Electrical power and disabling jack

• US 6,328,597 B1
• Filed: 06/22/2000
• Issued: 12/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Oliver W. Epps
• Original Assignee: Oliver W. Epps
• Inventors: Epps, Oliver W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ta, Tho D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Harvey, James R.
• Application Number:
  US09/599,590
• Time in Patent Office: 537 Days
• Field of Search: 439/106, 439/135-138, 439/141-143, 439/501-502, 439/623, 439/369, 439/140
• US Class Current: 439/502
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/4538 Covers sliding or withdrawing in the direction of engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6397 with means for preventing unauthorised use
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94

Abstract

An electrical power cord disabling jack for preventing unauthorized use of an electrical appliance. The disabling jack may be provided in a kit and is a symmetrical device having an electrical cord with a male electrical plug at each end thereof. The electrical appliance is modified by removing a conventional male plug from the end of its cord, and installing a female receptacle in place of the male plug. The appliance may be activated by connecting the female receptacle of the appliance to one end of the disabling jack, and plugging the opposite end of the jack into a conventional female receptacle or outlet. A ground fault interrupter device may be installed inline between the two male plugs of the disabling jack as a safety feature. Alternatively, the jack may be provided with an automatically extending safety guard which covers the otherwise exposed electrical contacts of the jack when it is not plugged in to an outlet or other female receptacle.

Claims

1. A method for selectively disabling an electrical appliance, comprising the following steps:

(a) providing a first and a second male electrical plug, with each plug having a plurality of external electrical contacts extending therefrom;

(b) constructing a symmetrical disabling jack by electrically connecting the first and the second male electrical plug to one another so that their respective electrical contacts are generally opposed to one another;

(c) further providing at least one appliance cord having a distal electrical connector end;

(d) removing the conventional male electrical plug from the electrical connector end of the appliance cord;

(e) installing a female electrical receptacle to the electrical connector end of the at least one appliance cord, with the female electrical receptacle having a plurality of internal electrical contacts therein, configured for selective connection with the externally extending electrical contacts of a male electrical plug;

(f) selectively installing the disabling jack inline between the female electrical receptacle of the appliance cord and a female electrical power outlet for providing electrical power to an appliance; and

(g) selectively removing the disabling jack from between the female electrical receptacle of the appliance cord and the female electrical outlet for disabling the appliance.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of constructing a disabling jack comprises:

(a) further providing an electrically active blade and an electrically neutral blade extending from each male electrical plug; and

(b) further providing an electrically active and an electrically neutral contact within the female electrical receptacle.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of constructing an electrical disabling jack comprises:

(a) further providing an electrically active blade, an electrically neutral blade, and an electrical ground prong extending from each male electrical plug; and

(b) further providing an electrically active contact, an electrically neutral contact, and an electrical ground contact within the female electrical receptacle.

4. The method according to claim 1, including the step of providing safety means for precluding electrical shock to persons contacting one male electrical plug when the other male electrical plug is electrically connected to an electrical power outlet.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the step of providing safety means comprises installing a ground fault interrupter inline between the first and the second male electrical plugs.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the step of providing safety means comprises:

(a) installing an automatically extending cover about at least one male electrical plug;

(b) providing means for automatically extending the cover to cover the externally extending electrical contacts when the male electrical plug is not connected to an electrical power outlet; and

(c) providing further means for automatically retracting the cover for exposing the externally extending electrical contacts when the male electrical plug is connected to the electrical power outlet for making electrical contact therewith.