Locking device for electrical plugs and electrical outlets

• US 7,121,853 B1
• Filed: 02/17/2006
• Issued: 10/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James C. Gast
• Original Assignee: James C. Gast
• Inventors: Gast, James C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zarroli, Michael C.
• Application Number:
  US11/356,237
• Time in Patent Office: 242 Days
• Field of Search: 439/134, 439/133, 439/135, 70/53, 70/57
• US Class Current: 439/134
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/447 Shutter or cover plate
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6397 with means for preventing unauthorised use
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 33/97 Holders with separate means to prevent loosening of the coupling or unauthorised removal of apparatus held
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/491 Shackles

Abstract

The locking device for electrical plugs includes a housing for receiving the prongs of at least one electrical plug therein. The distal end of a rod is pivotally secured to the inner face of a rear wall of the housing, with the rod being received by holes formed in the prongs of the electrical plug. A support is mounted to the front exterior face of the housing and has a channel formed in its upper surface. The front face further has an opening formed therethrough for receiving the proximal end of the rod, which is further releasably received within the channel. A lock is mounted to the support for selectively and releasably locking the rod within the channel, thusly releasably locking the prongs to the rod within the housing. The locking device allows the prongs of electrical plugs to be secured within the housing in order to prevent theft and, further, as a safety precaution.

Claims

1. A locking device for electrical plugs, comprising:

a housing having opposed upper and lower walls, longitudinally opposed front and rear walls, and a pair of opposed sidewalls, an upper opening being formed through the upper wall and extending in the longitudinal direction, the housing having an open interior region defined therein;

a support mounted on an exterior face of the front wall and projecting outwardly therefrom along the longitudinal direction, the support having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface having a channel defined therein, the channel extending in the longitudinal direction, a front opening being formed in the front wall and extending between the channel and the upper opening;

at least one engagement member formed on the lower surface of the support and projecting downwardly therefrom;

a rod having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being pivotally secured to an inner face of the rear wall, the proximal end being removably received within the channel; and

a lock selectively and releasably mounted on the support.

2. The locking device for electrical plugs as recited in claim 1, wherein said lock comprises a cylindrical combination tumbler lock.

3. The locking device for electrical plugs as recited in claim 1, further comprising user-selectable indicia imprinted on said housing.

4. The locking device for electrical plugs as recited in claim 1, further comprising a cover releasably secured to said housing and selectively covering the upper opening.

5. The locking device for electrical plugs as recited in claim 4, wherein said cover extends beyond said front wall in the longitudinal direction, said cover having an access opening formed therethrough, the access opening being positioned above said lock for providing the user with access to said lock.

6. A locking device for an electrical outlet, comprising:

a housing adapted for mounting on an electrical outlet, the housing having opposed upper and lower walls, a pair of opposed sidewalls, an open front portion and a rear wall, the rear wall having an opening formed therethrough for providing access to the electrical outlet;

a support mounted on an exterior face of the housing and projecting therefrom in a substantially longitudinal direction, the support having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface having a channel defined therein, the channel extending in the longitudinal direction;

at least one engagement member formed on the lower surface of the support and projecting outwardly therefrom;

a cover releasably mounted on the housing, the cover selectively and releasably covering the open front portion;

an engaging rod mounted on an edge of the cover and extending therefrom along the longitudinal direction, the engaging rod being releasably received within the channel of the support; and

a lock selectively and releasably mounted on the support;

whereby, when the cover selectively and releasably covers the open front portion of the housing, the rod is received within the channel of the support and the support and the rod are selectively and releasably covered by the lock, the lock engaging the at least one engagement member to releasably lock the rod to the support and the cover to the housing, the electrical outlet being covered 21 by the cover with access being provided through selective disengagement of the lock.

7. The locking device for an electrical outlet as recited in claim 6, wherein at least one passage is formed through said lower wall adapted for receiving a cord of an electrical plug therethrough.

8. The locking device for an electrical outlet as recited in claim 6, wherein front edges of said pair of sidewalls and said upper wall terminate in a rim for slidably receiving and engaging said cover.

9. The locking device for an electrical outlet as recited in claim 6, wherein said rear wall has at least one fastener opening formed therethrough for receiving a fastener associated with the electrical outlet for selectively and releasably securing said housing to the electrical outlet.

10. The locking device for electrical plugs as recited in claim 6, wherein said lock comprises a cylindrical combination tumbler lock.

11. The locking device for electrical plugs as recited in claim 6, further comprising user-selectable indicia imprinted on said housing.

12. A locking device, comprising:

a housing having opposed upper and lower walls, a pair of opposed sidewalls, an open front portion and a rear wall;

a support mounted on an exterior face of the housing and projecting outwardly therefrom, said support extending in a longitudinal direction, the support having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface having a channel defined therein, the channel extending in the longitudinal direction;

at least one engagement member formed on the lower surface of the support and projecting outwardly therefrom;

a cover releasably mounted on the housing, the cover selectively and releasably covering the open front portion;

an engaging rod mounted on a first edge of the cover and extending outwardly along the longitudinal direction, the engaging rod being releasably received within the channel of the support; and

a lock selectively and releasably mounted on the support;

whereby, when the cover selectively and releasably covers the open front portion of the housing, the rod is received within the channel of the support and the support and the rod are selectively and releasably covered by the lock, the lock engaging the at least one engagement member to releasably lock the rod to the support and the cover to the housing.