides of the plug, so that when the plug is inserted into the socket, the sideways-extending blades touch the contacts on the underside of the cover plate and the electrical connection is completed. When it is desired to disengage the plug, the blades are retracted and the plug removed from the socket. Built-in spring-loaded panels cover the plug openings in the cover plate when the plugs are not inserted. There may be a single socket/opening in the cover or there may be two or more ganged openings/sockets.

Abstract: A schematic patch panel includes an enlargement of a customer's floor plan that is dry mounted to a piece of 1/4 foamcore board or located on a plate, preferably by printing. The board is mounted in a frame that can be configured with a clear, locking cover for security purposes. The entire assembly is mounted on the customer's wall by brackets. At each of the computer wall outlet locations depicted on the dry mounted floor plan, a double-sided RJ-45 panel jack is inserted through the floor plan. These panel jacks snap into the floor plan, requiring no other means of fastening. Any wall outlet depicted on the schematic patch panel is activated by connecting a telephone-type extension cable between the network central controller and that wall outlet icon. By this transfer, a different unshielded twisted pair cable connection line is activated and the individualized identifiers and other information particular to a certain terminal are also transferred.

Abstract: A recessed electric outlet assembly with cover plate is provided for a wall having a sheet rock panel and wall studs, and consists of an outlet box placed through an aperture in the sheet rock panel, which is secured to one side of one of the wall studs. An electric outlet is electrically connected to wiring from within the wall and is mounted to the outlet box, so that the electric outlet is recessed with respect to the sheet rock panel. A recessed cover plate is also provided with a back portion connected to the electric outlet. A front portion of the recessed cover plate is generally flush with the sheet rock panel, so that plugs on electric cords can be inserted into the electric outlet and not protrude from the wall to be accidentally dislodged therefrom.

Abstract: A panel yoke having a snap locking mounting scheme for securing wire connectors is presented. The panel yoke includes a connector mounting scheme comprising a wire termination assembly removably secured in a mounting base by a snap locking mechanism. The wire termination assembly includes a mounting strip which is connected to a wire termination block at one end and is snap locked in the mounting base at the other end. The termination assembly further including an interconnecting device (e.g., telecommunication modular jack) connected to the termination block by a plurality of wires. The panel yoke further including a mounting scheme for removably securing the panel yoke in a panel or cover plate.

Abstract: A telephone connecting socket to be fixed in a wall for a connecting plug of a telephone to fit in a hole in the socket having a front cap, a body and a rear cap, the front cap covering a front portion of the body and the rear cap covering a rear half portion of the body, the front cap having an opening normally closed up with a shield elastically pushed by a coil spring, the body having an inner socket with a hole for the connecting plug of a telephone to fit therein by passing through the opening in the front cap with the shield pushed open.

Abstract: An enclosure is provided for a switch having at least one extending terminal with a first configuration engageable with an adaptor terminal that converts the switch terminal to a second configuration for connection to an electrical lead. The enclosure includes at least one support block defining a switch cavity for receiving at least a portion of the switch and also defines an adaptor terminal cavity for receiving at least a portion of the adaptor terminal with access provided for connection of the electrical lead. Rivets or other fasteners are provided for holding at least the switch and support block together. The support block further includes support surfaces for engaging at least a portion of the adaptor terminal to resist at least some of the force applied to the adaptor terminal as the electrical lead is connected thereto.

Abstract: A cord connection system includes a male plug on an electrical cord having conventional blades projecting therefrom. A female receptacle has conventional blade terminals for connection with the plug, and includes a locking ring rotatably mounted on a receptacle body, the ring being interiorly threaded to engage exterior threads on the body of the male plug. A flange on the forward end of the receptacle retains the ring on the receptacle so that the plug and receptacle are locked together when the locking ring is engaged on the plug thread. A receptacle end piece is provided which maintains the locking ring in position on the end of an electrical cord, in one embodiment of the invention. In a second embodiment of the invention the receptacle end piece is mounted on the rearward surface of a wall plate such that the receptacle projects through the wall plate with the locking ring and blade terminals projecting forwardly of the wall plate.

