US7632125B2
Active / In Force
US
⏱️ 1.8 years remaining
Plug locking assembly
Assignee: Panduit Corp
•
Filing: 2008-08-14
•
Granted: 2009-12-15
•
Expires: 2028-08-14
Abstract
Abstract A plug locking assembly comprises at least one plug holder comprising opposing top and bottom arms, said top and bottom arms extending tranversely from a wall and defining open spaces therebetween, said open spaces for receiving and holding plugs. The plug holders are typically positioned adjacently to one another or in tandem and the configuration of the opposing top and bottom arms allows for side installation of plugs. The plug locking assembly may further comprise a cover overlying the plug holders.
Inventors
- 👤 Phillip J. Irwin
- 👤 Gregory L. Kuffel
- 👤 Robert A. Reid
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 08:59
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/62; H01R13/639; H01R13/6397; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3873; G02B6/3874; G02B6/3878; G02B6/3879; G02B6/389; G02B6/3893; G02B6/3898; H01R2201/00; H01R2201/06; H01R24/00; H01R24/60; H01R24/62
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A plug locking assembly comprising: at least one plug holder comprising top and bottom arms comprising first and second ends, said top and bottom arms defining a first open space therebetween for receiving and retaining one or more plugs; a depression in a surface of at least one of said top and bottom arms, said depression defined by opposing sidewalls positioned between said first and second ends and sized and shaped to geometrically conform to at least a portion of said plugs; a retaining wall transverse to at least one of said first and second ends of said top and bottom arms, said retaining wall comprising a stop surface for retaining said plugs in position after insertion; a wall transverse to said top and bottom arms and connected to one of said first and second end; and a cover overlying said at least one plug holder, said cover defining two or more tool insertion slots for receiving a plug removal tool.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
A plug locking assembly comprising: at least one plug holder comprising top and bottom arms comprising first and second ends, said top and bottom arms defining a first open space therebetween for receiving and retaining one or more plugs; a depression in a surface of at least one of said top and bottom arms, said depression defined by opposing sidewalls positioned between said first and second ends and sized and shaped to geometrically conform to at least a portion of said plugs; a retaining wall transverse to at least one of said first and second ends of said top and bottom arms, said retaining wall comprising a stop surface for retaining said plugs in position after insertion; a wall transverse to said top and bottom arms and connected to one of said first and second end; and a cover overlying said at least one plug holder, said cover defining two or more tool insertion slots for receiving a plug removal tool.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 1 , wherein a surface of at least one of said top and bottom arms comprises a ramp.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 1 , wherein said retaining wall comprises an angled surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 1 , wherein said cover comprises front end and rear end portions, with a bottom surface of said front end portion lying in a different plane than all of said rear end portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 1 , wherein said cover comprises opposing sidewalls and front and rear end portions, at least one of said opposing sidewalls comprising a concave surface sloping downwardly into one of said rear and front end portions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 1 , wherein said first ends are fixed to said wall and second ends are free, said second free ends defining a second open space for side insertion of said plugs.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
163 words
A plug locking assembly comprising: at least one plug holder comprising a top arm and a bottom arm, said top and bottom arms defining a first open space for receiving and holding one or more plugs, each of said top and bottom arms extending from a first fixed end to a second free end, said second free ends of said top and bottom arms defining a second open space for side insertion of said plugs; a wall transverse to said top and bottom arms and connected to said first fixed end; and a cover overlying said at least one plug holder, said cover for blocking topside access to said plugs after insertion and comprising opposing sidewalls and front and rear end portions, at least one of said opposing sidewalls comprising a concave surface sloping downwardly into at least one of said front and rear end portions, said concave surface for allowing said plugs to pass under said opposing sidewalls during said side insertion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
163 words
