ELECTRICAL PLUG AND OUTLET PROTECTOR

CACHE PROTECTEUR POUR FICHES ET PRISES D'ELECTRICITE

English Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An electrical plug and outlet protector that allows
for disengagement between an electrical plug and outlet
without damage, by application of a lateral force not
generally perpendicular to the outlet face, is quickly
and easily connectable to the plug and associated power
cord, is adaptable to various shape plugs, is inexpensive
to manufacture, and is durable.

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive
property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A device for protecting an electrical plug
inserted in an outlet, comprising:
a thin, non-conducting plate member, adapted to
be mounted between the plug and the outlet, said plate member
having apertures therein so that the prongs of the plug can
extend therethrough into the outlet, the distance between
the apertures and the perimeter of said plate member at all
points along said perimeter being sufficiently great that
pivotal motion of said plate member about any point on
its perimeter results in separation of the plug from the
outlet by causing the plug to move outwardly from the face
of the outlet in a direction generally perpendicular to the
outlet face,
a rigid lever member rigidly attached at one end
to said plate member and extending outwardly therefrom, the
plate member and lever member being adapted to rotate together
as a unitary body about a point on the perimeter of the plate
member, and
a retention means mounted to the other end of
said lever member for flexibly retaining thereon a power
cord connected to the plug, the flexible retention means having
adjacent resilient members adapted to flex to permit facile,
ready retention of the cord and connected plug on the device
while also permitting facile, ready detachment therefrom,
said lever member being sufficiently long that a
tension force applied to the power cord in a direction
generally transverse to that in which the lever member extends
acts to pivot said plate member about a point on its perimeter
to pull the prongs of the plug out of the outlet.

2. A device for protecting an electrical plug
inserted in an outlet, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
plate member is circular and the apertures are centred therein.
3. A device for protecting an electrical plug
inserted in an outlet, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
flexible retention means is a flexible, resilient second
plate member having intersecting cuts therein defining
resilient segments which yieldably deflect to allow the plug
to be passed therethrough either toward or away from said
plate member.
4. A device for protecting an electrical plug
inserted in an outlet, as claimed in claim 2, wherein said
flexible retention means is a flexible, resilient second plate
member having intersecting cuts therein defining resilient
segments which yieldably deflect to allow the plug to be
passed therethrough either toward or away from said plate
members.
5. A device for protecting an electrical plug inserted
in an outlet, as claimed in claim 3, wherein the inner tips
of the segments of the second plate member are removed to allow
a power cord extending through the second plate member to
slidably move therethrough.
6. A device for protecting an electrical plug inserted
in an outlet, as claimed in claim 4, wherein the inner tips
of the segments of the second plate member are removed to allow
a power cord extending through the second plate member to
slidably move therethrough.
7. A device for protecting an electrical plug inserted
in an outlet, as claimed in claim 3, wherein said lever
member is a shroud connecting the perimeter of said plate
member to the perimeter of the second plate member, the shroud
having an aperture therein sufficient to allow the plug to be
grasped and inserted through the plate member apertures.

8. A device for protecting an electrical plug inserted
in an outlet, as claimed in claim 4, wherein said lever
member is a shroud connecting the perimeter of said plate
member to the perimeter of the second plate member, the
shroud having an aperture therein sufficient to allow the plug
to be grasped and inserted through the plate member apertures.
9. A device for protecting an electrical plug inserted
in an outlet, as claimed in claim 5, wherein said lever
member is a shroud connecting the perimeter of said plate
member to the perimeter of the second plate member, the
shroud having an aperture therein sufficient to allow the plug
to be grasped and inserted through the plate member apertures.
10. A device for protecting an electrical plug inserted
in an outlet, as claimed in claim 6, wherein said lever
member is a shroud connecting the perimeter of said plate
member to the perimeter of the second plate member, the
shroud having an aperture therein sufficient to allow the plug
to be grasped and inserted through the plate member apertures.
11. A device for protecting an electrical plug
inserted in an outlet, as claimed in claim 7, wherein said
device is formed from a non-conducting plastic material.
12. A device for protecting an electrical plug
inserted in an outlet, as claimed in claim 8, wherein said
device is formed from a non-conducting plastic material.
13. A device for protecting an electrical plug
inserted in an outlet, as claimed in claim 9, wherein said
device is formed from a non-conducting plastic material.
14. A device for protecting an electrical plug inserted
in an outlet, as claimed in claim 10, wherein said device is
formed from a non-conducting plastic material.

15. A device for protecting an electrical plug inserted
in an outlet, as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the
perimeter of said plate member is limited in size such that,
when the device is in use, the plate member does not extend to
cover any electrical openings in the outlet, except those openings
corresponding to the apertures in the plate member.
16. A device for protecting an electrical plug inserted
in an outlet, as claimed in claims 4, 5 or 6, wherein the
perimeter of said plate member is limited in size such that,
when the device is in use, the plate member does not extend
to cover any electrical openings in the outlet, except those
openings corresponding to the apertures in the plate member.
17. A device for protecting an electrical plug inserted
in an outlet, as claimed in claims 7, 8 or 9, wherein the
perimeter of said plate member is limited in size such that,
when the device is in use, the plate member does not extend
to cover any electrical openings in the outlet, except those
openings corresponding to the apertures in the plate member.
18. A device for protecting an electrical plug inserted
in an outlet, as claimed in claims 10, 11 or 12, wherein the
perimeter of said plate member is limited in size such that,
when the device is in use, the plate member does not extend
to cover any electrical openings in the outlet, except those
openings corresponding to the apertures in the plate member.
19. A device for protecting an electrical plug inserted
in an outlet, as claimed in claims 13 or 14, wherein the
perimeter of said plate member is limited in size such that,
when the device is in use, the plate member does not extend
to cover any electrical openings in the outlet, except those
openings corresponding to the apertures in the plate member.
11

Description

Z2~0
ELECTRI CAL PLUG AND OUTLET P ROTE CTOR
This invention relates to a device for removing
without damage an electrical plug from an electrical outlet
by application of force on t~e connecting electrical cord when
such force is applied fram a direction not normal to the
outlet face. More specifically, it relates to such a device
that is easily transferable between appliances, that is
inexpensive, and that is easily manufactured.
Operators of portable electrical appliances, such
as vacuum cleaners and rug shampooers, or portable electrical
tools, often must move the electrical plugs on their equipment
from one electrical outlet to another. Usually, this action
is only taken after the electrical equipment is as distant
from the powering electrical outlet as the length of the
electrical power cord will allow. Commonly, in such
circumstances, the electrical equipment is not generally
perpendicular to the plane extending through the face of the
outlet; indeed, it may be nearly parallel to such plane.
Tenæion applied to the power cord at a point distant from and
not generally perpendicular to the plane of the outlet face
will result in a lateral force being experienced by its
connected plug at the outlet. Since electrical plugs are
designed to separate at a perpendicular or generally
perpendicular angle from outlets, such lateral force on the
plug may result in damage to the outlet, the plug, and the
cord connected to the plug.
Means have been suggested for transforming power cord
tension, acting non-perpendicularly to the plane of an outlet
face, into a force on a connected plug acting generally
-- perpendicular to the outlet fa oe. Such means involve an
arm or arms extending laterally from a specially-configured
plug, or from an attachment secured to the plug, which arm

~lZZZ90
or arms contact the outlet sur~ace or a wall surface
surroundlng the outlet. Upon a lateral force being applied
to the axially-outward end of the plug or its attachment
~y tension on the power cord, the most lateral extension of
the arm or arms on that side of the plug to which such force
is applied acts as a point of pivot for the force. The
greater the distance of the point of pivot from the plug
prongs, the more axial is the force disengaging the plug from
the outlet. The plug or the attachment to which it is secured
should have a length sufficient to transform the lateral force
acting thereon into an axial force sufficient to disengage
the plug from the outlet.
Devices as described above which allow disengagement
without damage of plugs from outlets by application of
tangential force to the outward end of the plug or an
attachment to the plug, are well-known. However, such devices
described in the prior art have been either specially-
configured plugs, permanently attached to power cords, or
permanent attachments for such plugs.
Besides allowing for disengagement between an electrical
plug and outlet without damage when a force, not generally
perpendicular to the outlet face, is applied to a connected
power cord, the device of the subject invention is quickly and
easily connected to and disconnected from the plug and
power cord, is adaptable to various shape plugs, is
inexpensive to manufacture, and is durable. The device of
the subject invention also gives support to plugs with
deformed prongs so that they can maintain better mechanical
and electrical connection. The device of this invention is
comprised of a thin, non-conducting plate member, a lever
member, and a flexible retaining means. The plate member

l~ZZZ90
is adapted to be mounted between a plug and an outlet and has
apertures therein so that the prongs of the plug can extend
therethrough into the outlet. The distance between the apertures
and the perimeter of the plate member at all points along the
perimeter of the plate member are sufficiently great that pivotal
motion of the plate member about any point on its perimeter
results in separation of the plug from the outlet by causing the
plate to move outwardly from the face of the outlet in a direction
generally perpendicular to the outlet face. The lever member is
rigid and has one end rigidly attached to the plate member, and
extends outward from the plate member. The plate member and lever
member are adapted to rotate together as a unitary body about a
point on the perimeter of the plate member. A retention means is
mounted to the other end of the lever member for flexibly
retaining thereon a power cord connected to the plug, the flexible
retention means having adjacent resilient members adapted to
flex to permit facile, ready retention of the cord and connected
plug on the device while also permitting facile, ready detachment
therefrom. The lever member is sufficiently long that a tension
force applied to the power cord in a direction generally
transverse to that in which the lever member extends acts to
pivot the plate member about a point on its perimeter to pull
the prongs of the plug out of the outlet. In another form of the
invention, the plate member is circular and the apertures are
centred therein. In yet another form of the invention, the
flexible retaining means is a flexible, resilient second plate
member having intersecting cuts therein defining resilient
segments which yieldably deflect to allow the plug to be passed
therethrough in directions toward or away from said plate member.
In still another form of the invention, the inner tips of the
segments of the second plate member are removed to allow a power
cord extending through the second plate member to slidably move
therethrough. In still yet another form of the invention, the
lever member is a shroud connecting the perimeter of the plate
.....

