Electrical connectors – With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in... – Retaining means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-29
2001-05-22
Sircus, Brian (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in...
Retaining means
C439S367000, C439S371000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234823
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to adapters used to facilitate the electrical connection between electrical tools or appliances having one style of plug and an electrical outlet designed to receive another style of plug. More particularly, this invention relates to a plug adapter used to facilitate connecting a standard 120 volt grounded plug to an electrical outlet adapted to mechanically retain a plug which is rotated therein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The inventor is a carpentry contractor. Tradesmen prefer to use the type of electrical plugs and outlets which retain the plug when the plug is rotated within the outlet. This type of plug and outlet prevents disconnection many times during the day when the plug cord is pulled during use. One problem is that tools are mostly sold with standard electrical plugs. Cutting off the plug and installing the type of plug which is retained when it is rotated is not a good solution to this problem. After the standard plug is cut off the tool cannot be intermittently used in a standard outlet. The process of cutting off the plug and installing another is time consuming. The second plug may not be as durable as the first. Additionally, this procedure may void the warranty on the tool. What is needed is a rugged adapter. An adapter which can be readily installed and removed, so that the tool may be intermittently used with a standard outlet. An adapter which securely locks on the standard plug and which will not pull off of it.
OBJECTS AND STATEMENT OF INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to disclose an adapter which facilitates connecting a tool or appliance having a standard electrical plug to an outlet which mechanically retains the plug when the plug is rotated therein. It is an object of this designed to disclose an adapter which positively locks the prongs of a standard plug within the adapter through the use of a pin. It is yet a further object of this invention to disclose an adapter which conveniently locks on to the cord. It is yet a further object of this invention to disclose an adapter which employs efficient one piece contactors which have both a female end portion adapted to receive a standard plug prong and a male end portion adapted to mate with a retaining plug outlet. It is a final object of this invention to disclose a design for an adapter which has a hinged split shroud which neatly and tightly encloses the plug thereby minimizing the possibility of disconnection when the cord is pulled.
One aspect of this invention provides for a plug adapter for adapting a standard 120 volt electrical plug which has two flat prongs each having holes through their end portions, and a third grounding prong, to a retaining outlet designed to mechanically retain the plug when it is rotated therein comprising: three metal contactors each having a female end portion adapted to receive a prong on the standard plug and an opposite male end portion adapted to engage the retaining outlet; a contactor body
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surrounding a central portion of the connectors holding them in spaced alignment; and, a retention means adapted to retain the plug prongs in the connectors.
Another aspect of this invention provides for a plug adapter as above wherein the retention means comprises a slide which slides a pin through a hole in the end portion of the flat prong of the plug.
Yet another aspect of the invention comprises a plug adapter as above wherein an elongate central frame having one end portion connected to the body and an opposite end portion extending from the body, and wherein the retention means is a cord retention means positioned on the other opposite end portion so that when the plug prongs are inserted into the body a cord connected to the plug will not loosen when the cord is pulled.
Various other objects, advantages and features of novelty which characterize this invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims which form part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its users, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and description, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2461427 (1949-02-01), Kneebone
patent: 3865461 (1975-02-01), Ludwig
patent: 3942856 (1976-03-01), Mindheim et al.
patent: 4061409 (1977-12-01), Bealmear
patent: 4605273 (1986-08-01), Horton
patent: 5605466 (1997-02-01), Devlin et al.
patent: 5755588 (1998-05-01), Sweatman et al.
Gallinger G. F.
Nguyen Son V.
Sircus Brian
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