Electrical receptacle protector

A protector for an electrical receptacle for providing ready connection of a plug having prongs to electrical power, the receptacle having energized conductors exposed at the front thereof through prong connection openings, said protector comprising:

• at least two covers for obstructing unimpeded access to the receptacle, each said cover having openings formed therein for enabling penetration of prongs of the plug through said cover into the receptacle;
• and
• a housing for mounting over the receptacle, said housing having one channel formed therein supporting each said cover in axial alignment with openings exposing conductors of the receptacle. each said cover axially movable within said housing so as to be selectively spaced apart from the receptacle and pushed toward the receptacle, said housing constraining linear displacement of each said cover to be only axial with respect to the receptacle,
• each said channel dimensioned and configured to enable at least partial rotation of its associated said cover between a first position wherein said openings of its associated said cover align with the prong connection openings of the receptacle, and a second position wherein said openings of its associated said cover are not aligned with the prong connection openings of the receptacle,
• each said cover having a cover diameter, and each said channel comprising a stepped bore having two and only two steps including a first step having a first diameter and a second step having a second diameter, said first diameter being of magnitude equal to that of said cover diameter, whereby each said cover occupies said first step of said stepped bore of said channel, said second diameter being of magnitude smaller than that of said first diameter, whereby said second step forms a stop preventing each said cover from escaping from said housing from one side of said channel.

An electrical receptacle protected against direct access to exposed energized conductors, comprising:

• a receptacle having a receptacle body fabricated from insulating material, said receptacle body having openings for receiving prongs of an electrical plug which is to be inserted into said receptacle for connection to electrical power, electrical conductors disposed within said receptacle body, said electrical conductors having exposed portions disposed within said openings of said receptacle body, and connection terminals for attachment of conductors of wiring;
• and
• a protector for protecting said receptacle by selectively preventing direct access to said electrical conductors, said protector comprising
• a cover for obstructing unimpeded access to said receptacle body, said cover having openings formed therein for enabling penetration of prongs of the plug to be inserted into said receptacle for connection to electrical power through said cover into said openings for receiving prongs of the plug of said receptacle body, and
• a housing for mounting over said receptacle body, said housing having a channel formed therein supporting said cover in axial alignment with said receptacle body, said cover axially movable within said housing so as to be selectively spaced apart from the receptacle and pushed toward the receptacle, said housing constraining linear displacement of said cover to be only axial with respect to said receptacle body.