IP Library Granted Patent US 12,456,834
Granted Patent B2
US 12,456,834 · App. 18/311,342 · Granted Oct 28, 2025

Electrical plug connector with retention features

Inventors: Ming-Tsung Su (Taipei, TW); Wang Chun Wen (Taoyuan, TW)
Assignee: PLUME DESIGN, INC.
H01R13/20H01R43/16
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,456,834
App. No.
18/311,342
Granted
Oct 28, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

An electrical plug connector may include a housing defined by a body, a first prong, and a second prong. The first prong includes a first portion and a second portion including a first recess located on the second portion. The second prong includes a third portion and a fourth portion including a second recess located on the fourth portion. Each of the first prong and second prong outwardly extend from an end of the housing. The first prong may also include a third recess located opposite the first recess and the second prong may also include a fourth recess located opposite the second recess. The recesses arranged on the first prong and second prong are configured to engage a contact member located in a corresponding receptacle of an electrical outlet to retain a position of the electrical plug connector in the electrical outlet and restrict movement in an axial direction.

Claims (48)

1 . A device comprising:

a housing defined by a body;

a first prong comprising:

a first portion, and

a second portion comprising:

a first recess,

wherein the first prong outwardly extends from an end of the housing; and

a second prong comprising:

a third portion, and

a fourth portion comprising:

a second recess,

wherein the second prong outwardly extends from the end of the housing adjacent the first prong.

2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the first recess and second recess are configured to engage a respective first contact member and second contact member located in an electrical outlet to retain a position of the device in the electrical outlet.

3 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the second portion further comprises:

a third recess,

wherein the third recess is located opposite the first recess on the first prong; and

wherein the fourth portion further comprises:

a fourth recess,

wherein the fourth recess is located opposite the second recess on the second prong.

4 . The device of claim 3 , wherein the third recess and fourth recess are configured to further engage the respective first contact member and second contact member located in an electrical outlet.

5 . The device of claim 3 , wherein the first portion and the third portion each comprise a first thickness;

wherein the second portion and the fourth portion each comprise a second thickness; and

wherein the first thickness is greater than the second thickness.

6 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the first prong extends from an end of the housing along a first plane and the second prong extends from the end of the housing along a second plane substantially parallel to the first plane.

7 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the first portion and third portion on the respective first prong and second prong each comprise a flat member.

8 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the first prong is configured to be electrically connected with a first conductor and the second prong is configured to be electrically connected with a second conductor.

9 . The device of claim 1 , wherein a distal end of the first prong comprises a first width and the distal end of the second prong comprises a second width, the first width being greater than the width of the first prong associated with the first recess and the third recess, the second width being greater than a width of the second prong associated with the second recess and the fourth recess.

10 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the body is formed around a portion of the first prong and second prong by injection molding.

11 . An electrical plug connector assembly comprising:

a housing;

a first prong comprising:

a first recess, and

a third recess opposite the first recess,

wherein the first prong extends from an end of the housing;

a second prong comprising:

a second recess, and

a fourth recess opposite the second recess,

wherein the second prong extends from the end of the housing adjacent the first prong; and

wherein the first recess and the second recess are located adjacent a distal end of the respective first prong and second prong opposite the housing.

12 . The electrical plug connector assembly of claim 11 , wherein the first recess and third recess are configured to engage a first contact member of an electrical outlet, and the second recess and fourth recess are configured to engage a second contact member of the electrical outlet to retain a position of the electrical plug connector in the electrical outlet.

13 . The electrical plug connector assembly of claim 11 , wherein each of the first prong and second prong comprise a first thickness;

wherein a distance between the first recess and third recess and the distance between the second recess and fourth recess each comprise a second thickness; and

wherein the first thickness is greater than the second thickness.

14 . The electrical plug connector assembly of claim 11 , wherein the first prong extends from an end of the housing along a first plane and the second prong extends from the end of the housing along a second plane adjacent the first plane; and

wherein the first plane and the second plane are substantially parallel.

15 . The electrical plug connector assembly of claim 11 , wherein each of the first prong and the second prong comprise a substantially flat member.

16 . The electrical plug connector assembly of claim 11 , wherein the first prong is configured to be electrically connected with a first conductor and the second prong is configured to be electrically connected with a second conductor.

17 . The electrical plug connector assembly of claim 11 , wherein a distal end of the first prong comprises a first width and the distal end of the second prong comprises a second width, the first width being greater than the width of the first prong associated with the first recess and the third recess, the second width being greater than a width of the second prong associated with the second recess and the fourth recess.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 3, 2023
From: SU, MING-TSUNG; WEN, WANG CHUN
To: PLUME DESIGN, INC.
Reel/Frame 063525/0123 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240372283A1 · Nov 7, 2024
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