Abstract: A convertible electrical plug is disclosed in which one of the prongs is a retractable grounding prong movable between a forwardly projecting active position and a rearwardly projecting inactive position, the grounding prong being releasably locked in the active position for insertion into a three-prong receptacle and movable to the inactive position for insertion of the plug into a two-prong receptacle. In one form of the invention, the grounding prong is axially reciprocable in a metal tube connected to the ground wire of the electrical cord, and a manually engageable latch releasably locks the grounding prong in its active position. A spring is provided for automatically urging the grounding prong to its latched, active position. In another form of the invention, the grounding prong has an end pivotally mounted in a channel in the plug body, with the prong being swingable about the pivot between its active position and inactive position.

Abstract: A convertible electrical plug is disclosed in which one of the prongs is a retractable grounding prong. A channel is provided in the plug body to receive the grounding prong. The channel in the plug body is generally parallel to the prongs and extends through the flat front end of the plug body through which the prongs pass. The channel in the plug body also extends through the rear surface of the plug body remote from the flat front end. A conductive metallic channel member is disposed in the channel in the plug body and the grounding prong is disposed within the conductive metallic channel member. The conductive metallic channel member is connected to the ground wire of a three-wire electrical cord in the preferred embodiment. The grounding prong and the conductive channel member are retained in the channel in the plug body by means of a pivot pin which passes through the plug body.