Patent US3596019A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3596019A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Safety plug and outlet
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-09-05
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Granted: 1971-07-27
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Expires: 1989-09-05
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed herein is a safety plug and outlet which may be readily interchanged for a standard electrical outlet and which has a unique safety arrangement whereby it is practically impossible for a person employing the device of this invention to get an electrical shock when inserting the plug of an appliance or other equipment into the outlet. The device contemplates the use of a depressor in the plug which operates a switch in the positive line to the outlet so that no current flows to the positive contact blades of the outlet until the plug is practically completely inserted in the socket. By this arrangement, it is practically impossible for one to touch a prong of the plug which could be partially inserted in the socket and thus receive an electrical shock. The switch in the positive line may operate through the use of a snap-acting spring so that the connection in the switch is positively and securely made or else is biased open so that the switch will not flicker between an off and on position. The invention further contemplates an adapter which may be inserted into the standard junction box of an ordinary wall outlet so that the device of the present invention may be used without any significant structural changes in any area where its use may be desired.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry W Koester
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 19:18
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/66; H01R13/70; H01R13/703; H01R13/7036; H01R13/44; H01R13/447; H01R13/453
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
361 words
A safety electrical outlet device for use with a plug having first and second spaced electrically conductive prongs and a depressor prong centrally disposed between said first and second prongs, said device including a socket having first and second prong receiving openings spaced therein to receive said first and second prongs of said plug and a third depressor receiving opening centrally disposed between said first and second openings to receive said depressor prong of said plug when said first and second prongs of said plug are inserted in said first and second openings; and an adapter attached to said socket, said adapter including first contact blades aligned with said first opening in said socket to receive said first prong of said plug, second contact blades aligned with said second opening in said socket to receive said second prong of said plug, an elongated, nonconducting peg having a first end slidable in said third opening in said socket and a second end, a first terminal connected with said first contact blades and adapted to be connected with a source of electricity, a second terminal adapted to be connected with said source of electricity, and snap-acting switch means aligned with said third opening in said socket and selectively connecting said second terminal with said second contact blades, said snap-acting switch means including a stationary contact connected with said second contact blades, a switch arm connected with said second terminal and carrying a movable contact, and a spring blade affixed to said switch arm and having a normal position and an operative position, said movable contact being placed in electrical contact with said stationary contact when said spring blade is in said operative position, said movable contact being spaced from said stationary contact when said spring blade is in said normal position, and said second end of said peg operatively engaging said snap-acting switch means such that said peg is forced against said snap-acting switch means to place said spring blade in said operative position when said depressor prong of said plug is inserted completely in said third opening in said socket whereby electricity from said source is supplied to said second contact blades.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
361 words
A safety electrical outlet device for use with a plug having first and second spaced electrically conductive prongs and a depressor prong centrally disposed between said first and second prongs, said device including a socket having first and second prong receiving openings spaced therein to receive said first and second prongs of said plug and a third depressor receiving opening centrally disposed between said first and second openings to receive said depressor prong of said plug when said first and second prongs of said plug are inserted in said first and second openings; and an adapter attached to said socket, said adapter including first contact blades aligned with said first opening in said socket to receive said first prong of said plug, second contact blades aligned with said second opening in said socket to receive said second prong of said plug, an elongated, nonconducting peg having a first end slidable in said third opening in said socket and a second end, a first terminal connected with said first contact blades and adapted to be connected with a source of electricity, a second terminal adapted to be connected with said source of electricity, and snap-acting switch means aligned with said third opening in said socket and selectively connecting said second terminal with said second contact blades, said snap-acting switch means including a stationary contact connected with said second contact blades, a switch arm connected with said second terminal and carrying a movable contact, and a spring blade affixed to said switch arm and having a normal position and an operative position, said movable contact being placed in electrical contact with said stationary contact when said spring blade is in said operative position, said movable contact being spaced from said stationary contact when said spring blade is in said normal position, and said second end of said peg operatively engaging said snap-acting switch means such that said peg is forced against said snap-acting switch means to place said spring blade in said operative position when said depressor prong of said plug is inserted completely in said third opening in said socket whereby electricity from said source is supplied to said second contact blades.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device as recited in claim 1 wherein said second end of said peg engages said switch arm to force said switch blade to said operative position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The device as recited in claim 1 wherein said plug includes a prong adapter having first and second spaced slots therein to receive first and second prongs and carrying said depressor prong at a central position between said first and second slots.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-26 | 1975-01-25 | 1975-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-26 | 1979-01-25 | 1979-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-26 | 1983-01-25 | 1983-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |