US5342212A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical plug protective apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1993-05-03
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Granted: 1994-08-30
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Expires: 2013-05-03
Abstract
Abstract A new and improved electrical plug protective apparatus includes a first funnel-shaped protective member for an electrical plug. The first funnel-shaped protective member includes a cone-shaped portion and a tubular portion connected to the cone-shaped portion. The cone-shaped portion protects the electrical plug. The tubular portion protects a region of a conductor that is connected to a backside of the electrical plug. The protective member includes a separation assembly, extending longitudinally along both the cone-shaped portion and the tubular portion, for permitting the protective member to be opened for applying the protective member to the electrical plug or for removing the protective member from the electrical plug. The separation assembly may include complementary tongue and groove connectors that snap together and a hinge assembly located on the first funnel-shaped protective member in a location opposite to the complementary tongue and groove connectors. The hinge assembly may include a living hinge. A door may be located adjacent to the first aperture of the cone-shaped portion. The door may include small apertures for receiving prongs of the electrical plug. The door may be attached to the cone-shaped portion by a hinge and a clip. A prong cover, connected to the first funnel-shaped protective member, may be used for covering prongs of the electrical plug. The prong cover may include lock apertures for receiving the hinge and the clip when the prong cover is used to cover the prongs.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph N. Francis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 23:30
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/62; H01R13/639; H01R13/6392
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A new and improved electrical plug protective apparatus, comprising: a first funnel-shaped protective member for an electrical plug, said first funnel-shaped protective member including a cone-shaped portion and a tubular portion connected to said cone-shaped portion, said cone-shaped portion for protecting the electrical plug, and said tubular portion for protecting a region of a conductor that is connected to a backside of the electrical plug, said first funnel-shaped protective member including separation assembly means, extending longitudinally along said cone-shaped portion and said tubular portion, for permitting said first funnel-shaped protective member to be opened for applying said first funnel-shaped protective member to the electrical plug and the conductor or for removing said first funnel-shaped protective member from the electrical plug and the conductor, further including: a door for applying to said first aperture of said cone-shaped portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A new and improved electrical plug protective apparatus, comprising: a first funnel-shaped protective member for an electrical plug, said first funnel-shaped protective member including a cone-shaped portion and a tubular portion connected to said cone-shaped portion, said cone-shaped portion for protecting the electrical plug, and said tubular portion for protecting a region of a conductor that is connected to a backside of the electrical plug, said first funnel-shaped protective member including separation assembly means, extending longitudinally along said cone-shaped portion and said tubular portion, for permitting said first funnel-shaped protective member to be opened for applying said first funnel-shaped protective member to the electrical plug and the conductor or for removing said first funnel-shaped protective member from the electrical plug and the conductor, further including: a door for applying to said first aperture of said cone-shaped portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein said separation assembly means include: complementary tongue and groove connectors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein said separation assembly means include: complementary tongue and groove connectors, and hinge assembly means located on said first funnel-shaped protective member in a location opposite to said complementary tongue and groove connectors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus described in claim 3 wherein said hinge assembly means include a living hinge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein: said cone-shaped portion of said first funnel-shaped protective member includes a first aperture at one end of said cone-shaped portion, and said tubular portion includes a second aperture at one end of said tubular portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein said door includes small apertures for receiving prongs of the electrical plug.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein said door is attached to said cone-shaped portion by a hinge and a clip.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus described in claim 7 wherein said hinge and said clip project vertically to a side of said door.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
142 words
A new and improved electrical plug protective apparatus, comprising: a first funnel-shaped protective member for an electrical plug, said first funnel-shaped protective member including a cone-shaped portion and a tubular portion connected to said cone-shaped portion, said cone-shaped portion for protecting the electrical plug, and said tubular portion for protecting a region of a conductor that is connected to a backside of the electrical plug, said first funnel-shaped protective member including separation assembly means, extending longitudinally along said cone-shaped portion and said tubular portion, for permitting said first funnel-shaped protective member to be opened for applying said first funnel-shaped protective member to the electrical plug and the conductor or for removing said first funnel-shaped protective member from the electrical plug and the conductor, further including: prong cover means, connected to said first funnel-shaped protective member, for covering prongs of the electrical plug.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
142 words
A new and improved electrical plug protective apparatus, comprising: a first funnel-shaped protective member for an electrical plug, said first funnel-shaped protective member including a cone-shaped portion and a tubular portion connected to said cone-shaped portion, said cone-shaped portion for protecting the electrical plug, and said tubular portion for protecting a region of a conductor that is connected to a backside of the electrical plug, said first funnel-shaped protective member including separation assembly means, extending longitudinally along said cone-shaped portion and said tubular portion, for permitting said first funnel-shaped protective member to be opened for applying said first funnel-shaped protective member to the electrical plug and the conductor or for removing said first funnel-shaped protective member from the electrical plug and the conductor, further including: prong cover means, connected to said first funnel-shaped protective member, for covering prongs of the electrical plug.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus described in claim 9 wherein said prong cover means include locking means for receiving complementary locking means on said first funnel-shaped protective member when said prong cover means is used to cover the prongs, such that said prong cover means are secured to said first funnel-shaped protective 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) | 1997-08-29 | 1998-02-28 | 1998-08-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-08-29 | 2002-02-28 | 2002-08-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-08-29 | 2006-02-28 | 2006-08-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |