Patent US4037901A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4037901A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical safety socket
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1976-04-28
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Granted: 1977-07-26
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Expires: 1996-04-28
Abstract
Abstract An electrical safety socket in which there is no electrical contact between the socket and a plug inserted in the socket unless the plug is properly inserted in the socket, pushed in, and turned. The plug, once inserted in the socket, cannot be removed unless the reverse sequence of operations are performed. This precludes electrical contact if a child should insert a foreign metal object in the socket when the plug has been removed, or prevents the plug from being removed from the socket once inserted.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward H. Kaszuba
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 07:52
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/44; H01R13/447; H01R13/453; H01R13/4532
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
An electrical safety socket comprising: a housing, a rotatable socket element within said housing adapted to axially receive the contact prongs of an electrical plug, a pair of electrical contact elements fixed to said rotatable socket element, a pair of stationary electrical contact elements in said housing adapted to be connected to a source of electrical power, and rotation means in said housing operatively axially movable relative to said socket in response to the axial insertion of the prongs of said electrical plug into said socket element and into electrical contact with said contact elements fixed to said socket element for engaging with and rotating said socket element to a position electrically connecting said socket contact elements with said stationary contact elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
An electrical safety socket comprising: a housing, a rotatable socket element within said housing adapted to axially receive the contact prongs of an electrical plug, a pair of electrical contact elements fixed to said rotatable socket element, a pair of stationary electrical contact elements in said housing adapted to be connected to a source of electrical power, and rotation means in said housing operatively axially movable relative to said socket in response to the axial insertion of the prongs of said electrical plug into said socket element and into electrical contact with said contact elements fixed to said socket element for engaging with and rotating said socket element to a position electrically connecting said socket contact elements with said stationary contact elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
An electrical safety socket in accordance with claim 1 wherein said rotation means includes an axially slideable and rotatable plate within said housing, engagement means on said plate and socket element, and spring means between said plate and socket element normally urging said engagement means on said plate and socket element away from each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
An electrical safety socket in accordance with claim 2 wherein said engagement means includes mating U-shaped protrusions and grooves.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
An electrical safety socket in accordance with claim 2 including an annular lip on said housing in abutment with said plate for retaining said plate within said housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrical safety socket in accordance with Claim 2 wherein said socket element includes an annular groove receiving the prongs of said plug.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
An electrical safety socket in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for rotating said socket element is axially slideable and rotatable within said housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
An electrical safety socket in accordance with claim 1 including means within said housing for preventing removal of the plug inserted into said housing after said socket contact elements are rotated into electrical contact with said stationary contact elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
An electrical safety socket in accordance with claim 1 wherein a portion of said contact elements fixed to said socket element extends exteriorly of said socket element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
8 words
An electrical safety connection comprising: a socket including
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
8 words
An electrical safety connection comprising: a socket including
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
289 words
a housing, a rotatable socket element within said housing having an annular groove for receiving the prongs of an electrical plug, a pair of electrical contact elements fixed to said rotatable socket element, each of said contact elements including a portion extending exteriorly of said socket element and a portion within said socket element for engagement with the prongs of said plug inserted into the annular groove in said socket element, a pair of stationary electrical contact elements in said housing adapted to be connected to a source of electrical power and the exterior portions of said contact elements fixed to said socket, means for rotating said socket element to a position electrically connecting the exterior portions of said socket contact elements to said stationary contact elements, said rotation means including an axially slideable and rotatable plate within said housing, engagement means on said plate and socket element, and spring means between said plate and socket element normally urging said engagement means on said plate and socket element away from each other, an electrical plug having laterally extending tabs thereon and a pair of spaced electrical prongs insertable into said socket through said plate and groove in said socket element into mating engagement with the interior portions of the electrical contact elements fixed to said socket, and an annular lip on said housing in abutment with said plate having passages enabling said plug and the tabs therein to pass into said housing to push said plate axially to engage and upon rotation of said plug to rotate said socket element so that said socket contact elements are placed in electrical contact with said fixed electrical contacts, said lip preventing removal of said rotated plug by abutment with said tabs.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
289 words
a housing, a rotatable socket element within said housing having an annular groove for receiving the prongs of an electrical plug, a pair of electrical contact elements fixed to said rotatable socket element, each of said contact elements including a portion extending exteriorly of said socket element and a portion within said socket element for engagement with the prongs of said plug inserted into the annular groove in said socket element, a pair of stationary electrical contact elements in said housing adapted to be connected to a source of electrical power and the exterior portions of said contact elements fixed to said socket, means for rotating said socket element to a position electrically connecting the exterior portions of said socket contact elements to said stationary contact elements, said rotation means including an axially slideable and rotatable plate within said housing, engagement means on said plate and socket element, and spring means between said plate and socket element normally urging said engagement means on said plate and socket element away from each other, an electrical plug having laterally extending tabs thereon and a pair of spaced electrical prongs insertable into said socket through said plate and groove in said socket element into mating engagement with the interior portions of the electrical contact elements fixed to said socket, and an annular lip on said housing in abutment with said plate having passages enabling said plug and the tabs therein to pass into said housing to push said plate axially to engage and upon rotation of said plug to rotate said socket element so that said socket contact elements are placed in electrical contact with said fixed electrical contacts, said lip preventing removal of said rotated plug by abutment with said tabs.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
CA696549A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-07-25 | 1981-01-24 | 1981-07-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-07-25 | 1985-01-24 | 1985-07-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-07-25 | 1989-01-24 | 1989-07-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |