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US5085591A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Safety plug with prong locks

Assignee: Warren Angela D Ms
•
Filing: 1990-11-05
•
Granted: 1992-02-04
•
Expires: 2010-11-05
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Abstract

Abstract An electrical plug for the end of an electrical power cord. The plug includes prongs which are movable between retracted and extended positions. The prongs can be locked in the retracted and extended positions, as desired. When the prongs are locked in the retracted position, small children are prevented from attempting to connect the power cord to an electrical outlet.

Inventors

  • 👤 Charles C. Warren, Sr.
  • 👤 Shirley J. Warren

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-24 00:25
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/44

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim 198 words
An electrical plug for attachment to the end of an electrical power cord having at least two electrical wires therein, said plug comprising: (a) a body member having first and second ends; (b) a plurality of spaced-apart plug prongs carried by said body member and being slidably movable between (i) a retracted position in which said prongs are within said body member, and (ii) an extended position in which said prongs project forwardly from said first end of said body member; wherein said prongs are electrically connected to said electrical wires in said body member; wherein one of said prongs includes an aperture extending transversely therethrough; (c) an arm attached to said prongs for slidable movement relative to said body member for movement of said prongs between said retracted and extended positions; and (d) lock means for locking said prongs selectively in said retracted position and in said extended position; wherein said lock means comprises a pin which is movable between inward and outward positions; wherein when said prongs are in said retracted position and said pin is in said inward position, said pin extends into said aperture and prevents said prongs from moving to said extended position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 198 words
An electrical plug for attachment to the end of an electrical power cord having at least two electrical wires therein, said plug comprising: (a) a body member having first and second ends; (b) a plurality of spaced-apart plug prongs carried by said body member and being slidably movable between (i) a retracted position in which said prongs are within said body member, and (ii) an extended position in which said prongs project forwardly from said first end of said body member; wherein said prongs are electrically connected to said electrical wires in said body member; wherein one of said prongs includes an aperture extending transversely therethrough; (c) an arm attached to said prongs for slidable movement relative to said body member for movement of said prongs between said retracted and extended positions; and (d) lock means for locking said prongs selectively in said retracted position and in said extended position; wherein said lock means comprises a pin which is movable between inward and outward positions; wherein when said prongs are in said retracted position and said pin is in said inward position, said pin extends into said aperture and prevents said prongs from moving to said extended position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 69 words
An electrical plug in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a lock arm having first and second ends; wherein said lock arm is pivotably carried by said body member; wherein said pin is secured to said first end of said lock arm; and wherein said second end of said lock arm is accessible outside said body member for selective movement of said pin between said inward and outward positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 29 words
An electrical plug in accordance with claim 2, further comprising bias means for biasing said lock arm in a manner such that said pin is in said inward position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 15 words
An electrical plug in accordance with claim 3, wherein said bias means comprises a spring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 39 words
An electrical plug in accordance with claim 1, wherein when said prongs are in said extended position and said pin is in said inward position, said pin is adapted to prevent said prongs from moving to said retracted position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 15 words
An electrical plug in accordance with claim 1, wherein there are three of said prongs.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

GB508882A Cited
US2490580A Cited
US2538296A Cited
US3926494A Cited
US4649332A Cited
US4637965A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1995-02-03 1995-08-05 1996-02-04 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1999-02-03 1999-08-05 2000-02-04 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2003-02-03 2003-08-05 2004-02-04 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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