Patent Description:
The present disclosure generally relates to the field of computing cables and power cables, and more particularly to an apparatus for retaining a plug within a receptacle.

Many electronic devices, particularly computer and data storage equipment, are supplied power from an alternating current (AC) power source. A typical power cord may include a cable, the cable including a first plug to connect to the AC power source and a second plug to connect to a receptacle of the electronic device. It is critical for the operation of the electronic device that it receive power to remain operational, particularly for data storage equipment. A problem with many electronic devices is the inadvertent disconnection of the plug of the power cord from the receptacle of the electronic device. <CIT> relates to an electrical plug connection comprising two plug sections which contain mutually complementary coupling sections. The first plug section comprises a receiving sleeve encircling the first coupling section. <CIT> relates to a connector capably of fastening a plug and a jack easily and strengthening the fastening force between the plug and the jack. <CIT> discloses an apparatus according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for retaining a plug within a receptacle as defined in claim <NUM>. Accordingly, the present disclosure is directed to an apparatus for retaining a plug within a receptacle. The apparatus for retaining a plug within a receptacle includes a receptacle body and a release device. The receptacle body includes at least one tab, and the at least one tab may include at least one barb. The at least one tab, optionally including the at least one barb, is located within an interior of the receptacle body. When a plug is inserted into the receptacle body, the plug may cause the at least one tab to extend toward an exterior side of the receptacle body while the at least one tab remains in contact with the plug. The plug is retained within the receptacle body with the pressure applied by the at least one tab to the plug. In order to release the plug, a prong of the release device is caused to come into contact with the at least one tab, causing the at least one tab to extend away from the plug, and allowing the plug to be released from the receptacle body.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not necessarily restrictive of the present disclosure. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate subject matter of the disclosure. Together, the descriptions and the drawings serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiments may not be limited in application per the details of the structure or the function as set forth in the following descriptions or illustrated in the figures. Different embodiments may be capable of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of terms such as "including," "comprising," or "having" and variations thereof herein are generally meant to encompass the item listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Further, unless otherwise noted, technical terms may be used according to conventional usage. It is further contemplated that like reference numbers may describe similar components and the equivalents thereof.

Referring to <FIG>, an apparatus for retaining a plug within a receptacle according to various embodiments is shown. The apparatus for retaining a plug within a receptacle the present disclosure is directed to an apparatus for retaining a plug within a receptacle. The apparatus for retaining a plug within a receptacle may include a receptacle body and a release device. In one embodiment, the receptacle body includes at least one tab, and the at least one tab may include at least one barb. The at least one tab, including the at least one barb is located within an interior of the receptacle body. When a plug is inserted into the receptacle body, the plug may cause the at least one tab to extend toward an exterior side of the receptacle body while the at least one tab remains in contact with the plug. The plug is retained within the receptacle body with the pressure applied by the at least one tab to the plug. In order to release the plug, the release device comes into contact with the at least one tab, cause the at least one tab to extend away from the plug, and allow the plug to be released from the receptacle body.

Referring specifically to <FIG>, an apparatus <NUM> for retaining a plug in a receptacle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Apparatus <NUM> for retaining a plug within a receptacle includes a receptacle body <NUM> and a release device <NUM>. Receptacle body <NUM> includes at least one tab, and the at least one tab may optionally include at least one barb. Release device <NUM> includes a face portion <NUM> and at least one prong <NUM>. Face portion <NUM>, also referred as a front edge, rim, or bezel, may allow a user's fingers to depress the face portion <NUM> of the release device <NUM> which causes the at least one prong <NUM> to come into contact with the at least one tab in order to allow a plug to be removed from the receptacle body <NUM>.

Receptacle body <NUM> may include a receptacle, or may surround a receptacle. It is contemplated that receptacle may include a female electrical fitting. Alternately, it is further contemplated that receptacle may include a male electrical fitting, also referred and called an inlet mechanism as shown and further described in <FIG> which may connect to a connector as shown in <FIG>.

Receptacle body <NUM> and release device <NUM> may be formed of a variety of rigid materials, including plastic, composites and metals. It is contemplated that plastic may be engineering grade and the plastic may be in compliance with local safety requirements. The at least one barb of receptacle body <NUM> may be formed of plastic in one embodiment of the disclosure. In an alternative embodiment, the at least one barb may be formed of metal, such as stainless steel. Additionally, it is contemplated that the barb may be formed of an elastomer material. The elastomer material may form a grip for a friction fit with the shroud of a plug. While the face portion <NUM> of the release device <NUM> may be formed of a hard plastic, such as a nylon plastic, the elastomer material may be softer and slightly compressible to allow a friction fit with a shroud of a plug. The elastomer material may be a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material. Additionally, the elastomer material may be acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polycarbonate, polyethylene, or polypropylene.

Referring to <FIG>, a cutaway view of an apparatus <NUM> for retaining a plug in a receptacle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Receptacle body <NUM> includes at least one tab 210A, 210B. Tab 210A, 210B may be flexible. Tab 210A, 210B may include a barb <NUM>. Barb <NUM> may refer to a projection extending from the at least one tab 210A, 210B which is configured to contact a shroud of a plug. When a plug <NUM> is inserted into the receptacle body <NUM>, the insertion of the plug may cause the at least one tab 210A, 210B to extend toward an exterior side of the receptacle body <NUM> while the at least one tab remains in contact with the plug <NUM>. The plug <NUM> is retained within the receptacle body <NUM> by pressure applied by the at least one tab 210A, 210B and barb <NUM>, which may be referred as an interference fit or contact fit. While there are two tabs shown, it is contemplated that one, three, or four or more tabs may be employed without departing from the scope and intent of the present disclosure.

<FIG> depicts an exploded cutaway view of an apparatus for retaining a plug in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. To release a plug inserted within the receptacle body <NUM>, the release device <NUM> is configured to be moved toward the interior of the receptacle body <NUM>. The one or more prongs <NUM> of the release device <NUM> contact the one or more tabs 210A to cause the one or more tabs 210A to extend away from the plug, at which point the plug can be removed from the receptacle body <NUM>. It is contemplated that the one or more prongs <NUM> may contact the one or more tabs 210A to reduce the pressure applied by the one or more tabs 210A and may or may not remain in slight contact with the plug <NUM>. However, with the reduced pressure applied by the one or more tabs 210A, plug <NUM> may be easily removed from the receptacle body <NUM>. While barb <NUM> is shown as a jagged edge, it is contemplated that it may be any type of projection, including a flat and substantially straight surface, a curved surface, and the like without departing from the scope or intent of the present disclosure.

In an advantageous aspect of the present disclosure, one or more tabs 210A may be retained within an interior portion of the receptacle body. Conventional devices to retain plugs may include pins and the like which secure to the plug on the exterior or outside of the receptacle body <NUM>. However, such an arrangement reduces the number of receptacles that may be placed in a given area and makes insertion and removal of a plug more difficult as the pins and the like must be accounted for by a user during insertion of the plug and removal of the plug.

Referring to <FIG>, an exemplary plug <NUM> which is retained in the retaining apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Plug <NUM> may include a male electrical fitting for making an electrical connection with a corresponding female fitting, such as a receptacle as shown in <FIG>. It is contemplated that plug <NUM> may be electrically coupled with cable <NUM>. Plug <NUM> may include a shroud <NUM>. In an alternative embodiment, plug <NUM> may include a female electrical fitting as shown in <FIG> for making an electrical connection with a corresponding male fitting, such as an inlet mechanism as shown and described in <FIG>. It is contemplated that apparatus for retaining a plug within a receptacle may be functional without any change or modification to the plug <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, a cutaway view of the apparatus for retaining a plug in a receptacle in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Apparatus <NUM> for retaining a plug includes a receptacle body <NUM>. Receptacle body <NUM> includes at least one tab 210A, 210B. Tab 210A, 210B may be flexible, and may be formed of metal. When a plug is inserted into the receptacle body <NUM>, the insertion of the plug may cause the at least one tab 210A, 210B to extend toward an exterior side of the receptacle body <NUM> while the at least one tab 210A, 210B remains in contact with the plug. It is contemplated that a plug (not shown in <FIG>) may be retained within the receptacle body <NUM> by pressure applied by the at least one tab 210A, 210B to provide an interference fit or contact fit. To release a plug inserted within the receptacle body <NUM>, the release device <NUM> is configured to be moved toward the interior of the receptacle body <NUM>. The one or more prongs <NUM> of the release device <NUM> contacts the one or more tabs 210A, 210B to cause the one or more tabs 210A, 210B to extend away from the plug, at which point the plug may be removed from the receptacle body <NUM>. <FIG> depicts another cutaway view of the apparatus for retaining a plug in a receptacle body <NUM> in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, another cutaway view of the apparatus for retaining a plug in a receptacle body <NUM> with an inserted plug in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Receptacle body <NUM> may retain a plug <NUM> with a shroud <NUM> by pressure applied by the at least one tab 210A, 210B to provide an interference fit or contact fit. To release plug <NUM> inserted within the receptacle body <NUM>, the release device <NUM> is configured to be moved toward the interior of the receptacle body <NUM>. The one or more prongs <NUM> of the release device <NUM> contact the one or more tabs 210A, 210B to cause the one or more tabs 210A, 210B to extend away from the plug <NUM>, at which point the plug <NUM> may be removed from the receptacle body <NUM>. It is contemplated that the one or more prongs <NUM> may contact the one or more tabs 210A to reduce the pressure applied by the one or more tabs 210A, 210B and may or may not remain in slight contact with the plug <NUM>. However, with the reduced pressure applied by the one or more tabs 210A, 210B, plug <NUM> may be easily removed from the receptacle body <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, a tab assembly <NUM> including two tabs 210A, 210B for placement within a receptacle body in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Tab assembly <NUM> may include a ring portion with a first tab 210A and a second tab 210B on opposing sides of the tab assembly <NUM>. It is contemplated that tab assembly <NUM> may be formed of metal. It is further contemplated that tab assembly <NUM> may be located within a base of receptacle body <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Advantageously, the incorporation of tab assembly <NUM> with receptacle body <NUM> may reduce manufacturing costs while maintaining a retention capability. While tab assembly <NUM> is shown with a first tab 210A and a second tab 210B, it is contemplated that tab assembly <NUM> may be employed with one, three, or four or more tabs without departing from the scope and intent of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, an apparatus <NUM> for retaining a connector <NUM> in an inlet mechanism <NUM> in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Inlet mechanism <NUM> may be a receptacle that may include a male electrical fitting, including male pins. Release device <NUM> may operate with inlet mechanism <NUM> to retain a corresponding female electrical fitting, such as connector <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. It is contemplated that at least one tab (not shown in <FIG>) of the inlet mechanism <NUM> may contact and retain a shroud of connector <NUM> whereby the inlet mechanism <NUM> may operate in a similar fashion as receptacle body <NUM> to retain a plug <NUM> within the receptacle body <NUM> as shown and described in <FIG> and <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, a power strip <NUM> including an apparatus for retaining a plug in a receptacle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Power strip <NUM> may include a plurality of receptacles which supply power to a plurality of electronic devices. It is contemplated that multiple apparatuses <NUM> for retaining a plug may be employed in a power strip <NUM> to prevent unintended disconnection of a plug from a receptacle. <FIG> also shows a user may press the release device <NUM> and cause the release device <NUM> to be moved toward the interior of the receptacle body <NUM> whereby the one or more tabs of the receptacle body <NUM> extend away from a plug to allow removal of a plug.

