IP Library Granted Patent US 11,990,714
Granted Patent B2
US 11,990,714 · App. 17/833,542 · Granted May 21, 2024

Electrical receptacle assembly with outward-biasing faceplate

Inventors: Adam J. Andersen (Allentown, PA); Brad Michael Kreschollek (Bethlehem, PA)
Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
H01R13/74H02G3/14
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,990,714
App. No.
17/833,542
Granted
May 21, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A faceplate assembly may include a faceplate having an opening configured to receive an electrical device insert, and an adapter that is disposed between the faceplate and a structure. The adapter may about a surface of the structure. The one or more biasing members may apply forces against the faceplate that may cause the faceplate to be biased outward relative to the surface of the structure.

Claims (22)

1. An electrical faceplate assembly, comprising:

a yoke physically couplable to an underlying structure, the yoke including a receiver portion to physically couple to an electrical device insert;

a faceplate assembly that includes a faceplate member having a front surface, a rear surface, and an external perimeter, the faceplate member including:

an aperture extending from the front surface of the faceplate member to the rear surface of the faceplate member;

a peripheral wall extending from the rear surface of the faceplate member, the peripheral wall disposed about at least a portion of the perimeter of the aperture; and

a plurality of biasing members, each of the plurality of biasing members extending from the peripheral wall at least partially into the aperture;

each of the plurality of biasing members to exert a biasing force that displaces the faceplate assembly away from the underlying structure; and

each of the plurality of biasing members to further contact the electrical device insert when the electrical device insert is physically coupled to the yoke such that the front surface of the faceplate remains flush with a front surface of the electrical device insert.

2. The electrical faceplate assembly of claim 1 wherein the yoke includes a yoke flange disposed about a perimeter of the receiver portion.

3. The electrical faceplate assembly of claim 2 , each of the plurality of biasing members to contact a flange disposed about the electrical device insert such that when the electrical device insert is physically coupled to the yoke, each of the plurality of biasing members exerts a force against the yoke flange that displaces the faceplate member toward the electrical device insert flange.

4. The electrical faceplate assembly of claim 3 wherein each of the plurality of biasing members further comprises an abutment surface that abuts a rear surface of the flange disposed about the electrical device insert.

5. The electrical faceplate assembly of claim 1 wherein the faceplate assembly further comprises an adapter member disposed proximate the yoke.

6. The electrical faceplate assembly of claim 5 wherein the faceplate assembly further comprises a spacer member disposed between the faceplate member and the adapter member.

7. The electrical faceplate assembly of claim 6 wherein the spacer member comprises a compressible foam spacer member.

8. The electrical faceplate assembly of claim 6 wherein the faceplate member further comprises an outer wall disposed about the external perimeter of the faceplate member and extending from the rear surface of the faceplate member.

9. The electrical faceplate assembly of claim 8 wherein the spacer member fits inside the outer wall extending from the rear surface of the faceplate member.

10. The electrical faceplate assembly of claim 9 wherein the adapter member includes a front surface and a rear surface, the front surface including an outer wall disposed about an external perimeter of the adapter member.

11. The electrical faceplate assembly of claim 10 wherein the spacer member fits inside the outer wall extending from the front surface of the adapter member.

12. The electrical faceplate assembly of claim 1 wherein faceplate aperture comprises a rectangular aperture.

13. The electrical faceplate assembly of claim 12 wherein faceplate aperture comprises a square aperture.

14. The electrical faceplate assembly of claim 12 wherein each of the plurality of biasing members comprises an “L-shaped” biasing member, each of the plurality of biasing members disposed in a respective corner of the rectangular aperture in the faceplate member.

15. The electrical faceplate assembly of claim 1 wherein the plurality of biasing members comprises compressible foam biasing members.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 6, 2024
From: ANDERSEN, ADAM J.; KRESCHOLLEK, BRAD MICHAEL
To: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
Reel/Frame 066671/0285 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 6, 2024
From: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
To: LUTRON TECHNOLOGY COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 066746/0231 →