Electrical extension cord with capability for multi-positional fixed mounting

• US 6,485,327 B1
• Filed: 10/12/2001
• Issued: 11/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mark J. Morlock, Steven J. Masonek
• Original Assignee: Mark J. Morlock, Steven J. Masonek
• Inventors: Rabo, Frederick N., Masonek, Steven J., Morlock, Mark J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ta, Tho D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TRUC T
• Application Number:
  US09/976,852
• Time in Patent Office: 410 Days
• Field of Search: 439/570, 439/527, 439/532, 439/716, 439/654, 439/954, 439/216, 439/535
• US Class Current: 439/527
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/003 the coupling part being secured only to wires or cables
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/006 the coupling part being secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. duplex wall receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/954 Special orientation of electrical connector

Abstract

An electrical extension cord assembly including a cord having a male plug attached to one end and a female receptacle head attached to the other end of the cord. The receptacle head is configured so that it can removably engage a base plate that is attached to a stationary object.

Claims

1. An extension cord assembly, comprising:

an electrical cord having at least two wires;

said electrical cord having a first end and a second end;

a male plug attached to said first end of said electrical cord;

a receptacle head attached to said second end of said electrical cord;

said receptacle head including at least one female receptacle;

a base plate;

said base plate being attachable to a stationary object;

said receptacle head being removably attachable to said base plate; and

a locking mechanism associated with said base plate;

wherein said locking mechanism is engageable with said receptacle head to lock said receptacle head to said base plate;

wherein said locking mechanism includes at least two tabs engageable with at least two corresponding notches formed by said receptacle head; and

wherein said tabs are movable between a locked position wherein said receptacle head cannot be removed from said base plate and an unlocked position wherein said receptacle head can be slidably removed from said base plate.

2. An extension cord assembly as recited in claim 1;

wherein said receptacle head is formed with at least one groove;

wherein said base plate is formed with at least one tongue; and

wherein said tongue is slidably engageable with said groove to secure said receptacle head to said base plate.

3. An extension cord assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein said tongue and groove are dovetail shaped.

4. An extension cord assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said locking mechanism further comprises at least one button for moving said tabs into said unlocked position.

5. An extension cord assembly as recited in claim 1:

wherein said receptacle head defines a first end and a second end;

wherein said receptacle head further includes at least one tab extending from said first end and at least one tab extending from said second end opposite said first tab; and

wherein said base plate includes at least two slots configured to engage said tabs; and

wherein said receptacle head is snapping engageable with said base plate.

6. An extension cord assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said receptacle head includes at least one beveled surface in which said female receptacle is established.

7. An extension cord assembly as recited in claim 1:

wherein said receptacle head is formed with at least one tongue;

wherein said base plate is formed with at least one groove; and

wherein said tongue is slidably engageable with said groove to secure said receptacle head to said base plate.

8. An extension cord assembly as recited in claim 7, wherein said tongue and groove are dovetail shaped.

9. An extension cord assembly, comprising:

an electrical cord having at least two wires;

said electrical cord having a first end and a second end;

a male plug attached to said first end of said electrical cord;

a receptacle head attached to the second end of the electrical cord;

said receptacle head including at least one female receptacle;

said receptacle head formed with at least one groove;

a base plate;

said base plate being attachable to a stationary object;

said base plate formed with at least one tongue;

said tongue slidably engageable with said groove to secure said receptacle head to said base plate; and

a locking mechanism associated with said base plate;

wherein said locking mechanism is engageable with said receptacle head to lock said receptacle head to said base plate;

wherein said locking mechanism includes at least two tabs engageable with at least two corresponding notches formed by said receptacle head; and

wherein said tabs are movable between a locked position wherein said receptacle head cannot be removed from said base plate and an unlocked position wherein said receptacle head can be slidably removed from said base plate.

10. An extension cord assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein said tongue and groove are dovetail shaped.

11. An extension cord assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein said locking mechanism further comprises at least one button for moving said tabs into said unlocked position.

12. An extension cord assembly as recited in claim 9:

wherein said receptacle head has a first end and a second end;

wherein said receptacle head further includes at least one tab extending from said first end and at least one tab extending from said second end opposite said first tab;

wherein said base plate includes at least two slots configured to engage said tabs; and

wherein said receptacle head is snapping engageable with said base plate.

13. An extension cord assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein said receptacle head includes at least one beveled surface in which said female receptacle is established.

14. An extension cord assembly, comprising:

an electrical cord having at least two wires;

said electrical cord having a first end and a second end;

a male plug attached to said first end of said electrical cord;

a receptacle head attached to said second end of said electrical cord;

said receptacle head including at least one female receptacle;

said receptacle head formed with at least one tongue;

a base plate;

said base plate being attachable to a stationary object;

said base plate formed with at least one groove;

said tongue being slidably engageable with said groove to secure said receptacle head to said base plate; and

a locking mechanism associated with said base plate;

wherein said locking mechanism is engageable with said receptacle head to lock said receptacle head to said base plate;

wherein said locking mechanism includes at least two tabs engageable with at least two corresponding notches formed by said receptacle head; and

wherein said tabs are movable between a locked position wherein said receptacle head cannot be removed from said base plate and an unlocked position wherein said receptacle head can be slidably removed from said base plate.

15. An extension cord assembly as recited in claim 14, wherein said tongue and groove are dovetail shaped.

16. An extension cord assembly as recited in claim 14, wherein said receptacle head includes at least one beveled surface in which said female receptacle is established.

17. An extension cord assembly, comprising:

an electrical cord having at least two wires;

said electrical cord having a first end and a second end;

a male plug attached to said first end of the electrical cord;

a receptacle head attached to said second end of said electrical cord;

said receptacle head including at least one female receptacle;

a base plate;

means for attaching said base plate to a stationary object;

means for removably attaching said receptacle head to said base plate; and

a locking mechanism associated with said base plate;

wherein said locking mechanism is engageable with said receptacle head to lock said receptacle head to said base plate;

wherein said locking mechanism includes at least two tabs engageable with at least two corresponding notches formed by said receptacle head; and

wherein said tabs are movable between a locked position wherein said receptacle head cannot be removed from said base plate and an unlocked position wherein said receptacle head can be slidably removed from said base plate.

18. An extension cord assembly as recited in claim 17, further comprising:

means for slidably engaging said receptacle head with said base plate.

19. An extension cord assembly as recited in claim 17, further comprising:

means for snapping engaging said receptacle head to said base plate.

20. A female receptacle head for an extension cord, comprising:

a cord head having at least one female receptacle; and

means for removably engaging a base plate with said cord head;

wherein a locking mechanism associated with said base plate is engageable with said receptacle head to lock said receptacle head to said base plate;

wherein said locking mechanism includes at least two tabs engageable with at least two corresponding notches formed by said receptacle head; and

wherein said tabs are movable between a locked position wherein said receptacle head cannot be removed from said base plate and an unlocked position wherein said receptacle head can be slidably removed from said base plate.