Electrical wiring device with shutters

摘要

An electrical device includes a shutter support structure having a return position, at least one blocking position and an open position. A first shutter element is configured to rotate about a first dimensional axis within a predetermined angular range while being translated in two-dimensions between the return position to the open position, each of the two dimensions being orthogonal to the first dimensional axis. A second shutter assembly includes a second shutter element coupled to the first shutter element, the first shutter element allowing the second shutter portion to move in a first direction parallel to the first dimensional axis when the first shutter element is in the open position, the first shutter element being configured to drive the second shutter element in a second direction parallel to the first dimensional axis when the first shutter element is being translated into the return position.

主权项

1. An electrical device comprising:
a housing including a front cover coupled to at least one body member, the front cover including a plurality of receptacle openings in a major front surface thereof, the plurality of receptacle openings being configured to receive a plurality of plug blades of a corded electrical plug, the at least one body member including at least one set of receptacle contacts including a hot receptacle contact and a neutral receptacle contact; a guidance structure corresponding to the at least one set of receptacles coupled to the front cover, the guidance structure including a first guidance portion and a second guidance portion; and a shutter assembly including a first shutter portion coupled to a second shutter portion, the first shutter portion being coupled to the first guidance portion in a return position when not engaged by an object and rotatable about the first guidance portion from the return position to a shutter blocking position in response to being engaged by the object via one of the plurality of receptacle openings, the object being prevented from obtaining access to the at least one set of receptacle contacts in the blocking position, the first shutter portion substantially preventing the second shutter portion from moving in the return position or the blocking position, the first shutter portion being translated from the return position on the first guidance portion to an open position on the second guidance portion in response to being engaged by the plurality of plug blades, the first shutter portion allowing the second shutter portion to move from a closed second shutter position to an open second shutter position in the open position, the first shutter portion being coupled to the guidance structure so that the first shutter portion rotationally self-aligns to the plurality of plug blades when the shutter element is translated from the return position to the open position.