Socket base assembly
United States Patent [1 1 Reed et al.  
 1 SOCKET BASE ASSEMBLY [75] Inventors: Ronald H. Reed, Versailles; Joseph C. Drilling; Lary D. Jones, both of Lexington, all of Ky.  
 [73] Assignee: Square D Company, Park Ridge. 111. [22] Filed: Apr. 25, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 464,286  
 [52] US. Cl. 339/219 R; 317/107; 339/259 F [51] Int. Cl HOlr 13/16; HOlr 13/40 [58] Field of Search 339/252, 253, 256, 258,  
 339/259, 262,219, 198 M, 31 B; 317/104, 105,l06,107,108, 109,110,111  
 9/1964 Waldrop .L 317/107 [451 Apr. 29, 1975 Primary E.tunzl&#39;nerloseph H. McGlynn Alrurney, Agent, or FirmHarold .l. Rathbun; Ernest S. Kettelson [57] ABSTRACT A socket base assembly is provided which includes an apertured insulating panel fixedly mounted on a support piece. The insulating panel is provided with a non-circular aperture which is aligned with a currentcarrying means positioned therebehind. Removably mounted within the panel aperture is a conductive jaw means which is connected to the current-carrying means. The jaw means is provided with a base portion having a central segment disposed within the panel aperture and conforming substantially to the shape thereof and peripheral segments angularly disposed relative to the central segment and being impassable relative to the panel aperture. A pair ofjaw-like protuberances project outwardly from and are integral with the base portion. Fastening means cooperate with the center segment of the base portion to removably secure the jaw means to the current-carrying means.  
 7 Claims. 5 Drawing Figures SOCKET BASE ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION When installing socket bases for electrical fixtures. it is desirable that their installation be simple, yet permanent, and once installed require a minimal amount of maintenance. Formerly, the jaw means and terminals comprising prior socket base assemblies were normally mounted on large panels of insulating material. In such constructions the jaw means were clamped directly onto the panel; however, frequently the compressive forces produced by the jaw means caused shrinkage of the insulating material resulting in breakage of the panel and a poor electrical connection. The jaw means in such assemblies generally consisted of several discrete components which resulted in installation, inventory, handling, and maintenance problems. l-Ieretofore, in servicing prior socket assemblies it was necessary to remove the socket cover and insulating plate, thereby making such servicing an awkward time-consuming operation.  
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly. an object of this invention is to provide a socket base assembly which is not beset with the aforementioned shortcomings, yet is capable of readily accommodating a variety of electrical devices.  
  It is a further object of this invention to provide a socket base assembly wherein the jaw means thereof, when in place, are not in compressive relation with the insulating panel of the assembly.  
  It is a still further object of this invention to provide a unitized jaw means which may be mounted on or removed from the current-earring means by a simple manual manipulation without removing other components of the socket assembly.  
  It is a still further object of this invention to provide a unitized jaw means that is self-aligning within the panel aperture and is adapted to be interchangeable with other jaw means where a plurality of jaw means are embodied in the socket base assembly.  
  It is a still further object of this invention to provide a socket base assembly which utilizes unitized jaw means connectible to a current-carrying means by a single fastener accessible from the front of the assembly.  
  Further and additional objects will appear from the description, accompanying drawings, and appended claims.  
  In accordance with one embodiment of the invention is a socket base assembly having an apertured panel of insulating material fixedly mounted on a support piece. The aperture formed in the panel is aligned with a current-carrying means positioned behind the panel. Disposed within the panel aperture and extending outwardly therefrom is a jaw means. The jaw means includes a base portion having a central segment extending into the aperture and conforming substantially to the shape thereof. The base portion also includes peripheral segments offset from the central segment and being impassable relative to the panel aperture. Projecting outwardly from one of the peripheral segments is a pair of complemental elongated jaw-like protuberances which are biased towards one another for clamping engagement with an electrical device to be attached to the assembly. An exposed fastening means engages the central segment of the base portion and removably connects same in conductive relation to th. current carrying means disposed behind the panel aperture. The fastening means, when interconnecting the central segment of the jaw means to the current-carrying means, is not causing the insulating panel to be subjected to undesirable compressive forces.  
