Electrical connector plug control

Claim 1

A control device for controlling the use of a connector plug on an electrical cord, the plug being of substantially greater transverse dimensions than the cord, and in the use of which the plug is plugged into a connector counterpart, comprising, a casing made up of a pair of equal-sized parts connected together for movement between a closed position and an open position, the parts each being in the form of a shell having an open side and being otherwise generally closed, and each including a center section constituted by a channel piece having a web and flanges, and open ends, and end pieces secured to the channel piece and closing the open ends, the end pieces being welded to the channel piece and thereby forming a unitary and effectively integral said part, the parts when in open position enabling the placement of the plug into the space generally between the parts, and the parts being capable of being moved to closed position with the plug so placed, and when so moved to closed position, completely enclosing the plug, and at least one of the parts having a small recess in one of said end pieces at its open side which, when the parts are in closed position, forms an opening for receiving the cord but which prevents movement of the plug therethrough, the parts when in closed position having their open sides lying in a common plane and interfacing, and having outer surfaces extending generally in common direction across said common plane, the casing including hinge means secured to the inner surfaces of corresponding flanges of the channel pieces, the meeting edges of said corresponding flanges having beveled surfaces accommodating movement of the parts to open the device including means for releasably locking the parts in closed position, whereby to prevent the use of the plug for connection with a connector counterpart.