Electrical connectors – With contact preventer or retractable cover part – Movably mounted
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-07
2001-07-10
Donovan, Lincoln (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
With contact preventer or retractable cover part
Movably mounted
C439S143000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257908
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to guards for electrical receptacles and specifically to such guards which are intended to prevent access by babies or toddlers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is well known that electrical receptacles pose a hazard of electrical shock to babies and toddlers (collectively infants). It is also known to supplement receptacles with guards which inhibit access by infants.
Such guards are available in a variety of designs. The simplest are the removable plugs made of an insulating material such as plastic. These plugs can be inserted into the receptacle and are held in place by the contacts within the receptacle. The design is such that the visible portion of the plug presents a smooth surface which is difficult to grip. The theory behind this approach is that the infants will be unable to remove the plug. Unfortunately, the natural curiosity of infants, once they have seen the plug removed, transforms the guard into a temptation as the infant endeavors to figure out how the plug can be removed. With sufficient effort, toddlers are able to remove the plugs as it actually requires fairly simple motor skills.
Also known are single motion sliding covers. These are typically spring loaded panels or doors which slide sideways to reveal the receptacle. Unfortunately, the motor skills to operate the guard are relatively simple. The guard can often be opened by merely pushing on it at a slight angle, easily achieved by an infant through trial an error.
Receptacle guards become more effective as they become more difficult to use. Unfortunately, they also become increasingly frustrating for adults who need to use the receptacle. The goal is to provide a guard which is difficult to open for infants and easily opened by adults, especially while inserting an electrical plug. Rotational movements are more difficult for infants to master than are linear movements. Combinations of more than one movement are more difficult than single movements, especially where the infant is using trial and error to open the guard. Infants will typically not be attempting to insert an electrical plug, but rather a simpler object such as a paper clip or bobby pin. Since the shapes and dimensions electrical plugs and receptacles are specified by national and international standards, their unique shapes can be exploited as simple keys for opening a guard.
There is a need for a guard for an electrical receptacle which is more difficult to open by infants yet is easily opened by adults. Such a guard should utilize rotational motion to make it more difficult for infants. It should also combine rotational motions with a second required motion to make it even more difficult. Preferably the guard should utilize the characteristic shape of an electrical plug to make it easily opened by using such a plug while being difficult to open with a simpler object of which an infant may come into possession. It is also preferable that the device should be usable with conventional wall plates or as a retro-fit, replacing the wall plate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an apparatus to guard an electrical receptacle against access by babies or toddlers. According to the invention there is provided a rotatable cover which rotates between at least two positions. In one position, the slots in the receptacle are covered, preventing access. In another position, the slots are exposed, allowing an electrical plug to be inserted. The cover is connected to a spring or other means to return the cover to the covering, or closed, position when released.
According to an aspect of the invention one or more catches are provided which must be released before the cover can be moved from the closed position. Where more than one catch is provided, at least two catches must be separately released to allow movement.
According to another aspect of the invention the catch pins are arranged to be depressed into slots provided in the receptacle housing. The catch pins are arranged such that they engage the slots in the cover through which the electrical plugs prongs pass to enter the receptacle. In this manner, the guard can be opened by partially inserting an appropriate electrical plug, thereby depressing both catches, rotating the plug and cover to expose the slots in the receptacle, and then inserting the plug fully.
Further in accordance with the invention the catch pins may be tapered to limit their travel into the receptacle housing when depressed.
Still further in accordance with the invention, a wall plate may be incorporated so that the cover and the wall plate cooperate to present a smooth face.
Still further in accordance with the invention, the catches which are releasable by the partial insertion of an electrical plug may also be used with other than a rotational motion of the cover.
Yet still further in accordance with the invention, the guard mechanism may be incorporated into a wall plate which is usable with an unmodified receptacle for retrofit purposes.
The advantages of such an apparatus are a guard which requires movements which are difficult for infants yet simple for adults. The guard in its preferred form is easily opened by inserting the appropriate electrical plug but difficult to open without the plug. How to open such a device is not easily learned by an infant through trial and error but easily grasped by an adult. By utilizing the skill differences between infants and adults, and by utilizing the physical characteristics of the electrical plug as a kind of key, a guard is achieved which is easy to open when appropriate and difficult to open when inappropriate.
The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more clear from the detailed description of a specific illustrative embodiment thereof, presented below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2455582 (1948-12-01), Hoessel
patent: 2507654 (1950-05-01), Stubbs
patent: 4584430 (1986-04-01), Belknap
patent: 5122071 (1992-06-01), Pridgeon et al.
patent: 5865633 (1999-02-01), Hou
Donovan Lincoln
Hanson Thomas W.
Le Thanh-Tam
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