  For a more complete understanding of the invention one should make reference to the drawing herein:  
  FIG. I is a fragmentary perspective view of one form of the socket base assembly shown positioned within a housing.  
  FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the jaw means which is a component of the assembly shown in FIG. 1.  
  FIG. 3 is a right-side view of the jaw means of FIG. 2.  
  FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the jaw means of FIG. 2.  
  FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the jaw means of FIG. 4.  
  Referring now to FIG. 1, one form of an improved socket base assembly 10 is shown mounted within a conventional housing 11. The housing 11 includes a front panel 12 which is provided with one or more openings 12a to accommodate various electrical devices such as meters or the like, not shown, but well known in the art. Disposed within the housing 11 and behind the assembly 10 are current-carrying means such as bus bars 13.  
  The socket base assembly 10, as seen in FIG. 1, includes a panel 14 formed of suitable insulating material which is sized in the illustrated embodiment so as to pass through opening 12a and yet provides a substantial shield from the bus bars 13. The panel 14 is provided with apertures 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14:! which are of noncircular configuration. The number, shape and relative location of the panel apertures may vary from that shown and will depend upon the type of currentcarrying means disposed within the housing and the type of electrical device to be accommodated within the housing opening 12a. In the illustrated embodiment, the apertures -41 are substantially symmetri cally arranged about a central aperture which is pro vided to receive a suitable fastener 15 for fixedly mounting the insulating panel 14 to a stationary support 16 within the housing. The support 16 may be a rod of insulating material which functions as a spacer between adjacent bus bar sections 13a and 13b.  
  Accommodated within each panel aperture l4ad is a jaw means 17. All of the jaw means are of like construction and thus are interchangeable. A preferred jaw means 17 is shown in FIGS. 2-4 and comprises first and second jaw sections 18 and 20, respectively, and a biasing spring 21. Each jaw section is formed of a conductive metallic material. First jaw section 18 includes a base portion having a central segment 18a and a pair of oppositely disposed peripheral segments 18b and offset from the central segment. The central segment 18a is adapted to extend through a panel aperture and conforms to the shape of the aperture. The central segment is provided with an opening A through which the shank 22a ofa fastener 22 extends when the jaw means is mounted in place on the panel 14. The fastener 22 and its function will be described more fully hereinafter. The base portion peripheral segments 18b and 18c extend first outwardly from opposite sides of the central segment and then laterally in opposite directions so as to prevent the remainder of the jaw means passing through the aperture.  
  Peripheral segment 18b comprises a pair of spaced tabs 18d of like configuration, see F165. 1 and 4. The distal end 18 of each tab is adapted to overlie an exposed first portion of the panel circumjacent the aperture. Peripheral segment 18c comprises a single tongue-like portion 18f which overlies an exposed second portion of the panel. The outer edge of portion 18f is integral with an elongated jaw 18g, which projects resiliently outwardly from the panel 14 towards the housing opening 12a.  
  The second jaw second 20, as seen in FIG. 4, interfits with section 18. .law section includes a base portion 200 which overlies the central segment 18a of jaw section 18. An opening B is formed in the base portion 20a and is disposed in coincident relation with the opening A in jaw section 18. The periphery of base portion 20a is provided with a pair of corner notches 20b through which extend the tabs 18b ofjaw section 18. Thus, the tabs 18d maintain jaw sections 18 and 20 in proper relative position.  
  Extending outwardly and laterally from the opposite side of base portion 200 is a tongue-like protuberance 20c. The protuberance terminates at and is integral with an elongated jaw 20d which projects resiliently outwardly from the panel 14 towards the housing opening 12:]. Jaws 18g and 20d are complementary to one another and provide a socket S to receive a part of an electrical device mounted within the housing opening 12a. To facilitate entry into the socket, the ends of the jaw are flared outwardly, see FIGS. 2 and 4.  
