Three-prong Coupling Part Including Ground Prong, Or Receptacle Patents (Class 439/106)
  • Publication number: 20130109205
    Abstract: A triplex electrical receptacle has a flexible, compact arrangement of bus bars and phase, neutral and ground contacts associated with three outlets. Two outlets are nearest two corners of the body that share a common first side, and the third outlet is between them but closer to the opposite side of the body. A common neutral bus bar (with terminal) is connected to the neutral contacts of all three outlets. The phase bus bar (with terminal) is connected to the phase contacts of at least two of the outlets. One embodiment permanently connects the phase contact of the third outlet to the phase bus bar; another embodiment permanently isolates the third outlet, connecting its phase contact to a separate phase terminal; and an additional embodiment incorporates a separate phase terminal for the third outlet and an optionally severable connection between the third outlet and the first phase terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Dennis A. Oddsen, Jian H. Li
  • Patent number: 8133060
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an electric plug can comprise a housing, a rotatable plug assembly, and a blade array. The housing can have a bottom piece and a top piece including a first opening. The bottom piece can be in mechanical communication with the top piece and forming a cavity defined by the interior surface of the top piece and the interior surface of the bottom piece. The rotatable plug assembly can have a top surface and a bottom surface opposite each other, where a first portion of the rotatable plug assembly can comprise the bottom surface and be located within the cavity, and where a second portion of the rotatable plug assembly can protrude from the cavity via the first opening. The blade array can include a plurality of plug blades, each plug blade of the plurality of plug blades having an outlet end and a connector end, the connector end of each plug blade located within the rotatable plug assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Belkin International, Inc.
    Inventor: John F. Wadsworth
  • Patent number: 8052437
    Abstract: An electrical ganged-outlet apparatus includes a plurality of electrical outlets molded together as a unitary outlet body having a front surface and a back surface. Each of the electrical outlets has an aperture extending through the front surface, a peripheral wall and a sidewall opposing the peripheral wall, a shoulder adjacent to the front surface of the unitary outlet body and the sidewall of the electrical outlet, and an opening molded in the sidewall adjacent to the shoulder and in communication with the aperture. The shoulder is constructed and arranged to engage a latching member attached to the electrical inlet connector when the electrical inlet connector is inserted into the aperture. The opening in the sidewall extends from the shoulder through the back surface, and is constructed and arranged to receive the latching member to retain the electrical inlet connector within the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Yuchun Jiang, Michael Jansma
  • Patent number: 8038454
    Abstract: An electrical ganged-outlet apparatus includes a unitary outlet body including a plurality of electrical outlets and a back surface. Each of the electrical outlets has at least a first and a second receptacle contact element, and a line terminal. The line terminal is electrically connected to the first receptacle contact element and extends from the back surface. The outlet body has at least one neutral bus bar disposed against the back surface, and the neutral bus bar is electrically connected to the second receptacle contact element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Yuchun Jiang, Michael Jansma
  • Patent number: 8029318
    Abstract: An electric power plug comprises blades, a bridge and a plug body. The bridge includes sleeves for covering the roots of the blades and a core for holding the lower ends of the blades. The blades and the core are integrally molded. The plug body is molded so that the plug body embeds the bridge except the upper portions of the sleeves. The core may embed the lower portions of the blades, cords, a caulking portion for connecting the lower ends of blades and wire conductors of the cords. A cavity may be formed at the central portion of the core. The plug body may be molded so that the plug body embeds the bridge and the cords except the upper portions of the sleeves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Kawasaki Electric Wire Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Namiki, Akihiro Yui
  • Publication number: 20110223784
    Abstract: An electrical ganged-outlet apparatus includes a unitary outlet body including a plurality of electrical outlets and a back surface. Each of the electrical outlets has at least a first and a second receptacle contact element, and a line terminal. The line terminal is electrically connected to the first receptacle contact element and extends from the back surface. The outlet body has at least one neutral bus bar disposed against the back surface, and the neutral bus bar is electrically connected to the second receptacle contact element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Yuchun Jiang, Michael Jansma
  • Publication number: 20110223785
    Abstract: An electrical ganged-outlet apparatus includes a plurality of electrical outlets molded together as a unitary outlet body having a front surface and a back surface. Each of the electrical outlets has an aperture extending through the front surface, a peripheral wall and a sidewall opposing the peripheral wall, a shoulder adjacent to the front surface of the unitary outlet body and the sidewall of the electrical outlet, and an opening molded in the sidewall adjacent to the shoulder and in communication with the aperture. The shoulder is constructed and arranged to engage a latching member attached to the electrical inlet connector when the electrical inlet connector is inserted into the aperture. The opening in the sidewall extends from the shoulder through the back surface, and is constructed and arranged to receive the latching member to retain the electrical inlet connector within the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuchun Jiang, Michael Jansma
