Patent Publication Number: US-5026299-A

Title: Child resistant electrical outlet

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates generally to a device for replacing or affixing to currently existing electrical outlets in order to prevent the inspection of foreign objects into electrical outlets by infants and small children. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Current methods consist of blocking devices or covers which must be removed and replaced when the outlet is placed in and taken out of service. Other devices that do remain fixed to the outlet and automatically close when the outlet is taken out of service do not lock in the closed position and often still allow enough opening for the insertion of small objects such as paper clips. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a device for preventing infants and small children from inserting foreign objects into electrical outlets. It accomplishes this via a integral automatically closing and locking blocking mechanism. 
     It is the object of this invention to provide an inexpensive permanently affixed, self maintaining device for preventing the insertion of foreign objects by infants and small children into electrical outlets. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring to the drawings: 
     FIG. 1 is a frontal view of an embodiment of the &#34;Child Resistant Electrical Outlet, &#34; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of the &#34;Child Resistant Electrical Outlet,&#34; 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded side view of an embodiment of the &#34;Child Resistant Electrical Outlet&#34; which exposes the internal blocking members and return springs, 
     FIG. 4 is a frontal view of the left and right blocking members, 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the left blocking member along section 5--5 of FIG. 4, 
     FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the right blocking member along section 6--6 of FIG. 4. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 an embodiment of the child resistant outlet is shown. The connecting prongs (1) are inserted into a currently existing electrical outlet and the child resistant electrical outlet is secured in place by a screw which is inserted through the screw hole (2) and threaded into the screw hole in the existing electrical outlet. 
     Within the child resistant electrical outlet is a left blocking member (3) and a right blocking member (4) which prevent foreign objects from entering through the outlet openings (5) while in the closed position. 
     Each blocking member has two locking buttons (6) which protrude through enlarged openings (7) in the side of the child resistant electrical outlet, preventing movement of the blocking member from the closed position unless both button heads (8) are depressed. Depressing both button heads (8) on a blocking member allows the blocking member to be moved away from the center of the child resistant electrical outlet into the open position, allowing the insertion of an electrical plug or appliance into the outlet openings (5). 
     As each blocking member is moved toward the open position tension is applied by the return springs (9) thus drawing the blocking members into the closed position when the blocking member is released or when an electrical plug is disconnected from the child resistant electrical outlet. 
     As each blocking member returns to the closed position the locking buttons (6) automatically reengage in the locked position. 
     Referring to FIG. 4 detailed view of the left blocking member (3) and the right blocking member (4) are shown. Note two holes in each blocking member used to attach return springs (9) from left blocking member (3) to right blocking member (4). 
     Referring to FIG. 5 a sectional view of the left blocking member (3) along section 5--5 is shown. This Figure illustrates the locking button mechanism in more detail. As the button head (8) is depressed the narrow section (11) aligns with the slot (12) along the side of the child resistant electrical outlet allowing the blocking member to be moved to the open position. 
     Referring to FIG. 6 a sectional view of the right blocking member (4) along section 6--6 is shown. This view illustrates the shape and dimension of the blocking members at the end opposite the locking button mechanism. 
     Both left blocking member (3) and right blocking member (4) are identical in construction except for the cut-outs (13) which must be different to allow for proper alignment with the outlet openings (5) while the blocking members are in the open position.