CA2129783A1 - Electrical plug assembly with releasable locking mechanism - Google Patents
Electrical plug assembly with releasable locking mechanismInfo
- Publication number
- CA2129783A1 CA2129783A1 CA002129783A CA2129783A CA2129783A1 CA 2129783 A1 CA2129783 A1 CA 2129783A1 CA 002129783 A CA002129783 A CA 002129783A CA 2129783 A CA2129783 A CA 2129783A CA 2129783 A1 CA2129783 A1 CA 2129783A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- locking
- plug
- spring arms
- electrical
- plug member
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
- H01R13/627—Snap or like fastening
- H01R13/6275—Latching arms not integral with the housing
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
- H01R13/627—Snap or like fastening
- H01R13/6271—Latching means integral with the housing
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
- H01R13/627—Snap or like fastening
- H01R13/6271—Latching means integral with the housing
- H01R13/6272—Latching means integral with the housing comprising a single latching arm
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
- H01R13/627—Snap or like fastening
- H01R13/6271—Latching means integral with the housing
- H01R13/6273—Latching means integral with the housing comprising two latching arms
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
- H01R13/639—Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap
Landscapes
- Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
Abstract
There is provided an electrical plug assembly comprising male and female plug members. The male member has a plurality of electrical contact prongs and the female member has a plurality of electrical receptacle elements for receiving the contact prongs to provide electrical contact therewith. One of said plug members has a pair of spaced apart spring arms which extend generally parallel to one another. The other of the plug members has a spaced pair of locking channels therein each being parallel with and receiving a respective one of the spring arms when the plug members are fitted together.
The spring arms have free distal ends each having a locking hook thereon. Each of the locking channels has a locking shoulder associated therewith adapted to lockingly engage with a respective one of the locking hooks to secure the plug members together. A pair of access openings, each of which communicates with a respective one of the locking channels, are arranged such that the distal ends of the spring arms are exposed to the exterior of the plug assembly. This enables the spring arms to be manually deflected sufficiently via the access openings as to release said locking hooks from said shoulders to enable separation of the male and female plug members.
The spring arms have free distal ends each having a locking hook thereon. Each of the locking channels has a locking shoulder associated therewith adapted to lockingly engage with a respective one of the locking hooks to secure the plug members together. A pair of access openings, each of which communicates with a respective one of the locking channels, are arranged such that the distal ends of the spring arms are exposed to the exterior of the plug assembly. This enables the spring arms to be manually deflected sufficiently via the access openings as to release said locking hooks from said shoulders to enable separation of the male and female plug members.
Description
"`- 2129783 ELECTRICAL PLUG ASSEMBLY WITH ~T~'TT~'A~ABLE LOCRING
MECHANISM
BACRGROUN~ OF THE lNV~NLlON
This invention relates to an improved electrical plug assembly and in particular to a plug assembly comprising male and female plug member employing a mechanism for releasably locking these members together.
The most commonly used plug-in type electrical connectors employ a two or three-pronged male and female plug assembly. The electrical connection is made by slidably inserting the male plug into the female plug thus mating the metal male prongs with the metal connectors in the female plug member to provide the electrical connection therebetween. A friction fit between the mating members is employed both to achieve the necessary electrical contact between the metal parts as well as to mechanically hold the two plug members together during use. The main problem with this type of connection is that it is only the friction fit which prevents the accidental separation of the male and female plug members.
This can pose a problem especially in situations where the machine tool or electrical device being supplied through an electrical connection of this nature is, in the course of use, moved around a considerable amount or alternatively the cord is moved during use (as, for example, when using a hand-held power tool such as a circular saw, drill, router etc. In these situations it is very common for sufficient tension to be applied to the power cord as to cause the mated plug members to separate thus breaking the power supply to the tool or device.
This is not only inconvenient and annoying but can in many cases be dangerous. In the case where a computer is in use, lost data and considerable expense can result. In other cases children have been known to separate a plugged electrical connection, thereafter inserting the live _ - 3 --female end of the cord in the mouth thus resulting in serious injury, burns and the like.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE lNv~NLlON
It is a basic object of the present invention to alleviate the disadvantages associated with the common prior art friction fit electrical plug assemblies as noted above and to provide an improved electrical connection wherein the male and female plug members are mechanically interlocked together so as to avoid accidental separation when tension is applied to the power cord while at the same time providing for a quick release action when the occasion demands.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an electrical connector of the type indicated above wherein the electrical and mechanical connection is made as simply and easily as in the prior art friction fit connection with the mechanical interlock thus provided preventing accidental separation while at the same time providing for unlocking and separation by virtue of a simple squeezing action utilizing the thumb and forefinger of the user as the plug members are drawn apart. The locking mechanism can be readily designed such that a normal healthy person can effect release as described above while at the same time the force required is such that a small child is not strong enough to exert the reguired release pressure thus providing an important safety factor.
Thus, in accordance with the invention in one aspect there are provided male and female plug electrical plug members adapted to be assembled together. The male member has a plurality of electrical contact prongs and the female member has a plurality of electrical receptacle elements for receiving the contact prongs to provide electrical contact therewith. One of said plug members has a pair of spaced apart spring arms which extend generally parallel to one another. The other of the plug members has a spaced pair of locking channels therein each 21297~3 being parallel with and receiving a respective one of the spring arms when the plug members are fitted together.
The spring arms have free distal ends each having a locking hook thereon. Each of the locking channels has a locking shoulder associated therewith adapted to lockingly engage with a respective one of the locking hooks to secure the plug members together. A pair of access openings, each of which communicates with a respective one of the locking channels, are arranged such that the distal ends of the spring arms are exposed to the exterior of the plug assembly. This enables the spring arms to be manually deflected sufficiently via the access openings as to release said locking hooks from said shoulders to enable separation of the male and female plug members.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, said distal ends of said spring arms also each have a camming surface thereon. These camming surfaces are engageable with interior surfaces of the locking channels during the fitting together of the plug members to cause deflection of the spring arms toward each other during the fitting but being released therefrom when the camming surfaces enter the access openings to permit the locking hooks to move in a snap-action manner into locking engagement with the locking shoulders.
In accordance with a preferred form of the invention, the spring arms are of a resilient material and are integrally formed with the one plug member and become deflected toward each other as the camming surfaces engage the interior surfaces of the locking channels. The spring arms move away from one another when the camming surfaces reach the access openings to cause the locking hooks to move in the snap action manner into locking engagement with the locking shoulders.
Still further according to a feature of the invention the locking shoulders are formed at respective points of intersection of the access openings with the ` 21297~3 locking channels. The camming surfaces face outwardly of and are exposed to the exterior of the other one of the plug members via the access openings therein to enable manual depression thereof sufficient to release the locking hooks from the locking shoulders.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention the one plug member is the male plug member and carries the pair of spring arms. The locking channels are in the female member and extend parallel to the electrical receptacle openings therein. The reverse configuration may be used however with the spring arms on the female member etc.
In accordance with a still further feature of the invention the male plug member further includes a guide post extending parallel to the spring arms. The female member includes a guide channel to receive the guide post and to assist in accurate mating of the contact prongs and spring arms with the receptacle openings and locking channels respectively.
Typically, the two plug members are made of a plastics material having adequate dielectric strength as to satisfy the electrical standards in place in the jurisdictions where the invention is likely to be used.
Further objects, advantages and features of the invention will be readily apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF DRAWINGS
Figures lA and lB are top plan views of the male and female plug members showing such members separated but aligned with one another in position for insertion of the male member into the female member;
Figures 2A and 2B are views similar to Figures lA and lB but showing the plug members in side elevation;
Figures 3A and 3B are top plan and side elevation views of the mated male and female plug 21~9783 members;
Figures 4 and 5 are end elevation views of the male and female plug members respectively;
Figures 6 and 7 are plan and side elevation views of a female to standard male adapter.
DET~TT~T~n DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The electrical plug assembly illustrated in Figs. 1 through 5 comprises two halves, namely, a male plug member 10 and a female plug member 12. The number of male electrical contact prongs and the number of corresponding female receptacle slots may vary as needed to connect differing numbers of wires in the supply cords or lines being connected. In the particular embodiment shown, the male member 10 lncludes two metal contact prongs 14 and a metal grounding prong 16, all of which prongs are encased in a moulded plastic body 18. These metal prongs 14 and 16 are connected to the wires of the supply cord 20 within the plastic body 18 in a conventional manner which need not be described further.
Integrally formed with the plastic body 18 and projecting endwise therefrom are a pair of spaced apart spring arms 22 as well as an axially extended central guide post 24 all of which will be described in further detail hereinafter. Likewise, the female plug member 12 is provided with a spaced apart pair of electrical receptacle slots 28 for receiving the male contact prongs 14, together with a further opening 30 for receiving the metal grounding prong 16. The female electrical contact elements (not shown) associated with slots 28 and opening 30 are well known per se, as is the manner in which they are connected to the wires of cord 21, and hence they need not be described further here. Also provided in the female plug member 12 is a central guide track 32 for receiving the guide post 24 which, as best seen in Fig. 4, is of rectangular cross-section. The guide post 24 and guide track 32 together assist in assuring proper alignment of the various male metal contact prongs with ` ` 21~783 the corresponding receptacle openings provided in the female plug member 12. In the embodiment shown, the guide post 24 and ground prong 16 are integrated together thereby increasing the strength of the prong 16 to help prevent its breaking off during normal usage. Opening 30 and guide track 32 are likewise integrated together.
With continued reference to the drawings it will be seen that the spring arms 22 which are integrally formed with the plastic body 18 of the male plug member 10, extend generally parallel to one another in spaced apart relationship on opposing sides of the central guide post 24. The female plug member 12 has a spaced pair of locking channels 34 defined therein, each being parallel with and adapted to receive a respective one of the spring arms 22 when the plug members 10 and 12 are fitted together.
The free distal ends of the spring arms 22 each have a locking hook 36 thereon, and each of the locking channels 34 has a locking shoulder 38 associated therewith adapted to lockingly engage with a respective one of the locking hooks 36 whereby to secure the plug members together. Additionally, a pair of access openings 40, each of which communicates with a respective one of the locking channels 34, are arranged such that the distal ends of the spring arms 22 are exposed to the exterior of the female plug member 12 when the plug members are fitted together. (The locking shoulders 38 are formed at respective points of intersection of the access openings 40 with the locking channels 34 which are formed in the body of the female plug 12.) This feature enables the spring arms 22 to be manually deflected sufficiently by way of the access openings 40 (as by applying thumb and finger pressure thereto) whereby to release the locking hooks 36 from the aforementioned shoulders 38 to enable separation of the male and female members 10 and 12.
It will also be noted that the distal ends of the spring arms 22 are each provided with an outwardly , directed camming surface 42 thereon. These camming surfaces 42 are engaged with interior wall surfaces of the locking channels 34 during the fitting together of the plug members 10 and 12 thereby to cause deflection of the spring arms 22 toward each other during insertion of the male plug 10 into the female plug 12 but are released therefrom when the camming surfaces 42 fully enter the access openings 40 thus permitting the locking hooks 36 to move in a snap action manner into locking engagement with the locking shoulders 38. It will thus be readily seen that when the male and female plug members are fitted together, the camming surfaces 42 face outwardly of and are exposed to the exterior of the female plug member 12 by way of the access openings 40 thereby, as mentioned above, to readily enable manual depression of the distal ends of the spring arms 22 by application of thumb and finger pressure thereby to release the locking hooks 36 from the locking shoulders 38.
The plastics material which forms the bodies of the male and female plug members 10 and 12 must satisfy two basic requirements, namely, that it be sufficiently resilient or flexible as to allow the spring arms 22 to be deflected toward each other by a substantial degree without danger of breakage while at the same time the plastics material has sufficient dielectric strength as to satisfy the applicable standards such as the CSA and UL
standards currently in place for this type of equipment.
Examples of such materials are known under the trade marks "Delrin" and "Noryl".
Figures 6 and 7 show a female to standard male adapter 50 thus allowing an electrical cord with a male plug 10 in accordance with the invention to be electrically connected to a standard female plug 52 or to a standard wall receptacle (not shown). The standard male end 54 includes the usual male prongs 56 and ground pin 58 while the female end includes, as described previously, the female receptacle slots 28 ', ground prong openings ~1297~3 g 30', spaced locking channels 34', access openings 40' and locking shoulders 38' for locking engagement with a male plug 10 as described above. A reverse arrangement (not shown) may be provided where the female end includes the usual female receptacle slots and ground pin opening. The male end includes the male prongs, ground pin and guide post together with the hooked spring arms for engagement with a female plug member all as previously described.
In another embodiment (not shown) a retrofit version may be provided to enable the male 10 and/or female 12 plug members to be connected to an existing power cord. This version employs suitable screw type connectors to effect the several electrical connections as desired.
It will be seen that there has been described above an electrical plug assembly which is fully capable of satisfying the objectives set forth previously in that it is easy and safe to use and is capable of forming a secure lock or interconnection between the male and female plug members, which is not subject to accidental release but which can be released very readily utilizing the simple thumb and forefinger pressure technique noted above. The overall electrical plug assembly is capable of being made in a relatively small compact size and the exterior surfaces can be smoothly contoured so as to avoid snagging or hanging up of the plug assembly on various obstacles encountered during the course of use.
A preferred embodiment of the invention has been described by way of example. Those skilled in the art will realize that various modifications and changes may be made while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention. Hence the invention is not to be limited to the embodiment as described but, rather, the invention encompasses the full range of equivalencies as defined by the appended claims.
MECHANISM
BACRGROUN~ OF THE lNV~NLlON
This invention relates to an improved electrical plug assembly and in particular to a plug assembly comprising male and female plug member employing a mechanism for releasably locking these members together.
The most commonly used plug-in type electrical connectors employ a two or three-pronged male and female plug assembly. The electrical connection is made by slidably inserting the male plug into the female plug thus mating the metal male prongs with the metal connectors in the female plug member to provide the electrical connection therebetween. A friction fit between the mating members is employed both to achieve the necessary electrical contact between the metal parts as well as to mechanically hold the two plug members together during use. The main problem with this type of connection is that it is only the friction fit which prevents the accidental separation of the male and female plug members.
This can pose a problem especially in situations where the machine tool or electrical device being supplied through an electrical connection of this nature is, in the course of use, moved around a considerable amount or alternatively the cord is moved during use (as, for example, when using a hand-held power tool such as a circular saw, drill, router etc. In these situations it is very common for sufficient tension to be applied to the power cord as to cause the mated plug members to separate thus breaking the power supply to the tool or device.
This is not only inconvenient and annoying but can in many cases be dangerous. In the case where a computer is in use, lost data and considerable expense can result. In other cases children have been known to separate a plugged electrical connection, thereafter inserting the live _ - 3 --female end of the cord in the mouth thus resulting in serious injury, burns and the like.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE lNv~NLlON
It is a basic object of the present invention to alleviate the disadvantages associated with the common prior art friction fit electrical plug assemblies as noted above and to provide an improved electrical connection wherein the male and female plug members are mechanically interlocked together so as to avoid accidental separation when tension is applied to the power cord while at the same time providing for a quick release action when the occasion demands.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an electrical connector of the type indicated above wherein the electrical and mechanical connection is made as simply and easily as in the prior art friction fit connection with the mechanical interlock thus provided preventing accidental separation while at the same time providing for unlocking and separation by virtue of a simple squeezing action utilizing the thumb and forefinger of the user as the plug members are drawn apart. The locking mechanism can be readily designed such that a normal healthy person can effect release as described above while at the same time the force required is such that a small child is not strong enough to exert the reguired release pressure thus providing an important safety factor.
Thus, in accordance with the invention in one aspect there are provided male and female plug electrical plug members adapted to be assembled together. The male member has a plurality of electrical contact prongs and the female member has a plurality of electrical receptacle elements for receiving the contact prongs to provide electrical contact therewith. One of said plug members has a pair of spaced apart spring arms which extend generally parallel to one another. The other of the plug members has a spaced pair of locking channels therein each 21297~3 being parallel with and receiving a respective one of the spring arms when the plug members are fitted together.
The spring arms have free distal ends each having a locking hook thereon. Each of the locking channels has a locking shoulder associated therewith adapted to lockingly engage with a respective one of the locking hooks to secure the plug members together. A pair of access openings, each of which communicates with a respective one of the locking channels, are arranged such that the distal ends of the spring arms are exposed to the exterior of the plug assembly. This enables the spring arms to be manually deflected sufficiently via the access openings as to release said locking hooks from said shoulders to enable separation of the male and female plug members.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, said distal ends of said spring arms also each have a camming surface thereon. These camming surfaces are engageable with interior surfaces of the locking channels during the fitting together of the plug members to cause deflection of the spring arms toward each other during the fitting but being released therefrom when the camming surfaces enter the access openings to permit the locking hooks to move in a snap-action manner into locking engagement with the locking shoulders.
In accordance with a preferred form of the invention, the spring arms are of a resilient material and are integrally formed with the one plug member and become deflected toward each other as the camming surfaces engage the interior surfaces of the locking channels. The spring arms move away from one another when the camming surfaces reach the access openings to cause the locking hooks to move in the snap action manner into locking engagement with the locking shoulders.
Still further according to a feature of the invention the locking shoulders are formed at respective points of intersection of the access openings with the ` 21297~3 locking channels. The camming surfaces face outwardly of and are exposed to the exterior of the other one of the plug members via the access openings therein to enable manual depression thereof sufficient to release the locking hooks from the locking shoulders.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention the one plug member is the male plug member and carries the pair of spring arms. The locking channels are in the female member and extend parallel to the electrical receptacle openings therein. The reverse configuration may be used however with the spring arms on the female member etc.
In accordance with a still further feature of the invention the male plug member further includes a guide post extending parallel to the spring arms. The female member includes a guide channel to receive the guide post and to assist in accurate mating of the contact prongs and spring arms with the receptacle openings and locking channels respectively.
Typically, the two plug members are made of a plastics material having adequate dielectric strength as to satisfy the electrical standards in place in the jurisdictions where the invention is likely to be used.
Further objects, advantages and features of the invention will be readily apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF DRAWINGS
Figures lA and lB are top plan views of the male and female plug members showing such members separated but aligned with one another in position for insertion of the male member into the female member;
Figures 2A and 2B are views similar to Figures lA and lB but showing the plug members in side elevation;
Figures 3A and 3B are top plan and side elevation views of the mated male and female plug 21~9783 members;
Figures 4 and 5 are end elevation views of the male and female plug members respectively;
Figures 6 and 7 are plan and side elevation views of a female to standard male adapter.
DET~TT~T~n DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The electrical plug assembly illustrated in Figs. 1 through 5 comprises two halves, namely, a male plug member 10 and a female plug member 12. The number of male electrical contact prongs and the number of corresponding female receptacle slots may vary as needed to connect differing numbers of wires in the supply cords or lines being connected. In the particular embodiment shown, the male member 10 lncludes two metal contact prongs 14 and a metal grounding prong 16, all of which prongs are encased in a moulded plastic body 18. These metal prongs 14 and 16 are connected to the wires of the supply cord 20 within the plastic body 18 in a conventional manner which need not be described further.
