US3701074A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Grounding receptacle
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-09-07
•
Granted: 1972-10-24
•
Expires: 1991-09-07
Abstract
Abstract An electrical grounding receptacle for receiving an electrical plug having power blade terminals and a grounding prong, carries an insulative bar which cooperatively pivots upon insertion of the grounding prong into the receptacle, to cause electrical engagement between power contacts receiving the plug blade terminals and, for example, resilient conductors connected to receptacle power input terminals.
Inventors
- 👤 Claude Oster
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 09:32
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: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
An electrical receptacle for electrically engaging a plug having a grounding prong and at least one power blade, comprising: an insulative body defining openings for respectively receiving the grounding prong and the power blade of the plug; a power contactor for engaging the power blade of the plug, the power contactor fixedly carried by the body and aligned to the opening for receiving the power blade; a grounding contactor for electrically grounding the grounding prong of the plug, the grounding contactor carried by the body and aligned to the opening for receiving the grounding prong; conductive means carried by the body for receiving electrical power to electrically energize the power contactor when the plug engages the receptacle; and means carried by the body for engaging the grounding prong to pivot to cooperatively move the conductive means to electrically energize the power contactor and thereby the power blade when the plug engages the receptacle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
An electrical receptacle for electrically engaging a plug having a grounding prong and at least one power blade, comprising: an insulative body defining openings for respectively receiving the grounding prong and the power blade of the plug; a power contactor for engaging the power blade of the plug, the power contactor fixedly carried by the body and aligned to the opening for receiving the power blade; a grounding contactor for electrically grounding the grounding prong of the plug, the grounding contactor carried by the body and aligned to the opening for receiving the grounding prong; conductive means carried by the body for receiving electrical power to electrically energize the power contactor when the plug engages the receptacle; and means carried by the body for engaging the grounding prong to pivot to cooperatively move the conductive means to electrically energize the power contactor and thereby the power blade when the plug engages the receptacle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The electrical receptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein the conductive means comprises an electrically conductive resilient member, biased to be spaced apart from the power contactor before insertion and after extraction of the grounding prong.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The electrical receptacle as defined in claim 2, wherein said resilient member substantially comprises an arcuate leaf spring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
The electrical receptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein the means carried by the body for engaging the grounding prong comprises an insulative bar pivotally carried by the body for engaging the grounding prong to pivot and cooperatively electrically connect the conductive means and the power blade, when the grounding prong is inserted into the receptacle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The electrical receptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein said conductive means comprises an electrically conductive fluid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
The electrical receptacle, as defined in claim 5, wherein the electrically conductive fluid is carried by, container means rotatably engaging the means carried by the body for engaging the grounding prong to cooperatively rotate when the grounding prong of the plug engages the receptacle to thereby provide an electrical path through the conductive fluid to electrically energize the power contactor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
105 words
The electrical receptacle, as defined in claim 6, wherein the container means carrying the electrically conductive fluid comprises: a closed container having two generally similarly shaped electrically conductIve end sections generally hollow to carry the electrically conductive fluid, the end sections affixed to a middle section electrically insulative to electrically separate the end sections, the middle section defining a passageway for the electrically conductive fluid to flow to make an electrical circuit between the electrically conductive end sections when the container cooperatively pivots at such time as the grounding prong of the plug engages the receptacle, to thereby complete an electrical path through the container.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The electrical receptacle, as defined in claim 7, wherein the closed container is resiliently biased to normally dispose the container to preclude electrically conductive fluid in the passageway to electrically separate the end sections of the container when the ground prong of the plug is disengaged from the receptacle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
136 words
An electrical receptacle for receiving an electrical plug having a grounding prong and a pair of power blades, comprising: an insulative body having a pair of power blade slots and a grounding prong slot for receiving the plug; power contacts carried by said body for individually engaging each power blade; a grounding contact carried by said body adaptable to electrically ground the prong; conductive members carried by said body for respective engagement with said power contacts, each conductive member is biased to be normally spaced apart from its respective power contact; and an insulative bar pivotally carried by said body for engaging the grounding prong to cooperatively pivot and cause electrical engagement between respective conductive members and power contacts upon insertion of the plug into said receptacle, to thereby establish an electrical circuit through said receptacle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
136 words
An electrical receptacle for receiving an electrical plug having a grounding prong and a pair of power blades, comprising: an insulative body having a pair of power blade slots and a grounding prong slot for receiving the plug; power contacts carried by said body for individually engaging each power blade; a grounding contact carried by said body adaptable to electrically ground the prong; conductive members carried by said body for respective engagement with said power contacts, each conductive member is biased to be normally spaced apart from its respective power contact; and an insulative bar pivotally carried by said body for engaging the grounding prong to cooperatively pivot and cause electrical engagement between respective conductive members and power contacts upon insertion of the plug into said receptacle, to thereby establish an electrical circuit through said receptacle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2579538A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-24 | 1976-04-24 | 1976-10-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-24 | 1980-04-24 | 1980-10-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-24 | 1984-04-24 | 1984-10-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |