阅读说明：本技术 电气端口装置 (Electrical port device ) 是由 乔纳森·里维斯·努克 老威廉·奈特·努克 詹姆斯·理查德·斯坦菲尔德 德里克·迈克尔·昂德希尔 于 2020-03-06 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种电气端口装置,具有电气端口和可去除地连接至具有插头的电气端口的帽或盖。当帽或盖安装在电气端口上以防止水或湿气到达插头时,帽或盖和电气端口具有协作的密封表面,以确保紧密的防水密封。(An electrical port device having an electrical port and a cap or cover removably connected to the electrical port having a plug. When the cap or cover is mounted over the electrical port to prevent water or moisture from reaching the plug, the cap or cover and the electrical port have cooperating sealing surfaces to ensure a tight, waterproof seal.)

1. An electrical port device comprising:

an electrical port having a flange surrounding a receptacle, the flange having a circular ridge;

an electrical plug disposed within the receptacle;

a cover removably disposed within the receptacle to cover and uncover the electrical plug, the cover including an inner circular sealing surface for sealingly mating with a circular ridge of a flange of the electrical port;

an electrical socket; and

an electrical cord electrically connecting the electrical port and the electrical receptacle together.

2. An electrical port device comprising:

an electrical port having a flange surrounding a receptacle, the flange having a circular ridge with a flat face;

an electrical plug disposed within the receptacle;

a cover removably disposed within the receptacle to cover and uncover the electrical plug, the cover including an inner circular sealing surface for sealingly mating with a circular ridge of a flange of the electrical port;

an electrical socket; and

an electrical cord electrically connecting the electrical port and the electrical receptacle together.

3. An electrical port device comprising:

an electrical port having a housing with a flange surrounding a receptacle, the flange having a circular ridge with a flat sealing surface;

an electrical plug disposed within the receptacle;

a cap removably disposed within the receptacle to cover and expose the electrical plug, the cap including a collar having one or more external sealing ridges and an internal circular sealing surface for sealingly mating with a flat sealing face of a circular ridge of a flange of the electrical port;

an electrical socket; and

an electrical cord electrically connecting the electrical port and the electrical receptacle together.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the circular ridge of the flange of the electrical port is provided with a flat face.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the planar face of the circular ridge is raised a predetermined distance above an outer surface of the flange of the electrical port.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a gasket disposed on an inner side of the flange of the electrical port.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the cap is coupled to the gasket.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the cap is connected to the gasket by a flexible connector.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the cap, the gasket, and the flexible connector are configured as a single piece.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the cap comprises a collar for fitting into the receptacle of the electrical port.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the collar comprises one or more external ridges.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the electrical socket is provided with a protrusion to facilitate grasping of the receptacle by a user.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the protrusion is an X-shaped protrusion.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing is provided with a vent/drain hole.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an electrical port device, such as an AC electrical port having an electrical connection, such as an electrical plug.

Background

Us D684,929 discloses an AC port. There is a need for an improved electrical port, such as an improved AC port.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention relates to an electrical port device comprising an electrical port provided with a removable cap or cover. The electrical port is provided with a receiver fitted with an electrical connector (e.g., electrical plug, electrical socket). The electrical port device also includes another electrical connector (e.g., electrical socket, electrical plug) having an electrical wire connecting the electrical port and the other electrical connector together.

The electrical port and the removable cap or cover are configured to provide a watertight seal between the electrical port and the removable cap or cover when the removable cap or cover is installed "over" the electrical port to prevent water or moisture from entering the receptacle of the electrical port. The electrical port includes a flange surrounding a receptacle of the electrical port.

An enhanced water-tight seal is achieved by providing a raised annular ridge having a raised flat annular surface on the front face of the flange of the electrical port. Specifically, the annular ridge is raised a predetermined distance above the front face surface of the electrical port. This arrangement reduces the size of the sealing area of the flat annular surface of the annular ridge to concentrate the sealing force between the cap or lid and the annular ridge to a smaller sealing area. In addition, the inner and outer edges of the annular ridge may be pressed into the soft or resilient material of the cap or lid, such that the inner and outer edges of the annular ridge seal the cap or lid more effectively with the annular ridge.

Additionally, another electrical connector, such as an electrical socket connected to an electrical port by a wire or cable, may be provided with protrusions to enhance a user's ability to grip and connect or disconnect the other electrical connector electrically connected to the other electrical connector. For example, an X-shaped protrusion may be provided to allow a user to grasp the electrical connector with his or her fingers to connect or disconnect the electrical connector from another connector.

The presently described subject matter relates to an electrical port device.

The presently described subject matter relates to an enhanced electrical port device.

The presently described subject matter relates to an enhanced AC port device.

The present invention relates to an electrical port device comprising or consisting of an electrical port having a housing with a flange surrounding a receptacle, the flange having a circular ridge; an electrical plug disposed within the receptacle; a cover removably disposed within the receptacle to cover and uncover the electrical plug, the cover including an inner circular sealing surface for sealingly mating with a circular ridge of a flange of the electrical port; an electrical socket; and an electrical cord electrically connecting the electrical port and the electrical receptacle together.

The present invention relates to an electrical port device comprising or consisting of an electrical port having a flange surrounding a receptacle, the flange having a circular ridge with a flat surface; an electrical plug disposed within the receptacle; a cover removably disposed within the receptacle to cover and expose the plug, the cover including an interior circular sealing surface for sealingly mating with a flat surface of a circular ridge of a flange of the electrical port; an electrical socket; and an electrical cord electrically connecting the electrical port and the electrical receptacle together.

The invention relates to an electrical port device comprising: an electrical port having a housing with a flange surrounding a receptacle, the flange having a circular ridge with a flat sealing surface; an electrical plug disposed within the receptacle; a cover removably disposed within the receptacle to cover and expose the plug, the cover including a collar having one or more external sealing ridges and an internal circular sealing surface for sealingly mating with a flat sealing surface of the circular ridge of the flange of the electrical port; an electrical socket; and an electrical cord electrically connecting the electrical port and the electrical receptacle together.

The present invention relates to an electrical port device comprising or consisting of an electrical port having a flange surrounding a receptacle, the flange having a circular ridge; an electrical plug disposed within the receptacle; a cover removably disposed within the receptacle to cover and expose the plug, the cover including an inner circular sealing surface for sealingly mating with a circular ridge of a flange of the electrical port; an electrical socket; and an electrical cord electrically connecting the electrical port and the electrical receptacle together, wherein the circular ridge of the flange of the electrical port has a flat face.

The present invention relates to an electrical port device comprising or consisting of an electrical port having a flange surrounding a receptacle, the flange having a circular ridge; an electrical plug disposed within the receptacle; a cover removably disposed within the receptacle to cover and expose the plug, the cover including an inner circular sealing surface for sealingly mating with a circular ridge of a flange of the electrical port; an electrical socket; and an electrical cord electrically connecting the electrical port and the electrical receptacle together, wherein the flat face of the circular ridge is raised a predetermined distance above the outer surface of the flange of the electrical port.

The present invention relates to an electrical port device comprising or consisting of an electrical port having a flange surrounding a receptacle, the flange having a circular ridge; an electrical plug disposed within the receptacle; a cover removably disposed within the receptacle to cover and expose the plug, the cover including an inner circular sealing surface for sealingly mating with a circular ridge of a flange of the electrical port; an electrical socket; and an electrical cord electrically connecting the electrical port and the electrical receptacle together, the electrical port device further comprising a gasket disposed on an inner side of the flange of the electrical port.

The present invention relates to an electrical port device comprising or consisting of an electrical port having a flange surrounding a receptacle, the flange having a circular ridge; an electrical plug disposed within the receptacle; a cover removably disposed within the receptacle to cover and expose the plug, the cover including an inner circular sealing surface for sealingly mating with a circular ridge of a flange of the electrical port; an electrical socket; and an electrical wire electrically connecting the electrical port and the electrical receptacle together, the electrical port device further comprising a gasket disposed on an inner side of the flange of the electrical port, wherein the cap is connected to the gasket.

The present invention relates to an electrical port device comprising or consisting of an electrical port having a flange surrounding a receptacle, the flange having a circular ridge; an electrical plug disposed within the receptacle; a cover removably disposed within the receptacle to cover and expose the plug, the cover including an inner circular sealing surface for sealingly mating with a circular ridge of a flange of the electrical port; an electrical socket; and an electrical cord electrically connecting the electrical port and the electrical receptacle together, the electrical port device further comprising a gasket disposed on an inner side of the flange of the electrical port, wherein the cover is connected to the gasket by a flexible connector.

The present invention relates to an electrical port device comprising or consisting of an electrical port having a flange surrounding a receptacle, the flange having a circular ridge; an electrical plug disposed within the receptacle; a cover removably disposed within the receptacle to cover and expose the plug, the cover including an inner circular sealing surface for sealingly mating with a circular ridge of a flange of the electrical port; an electrical socket; and an electrical wire electrically connecting the electrical port and the electrical receptacle together, the electrical port device further comprising a gasket disposed on an inner side of the flange of the electrical port, wherein the cap is connected to the gasket by a flexible connector, wherein the cap, gasket, and flexible connector are configured as a single piece.

The present invention relates to an electrical port device comprising or consisting of an electrical port having a flange surrounding a receptacle, the flange having a circular ridge; an electrical plug disposed within the receptacle; a cover removably disposed within the receptacle to cover and expose the plug, the cover including an inner circular sealing surface for sealingly mating with a circular ridge of a flange of the electrical port; an electrical socket; and an electrical wire electrically connecting the electrical port and the electrical receptacle together, the electrical port device further comprising a gasket disposed on an inner side of the flange of the electrical port, wherein the cap comprises a collar for fitting into the receptacle of the electrical port.

The present invention relates to an electrical port device comprising or consisting of an electrical port having a flange surrounding a receptacle, the flange having a circular ridge; an electrical plug disposed within the receptacle; a cover removably disposed within the receptacle to cover and expose the plug, the cover including an inner circular sealing surface for sealingly mating with a circular ridge of a flange of the electrical port; an electrical socket; and an electrical wire electrically connecting the electrical port and the electrical receptacle together, the electrical port device further comprising a gasket disposed on an inner side of the flange of the electrical port, wherein the cap comprises a collar for fitting into the receptacle of the electrical port, wherein the collar comprises one or more external ridges.

The present invention relates to an electrical port device comprising or consisting of an electrical port having a flange surrounding a receptacle, the flange having a circular ridge; an electrical plug disposed within the receptacle; a cover removably disposed within the receptacle to cover and expose the plug, the cover including an inner circular sealing surface for sealingly mating with a circular ridge of a flange of the electrical port; an electrical socket; and an electrical cord electrically connecting the electrical port and the electrical receptacle together, the receptacle being provided with a protrusion for facilitating gripping of the receptacle by a user.

The present invention relates to an electrical port device comprising or consisting of an electrical port having a flange surrounding a receptacle, the flange having a circular ridge; an electrical plug disposed within the receptacle; a cover removably disposed within the receptacle to cover and expose the plug, the cover including an inner circular sealing surface for sealingly mating with a circular ridge of a flange of the electrical port; an electrical socket; and an electrical wire electrically connecting the electrical port and the electrical socket together, wherein the protrusion is an X-shaped protrusion.

The present invention relates to an electrical port device comprising or consisting of an electrical port having a flange surrounding a receptacle, the flange having a circular ridge; an electrical plug disposed within the receptacle; a cover removably disposed within the receptacle to cover and expose the plug, the cover including an inner circular sealing surface for sealingly mating with a circular ridge of a flange of the electrical port; an electrical socket; and an electrical cord electrically connecting the electrical port and the electrical receptacle together, the electrical port device further comprising a gasket disposed on an inner side of the flange of the electrical port, wherein the cap comprises a collar for fitting into the receptacle of the electrical port, wherein the housing is provided with a vent/drain hole.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an electrical port device according to the present invention with the cap or cover closed.

Fig. 2 is a front view of the electrical port shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a rear view of the electrical port shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a right side view of the electrical port shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a left side view of the electrical port shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a top view of the electrical port shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a bottom view of the electrical port shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an electrical port according to the present invention with a cap or cover thereon.

Detailed Description

An electrical port device 10 according to the present invention is shown in fig. 1-8.

The electrical port device 10 includes an electrical port 12, the electrical port 12 having a flange 14 secured to a housing 15. The housing 15 is provided with a receptacle 16 defined by a cylindrical wall 18 and a bottom wall 20. The cylindrical wall 18 is provided with a lower drain hole 18a (fig. 1 and 7) for venting the receiver 16 and draining any water or moisture located within the receiver 16 that drains by gravity to the lowest point in the receiver 16.

The flange 14 is provided with an outer surface 14a and through holes 14b (fig. 1) for receiving fasteners (e.g., screws, rust-resistant screws, stainless steel screws, anodized aluminum screws) for mounting the electrical port 12 into holes provided in a wall or panel, for example.

The receiver 16 houses, for example, a male or female electrical connector, such as an electrical plug 22 (i.e., a male electrical connector), the electrical plug 22 having a neutral prong 22a, an active prong 22b, and a ground prong 22c extending outwardly from the inner bottom wall 20 into the receiver 16. The housing 15 of the electrical port 12 is provided with a wire sleeve 24 (fig. 3), the wire sleeve 24 having a groove 24a for making the wire sleeve 24 flexible or bendable. The wire sleeve 24 may be, for example, a plastic injection molded sleeve that fits over the wire 42 and connects to the housing 15 of the electrical port 12 (e.g., a snap fit, interference fit, mechanical fit, or adhesive fit).

A gasket 28 having an inner cylindrical bore (e.g., a flat flexible gasket injection molded of resilient plastic) is mounted on the housing 15 on the rear side surface of the flange 14. For example, the gasket 28 fits between the flange 14 and the wall surface on which the electrical port device 14 is mounted. The gasket 28 comprises a ring 28a, a flexible connector 30 and a cap or cover 32, the cap or cover 32 having tabs 34 and a cylindrical collar 36, the cylindrical collar 36 being provided with an outer annular sealing ridge 38. The cylindrical collar 36 is provided with an internal cylindrical cavity 36a for receiving the electrical plug 22 when the cap or cover 32 is "mounted on" the electrical port 12. The flexible connector 30 is sufficiently flexible that the flexible connector 30 can be bent over 180 ° to mount the cap or cover 32 "on" the receiver 16, thereby sealing the receiver from water. To remove the cap or cover 32, a user may grasp the tab 34 to pull and remove (i.e., unload) the cap or cover 32 from the receptacle 16.

The electrical port device 10 also includes another electrical connector, such as an electrical receptacle 40 (i.e., a female connector). The electrical receptacle 40 may be, for example, a plastic insert injection molded receptacle having electrical conductors, including a neutral pin receptacle 40a, an active pin receptacle 40b, and a ground pin receptacle 40 c. Electrical receptacle 40 is connected to a three (3) wire cord 42, the three (3) wire cord 42 electrically connecting electrical receptacle 40 to electrical port 12 of electrical port device 10.

The electrical receptacle 40 includes an X-shaped projection 40d and a wire cover 40e having a slot 40f to make the wire cover 40e flexible or bendable. The X-shaped projections 40d allow a user to securely grasp the electrical receptacle 40 on both sides of the electrical receptacle 40 at the surface 40g using his or her fingers and thumb and then push or pull, remain stationary at the receptacle 40 to connect or disconnect the electrical receptacle 40 with another electrical connector (e.g., a plug), respectively.

