WO2026015779A1

WO2026015779A1 - Tamper resistant receptacle using a pivoting rocker and guiding slots

Info

Publication number: WO2026015779A1
Application number: PCT/US2025/037240
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kiran Kumar VIJAYA
Original assignee: Hubbell Inc
Current assignee: Hubbell Inc
Priority date: 2024-07-12
Filing date: 2025-07-11
Publication date: 2026-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 2027-01-12

Abstract

A tamper-resistant receptacle has a groove platform and a slider plate positioned behind the face component. The slider plate is held in place by a spring, and has three slider pegs which each respectively fit within one of three sloped grooves in the groove platform. The slider pegs ride back and forth within the sloped grooves, allowing the slider plate to move along the path of the sloped grooves. Inserting an electrical plug causes the slider plate to ride down the sloped grooves to the point where the hot prong of the plug lines up with a hot prong hole that allows insertion of the plug. Inserting a foreign object into one of the prong holes of the face component causes the slider plate to tilt, preventing further insertion of the foreign object.

Description

TAMPER RESISTANT RECEPTACLE USING A PIVOTING ROCKER AND GUIDING SLOTS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/670,407, filed July 12, 2024, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to tamper resistant electrical receptacles. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to tamper resistant electrical receptacles using a pivoting rocker and guiding slots.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Tamper resistant receptacles are known in the art. “Tamper Resistant” or “TR” receptacles refers to a type of electrical wiring device, such as a household duplex electrical receptacle, equipped with means for physically blocking access to the electrical contacts which lie below the hot and neutral plug blade openings in the faceplate of the receptacle unless simultaneous force is exerted upon both the hot and neutral plug blade openings at the same time. Currently, NEC Code 406.1 1 et seq. and other regulatory requirements provide that not only must the outlet openings remain blocked unless force is applied to both openings at the same time, but also that any foreign object 1/32 inch or larger, must be prevented from bypassing the blocking member of a plug opening. All new construction and major renovations are mandated to by code to use TR receptacles. [0004] As will be appreciated, these code requirements were enacted in response to the all-to-often tragic phenomena of a curious child inserting a conductive material, such as a paperclip, a metal key, a hairpin, or small toy, into either the hot or neutral plug blade opening of a receptacle faceplate and contacting the live hot or neutral electrical contact resulting in electrical shock, burns, or even death.

[0005] In meeting the code standard and providing the level of protection sought from these devices, the art has gravitated towards a configuration of receptacles utilizing cooperating shutter members to block access beyond the faceplate openings of the outlet. Specifically, to ensure that a foreign object force directed into only one of the two blade openings is prevented from reaching the electrical contact that lies beneath, a sliding shutter mechanism is spring-biased into a position blocking (or “shuttering”) the blade opening from underneath the faceplate. The shutter physically prevents an object entering the blade opening from reaching the electrical contact below that shutter. In order to allow the shutter of a respective blade opening to be uncovered, the spring-bias must be overcome by a camming action caused by the other plug blade during insertion in the other blade opening.

[0006] To this end, the most common prior art configuration of a TR receptacle includes a shutter assembly comprising a pair of cooperating shutters. Each of the shutters includes a blocking portion positioned below a respective one of the blade openings blocking access to the contacts. Each of the shutters also includes a cam portion that extends to the opposite blade opening that receives contact from a plug blade and translates the vertical force of a plug blade and camming action into a lateral sliding displacement of the blocking portion. Thus, force by vertical insertion of a plug-blade on the neutral blade opening will move the shutter from obstructing access to the electrical contact below the hot blade opening, and vice versa.

[0007] Specifically, for example, during insertion of a plug, the neutral blade tine will cam against and past the shutter cam surface forcing the shutter cam arm to move laterally, thereby overcoming the spring bias of the shutter and causing the hot blade shutter blocking portion to slide into a position away from and revealing the electrical contact beneath the hot blade opening. Likewise, force on the hot blade opening will contact the cam surface and allow the blade to cam past and move the arm and compress the spring to move the shutter blocking portion that covers the neutral blade opening out of the way. [0008] As will be appreciated, with this configuration, when a child tries to insert a toy into either opening of the outlet, the blocking portion of the shutter remains immobile from the spring bias of the opposite shutter and prevents the child from reaching the electrical contact. However, when both blades of an electrical plug contact the shutters simultaneously, the simultaneous force and camming action allows both blades to continue their downward insertion by simultaneously sliding respective shutter blocking portions laterally out of the way of the electrical contacts of the opposite shutter until the blades cam past the shutters and are able to properly “plug in” to the outlet's internal face contacts.

[0009] Existing prior art TR receptacle designs and their operational details are available in U.S. Pat. No. 4,379,607 to Bowden, Jr.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,645,148 to Carbone et aL; and U.S. PubL No. 2013/0295788 to Baldwin, et al. and the references cited therein. [0010] The proliferation of these important safety devices has led to an appreciation of the issues affecting their effective life span and cost. A feature recognized by the present inventor is that the various embodiments provides a tamper resistant plug that promotes safety with fewer moving parts than prior designs. This aids in the manufacturing and assembly of the various embodiments.

[0011] The foregoing underscores some of the problems associated with conventional TR receptacles. Furthermore, the foregoing highlights the long-felt need in the art for a TR receptacle that provides safety by preventing the insertion of a conducting item such as a paperclip, a metal key, a hairpin, small toy or other conductive item. Moreover, the various embodiments satisfy a long-felt, yet unresolved need in the art for a TR receptacle designed with fewer and uncomplicated constituent parts that facilitates ease of manufacturing and assembly.

SUMMARY

[0012] Various embodiments of the present disclosure can overcome the aforementioned disadvantages and other drawbacks associated with known TR receptacles and offer new advantages as well.

[0013] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure there is provided a tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly that includes a receptacle body that has a coil spring chamber, a face component removably attached to the receptacle body, the face component including a hot prong slot and a neutral prong slot, a slider plate with a first slider peg, a second slider peg and a prong hole, the first and second pegs being spaced apart a peg separation distance as measured from center bisecting points of the first and second pegs, and a groove platform component including a bottom surface and a first wall perpendicular to the bottom surface, the first wall being configured with a first sloped groove and a second sloped groove parallel to the first sloped groove and laterally separated from the first sloped groove, a slider plate with a first slider peg, a second slider peg and a hot prong hole, the first and second pegs being spaced apart a peg separation distance as measured from center bisecting points of the first and second pegs, and a spring component configured to push against the slider plate, wherein in a balanced upward position the slider plate is parallel to the bottom surface of the groove platform.

[0014] In some forms, the first, second and third sloped grooves each have a slope angle of 30° +/- 10° as measured from a plane of the bottom surface of the groove platform. In some forms, the tamper-resistant receptacle of claim includes a second wall that is perpendicular to the bottom surface and parallel to the first wall. The second wall may be configured with a third sloped groove that is parallel to the second wall and also parallel to the first sloped groove.

[0015] In some forms, the slider plate is positioned parallel to the bottom surface of the groove platform, and in response to two points of insertion pressure applied to the slider plate by a hot prong and by a neutral prong of an electrical plug, the slider plate moves away from the face component towards the bottom surface of the groove.

[0016] In some forms, in response to the two points of insertion pressure applied to the slider plate the slider plate also moves laterally as it is moving towards the bottom surface of the groove platform. In some forms, the slider plate remains parallel to the bottom surface of the groove platform as the slider plate moves laterally and moves away from the face component towards the bottom surface of the groove platform. [0017] In some forms, the slider plate moves laterally until the first insertion point aligns with the prong hole of the slider plate. Upon aligning the first insertion point with the prong hole, the second insertion point clears a prong clearance edge of the slider plate.

[0018] In some forms, the spring component is a coil spring component, and the width of the coil spring chamber is at least 1 % greater than an outside diameter of the coil spring component. In some forms, the tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly also includes a push rod which is pushed by the spring component into the slider plate. In some forms, the prong hole of the slider plate is a hot prong hole of sufficient dimensions to allow insertion of a hot prong of an electrical plug.

[0019] In some forms, the tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly further includes a fourth sloped groove that intersects the second sloped groove. In response to insertion of a foreign object into either the hot prong slot or the neutral prong slot, the second slider peg enters the fourth sloped groove preventing lateral movement of the slider plate.

[0020] According to another example, there is provided a tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly that includes a receptacle body and a face component that is removably attached to the receptacle body. The face component includes a hot prong slot and a neutral prong slot. The sub-assembly also includes a groove platform with a bottom surface and a first wall that is perpendicular to the bottom surface. The sub-assembly further includes a slider plate movably connected to the groove platform and a spring component configured to push against the slider plate. In response to two points of insertion pressure applied to the slider plate by a hot prong and by a neutral prong of an electrical plug, the slider plate moves against a bias of the spring component away from the face component towards the bottom surface of the groove platform. The two points of insertion include a first insertion point and a second insertion point.

[0021] According to another example, there is provided a tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly that includes a receptacle body. The sub-assembly also includes a groove platform with a bottom surface and a first wall that is perpendicular to the bottom surface. The sub-assembly further includes a slider plate movably connected to the groove platform and a spring component configured to push against the slider plate. In response to two points of insertion pressure applied to the slider plate by a hot prong and by a neutral prong of an electrical plug, the slider plate moves against a bias of the spring component away from the face component towards the bottom surface of the groove platform. The two points of insertion include a first insertion point and a second insertion point.

[0022] According to another example, there is provided a tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly that includes a receptacle body. The sub-assembly also includes a slider plate with a first slider peg, a second slider peg and a prong hole and a biasing member connected to the slider plate. The sub-assembly further includes a groove platform with a bottom surface and a first wall. The first wall can have a first sloped groove and a second sloped groove that is parallel to the first sloped groove and laterally separated from the first sloped groove. The first sloped groove and the second sloped groove are oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the bottom surface. The slider plate is parallel to the bottom surface of the groove platform when the biasing member is in a neutral position.

[0023] According to another example, there is provided a tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly that includes a receptacle body and a face component that is removably attached to the receptacle body. The face component includes a hot prong slot and a neutral prong slot. The sub-assembly also includes a slider plate with a first slider peg, a second slider peg and a prong hole and a biasing member connected to the slider plate. The sub-assembly further includes a groove platform with a bottom surface and a first wall. The first wall can have a first sloped groove and a second sloped groove that is parallel to the first sloped groove and laterally separated from the first sloped groove. The first sloped groove and the second sloped groove are oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the bottom surface. The slider plate is parallel to the bottom surface of the groove platform when the biasing member is in a neutral position.

[0024] The disclosure herein should become evident to a person of ordinary skill in the art given the following enabling description and drawings. The drawings are for illustration purposes only and are not drawn to scale unless otherwise indicated. The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The following enabling disclosure is directed to one of ordinary skill in the art and presupposes that those aspects within the ability of the ordinarily skilled artisan are understood and appreciated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Various aspects and advantageous features of the present disclosure will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill when described in the detailed description of preferred embodiments and reference to the accompany drawing wherein: [0026] FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view of a tamper resistant receptacle according to various embodiments disclosed herein.

[0027] FIG. 1 B is an exploded side view of a tamper resistant receptacle according to various embodiments disclosed herein.

[0028] FIG. 2A is a side view of a groove platform component according to various embodiments disclosed herein.

[0029] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a groove platform component according to various embodiments disclosed herein.

[0030] FIG. 2C is a perspective view of the slider plate according to various embodiments disclosed herein.

[0031] FIG. 3A is a cutaway side view of a tamper resistant receptacle sub-assembly according to various embodiments disclosed herein.

[0032] FIG. 3B is a cutaway perspective view of a tamper resistant receptacle subassembly according to various embodiments disclosed herein.

[0033] FIG. 4A is a cutaway side view of tamper resistant receptacle sub-assembly components in a closed position according to various embodiments disclosed herein.

[0034] FIG. 4B is a cutaway side view of the tamper resistant receptacle sub-assembly components moved towards an open position according to various embodiments disclosed herein.

[0035] FIG. 4C is a cutaway perspective view of components of a tamper resistant receptacle sub-assembly according to various embodiments disclosed herein.

[0036] FIG. 5A is a cutaway perspective view of components of a tamper resistant receptacle sub-assembly with a foreign object inserted in the neutral prong slot according to various embodiments disclosed herein.

[0037] FIG. 5B is a cutaway side view of components of a tamper resistant receptacle sub-assembly with a foreign object inserted in the neutral prong slot according to various embodiments disclosed herein. [0038] FIG. 5C is a cutaway perspective view of components of a tamper resistant receptacle sub-assembly with a foreign object inserted in the hot prong slot according to various embodiments disclosed herein.

[0039] FIG. 5D is a cutaway side view of components of a tamper resistant receptacle with a foreign object inserted in the hot prong slot according to various embodiments disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS

[0040] The figures depict various embodiments of TR receptacle sub-assemblies for use in a TR receptacle. As depicted, the various embodiments are configured for use as a TR sub-assembly for use with a 15-Amp or 20-Amp receptacle adapted for receipt of a two-prong or three-prong plug member. However, one of ordinary skill in the art armed with the present specification will readily appreciate that the teachings of the present disclosure may be adapted for any specific type of TR device through routine experimentation, including duplex receptacles, electrical cords, receptacles with USB ports, receptacles with circular or other geometries for the face or prongs, etc.

