Snap lock extension cord and power tool connector
First Claim
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.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A two-piece electrical cord termination and connection device for temporarily connecting a first and second electrical cord, said device comprising:
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(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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. The two-piece electrical connecting device for temporarily connecting an electrical plug to an electrical wall socket, said device comprising:
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(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. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification