Patent ID: 8974239
Filing Date: 2015-03-10
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
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.