| 摘要 |
A method and apparatus ('utility') for securing an electrical connection formed by a mating structure including prongs of a male assembly (50) and receptacles of a female assembly (20) are provided. The utility includes a clamping mechanism (40) whereby the very forces that would otherwise tend to pull the connection apart serve to actuate the clamping mechanism (40), thereby securing the mated pair. The apparatus may be integrated into a standard receptacle, or retrofitted to work with existing devices. In one embodiment, the clamping mechanism (40) acts solely on the ground prong (54) of the standard male assembly (50), so that it is unnecessary to consider electrical potentials applied to the clamped prong (54) in relation to the design of the clamping mechanism (40). Further, the withdrawing movement of the prong (54) of the male assembly (50) may be translated into a rotational movement of a portion of the clamping mechanism (40) into an abutting relationship with the clamped prong (54). |
