Anti-theft device for appliances with electrical AC power cords

• US 4,603,931 A
• Filed: 12/14/1984
• Issued: 08/05/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samuel H. Ruffman
• Original Assignee: Samuel H. Ruffman
• Inventors: Ruffman, Samuel H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Weidenfeld, Gil
• Assistant Examiner(s): Austin, Paula A.
• Application Number:
  US06/681,599
• Time in Patent Office: 599 Days
• Field of Search: 339/37, 339/39, 339/44 R, 339/44 M, 339/82, 339/75 P, 339/122, 339/123
• US Class Current: 439/133
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6397 with means for preventing unauthorised use

Abstract

The AC plug of an appliance is captured within an enclosure mounted to an electrical power outlet, the AC power cord of the appliance extending through restricted openings in the enclosure provided with relatively sharp edges so as to cut through the cord insulation upon attempted forced removal of the plug from the enclosure, thereby to secure the electrical appliance against theft.

Claims

1. Anti-theft device for securing a power plug against removal from an electrical power outlet comprising:

an enclosure of electrically conductive material having a face plate wall apertured to allow insertion of at least one power plug into an electrical power outlet covered by said face plate wall, a plurality of side walls, and an open side;

means for securing said face plate wall over an electrical power outlet;

a cover for closing said open side;

means for fastening said cover to said enlosure; and

one or more openings defined between said cover and at least one of the side walls, each said opening being dimensioned to allow passage of an electrical power cord but to prevent passage of a power plug attached to the cord within the enclosure, each said opening being defined by unprotected relatively sharp edges so as to cut into the electrical insulation of a power cord passing through the opening upon attempted forced removal of the power plug from the enlosure and thereby create a short circuit to deter theft.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said means for securing the face plate comprises one or more metallic screws for grounding said enclosure to the outlet when the enclosure is mounted thereto.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said cover is also electrically conductive.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said enclosure is a conventional electrical metallic outlet box and said cover is a metallic cover plate of standard dimensions.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said cover plate wall is dimensioned and configured as a replacement for a conventional face plate of an electrical wall outlet.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said cover is hinged to said enclosure for movement between an open position allowing access into said enclosure and a closed position restricting access thereinto and further comprising lock means for locking said cover in said closed position.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein each of said openings is a notch formed in the edge of said least one side wall proximate to said cover such that with the cover in place a restricted opening into said enclosure is defined.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein said cover has a relatively sharp edge extending across each said notch so as to cut into electrically insulated power cord upon attempted forced removal of the power plug from said enclosure.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein said means for fastening said cover to said enclosure comprises one or more screws.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein said one or more screws are metallic screws.

11. Anti-theft device for securing a power plug against removal from an electrical power outlet comprising:

a rectangular box having one wall dimensioned for mounting as a face plate for an electrical wall outlet and apertured to allow insertion of one or more power plugs into such an outlet, said box further having four side walls and an open side opposite said face plate wall;

means for securing said face plate wall to an electrical outlet;

a cover for closing said open side;

means for fastening said cover ot said box; and

one or more notches formed in said side walls each defining with said cover an opening dimensioned to allow passage of an electrical power cord therethrough but to prevent removal of a power plug attached to said cord within said box, said opening having unprotected relatively sharp edges so as to cut into the insulation of electrical power cord passing through the opening upon attempted forced removal of the power plug from the box and thereby create a short circuit as a deterrent to theft of the appliance connected to the power cord.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein said box is metallic and said means for securing include at least one screw threadable into the wall outlet.

13. The device of claim 11 wherein said means for securing also include means for electrically grounding said enclosure to said outlet so as to create a short circuit upon making electrical contact between said box and only one of the power cord conductors.

14. The device of claim 11 further comprising cover means detachable for allowing access into said enclosure for removing power plugs thereform.

15. Anti-theft device for securing a power plug against removal form an electrical power outlet comprising:

an enclosure attachable to an electrical outlet so as to enclose any electrical power plugs inserted into said outlet, said enclosure being apertured to allow passage of electrical power cords connected to the power plugs but retaining the plugs captive in said enclosure, said apertures in the enclosure having unprotected edges so as cut into the electrical insulation of the power cords in the event of attempted forced removal of the power plugs from said enclosure, said enclosure being of electrically conductive material so as to create a short circuit between the power cord conductors.

16. Anti-theft device for securing a power plug against removal from an electrical power outlet comprising:

a box having one wall dimensioned for mounting as a face plate for an electrical wall outlet and apertured to allow insertion of one or more power plugs into such an outlet, said box further having a plurality of walls and an open side opposite said face plate wall;

means for securing said face plate wall to an electrical outlet;

a cover for closing said open side;

mean for fastening said cover to said box; and

one or more notches defined between said side walls and said cover each said notch defining an opening dimensioned to allow passage of an electrical power cord therethrough but preventing removal of a power plug attached to said cord within said box, said opening having unprotected relatively sharp edges so as to cut into the insulation of an electrical power cord passing through the opening upon attempted forced removal of the power plug from the box as deterrent to theft of the appliance connected to the power cord.

17. Anti-theft device for securing a power plug against removal from an electrical power outlet comprising:

a box having one wall dimensioned for mounting as a face plate for an electrical wall outlet and apertured to allow insertion of one or more power plugs into such an outlet, said box further having a plurality of walls and an open side opposite said face plate wall;

means for securing said face plate wall to an electrical outlet;

a cover for closing said open side;

mean for fastening said cover to said box; and

one or more notches defined between said side walls and said cover each said notch defining an opening dimensioned to allow passage of an electrical power cord therethrough but preventing removal of a power plug attached to said cord within said box.