Abstract: A telescoping electric hair curling iron includes a molded hollow handle of plastic material having front and rear openings and a longitudinally extending thumb-operated cantilever spring element integrally molded as part of the handle wall. The forward end of the cantilever spring element is downwardly bent to form a depressible thumb button immediately adjacent the front handle opening for operating a spring-biased elongated hair gripping clip pivotally mounted on an electrically heated hair curling rod arranged for slidable telescopic movement through the front opening between a retracted storage position within the handle and an extended operative position outside the handle when the curling rod is in the operative position. The curling rod as heated by a PTC heating element therein. A swivel cord connector is mounted on the inner end of the curling rod and is slidable therewith within the handle and in the retracted position of the curling rod extends out the rear handle opening.

Abstract: There is disclosed an electrical connector system for a device powered by high current comprising a plug with two high current female contacts and one low current female contact, a socket in the device having two high current male contacts and one low current male contact. The high current contacts are longer than the low current contact so that when the plug is inserted, the high current contacts make connection before the low current contact and when the plug is removed the low current contact is disconnected first, breaking the circuit and preventing arcing. The high current contacts in the socket are electrically connected to the electrical device by a solid-state switch wherein the control gate is operated by the low current contact.

Abstract: There is disclosed an electric cord mechanical interlock system which prevents the user from removing or inserting the cord of an electric appliance when the appliance is switched on thus preventing arcing across the contacts. Arcing is prevented by providing an extension as part of the on-off switch control which, when the switch is off, engages and raises a flexible arm containing a pin, allowing the plug to be inserted or removed.