Dual input plug apparatus
View Patent ↗A cord for use with duplex receptacles that have first and second receptacles. The cord includes first and second sets of prongs insertable into the duplex receptacles to receive independent low-voltage electrical signals, and first and second receptacles connected in circuit to the first and second sets of prongs to deliver the independent low-voltage signals.
1. A cord for use with first and second receptacles adjacent to each other, the first and second receptacles having respective first and second power conductors, each of the power conductors being electrically isolated from the other of the two power conductors, the cord comprising:
a plug housing;
a first set of prongs extending from the plug housing, being insertable into the first receptacle, and configured to receive a first low-voltage electrical signal through the first receptacle, the first set of prongs comprising:
a first neutral prong and a first power prong;
a second set of prongs extending from the plug housing, being insertable into the second receptacle, and configured to receive a second low-voltage electrical signal through the second receptacle, the second set of prongs comprising:
a second neutral prong and a second power prong;
a first secondary flexible conduit portion connected in circuit to the first neutral prong and to the first power prong;
wherein the first receptacle is connected in circuit to the first flexible conduit portion and the first neutral prong, and is configured to deliver the first low-voltage electrical signal;
a second secondary flexible conduit portion connected in circuit to the second neutral prong and to the second power prong, wherein the first and second power prongs are electrically isolated from each other; and
wherein the second receptacle is connected in circuit to the second secondary flexible conduit portion and the second neutral prong, and is configured to deliver the second low-voltage electrical signal, wherein the cord further comprises a transitional housing interconnecting the plug housing with the first and second secondary flexible conduit portions, and wherein the first secondary flexible conduit portion is adjacent the second secondary flexible conduit portion.
2. The cord of claim 1 , further comprising a third secondary flexible conduit portion connecting the transitional housing in circuit to the plug housing.
3. The cord of claim 1 , wherein the first set of prongs further comprises a first ground prong, and wherein the second set of prongs further comprises a second ground prong.
4. The cord of claim 1 , wherein the first and second low-voltage electrical signals range between about 100 volts and about 125 volts.
5. The cord of claim 1 , further comprising a breaker configured to interrupt at least one of the first and second electrical signals supplied through the first and second receptacles to the first and second sets of prongs when at least one of the first and second electrical signals is above a threshold.
6. The cord of claim 5 , wherein the breaker comprises at least one of a fuse and a circuit breaker.
7. The cord of claim 1 , wherein the first receptacle further comprises at least one of a first power contact and a ground contact.
8. The cord of claim 1 , wherein the second receptacle further comprises at least one of a second power contact and a second ground contact.