Charging cable for electric vehicles

A method for using a charging cable for electrical charging of an energy accumulator of an electric vehicle, the charging cable including a power cable and at least one charging plug attached at one end of the power cable, the charging plug including a connector with electrical contacts, a protective cap, and a bracket closure, the bracket closure including a first wire bracket fastened to the charging plug and a second wire bracket fastened to the protective cap, wherein the first wire bracket is a separate and distinct structure from the second wire bracket, wherein the second wire bracket is coupled to the first wire bracket and forms together with the first wire bracket a toggle lever mechanism, by which the protective cap is movable and guided by the toggle lever mechanism, wherein the method comprises:

• securing the protective cap of the charging plug, using the bracket closure, in a first position for storage and transport of the charging cable, in which first position the connector is covered by the protective cap and the protective cap is pressed against a front end of the charging plug by the toggle lever mechanism;
• moving the protective cap of the charging plug, using the bracket closure, from the first position into a second position to perform a charging process, in which second position the protective cap is located on the top side of the charging plug with an opening of the protective cap for accommodating the connector pointing downward;
• inserting the connector of the charging plug into a suitable charging socket of a charging device;
• after the end of the charging process, removing the connector from the charging socket;
• and
• moving and securing the protective cap of the charging plug, using the bracket closure, from the second position into the first position.