Patents by Inventor Dale W. Torok

Dale W. Torok has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5197897
    Abstract: A locking electrical cord connector includes a two piece housing formed from electrically non-conductive material. A pair of conductors are received in the housing. Each conductor includes a male electrical contact and a female electrical contact. Two locking mechanisms are also provided in the housing. The first cooperates with the male electrical contacts for locking the male electrical contacts to a receptacle. The second cooperates with the female electrical contacts for locking the female electrical contact to a plug of another electrical appliance. More particularly, each of the locking mechanisms includes a spring metal element. The distal end of each spring metal element associated with a male contact is bradded to the male contact. The distal end of each spring metal element associated with a female contact is fixed in a notch in the housing. The proximal ends of the spring metal elements are received in slots cut in opposed slide blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Inventor: Dale W. Torok
  • Patent number: 5108301
    Abstract: A locking electrical cord connector includes both male and female contacts. The device includes a housing of electrically non-conductive material including a cylindrical cavity. A pair of opposed plungers are mounted for reciprocation in this cavity. An actuator switch in the form of an elliptical disc is mounted for reciprocation in the housing about a center shaft between the plungers. Each plunger is biased into engagement with the outer cam edge of the disc by means of springs. In use, the male connector of another electrical appliance is connected with the female connector of the device. The female end of a second electrical appliance is connected with the male connector of the device. The actuator switch is then turned so that the plungers are forced outwardly against the biasing of the springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Inventor: Dale W. Torok