Electrical power extension cord

• US 5,207,594 A
• Filed: 09/18/1991
• Issued: 05/04/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas R. Olson
• Original Assignee: Thomas R. Olson
• Inventors: Olson, Thomas R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Application Number:
  US07/761,482
• Time in Patent Office: 594 Days
• Field of Search: 439/489, 439/490, 439/910, 340/656, 340/687
• US Class Current: 439/490
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/652 with earth pin, blade or socket
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/717 with built-in light source
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7177 filament or neon bulb
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/30 with additional earth or shield contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/065 with built-in electric apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/91 Observation aide, e.g. transparent material, window in housing

Abstract

An electrical power extension cord having an illuminated connecting body at an end of the extension cord is described. The end is illuminated if it is connected to an active power source with or without a functioning ground conductor, depending upon the electrical configuration within the body. The body is formed from a translucent material having the illumination apparatus embedded within such that the illuminated body is visible from all directions.

Claims

1. An elongated electrical power extension cord comprising:

a translucent first body having a plurality of conductive prongs projecting from said first body;

a translucent second body having a plurality of conductive receptacles extending into said second body;

said prongs and said receptacles are arranged in a corresponding pattern such that said first body is adapted to be mated with said second body;

an elongated flexible cable means for extending between and electrically connecting corresponding ones of said prongs and said receptacles, said elongated cable means having a plurality of conductors; and

illumination means for indicating the presence of a desirable electrical condition, said illumination means are embedded within both said first and second bodies.

2. The electrical power extension cord of claim 1, wherein at least one of said illumination means indicates positively when said electrical power extension cord is connected to an active power source.

3. The electrical power extension cord of claim 1, wherein at least one of said illumination means indicates positively when said electrical power extension cord is connected to an active power source having a functional ground conductor.

4. The electrical power extension cord of claim 2, wherein both of said illumination means indicate positively when said electrical power extension cord is connected to an active power source.

5. The electrical power extension cord of claim 3, wherein both of said illumination means indicate positively when said electrical power extension cord is connected to an active power source having a functional ground conductor.

6. The electrical power extension cord of claim 1, wherein one of said illumination means indicates positively when said electrical power extension cord is connected to an active power source, and another of said illumination means indicates positively when said electrical power extension cord is connected to an active power source having a functional ground conductor.

7. The electrical power extension cord of claim 1, wherein each of said illumination means is contiguously encapsulated within either said first body or said second body.

8. The electrical power extension cord of claim 1, wherein said illumination means comprises an electric light bulb.

9. The electrical power extension cord of claim 8, wherein said illumination means comprises a resistor in series with said electric light bulb.

10. The electrical power extension cord of claim 8, wherein said electric light bulb is a neon bulb.

11. The electrical power extension cord of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first body and said second body has a textured exterior surface.

12. The electrical power extension cord of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first translucent body and said second translucent body is pigmentized.

13. The electrical power extension cord of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first translucent body and said second translucent body is transparent.

14. An electrical power extension comprising:

a translucent first body having a plurality of conductive prongs projecting from said first body;

a translucent second body having a plurality of conductive receptacles extending into said second body;

said prongs and said receptacles are arranged in a corresponding pattern such that said first body is adapted to be mated with said second body, and wherein each corresponding prong and receptacle are adapted to be electrically connected by a plurality of conductors extending between said first body and said second body; and

illumination means for indicating the presence of a desirable electrical condition, said illumination means are embedded within both said first and second bodies.

15. The electrical power extension of claim 14, wherein at least one of said illumination means indicates positively when said electrical power extension is connected to an active power source.

16. The electrical power extension of claim 14, wherein at least one of said illumination means indicates positively when said electrical power extension is connected to an active power source having a functional ground conductor.

17. The electrical power extension of claim 14, wherein each of said illumination means is contiguously encapsulated within either said first body or said second body.

18. The electrical power extension of claim 14, wherein said illumination means comprises an electric light bulb.

19. The electrical power extension of claim 18, wherein said illumination means comprises a resistor in series with said electric light bulb.

20. The electrical power extension of claim 18, wherein said electric light bulb is a neon bulb.

21. The electrical power extension of claim 14, wherein at least one of said first body and said second body has a textured exterior surface.

22. The electrical power extension of claim 14, wherein at least one of said first translucent body and said second translucent body is pigmentized.

23. The electrical power extension of claim 14, wherein at least one of said first translucent body and said second translucent body is transparent.