Wall-mounted electrical device having adjustable outlet prongs
View Patent ↗An electrical device capable of interfacing with multiple types of duplex receptacles includes at least one set of moveable outlet prongs that are adjustable such that they may be readily inserted into outlets of varying dimensions. Adjustability may be provided by, for example, a rotable or translatable connection between the prongs and one of the outlet plugs of the device. The prongs may be biased into position by a spring or other elastic member. By providing adjustable prongs on at least one outlet plug, the device is able to interface with both outlets in duplex receptacles of various sizes and types, including receptacles having ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) capabilities.
1. An electrical device for interfacing with a duplex electrical receptacle having a first and a second outlet, the electrical device comprising:
a housing;
a first plug disposed within the housing and having a first set of prongs configured to interface with the first outlet; and
a second plug disposed within, the housing and having a second set of prongs configured to interface with the second outlet, wherein the second set of prongs is moveably coupled with respect to the housing to accommodate variations in distance between the first outlet and the second outlet.
2. The electrical device of claim 1 wherein the first set of plugs is rigidly coupled with respect to the housing.
3. The electrical device of claim 1 wherein the second set of prongs is rotably coupled to the second plug.
4. The electrical device of claim 3 further comprising a pin coupling the second set of prongs to the second plug.
5. The electrical device of claim 1 wherein the second set of prongs is slidably coupled to the second plug.
6. The electrical device of claim 5 further comprising a pin coupled to the second set of prongs, and wherein the pin is configured to slide within a channel formed within the second plug.
7. The electrical device of claim 1 further comprising an elastic member coupling the second set of prongs to the second plug.
8. The electrical device of claim 7 wherein the elastic member is a spring.
9. The electrical device of claim 1 wherein, the housing further comprises a first and a second outlet face configured to receive an electrical plug from an external device.
10. The electrical device of claim 9 wherein each of the first set and the second set of prongs comprise at least one leg configured to interface with the electrical plug of the external device.