Electrical safety outlet and power cord

• US 6,832,921 B1
• Filed: 02/02/2004
• Issued: 12/21/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stewco Corporation, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Stewco Corporation, Inc.
• Inventors: Stewart, Darren
• Primary Examiner(s): Zarroli, Michael C.
• Application Number:
  US10/770,313
• Time in Patent Office: 323 Days
• Field of Search: 439/134-135, 439/148-149, 439/357-358, 439/373, 174/66-67
• US Class Current: 439/134
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/447 Shutter or cover plate
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6273 comprising two latching arms

Abstract

A removable cap that has two safety prongs. A replacement outlet cover is also provided that has corresponding side slots to receive the safety clips. When the cap is inserted into the outlet, the safety prongs engage the side slots, which then hold the cap in place. Once the safety prongs are engaged, the removable cap must be compressed to remove the cap. This type of action is beyond the motor skills of small children, thus making the caps totally safe for use around children. Moreover, removing the caps is a simple task for adults, which makes them more likely to be used than more complicated covers and locks. The caps can be sold as a kit with a replacement outlet box cover for a low price. Power cords can also be made with the safety prongs to prevent them from being easily pulled out of outlets.

Claims

1. A safety outlet cover system for an electrical receptacle having a first outlet and a second outlet, wherein each of said first and second outlets have a pair of slots formed therein, comprising:

a) a replacement outlet cover being generally rectangular, having a back a first outlet hole, and a second outlet hole formed therein, said first and second outlet holes being aligned in a linear orientation such that said first and second outlet holes conform to the orientation of said first and second outlets on said receptacle, wherein said replacement outlet cover also has a first pair of rectangular slots, having a straight, vertical orientation and being positioned adjacent to said first outlet hole, and a second pair of rectangular slots having a straight vertical orientation, and being positioned adjacent to said second outlet hole; and

b) a removable cap, having a flat, solid face, said cap having a first pair of prongs attached thereto that conform to the rectangular slots on said first and second outlet on said receptacle, and a second pair of prongs, each of said second pair of prongs having a hooked end, whereby when said removable cap is aligned with said replacement outlet cover, said first pair of prongs aligns with one of said pairs of slots in said generally rectangular member, and further wherein when said removable cap is engaged with one of said pairs of slots, the hooked ends on said second pair of prongs pass through the one of said pair of rectangular slots such that the hooked ends engage the back of the generally rectangular member of said safety outlet cover, such that when said removable cap is in place over one of said first or second outlets, that outlet is completely covered by said removable cap.

2. The safety outlet cover system of claim 1 further comprising a means to release said pair of prongs from said replacement outlet cover.

3. The safety outlet cover system of claim 1 further comprising a means to release said pair of prongs from said replacement outlet cover comprise a pair of flexible members, extending outwardly from the flat, solid face of said removable cap, said pair of flexible members in alignment with said pair of prongs attached to said removable cap.

4. The safety outlet cover system of claim 1 further comprising a means to release said pair of prongs from said replacement outlet cover.

5. The safety outlet cover system of claim 4 wherein the means to release said pair of prongs from said replacement outlet cover comprise a pair of flexible members, extending outwardly from the flat, solid face of said removable cap, said pair of flexible members in alignment with said pair of prongs attached to said removable cap.