Integrally formed with the plastic body 18 and projecting endwise therefrom are a pair of spaced apart spring arms 22 as well as an axially extended central guide post 24 all of which will be described in further detail hereinafter. Likewise, the female plug member 12 is provided with a spaced apart pair of electrical receptacle slots 28 for receiving the male contact prongs 14, together with a further opening 30 for receiving the metal grounding prong 16. The female electrical contact elements (not shown) associated with slots 28 and opening 30 are well known per se, as is the manner in which they are connected to the wires of cord 21, and hence they need not be described further here. Also provided in the female plug member 12 is a central guide track 32 for receiving the guide post 24 which, as best seen in Fig. 4, is of rectangular cross-section. The guide post 24 and guide track 32 together assist in assuring proper alignment of the various male metal contact prongs with ` ` 21~783 the corresponding receptacle openings provided in the female plug member 12. In the embodiment shown, the guide post 24 and ground prong 16 are integrated together thereby increasing the strength of the prong 16 to help prevent its breaking off during normal usage. Opening 30 and guide track 32 are likewise integrated together.
With continued reference to the drawings it will be seen that the spring arms 22 which are integrally formed with the plastic body 18 of the male plug member 10, extend generally parallel to one another in spaced apart relationship on opposing sides of the central guide post 24. The female plug member 12 has a spaced pair of locking channels 34 defined therein, each being parallel with and adapted to receive a respective one of the spring arms 22 when the plug members 10 and 12 are fitted together.
The free distal ends of the spring arms 22 each have a locking hook 36 thereon, and each of the locking channels 34 has a locking shoulder 38 associated therewith adapted to lockingly engage with a respective one of the locking hooks 36 whereby to secure the plug members together. Additionally, a pair of access openings 40, each of which communicates with a respective one of the locking channels 34, are arranged such that the distal ends of the spring arms 22 are exposed to the exterior of the female plug member 12 when the plug members are fitted together. (The locking shoulders 38 are formed at respective points of intersection of the access openings 40 with the locking channels 34 which are formed in the body of the female plug 12.) This feature enables the spring arms 22 to be manually deflected sufficiently by way of the access openings 40 (as by applying thumb and finger pressure thereto) whereby to release the locking hooks 36 from the aforementioned shoulders 38 to enable separation of the male and female members 10 and 12.
It will also be noted that the distal ends of the spring arms 22 are each provided with an outwardly , directed camming surface 42 thereon. These camming surfaces 42 are engaged with interior wall surfaces of the locking channels 34 during the fitting together of the plug members 10 and 12 thereby to cause deflection of the spring arms 22 toward each other during insertion of the male plug 10 into the female plug 12 but are released therefrom when the camming surfaces 42 fully enter the access openings 40 thus permitting the locking hooks 36 to move in a snap action manner into locking engagement with the locking shoulders 38. It will thus be readily seen that when the male and female plug members are fitted together, the camming surfaces 42 face outwardly of and are exposed to the exterior of the female plug member 12 by way of the access openings 40 thereby, as mentioned above, to readily enable manual depression of the distal ends of the spring arms 22 by application of thumb and finger pressure thereby to release the locking hooks 36 from the locking shoulders 38.
The plastics material which forms the bodies of the male and female plug members 10 and 12 must satisfy two basic requirements, namely, that it be sufficiently resilient or flexible as to allow the spring arms 22 to be deflected toward each other by a substantial degree without danger of breakage while at the same time the plastics material has sufficient dielectric strength as to satisfy the applicable standards such as the CSA and UL
standards currently in place for this type of equipment.
Examples of such materials are known under the trade marks "Delrin" and "Noryl".
Figures 6 and 7 show a female to standard male adapter 50 thus allowing an electrical cord with a male plug 10 in accordance with the invention to be electrically connected to a standard female plug 52 or to a standard wall receptacle (not shown). The standard male end 54 includes the usual male prongs 56 and ground pin 58 while the female end includes, as described previously, the female receptacle slots 28 ', ground prong openings ~1297~3 g 30', spaced locking channels 34', access openings 40' and locking shoulders 38' for locking engagement with a male plug 10 as described above. A reverse arrangement (not shown) may be provided where the female end includes the usual female receptacle slots and ground pin opening. The male end includes the male prongs, ground pin and guide post together with the hooked spring arms for engagement with a female plug member all as previously described.
