Receptacle with terminal hold-open detent

申请公布号：

US9077091(B2)

申请号：

US201314033745

申请日期：

2013.09.23

申请公布日期：

2015.07.07

申请人：

LEVITON MANUFACTURING CO., INC.

发明人：

Laurent Maxim

分类号：

H01R4/44;H01R4/40

主分类号：

H01R4/44

代理机构：

Kacvinsky Daisak Bluni PLLC

代理人：

Kacvinsky Daisak Bluni PLLC

地址：

Melville NY US

摘要：

An electrical receptacle includes a detent for holding a terminal clamp in an open position. A terminal assembly having a terminal clamp, a terminal plate, and a terminal fastener. The terminal fastener can move the terminal clamp toward the terminal plate. The terminal clamp includes a tab that fits in a tab pocket formed in a middle housing of the receptacle. The tab pocket includes a detent for retaining the tab adjacent to a first end of the tab pocket. With the tab in this position, the terminal assembly is in the open configuration so that a space is formed between the terminal clamp and the terminal plate. In the open configuration an electrical wire can be disposed between the clamp and plate. To clamp the wire, the fastener is rotated to move the clamp toward the plate, and the detent releases the tab under application of force.

主权项：

1. An electrical receptacle, comprising a housing including openings comprising at least one electrical socket; a terminal assembly comprising a terminal clamp, a terminal plate, and a terminal fastener, the terminal fastener operable to move the terminal clamp toward the terminal plate, the terminal clamp further comprising a tab portion; wherein the housing includes a tab pocket for receiving the tab portion of the terminal clamp therein, the tab pocket further including a detent for retaining the tab portion adjacent to a first end of the tab pocket; wherein when the tab portion is positioned adjacent to the first end of the tab pocket the terminal assembly is in the open configuration such that a space is formed between the terminal clamp and the terminal plate; and wherein the detent comprises a pair of opposed ribs having respective upper surfaces engaged with a bottom surface of the tab portion when the terminal assembly is in the open configuration.