US 4,378,140 AGranted

Electrical cord-retaining apparatus

OwnerRichard W. McKeeinventor

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Abstract

An apparatus for preventing the inadvertent disconnection of an electrical connector or plug inserted into a corresponding wall receptacle. The apparatus is comprised of a channel-shaped cord retention member (40) connected with two threaded fasteners (48) and (52) to an attaching member (12). The attaching member (12) is basically formed of resilient material (16) and contains a grooved rod (24) that protrudes beyond the bottom surface of the attaching member (12). A wall plate-receiving member (64) is provided with a slotted opening (68) through which the grooved rod (24) penetrates when pressure is exerted on the resilient material (16). The compression force maintains contact with the attaching member (12) and the wall plate (64). An electric cord is positioned between the cord retention member (40) and the attaching member (12) by compression of the two threaded fasteners (48) and (52).

Claims1

Dependent claims

An electrical plug connector retaining apparatus comprising:

(a) a top housing having a plurality of angular extending arms, a top opening, and side slots;
(b) a bottom housing having a cavity and a bottom opening attached to said top housing forming a housing assembly;
(c) a grooved attaching rod with a snap ring slot penetrating said housing assembly through both top and bottom openings;
(d) a channel-shaped retaining arm surrounding said grooved attaching rod having angular legs extended to interface with said top housing arms providing a slideable opening therebetween to accept and retain an electric cord;
(e) a compression spring located in said housing assembly cavity surrounding said grooved attaching rod, maintaining opposed pressure on said retaining arm and housing;
(f) a snap ring positioned on said slot urgingly forcing said retaining arm against said housing arms and simultaneously maintaining the groove in said attaching rod above said housing bottom opening, and when said retaining arm is manually depressed from said top opening of said top housing said spring is compressed allowing said groove to be extended below said housing bottom opening;
and
(g) a wall plate-receiving member having a slotted opening, accepts said depressed grooved attaching rod into said slotted opening and when released maintains constant tension providing attaching means.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.