Patent Application
20250219328
The present invention relates in general to plug-in electrical devices, and in particular to plug-in electrical devices which may be mounted to an outlet to create a more secure attachment of the device.
Plug-in electrical devices, typically, are comprised of a plug which extends out from an electrical device housing. The device may be plugged-in and easily removed. However, situations and applications exist where a user may want an electrical device to be more securely attached to an outlet. Examples of such applications include the placement of an electrical device for the benefit of a multi-unit residential community or a commercial property. Here, a property manager or manager might prefer that the device be secure, thus not easily removed by a tenant or customer.
Surge protectors and outlet extenders which mount to an outlet through a receptacle mounting screw are known in the prior art. The devices cover both receptacles in a dual receptacle outlet, and are attached with the mounting screw through a middle of the device housing.
Surge protectors, outlet extenders, and smart plugs which plug into a single receptacle of a dual outlet are known in the prior art. These devices are not securely attached to an outlet, and do not contain a mount, a retractable mount, or an attachment of the device to an outlet by means of a wall mounting screw.
The present invention comprises a plug-in electrical device containing a retractable wall-mount that secures the device to an outlet. The invention also provides a user an option to plug-in the electrical device while having the mount in a full closed position, whereas the mount is retracted and not in use.
Embodiments described for the present invention comprise an electrical device, an electrical plug, a retractable mount, whereas the mount secures to an outlet. The mount is comprised of an aperture configured to allow the passage of a body of a wall mounting screw, and the mount is configured to be secured to the outlet by a head of the wall mounting screw.
One embodiment comprises a housing of the electrical device, a mount tab, and at least one mount rib. The housing of the electrical device is comprised of a slot configured to accommodate the mount tab, whereas the at least one mount rib is configured to lock the mount into a full closed position, or a full open position.
Other embodiments may comprise a smart plug-in electrical device, and/or a plug-in electrical device configured to plug-in to one receptacle of a dual-receptacle outlet, whereas the plug-in electrical device is configured to utilize only one receptacle in a dual-receptacle outlet, and the plug-in electrical device is configured to allow access of a second receptacle in the dual-receptacle outlet.
It should be appreciated that combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in greater detail below are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure, or elsewhere herein, are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter.
These and other systems, methods, objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the drawings.
One or more embodiments are illustrated by way of example, and not by limitation, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, having the same numeral designations to represent like elements throughout and wherein:
While the invention has been described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art and are encompassed herein.
Elements with corresponding reference numerals:
The claimed subject matter is described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the subject innovation. It may be evident, however, that the claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in order to facilitate describing the subject innovation. Moreover, it is to be appreciated that the drawings may not be to scale.
Embodiments may comprise a smart plug-in electrical device, and/or a plug-in electrical device configured to plug-in to one receptacle of a dual-receptacle outlet, whereas the plug-in electrical device is configured to utilize only one receptacle in a dual-receptacle outlet, and the plug-in electrical device is configured to allow access of a second receptacle in the dual-receptacle outlet.
Alternate embodiments may comprise a mount that is stationary, not retractable. The mount is comprised of an aperture configured to allow the passage of a body of a wall mounting screw, and the mount is configured to be secured to the outlet by a head of the wall mounting screw.
Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims. Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Further, the particular feature or structure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
