Child-safe power strip
US5902140A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 1, 1997 |
| Grant date | May 11, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 1, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01R25/003
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A power strip that is resistant to the tampering of children is provided. The power strip includes a non-conductive housing and multiple electrical sockets. In front of each socket is a non-conductive plate with holes corresponding to the holes of the outlet. The plate is spring-biased into a first position so that the holes in the plate are out of alignment with the holes in the socket to prevent a child from inserting anything into the socket. A non-conductive barrier is disposed between the spring that biases the plate and the conductors that connect the sockets together to prevent inadvertent contact between the spring and the conductors. A depression is formed in the housing so that, when the prongs of a standard three-prong plug are inserted into the holes of the plate to rotate the plate, all three prongs will make contact with the plate and rotation thereof will be facilitated. The power strip may include a surge protector as well.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.