Safety shutters for electrical receptacles
US4722693A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 30, 1987 |
| Grant date | Feb 2, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 30, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01R13/4534
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A safety shutter for an electrical receptacle is in the form of a sliding rocker with a pair of angled lugs on the front side and a slot that can mate with one of two electric plug receiving slots in the faceplate of the electrical receptacle and is biased by a spring into a safety position wherein such receiving slot is out of alignment with the shutter slot. The shutter slot may move into alignment with such receiving slot when an electric plug is inserted into the receptacle to simultaneously engage the angled lugs. However, the shutter rocks without sliding when a single foreign object is inserted through either of the faceplate receiving slots and engages only one of the lugs whereby the foreign object is prevented from reaching the internal contacts of the receptacle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.