In another embodiment (not shown) a retrofit version may be provided to enable the male 10 and/or female 12 plug members to be connected to an existing power cord. This version employs suitable screw type connectors to effect the several electrical connections as desired.
It will be seen that there has been described above an electrical plug assembly which is fully capable of satisfying the objectives set forth previously in that it is easy and safe to use and is capable of forming a secure lock or interconnection between the male and female plug members, which is not subject to accidental release but which can be released very readily utilizing the simple thumb and forefinger pressure technique noted above. The overall electrical plug assembly is capable of being made in a relatively small compact size and the exterior surfaces can be smoothly contoured so as to avoid snagging or hanging up of the plug assembly on various obstacles encountered during the course of use.
A preferred embodiment of the invention has been described by way of example. Those skilled in the art will realize that various modifications and changes may be made while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention. Hence the invention is not to be limited to the embodiment as described but, rather, the invention encompasses the full range of equivalencies as defined by the appended claims.
Claims (17)
1. An electrical plug assembly comprising male and female plug members, the male member having a plurality of electrical contact prongs and the female member having a plurality of electrical receptacle elements for receiving said contact prongs to provide electrical contact therewith, one of said plug members having a pair of spaced apart spring arms which extend generally parallel to one another while the other of said plug members has a spaced pair of locking channels therein each being parallel with and receiving a respective one of said spring arms when said plug members are fitted together, said spring arms having free distal ends each having a locking hook thereon, each of said locking channels having a locking shoulder associated therewith adapted to lockingly engage with a respective one of said locking hooks to secure said plug members together, and a pair of access openings each of which communicates with a respective one of said locking channels and arranged such that the distal ends of said spring arms are exposed to the exterior of the plug assembly hence enabling said spring arms to be manually deflected sufficiently via said access openings as to release said locking hooks from said shoulders to enable separation of said male and female plug members.
2. The electrical plug assembly of claim 1 wherein said distal ends of said spring arms also each have a camming surface thereon, said camming surfaces being engageable with interior surfaces of said locking channels during the fitting together of said plug members to cause deflection of said spring arms toward each other during said fitting but being released therefrom when said camming surfaces enter said access openings to permit said locking hooks to move in a snap-action manner into locking engagement with said locking shoulders.
3. The electrical plug assembly of claim 2 wherein said spring arms are of a resilient material and are integrally formed with said one plug member and become deflected toward each other as said camming surfaces engage said interior surfaces of the locking channels with said spring arms moving away from one another when said camming surfaces reach said access openings to cause said locking hooks to move in said snap action manner into locking engagement with said locking shoulders.
4. The electrical plug assembly of claim 3 wherein said locking shoulders are formed at respective points of intersection of said access openings with said locking channels and wherein said camming surfaces face outwardly of and are exposed to the exterior of said other one of the plug members via said access openings therein to enable manual depression thereof sufficient to release said locking hooks from said locking shoulders.
5. The electrical plug assembly of any one of claims 1-4 wherein said one plug member is the male plug member and which carries said pair of spring arms, said locking channels being in said female member and extending parallel to said electrical receptacle openings therein.
6. The electrical plug assembly of claim 5 wherein the male plug member further includes a guide post extending parallel to said spring arms and said female member including a guide channel to receive said guide post and to assist in accurate mating of said contact prongs and spring arms with said receptacle openings and locking channels respectively.
7. The electrical plug assembly of claim 6 wherein said plug members are made of plastics material having adequate dielectric capability.