  • Publication number: 20110183533
    Abstract: An electrical connection assembly includes a faceplate defining a compartment extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom. The compartment being formed from the same piece of material as the faceplate and defining a biasing member biasing a component of the connection assembly. The electrical connection assembly also includes a one-piece conductive insert disposed within the compartment. The insert has a terminal enabling electrical connection of the insert to an electrical current source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Daniel Cedillo Vazquez, Luis Hugo Cedillo Vazquez
  • Patent number: 7922540
    Abstract: A power plug having backup fuse tube, its major objective is that, when a fuse tube is damaged, a replaceable backup fuse tube can be obtained readily and promptly. The power plug has a backup fuse tube with pins and a casing, lead-out wires. A cavity is provided in the casing. The cavity is covered with a matching backup fuse tube holder. On a backside of the backup fuse tube holder a retainer is provided, and a backup fuse tube is placed in the retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Dongguan Unirise Electric Wire & Cable Co.
    Inventors: Yu Liang Zhang, Dong-Hua Nie
  • Patent number: 7892044
    Abstract: A terminal module includes at least two terminals (2, 3) for transmitting electrical power, each terminal having a retention portion (21) defining two positioning cavities therein, a mating portion (25) extending forward from the retention portion and a tail portion (23) extending rearward from the retention portion; and an insulative main portion (1) including a base portion (11) and two retaining portions (12) laterally extending outward from the base portion, each retaining portion having two locking arm portions (121) spaced apart from one another and locked into the two positioning cavities of the retention portion of the corresponding terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-Yin Wang, Chin-Te Lai, Su-Feng Liu
  • Patent number: 7851703
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sealing member for establishing a water resistant seal between two elements which includes a resilient gasket having opposed gasket surfaces for engagement between the two elements; and a water resistant coating applied to the gasket. The water resistant coating providing releasable adhesive sealing contact with at least one of the elements. The present invention is also directed to a method of making a gasket seal for an electrical box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark R. Drane
  • Patent number: 7833037
    Abstract: An extension cordset assembly includes a receptacle and a sealing gasket. The receptacle includes a receptacle main body, a receptacle connecting interface and first and second spade mating holes extending into the receptacle main body from the receptacle connecting interface. The receptacle is configured to mate with a plug having a standard spade configuration. The sealing gasket is positioned on the receptacle connecting interface and includes first and second spade openings aligned with the first and second spade mating holes, respectively. The sealing gasket is configured to provide a water-resistant seal between the receptacle and the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Allied Precision Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas K. Reusche, Philip E. Chumbley
  • Patent number: 7824195
    Abstract: A dual-mode electrical plug includes an insulating body formed with a channel and an elongate guiding aperture; a pair of conductive components disposed on the insulating body; a ground prong including a hollow prong body disposed in the channel and movable between an extended position and a retracted position, and the prong body defining a wire containing space, the ground prong further including an operating part disposed on an outer surface of the prong body, the operating part extending through and being movable in the elongate guiding aperture so as to drive movement of the prong body; and a ground wire extending into the wire containing space and including a connecting end for connecting electrically to an inner surface of the prong body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Liang Yu, Chia-Ching Lee
  • Patent number: 7824196
    Abstract: An electrical receptacle with a body sized to fit in a NEMA-standard single wall box has a substantially rectangular face with phase blade openings, neutral blade openings and ground prong openings associated with respective first, second and third outlets, each outlet having a centerline passing through its ground prong opening parallel to its phase and neutral blade openings. The centerline of the first outlet is oblique to the edges of the face and oblique to the centerline of at least one other outlet. The centerlines of all of the outlets may be mutually nonparallel, and they may be mutually oblique. The centerline of the second outlet may be parallel to an edge of the face; and if so, the centerline of the third outlet may be either perpendicular to or parallel to the centerline of the second outlet. In a preferred arrangement, the centerlines are mutually nonparallel, and the ground prong openings of two of the outlets are located at corners of the face that share a common longer edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Dennis A. Oddsen, Jian H. Li
