Safety receptacle for electrical outlets

• US 6,183,264 B1
• Filed: 07/19/1999
• Issued: 02/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Harsányi, Eduardo G.
• Original Assignee: Harsányi, Eduardo G.
• Inventors: Harsányi, Eduardo G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bradley, Paula
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gilman, Alexander
• Application Number:
  US09/356,605
• Time in Patent Office: 568 Days
• Field of Search: 439/38, 439/39, 439/40, 439/700, 439/180, 439/188
• US Class Current: 439/38
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6691 with built-in signalling means H01R13/717 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7037 making use of a magnetically operated switch

Abstract

A safety outlet receptacle with a corresponding plug that renders the outlet receptacle inactive and unable to transmit an electrical current unless activated using the corresponding plug. The invention uses a very simple magnetic switch that is biased with a spring to change the activity state of the outlet receptacle. A single matched magnet and ferro-magnetic base is used to activate the magnetic switch. The invention can be used to replace any type of standard outlet receptacle regardless of the electrical power that is being utilized such as 110 or 220 volt, 50 or 60 cycle, AC or DC. The invention also features an indicator light in order for a user to be certain that the outlet receptacle needs to be replaced because it is no longer operating in a safe manner.

Claims

1. A safety apparatus for selectively placing an electric outlet either in an active or an inactive state, said apparatus comprising:

an outlet receptacle having at least two electrical connection ports and having at least two electrical feeds with each one of the electrical connection ports corresponding to one of the electrical feeds and with at least one of the feeds being designated as “

hot”

, wherein the feeds connect said outlet receptacle to an electrical system;

a slideable piston mounted within said outlet receptacle, said piston having a contact end and an activation end;

at least one contact attached to the contact end of said slideable piston and in electrical communication with hot feed;

a compression spring positioned around said slideable piston for biasing said piston;

an outlet plug having a mounting surface with at least two electrical pins protruding substantially perpendicular thereto, such that the electrical pins correspond to the electrical connection ports of said outlet receptacle are aligned so that said outlet plug can be inserted into said outlet receptacle;

a magnet member and a matching member capable of being attracted by said magnet, therein defining a single matched pair, wherein one member of said matched pair is mounted on the mounting surface of said outlet plug and the other member of said matched pair is mounted on the activation end of said slideable piston, and being aligned such that when said outlet plug is inserted into said outlet receptacle, said matched pair are immediately adjacent to one another;

wherein when said outlet plug is out of said receptacle, said spring biases said slideable piston causing the at least one contact to be disengaged from its corresponding electrical connection port, therein providing the inactive state such that at least the hot feed of said outlet receptacle is isolated from the corresponding electrical connection port, so that said outlet receptacle is unable to transmit an electrical current; and

wherein when said plug is inserted into said receptacle, magnetically attracted toward one another resulting in said slideable piston sliding to cause said contact to releasable connect to its corresponding electrical connection port, therein providing the active state, so that said outlet receptacle is able to transmit an electrical current.

2. The safety apparatus of claim 1 wherein said magnet is mounted on said outlet plug and said other member of said single matched pair is mounted on the activation end of said slideable piston.

3. The safety apparatus of claim 1 wherein said magnet is mounted on said slideable piston and said other member of said single matched pair is mounted on said outlet plug.

4. The safety apparatus of claim 1 wherein said receptacle is a double receptacle.

5. The safety apparatus of claim 1 wherein said outlet plug further comprises an outlet surface having at least two electrical connection ports with each of the electrical connection ports electrically connected to one of the outlet pins of said outlet plug such that a standard outlet plug may be connected to said outlet receptacle via said outlet plug, thereby eliminating the need to change the standard outlet plug in order to utilize the safety advantages provided by said apparatus.

6. The safety apparatus of claim 1 wherein said outlet receptacle further comprises two contacts attached to said slideable piston with each of said contacts having a corresponding feed and an electrical connection port.

7. The safety apparatus of claim 1 wherein outlet receptacle further comprises three contacts attached to said slideable piston with each of said contacts having a corresponding feed and an electrical connection port.

8. The safety apparatus of claim 1 wherein said outlet receptacle is substantially the same size as a standard outlet receptacle wherein said outlet receptacle can be inserted within a standard outlet box and electrically connected thereto.

9. The safety apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an indicator light that is electrically connected to at least one electrical connection port of said outlet such that said indicator light visually indicates whether said outlet is active by being illuminated or whether said outlet is inactive by not being lit.

10. The safety apparatus of claim 9 wherein said indicator light is a neon light.