US5004435A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiple socket attachment
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1989-12-26
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Granted: 1991-04-02
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Expires: 2009-12-26
Abstract
Abstract A multiple socket attachment adapted to be inserted in a conventional wall outlet and to laterally receive prongs of appliance cord plug having a pair of transversal, parallel, conductive strips separated by insulating walls. Each strip is conductively connected to an L-shaped prong extending outside the attachment. The prongs are disposed on each side of the longitudinal axis of the attachment and suitably spaced to fit the wall outlet. The strips have lateral abutments to prevent translation movement and a clip member at each end to receive the prongs from the cord plugs.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean-Claude Jammet
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 00:25
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R25/00; H01R25/006; H01R31/00; H01R31/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
360 words
A multiple socket attachment adapted to be inserted in a conventional electric wall outlet for electrically bridging the wall outlet and the prongs of an appliance cord plug, said attachment comprising: a rectangular base plate having a central longitudinal axis; two lateral ledges parallel to said axis extending perpendicularly from said base plate on one side thereof; at least one insulating unit longitudinally extending from one of said ledges to the other, each of said unit comprising: a pair of adjacent parallel and substantially identical transversal sections, each of said sections comprising: a flat wall extending between said two lateral ledges, the flat walls of said pair of sections being parallel; an irregular wall parallel to said flat wall also extending between said two lateral ledges; the irregular walls of said pair of sections being located between said flat walls for defining two parallel transversal insulating channels; each of said irregular walls defining a longitudinal insulating channel, off-center from said central longitudinal axis of said base plate and extending from said transversal insulating channel towards said irregular wall of said adjacent transversal section, said base plate having a slot therethrough in line with each of said longitudinal insulating channels; said base plate, said lateral ledges, said flat walls and said irregular walls being made of insulating material. a pair of linear conductive strips, each of said strips extending edgewise inside said transversal insulating channels between said lateral ledges, and having a spring clip at each end, each of said clips facing an aperture in said lateral ledges for gripping one of said prongs of said appliance cord plug; and a pair of L-shaped prongs, each of said L-shaped prongs being electrically linked to each of said conductive strips, said L-shaped prongs being secured to said strip at 90° therewith and extending on the opposite side of said base plate through one of said slots, whereby said L-shaped prongs are adapted to be inserted in said conventional electrical wall outlet and said conductive strips electrically link said L-shaped prongs to said spring clips, said spring clips being adapted to receive said prongs of said appliance cord plugs for providing electrical current.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
360 words
A multiple socket attachment adapted to be inserted in a conventional electric wall outlet for electrically bridging the wall outlet and the prongs of an appliance cord plug, said attachment comprising: a rectangular base plate having a central longitudinal axis; two lateral ledges parallel to said axis extending perpendicularly from said base plate on one side thereof; at least one insulating unit longitudinally extending from one of said ledges to the other, each of said unit comprising: a pair of adjacent parallel and substantially identical transversal sections, each of said sections comprising: a flat wall extending between said two lateral ledges, the flat walls of said pair of sections being parallel; an irregular wall parallel to said flat wall also extending between said two lateral ledges; the irregular walls of said pair of sections being located between said flat walls for defining two parallel transversal insulating channels; each of said irregular walls defining a longitudinal insulating channel, off-center from said central longitudinal axis of said base plate and extending from said transversal insulating channel towards said irregular wall of said adjacent transversal section, said base plate having a slot therethrough in line with each of said longitudinal insulating channels; said base plate, said lateral ledges, said flat walls and said irregular walls being made of insulating material. a pair of linear conductive strips, each of said strips extending edgewise inside said transversal insulating channels between said lateral ledges, and having a spring clip at each end, each of said clips facing an aperture in said lateral ledges for gripping one of said prongs of said appliance cord plug; and a pair of L-shaped prongs, each of said L-shaped prongs being electrically linked to each of said conductive strips, said L-shaped prongs being secured to said strip at 90° therewith and extending on the opposite side of said base plate through one of said slots, whereby said L-shaped prongs are adapted to be inserted in said conventional electrical wall outlet and said conductive strips electrically link said L-shaped prongs to said spring clips, said spring clips being adapted to receive said prongs of said appliance cord plugs for providing electrical current.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
A multiple socket attachment as recited in claim 1 wherein said strip has a flange disposed flatwise on said base plate in said channel, each of said spring clips is formed of a pair of resiliently abutting leaves spreading outwardly adjacent said ledges in a plane corresponding to said linear strip.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
A multiple socket attachment as recited in claim 1, wherein said irregular walls have transversal ledges and said conductive strips have corresponding adjacent protrusions adapted to abut against said transversal ledges of said irregular wall in order to prevent translation of said strip inside said transversal insulating channel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
A multiple socket attachment as recited in claim 1, comprising a cover removably locked in abutting relationship with said said cover being provided with protruding stoppers positioned adjacent each of said apertures on said base plate on the side opposite said lateral ledges and between said apertures, said stopper being adapted to prevent insertion of a plug having a third grounding prong.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
A multiple socket attachment as recited in claim 1, wherein one of the L-shaped prongs, slots, and apertures in each pair of said L-shaped prongs, of said slots and of said apertures is larger than the other L-shaped prong, slot and aperture in said pair of L-shaped prongs, slots and apertures, said attachement being adapted to be polarized.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A multiple socket attachment as recited in claim 5, wherein said multiple socket attachment further comprises a protective skirt extending peripherally from said base plate in a direction opposite said lateral ledges, said protective skirt adapted to surround said electric wall outlet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
88 words
A multiple socket attachment as recited in claim 5, wherein each of said stopper is provided with a tubular cavity extending inside said attachment, and said base plate is provided with a perforation adjacent said slots, said attachment comprising a grounding prong member fixed to said cover, said prong member having three hollow prongs conductively connected to each other through a cross-shaped strip, two of said hollow prongs extending in said cavities and the other of said grounding prongs outwardly extend from said base plate through said perforation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A multiple socket attachment as recited in claim 7, wherein said cover is provided with grooves and ribs for securing said cross-shaped strip of said grounding prong member.
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) | 1994-04-01 | 1994-10-01 | 1995-04-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-04-01 | 1998-10-01 | 1999-04-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-04-01 | 2002-10-01 | 2003-04-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |