Patent ID: 7077683

Claim:
An electrical plug and receptacle, comprising: (a) a plug including at least one electrically conductive pin extending saidrefrom; (b) a receptacle correspondingly configured to cooperate with said at least one electrically conductive pin of said plug; and wherein said pin is configured to be inserted linearly into a portion of said receptacle to establish electrical continuity between said pin and said portion of said receptacle, and wherein said pin is adapted to be withdrawn linearly from said portion of said receptacle to cease electrical continuity between said pin and said portion of said receptacle; and (c) wherein said pin includes first means for retaining said pin in said portion of said receptacle, and wherein said receptacle includes second means for retaining said pin in said portion of said receptacle, and wherein said second means includes a first position and a second position, and wherein said first position is a normal position and wherein said second position is a temporary position that requires a displacement of a portion of said second means and wherein subsequent to a removal of said displacement of said portion of said second means, said second means automatically returns to said first position, and wherein said first means and said second means cooperate when said second means is disposed in said first position sufficient to permit said pin to be linearly inserted into said portion of said receptacle not only fully but also a partial amount into said receptacle, and wherein said first means and said second means prevent said pin from being linearly withdrawn from said portion of said receptacle when said second means is disposed in said first position, including when said pin is not only fully but also partially inserted into said receptacle, and wherein when said second means is disposed in said second position, said first means and said second means permit said linear withdrawal of said pin from said portion of said receptacle.