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US 6,957,977 B1Granted
Plug retention apparatus
AssigneeTMC Enterprises, a division of Tasco Industries, Inc.
InventorThomas J. Miller
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A plug retention apparatus for use in securing two plug members together to prevent undesired disengagement. The plug retention apparatus is affixed to a first plug member using a retention ring which provides a means for adjustable positioning via a threaded coupling to facilitate securing a second plug member to the first plug member. A plug clamp may be rotatably positioned about the second plug member retaining the plug members in a desired position.
Claims16
An electrical cord assembly comprising:
- a cord suitable for supplying electrical power to an appliance;
- a first plug member attached to the cord wherein the first plug member includes a threaded surface and wherein the first plug member is adapted to couple to a second plug member having an associated cord so as to provide electrical power thereto;
- and
- a retainer assembly threadably engaged with the first plug member so as to be movable in a direction either towards or away from the first plug member wherein the retainer assembly includes an engagement member that engages with the cord attached to the second plug member and wherein the retainer assembly can be threadably moved on the first plug member such that the engagement member can be tightened against the second plug member to thereby retain the first and second plug members in contact with each other,
- wherein the first plug member includes a body having a first and a second end and an outer surface extending from the first and the second end, and wherein the first end is adapted to be engaged with the second plug member and the second end is connected to the cord, and wherein the outer surface of the plug body comprises the threaded surface.
2 more elements
An electrical cord assembly comprising:
- a cord suitable for supplying electrical power to an appliance;
- a first plug member attached to the cord wherein the first plug member includes a threaded surface and wherein the first plug member is adapted to couple to a second plug member having an associated cord so as to provide electrical power thereto;
- and
- a retainer assembly threadably engaged with the first plug member so as to be movable in a direction either towards or away from the first plug member wherein the retainer assembly includes an engagement member that engages with the cord attached to the second plug member and wherein the retainer assembly can be threadably moved on the first plug member such that the engagement member can be tightened against the second plug member to thereby retain the first and second plug members in contact with each other,
- wherein the retainer assembly comprises a collar that is threaded so as to be threadably engaged with the threaded surface of the first plug member, and wherein the engagement member is pivotally mounted to the collar so as to be movable between a first position and a second position.
2 more elements
A cord assembly comprising:
- a first cord member suitable for conducting electricity;
- a first plug member electrically coupled to the first cord member, wherein the first plug member includes a threaded shaft portion interposed between a head portion and a base portion, wherein the first plug member is adapted to receive a second plug member adjacent the head portion;
- a ring member having threads that engage the threaded shaft portion of the first plug member, wherein the ring member is movable along the shaft portion between the head and base portions of the plug member;
- and
- a clamp member attached to the ring member so as to pivot about the point of attachment, wherein the clamp member couples with a second cord member that is electrically coupled to the second plug member, and wherein the clamp member secures the second plug member adjacent the first plug member when the ring member is threaded towards the base portion of the first plug member, and wherein the clamp member is loosened when the ring member is threaded towards the head portion of the first plug member.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.