Referring to <FIG>, a power strip <NUM> may include an apparatus <NUM> for retaining a plug in a receptacle and an apparatus <NUM> for retaining a connector in an inlet mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. It is contemplated that multiple apparatuses <NUM>, <NUM> may be employed in a power strip <NUM> to prevent unintended disconnection of a plug or connector. It is contemplated that face portion of release device <NUM> may include one or more protrusions. One or more protrusions may extend from the face portion and may allow easier finger access to the release device to allow removal of a plug.

It is contemplated that apparatus <NUM>, <NUM> may provide many advantages over locking receptacles known to the conventional art. Conventional locking receptacles may include specialized receptacles or specialized plugs. Specialized receptacles and specialized plugs create additional costs and reduce the flexibility to change power cords in a large scale electrical power distribution system, such as power strips employed in a data center providing power to multiple data servers. Advantageously, apparatus <NUM>, <NUM> may be operable with power cords supplied by the manufacturers of electronic equipment, such as data servers.

It is contemplated that apparatus <NUM>, <NUM> may be operable with IEC <NUM> couplers, referring to a list of standards from the International Electrotechnical Commission specifying non-locking appliance couplers and interconnection couplers for the connection of power supply cords to electrical appliances up to <NUM> Volts, including C13, C15, C19 and C21 receptacles. Additionally, it is contemplated that apparatus <NUM> may be operable with any type of plug that includes a shroud that may cover at least a portion of the pins of the plug. Also, the apparatus <NUM> may be operable with a female coupler with any type of shroud.

It is contemplated that apparatus <NUM>, <NUM> may be more effective than conventional devices for retaining plugs. There are required manufacturing tolerances which must be passed in order to comply with the International Electrotechnical Commission standards for specifying non-locking appliance couplers and interconnection couplers for the connection of power supply cords to electrical appliances up to <NUM> Volts, including C13, C15, C19 and C21 receptacles. As the apparatus <NUM>, <NUM> is configured to contact sides of a shroud of a plug, and dimensions of the shroud must be within manufacturing compliance, apparatus <NUM>, <NUM> operates with an increased level of performance than conventional devices for retaining plugs.

An additional advantage of the apparatus <NUM>, <NUM> may include the ability to employ labels and different colors. By adding an identifier such as color or a label to the face portion <NUM> of the release device <NUM>, particular receptacles may be more easily identified and separated, particularly when implemented with a power strip <NUM>, <NUM> as depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>.

Claim 1:
An apparatus (<NUM>) for retaining a plug within a receptacle, comprising:
a receptacle body (<NUM>), the receptacle body including at least one tab (210A, 210B) configured to make contact with a plug when the plug is inserted within the receptacle body, the at least one tab is located within an interior of the receptacle body; and
a release device (<NUM>) disposed within the receptacle body, the release device including a face portion (<NUM>) and at least one prong (<NUM>), wherein the release device is configured to allow the face portion to be depressed and cause the at least one prong to come into contact with the at least one tab and extend the at least one tab away from the plug in order to allow the plug to be removed from the receptacle body, characterised in that the at least one tab is further configured to retain the plug within the receptacle when the plug is inserted therein by applying pressure to the plug to provide an interference fit.