  • Patent number: 7771214
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a terminal retainer (1) defining three through holes (11, 12, 13) extending along a longitudinal direction, each through hole accommodating a deflectable locking member therein; three terminals (1, 2, 3) respectively secured in the corresponding through holes by the corresponding deflectable locking members. One of the locking member is capable of deflecting along a first direction, and the other locking members are capable of deflecting along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-Yin Wang, Chin-Te Lai, Su-Feng Liu
  • Patent number: 7753699
    Abstract: A safety socket adapted for receiving a terminal of a plug includes a socket housing with a plurality of electrodes being mounted thereon, a socket cover coupled with the socket housing and an insulating case mounted between the socket housing and the socket cover. The socket cover has a plurality of insertion holes corresponding to the electrodes. And the insulating case is located above the electrode for holding the terminal separated from the electrode and has a through hole aligned with the electrode and the insertion hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Well Shin Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jui-Hsiung Wu
  • Patent number: 7642457
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a protective shutter assembly for use within a cover assembly of an electrical wiring device. The assembly includes a frameless shutter sub-assembly movable between a closed position and an open position. The frameless shutter sub-assembly is configured to move from the closed position to the open position in response to engaging at least one plug blade having a predetermined plug blade geometry. A spring member is disposed within the frameless shutter sub-assembly. The spring member is configured to bias the frameless shutter sub-assembly in the closed position. At least one retainer element is disposed in the frameless shutter sub-assembly. The at least one retainer element being configured to retain the spring member within the frameless shutter sub-assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Pass & Seymour, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Weeks, Dejan Radosavljevic, Thomas N. Packard, Steven C. Thibault
  • Publication number: 20090225486
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an electrical connector comprises a housing, at least two electrical outlets accessible through the housing, a rotation coupler at least partially enclosed by the housing and coupled to the at least two electrical outlets, and a prong adapter coupled to the rotation coupler. The rotation coupler comprises a line contact, a neutral contact, and a ground contact. The prong adapter comprises a prong set with at least two of a line prong configured to couple with the line contact, a neutral prong configured to couple with the neutral contact, and a ground prong configured to couple with the ground contact. The rotation coupler is configured to allow a rotational movement of the housing relative to the prong adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: Belkin International, Inc.
    Inventor: John Wadsworth
  • Patent number: 7581977
    Abstract: A safety socket adapted for connecting with a terminal of a plug includes a socket housing with at least one electrode mounted thereon, a socket cover engaged with the socket housing, and a fixing case mounted in the socket housing. The socket cover has a plurality of insertion holes for allowing the terminals to pass therethrough. The fixing case includes an insulating housing and an electrode component. The electrode component has a pivotal portion pivoted on the insulating housing, a contacting portion and a pressing portion respectively extended from two opposite ends of the pivotal portion. The contacting portion is underlain the electrode with a small gap. The pressing portion is located under the corresponding insertion hole for being pressed downwardly by the inserted terminal to make the contacting portion be uplifted to electrically connect with the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Well Shin Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jui-Hsiung Wu
  • Patent number: 7553171
    Abstract: A power plug assembly with improved connector configuration, comprises an inner base member defining at least two channels each provided with a retaining member having a transition portion and a deformable positioning portion extended from thereof. At least two terminals are snugly received into the corresponding channels including a retaining portion engaged with the retaining member, a mating portion extended out of the channel and a rear portion. At least two conductive wires are electrically engaged with the rear portion of the terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-Yin Wang, Wei-Ya Cheng, Su-Feng Liu
  • Patent number: 7554033
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring device for use in an ambient environment. The device includes a cover assembly characterized by a perimeter defining a user-accessible front face portion of the wiring device. The cover assembly includes at least one user-accessible control feature disposed therein. A body member is connected to the cover assembly. A circuit arrangement is disposed in the body member, at least a portion of the circuit arrangement being in operative communication with the at least one user-accessible control feature. A gasket structure is integrated into the cover assembly and disposed under the front face portion to substantially seal the circuit arrangement from the ambient environment. The gasket structure includes at least one gasket feature coupling the at least one user-accessible control feature and the at least a portion of the circuit arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Pass & Seymour, Inc.
    Inventors: Vikramsinh Bhosale, Dejan Radosavljevic, Richard Weeks
  • Patent number: 7517234
    Abstract: To obtain a microphone connector and microphone, wherein in the state where a pin insert and a connector case are connected to each other with a screw, the mutual decentering between the pin insert and the connector case can be suppressed to an extremely small amount, and the attaching and detaching of the connector can be carried out smoothly, and there is no looseness in the state where the connectors are connected to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-Technica
    Inventor: Hiroshi Akino
  • Patent number: 7513782
    Abstract: A three-prong electrical plug includes a replaceable ground prong and circuitry inside the plug to preclude its functioning without the ground prong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Sure Ground L.L.C.
    Inventors: Bradley Sheldon, Walter M. Sheldon, Brad Davis, Trevor Sheldon
  • Patent number: 7488187
    Abstract: A dual channel XLR cable converter is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the XLR cable converter includes first and second RCA cables terminating at first and second RCA cable connectors at one end and a XLR cable connector at the opposing end. A first signal pin terminal of the XLR cable connector is in electrical communication with the first signal wire of the first RCA cable. A second signal pin terminal of the XLR connector is in electrical communication with the second signal wire of the second RCA cable. A common ground pin terminal of the XLR cable connector is in electrical communication with the first grounding wire of the first RCA cable and a second grounding wire of the second RCA cable. Therefore, the XLR cable converter can be used for conveying single channel RCA cable signals over dual channel XLR cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Inventor: Daniel Wolf
  • Patent number: 7488204
    Abstract: A telescopic and adjustable electrically conductive device includes a first electrically conductive piece and a second electrically conductive piece. The second electrically conductive piece is movable contacted with the first electrically conductive piece. The present invention further provides a socket device including a socket and at least two electrically conductive devices. The socket comprises a base and a plurality of socket bodies and they are combined together in a slidable manner. The electrically conductive device comprises a first electrically conductive piece, a second electrically conductive piece and a plurality of contacting pieces. The contacting pieces movable contact with the second electrically conductive piece. The first electrically conductive piece is inside the base, and the second electrically conductive piece is inside the base and the socket bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Powertech Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jung-Hui Hsu
  • Publication number: 20090017654
    Abstract: A power plug assembly with improved connector configuration, comprises an inner base member defining at least two channels each provided with a retaining member having a transition portion and a deformable positioning portion extended from thereof. At least two terminals are snugly received into the corresponding channels including a retaining portion engaged with the retaining member, a mating portion extended out of the channel and a rear portion. At least two conductive wires are electrically engaged with the rear portion of the terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Chang-Yin Wang, Wei-Ya Cheng, Su-Feng Liu
  • Patent number: 7462074
    Abstract: A rotating two blade plug and grounding post adapter includes a housing including a top and bottom coupled to freely rotate about a rotary cap disposed between the housing top and bottom. Right and left electrical spades and a grounding post extend from the rotary cap and a receptacle integral to the periphery of the housing accepts a two blade and grounding plug that may be oriented at a wall receptacle by rotating the adapter housing and receptacle to a desired orientation. Internal flanges define grooves in which rotary electrical contacts are maintained through rotation of the housing and integral receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventors: Thomas E. Devlin, George Favaloro
  • Patent number: 7422453
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for coupling a coaxial cable with a power ground wire in which a coaxial splice is attached directly to a common service power ground wire via a connector. The direct attachment creates a bonding point that prevents electricity on the drops from entering a building via interior wiring. The connector attaches on one end to a common utility service ground wire. The connector further connects two ends of coaxial drop cable such that the cable is spliced at the point of the connector. This dual bonding results in decreased installation costs due to diminished need for additional ground wire. The dual bonding provides a further advantage in that it reduces the differential in electrical potentials between the power utility and cable television systems. This results in a more direct path to ground and superior electrical characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Allied Bolt, Inc.
