Electrical connector for worn electrical outlets
US5664958A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 22, 1996 |
| Grant date | Sep 9, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 22, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01R13/20
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention features a removable electrical connector or adapter for securing the contact prongs of an electric plug to a worn outlet. The connector has a housing with at least two opposing, nonconducting side portions. Each side portion has a top and a bottom. Two contact prongs are spaced apart from each other and are movably mounted to at least one of the side portions. The contact prongs extend out of the top of the housing, which housing also has at least one aperture at the bottom. Electrical plug prongs can be inserted through this aperture to make an electrical connection with the set of contact prongs. In another embodiment, the electrical connector is a self-contained plug, permanently attached to its associated electrical appliance, and having movable prongs and a spring for biasing the prongs inwardly, against the contacts of an outlet, after insertion. In yet another embodiment of the invention, a spring is secured to outwardly-biased prongs, so that, upon squeezing the plug and inserting it into the outlet, the prongs are forced to separate and make contact with the inner contacts of the outlet.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.