Safety plug assemblies for electrical outlets
AssigneeBesvin, Inc.
InventorPeter J. Colvonen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A safety plug assembly includes a connector configured to be inserted behind a front plate of an electrical outlet. The connector comprises a first body member including a central axis, a first side, and a second side radially opposite the first side with respect to the central axis. The first body member includes a ramped surface that extends from the first side to an abutment surface. A thickness of the first body member tapers when moving along the ramped surface from the abutment surface toward the first side. In addition, the safety plug assembly includes a safety plug coupled to the connector. The safety plug comprises a plug member that is configured to be inserted within a contact opening of the electrical outlet.
Claims19
A safety plug assembly, comprising:
- a connector configured to be inserted behind a front plate of an electrical outlet, wherein the connector comprises a first body member including:
- a central axis;
- and
- a first side and a second side radially opposite the first side with respect to the central axis,
- wherein the first body member includes a ramped surface that extends from the first side to an abutment surface, and
- wherein a thickness of the first body member tapers when moving along the ramped surface from the abutment surface toward the first side;
- and
- a safety plug coupled to the connector, wherein the safety plug comprises a plug member that is configured to be inserted within a contact opening of the electrical outlet.
A safety plug assembly, comprising:
- a connector comprising a central axis, a first body member extending along the central axis, a second body member extending radially from the central axis from a fixed end connected to the first body member to a free end opposite the fixed end, and a receptacle disposed on a first side of the central axis and at least partially defined by the first body member and the second body member, wherein the connector is configured to be inserted behind a front plate of an electrical outlet such that an outlet connector of the electrical outlet is received within the receptacle along a radial direction with respect to the central axis;
- an arm extending from the connector on a second side of the central axis that is opposite the first side;
- and
- a safety plug coupled to the arm, wherein the safety plug includes a plug member that is configured to be inserted within a contact opening of the outlet connector.
A method, comprising:
- (a) loosening a mounting screw extending through the front plate of an electrical outlet that is installed along a surface such that the front plate is not fully removed from the electrical outlet;
- (b) inserting a connector of a safety plug assembly between the surface and the front plate after (a);
- (c) receiving an outlet connector of an electrical outlet into receptacle of the connector during (b);
- (d) tightening the mounting screw of the front plate;
- (e) compressing the connector with the front plate during (d);
- and
- (f) inserting a safety plug into a contact opening of the outlet connector after (d), wherein the safety plug is coupled to an arm that extends from the connector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.