Patent US4040698A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4040698A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical safety outlet and plug
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1976-10-12
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Granted: 1977-08-09
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Expires: 1996-10-12
Abstract
Abstract A wall mounted electric outlet, including an elongated box-like casing having a plurality of longitudinal slots in its front wall, slidably receiving the conductor and locking prongs of an electric plug, when inserted into the casing through a transverse slot formed in one end portion of the front wall in communication with the longitudinal slots. The transverse slot being normally closed by a plunger movable inwardly of the front wall for inserting the plug prongs into the slots. The casing contains a pair of conductor strips contacted by the conductor prongs of the plug.
Inventors
- 👤 Nilson V. Ortiz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 23:08
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/02; H01R13/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
254 words
An electrical safety outlet and plug, comprising: an elongated casing having a back wall and a face plate; a pair of longitudinally extending spaced conductor strips within said casing, each said conductor strip comprising a forward member disposed adjacent said face plate and a rearward member parallel with said forward member and spaced toward said casing back wall, said face plate having a pair of spaced longitudinal slots aligned with said conductor strips for longitudinally slidably receiving the conductor prongs of an electric plug, said face plate having an intermediate longitudinal slot disposed between the pair of slots and having a transverse slot in one end portion communicating with the pair of slots and the intermediate slot; an electric plug having a body portion enclosing one end portion of a pair of conductor wires; a pair of conductor prongs secured at one end portion to the respective said wires within said plug body in parallel equally spaced relation with repsect to said pair of face plate slots, the other end portion of each conductor prong projecting laterally of its said one end portion in the planes of the parallel end portions; a nonconductor prong slidably received by the face plate intermediate slot and secured at one end portion within said plug body between said pair of conductor prongs and having an opposite end portion projecting laterally of its first said one end portion parallel to the plane of said conductor prongs other end portions; and, plunger means normally closing the face plate transverse slot.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
254 words
An electrical safety outlet and plug, comprising: an elongated casing having a back wall and a face plate; a pair of longitudinally extending spaced conductor strips within said casing, each said conductor strip comprising a forward member disposed adjacent said face plate and a rearward member parallel with said forward member and spaced toward said casing back wall, said face plate having a pair of spaced longitudinal slots aligned with said conductor strips for longitudinally slidably receiving the conductor prongs of an electric plug, said face plate having an intermediate longitudinal slot disposed between the pair of slots and having a transverse slot in one end portion communicating with the pair of slots and the intermediate slot; an electric plug having a body portion enclosing one end portion of a pair of conductor wires; a pair of conductor prongs secured at one end portion to the respective said wires within said plug body in parallel equally spaced relation with repsect to said pair of face plate slots, the other end portion of each conductor prong projecting laterally of its said one end portion in the planes of the parallel end portions; a nonconductor prong slidably received by the face plate intermediate slot and secured at one end portion within said plug body between said pair of conductor prongs and having an opposite end portion projecting laterally of its first said one end portion parallel to the plane of said conductor prongs other end portions; and, plunger means normally closing the face plate transverse slot.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
An electrical outlet and plug according to claim 1 in which said plunger means comprises: a plunger coextensive with the transverse slot and having a reduced portion nested by the transverse slot; and, at least one resilient member interposed between said plunger and said casing back wall.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
An electrical outlet and plug according to claim 2 and further including: a partition transversely dividing said casing adjacent the transverse slot and forming a chamber enclosing said plunger and said resilient member, said partition having a recess providing communication between the chamber and the casing interior.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
An electrical outlet and plug according to claim 3 in which said conductor plug prongs are L-shaped and having the foot portion of the L-shapes projecting in opposing directions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
An electrical outlet and plug according to claim 4 in which said nonconductor plug prong is T-shaped and having the bar of its T-shape parallel with and coextensive with the foot portions of said L-shaped prongs.
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) | 1980-08-08 | 1981-02-07 | 1981-08-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-08 | 1985-02-07 | 1985-08-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-08 | 1989-02-07 | 1989-08-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |