Patent ID: 7736151

Claim:
An electrical connector for a kitchen appliance, the connector comprising: a socket mounted to the kitchen appliance, the socket having at least one electrical contact and at least one metallic member; a plug having a proximal end and an opposite distal end, the proximal end of the plug having at least one electrical contact for operative engagement with the at least one electrical contact of the socket; a magnet movably positioned within the plug, the magnet having a first end and an opposite second end; and a power cord having a leading end and an opposite trailing end, the leading end being movable with respect to the plug and being operatively connected to the magnet and the at least one electrical contact of the plug, the trailing end being operatively engageable with an electrical outlet, wherein an attractive force exists between the at least one metallic member and the magnet when the plug is engaged with the socket and the magnet is within a predetermined distance of the at least one metallic member, and wherein movement of the leading end of the power cord away from the proximal end of the plug moves the magnet toward the distal end of the plug to reduce a magnitude of the attractive force and permit the plug to be more easily removed from the socket.