Waterproof receiver

It is important and necessary to make the receiver 16 waterproof and to keep the receiver 16 and the plug 22 free of water and moisture to avoid the user from being accidentally shocked by an electrical short when connecting or disconnecting the plug 22, as shown in fig. 1. Thus, it is important that the cap or cover 32 properly seal with the flange 14 of the electrical port 12. In addition, in the event that water or moisture enters or condenses within the receptacle 16, it is important that the receptacle drains such water or moisture through the drain. Thus, the receptacle 16 is provided with a drain 18a (e.g., a drain hole) at the lowest point within the receptacle 16 so that water or moisture drains by gravity flow.

To properly seal the receiver 16 from water, the flange 14 is provided with a circular ridge 14c, the circular ridge 14c having an inner diameter D1 (fig. 1) equal to or the same as the diameter D1 of the receiver 16 and an outer diameter D2 that is greater than the inner diameter D1 of the circular ridge 14c, and D2 is less than the outer diameter D3 of the flange 14. The flange 14 is also provided with a radial ridge 14d extending radially outwardly from the outer edge of the circular ridge 14 c. A pair of ridges 14d are positioned adjacent the sides of each through hole 14b (fig. 2).

The circular ridge 14c is provided with a flat sealing surface 14ca (fig. 1). The circular ridge 14c is raised above the outer surface 14a of the flange 14 by a predetermined height. In addition, the radial ridge 14d rises above the outer surface 14a of the flange 14 by a predetermined height that is less than the predetermined height of the circular ridge 14 c. This arrangement allows the inner circular flat sealing surface 32a of the cap or cover 32 to seat only with the flat surface 14ca of the circular ridge 14c to ensure a good seal therebetween. In particular, this flat-to-flat sealing arrangement between the circular flat sealing surface 32a of the cap or cover 32 and the flat surface 14ca of the flange 14 of the electrical port 12 enhances the sealing and waterproofing capabilities of the receiver 16 and the plug 22 to keep water and moisture out of the receiver 16 and the plug 22.

In addition, the annular ridge 38 of the cap or lid 32 is sized (e.g., a predetermined diameter) and designed (e.g., a particular profile or cross-sectional shape of the ridge 38) such that the outer edge of the ridge 38 fits snugly and resiliently into the inner edge of the receiver 16. For example, a plurality of ridges 38 (e.g., two or more ridges) are used to provide a plurality of sealing engagements with, for example, the smooth inner cylindrical sealing surface 18 of the receiver 16. For example, the annular ridge 38 may have a square or rectangular profile to provide a flat arcuate sealing edge that sealingly engages the smooth inner cylindrical sealing surface 18 of the receiver 16.

Additionally, the housing 15 and flange 14 of the electrical port 12 may be injection molded from a rigid or semi-rigid plastic material, and the cap or cover 32 may be molded from a softer and/or more resilient plastic or rubber material, such that the smooth inner cylindrical sealing surface 18 applies a band-like stress to the annular outer edge 38a of the ridge 38 to improve the sealing strength of the cap or cover 32 mounted "on" the flange 14 of the electrical port 12 of the electrical port apparatus 10.

The cap or cover 32 and the annular ridge 38 may be designed such that a retaining/sealing force is created between the ridge 38 and the inner cylindrical surface 18 of the receiver 16 to tightly seal and retain the cap or cover 32 within the receiver 16. In addition, the retention force applies a sealing force between the sealing surface 38a of the cap or cover 38 and the flat sealing surface 14ca of the circular ridge 14c of the flange 14 of the electrical port 12 of the electrical port device 10.

For example, cap or cover 38 may be made of a resilient plastic or rubber material such that when collar 36 of cap or cover 32 is fully inserted into receiver 16, the user may press the center of cap or cover 32 with his or her finger or thumb to further insert collar 36 into receiver 16 such that collar 36 exerts a resilient retention force on cap or cover 32 that exerts a resilient sealing force between inner circular flat sealing surface 32a of cap or cover 32 and flat surface 14ca of circular ridge 14c to enhance the sealing force between inner circular flat sealing surface 32a and flat surface 14ca and then maintain the sealing force.