Electrical outlet safety device
US8956168B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 14, 2013 |
| Grant date | Feb 17, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 15, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01R24/78
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The electrical outlet safety device is placed between an electrical plug and the corresponding electrical outlet or receptacle to which the plug is connected. The safety device includes a thin body portion formed of a material adapted to expand rapidly if exposed to a predetermined temperature. A series of thin, electrically and thermally conductive blades extends from the body, with the blades being captured between the prongs of the plug and the internal contacts of the receptacle when installed therewith. If excessively high electrical resistance and correspondingly high temperature are produced in one or more of the electrical connections between the plug and the outlet, the blades of the safety device transmit the excessive temperature to the body, whereupon the body is transformed to an expansive electrically insulating foam that expels the plug from the receptacle. Springs may be included within the body to provide additional expansive force.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.