Abstract: A telecommunications outlet includes an outlet housing and a telecommunications module assembly. The outlet housing includes an opening into which a complementary mating telecommunications plug can be inserted from the front of the housing. The telecommunications module assembly includes a telecommunications module mounted on a printed circuit board. Guide tracks project rearwardly from the outlet housing for slidably engaging opposite edges of the printed circuit board for guiding the module assembly into an operable position with the telecommunications module aligned with the opening for mating with the telecommunications plug. A latch arm projects rearwardly of the housing for holding the module assembly in its operable position. An electrical connector is mounted on the printed circuit board rearwardly of the telecommunications module for easy access thereto.

Abstract: A wiring device of the type which by itself is configured for surface mounting is made more universally mountable by an adapter plate to which the device may be joined and the adapter plate joined to any of a number of different outlet box configurations. In addition and alternatively, a wiring device so described may be further utilized with a portable box on which it is mounted, which portable box has sidewalls with cord openings communicating to the device. All such configurations are designed for compactness and shallowness from a front face which may provide a plurality of outlet openings. In addition, the wiring device of the present invention utilizes a snub hole wiring termination configuration that facilitates installation.

Abstract: A wall plate comprises a generally flat surface having an opening therein, extending between its front and back sides, for receiving a communications jack. The back side of the wall plate includes apparatus for engaging the jack and holding it together with the wall plate. A pair of slots are positioned on opposite sides of the opening which provide access, from the front side of the wall plate, to the jack engaging apparatus so that the jack can be easily removed from the wall plate. The slots comprise grooves within a pair of sidewalls that are positioned on opposite sides of the opening. Each groove extends from the front surface of the wall plate toward the back surface thereof, but terminates in a ledge before reaching the back edge of the sidewall. The sidewalls are connected by top and bottom walls and, together, form a collar around the back side of the wall plate.

Abstract: A mounting plate for securing a telecommunications wall outlet to a wall panel; a method of installing a telecommunications wall outlet; and an assembly of a telecommunications wall outlet, a mounting plate and a wall panel. The mounting plate has a planar element having ends and sides which surround an aperture through the planar element. Each end of the planar element provides at least one bendable tab for securing the mounting plate to a wall panel and also means for attaachment of a faceplate of a telecommunications outlet. The mounting plate is installed through an aperture cut in a wall panel which corresponds to the aperture through the mounting plate. The planar element is secured against the inner surface of the wall panel by the bendable tabs at each end of the planar element.

Abstract: An electrical connector receptacle, of the telephone jack type, includes a housing of dielectric material having an opening into a plug-receiving cavity in its front end. The receptacle further includes cantilever flexible mounting members on opposite side surfaces thereof which are adapted to deflect into the plug-receiving cavity when the receptacle is inserted or removed from an appropriately-dimensioned opening in an associated coverplate. In one embodiment, the flexible mounting members include wedge-shaped protrusions that interact with the coverplate to deflect the flexible mounting members into the cavity. In this embodiment, the receptacle further includes a stop member that prevents it from being pushed completely through the opening in the coverplate. In another embodiment, the flexible mounting members include holes that mate with protrusions in the coverplate. In this embodiment, a stop member is not required.

Abstract: A pin and sleeve receptacle is mountable in a wall box recessed in a wall opening of a building with wires extending into the box from an in-wall wiring passage. The receptacle has a tubular electrically non-conductive shell closed at one end, the other end being open and a flange with fastener openings at the open end of the shell. A cylindrical inner body has an outer diameter smaller than the first inner diameter, the inner body having female connector sleeves for receiving electrically conductive pins of a mating plug. The inner body is mounted within the shell with an annular gap surrounding the inner body for receiving the shroud of the pin-and-sleeve plug. The opening at one end face the same direction as the open end of the shell to receive the pins of the plug. Apertures in the shell admit wires from the box for connection to the electrically conductive female connectors.

