Electrical connectors – With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in... – Retaining means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-21
2001-09-04
Vu, Hien (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in...
Retaining means
C439S371000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06283783
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to female power receptacles and more specifically to a female receptacle with retaining device for securing a male plug to a female power connection to prevent the male plug from being withdrawn from the female power connection.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
A problem frequently encountered with the connection between a male plug and a female power connection is the possibility of the male plug being pulled out of the female power connection. Even if the male plug is not pulled out of the female power connection, the male plug may be damaged due to the strain placed on the cord. One solution has been to use tape to prevent the male plug from being separated from the female power connection.
Accordingly, there is a clearly felt need in the art for a female receptacle with retaining device for securing a male plug to a female power connection to prevent the male plug from being pulled out of the female power connection, for preventing a male plug from being damaged due to strain, and which does not require tape or the like to retain the male plug in the female power connection.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a female receptacle with retaining device for securing a male plug to a female power connection to prevent the male plug from being pulled out of the female power connection, for preventing a male plug from being damaged due to strain, and which does not require tape or the like to retain the male plug in the female power connection.
According to the present invention, a female receptacle includes a body, at least one female power connection, at least one hoop, and a power supply cord. The at least one hoop extends outward from each end of the body. A void is created between the body and the inside of the hoop. The at least one female power connection is preferably formed in a top of the body. The power supply cord supplies each female power connection with electrical power. The female receptacle is preferably fabricated from a material which will withstand the abuse and atmospheric conditions which a female receptacle would be exposed to. Some of these materials include rubber, PVC, or other suitable material. In use, each male cord is inserted through the void and looped around to prevent the male plug from being withdrawn from the female power connection. In a second embodiment, the female receptacle includes a body, a restraint tab, a female power connection, a hoop, and a power supply cord. The hoop extends outward from each end of the body. A void is created between the body and the inside of the hoop. One end of the restrain tab is preferably pivotally mounted to the body, the other end of the restrain tab preferably snaps into the hoop. The female power connection is formed at one end of the body and the power supply cord is disposed at the other end of the body. The power supply cord supplies the female power connection with electrical power. The female receptacle is preferably fabricated from a material which will withstand the abuse and atmospheric conditions which a female receptacle would be exposed to. Some of these materials include rubber, PVC, or other suitable material. In use, the restraint tab is placed in an open position. The male cord is inserted through the void. The restraint tab is then placed in a closed position such that the male cord is restricted from movement past the restraint tab. The male plug is then inserted into the female power connection without fear of being withdrawn therefrom.
In a third embodiment, the female receptacle includes a body, at least two restrain tabs, at least two female power connections, at least two hoops, and a power supply cord. One end of each restrain tab is preferably pivotally mounted to the body, the other end of each restrain tab preferably snaps into the hoop. Each hoop extends outward from each end of the body. A void is created between the body and the inside of each hoop. Each female power connection is preferably formed in a top of the body. The power supply cord supplies each female power connection with electrical power. The female receptacle is preferably fabricated from a material which will withstand the abuse and atmospheric conditions which a female receptacle would be exposed to. Some of these materials include rubber, PVC, or other suitable material. In use, each restraint tab is placed in an open position. The male cord is inserted through the void. The restraint tab is then placed in a closed position such that the male cord is restricted from movement past the restraint tab. The male plug is then inserted into the female power connection without fear of being withdrawn therefrom.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a female receptacle with retaining device for securing a male plug to a female power connection which prevents the male plug from being pulled out of the female power connection.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a female receptacle with retaining device for securing a male plug to a female power connection which prevents the male plug from being damaged due to strain.
Finally, it is another object of the present invention to provide a female receptacle with retaining device for securing a male plug to a female power connection which does not require tape or the like to prevent the male plug from being pulled out of the female power connection.
These and additional objects, advantages, features and benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4664463 (1987-05-01), Carmo
patent: 4875874 (1989-10-01), Windsor, Jr.
patent: 4917625 (1990-04-01), Haile
patent: 5582524 (1996-12-01), Sanner et al.
patent: 5931702 (1999-08-01), Fladung
patent: 6099341 (2000-08-01), Shymko
Ersler Donald J.
Vu Hien
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