    Inventor: Glen K. Malin
  • Patent number: 7422452
    Abstract: An adapter for connecting a welding-type power source to various different input voltage signals is disclosed. The adapter comprises a body with a receptacle at one end which is connectable to a power cord of a welding-type power source and a plug at another end which is connectable with a number of different electrical outlet configurations. The body of the adapter is shaped to allow both the plug and a grounding prong of a connected power cord to engage the same outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Mark Achtner, Jeffery J. Gadamus
  • Patent number: 7400239
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for control of one or more functions within a premises. In one embodiment, the control apparatus comprises a “universal” electronic switch which can be configured according to any number of different desired functional and/or aesthetic schemes. The apparatus uses removable and replaceable control elements which are purely mechanical in nature, thereby allowing consolidation of all electrical functions within the parent control module. An improved control circuit including thermal overload protection is also disclosed, as are methods of operating and manufacturing the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Simply Automated, Incorporated
    Inventors: Frederick J. Kiko, David Beene
  • Patent number: 7312394
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a protective shutter assembly for use within a cover assembly of an electrical wiring device. The assembly includes a frameless shutter sub-assembly movable between a closed position and an open position. The frameless shutter sub-assembly is configured to move from the closed position to the open position in response to engaging at least one plug blade having a predetermined plug blade geometry. A spring member is disposed within the frameless shutter sub-assembly. The spring member is configured to bias the frameless shutter sub-assembly in the closed position. At least one retainer element is disposed in the frameless shutter sub-assembly. The at least one retainer element being configured to retain the spring member within the frameless shutter sub-assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Pass & Seymour, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Weeks, Dejan Radosavljevic, Thomas N. Packard, Steven C. Thibault
  • Patent number: 7244128
    Abstract: A simplex receptacle body (102) includes a front portion (108) with a front surface (104) and a rear surface (106). Terminals (110) extend through the front portion (108). A clip (138) is “snap-fit” on a rear housing (132), so as to provide waterproofing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Inventor: Norman R. Byrne
  • Patent number: 7220136
    Abstract: A plug and socket combination positions a plug and electrical cord at an orientation perpendicular to a wall socket, thus reducing the required clearance to substantially that of the plug width without the electrical cord or less than half of the clearance normally required. Two-pronged and three-pronged plug and socket combinations have been developed that are substantially the same width, length, and depth as the typical plug on a two or three wire electrical cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Inventor: Robert L. Green
  • Patent number: 7204727
    Abstract: A standard type electrical connector element (1; 100; 200; 300), with a square cross-section measuring about 21×21 mm, includes (2; 102; 202; 302) within which are formed seats (22) adapted to house contacts (4; 204) adapted to receive the conductors (50) of electrical feed cables; a seat (23) adapted to house a contact (6; 106; 206; 306) adapted to go into contact with the conductor of an electrical earth cable, a cover (8; 108) which can be coupled on the body and which is provided with holes (83, 82) disposed in register with the contacts (4; 204) to allow the conductors of the feed and earth cables to be inserted, and spring elements (7) disposed in the seats (22, 23) of the body in which the contacts are housed to clamp the conductors of the electrical cables in contact with the respective contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Industria Lombarda Materiale Elettrico I.L.M.E. S.p.A.
    Inventor: Emilio Germani
  • Patent number: 7192289
    Abstract: A module system for power distribution includes sealed modules for providing control or access to the power, wherein the module system allows interconnection to a modular circuit breaker panel for monitoring power consumption and optimizing use for a given circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Inventor: Robert S. Kowalski
  • Patent number: 7179992
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a protection device that includes line terminals coupled to a power source disposed in an electric power distribution system. The protection device is configured to protect a portion of the power distribution system from at least one fault condition. The device includes a receptacle member that includes a housing and a cover. The cover includes receptacle openings configured to accommodate plug contact blades. Receptacle contacts are disposed in the housing. The receptacle contacts are also coupled to the line terminals to thereby establish an electrical connection between the receptacle contacts and the line terminals. Each receptacle contact is in communication with a corresponding receptacle opening. A protective shutter mechanism is integrated into the housing. The protective shutter mechanism is movable from a closed position to an open position upon insertion of the plug contact blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Pass & Seymour, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas N. Packard, Dejan Radosavljevic
  • Patent number: 7172451
    Abstract: A female locking electrical outlet is provided including an outlet body having slots for apertured prongs of a standard male electrical plug, a pair of locking receptacles mounted within the outlet body. Each of the receptacles has locking tabs that engage within apertures in the prongs when the outlet is in a locked position and the electrical plug is connected to the outlet. The outlet has a release mechanism with a release member for engaging each of the locking receptacles and to transition the locking receptacles from the locked position to an unlocked position. The outlet is capable of being mounted on the end of an extension cord or within a standard wall outlet box, and for use in portable generators, UPS (uninterrupted powers supply) systems, and other auxiliary power sources containing female receptacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Inventor's Group LLC
    Inventor: Jason Daniel Ratzlaff
  • Patent number: 7148419
    Abstract: A receptacle that is internally hard wired. The body of the receptacle is sealed, except for three outlets, through which pass precut “pigtail” wires. One wire is the “hot” wire, one is the “neutral” and one is the ground. To install this receptacle, an electrician has to remove the end cover from the pigtails and then simply connect them to the circuit wires in the box using common wire connectors such as WIRE NUTS. There is no need to tighten screws or to wrap the receptacle body with tape. The unit is sealed and completely protected. The electrician simply has to push the wires into the box and secure the receptacle with the mounting screws. For circuits that are daisy chained, the electrician simply connects all of the wires together (i.e., al “hot” wires together with one connector, all “neutrals” with another connector, and so on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Inventor: Charles Harrigan
  • Patent number: 7094085
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrical socket adapter for selectively providing electrical pins and insertion holes in different configurations, the adapter comprising a casing with openings in a front side of the casing and at least one pin holder being removably placed in the casing, wherein the pin holder comprises electrical pins being extendable through corresponding openings in the casing to protrude from the casing. It is the object of the present invention to provide an electrical socket adapter applicable to a variety of electrical standards and being yet still compact and convenient. This object is solved by an electrical socket adapter of the above mentioned type characterized in that at least one electrical pin being hinged on the pin holder to be selectively extractable from the pin holder, wherein in an operative position the electrical pin protrudes from a front side of the pin holder, and in a rest position, the electrical pin is at least partially retracted in the pin holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Inventors: Emanuela Bona, Raffaella Bona, Raffaele Bona
  • Patent number: 7081009
    Abstract: A functional module comprises a front cover having a front side defining an electrical distribution function and a back cover having a back side defining a plurality of shielded plugs. A contact set is adapted to communicate electrical power via the shielded plugs for the electrical distribution function. The front cover and said back cover are configured to latch together so as to enclose at least a portion of the contact set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: ProtectConnect
    Inventor: Michael P. Gorman
  • Patent number: 7063546
    Abstract: A microphone connector reliably inhibits electromagnetic waves from entering the microphone even if their frequencies are high as in the case of cellular phones or the like. The microphone connector 10A is of a three-pin type having a connector base 11 which consists of an electric insulator and a first pin for earthing, a second pin and a third pin for signals, which are penetratingly provided in the connector base. The microphone connector includes a printed circuit board placed on a connector base 11 and a shield cover 200 covering the printed circuit board 100. The printed circuit board 100 is a two-sided substrate having a shield layer on its bottom surface which layer consists of a solid pattern of a copper foil. The printed circuit board 100 has a capacitor element and a Zener diode element mounted in parallel, the capacitor element inhibiting entry of high frequencies, the Zener diode element preventing the circuit from being electrostatically destroyed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-Technica
    Inventor: Hiroshi Akino
  • Patent number: 7040931
    Abstract: An adapter for connecting a welding-type power source to various different input voltage signals is disclosed. The adapter comprises a body with a receptacle at one end which is connectable to a power cord of a welding-type power source and a plug at another end which is connectable with a number of different electrical outlet configurations. The body of the adapter is shaped to allow both the plug and a grounding prong of a connected power cord to engage the same outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Richard M. Achtner, Jeffery J Gadamus
  • Patent number: 7029332
    Abstract: The present invention provides a flat plug structure, which comprises: a flat housing, having a space; a first conductive plate, positioned perpendicularly inside said space and protruded from the bottom of said housing; a second conductive plate, also positioned perpendicularly inside said space and protruded from the bottom of said housing; a fuse seat, positioned inside said space and beside said second conductive plate; and a bottom plate, is made of an insulator material for carrying said fuse seat and removable covers over said space of said flat housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Inventor: Chao Chuan Chien
  • Patent number: 6997723
    Abstract: A power inlet socket includes a socket body; live and neutral terminals provided on the socket body, and each having a first pin connected to the power plug and a second pin soldered on the substrate. A ground terminal is provided between the live terminal and the neutral terminal of the socket body; and a ground member is connected to the ground terminal and soldered on the substrate at opposite sides of the socket body. The socket body has a cavity formed with a bottom wall, opposite side walls, a top wall, and a rear wall, and which is open at one side thereof. The ground member is structured to connect the ground terminal at the rear wall and is forked so as to branch from the connection to the ground terminal to surround the upper wall and the opposite side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung-eon Lee
  • Patent number: 6991482
    Abstract: A power plug includes a connected unit, an assembled unit and a clamping mechanism. The connected unit has an insulative housing with a terminal open, and the insulative housing has a conductive terminal disposed therein. The assembled unit has an insulative casing and a movable body movably received in the insulative casing. The movable body has a first conductive pole and a second conductive pole. The assembled unit is installed in the terminal open of the connected unit. One of the first conductive pole and the second conductive pole is electrically connected to the conductive terminal, and another of the first conductive pole and the second conductive pole is projected outside the insulative casing. The clamping mechanism is disposed between the connected unit and the assembled unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Inventor: Sheng Hsin Liao
  • Patent number: 6969801
    Abstract: The present invention is a protection device that is coupled to a power source in an electric power distribution system. The protection device is configured to protect a portion of the power distribution system from at least one fault condition. The device includes line terminals configured to be coupled to the power source when a proper wiring condition is effected. A receptacle member includes receptacle openings configured to accommodate plug contact blades. Receptacle contacts are disposed in the receptacle member and coupled to the line terminals. An electrical connection is established between the receptacle contacts and the line terminals. At least one protective shutter is movable between a closed position and an open position. The at least one protective shutter is disposed between the receptacle openings and the receptacle contacts in the closed position to prevent the plug blades from making contact with the receptacle contacts. A mis-wiring sensor is coupled to the line terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Pass & Seymour, Inc.
    Inventors: Dejan Radosavljevic, Richard Weeks
  • Patent number: 6945826
    Abstract: A safety electrical plug has two-part prongs. Each prong has a distal portion that is electrically insulated and a proximal portion that is conductive. Substantially full insertion of the plug into a receptacle is required to establish an electrical connection between the prongs and the receptacle contacts. This limits the chance of electric shocking by human or animal engagement of the exposed portions of the prongs subsequent to only partial insertion of the plug into the receptacle, and signals the partially-inserted condition when subsequent attempts to operate an electrical appliance connected to the plug fails. The conductive prong portions may be inserts in a nonconductive base, or be the entire proximal portions, which may optionally mount a strip of non-conductive material along their edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Inventor: Charles Michael Wise
  • Patent number: 6910920
    Abstract: A combination of an inner frame and at least two blades for a plug is provided. The combination includes an inner frame and at least two blades. The inner frame includes at least two positioning holes and at least two hook members respectively located adjacent to the positioning holes. Each blade extends through an associated one of the positioning holes of the inner frame. Each blade includes a portion engaged with an associated one of the hook members, thereby retaining the blades in the inner frame during formation of a housing of a plug by injection molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Gem Terminal Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tun-Li Su
  • Patent number: 6902429
    Abstract: The invention provides a housing that contains a 220 volt outlet receptacle and multiple 110 volt outlet receptacles. A 220 volt power cord supplies power to each of the receptacles. The invention is easy to use and allows for a very efficient use of the user's time because one 220 volt power cord supplies both a 220 volt outlet receptacle and multiple 110 volts outlet receptacles, so the user only has to use one cord to connect to multiple types of outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Inventor: Frederick A. Brooks
  • Patent number: 6893274
    Abstract: A structure of the AC inlet is provided. The structure includes a main body, at least one power terminal, at least one power pin coupled with the at least one power terminal and electrically connected to a circuit board, a ground terminal for accepting a ground signal from the AC power source, and a ground pin grounded through a wire and having a first strip coupled with the ground terminal and a second strip essentially parallel with a surface of the main body. The structure is characterized in that the free end of the second strip has a notch for accommodating a bare wire end of the wire and a projecting plate inclined at an elevation angle with the second strip, and the projecting plate is pressed downwards for fastening the bare ware end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Chen Chun Chen, Chih Chiang Lin