US3636494A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical grounding receptacle
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1970-04-07
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Granted: 1972-01-18
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Expires: 1990-04-07
Abstract
Abstract An electrical grounding receptacle is provided with means to insure that, upon insertion of a conventional three-pronged plug, contact between the grounding prong and the grounding contact is made before any contact can be made to the power contacts. The structure includes female contact elements within a housing including a grounding contact that has a portion extending within an opening of the front face in which the plug blade is received while the power contacts are disposed entirely below their corresponding openings in the front face.
Inventors
- 👤 Clarence M Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:43
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/648; H01R13/652
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
An electrical grounding receptacle comprising: a housing comprising a first portion of insulating material and containing a pair of mutually insulated power contact elements and a grounding contact; said housing having a front with a plurality of openings therein to receive blades of a plug and connect said blades with said grounding and power contact elements; said power contact elements being entirely disposed below said front face; said grounding contact having a portion thereof extending within an opening in said front face so insertion of a plug at any angle requires initial contact with said grounding contact; said housing also comprising a metal yoke which with said first portion forms a pocket for containing said grounding contact in electrical connection with said yoke; said grounding contact having a generally U-shaped structure with said portion extending within an opening of said front face being a first leg of said Ushaped structure, said first leg being adjacent an upstanding portion of said yoke and effectively restricting, to an extent greater than said first portion and said metal yoke alone, said opening for receiving a plug blade, said U-shaped structure having a second leg adjacent said first portion of said housing and shorter than said first leg.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
204 words
An electrical grounding receptacle comprising: a housing comprising a first portion of insulating material and containing a pair of mutually insulated power contact elements and a grounding contact; said housing having a front with a plurality of openings therein to receive blades of a plug and connect said blades with said grounding and power contact elements; said power contact elements being entirely disposed below said front face; said grounding contact having a portion thereof extending within an opening in said front face so insertion of a plug at any angle requires initial contact with said grounding contact; said housing also comprising a metal yoke which with said first portion forms a pocket for containing said grounding contact in electrical connection with said yoke; said grounding contact having a generally U-shaped structure with said portion extending within an opening of said front face being a first leg of said Ushaped structure, said first leg being adjacent an upstanding portion of said yoke and effectively restricting, to an extent greater than said first portion and said metal yoke alone, said opening for receiving a plug blade, said U-shaped structure having a second leg adjacent said first portion of said housing and shorter than said first leg.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The subject matter of claim 1 wherein: said first leg has an extremity terminating substantially at the plane of said front face.
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) | 1975-01-17 | 1975-07-19 | 1976-01-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-17 | 1979-07-19 | 1980-01-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-17 | 1983-07-19 | 1984-01-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |