Patent US4045108A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4045108A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spring retainer for electric plugs
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1977-01-31
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Granted: 1977-08-30
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Expires: 1997-01-31
Abstract
Abstract The retainer has a base plate lying between the dual sockets of an electric outlet. The base plate is mounted over the outlet shield and secured with the same screw which secures the shield. Paired flanges extend outwardly from the base plate and a pair of spaced spring legs with feet extend from each of the flanges at an angle. The legs lie parallel to the shield and the feet extend normally inwardly into spring pressed contact with the shield. A plug is inserted into a socket by manually flexing the feet and legs outwardly. Upon plug insertion and release of manual flexing, the legs spring back into engagement with the plug urging it toward inserted position with the feet out of contact with the shield. When one plug is inserted, the unused pair of legs and feet bear against the shield and off-set the levering-twisting at the base plate and screw and aid in exerting force against the inserted plug. When two plugs are inserted, one off-sets the other.
Inventors
- 👤 Emil M. Olsen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 10:14
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/62; H01R13/639; H01R13/6395
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
363 words
A retainer to hold the plugs of electric cords in the dual sockets of electric power outlets with the outlets surrounded by a rectangular shield having opposite ends and sides and a centrally located attaching screw between the sockets, comprising, a relatively narrow base plate for transversely overlying the shield between the sockets; said base plate having a central aperture; said base plate being attached to the outlet by removing the screw from the shield, inserting the screw in the aperture of said base plate, and returning the screw into attached position on the outlet to secure said base plate in a position overlying the shield on the outlet; said base plate having opposite lateral sides at the dual outlets; paired upstanding flanges leading from said sides on said base plate and terminating in outer ends; paired, spaced-apart spring legs leading from the ends of said paired flanges; said paired legs on one said flange extending in the opposite direction from said paired legs on the other said flange; said legs extending at an angle from said flanges so as to lie relatively parallel and spaced from the shield; and depending spring feet on said legs normally lying in spring pressed relationship against the shield counterbalancing the force of one said pair of legs against the other to eliminate levering-twisting force on said base plate and the attaching screw; a plug being insertable in a socket by leading the plug between one pair of spring legs and feet by manually flexing them outwardly of the shield; upon insertion of the plug in the socket and the release of manual flexure on said legs and feet, said legs flexing back against the plug and exerting force on the plug to hold it in the socket; the holding force of said legs against one inserted plug being counterbalanced by said other legs and feet bearing against the shield to eliminate levering-twisting force on said base plate and the attaching screw; when two plugs are so inserted the spring force of each said pair of legs bearing against an inserted plug counterbalancing the other to eliminate levering-twisting force on said base plate and the attaching screw.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
363 words
A retainer to hold the plugs of electric cords in the dual sockets of electric power outlets with the outlets surrounded by a rectangular shield having opposite ends and sides and a centrally located attaching screw between the sockets, comprising, a relatively narrow base plate for transversely overlying the shield between the sockets; said base plate having a central aperture; said base plate being attached to the outlet by removing the screw from the shield, inserting the screw in the aperture of said base plate, and returning the screw into attached position on the outlet to secure said base plate in a position overlying the shield on the outlet; said base plate having opposite lateral sides at the dual outlets; paired upstanding flanges leading from said sides on said base plate and terminating in outer ends; paired, spaced-apart spring legs leading from the ends of said paired flanges; said paired legs on one said flange extending in the opposite direction from said paired legs on the other said flange; said legs extending at an angle from said flanges so as to lie relatively parallel and spaced from the shield; and depending spring feet on said legs normally lying in spring pressed relationship against the shield counterbalancing the force of one said pair of legs against the other to eliminate levering-twisting force on said base plate and the attaching screw; a plug being insertable in a socket by leading the plug between one pair of spring legs and feet by manually flexing them outwardly of the shield; upon insertion of the plug in the socket and the release of manual flexure on said legs and feet, said legs flexing back against the plug and exerting force on the plug to hold it in the socket; the holding force of said legs against one inserted plug being counterbalanced by said other legs and feet bearing against the shield to eliminate levering-twisting force on said base plate and the attaching screw; when two plugs are so inserted the spring force of each said pair of legs bearing against an inserted plug counterbalancing the other to eliminate levering-twisting force on said base plate and the attaching screw.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said spaced legs and feet of at least one said pair lying parallel to one another.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said spaced legs and feet of at least one said pair diverging outwardly relative to one another from said upstanding flange on said base 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) | 1980-08-29 | 1981-02-28 | 1981-08-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-29 | 1985-02-28 | 1985-08-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-29 | 1989-02-28 | 1989-08-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |