Importance

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Abstract

An electrical outlet receptacle device adapted to be mounted adjacent a wall member having a hole therein which permits the device to be secured to an electrical outlet box mounted behind the wall member. The receptacle includes a cover formed integrally with a pair of mounting strap elements projecting from opposite ends thereof. Each mounting strap terminates in free end edges which are beveled along their front facing surfaces and elongated to the maximum possible length to fit under a wallplate intended for use with the device, and is generally squared along its side edges for maximizing the available surface area for abutting the wall member and substantially reducing the chance of having a 'floating' installation. The receptacle further includes a unitary grounding element within the receptacle housing and formed with two pairs of electrical grounding contacts adjacent each group prong opening in the receptacle cover for receiving a ground prong of a plug, and a pair of spring-like finger members positioned and proportioned to extend through the mounting screw aperture on one of the mounting straps to receive and grasp a mounting screw to form a continuous electrically conductive ground path from a grounded outlet box, through the mounting screw, then through the grounding element to each pair of electrical grounding contacts. Advantageously, an additional ground member is provided which includes a ground terminal screw accessible from the exterior of the receptacle housing for permitting direct termination of a ground conductor of an electrical power cable.

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First Claim