[0041] FIG. 1 A is an exploded perspective view of a tamper resistant receptacle 100 according to various embodiments disclosed herein. In the figure only the top tamper resistant components 101 -105 are shown exploded out for viewing. FIG. 1 B is an exploded side view of the tamper resistant receptacle 100 according to various embodiments disclosed herein. In FIG. 1 B both the top and the bottom sets of tamper resistant components 101 -105 are shown exploded out for viewing. The tamper resistant receptacle 100 includes a face component 1 11 , a receptacle body 1 13, a groove platform component 101 , a slider plate 103, a push rod 105 and a coil spring 107.

[0042] Face component 111 is configured to be removably attached to the receptacle body 113. The outer surface of face component 1 11 has hot prong slot 1 15 and neutral prong slot 117. Some embodiments of face component 1 11 have a ground prong hole 1 19 as well. These slots/holes guide the prongs of an electrical plug into the tamper resistant receptacle 100.

[0043] The groove platform component 101 , slider plate 103, push rod 105 and coil spring 107 are contained beneath face component 111 , fitted within and on receptacle body 113. The side view of groove platform component 101 shown in FIG. 1 B is being viewed from angle of arrow 99A shown in FIG. 2B.

[0044] In various embodiments of tamper resistant receptacle 100, the face component 1 1 1 , receptacle body 113, groove platform component 101 and slider plate 103 are typically made out of one or more types of plastic. In alternative implementations one or more of these component parts may be made of other types of non-conductive material of sufficient structural strength and durability to perform their respective mechanical role in the tamper resistant receptacle sub-assembly 100 as are known by those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0045] The push rod 105 is typically made from plastic or another synthetic material, but in some implementations may be metal. The coil spring 107 are typically made from spring steel or stainless steel. In alternative implementations the coil spring 107 may be made from other types of metal or metal alloys, plastic or other types of material with sufficient structural strength and elastic properties to perform the required mechanical role in the tamper resistant receptacle 100 as are known by those of ordinary skill in the art. The spring 107 is shown as a cylindrical compression spring. In some embodiments the spring 107 may be implemented as a conical compression spring, one or more extension springs, an elastic cord, or other types of spring or elastic components known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In some embodiments the coil spring 107 may push directly on the bottom of slider plate 103 without need for the push rod 105. In other embodiments — e.g., as shown in FIG. 3A — the coil spring 107 pushes on the bottom of slider plate 103 via the push rod 105.

[0046] FIG. 2A is a side view and FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a groove platform component 101 according to various embodiments disclosed herein. The groove platform component 101 is positioned between the face component 11 1 and receptacle body 1 13. The groove platform component 101 has a spring hole 101 a in its floor, through which push rod 105 is inserted. The groove platform component 101 has sloped grooves 101 c- d (depicted with dotted lines) on a first wall, and sloped groove 101 e on a second wall parallel to the first wall. The sloped grooves 101 c-e may also be called guiding slots. The first and second walls of the groove platform component 101 are typically configured perpendicular to its bottom surface (or to its floor). The sloped grooves 101 c-d can also be seen in FIG. 4C. Sloped grooves 101 c-d are parallel to each other, are the same length, and are laterally separated. Lines bisecting sloped grooves 101 c-d lengthwise are parallel lines. Also, moving one of sloped grooves 101 c-d laterally (left-right in the figure) will result in it overlapping the other one.

[0047] The slope angle a101 c of sloped groove 101 c is parallel to and within the same plane as sloped groove 101 e, and is typically at the same height relative to the bottom surface of groove platform component 101. The slope angle of sloped groove 101 d is parallel to and within the same plane as sloped groove 101 c. The plane formed by the sloped grooves 101 c-d is perpendicular to the plane formed by sloped grooves 101 c-e. The sloped grooves 101 c-e are slightly wider — at least 1 % wider — than the slider pegs 103c-e of slider plate 103 which are described in the next paragraph and shown in FIG. 2C.

[0048] The slope angles a101 c-d of sloped grooves 101 c-e are typically equal to each other. This allows the slider plate 103 to remain parallel to the lower surface of groove platform 101 as the slider plate 103 is pushed downward and laterally by pressure from two points of contact made by the prongs of an electrical plug being inserted in the face component 1 1 1.

[0049] The slope angles a101 c-d are measured with respect to the plane that defines the bottom of groove platform component 101 . In various embodiments the slope angle of sloped grooves 101 c-e is typically 30° (degrees) +/- 5°. In some embodiments the slope angle of sloped grooves 101 c-e is 30° +/- 10°. In other embodiments the slope angle of sloped grooves 101 c-e is 30° +/- 15°.

[0050] FIG. 2C is a perspective view of slider plate 103 according to various embodiments disclosed herein. The slider plate 103 may also be called a pivoting rocker. Slider plate 103 has a rectangular hot prong hole 103f of sufficient size to allow the hot prong of an electrical plug to pass through it. Slider plate 103 has three slider pegs 103c- e. Slider plate 103 sits atop push rod 105 which passes through the groove platform component 101 . The three slider pegs 103c-e are respectively positioned within the three sloped grooves 101 c-e of the groove platform component 101. The distance between slider pegs 103c-d is the same as the lateral distance (left-right) between sloped grooves 101 c-d as shown in FIG. 2A. This results in the slider plate 103 remaining parallel to the bottom surface of groove platform component 101 as the slider pegs 103c-d slide up and down sloped grooves 101 c-d. The distance between the line bisecting the centers of slider pegs 103c-d (and the lateral distance between sloped grooves 101 c-d) may be called the peg separation distance.

[0051] In response to insertion of an appropriately sized electrical plug the slider plate 103 moves laterally (to the side) with respect to groove platform component 101 to line up hot prong hole 103f with the hot prong slot 1 15 of the face component 11 1. This allows the prongs of the electrical plug to be fully inserted, making electrical contact with the receptacle body 1 13 of tamper resistant receptacle 100. This is illustrated in FIGS. 4A- C. However, if a foreign object is inserted into one of the faceplate holes the slider plate 103 tilts instead of sliding, blocking access to the hot wire and neutral wire electrical connections within receptacle body 113. This is illustrated in FIGS. 5A-D.

[0052] FIG. 3A is a cutaway side view illustrating the cross-section of a tamper resistant receptacle 100 according to various embodiments disclosed herein. The crosssection depicts the interconnection and arrangement of the receptacle body 1 13, the groove platform component 101 , the slider plate 103, the push rod 105 and the coil spring 107. A coil spring chamber 121 (e.g., a hole or opening) is provided in the receptacle body 113 with a slightly larger diameter than the coil spring 107 and push rod 105. In various embodiments the coil spring chamber 121 has a diameter at least 1 % wider than the outside diameter of coil spring 107. The slider plate 103 sits on top of the push rod 105 with its three slider pegs 103c-e respectively positioned within sloped grooves of groove platform component 101. Slider pegs 103c-e are respectively positioned within sloped grooves 101 c-e (or 101 c,d,f). Slider peg 103d may either enter sloped groove 101 c (keeping slider plate 103 horizontal as it is moved) or may enter sloped groove 101 f (tilting slider plate 103, and keeping it from moving horizontally). The slider pegs riding along the sloped grooves 101 c-e cause slider plate 103 to move laterally (horizontally in FIG. 3A) and downward in response to downward force of two prongs of an electrical plug.

[0053] FIG. 3B is a cutaway perspective view of a tamper resistant receptacle subassembly according to various embodiments disclosed herein. The cutaway portion of FIG. 3B at the lower half of the figure is the same as the larger cutaway view of FIG. 3A. FIG. 3B shows the spatial relationship between hot prong slot 115 and neutral prong slot 1 17 of face component 1 11 with the components arranged within receptacle body 113 as depicted in FIG. 3A.

[0054] FIG. 4A is a cutaway side view of tamper resistant receptacle sub-assembly components in a closed position according to various embodiments disclosed herein. In the figure the two prongs of an electrical plug have been initially inserted into the prong slots of face component 1 11. Hot prong 115-1 and neutral prong 117-1 are inserted into hot prong slot 1 15 and neutral prong slot 1 17, respectively, to the point where the two prongs have made contact with slider plate 103.

[0055] Prior to insertion of the two electrical plug prongs, the push rod 105 and coil spring 107, pushing upward on slider plate 103, causes slider pegs 103c-e to ride within sloped grooves 101 c-e of groove platform 101 toward the outer surface of face component 1 11 (upward in FIG. 4A). Thus, the slider plate 103 is moved upward and to the right to the position shown in FIG. 4A. With slider plate 103 in this position the hot prong 1 15-1 inserted into hot prong slot 1 15 is not aligned with hot prong hole 103f.

[0056] FIG. 4B is a cutaway side view of tamper resistant receptacle sub-assembly with its internal components moved to an open position by insertion of an electrical plug according to various embodiments disclosed herein. The two prongs pushing downward from the position shown in FIG. 4A cause slider plate 103 — with its slider pegs 103c-e riding in sloped grooves 101 c-e of groove platform 101 — to move downward and to the left (in the figure). Hot prong hole 103f aligns with hot prong 115-1 at the same time as neutral prong 117-1 clears the right edge of slider plate 103 known as the peg clearance edge 103g. The allows the two prongs 115-1 and 1 17-1 to insert past the slider plate 103 to the point where they make electrical contact with the hot and neutral contacts within the tamper resistant receptacle 100.

[0057] FIG. 4C is a cutaway perspective view of components of a tamper resistant receptacle sub-assembly according to various embodiments disclosed herein. In FIG. 4C the slider plate 103 is in the balanced upward position, as shown in FIG. 4A from a different angle. Slider peg 103c only travels back and forth within sloped groove 101 c. But slider peg 103d can move either within sloped groove 101d or sloped groove 101 f, depending on the downward pressure(s) asserted on slider plate 103. Downward force can be applied only to points 195 and 196 of slider plate 103, in the position shown, since the downward force must be applied through the prong slots of face component 1 11. Points 195 and 196 are beneath the neutral prong slot 117 and hot prong slot 1 15, respectively, of face component 1 11. The edge of slider plate 103 nearest slider peg 103d is called the peg clearance edge 103g.

[0058] Applying simultaneous downward pressure to point 195 with a neutral prong 1 17-1 and to point 196 with a hot prong 1 15-1 causes slider peg 103c to pull the slider plate 103 to the right, as shown in FIG. 4G. This results in slider peg 103d entering sloped groove 101 d, and the slider plate 103 shifting laterally to the right (in FIG. 4G) as prongs 1 15-1 and 117-1 push it downward. In some embodiments slider peg 103d is smaller in diameter than slider pegs 103c/e. Slider pegs 103c/e are slightly smaller than the width of sloped groove 101 c and sloped groove 101 e, allowing them to freely slide back and forth in the sloped grooves (i.e., at least 1 % smaller). Slider peg 103d can enter either sloped groove 101 d or sloped groove 101 f. Making slider peg 103d slightly smaller than slider pegs 103c/e facilitates the entry of slider peg 103d into sloped groove 101 d, or into the upper or lower part of sloped groove 101 f. In various implementations the diameter of slider peg 103d is from 10% to 50% smaller than the diameter of slider pegs 103c and 103e.

[0059] FIGS. 5A-B illustrate pressure being applied to point 195. Point 195 aligns with neutral prong slot 1 17 of face component 111 as shown in FIGS. 1 A-B. Pressure only applied to point 195 results in slider peg 103d entering the bottom part sloped groove 101 f. This prevents the slider plate 103 from shifting laterally to the right. FIG. 5C illustrates pressure being applied to point 196. Pressure only applied to point 196 results in that end of slider plate 103 rocking downward and the other end rocking upward, causing slider peg 103d to move upward and enter the top part sloped groove 101 f. Note that point 196 is to the right of slider peg 103c which causes the tilting of slider plate 103. Pressure applied only to point 196 pins slider peg 103c at the top of sloped groove 101 c. Pressure only applied to point 196 does not move slider peg 103c along sloped groove 101 c.

[0060] FIG. 5A is a cutaway perspective view and FIG. 5B is a cutaway side view of components of a tamper resistant receptacle sub-assembly according to various embodiments disclosed herein. In FIGS. 5A-B a foreign object 999 is being inserted in neutral prong slot 1 17 (not shown) applying pressure to point 195 on the slider plate 103. Inserting foreign object 999 through the neutral prong slot 117 and applying pressure only to point 195 results in slider peg 103d entering sloped groove 101 f. This prevents the slider plate 103 from shifting laterally to the right, preventing the foreign object 999 from being further inserted into tamper resistant receptacle 100. The slider plate 103 blocks the foreign object from being further inserted into the neutral prong slot 117 of tamper resistant receptacle 100.

[0061] FIG. 5C is a cutaway perspective view and FIG. 5D is a cutaway side view of components of a tamper resistant receptacle sub-assembly according to various embodiments disclosed herein. In FIGS. 5C-D a foreign object 999 is being inserted the hot prong slot 115 which lines up with point 196. Inserting foreign object 999 through the hot prong slot 115 (not shown) and applying pressure only to point 196 results in that end of slider plate 103 rocking downward slightly and the other end with slider peg 103d rocking upward, causing slider peg 103d to enter the top portion of sloped groove 101 f. The pressure applied at point 196 pins slider peg 103c at the top of sloped groove 101 c since slider peg 103d in sloped groove 101 f prevents lateral movement of slider plate 103. As such, the hot prong hole 103f of slider plate 103 won’t align with hot prong slot 1 15 of face component 1 1 1 , preventing foreign object 999 from being further inserted into hot prong slot 115 of tamper resistant receptacle 100.

[0062] The above embodiments and similar embodiments use fewer parts than previous designs. This makes the disclosed embodiments cost effective to manufacture and assemble. Fewer parts also increase the useful life of the products since there are fewer points of failure. These beneficial attributes promote the use, availability, and reliability of these important safety products.

[0063] In the disclosure of the various embodiments have been described using spatial orientation terms such as up, down, laterally, right and left. These terms describe the components as they are viewed in the figures. In practice the various embodiments of a tamper-resistant receptacle may be oriented in any direction.

[0064] In the disclosure of the various embodiments the phrase “removably attached” is used to describe how two objects may be attached together. For example, the face component is removably attached to the receptacle body. Two objects are removably attached if they can be separated without damaging the objects. A bolt and a nut are removably attached. But two metal objects welded together are not thought to be removably attached since breaking the weld (or grinding the weld off) would damage the welded metal objects.

[0065] In the disclosure of the various embodiments the phrase “laterally separated” is used to describe the spatial relationship of two items. For example, sloped grooves 101 c-d shown in FIG. 2A are laterally separated from each other. “Laterally separated” means that one object is directly to the right (or to the left) of the other. The right and left sides of a parallelogram (i.e., a nonorthogonal quadrilateral) with its bottom side oriented horizontally are laterally separated.

[0066] In the disclosure of the various embodiments the term “via” is used to describe applying force from one object to another. For example, one object may apply force to another object via a third object. Also, an object may be said to be moved “via” another object. In this context, “via” means that the third object is between the two objects, and the first object applies force to the second object through — or “via” — the third, intervening object. For example, the coil spring 107 of FIG. 3A applies force to the bottom of slider plate 103 via push rod 105.

[0067] In the disclosure of the various embodiments the phrase “full insertion into the tamper resistant receptacle sub-assembly” is used to describe the prongs of an electrical plug, or a foreign object, being inserted into the tamper resistant receptacle. “Full insertion” in this context means insertion to the point where the inserted object makes contact with the electrical conductor within the receptacle — e.g., either the hot conductor or the neutral conductor.

[0068] In the disclosure of the various embodiments the phrase “aligned with” is used to describe the position of an opening with respect to a component. In this context, an object inserted straight into an opening that is aligned with a component would come in contact with the component.

[0069] One of ordinary skill will appreciate that the exact dimensions and materials are not critical to the disclosure and all suitable variations should be deemed to be within the scope of the disclosure if deemed suitable for carrying out the objects of the disclosure. [0070] One of ordinary skill in the art will also readily appreciate that it is well within the ability of the ordinarily skilled artisan to modify one or more of the constituent parts for carrying out the various embodiments of the disclosure. Once armed with the present specification, routine experimentation is all that is needed to determine adjustments and modifications that will carry out the present disclosure.

[0071] The above embodiments are for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure or the adaptation of the features described herein. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the above-described preferred embodiments can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1 . A tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly comprising: a receptacle body; a face component removably attached to the receptacle body, the face component including a hot prong slot and a neutral prong slot; a slider plate with a first slider peg, a second slider peg and a prong hole, the first and second slider pegs being spaced apart a peg separation distance as measured from center bisecting points of the first and second slider pegs; a groove platform including a bottom surface and a first wall perpendicular to the bottom surface, the first wall being configured with a first sloped groove and a second sloped groove parallel to the first sloped groove and laterally separated from the first sloped groove; and a spring component configured to push against the slider plate; wherein in a balanced upward position the slider plate is parallel to the bottom surface of the groove platform.

2. The tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly of claim 1 , further comprising: a second wall perpendicular to the bottom surface and parallel to the first wall, the second wall being configured with a third sloped groove; wherein the third sloped groove is parallel to the second wall and parallel to the first sloped groove.

3. The tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly of claim 2, wherein the first sloped groove, the second sloped groove and the third sloped groove each have a slope angle of 30° +/- 10° as measured from a plane of the bottom surface of the groove platform.

4. The tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly of claim 3, wherein the slider plate is positioned parallel to the bottom surface of the groove platform; and wherein in response to two points of insertion pressure applied to the slider plate by a hot prong and by a neutral prong of an electrical plug the slider plate moves away from the face component towards the bottom surface of the groove platform; and wherein the two points of insertion include a first insertion point and a second insertion point.

5. The tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly of claim 4, wherein in response to said two points of insertion pressure applied to the slider plate the slider plate moves laterally as it is moving towards the bottom surface of the groove platform.

6. The tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly of claim 5, wherein the slider plate remains parallel to the bottom surface of the groove platform as the slider plate moves laterally and moves away from the face component towards the bottom surface of the groove platform.

7. The tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly of claim 6, wherein the slider plate moves laterally until the first insertion point aligns with the prong hole of the slider plate.

