Snap lock extension cord and power tool connector

• US 5,069,634 A
• Filed: 01/24/1991
• Issued: 12/03/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Martin J. Chiarolanzio
• Original Assignee: Martin J. Chiarolanzio
• Inventors: Chiarolanzio, Martin J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schwartz, Larry I.
• Assistant Examiner(s): VU, HIEN D
• Application Number:
  US07/646,073
• Time in Patent Office: 313 Days
• Field of Search: 439/350, 439/352-354, 439/357, 439/358, 439/106, 439/373
• US Class Current: 439/353
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6273 comprising two latching arms

Abstract

The present invention is directed toward an electrical connection device that positively engages the plug and receptacle ends of electrical devices to extension cords, adjacent extension cords, or positively engages an electrical cord with a power receptacle. The invention is formed so that either the receptacle or plug end of an extension cord or the cover of an electrical outlet has at least one flexible finger, depending on its front surface. The extension cord end or the electric appliance plug engaging the flexible finger has an orifice on its face shaped to accept the flexible finger. As the plug and receptacle ends are pushed together, the flexible finger enters the face orifice. The flexible finger has a locking tab formed as part of its tip. As the flexible finger advances within the opposing face orifice, the locking tab eventually comes into contact with a side orifice. The locking tab, encouraged by the bias of the flexible finger, enters the side orifice. The interference of the side orifices edges against the locking tabe and prevents the flexible finger from withdrawing from the face orifice, thus positively engaging the plug and receptacle. The receptacle and plug are disengaged by deforming the locking tab below the side orifice and pulling the flexible finger from the face of the orifice.

Claims

1. A two-piece electrical cord termination and connection device for temporarily connecting a first and second electrical cord, said device comprising:

(a) a first and second body member, each said body member having at least one substantially planar face surface;

(b) at least one semi-flexible finger extending substantially perpendicularly from said face surface of said first body member, said finger having at least one side surface, wherein said side surface has a locking tab extension protruding therefrom;

(c) at least one finger receptacle orifice on said face surface of said second body member, said receptacle orifice being so formed as to allow for the passage of said semi-flexible finger and said locking tab extension therethrough; and

(d) at least one side orifice formed within the side of said second body member, said side orifice intersecting said finger receptacle orifice, and said side orifice being at least as large as said locking tab,

wherein said finger receptacle orifice on said face surface of said second body member aligns with said semi-flexible finger of said first body member and said locking tab extension protruding from said flexible finger of said first body member interferes with the passage of said flexible finger into said finger receptacle orifice of said second body member, said interference being removed by the deformation of said semi-flexible finger in a direction opposite said locking tab extension, until both said semi-flexible finger and said locking tab extension align with said finger receptacle orifice, such that said deformation of said semi-flexible finger creates a spring bias within said semi-flexible finger in resistance to said deformation and wherein said locking tab extension has at least one side edge surface that faces said face surface of said first body member, said side edge surface having a relief formed therein.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said side orifice of said second body member has at least one peripheral edge formed to engage said relief of said locking tab extension side edge surface of said first body member.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said locking tab extension does not extend beyond said side orifice when said locking tab extension is within said side orifice.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein said face surface of said first body member is the same size as said face surface of said second body member.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein said locking tab extension, said semi-flexible finger and said first body member are unistructurally formed as a singe piece.

6. The device of claim 2, wherein at least one said peripheral edge of said side orifice of said second body member engages said relief of said locking tab extension side edge surface of said first body member when said locking tab extension is within said side orifice and a tensile force exists between said first and second body members.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the engagement of said relief of said locking tab extension with said peripheral edge of said side orifice prevents the movement of said locking tab within said side orifice.

8. The device of claim 2, wherein said first body member has a tapered end that meets said first electrical cord.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein said second body member has a tapered end that meets said second electrical cord.

10. The device of claim 7, wherein said relief of said locking tab extension of said first body member disengages from said peripheral edge of said side orifice of said second body member when a compression is applied between said first and second body members.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein a force applied to said locking tab extension of said first body member through said side orifice of said second body member will deform said semi-flexible finger of said first body member, allowing said locking tab extension of said first body member to leave said side orifice of said second body member.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein said side orifice of said second body member is enlarged to accommodate the finger of a user, where said force applied to said locking tab extension of said first body member through said side orifices of said second body member can be achieved directly by the finger of the user.

13. The two-piece electrical connecting device for temporarily connecting an electrical plug to an electrical wall socket, said device comprising:

(a) an electrical wall socket cover having a front surface and a plurality of orifices formed therethrough for the mating of said plug to said electrical wall socket, said socket cover having at least one semi-flexible finger extending substantially perpendicular from said front surface, said finger having at least one side surface, wherein said side surface has a locking tab extension protruding therefrom;

(b) a plug body having at least one substantially planar face surface with at least one finger receptacle orifice therethrough, said receptacle orifice being so formed as to allow for the passage of said socket cover semi-flexible finger and said locking tab extension therethrough; and

,

(c) at least one side orifice formed within the side of said plug body, said side orifice intersecting said finger receptacle orifice, and said orifice being at least as large as said locking tab.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein said locking tab extension protruding from said semi-flexible finger of said socket cover interferes with the passage of said semi-flexible finger into said finger receptacle orifice of said plug body, said interference being removed by the deformation of said semi-flexible finger in a direction opposite said locking tab extension, said deformation creating a spring bias within said semi-flexible finger, causing said locking tab extension of said socket cover to enter said side orifice of said plug body as said semi-flexible finger of said socket cover is advanced within said finger receptacle orifice of said plug body.

15. The device of claim 13, wherein said socket cover is affixed to a wall by a plurality of attachment screws.