Patent ID: 6719576
Filing Date: 2004-04-13
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
A quick-release plug assembly and appliance comprising:an appliance body defining a chamber for holding hot liquids and a base for resting on a horizontal surface; a plug body defining an opening along a top surface for receiving an end of a cord; and a socket body on the appliance body for receiving the plug body along a coupling axis, the socket body having outwardly diverging sidewalls, wherein the socket body includes a downwardly angled bottom wall, wherein the opening defined by the plug body for receiving the cord is upwardly angled from the coupling axis; wherein one of the socket body and the plug body includes first and second contact posts spaced in a horizontal direction, and the other of the socket body and the plug body defines corresponding first and second contacts spaced to connect to the contact posts when the plug body is coupled to the socket body, wherein the contact posts extend from the socket body, wherein the contact posts are spring-loaded, wherein the contacts are positioned at the end of recesses formed in the plug body; wherein one of the socket body and the plug body includes a magnet, and the other of the socket body and the plug body includes an attraction member so that a magnetic force between the magnet and the attraction member couples the plug body along the coupling axis to the socket body, wherein the magnet is disposed between the contacts; and wherein the cord is received in the opening of the plug body from a direction which is at an angle less than 90 degrees relative to the coupling axis when the plug body is coupled to the socket body.