Securing device and method

A plug for securing to a socket, the plug comprising:

• a housing;
• a first prong having a proximal end positioned within the housing and a distal end extending from the housing;
• and
• a second prong having a proximal end positioned within the housing and a distal end extending from the housing, the distal end of the second prong selectively moveable in a direction away from the distal end of the first prong.

A socket for receiving a prong, the socket comprising:

• a housing;
• a sleeve positioned within the housing so as to receive the prong when the prong is inserted into the housing;
• and
• means for selectively applying at least one force to the sleeve so as to selectively clamp the prong within the socket.

A securing device for receiving an outside prong, the securing device comprising:

• a housing, the housing having an aperture therein;
• a sleeve positioned within the housing adjacent the aperture and capable of receiving the outside prong;
• and
• a plunger positioned with respect to the housing adjacent the sleeve, the plunger moveable with respect to the housing to engage a ramp protruding from the sleeve so as to clamp the outside prong when the outside prong is received within the housing.

A securing device for engagement in a socket, the securing device comprising:

• a housing;
• a first prong positioned within the housing and having an engagement end protruding from the housing;
• a second prong positioned within the housing and having an engagement end protruding from the housing;
• a plunger disposed on the housing adjacent the second prong, the plunger moveable with respect to the housing to engage a ramp extending from the second prong so as to cause the engagement end of the second prong to move with respect to the engagement end of the first prong.

A securing device for receiving a plurality of outside prongs and engaging in a socket, the securing device comprising:

• a housing having a plurality of apertures therein;
• a first inside prong, the first inside prong positioned within one of the plurality of apertures in the housing and operably connected to a sleeve capable of receiving one of the plurality of outside prongs, the first inside prong further having an engagement end;
• a second inside prong, the second inside prong positioned within one of the plurality of apertures in the housing and operably connected to a sleeve capable of receiving one of the plurality of outside prongs, the second inside prong having an engagement end;
• a first plunger disposed within the housing adjacent the first inside prong, the first plunger moveable with respect to the housing to engage a ramp protruding from the first inside prong so as to clamp the outside prong when the outside prong is received within the sleeve;
• and
• a second plunger disposed on the housing adjacent the second inside prong, the second plunger moveable with respect to the housing member to engage a ramp extending from the second inside prong so as to cause the engagement end of the second prong to move toward the engagement end of the first prong.

An adapter comprising:

• a housing having a plug end and a receptacle end, the receptacle end having a plurality of apertures therethrough;
• a first prong positioned partially within the housing such that an engagement end thereof protrudes from the plug end of the housing;
• a first sleeve positioned adjacent one of the plurality of apertures in the receptacle end of the housing, the first sleeve operably connected to the first prong;
• a second prong positioned partially within the housing such that an engagement end thereof protrudes from the plug end of the housing;
• wherein the first sleeve is selectively clampable to a first outside prong when the first outside prong is placed into the receptacle end of the housing;
• and
• wherein at least one of the engagement ends of the first prong and the engagement end of the second prong is selectively moveable in a direction with respect to the other engagement end.

An extension cord comprising:

• a plug, the plug having a first prong with an engagement end protruding from the plug and a connecting end disposed within the plug, the plug further having a second prong with an engagement end protruding from the plug and a connecting end disposed within the plug, the engagement end of the second prong selectively moveable with respect to the engagement end of the first prong;
• a receptacle, the receptacle having at least one aperture therein into which an outside prong may be inserted, the receptacle including at least one selectively clampable sleeve therewithin adjacent the aperture for receiving and selectively retaining an outside prong inserted therein;
• and
• a cord having a plug end thereof and a receptacle end thereof, the plug end attached to the connecting end of the first prong and the connecting end of the second prong, the receptacle end attached to the at least one selectively clampable sleeve.

An apparatus comprising:

• an electrically powered device;
• a power supply cord extending from the electrically powered device for supplying electricity thereto;
• and
• a plug on an end of the power supply cord, the plug including a first prong with an engagement end protruding from the plug and a second prong with an engagement end protruding from the plug, the engagement end of the second prong selectively moveable with respect to the engagement end of the first prong.