Electrical plug safety device

Claim 2

An electrical plug safety device for use with an electrical plug having prongs including openings, the safety device comprising: a clasp including an elongated pin having an electrically nonconductive outer surface; said pin including an attached end and a distal end that can be inserted through the prong openings of the electrical plug; said clasp also including an elongated connector having one end that supports the attached end of the pin for movement of the pin between open and closed positions; said connector also having another end including a retainer formed to receive the distal end of the pin in the closed position thereof so as to prevent use of the electrical plug with the pin extending through the prong openings thereof; said pin being movable to the open position free from the retainer to allow withdrawal thereof from the prong openings such that the plug can be used; and said retainer having an opening capable of receiving a shackle of a lock to prevent movement of the pin to the open position and thereby selectively ensuring nonuse of the plug under control of the lock.

Claim 3

A safety device as in claim 1 wherein the clasp comprises an elongated metal wire that is bent to define the pin, the connector, and the retainer; and said wire having an electrically nonconductive outer cover.

Claim 4

A safety device as in claim 2 wherein the retainer comprises an offset loop into which the wire is bent.

Claim 5

An electrical plug safety device for use with an electrical plug having prongs including openings, the safety device comprising: a clasp bent from an elongated metal wire having an electrically nonconductive outer cover; said wire including an elongated pin including an attached end and a distal end that can be inserted through the prong openings of the electrical plug; said wire also including an elongated connector having one end that deflectably supports the attached end of the pin for movement of the pin between open and closed positions; said connector also having another end including a retainer; said retainer including an offset loop into which the wire is bent to receive the distal end of the pin in the closed position thereof so as to prevent use of the electrical plug with the pin extending through the prong openings thereof; said pin being movable to the open position free from the offset loop of the retainer to allow withdrawal thereof from the prong openings such that the plug can be used; and said offset loop of the retainer having an opening capable of receiving a shackle of a lock to prevent movement of the pin to the open position and thereby selectively ensuring nonuse of the plug under control of the lock.

Claim 6

An electrical plug safety device for use with an electrical plug having prongs including openings, the safety device comprising: a clasp bent from an elongated metal wire having an electrically nonconductive outer cover; said wire including an elongated pin including an attached end and a distal end that can be inserted through the prong openings of the electrical plug; said wire also including an elongated connector having one end that deflectably supports the attached end of the pin for movement of the pin between open and closed positions; said connector also having another end including a retainer; said retainer including an offset loop into which the wire is bent to receive the distal end of the pin in the closed position thereof so as to prevent use of the electrical plug with the pin extending through the prong openings thereof; said pin being movable to the open position free from the offset loop of the retainer to allow withdrawal thereof from the prong openings such that the plug can be used; and said offset loop of the retainer having an opening capable of receiving a shackle of a lock to prevent movement of the pin to the open position and thereby selectively ensuring nonuse of the plug under control of the lock.