US 2015/0087173 A1 · PROTECTIVE LOCKABLE FEMALE ELECTRICAL OUTLET

Abstract

An improved electrical outlet providing a lockable electrical connection between a male plug and the outlet to securely retain the plug. The method to secure and retain the plug imparts minimal stress to the outlet and to the male plug so as to not substantially decrease the durability of either. The outlet decreases the shocking potential to a user or unwitting child by remaining un-energized when idle, and prohibits movement from its idle position until the outlet has received the plug terminal prongs. The shape of the movable receptacle assembly and its corresponding cavity blocks a child from contacting the outlets power source with a metallic object, while making the power source available to the receptacle assembly when initiated by the user. The outlets locking action steps secure and energize the plug simultaneously during the locking action steps in a user friendly manner. The modularized design of the receptacle module can provide an easily adaptable means to fit and form various arrangements such as a wall outlet or an extension cord outlet.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A female electrical outlet capable of receiving a standard male electrical plug in which the male electrical plug has a pair of conductive prongs wherein each conductive prong has a hole, the female electrical outlet comprising:

a receptacle assembly;
the receptacle assembly comprising a receptacle body;
the receptacle body having a forward section and a rear section;
a conductive line electrical contact assembly;
a conductive neutral electrical contact assembly;
the conductive line electrical contact assembly having at least one prong contact terminal for making electrical communication with the plug terminal prongs;
a passageway to correspond with the plug prong hole;
the conductive neutral electrical contact assembly having at least one prong contact terminal for making electrical communication with the plug terminal prongs;
a locking mechanism for engaging at least one of the plug prong holes when the receptacle assembly is in a second position whereby removal of the male electrical plug from the female electrical outlet is impeded.

6 more elements

A female electrical outlet capable of receiving a standard male electrical plug in which the male electrical plug has a pair of conductive prongs wherein at least one of the conductive prongs has a hole, the female electrical outlet comprising:

a conductive line electrical contact assembly;
a conductive neutral electrical contact assembly;
the conductive line electrical contact assembly having at least one prong contact terminal for making electrical communication with the plug terminal prongs;
the conductive neutral electrical contact assembly having at least one prong contact terminal for making electrical communication with the plug terminal prongs;
a movable portion;
the movable portion having a first position and a second position;
the first position prevents the at least one prong contact terminal from making electrical communication with the plug terminal prongs;
the second position allowing the at least one prong contact terminal to make electrical communication with the plug terminal prongs.

5 more elements

a conductive line electrical contact assembly;
a conductive neutral electrical contact assembly;
the conductive line electrical contact assembly having at least one prong contact terminal for making electrical communication with the plug terminal prongs;
the conductive neutral electrical contact assembly having at least one prong contact terminal for making electrical communication with the plug terminal prongs;
a movable portion;
the movable portion having a first position and a second position;
wherein the movable portion is prevented from moving to the second position when the male prongs are not inserted into the female electrical outlet thereby the first position corresponds to an unenergized state;
wherein the movable portion is movable from the first position to the second position when the male prongs are inserted into the female electrical outlet.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Protective lockable female electrical outlet

Life of this patent

Protective lockable female electrical outlet

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20