Power cord plug securing device

• US 20040166718A1
• Filed: 08/20/2003
• Published: 08/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Daniel T. Yoest
• Original Assignee: Daniel T. Yoest
• Inventors: Yoest, Daniel T.
• Granted Patent: US 7,470,141 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/369
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6392 for extension cord

Abstract

A power cord plug securing device for securably maintaining a power cord plug in electrically operative engagement with an electrical outlet and/or electrical extension cord, thereby eliminating forced disengagement of same, and the resulting structural and functional damage to the power cord, plug head, and electrical outlet.

Claims

1. A power cord plug securing device, comprising:

a clasp member for removably and securably retaining a power cord therein;

a securing strap in communication with said clasp member; and

,

a throughhole formed through said securing strap, said throughhole adapted to receive an electrical outlet cover plate screw for removable attachment of said device to an electrical outlet cover plate, thereby maintaining electrical engagement of electrical conductors of a plug head of the power cord with an electrical outlet.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said clasp member is adapted to removably engage and securely retain a portion of the power cord immediately aft of the plug head when attached thereto.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said clasp member is substantially U-shaped.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein said clasp member comprises a trough region with retaining walls extending therefrom, said retaining walls terminating in inwardly projecting ends for securely maintaining the portion of the power cord immediately aft of the plug head within said trough region.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein at least one of said trough region and said retaining walls are at least partially textured or ribbed for increased frictional association with the portion of the power cord retained therein.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein a first end of said securing strap is integrally formed with said clasp member.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein a second end of said securing strap is integrally formed with the electrical outlet cover plate.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said throughhole is opposingly position from said clasp member on said securing strap.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of throughholes formed through said securing strap for purposes of selectively determining site of engagement of the screw therewith, and, thus, the site of engagement of said clasp member on the power cord.

10. A power cord plug securing device, comprising:

a first clasp member for removably and securably retaining a first power cord therein;

a second clasp member for removably and securely retaining a second power cord therein; and

,

a securing strap in communication with said first clasp member and said second clasp member.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein said first power cord is in electrical engagement with said second power cord.

12. The device of claim 10, further comprising a throughhole formed through said securing strap, said throughhole adapted to receive an electrical outlet cover plate screw for removable attachment of said device to an electrical outlet cover plate.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein at least one of said first and second clasp members is adapted to maintain electrical engagement of a plug head of at least one of the first and second power cords with an electrical outlet.

14. The device of claim 10, wherein said first clasp member is adapted to removably engage and securely retain a portion of the first power cord immediately aft of a plug head attached thereto, and wherein said second clasp member is adapted to removably engage and securely retain a portion of the second power cord immediately aft of a plug head attached thereto.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein said first and second clasp members are substantially U-shaped.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein said first and second clasp members each comprise a trough region with retaining walls extending therefrom, said retaining walls terminating in inwardly projecting ends for securely maintaining the portions of the respective first and second power cords immediately aft of the plug heads within each said trough region.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein at least one of said trough regions and said retaining walls are at least partially textured or ribbed for increased frictional association with the portions of the respective first and second power cords retained therein.

18. A method of maintaining electrical continuity between at least a first and second current carrying member, said method comprising the steps of:

a. obtaining a device having a clasp member for removably and securably retaining the first current carrying member therein, said clasp member having a securing strap in communication therewith;

b. securing within said clasp member a portion of the first current carrying member; and

,

c. securing the first current carrying member to the second current carrying member via a means for securing carried by said securing strap.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first current carrying member is selected from the group consisting of a first cord-type current carrying member, an indoor plug wire, an outdoor plug wire, an industrial plug, an appliance plug, a telephone plug wire, a LAN plug wire, a WAN plug wire, a cable wire, a data cable, and a coaxial cable, and wherein the second current carrying member is selected from the group consisting of a second cord-type current carrying member, an electrical outlet, an indoor outlet, an outdoor outlet, an industrial outlet, an appliance outlet, a telephone outlet, a LAN outlet, a WAN outlet, a cable outlet, a data cable outlet, and a coaxial cable outlet.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said securing means is a throughhole formed through said securing strap, said throughhole adapted to receive an electrical outlet cover plate screw for removable attachment of said device to an electrical outlet cover plate for maintaining the first cord-type current carrying member in electrical continuity with the electrical outlet.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein said securing means is a second clasp member carried by said securing strap, said second clasp member adapted to removably and securably engage a portion of the second cord-type current carrying member.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said device is adapted to maintain electrical engagement between the first cord-type current carrying member and the second cord-type current carrying member.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein said securing strap further comprises a throughhole formed therethrough, said throughhole adapted to receive an electrical outlet cover plate screw for removable attachment of said device to an electrical outlet cover plate for maintaining a first cord-type current carrying member and a second cord-type current carrying member in electrical continuity with an electrical outlet.