Safety plug with prong locks

• US 5,085,591 A
• Filed: 11/05/1990
• Issued: 02/04/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Charles C. Warren Sr, Shirley J. Warren
• Original Assignee: Charles C. Warren Sr, Shirley J. Warren
• Inventors: Warren, Shirley J., Warren, Charles C. Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Application Number:
  US07/575,988
• Time in Patent Office: 456 Days
• Field of Search: 439/131, 439/166-177, 439/103, 439/133, 439/134
• US Class Current: 439/131
• 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

An electrical plug for the end of an electrical power cord. The plug includes prongs which are movable between retracted and extended positions. The prongs can be locked in the retracted and extended positions, as desired. When the prongs are locked in the retracted position, small children are prevented from attempting to connect the power cord to an electrical outlet.

Claims

1. An electrical plug for attachment to the end of an electrical power cord having at least two electrical wires therein, said plug comprising:

(a) a body member having first and second ends;

(b) a plurality of spaced-apart plug prongs carried by said body member and being slidably movable between (i) a retracted position in which said prongs are within said body member, and (ii) an extended position in which said prongs project forwardly from said first end of said body member;

wherein said prongs are electrically connected to said electrical wires in said body member;

wherein one of said prongs includes an aperture extending transversely therethrough;

(c) an arm attached to said prongs for slidable movement relative to said body member for movement of said prongs between said retracted and extended positions; and

(d) lock means for locking said prongs selectively in said retracted position and in said extended position;

wherein said lock means comprises a pin which is movable between inward and outward positions;

wherein when said prongs are in said retracted position and said pin is in said inward position, said pin extends into said aperture and prevents said prongs from moving to said extended position.

2. An electrical plug in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a lock arm having first and second ends;

wherein said lock arm is pivotably carried by said body member;

wherein said pin is secured to said first end of said lock arm; and

wherein said second end of said lock arm is accessible outside said body member for selective movement of said pin between said inward and outward positions.

3. An electrical plug in accordance with claim 2, further comprising bias means for biasing said lock arm in a manner such that said pin is in said inward position.

4. An electrical plug in accordance with claim 3, wherein said bias means comprises a spring.

5. An electrical plug in accordance with claim 1, wherein when said prongs are in said extended position and said pin is in said inward position, said pin is adapted to prevent said prongs from moving to said retracted position.

6. An electrical plug in accordance with claim 1, wherein there are three of said prongs.