1~2Z~90
member to the perimeter of the second plate member, the shroud
having an aperture therein sufficient to allow the plug to be
grasped and inserted through the plate member apertures. In
another form of the invention, the device of the invention
is formed from a non-conducting plastic. In a final form of
the invention, the perimeter of the plate member is limited in
size such that, when the device is in use, the plate member
does not extend to cover any electrical openings in the outlet,
except those openings corresponding to the apertures in the plate
member.
Unlike prior art devices, an electrical plug and
connected power cord may very quickly and easily be connected
to or disconnected from the device of the subject invention.
Suitability of the device ~o mass production techniques
results in a low cost. Simple but effective design results
in the device being durable.
The instant specification sets forth the best mode
known to the inventor of carrying out the invention, but
it is pointed out that the specific instruction and method
shown herein are for illustxative purposes and for purposes
of example only. Various minor changes and modifications may
obviously be needed without departing from the spirit and
scope of this invention.
The invention will now be more fully described by
reference to the zccompanying drawings which are made a part
of the specification. In the drawings:
Figure 1 is a side view of the plug protector device.
Figure 2 is a top view of the plug protector device.
Figure 3 is a back view of the plug protector device.
Figure 4 is a front view of the plug protector device.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the plug protector
device.
Referring now to the preferred form of the plug protector
device, as set forth in the drawings, a hollow frustroconical
7;~ an in~rn~l ~ize sufficient to housean electrical

112Z~90
plug 12, is injection molded from a non-conducting, flexible,
resilient, plastic. T~e ~ody 11 has a side opening 13 with
dimensions- sufficient to allow hand manipulation of a plug 12
within the body. The body further has a larger end 14 in
the approximate center of which is a circular opening with
diameter slightly larger than that found on a household
appliance electrical power cord 16. In the smaller end 17 are
centrally located two rectangular openings 18 and a circular
opening 19 with relative spacing therebetween corresponding
to that between the two powered prongs and the safety prong
of a standard electrical plug. Openings 18 and 19 are located
relative to smaller end 17 such that with plug prongs 21
inserted therethrough, plug 12 is centrally located against
smaller end 17. The smaller end 17 is sufficiently thin that
its interposition between a plug and an outlet will not affect
either their mechanical or electrical connection. The diameter
of the smaller end 17 of the body is as large as is possible
within the constraint of maintaining access to the neighbouring
set of openings in the outlet. Within that constraint, the
diameter has sufficient size than when the body is
pivoted at a position on the smaller end perimeter 20, the
prongs 21 extending from plug i2 through openings 18 and 19
of the smaller end 17 will disengage the openings in the under-
lying electrical outlet by motion generally perpendicular
to the face of the outlet. The length of body 11 is such that
a tensile force on connected power cord 16 is sufficient
to result in such disengagement. Body 11 has approximately
four cuts 22 extending radially from the larger end opening
_ 15 to the vicinity of the larger end perimeter 23. The larger
end 14 ~and the remainder of body 11 of the device) is
formed from material of sufficient flexibility and resiliency

llZ2290
that th~ quarters of larger end 14 ~if four cuts are used~ j
will separate sufficiently to allow an electrical plug 12
to pass therethrough but will return to a near planar
configuration after such passage. Larger end opening 15
is of sufficient diameter to allow slippage of power cord 16
therethrough.
In operation, an electrical plug 12 having an attached
power cord 16 is pushed through larger end 14 of body 11.
After such entry, power cord 16 is slidably constrained within
larger end opening 15. The prongs 21 of plug 12 are then
directed through the corresponding openings 18 and 19 in the
smaller end 17 by manipulation through side opening 13. With
the prongs 21 of plug 12 extending through openings 18 and 19
in smaller end 17 and being maintained in such position
by a manual force applied through side opening 13, and with
power cord 16 extending through larger end opening 15, body
11 is brought adjacent to an electrical outlet and the prong
21 rotated as required for insertion in the outlet. An
operator can then commence to utilize the electrical equ~pment
to which the power cord 16 is connected. If the electrical
equipment is being operated at a position not generally
perpendicular to the outlet face when power cord 16 becomes
fully extended, power cord 16 will act at a position on the
circumference of larger end opening 15 to create a lateral
force on body 11. Body 11 will then pivot at the angularly-
corresponding position on smaller end perimeter 20. Such
pivotal movement creates a generally outward displacement
of prongs 21 from the outlet openings, thus avoiding damage
to both the prongs and the outlet. After disengagement of the
plug and ~ody from t~e outlet, prongs 21 of plug 12 are pulled
back through openings 18 and 1~ and plug 12 is pulled back
throug~ t~e larger end 14. If desired -plug 12 may remain

llZZ290
~ithin th~ body 11 to f acilitate the rapid re-use of the
tr ~