8. A first electrical plug member adapted to mate with a second plug member, one of said members having a plurality of electrical contact prongs adapted to enter corresponding electrical receptacle elements of the other plug member to provide electrical contact therewith, said first plug member having a pair of spaced apart spring arms which extend generally parallel to one another and which are adapted to enter a spaced pair of locking channels in the second member when said plug members are fitted together, said spring arms having free distal ends each having a locking hook thereon adapted to lockingly engage with respective locking shoulders provided in the locking channels of the second member to secure the first and second plug members together, the distal ends of said spring arms of the first plug member being exposed to the exterior of the second plug member when they are assembled together via a pair of access openings each of which communicates with a respective one of said locking channels hence enabling said spring arms to be manually deflected inwardly sufficiently via said access openings as to release said locking hooks from said shoulders to enable separation of said first and second plug members.
9. The first electrical plug of claim 8 wherein said distal ends of said spring arms also each have a camming surface thereon, said camming surfaces adapted to engage interior surfaces of the locking channels of the second plug member during the fitting together of said plug members to cause deflection of said spring arms toward each other during said fitting but being released therefrom when said camming surfaces enter the access openings of the second plug member to permit said locking hooks to move in a snap-action manner into locking engagement with the locking shoulders of the second plug member.
10. The first electrical plug of claim 9 wherein said spring arms are of a resilient material and are integrally formed with said first plug member and become deflected toward each other as said camming surfaces engage said interior surfaces of the locking channels of the second plug member with said spring arms moving away from one another when said camming surfaces reach the access openings to cause said locking hooks to move in said snap action manner into locking engagement with the locking shoulders.
11. The electrical plug of any one of claims 8-10 wherein said first plug member is the male plug member and which carries said electrical contact prongs and said pair of spring arms.
12. The electrical plug of claim 11 wherein the male plug member further includes a guide post extending parallel to said spring arms adapted to be received in a guide channel in a female plug member to assist in accurate mating of said contact prongs and spring arms with the receptacle openings and locking channels respectively.
13. A second electrical plug member adapted to mate with a first plug member, one of said plug members having a plurality of electrical contact prongs adapted to enter a plurality of electrical receptacle elements of the other plug member to provide electrical contact therewith, and wherein the first plug member has a pair of spaced apart spring arms which extend generally parallel to one another, said second plug member having a spaced pair of locking channels therein each being parallel with and receiving a respective one of the spring arms when the plug members are fitted together, each of the locking channels having a locking shoulder associated therewith adapted to lockingly engage with respective locking hooks provided on the free distal ends of the spring arms to secure the plug members together, said second plug member having a pair of access openings, each of which communicates with a respective one of the locking channels which are arranged such that the distal ends of the spring arms are exposed to the exterior of the second plug member when the two plug members are fitted together thus enabling the spring arms to be manually deflected sufficiently via the access openings as to release the locking hooks from said shoulders to enable separation of the first and second plug members.
14. The second electrical plug of claim 13 wherein said locking channels have interior surfaces engageable with camming surfaces provided on the distal ends of said spring arms during the fitting together of the two plug members to cause deflection of said spring arms toward each other during said fitting but being released therefrom when said camming surfaces enter said access openings to permit the locking hooks to move in a snap-action manner into locking engagement with the locking shoulders of the second plug member.
15. The second electrical plug member of claim 14 wherein said locking shoulders are formed at respective points of intersection of said access openings with said locking channels and wherein the camming surfaces of the spring arms face outwardly of and are exposed to the exterior of said second plug member via said access openings therein to enable manual depression of the spring arms sufficient to release said locking hooks from said locking shoulders.
16. An electrical adapter substantially in accordance with Fig. 6 or Fig. 7.
17. A retrofit electrical plug assembly substantially as described.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002129783A CA2129783A1 (en) | 1994-08-09 | 1994-08-09 | Electrical plug assembly with releasable locking mechanism |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002129783A CA2129783A1 (en) | 1994-08-09 | 1994-08-09 | Electrical plug assembly with releasable locking mechanism |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2129783A1 true CA2129783A1 (en) | 1996-02-10 |
Family
ID=4154140
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002129783A Abandoned CA2129783A1 (en) | 1994-08-09 | 1994-08-09 | Electrical plug assembly with releasable locking mechanism |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2129783A1 (en) |
-
1994
- 1994-08-09 CA CA002129783A patent/CA2129783A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |