US3971619A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Safe electrical connector
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-05-27
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Granted: 1976-07-27
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Expires: 1995-05-27
Abstract
Abstract A low cost, grounded electrical connector including an outlet receptacle and a plug that greatly reduces the possibility for injuries to children resulting from electrical connectors. The receptacle has electrical contacts that are offset from openings through which prongs of the plug are inserted, and the contacts and the prongs are constructed to provide a positive lock when electrical contact is made.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald J. Rohrssen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 07:59
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/66; H01R13/70; H01R13/71; H01R13/64; H01R13/642
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
226 words
An electrical connector comprising a receptacle having a face plate with one display face and a circuit face, at least one of set openings through the face plate, including an opening for a ground prong and a pair of openings for circuit prongs, electrical contact members offset from but adjacent to at least two openings of the set, said electrical contact members each having an inclined plane projecting outwardly from the circuit face and a detent projecting from the inclined plane whereby circuit prongs will pass over the detents to be securely held against the inclined planes of said contact members and to hold an electrical plug tightly against the display face, electrical connector terminals on the circuit face of the face plate, circuit means on the circuit face respectively interconnecting the electrical connector terminals with the electrical contact members; and an electrical plug having a plurality of electrical prongs projecting from one face of said plug, a pair of said prongs constituting circuit prongs and each having an angled portion extending therefrom, said angled portions being in essentially the same plane, being shaped to fit through the slots of a set of openings through the face plate, and being arranged to engage the inclined planes of the electrical contact members when said prongs are inserted through the face plate and are turned past the detents.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
226 words
An electrical connector comprising a receptacle having a face plate with one display face and a circuit face, at least one of set openings through the face plate, including an opening for a ground prong and a pair of openings for circuit prongs, electrical contact members offset from but adjacent to at least two openings of the set, said electrical contact members each having an inclined plane projecting outwardly from the circuit face and a detent projecting from the inclined plane whereby circuit prongs will pass over the detents to be securely held against the inclined planes of said contact members and to hold an electrical plug tightly against the display face, electrical connector terminals on the circuit face of the face plate, circuit means on the circuit face respectively interconnecting the electrical connector terminals with the electrical contact members; and an electrical plug having a plurality of electrical prongs projecting from one face of said plug, a pair of said prongs constituting circuit prongs and each having an angled portion extending therefrom, said angled portions being in essentially the same plane, being shaped to fit through the slots of a set of openings through the face plate, and being arranged to engage the inclined planes of the electrical contact members when said prongs are inserted through the face plate and are turned past the detents.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrical connector as in claim 1, wherein the plurality of electrical prongs include a pair of circuit prongs and a ground prong.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
An electrical connector as in claim 1, wherein the circuit prongs are angled to have different configurations.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
An electrical connector as in claim 3, wherein the ground prong is centrally located with respect to the circuit prongs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
An electrical connector as in claim 1, wherein the display face has a groove formed therein encircling the openings through the face plate; and the plug has a projecting ring encircling the prongs and extending into the groove when the prongs of the plug are in engagement with the electrical contact members on the circuit face of the face plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
An electrical connector as in claim 1, wherein the prongs all extend centrally from the face and extend radially therefrom.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
An electrical connector as in claim 6, further including non-conductive insulating means holding said prongs separated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
89 words
An electrical connector as in claim 1, wherein the face plate has a hinge at one end thereof and a hinge flap fixed to said hinge, and wherein means are provided to secure the hinge flap to an outlet box at one end thereof, and a hole through the face plate, whereby a screw can be inserted through the face plate at the end opposite to the hinge, to secure the plate to the box when the hinge plate is folded against the other portion of the face plate.
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) | 1979-07-27 | 1980-01-26 | 1980-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-07-27 | 1984-01-26 | 1984-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-07-27 | 1988-01-26 | 1988-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |