US3737835A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-ejecting line plug
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-07-21
•
Granted: 1973-06-05
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Expires: 1991-07-21
Abstract
Abstract A plug is provided for insertion into an ordinary wall outlet and contains a mechanism for effecting self-ejection when the line cord is pulled laterally with respect to the plug. A line cord is attached to the plug and supported on a trigger member disposed to pivot about a vertical axis within the plug. The trigger member is normally biased to a central position by means of laterally disposed, oppositely acting compression springs bearing against a forwardly directed trigger arm. An ejecting member is biased in a forward direction to assume a normal attitude parallel to the plug prongs and extending slightly forwardly beyond the ends thereof. When the prongs are inserted into the wall socket, the ejecting member is pushed rearwardly and is cocked beneath a catch portion of the trigger arm. when sufficient lateral force is exerted on the cord to pull the trigger arm to either side a predetermined minimum distance, the trigger arm releases the ejecting member which springs forward under the influence of its compression spring to forceably eject the plug which may then be safely retrieved by manually pulling the line toward the operator.
Inventors
- 👤 C Clement
- 👤 L Larson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 07:34
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/62; H01R13/629; H01R13/633; H01R13/635
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
302 words
An electrical plug adapted to couple an electrical cord to an electrical socket comprising: A. a plug housing having conductive prongs extending forwardly therefrom for mating with the electrical socket; and B. an ejection mechanism disposed within said plug housing, said ejection mechanism including: 1. an ejection pin having a forward end and a rearward end, said ejection pin adapted for longitudinal travel generally parallel to said prongs, said ejection pin having an increased diameter shoulder portion proximate its rearward end, 2. first spring means biasing said ejection pin forwardly to a position at which its forward end terminates proximate the forward ends of said prongs, 3. a trigger mechanism pivotally fixed within said housing for limited rotation about an axis normal to a plane passing through the centerlines of said prongs, said trigger mechanism including a forwardly directed trigger arm terminating in a catch portion and an upwardly directed projection, said catch portion adapted to engage said shoulder portion of said ejection pin to hold said ejection pin in a retracted position at which its forward end terminates proximate the forward end of said housing, 4. second spring means biasing said trigger mechanism to a normal position at which said trigger arm is aligned with said ejection pin, said second spring means comprising second and third compression springs bearing against, respectively, opposite sides of said upwardly directed projection and opposite sides of the inside surface of said plug housing, and 5. means coupling the line cord to said trigger mechanism whereby lateral pull on the line cord pivots said trigger mechanism sufficiently to disengage said catch portion of said trigger arm from said shoulder portion of said ejection pin such that said ejection pin translates forwardly under the influence of said first spring means to eject the plug from the socket.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
302 words
An electrical plug adapted to couple an electrical cord to an electrical socket comprising: A. a plug housing having conductive prongs extending forwardly therefrom for mating with the electrical socket; and B. an ejection mechanism disposed within said plug housing, said ejection mechanism including: 1. an ejection pin having a forward end and a rearward end, said ejection pin adapted for longitudinal travel generally parallel to said prongs, said ejection pin having an increased diameter shoulder portion proximate its rearward end, 2. first spring means biasing said ejection pin forwardly to a position at which its forward end terminates proximate the forward ends of said prongs, 3. a trigger mechanism pivotally fixed within said housing for limited rotation about an axis normal to a plane passing through the centerlines of said prongs, said trigger mechanism including a forwardly directed trigger arm terminating in a catch portion and an upwardly directed projection, said catch portion adapted to engage said shoulder portion of said ejection pin to hold said ejection pin in a retracted position at which its forward end terminates proximate the forward end of said housing, 4. second spring means biasing said trigger mechanism to a normal position at which said trigger arm is aligned with said ejection pin, said second spring means comprising second and third compression springs bearing against, respectively, opposite sides of said upwardly directed projection and opposite sides of the inside surface of said plug housing, and 5. means coupling the line cord to said trigger mechanism whereby lateral pull on the line cord pivots said trigger mechanism sufficiently to disengage said catch portion of said trigger arm from said shoulder portion of said ejection pin such that said ejection pin translates forwardly under the influence of said first spring means to eject the plug from the socket.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
first spring means biasing said ejection pin forwardly to a position at which its forward end terminates proximate the forward ends of said prongs,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
first spring means biasing said ejection pin forwardly to a position at which its forward end terminates proximate the forward ends of said prongs,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
An electrical plug according to claim 1 which further includes a female plug fixed to the rearward portion of said trigger mechanism for receiving a standard electrical plug.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
79 words
a trigger mechanism pivotally fixed within said housing for limited rotation about an axis normal to a plane passing through the centerlines of said prongs, said trigger mechanism including a forwardly directed trigger arm terminating in a catch portion and an upwardly directed projection, said catch portion adapted to engage said shoulder portion of said ejection pin to hold said ejection pin in a retracted position at which its forward end terminates proximate the forward end of said housing,
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
79 words
a trigger mechanism pivotally fixed within said housing for limited rotation about an axis normal to a plane passing through the centerlines of said prongs, said trigger mechanism including a forwardly directed trigger arm terminating in a catch portion and an upwardly directed projection, said catch portion adapted to engage said shoulder portion of said ejection pin to hold said ejection pin in a retracted position at which its forward end terminates proximate the forward end of said housing,
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
second spring means biasing said trigger mechanism to a normal position at which said trigger arm is aligned with said ejection pin, said second spring means comprising second and third compression springs bearing against, respectively, opposite sides of said upwardly directed projection and opposite sides of the inside surface of said plug housing, and
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
second spring means biasing said trigger mechanism to a normal position at which said trigger arm is aligned with said ejection pin, said second spring means comprising second and third compression springs bearing against, respectively, opposite sides of said upwardly directed projection and opposite sides of the inside surface of said plug housing, and
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
means coupling the line cord to said trigger mechanism whereby lateral pull on the line cord pivots said trigger mechanism sufficiently to disengage said catch portion of said trigger arm from said shoulder portion of said ejection pin such that said ejection pin translates forwardly under the influence of said first spring means to eject the plug from the socket.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
means coupling the line cord to said trigger mechanism whereby lateral pull on the line cord pivots said trigger mechanism sufficiently to disengage said catch portion of said trigger arm from said shoulder portion of said ejection pin such that said ejection pin translates forwardly under the influence of said first spring means to eject the plug from the socket.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-04 | 1976-12-04 | 1977-06-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-04 | 1980-12-04 | 1981-06-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-04 | 1984-12-04 | 1985-06-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |