Duplex outlet protection device

• US 4,643,502 A
• Filed: 01/21/1986
• Issued: 02/17/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael Arnold
• Original Assignee: Michael Arnold
• Inventors: Arnold, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Weidenfeld, Gil
• Assistant Examiner(s): BRADLEY, PAULA A
• Application Number:
  US06/820,109
• Time in Patent Office: 392 Days
• Field of Search: 174/66, 174/67, 339/36, 339/39
• US Class Current: 439/144
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/44 Means for preventing access to live contacts making use of a switch actuated by engagement of counterpart H01R13/7036

Abstract

A duplex outlet protection device is disclosed which includes a base plate which is attached to the duplex receptacle. A dome-shaped hollow main body having an open bottom mounts upon the base plate and is vertically movable relative to the base plate between lower and upper positions. A stradler covers the bottom opening of the main body and is horizontally movable between a locking position wherein rearward portions of the stradler engage the base plate to prevent movement of the main body and an unlocked position wherein the main body is free to move relative to the base plate. A gravity door is vertically slidable in the main body between a lower position wherein the stradler is engaged in its locking position to prevent movement thereof and an upper position wherein the stradler will be free to be moved to its unlocked position.

Claims

1. A duplex outlet protection device comprising:

base plate means secured over the duplex outlet, the base plate means comprising track means;

main body means connected with the base plate means, the main body means comprising flange means in sliding engagement within the track means, the main body means terminating downwardly in an open bottom, the main body means being movable relative to the base plate means between a base plate protecting position and a base plate exposing position;

stradler means in sliding engagement with the main body means, the stradler means being positioned to cover at least part of the main body means open bottom, the stradler means being movable relative to the base plate means between a first position wherein a portion of the stradler means engages the base plate means and a second position wherein the stradler means does not contact the base plate means; and

gravity door means in sliding engagement with the main body means, the gravity door means being angularly disposed relative to the stradler means, the gravity door means being movable relative to the main body means between a lower position and an upper position, the gravity door means being adapted to prevent sliding movement of the stradler means when in the said lower position and the permit sliding movement of the stradler means when in the said upper position;

whereby the main body means may be moved relative to the base plate means only when the stradler means is not in contact with the base plate means.

2. The duplex outlet protection device of claim 1 wherein the track means of the base plate means comprise left and right tracks and the flange means of the main body means comprise left and right flanges, each flange respectively being adapted for vertical sliding engagement within said track.

3. The duplex outlet protection device of claim 1 wherein the stradler means comprises a planar body and finger pull affixed to the body, the finger pull being positioned to extend outwardly from the main body means to facilitate movement of the stradler means.

4. The duplex outlet protection device of claim 1 wherein the track means comprises a pair of right and left, spaced, vertical tracks, the tracks terminating downwardly in bottom stops, the bottom stops being adapted to limit the downward movement of the main body means relative to the base plate means.

5. The duplex outlet protection device of claim 1 wherein the stradler means comprises a stradler of generally U-shaped configuration having a pair of legs defining an access slot therebetween.

6. The duplex outlet protection device of claim 5 wherein a stradler leg terminates at one end in an engaging finger and wherein the base plate means is provided with a lower slot, the engaging finger being positioned within the lower slot when the main body means is in its said protecting position to prevent movement of the main body means relative to the base plate means.

7. The duplex outlet protection device of claim 5 wherein the base plate means is provided with an upper slot, the engaging finger being positioned within the upper slot when the main body is in the said base plate exposing position.

8. The duplex outlet protection device of claim 1 wherein the gravity door means comprises a gravity door and projecting pin affixed to the door and projecting outwardly therefrom.

9. The duplex outlet protection device of claim 8 wherein the main body means is provided with a slot and wherein the said pin projects through and is movable within the slot.