Electrical connectors – With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in... – Retaining means
Reexamination Certificate
2006-09-19
2006-09-19
Dinh, Phoung (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in...
Retaining means
Reexamination Certificate
active
07108538
ABSTRACT:
A female locking electrical outlet is provided including an outlet body having a pair of slots for apertured prongs of a standard male electrical plug, a central cavity positioned within the body, and a channel extending partially through the body. A plunger is mounted in the channel that has a recess in a lower end, an upper end, and a first section and a second section between the lower and upper ends. The first section has a smaller cross-sectional area than a second section. A spring is partially in the recess. A pair of locking balls is mounted within the central cavity and positional within apertures in the prongs when the outlet is in a locked position. At least one unlocking mechanism is provided for compressing the spring to transition the locking balls within the central cavity from the locked position to an unlocked position. Pushing down on the unlocking mechanism compresses the spring and moves the plunger so that the first section of the plunger is aligned with the central cavity and allows each of the locking balls to move out of the apertures and along the central cavity.The locking electrical outlet includes wall receptacles and a plug for extension cords. The locking outlets have one or more pairs of slots to connect to one or more male plugs.
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Elliott Charles Norman
Ratzlaff Jason Daniel
Dinh Phoung
Nixon & Peabody LLP
Templeton Ranch Development
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