Projections on face electrical receptacle for preventing inadvertent tripping of test switch by oversized electrical plug
US6204449A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 14, 1999 |
| Grant date | Mar 20, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 14, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01R2201/20
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An electrical receptacle includes a receptacle body, test and reset switches and a pair of projections. The body has electrical elements disposed therein for making electrical contact with an electrical plug of various diameter sizes. The body has a face with a set of apertures for receiving prongs of the electrical plug for mating of the plug with the receptacle. The switches are mounted to the face of the body adjacent to the set of apertures and are actuatable to affect operation of the electrical elements. The projections are made of a substantially rigid material and mounted to the face of the body adjacent to the test switch and the set of apertures and protrude from the body. The projections extend outwardly from the face of the body adjacent to the test switch such that upon mating with the receptacle a plug having an oversized diameter will engage the projections and thereby be prevented from making contact with the test switch sufficient to cause tripping thereof and thereby avoid inadvertent actuation of the test switch. The height of the projections is at least as great as the height of the test switch. The projections are located adjacent to opposite ends of the test s…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.