8. The tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly of claim 7, wherein upon aligning the first insertion point with the prong hole the second insertion point clears a prong clearance edge of the slider plate.

9. The tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the spring component is a coil spring component.

10. The tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly of claim 9, further comprising: a coil spring chamber configured as part of the receptacle body; wherein a width of the coil spring chamber is at least 1 % greater than an outside diameter of the coil spring component.

1 1 . The tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly of claim 10, further comprising: a push rod; wherein the spring component is configured to push against the slider plate via the push rod.

12. The tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly of claim 11 , wherein the prong hole of the slider plate is a hot prong hole of sufficient dimensions to allow insertion of a hot prong of an electrical plug.

13. The tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly of any one of claims 3 to 12, further comprising: a fourth sloped groove; wherein the second sloped groove intersects the fourth sloped groove.

14. The tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly of claim 13, wherein, in response to insertion of a foreign object being inserted into either the hot prong slot or the neutral prong slot, the second slider peg enters the fourth sloped groove preventing lateral movement of the slider plate.

15. A tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly comprising: a receptacle body; a face component removably attached to the receptacle body, the face component including a hot prong slot and a neutral prong slot; a groove platform including a bottom surface and a first wall perpendicular to the bottom surface; a slider plate movably connected to the groove platform; and a spring component configured to push against the slider plate; wherein in response to two points of insertion pressure applied to the slider plate by a hot prong and by a neutral prong of an electrical plug the slider plate moves against a bias of the spring component away from the face component towards the bottom surface of the groove platform; and wherein the two points of insertion include a first insertion point and a second insertion point.

16. The tamper-resistant receptable sub-assembly of claim 15, wherein the spring component is a coil spring component.

17. The tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly of claim 15, further comprising: a coil spring chamber configured as part of the receptacle body; wherein a width of the coil spring chamber is at least 1 % greater than an outside diameter of the coil spring component.

18. The tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly of any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein, the first wall includes a first sloped groove and a second sloped groove parallel to the first sloped groove and laterally separated from the first sloped groove; the first sloped groove and the second sloped groove each have a slope angle of 30° +/- 10° as measured from a plane of the bottom surface of the groove platform.

19. The tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly of claim 18, further comprising: a second wall perpendicular to the bottom surface and parallel to the first wall, the second wall includes a third sloped groove; wherein the third sloped groove is parallel to the second wall and parallel to the first sloped groove.

20. The tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly of any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the slider plate is positioned parallel to the bottom surface of the groove platform; and wherein in response to two points of insertion pressure applied to the slider plate by a hot prong and by a neutral prong of an electrical plug the slider plate moves away from the face component towards the bottom surface of the groove platform; and wherein the two points of insertion include a first insertion point and a second insertion point.

21 . The tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly of any one of claims 15 to 20, further comprising: a push rod; wherein the spring component is configured to push against the slider plate via the push rod.

22. A tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly comprising: a receptacle body; a face component removably attached to the receptacle body, the face component including a hot prong slot and a neutral prong slot; a slider plate with a first slider peg, a second slider peg and a prong hole; a groove platform including a bottom surface and a first wall, the first wall being configured with a first sloped groove and a second sloped groove parallel to the first sloped groove and laterally separated from the first sloped groove, wherein the first sloped groove and the second sloped groove are oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the bottom surface; and a biasing member connected to the slider plate; wherein the slider plate is parallel to the bottom surface of the groove platform when the biasing member is in a neutral position.

23. The tamper-resistant receptable sub-assembly of claim 22, wherein the biasing member is a coil spring.

24. The tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly of claim 23, further comprising: a coil spring chamber configured as part of the receptacle body; wherein a width of the coil spring chamber is at least 1 % greater than an outside diameter of the coil spring.

25. The tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly of any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the first sloped groove and the second sloped groove each have a slope angle of 30° +/- 10° as measured from a plane of the bottom surface of the groove platform.

26. The tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly of any one of claims 22 to 25, further comprising: a second wall perpendicular to the bottom surface and parallel to the first wall, the second wall includes a third sloped groove; wherein the third sloped groove is parallel to the second wall and parallel to the first sloped groove.

27. The tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly of any one of claims 22 to 26, wherein the slider plate is positioned parallel to the bottom surface of the groove platform; and wherein in response to two points of insertion pressure applied to the slider plate by a hot prong and by a neutral prong of an electrical plug the slider plate moves away from the face component towards the bottom surface of the groove platform; and wherein the two points of insertion include a first insertion point and a second insertion point.

28. The tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly of any one of claims 22 to 27, further comprising: a push rod; wherein the biasing member is configured to push against the slider plate via the push rod.