Safety socket

• US 5,865,633 A
• Filed: 05/27/1997
• Issued: 02/02/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jr Chong Hou
• Original Assignee: Jr Chong Hou
• Inventors: Hou, Jr Chong
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGANDJUI, ANTIONE
• Application Number:
  US08/863,982
• Time in Patent Office: 616 Days
• Field of Search: 439/139, 439/143, 439/135
• US Class Current: 439/139
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/4532 Rotating shutter

Abstract

A safety socket includes one or more pairs of terminals for engaging with a plug and a cover for covering the terminals. The cover has one or more pairs of apertures aligned with the terminals for allowing the plug to engage with the terminals. One or more knobs are rotatably secured to the cover and each has a pair of orifices for aligning with the apertures of the cover. A spring may rotate the knob relative to the cover and for disengaging the orifices from the apertures and for preventing the plug to engage through the orifices and the apertures inadvertently.

Claims

1. A safety socket for engaging with a plug, said safety socket comprising:

a body including at least one pair of terminals for engaging with the plug,

a cover secured to said body and including at least one pair of apertures aligned with said terminals for allowing the plug to engage with said terminals, said cover including at least one depression formed therein and communicating with said at least one pair of apertures, said cover including at least one curved groove, said cover including a center portion,

at least one knob rotatably secured to said cover and rotatably received in said at least one depression of said cover, said at least one knob including a pair of orifices for aligning with said apertures of said cover and including a projection slidably engaged in said at least one curved groove of said cover for limiting a rotational movement of said at least one knob relative to said cover, said at least one knob including an annular slot formed therein, said at least one knob including a shaft rotatably engaged in said center portion of said cover for allowing said knob to be rotatably secured to said cover and to be rotatably received in said at least one depression of said cover, and

means for rotating said at least one knob relative to said cover and for disengaging said orifices of said at least one knob from said apertures of said cover and for preventing the plug to engage through said orifices and said apertures inadvertently, said rotating means including a coil spring having a first end secured to said cover and having a second end secured to said at least one knob, and said coil spring being received in said at least one annular slot of said at least one knob.