Electric coupler for electric facilities

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to an electric coupler, and more particularly to an electric coupler for coupling electric facilities to electric power sources.

#2. Description of the Prior Art

#Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of a detailed description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate reference to accompanying drawings.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the operation of an electric coupler in accordance with the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electric coupler;

#Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1-3, an electric coupler in accordance with the present invention comprises a socket device 1 to be secured in a wall member 3 (FIG. 1) or the like and to be coupled to the electric power source, and a plug device 2 to be coupled to an electric facility 4 with a cable 41, and to be electrically coupled to the socket device 1 for electrically coupling the electric facility 4 to the electric power source. Both the socket device 1 and the plug device 2 have no conductors or prongs to be exposed and to be touchable or contactable by the children inadvertently.

#The socket device 1 includes a base 11 having two channels 110 and two socket openings 114 formed therein for receiving a pair of conductors 111 respectively, and having a notch 118 formed therein and communicating with the socket openings 114 thereof. The conductors 111 each includes a U-shaped socket member 115 formed and provided on one end thereof and received in the socket openings 114 of the base 11 respectively and each having a groove 116 formed therein. A block 12 is secured on top of the base 11 with one or more fasteners 119, and includes a flap 120 extended upward from the front portion thereof and having an orifice 121 formed therein, and includes a pair of slots 122 formed therein. Two caps 13 are secured to the sides of the block 12 with fasteners 139, and each includes a front edge 130 extended forward beyond the block 12, and each includes a passage 131 formed therein.

#The plug device 2 includes a seat 21 having two conduits 210 formed therein for receiving two prongs 211 therein respectively. The prongs 211 include one end extended outward of the seat 21 for engaging into the socket openings 114 of the base 11 and for electrically coupling to the conductors 111 respectively. A housing 22 and a casing 23 are secured on the seat 21 with fasteners 27, and each includes a notch 221, 231 formed in one end thereof for receiving the electric cable 41 therein, and each includes a protrusion 24 and a pair of ears 26 extended and provided in the other end thereof for engaging into the passages 131 of the caps 13 and for detachably coupling the plug device 2 to the socket device 1. The housing 22 includes one or more passageways 222, 224 formed therein. The electric cable 41 may have one end engaged through either of the passageways 222, 224 of the housing 22 and electrically secured and coupled to the prongs 211 respectively.