US4673230A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Security device for electrical plug
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1986-03-28
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Granted: 1987-06-16
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Expires: 2006-03-28
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus is provided for preventing the unauthorized use of an electrical device such as a power tool or television set. The apparatus has the further provision of being retained on an electrical cable associated with the electrical device. The apparatus has an enclosure having a bottom and a peripherally extending side wall with an open top portion affording an inner chamber. An aperture is included in the bottom of the enclosure for slidably receiving the cable with the cable extending longitudinally through the enclosure and thereafter the aperture such that the enclosure is retained on the cable between the plug and the electrical device. Spaced pairs of apertures are located at the top portion on opposite sides of the enclosure. The apparatus is slidably moved along the cable until the electrical plug is inserted into the chamber with the shackle of the lock then being inserted through the spaced pairs of apertures so as to limit the size of opening of the top portion of the enclosure when in the locked position to capture the electrical plug within the enclosure, thereby preventing unauthorized use.
Inventors
- 👤 Herbert P. Baumgart
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 12:33
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/60; H01R13/62; H01R13/639; H01R13/6397
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
An apparatus for preventing the unauthorized use of an electrical device, the electrical device including an electrical conduit attached at one end to the electrical device, and its other end to an electrical plug, the apparatus comprising: an enclosure having a bottom and a side wall affording an inner chamber, the enclosure having an open top portion through which the electrical plug can be passed for positioning in the chamber, the bottom of the enclosure having an aperture for slidably receiving the conduit, said aperture being smaller in size than the electrical plug and the electrical device so that the conduit extends longitudinally through the aperture and enclosure to retain the enclosure on the conduit between the plug and the electrical device; aperture means on opposite sides of the top portion of the enclosure; and a removable lock provided with a locking mechanism and a shackle, the shackle being selectively movable with respect to the locking mechanism between locked and unlocked positions, the shackle being of a size to pass through said aperture means to limit the size of said open top portion and to capture the electrical plug within the enclosure when the shackle is moved to locked position.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
200 words
An apparatus for preventing the unauthorized use of an electrical device, the electrical device including an electrical conduit attached at one end to the electrical device, and its other end to an electrical plug, the apparatus comprising: an enclosure having a bottom and a side wall affording an inner chamber, the enclosure having an open top portion through which the electrical plug can be passed for positioning in the chamber, the bottom of the enclosure having an aperture for slidably receiving the conduit, said aperture being smaller in size than the electrical plug and the electrical device so that the conduit extends longitudinally through the aperture and enclosure to retain the enclosure on the conduit between the plug and the electrical device; aperture means on opposite sides of the top portion of the enclosure; and a removable lock provided with a locking mechanism and a shackle, the shackle being selectively movable with respect to the locking mechanism between locked and unlocked positions, the shackle being of a size to pass through said aperture means to limit the size of said open top portion and to capture the electrical plug within the enclosure when the shackle is moved to locked position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the aperture means includes spaced pairs of apertures on opposite sides of the top portion of the enclosure, said apertures being positioned to receive the shackle in locked position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the enclosure is formed of a flexible material so that opposite sides of the top portion of the enclosure are moved toward each other when the shackle is in locked position.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
198 words
An apparatus for preventing the unauthorized use of an electrical device, the electrical device including an electrical conduit attached at a device end to the electrical device, and at a remote end to an electrical plug, the apparatus comprising: an enclosure having a bottom and a peripherally extending side wall affording an inner chamber, the enclosure having an open top portion through which the electrical plug can be passed for positioning in the chamber, the bottom of the enclosure having an aperture for slidably receiving the conduit, said aperture being smaller in size than the electrical plug and the electrical device so that the conduit extends longitudinally through the aperture and enclosure to retain the enclosure on the conduit between the device end and the remote end thereof; aperture means on opposite sides of the enclosure; and a removable lock provided with a shackle selectively movable between the locked and unlocked position, the shackle being of a size to pass through the aperture means and to limit the size of the opening of the top portion of the enclosure so as to capture the electrical plug within the enclosure when the shackle is moved to the locked position.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
198 words
An apparatus for preventing the unauthorized use of an electrical device, the electrical device including an electrical conduit attached at a device end to the electrical device, and at a remote end to an electrical plug, the apparatus comprising: an enclosure having a bottom and a peripherally extending side wall affording an inner chamber, the enclosure having an open top portion through which the electrical plug can be passed for positioning in the chamber, the bottom of the enclosure having an aperture for slidably receiving the conduit, said aperture being smaller in size than the electrical plug and the electrical device so that the conduit extends longitudinally through the aperture and enclosure to retain the enclosure on the conduit between the device end and the remote end thereof; aperture means on opposite sides of the enclosure; and a removable lock provided with a shackle selectively movable between the locked and unlocked position, the shackle being of a size to pass through the aperture means and to limit the size of the opening of the top portion of the enclosure so as to capture the electrical plug within the enclosure when the shackle is moved to the locked position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 4 in which the aperture means includes spaced pairs of apertures, said apertures being positioned to receive the securing means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 4 in which the enclosure is formed of a flexible material so that opposite sides of the top portion of the enclosure are moved toward each other when the shackle is in locked position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2654073A
Cited
US2844805A
Cited
FR1354173A
Cited
DE2117818A1
Cited
US4488764A
Cited
US4592607A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-06-15 | 1990-12-15 | 1991-06-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-06-15 | 1994-12-15 | 1995-06-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-06-15 | 1998-12-15 | 1999-06-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |