Patent ID: 6132257
Filing Date: 2000-10-17
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
An electrical socket device, comprising:a base member made from an insulator material and formed with a mounting chamber, and an open top side for access to said mounting chamber;a pair of conductive prong engaging members mounted on said base member inside said mounting chamber, said prong engaging members being formed with at least one pair of prong engaging portions adapted to engage a pair of prongs of an appliance plug, one of said prong engaging members being further formed with a first fuse contact;a conductive fuse contacting member mounted on said base member inside said mounting chamber, said fuse contacting member being formed with a second fuse contact that is aligned with and that is spaced apart from said first fuse contact;a thermal fuse extending between and having first and second fuse terminals held removably and respectively by said first and second fuse contacts;a cover member made from an insulator material and mounted on said base member to cover said top side of said base member, said cover member including a plug engaging portion formed with at least one pair of prong inserting slots aligned with a respective pair of said prong engaging portions, and a fuse locating portion formed with an access opening for exposing said first and second fuse contacts; anda cover plate mounted removably on said cover member to cover said access opening, said cover plate, having one side with said thermal fuse retained removably thereon such that mounting of said cover plate on said cover member will result in engagement of said thermal fuse with said first and second fuse contacts, and such that removal of said cover plate from said cover member will result in corresponding removal of said thermal fuse from said first and second fuse contacts,wherein said cover member is formed with an indicator window, said electrical socket device further comprising an indicator lamp mounted on said base member and connected electrically across said prong engaging members, and registered with said indicator window.