Abstract: A communication box assembly includes a base, a plurality of connector mounting inserts, insert mounting means for securing the inserts to an inner surface of the base juxtaposed in an aligned row in a plurality of insert mounting positions, the insert mounting means positioning the inserts with outer insert edges adjacent an outer edge of the base whereby operative ends of connectors carried by the inserts are positioned for convenient connection with office service cables, and a cover releasably attached to the base which is shaped to enclose the base and inserts.

Abstract: A wall plate assembly for coupling satellite TV disk antennae multi-conductor cable array to tuner/receiver cables is disclosed. The assembly has a cover plate (11) for the room side of a wall opening and screws for connecting the plate to the wall about the opening. A pair of dual F female coaxial coupling members (30, 32) are provided integrally connected to the plate to allow coaxial cables to connect to either side of the plate. A plurality of non-coaxial connectors (41C, 41O, 41U, 41P, 41L, 41E, 41R and 41S) are provided which provide screw wire connectors at the room side and push/crimp wire connectors at the wall opening side of the cover plate.

Abstract: A wiring device of the type which by itself is configured for surface mounting is made more universally mountable by an adapter plate to which the device may be joined and the adapter plate joined to any of a number of different outlet box configurations. In addition and alternatively, a wiring device so described may be further utilized with a portable box on which it is mounted, which portable box has sidewalls with cord openings communicating to the device. All such configurations are designed for compactness and shallowness from a front face which may provide a plurality of outlet openings. In addition, the wiring device of the present invention utilizes a snub hole wiring termination configuration that facilitates installation.

Abstract: A flush type wall mounted coaxial connector assembly is provided for interconnection of coaxial cables. The assembly uses a recessed wall plate having at least one internal side which is at an obtuse angle to the surface and carrying a coaxial cable connector. As a result, the cable interconnection will be behind the wall surface and the extending coaxial cable will run substantially parallel to the wall surface and not intrude excessively into the room.

Abstract: A wall plate assembly includes a connector and a connector mounting insert and a wall plate having means to secure the wall plate to a standard box. The wall plate includes a platform formed adjacent a connector access window with a resilient latch means formed on the distal end of the platform for securing the insert to the wall plate.

Abstract: A telephone jack apparatus which includes a jack body having a plug opening in a front face thereof, terminals in a rear face of the jack body electrically conductively connected to corresponding spring contacts in the plug opening and adapted to receive and conductive association associated respective wires of a telephone cable. a plate affixed to the jack body provides a means for affixing the body to a suitable wall support or receptacle. The entire structure can be installed in a unfinished wall and then after the wall has been completed, a cover plate simply affixed over the socket to complete the installation.

Abstract: A cover for existing electrical outlets which brings the outlet cover flush with newly resheeted walls without moving the existing electrical outlet.

Abstract: A snap-together enclosure comprises a cover, a shutter mechanism, and a base plate. The enclosure is designed to encase a jack receptacle body which is heat staked to a terminal block. The shutter mechanism is snapped into a hole in the cover and is held in place by means of tabs on the shutter and interfering ridges on the cover. The terminal block is snapped into the base plate by means of tabs on the base plate and interfering ridges on the terminal block. Finally, the cover is snapped onto the base plate, again by use of tabs and interfering ridges on the cover and base plate respectively. When the cover and shutter assembly is attached to the base plate, the jack receptacle body, enclosed therein, pushes against back walls of the tabs on the shutter to prevent the shutter from disengaging with the ridges on the cover.

Abstract: A modular faceplate system having four levels of modularity includes a standard faceplate, a plurality of secondary support members, and a plurality of modules. The faceplate may be secured to a variety of support structures such as an outlet box, a modular box and a wall box. The faceplate has an elongated opening formed therein for the secondary support members. The secondary support members support the various different modules in various configurations. The modules can support a variety of electrical devices including plugs and electrical connectors. The faceplate, secondary support members and modules all include snap-type fastening means such that a desired faceplate configuration can be assembled from the component parts without the use of hardware.

Abstract: An outlet box having a frontal opening and faceplate assembly including an insert received within the outlet box and defining a forwardly opening bore and a faceplate mounted on the outlet box and forming a closure for the frontal opening. A fiber optic bulkhead connector is mounted on the faceplate for coupling to an elongated optical fiber, a portion of which is stored in coiled condition within the bore. When the faceplate is removed from the outlet box, the coiled portion of the fiber allows the faceplate to be moved a substantial distance from the outlet box for access to the coupled connection between the optical fiber and the bulkhead connector without subjecting the fiber to excessive bending stress.

Abstract: A telephone modular jack includes a base for receiving thereon a contact block carrying an array of spring contacts, the corresponding number of terminal units, and a cover, all mounted downwardly upon the base to be capable of being assembled by an automated technique. Each of the terminal units has a lug which is press-fitted to each one of lead tabs extended from the spring contacts when the contact block is mounted on the base. Each spring contact has a first end portion, a middle portion, and a second end portion, the portions being bent with respect to the others. The contact block includes a upright support and a horizontal support in parallel with the base. The middle portion of each spring contact is molded in the upright support in such a manner as to project the first end portion from the top of the upright support diagonally downward to the base, while the second end portion extends through the horizontal support and projects therefrom to define the lead tab at its end.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a current carrying inlet valve for central vacuum system providing tubular elements and connecting fittings with an integral electrical receptacle to permit operation of any electrically driven attachments and/or other cleaning devices, specific to the operation of a central vacuum cleaning system, without the necessity of an electrical outlet in close proximity, to which the location of an inlet valve was hereto restricted.

Abstract: An improved child-safe outlet cover including a main plate defining receptacle opening(s), a shield on the main plate for each opening having first and second portions, such shield movable between use and non-use positions in which the first and second portions, respectively, cover the receptacle openings, the first portion having prong openings aligned with the receptacle slots in the use position, and means biasing the shield to the non-use position. Preferred embodiments include locking pins and a number of structural variations providing important advantages.

Abstract: An inlet valve assembly for a central vacuum cleaner system is provided with a mounting bracket plate having a circular inlet aperture therethrough and at least one electrical service aperture, and an adaptor for snap engagement with the mounting bracket plate through said inlet aperture. The adaptor comprises a deformable open-ended cylindrical connector of outside diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the inlet aperture, a flange projecting laterally from one end of the connector and adapted to overlie at least a part of the mounting bracket plate including the electrical service aperture, and an outer peripheral groove about the cylindrical connector and adjacent said flange. The deformable cylindrical connector is adapted for insertion into the inlet aperture until the flange abuts the connector plate, whereupon the edge of the inlet aperture snaps into the groove in the outer surface of the cylindrical connector to securely attach the adaptor to the mounting bracket plate.

Abstract: An electrical connector box adapted to be used in connection with the raised floor concept with a raised floor positioned above the main floor. A plurality of substantially rectangular openings are formed in the raised floor. A frame is positioned in the openings. The electrical connector box is lowered into engagement with the frame and into the space between the raised floor and the main floor. The electrical connector unit includes flange means which is adapted to rest adjacent the raised floor to suspend the electrical connector unit between the floors. The unit further includes flange means engaging the under-surface of the raised floor to maintain the unit in position. A sling or saddle-like structure extends downwardly from the electrical connector box into the space between the raised floor and is adapted to receive wires, cables and the like. There is a hinged top plate movable to a first position providing access to the interior of the electrical connector box and a second closed position.

Abstract: A subplate for installing a low-voltage electric receptacle plate onto a wall opening includes tab portions extending inward from clearance holes located centrally on the subplate frame. The tab portions each have two parallel lines of bend, a screw-engaging hole, and a clamping end. During installation, the tab portions are bent inward into the wall opening along the first bend lines and then backward along the second bend lines to position the tabs' clamping ends against the inner wall surface. The receptacle plate is then screwed to the subplate through the clearance holes and the inner screw-engaging apertures, tightening the clamping ends of the tab portions against the inner surface of the wall.