US3699285A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Safety electrical receptacle
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-09-14
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Granted: 1972-10-17
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Expires: 1990-09-14
Abstract
Abstract A safety electrical receptacle of the type receiving three wire grounding plugs, wherein the electrical circuit between the power supply terminal and the corresponding contact, to which the line voltage is fed, is normally open. Insertion of the grounding prong of the plug into the ground opening urges a movable portion of the corresponding contact into engagement with a fixed contact connected to the power supply terminal, thereby completing the electrical circuit from the terminal through the electrical contact elements and into the attachment plug blade. In one embodiment the grounding prong of the plug includes a tapered insulating jacket therearound to facilitate operation of the movable portion of the contact.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph W Leatherman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 14:15
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/66; H01R13/70; H01R13/703; H01R13/7036
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
223 words
A safety electrical receptacle comprising: a. a housing having exterior walls defining a cavity therein, and a grounding strip along the lower surface thereof, said grounding strip including an opening therein; b. a current supplying terminal extending through the wall of said housing and adapted to be connected to an external power source; c. a first electrical contact spatially positioned from said terminal within said cavity, said first contact adapted to receive one of the blades of a connector plug; d. a switch means interconnecting said terminal and said first contact and normally maintaining an open circuit therebetween, said switch means being actuable to close the circuit therebetween; and e. a ground prong receiving passageway extending through said cavity, spaced from said first electrical contact and adapted to receive the ground prong of said connector plug, said ground prong comprising a metallic core having an enlarged bead on the lower end thereof and an insulating, tapered jacket around the remainder of the core, said insulating jacket in its seated position engaging said switch means to close the circuit between said terminal and said first contact, the opening in said grounding strip being in the path of said ground prong on said connector plug, said enlarged bead in its seated position snapping into the opening in said grounding strip and making electrical connection therewith.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
223 words
A safety electrical receptacle comprising: a. a housing having exterior walls defining a cavity therein, and a grounding strip along the lower surface thereof, said grounding strip including an opening therein; b. a current supplying terminal extending through the wall of said housing and adapted to be connected to an external power source; c. a first electrical contact spatially positioned from said terminal within said cavity, said first contact adapted to receive one of the blades of a connector plug; d. a switch means interconnecting said terminal and said first contact and normally maintaining an open circuit therebetween, said switch means being actuable to close the circuit therebetween; and e. a ground prong receiving passageway extending through said cavity, spaced from said first electrical contact and adapted to receive the ground prong of said connector plug, said ground prong comprising a metallic core having an enlarged bead on the lower end thereof and an insulating, tapered jacket around the remainder of the core, said insulating jacket in its seated position engaging said switch means to close the circuit between said terminal and said first contact, the opening in said grounding strip being in the path of said ground prong on said connector plug, said enlarged bead in its seated position snapping into the opening in said grounding strip and making electrical connection therewith.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The receptacle according to claim 1 wherein each of said movable contacts is normally positioned adjacent the path of said ground prong through said receptacle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The receptacle according to claim 2 wherein said movable contact is insulated on the side facing the path of said ground prong.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The receptacle according to claim 2 wherein said movable contact comprises a resilient conductive strip attached at one end to said first electrical contact.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The receptacle according to claim 2 and further including a leaf spring connected at one end to said first electrical contact, the other end being connected with the free end of said movable contact and normally biasing said free end away from said fixed contact.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-17 | 1976-04-17 | 1976-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-17 | 1980-04-17 | 1980-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-17 | 1984-04-17 | 1984-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |