Trouble light

• US 5,833,357 A
• Filed: 08/15/1996
• Issued: 11/10/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lin Chien Ting
• Original Assignee: Lin Chien Ting
• Inventors: Ting, Lin Chien
• Primary Examiner(s): Lazarus, Ira S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAM, NHAT
• Application Number:
  US08/698,388
• Time in Patent Office: 817 Days
• Field of Search: 362/376, 362/378, 439/645, 439/646, 439/654, 439/502, 439/505, 439/638, 439/650
• US Class Current: 362/378
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 14/02 capable of hand-held use, e.g. inspection lamps
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 15/02 Cages
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/406 for portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 33/92 Holders formed as intermediate parts for distributing energy in parallel through two or more counterparts at least one of which is attached to apparatus to be held

Abstract

The present invention improves upon existing trouble lights by providing a multi-purpose trouble light having a handle upon which are positioned two electrical receptacles suitable for engagement with standard electrical plugs of the type having two flat male blades and a cylindrical male pin positioned in a standard triangular configuration. The electrical plugs are inserted into the receptacles in the handle inverted with respect to each other. A first and second female terminals and a ground terminal are positioned within the trouble light. The first and second female terminals, each having two channels, are positioned within the handle so that each male blade of the two electrical plugs is received within one of the channels. The third terminal provides a ground connection for the cylindrical male pins of the electrical plugs. This efficient and compact terminal configuration enables two electrical receptacles to be provided in a compact and conveniently-sized handle.

Claims

1. In an appliance having a body with a plurality electrical outlets, each of which accepts a three-prong plug with two spade terminals and a ground prong, the improvement comprising:

an electrical conductor structure within the body enabling two opposing plugs to be inserted toward one another in respective outlets on opposite sides of the body in inverted fashion, such that, with both plugs inserted, the ground prong of each plug is situated between the two spade terminals of the other plug.

2. The improvement of claim 1, wherein the appliance is a trouble light and the body is the handle thereof.

3. The improvement of claim 1, wherein the appliance is an extension cord and the body is attached to the receptacle end of the cord.

4. The improvement of claim 1, wherein the electrical conductor structure within the body of the appliance further includes:

two opposing electrically conductive female electrode plates, each having a plurality of formed ribs to receive one spade terminal from each of the plugs; and

a bent electrical conductor disposed between the plates, the bent electrical conductor including two apertures to receive the ground prongs of each plug.

5. A trouble light, comprising:

a handle physically connecting an electrical cord to a lamp socket, the handle having a pair of electrical outlets, each of which accepts a three-prong plug with two spade terminals and a ground prong; and

an electrical conductor structure within the handle enabling the outlets to be configured such that two opposing plugs may be inserted respectively thereinto toward one another on opposite sides of the handle in inverted fashion, such that, with both plugs inserted, the ground prong of each plug is situated between the two spade terminals of the other plug.

6. A trouble light, comprising:

a housing having an interior cavity, an upper end and a lower end;

a light bulb shield having a clasp, the clasp being affixed to the upper end of the housing;

an electrically conductive bulb receptacle suitable for receiving a light bulb, the electrically conductive bulb receptacle positioned substantially within the interior cavity of the housing proximate to the upper end of the housing, the bulb receptacle accessible from exteriorly of the housing;

an off/off switch in operative electrical communication with the bulb receptacle and an external power source, the on/off switch having a first position which permits the flow of electrical current through the switch and the bulb receptacle so as to illuminate the light bulb, the on/off switch having a second position which prevents the flow of electrical current through the switch and the bulb receptacle so as to prevent the illumination of the light bulb;

a first plug receptacle positioned on the exterior surface of the housing, the first plug receptacle being configured to accept a first electrical plug of the type having two flat male blades spaced apart from each other and a cylindrical male pin positioned below the two flat male blades in substantially a triangular configuration;

a second plug receptacle positioned on the exterior surface of the housing, the second receptacle being substantially directly opposite the first receptacle, the second plug receptacle being configured to accept a second electrical plug of the type having two flat male blades spaced apart from each other and a cylindrical male pin positioned below the two flat male blades in substantially an inverted triangular configuration;

two female terminals positioned within the interior of the housing, the two female terminals in operative electrical communication with the external power source, each female terminal having a plurality of ribs which extend outwardly from the terminal so as to form an upper channel and a lower channel, each channel configured to receive and maintain electrical contact with one of the flat male blades of the first and/or second electrical plugs; and

a ground terminal having two apertures, the ground terminal positioned within the interior of the housing, each aperture configured to receive the cylindrical male pin of the first and/or second electrical plug, the ground terminal in operative electrical communication with the external power source,

whereby the first and second plugs may be inserted into the first and second plug receptacles, respectively, the flat male blades of the first plug being in electrical communication with one of the female terminals, the flat male blades of the second plug being in electrical communication with the other female terminal, the ground terminal in electrical communication with the cylindrical male pins of the first and second electrical plugs.