Patent ID: 6428339
Filing Date: 2002-08-06
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
A lockable electrical cord connector unit comprising:a connector housing having a front wall, a rear wall, a top surface, a bottom surface, a left side and a right side; said connector housing being made of electrically non-conductive material; said connector housing having a longitudinally extending X-axis; a cavity formed in said connector housing; a first pair of laterally spaced sockets formed in said front wall of said connector housing for removably receiving the male prongs of an electrical plug; a first pair of elongated electrical terminal members each having a front end and a rear end; means for supporting said respective first pair of elongated electrical terminal members with their respective said front ends adjacent said respective sockets so they would be placed in electrical contact with the laterally spaced male prongs of an electrical connector when the male prongs are inserted into said first pair of sockets; wedge means reciprocally mounted in said cavity so that said wedge means can travel back and forth between said first pair of elongated terminal members from a first position in which the male prongs of an electrical plug are free to travel in and out of said pair of laterally spaced sockets and a second position that locks the respective male prongs of an electrical connector against said respective first pair of electrical terminal members; and means for actuating movement of said wedge means between said first position and said second position comprising a locking control ring having a front end, a rear end and an inner surface; said locking control ring being telescopically mounted over said connector housing so that it may be rotated with respect to said connector housing between a locked position and an unlocked position.