Line plug with retractable grounding pin

Claim 2

A plug for use with two and three port female receptacles, power being applied to at least two of the ports, said plug comprising: a. body means formed with a cavity; b. at least two prong means operatively connected to said body and projecting therefrom, said prong means in mating registration with the ports having power applied thereto; c. grounding pin means operatively connected to said body means and adapted for extension from said body and retraction within said cavity, said grounding pin means normally extending from said body means in mating registration with the third port of the three port female receptacle and in parallel space relationship with each said prong means, said grounding pin means slidably retractable within said cavity along a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of each said prong means, said grounding pin means having locking means; and d. grounding means operatively connected to said body means and extending therefrom, said grounding means adapted for engagement with said locking means, said grounding pin means being fixed against retraction when said grounding means and locking means are engaged.

Claim 3

The plug as claimed in claim 1 including power cord means operatively connected to said body means, said power cord means including at least first, second, and third lead means, said first lead means connected to one of said prong means, said second lead means connected to another of said prong means, and said third lead means being an integral part of said grounding means.

Claim 4

The plug as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cavity is tubular, one extremity of said cavity being closed and the other extremity of said cavity being opened.

Claim 5

The plug as claimed in claim 3 including: a. hub means operatively connected to said body at the closed extremity of said cavity; b. guide means operatively connected to said hub means; c. bushing means operatively connected to said body means at the opened extremity of said cavity, said bushinG means formed with a bore adapted to slidably receive said grounding pin means, said guide means projecting from said hub means into said grounding pin means; and d. bias means enveloping said guide means, said grounding pin means being held in the extended position by said bias means.

Claim 6

The plug as claimed in claim 4 wherein said grounding pin means is formed with a bore, said bore being closed at one extremity of said grounding means and opened at the other extremity of said grounding pin means, said bore adapted to slidably receive said guide and bias means.

Claim 7

The plug as claimed in claim 5 including stop means operatively connected to said grounding pin means proximate to said opened extremity of said grounding pin means, said stop means being larger than said bushing bore.

Claim 8

The plug as claimed in claim 6 wherein said grounding means includes terminal means, said terminal means adapted for engagement with said locking means.

Claim 9

A plug for use with two and three port female receptacles, power being applied to at least two of the ports, said plug comprising: a. body means formed with a cavity said cavity opened to one face of said body means and closed to an opposite face of said body means; b. at least two prong means operatively connected to said body and projecting therefrom, said prong means in mating registration with the ports having power applied thereto; c. grounding pin means operatively connected to said body means and adapted for extension from said body and retraction within said cavity, said grounding pin means normally extending from said body means in mating registration with the third port of the three port female receptacle and in parallel space relationship with each said prong means, said grounding pin means slidably retractable within said cavity along a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of each said prong means, said grounding pin means having locking means; d. grounding means operatively connected to said body means and extending therefrom, said grounding means adapted for engagement and disengagement with said locking means, said grounding pin means being fixed against retraction when said grounding means and locking means are engaged, said grounding pin means slidable in a plane parallel to said prong means when said grounding means and locking means are disengaged; and e. power cord means operatively connected to said body means, said power cord means including at least first, second, and third lead means, said first lead means connected to one of said male prong means, said second lead means connected to another of said male prong means, and said third lead means being an integral part of said grounding means.

Claim 10

A plug for use with two and three port female receptacles, power being applied to at least two of the ports, said plug comprising: a. body means formed with a cavity said cavity opened to one face of said body means and closed to an opposite face of said body means; b. at least two prong means operatively connected to said body and projecting therefrom, said prong means in mating registration with the ports having power applied thereto; c. grounding pin means operatively connected to said body means and adapted for extension from said body and retraction within said cavity, said grounding pin means normally extending from said body means in mating registration with the third port of the three port female receptacle and in parallel space relationship with each said prong means, said grounding pin means slidably retractable within said cavity along a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of each said prong means, said grounding pin means having locking means; d. grounding means operatively connected to said body means and extending therefrom, said grounding means adapted for engagement and disengagement with said locking means, said grounding pin means being fixed against retraction when said grounding means and locking means are engaged, said grounding pin means slidable in a plane parallel to said prong means when said grounding means and locking means are disengaged; and e. power cord means operatively connected to said body means, said power cord means including at least first, second, and third lead means, said first lead means connected to one of said male prong means, said second lead means connected to another of said male prong means, and said third lead means being an integral part of said grounding means.

Claim 11

The plug as claimed in claim 8 including: a. hub means operatively connected to said body at the closed extremity of said cavity; b. guide means operatively connected to said hub means; c. bushing means operatively connected to said body means at the opened extremity of said cavity, said bushing means formed with a bore adapted to slidably receive said grounding pin means, said guide means projecting from said hub means into said grounding pin means; d. bias means enveloping said guide means, said grounding pin means being held normally in the extended position by said bias means; and e. grounding pin means formed with a longitudinally extending bore and a stop, said grounding pin means bore closed at one extremity of said grounding pin means and opened at the other extremity of said grounding pin means, said grounding pin means bore adapted to slidably receive said guide and bias means, said stop being larger than said bushing means bore, said stop engaging said bushing means when said grounding pin means is extended and operating to retain a portion of said grounding pin means within said cavity.

Claim 12

The plug as claimed in claim 8 wherein said grounding means includes terminal means operatively connected to said third lead means, said terminal means adaPted for engagement and disengagement with said locking means.