US3431535A

US3431535A - Electric-plug puller and insulator

Info

Publication number: US3431535A
Application number: US639562A
Authority: US
Inventors: Alfred R Munyon
Original assignee: ALFRED R MUNYON
Current assignee: ALFRED R MUNYON
Priority date: 1967-05-18
Filing date: 1967-05-18
Publication date: 1969-03-04
Anticipated expiration: 1986-03-04

Description

March 4, 1969 A. R. MUNYON 3 5 ELECTRIC-PLUG FULLER AND INSULATOR Filed May 18, 1967 ENVENTOR. ALFRED R. MUNYON W k. W;

ATTORNEY.

United States Patent 3,431,535 ELECTRIC-PLUG PULLER AND INSULATOR Alfred R. Munyon, 14 W. 2nd Ave., Mantua, NJ. 08051 Filed May 18, 1967, Ser. No. 639,562 U.S. Cl. 339-45 6 Claims Int. Cl. H01r 13/62, 13/00 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Summary It is an important object of the present invention to provide an attachment for electric plugs which serves to space and effectively insulate the plug from the outlet receptacle or socket, and also affords an effective handgrasping means for withdrawing the plug from a socket without damage to the plug, socket, or electric cord.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an attachment for an electric plug which further affords a cushioning or bumper action to a plug to prevent damage thereto under conditions of rough treatment.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an attachment for electric plugs having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraphs which is extremely simple in construction, durable and reliable in use throughout a long useful life, adapted to present a neat, attractive and enhancing appearance to electric plugs, and which can be economically manufactured for sale at a reasonable price.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

Brief description of the drawing FIGURE 1 is a perspective view illustrating an electricplug insulator and puller constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention in operative association with a plug.

FIGURE 2 is a generally horizontal sectional view taken substantially along the line 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a partial sectional view taken generally along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view illustrating the plug insulator and puller of the present invention apart from an electric plug.

Description of the preferred embodiment Referring now more particularly to the drawing, and specifically to FIGURE 4 thereof, the device of the present invention is there generally designated 10, and may include an elongate strip 11 of flexible insulating material, such as polyethylene or other suitable plastic, or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the strip 11 may be of generally rectangular configuration, having opposite end portions 12 each formed with a pair of closed end slots 13.

More specifically, the slots 13 of each pair are spaced longitudinally of the strip 11, in the respective end region 3,431,535 Patented Mar. 4, 1969 thereof, and configured and arranged to extend transversely of the strip, terminating at their opposite ends short of the side edges of the strip.

In the assembled, operative condition of FIGURES 1-3, the strip 11 of device 10" is bent or flexed to locate its opposite end portions 12 in overlapping relation, with each pair of openings or slots 13 in respective registry with the other pair.

An electric plug is generally designated 15, including a body 16 having a pair of laterally spaced prongs 17 projecting from one side 18 of the body. Extending from the opposite side 19 of the body 16 may be a two-conductor wire or electric cord 20.

The strip 11 in its hereinbefore described flexed condition of a loop is arranged with its overlying end portions 12 in adjacent facing relation with respect to the side 18 of plug body 16, with prongs 17 extending through registering openings 13. This condition is best seen in FIG- URE 2.

In this condition, the plug 15 has its prongs 17 inserted into an electrical-outlet receptacle or socket 22, with the overlying strip end portions 12 interposed in sandwiched relation between the socket 22 and plug-body face or side 18 to afford insulation therebetween and an effectiveabsorbing cushion to minimize possible damage to the plug 15 and socket 22.

When it is desired to remove or withdraw the plug 15 from the socket 22, specifically to withdraw the plug prongs 17 from the socket, the looped strip 11 provides a convenient grasping means, one or more fingers being inserted through the loop for quick and easy withdrawal of the plug. Of course, the plug may be replaced in its inserted condition in the usual manner.

While a preferred embodiment of the instant device has been illustrated and described, it is appreciated that the device 10 may assume different forms, such as that of an endless loop, or additional means may be provided for securement of the loop to the plug, or other variations employed, if desired.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides a combination electric-plug puller and insulator which fully accomplishes its intended objects and is well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture, installation and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, an electric-plug body, a pair of prongs extending from one side of said body for insertion into a socket with said one body side facing the socket, and a loop of flexible insulating material extending generally about said body, said loop having one portion extending on said one side of said body for location between said body and a socket and having an opposite portion outwardly of said body for location remote from the socket, whereby said loop insulates said body from the socket and is adapted to be grasped at said opposite portion for withdrawing said body and prongs from the socket.

2. The combination according to claim 1, said loop comprising a band of plastic material.

3. The combination according to claim 1, said loop comprising a strip of plastic material.

4. The combination according to claim 3, said strip having apertures adjacent to opposite strip ends, said prongs extending through said apertures.

5. The combination according to claim 3, said strip having its opposite end portions each provided with a pair 3 4 o f apertures, said strip end portions being in overlying 3,160,947 12/1964 Sunderlin 33945.XR relation with said pairs of apertures in registry and each ,215,971 11/1965 Cap 33945 X pair of apertures receiving said pair of prongs.

FOR N 6. The combination according to claim 5, the apertures EIG PATENTS of each pair being spaced longitudinally of said strip. 5 556449 4/1923 France References Cited MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner. UNITED STATES PATENTS PATRICK A. CLIFFORD, Asslstant Examzner. 1,749,623 3/1930 Zinman 339 110 2,962,197 11/1960 Spangler 339 45 XR 339-110