Protective lockable female electrical outlet

摘要

An improved electrical outlet providing a lockable electrical connection between a male plug and the outlet to securely retain the plug. The method to secure and retain the plug imparts minimal stress to the outlet and to the male plug so as to not substantially decrease the durability of either. The outlet decreases the shocking potential to a user or unwitting child by remaining un-energized when idle, and prohibits movement from its idle position until the outlet has received the plug terminal prongs. The shape of the movable receptacle assembly and its corresponding cavity blocks a child from contacting the outlets power source with a metallic object, while making the power source available to the receptacle assembly when initiated by the user. The outlets locking action steps secure and energize the plug simultaneously during the locking action steps in a user friendly manner. The modularized design of the receptacle module can provide an easily adaptable means to fit and form various arrangements such as a wall outlet or an extension cord outlet.

主权项

1. A female electrical outlet capable of receiving a standard male electrical plug in which the male electrical plug has a pair of conductive prongs wherein each conductive prong has a hole, the female electrical outlet comprising:
a receptacle assembly; the receptacle assembly comprising a receptacle body; the receptacle body having a forward section and a rear section; a conductive line electrical contact assembly; a conductive neutral electrical contact assembly; the conductive line electrical contact assembly having at least one prong contact terminal for making electrical communication with the plug prongs; a passageway to correspond with the plug prong hole; the conductive neutral electrical contact assembly having at least one prong contact terminal for making electrical communication with the plug prongs; a locking mechanism for engaging at least one of the plug prong holes when the receptacle assembly is in a second position whereby removal of the male electrical plug from the female electrical outlet is impeded.