  To assure positive resilient engagement between the jaws and the part of the electrical device disposed therebetween, the spring 21 is provided. The spring is formed of relatively stiff wire-like material which has been bent to form a resilient clip. The clip includes a pair of C-shaped legs 21a and b which are adapted to overlie the outer surface of jaws 18g and 20d, respectively. The lower portions of the legs are interconnected by an integral bail segment 21c. The bail segment 21c is adapted to fit within a pocket P formed by the offset lower portions of the jaws 18g and 20d To prevent accidental disengagement of the clip from the jaws, one ofthe jaws (jaw 20d in the illustrated embodiment) is provided with a struck-out or lug 20e which engages a loop L formed in the C-shaped leg 21]) of the clip.  
  As aforenoted, each panel aperture l4a-d has a noncircular configuration; thus, once the central segment 18a and the base portion 20a of the jaw sections 18 and 20, respectively, are disposed within a panel aperture, the jaw means will not twist or rotate relative to the panel. Furthermore, it will be noted from the drawings, particularly FIG. 1, that the jaws 18g and 20d of a jaw means 17 are laterally offset relative to the openings A and B through which a portion 22a of the fastener 22 extends when the jaw means is secured in place. In the illustrated embodiment, fastener portion 22a comprises a threaded stud bolt which is carried by the bus bar 13a or 13b. The threaded end of the bolt projects outwardly beyond the base portion 20a of jaw section 21 and engaged by a suitable nut 22b. The nut may be readily screwed onto or from the protruding end of the stud bolt by a conventional socket wrench or the like without requiring removal of the housing front panel or any other component of the assembly. Other types of fasteners may be utilized, if desired, to secure the jaw means in place. Only the required number ofjaw means need be installed to accommodate the electrical device mounted within the housing panel opening. it is important to note that when the nut is drawn up tight onto the stud bolt only the base portion of the jaw means is under compression between the nut and bus bar section and not the adjacent portions of the insulating panel. Thus, fracturing or shrinkage of a portion of the panel is avoided.  
  Each jaw means is preassembled at the time it is manufactured thereby greatly simplifying installation or servicing of the assembly. Because the jaw means are all of like configuration and interchangeable, the installer is required to carry to the job site only one type of jaw means for a given type of assembly.  
 We claim:  
  1. A socket base assembly for an electrical device comprising an apertured panel of insulating material fixedly mounted on a support, said panel having an aperture adapted to be aligned with a current-carrying means positioned therebehind; jaw means having a base portion with peripheral segments thereof impassable relative to said aperture and a central segment accommodated within said aperture, the configuration of said central segment corresponding substantially to the aperture configuration, a pair of complemental elongated jaws intergral with said base portion and offset relative to said central segment and projecting angularly outwardly from said base portion, said jaws being biased toward one another for clamping engagement with a portion of the electrical device; and exposed fastening means engaging said central segment for securing in electrically conductive relation said jaw means to the current-carrying means.  
  2. The socket base assembly of claim 1 wherein the central segment of said jaw means is provided with an opening, and said fastening means is provided with an elongated portion extending through said opening.  
  3. The socket base assembly of claim 1 wherein said panel is provided with a plurality of spaced apertures, and a corresponding number ofjaw means is provided, each jaw means being of substantially like construction.  
  4. The socket base assembly of claim 1 wherein the jaws are biased towards one another by an encompassing spring.  
  5. The socket base assembly of claim 1 wherein the aperture of said panel has a noncircular perimetric configuration and the central segment of said jaw means has a corresponding peripheral configuration whereby said jaw means remains in a predetermined position with respect to said panel when the central segment of said jaw means is accommodated with said aperture.  
  6. The socket base assembly of claim 5 wherein the central segment of said jaw means base portion is in self-aligned relation with respect to the panel aperture when accommodated therein.  
  7. The socket base assembly of claim 5 wherein the peripheral segments of the base portion of said jaw means are disposed in non-compressive relation with the portion of said panel defining said aperture, when said jaw means is fixedly accommodated within said ap-