Patent ID: 8647134

Claim:
A charge cord assembly for a vehicle having a charging receptacle for engaging the charge cord assembly during battery pack recharging, the charge cord assembly comprising: an electric cord configured for extending between a source of electric current and the charging receptacle; a cord end connector operatively engaging the electric cord and having a electrical socket configured to engage the charging receptacle, a latch hook configured to selectively secure the cord end connector to the charging receptacle, a release handle, and a release linkage assembly engaged between the release handle and the latch hook and configured to release the latch hook from the charging receptacle when the release handle is actuated; a lock assembly configured to have a locked position that prevents the release linkage assembly from releasing the latch hook from the charging receptacle and an unlocked position that allows the release linkage assembly to release the latch hook from the charging receptacle when the release handle is actuated; and wherein the lock assembly is configured to restrict the movement of the release linkage assembly when the lock assembly is in the locked position, and wherein the release linkage assembly includes a first lever pivotable about a first pivot location when the release handle is actuated, a second lever connected to the first lever at a connection location and pivotable about a second pivot location when the first lever is pivoted, the second lever configured to move the latch hook when pivoted; and wherein the lock assembly is configured to restrict movement of the first and second levers at the connection location when the lock assembly is in the locked position.