Tamper resistant shutter device for electrical receptacle outlets

摘要

To prevent electrocution from improper connections through electrical outlets including Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (commonly known as AFCI's), Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (commonly known as GFCI's) and power strips, plugs of matching configuration should be used. For purposes of this application, “electrical outlet” or “receptacle outlet” have the same meaning as an “outlet”. When unattended, some children could be electrocuted by inserting metallic objects into electrical outlets. To control these incidents, it becomes necessary to provide outlets with a shutter device incorporated into the housing cover so that only plugs of matching configuration can be used. For purposes of this application, “childproof”, “tamper-proof” or “tamper-resistant” outlets are the same and refer to an outlet provided with a shutter device as the present invention. These shutter devices are typically incorporated into the outlet housing cover to resist tampering or entry of any object other than a plug of matching configuration.

主权项

1. A framed tamper-resistant shutter device incorporated as an accessory to the housing or cover of electrical receptacle outlets including Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI) and Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) to prevent the insertion of any object other than an electrical plug of matching configuration, said framed tamper-resistant shutter device comprising:
an open frame, a main shutter sub-assembly, a secondary shutter sub-assembly, a ground pin lockout release mechanism, a set of wedge-driven positioning members that cause inward horizontal movement with defined displacements when a plug is used with the electrical outlet, the default position of the wedge-driven positioning members being “shutter close” when no plug is used with the outlet, a set of springs which biases the wedge-driven positioning members away from each other in a “shutter close” default position when no plug is used with the outlet, with the same springs providing resistance between the wedge-driven positioning members and the blades when a plug is inserted, a set of pins and a mating part on the opposing wedge-driven positioning members, engaging when moved as a plug is used with the outlet, a set of wedge-shaped pins on each of the wedge-driven positioning members which push the spring-biased stopper plates sideways to open a hole and allow engagement of the pin with its mating part when a plug is used with the outlet, a set of stopper plates biased to the middle position by springs serving as barrier between the pin and its mating part when no plug is used with the outlet, and a set of springs which bias the stopper plates to the middle position to restrict the engagement of the pin with its mating part when no plug is used with the outlet.