Granted Patent B2

US 9,692,178 · App. 15/056,374 · Granted Jun 27, 2017

Abstract

Claims (27)

1. An apparatus for retaining a plug within a receptacle, comprising;

a receptacle body;

a retention device, the retention device including a face portion and at least one prong, each prong of the at least one prong including at least one barb, wherein the retention device is configured to retain a plug within said receptacle body by contact with a shroud of the plug from the at least one barb of each prong of said at least one prong of the retention device; and

a locking device located between the receptacle body and the face portion of the retention device, the locking device configured to provide a flexible force to temporarily keep the face portion of the retention device away from the receptacle body.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the receptacle body includes a receptacle.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 , wherein said receptacle includes a female electrical fitting.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 , wherein said plug includes a male electrical fitting.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 , wherein said receptacle includes a male electrical fitting.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5 , wherein said plug includes a female electrical fitting.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each prong of said at least one prong of retention device includes a ridge located on an opposite side of the at least one barb.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the receptacle body includes a ledge configured to contact the ridge of each prong and prevent removal of the retention device from the receptacle body.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the receptacle body includes a tapered interior wall which contacts the at least one prong of the retention device and forces the at least one prong toward the shroud of the plug.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one barb of each prong of the retention device is configured to release the shroud of the plug when said face portion of the retention device is forced toward the receptacle body.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said retention device includes at least four prongs.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each barb extends from each prong at an angle of about 120-150 degrees from the prong as the prong extends from the face portion of the retention device.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the locking device includes at least one of a washer or spring.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each barb includes an elastomer material.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the retention device is configured to be formed of different colors.

16. An apparatus for retaining a plug within a receptacle, comprising;

a receptacle body, the receptacle body comprising a receptacle, the receptacle including a female electrical fitting; and

a retention device, the retention device including a face portion and at least four prongs, each prong of the at least four prongs including a barb on a first side of the prong and a ridge on a second side of the prong, wherein the retention device is configured to retain a plug inserted within the receptacle body by contact with a shroud of the plug from the barb of each prong of said at least four prongs of the retention device and the barb includes elastomer material.

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the face portion and at least four prongs of the retention device include plastic.

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the receptacle body includes a ledge configured to contact the ridge of each prong and prevent removal of the retention device from the receptacle body.

19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the receptacle body includes a tapered interior wall which contacts the at least one prong of the retention device and forces the at least one prong toward the shroud of the plug.

20. An apparatus for retaining a plug within a receptacle, comprising;

a receptacle body; and

a retention device, the retention device including a face portion and at least one prong, each prong of the at least one prong including at least one barb, wherein the retention device is configured to retain a plug within said receptacle body by contact with a shroud of the plug from the at least one barb of each prong of said at least one prong of the retention device, wherein each barb includes an elastomer material.

Assignments (8)