Patent ID: 6537089
Filing Date: 2003-03-25
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
An electrical outlet adapted to receive an electrical plug having at least live and neutral prongs of equal length, the outlet comprising:a support member having an outer surface, an inner surface and at least live and neutral apertures extending from the outer surface to the inner surface of said support member; a live receptacle adapted to receive the live prong and spaced from the inner surface of said support member adjacent the live aperture therein; a neutral receptacle adapted to receive the neutral prong and spaced from the inner surface of said support member adjacent the neutral aperture therein, said support member and the live and neutral receptacles being arranged so that the live and neutral prongs of the electrical plug can be inserted through the live and neutral apertures, respectively, in said support member and enter the live and neutral receptacles, respectively; and a single blocking member disposed between the inner surface of said support member and the receptacles, and movable between a closed position, in which it blocks the live and neutral apertures in said support member, and an open position, it which it does not block the live and neutral apertures, thereby permitting the live and neutral prongs of the electrical plug to pass through the live and neutral apertures, respectively, in said support member and enter the live and neutral receptacles, respectively, said single blocking member having: biasing means for biasing the blocking member towards its closed position; a cam surface disposed adjacent the neutral aperture and arranged to be directly engaged by the neutral prong passing through the neutral aperture, so that contact between the neutral prong and the cam surface will cause the blocking member to move to its open position; and a recess arranged so that, when the blocking member is in its closed position, the recess will lie adjacent the live aperture, such that a portion of the live prong can be accommodated within the recess while the blocking member is still in its closed position, said recess extending to a free edge of said blocking member so that, when said blocking member is in its open position, the live prong of the plug passes beyond the free edge of said blocking member, said support member being further configured with a recess arranged to receive said free edge of said blocking member when said blocking member is in its closed position.