# US 11,909,143 B2 · Electrical receptacle with locking feature > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,909,143 B2 - Document ID: US11909143B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/724,227 - Filed: 2022-04-19 - Published: 2022-07-28 - Granted: 2024-02-20 - Earliest claimed: 2018-02-05 - Assignees: Chatsworth Products, Inc. - Applicants: Chatsworth Products, Inc. - Inventors: Jonathan Bowen; Samuel Rodriguez - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11909143B2 ## CPC - H01R 13/6395: {for wall or panel outlets} - H01R 13/6392: {for extension cord} - H01R 43/26: for engaging or disengaging the two parts of a coupling device (structural association with two-part coupling device H01R13/629) - H01R 13/743: {integral with the housing} - H01R 24/30: with additional earth or shield contacts - H01R 24/78: with additional earth or shield contacts - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS ## Abstract An electrical receptacle unit with locking feature includes a receptacle adapted to be electrically connected to a source of electricity. The receptacle includes an electrical fitting having electrical contacts contained therein and/or extending therefrom, a socket surrounding the electrical fitting, and a plate disposed at a front of the socket. The electrical receptacle unit further includes a locking bracket that includes a central portion having first and second ends, a lock tab extending from a side of the central portion, and a pair of support arms, each extending forwardly from a respective one of the first and second ends. The locking bracket is pivotably secured to the plate, with at least a portion of each support arm positioned within a respective notched area of the plate. The locking bracket is pivotable relative to the plate between a first position, whereby a plug electrically seated within the socket is unobstructed, and a second position, whereby the plug electrically seated within the socket is obstructed from removal by the lock tab. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electrical receptacle unit with locking feature comprising: a receptacle adapted to be electrically connected to a source of electricity, the receptacle including an electrical fitting having electrical contacts contained therein and/or extending therefrom, a socket surrounding the electrical fitting, and a plate disposed at a front of the socket; a locking bracket having a lock tab; and at least one spring anchored between the locking bracket and the plate; wherein the locking bracket is pivotably secured to the plate; and wherein the at least one spring is biased to retain the locking bracket in a position whereby the lock tab obstructs a plug electrically seated within the socket from removal. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electrical receptacle unit with locking feature of claim 1, wherein the receptacle is a panel-mount receptacle. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The electrical receptacle unit with locking feature of claim 2, wherein the socket of the receptacle includes walls, at least one of which walls includes a locking tab that retains the receptacle in a fixture. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The electrical receptacle unit with locking feature of claim 1, wherein the electrical fitting is a female electrical fitting having female electrical contacts contained therein. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The electrical receptacle unit with locking feature of claim 1, wherein the plug and receptacle are of a C13/C14-type. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The electrical receptacle unit with locking feature of claim 1, wherein the locking bracket includes a grip tab extending from a side thereof. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The electrical receptacle unit with locking feature of claim 1, wherein the locking bracket is made from a metal material. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The electrical receptacle unit with locking feature of claim 1, wherein a length of the locking bracket does not extend beyond a footprint of the receptacle in the stacking direction. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The electrical receptacle unit with locking feature of claim 1, wherein the lock tab extends from the locking bracket at an angle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The electrical receptacle unit with locking feature of claim 1, wherein the locking bracket is secured to the plate via a hinge pin. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The electrical receptacle unit with locking feature of claim 10, wherein the locking bracket is pivotable between the first and second positions about the hinge pin. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The electrical receptacle unit with locking feature of claim 1, wherein the at least one spring is a coil-type spring. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The electrical receptacle unit with locking feature of claim 1, wherein the locking bracket is pivotable, against the bias of the at least one spring, so that the plug is unobstructed and removable from the socket. ### Claim 14 A method of securing a plug to an electrical receptacle unit comprising: providing an electrical receptacle unit having a female electrical fitting with a surrounding receptacle unit socket, a plate disposed at a front of the receptacle unit socket, a locking bracket pivotably secured to the plate, and at least one spring anchored between the locking bracket and the plate; providing a plug having a male electrical fitting with male electrical contacts extending therefrom and a plug socket that surrounds the male electrical contacts; pivoting an end of the locking bracket away from the plate, against a bias in the at least one spring, so that the plug is unobstructed; positioning the plug within the receptacle unit socket to establish an electrical connection therewith; and releasing the end of the locking bracket so that the bias in the at least one spring causes the locking bracket to enter and be retained in a locked position whereby a portion of the locking bracket obstructs the plug from removal. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein, in the locked position, a lock tab extending from the locking bracket is positioned to obstruct the plug from removal. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein a length of the locking bracket does not extend beyond a footprint of the electrical receptacle unit in the stacking direction. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the plug and receptacle unit are of a C13/C14-type. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the locking bracket includes a grip tab extending from a side thereof. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one spring is a coil-type spring. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the locking bracket is secured to the plate via a hinge pin.