A plug locking assembly comprising: at least one plug holder comprising a top arm and a bottom arm, said top and bottom arms defining a first open space for receiving and holding one or more plugs, each of said top and bottom arms extending from a first fixed end to a second free end, said second free ends of said top and bottom arms defining a second open space for side insertion of said plugs; a wall transverse to said top and bottom arms and connected to said first fixed end; and a cover overlying said at least one plug holder, said cover for blocking topside access to said plugs after insertion and comprising opposing sidewalls and front and rear end portions, at least one of said opposing sidewalls comprising a concave surface sloping downwardly into at least one of said front and rear end portions, said concave surface for allowing said plugs to pass under said opposing sidewalls during said side insertion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 7 , wherein a surface of at least one of said top and bottom arms comprises a ramp.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 7 , wherein a surface of at least one of said top and bottom arms comprises a depression defined by opposing sidewalls positioned between said first and second ends, said depression geometrically conforming to at least a portion of said plugs.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 7 , wherein at least one of said second ends of said top and bottom arms comprises a retaining wall comprising a stop surface for retaining said plugs in position after insertion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of said concave surface is positioned above and in alignment with said first open spaces.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 7 , wherein said cover defines two or more tool insertion slots for receiving a plug removal tool.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 7 , wherein said cover comprises front end and rear end portions, with a bottom surface of said front end portion lying in a different plane than all of said rear end portion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
117 words
A plug locking assembly comprising: at least one plug holder comprising top and bottom arms, said top and bottom arms extending from a first fixed end to a second free end and defining an open space therebetween, said open space for receiving and holding one or more plugs; a wall transverse to said top and bottom arms and connected to said first fixed end; and a cover overlying said at least one plug holder, said cover for blocking topside access to said plugs and comprising opposing sidewalls and front and rear end portions, at least one of said opposing sidewalls comprising a concave surface sloping downwardly into at least one of said front and rear end portions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
117 words
A plug locking assembly comprising: at least one plug holder comprising top and bottom arms, said top and bottom arms extending from a first fixed end to a second free end and defining an open space therebetween, said open space for receiving and holding one or more plugs; a wall transverse to said top and bottom arms and connected to said first fixed end; and a cover overlying said at least one plug holder, said cover for blocking topside access to said plugs and comprising opposing sidewalls and front and rear end portions, at least one of said opposing sidewalls comprising a concave surface sloping downwardly into at least one of said front and rear end portions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 14 , wherein a surface of at least one of said top and bottom arms comprises a ramp.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 14 , wherein a surface of at least one of said top and bottom arms comprises a depression geometrically conforming to at least a portion of said plugs.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
38 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 14 , wherein at least one of said second ends of said top and bottom arms comprises a retaining wall comprising a stop surface for retaining said plugs in position after insertion.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of said concave surface is positioned above and in alignment with said open space.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 14 , wherein said cover defines two or more tool insertion slots for receiving a plug removal tool.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 14 , wherein said cover comprises front end and rear end portions, with a bottom surface of said front end portion lying in a different plane than all of said rear end portion.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
114 words
A plug locking assembly comprising: tandem plug holders comprising first and second sets of opposing top and bottom arms, said top and bottom arms extending from a first fixed end to a second free end and defining open spaces therebetween, said open spaces for receiving and holding plugs; a central wall positioned between said tandem plug holders, said central wall connected to said first fixed ends of said top and bottom arms and positioned transversely thereto; and a cover comprising opposing sidewalls and front end and rear end portions, said opposing sidewalls comprising opposing concave surfaces, with at least a portion of said concave surfaces positioned above and in alignment with said open spaces.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
114 words
A plug locking assembly comprising: tandem plug holders comprising first and second sets of opposing top and bottom arms, said top and bottom arms extending from a first fixed end to a second free end and defining open spaces therebetween, said open spaces for receiving and holding plugs; a central wall positioned between said tandem plug holders, said central wall connected to said first fixed ends of said top and bottom arms and positioned transversely thereto; and a cover comprising opposing sidewalls and front end and rear end portions, said opposing sidewalls comprising opposing concave surfaces, with at least a portion of said concave surfaces positioned above and in alignment with said open spaces.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2012-12-14 | 2013-06-15 | 2013-12-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2016-12-14 | 2017-06-15 | 2017-12-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2020-12-14 | 2021-06-15 | 2021-12-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |