Tamper resistant plug for changing a function of an electronic device

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6832926
  • Patent Number
    6,832,926
  • Date Filed
    Thursday, June 5, 2003
    21 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, December 21, 2004
    20 years ago
Abstract
A plug includes a disabling mechanism that, upon activation, resists removal of the shaft when inserted into a socket. The plug can also include an indicator that provides an indication that the disabling mechanism has been activated. The plug, which once inserted, changes the state of an electronic device in a substantially permanent manner.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




This invention relates generally to plugs that change a function of an electronic device. More particularly this invention relates to a mechanical plug, which once inserted, changes the state of the electronic device such as a computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), or computer modem in a manner that is difficult to change. Typical uses envisioned include disabling of microphone or headphone inputs on computers or telephone line connections on computer modems.




Portable computers, such as laptops, notebooks, hand held and palm top computers, have become quite popular and are rapidly replacing the more traditional desktop computers as users become ever more mobile. In most cases, these portable electronic devices contain one or more input or output connectors to connect to microphones, headphones, or computer modems to name a few. A current trend in electronic devices is to bundle more and more functions together such as video telephony, audio email, internet phone service, voice dictation/voice recognition software. One example is the ability to use a personal computer as a voice answering machine resulting in both digital and audio information being resident in the same device. Increasingly, the distinction between a PDA, cell phone and mobile computer is also rapidly blurring. All of this leads to an issue around security for both business and government offices where sensitive information is available and becomes increasingly susceptible to compromise and theft. Sensitive data can either be in the device or where the device is physically located or in computers to which the device is attached, either via a mobile connection or Local Area Network (LAN) connection.




There is a need to be able in some situations to severely restrict access in a permanent fashion such as preventing the use of a headphone to listen to sensitive audio information; or a microphone to prevent recording of sensitive information; or telephone connections to either send or receive sensitive voice or digital information. In addition, one would like to be able to do this with standard equipment. It is possible to utilize software to disable various devices incorporated into these electronic devices, especially laptop computers. However, one major drawback of relying on software is the ability for someone to either modify the software or find a way to either bypass or workaround the software disablement with no one being aware of the change, and thus be able to gain access to the sensitive information. The ability to disable a device with hardware in a semi-permanent manner and to be capable of providing a visual or audio indication of the status is both advantageous and desirable. This is especially true where the indicator is easily identifiable by anyone with little or no training. The present invention addresses this issue and provides a simple low cost solution.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




A plug, which is for insertion into a socket connector having an electrical function for an electronic device, includes a shaft that has a cross sectional area smaller than the socket, and a non-electrical disabling mechanism attached to the shaft that resists removal of the plug when inserted into the socket.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1



a


is a block diagram of a disabling plug coupled to a socket according to an embodiment of this invention;





FIG. 1



b


is a side view of a simplified diagram of a disabling plug according to an embodiment of this invention;





FIG. 1



c


is a side view of a simplified diagram of a disabling plug in a socket according to an embodiment of this invention;





FIG. 2



a


is a schematic diagram of a socket according to an embodiment of this invention;





FIG. 2



b


is a schematic diagram of a socket according to an embodiment of this invention;





FIG. 3



a


is a top view of a disabling plug according to an embodiment of this invention;





FIG. 3



b


is a side view of a disabling plug according to an embodiment of this invention;





FIG. 4



a


is a side view of a disabling plug according to an embodiment of this invention;





FIG. 4



b


is a side view of a disabling plug after insertion according to an embodiment of this invention;





FIG. 5



a


is a side view of a disabling plug according to an embodiment of this invention;





FIG. 5



b


is a cross-section view along


5




b





5




b


showing the disabling mechanism shown in

FIG. 5



a


after activation;





FIG. 5



c


is a cross-sectional view similar to

FIG. 5



b


showing the disabling mechanism shown in

FIG. 5



a


before activation;





FIG. 6



a


is a side view of a disabling plug according to an embodiment of this invention;





FIG. 6



b


is a side view of a disabling plug where the disabling mechanism shown in

FIG. 6



a


is fully activated;





FIG. 7



a


is an isometric view of the shaft of a disabling plug according to an embodiment of this invention;





FIG. 7



b


is a cross-sectional view of the disabling plug shown in

FIG. 7



a


showing the disabling mechanism before activation;





FIG. 7



c


is a cross-sectional view of the disabling plug shown in

FIG. 7



a


showing the disabling mechanism after activation;





FIG. 8



a


is a cross-sectional view of a socket with the plug inserted according to an embodiment of this invention;





FIG. 8



b


is a cross-sectional view of a socket with the disabling plug inserted according to an embodiment of this invention;





FIG. 9



a


is a cross-sectional view of a socket with the plug before insertion according to an embodiment of this invention;





FIG. 9



b


is a cross-sectional view of a socket with the disabling plug before insertion according to an embodiment of this invention;





FIG. 10

is a side view of a screw according to an embodiment of this invention.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT




Referring to

FIG. 1



a


, disabling plug


102


is used to change a function of electronic device


104


to a substantially permanent state. Disabling plug


102


includes shaft


112


, base


110


attached to shaft


112


at one end, disabling mechanism


114


also attached to shaft


112


and indicator


116


as shown

FIG. 1



a


, a functional block diagram. When shaft


112


is inserted into socket


106


contained within electronic device


104


, function changer


130


changes a function of electronic device


104


from state


108


to state


109


. In addition, when shaft


112


is inserted into socket


106


and disabling mechanism


114


is activated then removal of shaft


112


is substantially hindered. A simplified diagram of disabling plug


102


and socket


106


in electronic device


104


is shown in the side view of

FIGS. 1



b


and


1




c


. When disabling plug


102


, shown in

FIG. 1



b


, is inserted along shaft axis


118


into socket


106


, as schematically illustrated in

FIG. 1



c


, contact


120


is broken, the voltage or signal present on conductor


122


is no longer present on conductor


124


. Shaft


112


is the function changer activator causing function changer


130


to change a function of electronic device


104


from state


108


to state


109


. The disabling plug-and-socket connector shown in

FIGS. 1



b


and


1




c


is typically referred to as a jack. This type of connector is typically used when rapid and easy connections between electronic devices is desired. The insertion of disabling plug


102


causes one or more switching functions to occur, such as the breaking of a circuit or the routing of a signal to another device. Disabling plug


102


slides into socket


106


as shown schematically in

FIG. 1



c


. The contacts typically are arranged linearly along the length of the shaft and socket and are insulated from each other. Two or more contacts may be used. There are situations, however, when a rapid and easy connection is not desired by the user, such as corporate or government laboratories where sensitive information is either stored within or linked to electronic device


104


.





FIG. 2



a


is a schematic diagram of socket


106


in one embodiment of this invention. In this embodiment socket


106


provides the connection to a typical headphone set plug. Typically, the user inserts a headphone set plug into socket


106


breaking contacts


220


and


222


routing the left ear signal through conductor


227


to the headphone, and the right ear signal through conductor


225


to the headphone. When the headset is not plugged into socket


106


the left and right headphone signals are routed through contacts


220


and


222


respectively to conductors


226


and


224


to the internal left and right speakers. If the user desires to prevent this function from being utilized the user inserts disabling plug


102


into socket


106


in the current embodiment, breaking contacts


220


and


222


, and engaging disabling mechanism


114


, wherein the removal of disabling plug


102


through socket opening


105


from socket


106


is substantially hindered. Disabling plug


102


does not have the ability to be operationally connected to a headphone, thus both the headphone function and speaker function are prevented from operating. In addition only with considerable effort and possible damage to either electronic device


104


or disabling plug


102


or both can disabling plug


102


of the present invention be removed from socket


106


, thus changing the state of the headphone function in a substantially permanent manner. An example of when the use of a headphone jack is not desirable is when very sensitive audio information is stored in electronic device


104


.





FIG. 2



b


is a schematic diagram of socket


106


in another embodiment of this invention. In this embodiment socket


106


provides the connection to a typical external microphone. Typically, the user would insert a microphone plug into socket


106


establishing a connection through conductor


225


with the microphone bias voltage, and breaking contact


220


disabling the internal microphone and the microphone output signal is routed through conductor


227


. In this embodiment, if the user desires to prevent the use of both the internal microphone and an external microphone the user inserts disabling plug


102


into socket


106


in the current embodiment breaking contact


220


and engaging disabling mechanism


114


substantially hindering the removal of disabling plug


102


from socket


106


. In this embodiment, disabling plug


102


prevents both the operation of an external microphone as well as the internal microphone. As described above only with considerable effort and possible damage to either electronic device


104


or disabling plug


102


or both can disabling plug


102


be removed from socket


106


, thus changing the state of the microphone function in a substantially permanent manner. An example of when the use of a microphone jack is not desirable is when recording of conversations or activity in the area around electronic device


104


without others' knowledge, could lead to the compromise of sensitive information. In addition, disabling plug


102


also limits the ability to remotely activate either an internal or external microphone to acquire sensitive information if electronic device


104


is connected to the web a Local Area Network (LAN) or any other means such as a wireless modem where remote activation is possible.





FIGS. 3



a


-


3




b


shows a top view and side view respectively of disabling plug


102


in one embodiment of this invention, where disabling plug


102


includes shaft


112


and disabling mechanism


114


. In this embodiment, when shaft


112


is inserted into socket


106


, shaft


112


is the function changer activator causing function changer


130


to change a function of electronic device


104


from state


108


to state


109


. In this embodiment, disabling mechanism


114


contains a moveably projecting portion that consists of two arms


332


which are extendable and biased in a direction perpendicular to shaft axis


118


. When disabling plug


102


in this embodiment is inserted into socket


106


through socket opening


105


, arms


332


are compressed into recessed structure


330


. Once disabling plug


102


is fully inserted into socket


106


the bias of arms


332


forces arms


332


to extend back to substantially the original extension before insertion. In this embodiment, after disabling plug


102


is fully inserted into socket


106


, attempts to remove disabling plug


102


from socket


106


typically will either damage disabling plug


102


or socket


106


or both. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any number of arms can be utilized in this embodiment.





FIG. 4



a


shows another embodiment of this invention, where disabling mechanism


114


includes five arms


432


that are all extendable and biased in a direction perpendicular to shaft axis


118


. In this embodiment, shaft


112


is the function changer activator. Although

FIGS. 3



a


-


3




b


and

FIG. 4



a


show two or five arms respectively, those of ordinary skill in the art readily recognize that any number of arms can be utilized.





FIG. 5



a


shows in a plan view of another embodiment of this invention, where disabling mechanism


114


includes four arms


532


that are extendable and biased in a direction perpendicular to shaft axis


118


and arms


532


extend in a radial direction through openings


534


in shaft


112


. In this embodiment shaft


112


is a hollow shaft with rod


536


mounted to free end


540


of shaft


112


. Disabling mechanism


114


is maintained in a desired position relative to shaft


112


by rod


536


which is rotatably attached to base portion


538


of disabling mechanism


114


. Screw head


542


is attached to base portion


538


. Rotating screw head


542


rotates arms


532


relative to shaft


112


. Base


110


has opening


544


, which allows access to screw head


542


.

FIGS. 5



b


-


5




c


are cross-sectional views of disabling plug


102


perpendicular to shaft axis


118


.

FIG. 5



b


shows arms


532


extended in a radial direction through openings


534


in shaft


112


. Prior to insertion of disabling plug


102


into socket


106


arms


532


are rotated away from openings


534


and are held within shaft


112


. Once disabling plug


102


is inserted into socket


106


and the activation of disabling mechanism


114


is desired, screw head


542


is rotated approximately forty five degrees to align arms


532


with openings


534


where arms


532


will extend radially from shaft


112


. Although in

FIGS. 5



b


and


5




c


screw head


542


is shown as a standard slotted screw head those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that any number of structures for screw head


542


can be utilized. Examples are Phillips, hex, square, or torx to name a few.





FIGS. 6



a


-


6




b


show plan views of disabling plug


102


in another embodiment of this invention, where disabling plug


102


includes shaft


112


and disabling mechanism


114


. In this embodiment, disabling mechanism


114


includes two deformable ribs


650


which are capable of being deformed in a direction perpendicular to shaft axis


118


when screw head


644


is rotated. In this embodiment shaft


112


is preferably a hollow shaft with screw


652


threadably engaged with threaded portion


654


attached to shaft


112


at the free end portion of deformable ribs


650


. Disabling plug


102


in this embodiment is inserted into socket


106


through socket opening


105


. Once disabling plug


102


is fully inserted into socket


106


and the activation of disabling mechanism


114


is desired, screw head


644


is rotated turning screw


652


until deformable ribs


650


are snug against the back side of socket


106


. This operation is analogous to the insertion and installation of a Molly fastener used as a wall anchor. As will be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, as screw


652


is rotated, free end


640


is drawn closer to the back side of socket


106


until deformable ribs


650


of disabling plug


102


contact the back side of socket


106


hindering further rotation of screw


652


. In this embodiment, when further rotation of screw


652


is hindered, attempts to remove disabling plug


102


from socket


106


will typically either damage disabling plug


102


or socket


106


or both. Further, in this embodiment those skilled in the art will readily recognize that any number of tamper resistant screw head designs are all equally preferable, such as a one way screw head.





FIG. 7



a


shows a perspective view of shaft


112


in another embodiment of this invention which acts as function changer


130


. Two examples are as a microphone plug shaft


112


as shown in

FIG. 2



b


or as a modem plug inhibiting an electrical connection to a telephone line. In this embodiment, disabling mechanism


114


includes two L-shaped arms


732


attached to shaft


112


by hinge portions


734


. Preferably, hinge portion


734


is flexible, however those skilled in the art readily recognize that a mechanical hinge can also be utilized. L-shaped arms


732


are capable of being extended in a direction perpendicular to shaft axis


118


when screw head


746


is rotated. In this embodiment shaft


112


is preferably a hollow shaft with screw


746


threadably engaged with threaded portion


736


of shaft


112


at the end attached to base


110


.




Disabling plug


102


is inserted into socket


106


through socket opening


105


as shown in

FIG. 7



b


. Once disabling plug


102


is fully inserted into socket


106


and the activation of disabling mechanism


114


is desired screw


746


is rotated engaging L-shaped arms


732


. Screw


746


is rotated further as L-shaped arms


732


pivot outward perpendicular to shaft axis


118


. Rotation of screw


746


is continued until L-shaped arms


732


are snug against the backside of socket


106


as shown in

FIG. 7



c


. In this embodiment, screw


746


preferably has a one way head. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other tamper resistant screw heads are equally preferable. In this embodiment, when further rotation of screw


746


is hindered, attempts to remove disabling plug


102


from socket


106


will typically either damage disabling plug


102


or socket


106


or both.





FIG. 8



a


shows a plan view of normal plug


852


inserted into socket


806


in another embodiment of this invention. In this embodiment conductor


825


acts as a spring arm and has engagable portion


830


which makes electrical contact with normal plug


852


. In this embodiment when normal plug


852


is inserted into socket


806


, electronic device


104


operates in a standard mode, where standard mode is defined as the function the conductor would normally provide before being disabled. Conductor


827


also operates in a standard mode. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that alternatively either modifying conductor


827


to have engagable portion


830


or modifying both conductor


825


and conductor


827


to have engagable portion


830


can both be utilized as well.





FIG. 8



b


shows a plan view of disabling plug


102


inserted into socket


806


in another embodiment of this invention. In this embodiment, disabling mechanism


114


consists of groove


814


, which slidably engages engagable portion


830


of conductor


825


. Once disabling plug


102


is fully inserted into socket


806


attempts to remove disabling plug


102


from socket


806


will typically either damage disabling plug


102


or socket


806


or both.





FIG. 9



a


shows a plan view of normal plug


952


and socket


906


in another embodiment of this invention. In this embodiment plug


952


is representative of a telephone line connector commonly referred to as RJ-11 or RJ-45 and socket


906


is the corresponding socket for these connectors respectively. When plug


952


is inserted into socket


906


through socket opening


105


release arm


960


engages stop


962


holding plug


952


in socket


906


. The conductors (not shown) in shaft


912


make electrical contact with conductors


920


in socket


906


. When release lever


960


is pressed toward shaft


912


release arm


960


disengages stop


962


allowing plug


952


to be removed from socket


906


.





FIG. 9



b


shows a plan view of disabling plug


102


inserted into socket


906


in another embodiment of this invention. In this embodiment, disabling plug


102


is similar to a telephone line connector commonly referred to as RJ-11 or RJ-45 and socket


906


is the corresponding socket for these connectors respectively. Both base


910


and shaft


112


have a rectangular cross-section in this embodiment. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that this embodiment will work with any connector utilizing a similar latching mechanism as that of the RJ-11 or RJ0-45 plugs. When disabling plug


102


is inserted through socket opening


105


into socket


906


locking arm


970


engages stop


962


. In this embodiment, disabling mechanism


114


consists of locking arm


970


that is held in place by stop


962


. Once disabling plug


102


is fully inserted into socket


906


attempts to remove disabling plug


102


from socket


906


will typically either damage disabling plug


102


or socket


906


or both. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a similar disabling mechanism as locking arm


970


can be utilized on connectors commonly referred to as Universal Serial Bus (USB) connectors.





FIG. 10

shows a plan view of break off mechanism


990


for those embodiments which activate disabling mechanism


114


by rotation, examples of which are shown in

FIGS. 5



a


,


6




a


-


6




c


and


7




a


-


7




c


. As shown in

FIG. 10

break off mechanism consists of body


992


with screw head


996


attached at one end via break off portion


994


. Body


992


may be threaded when used in those embodiments requiring multiple turns to engage disabling mechanism


114


such as the embodiment shown in FIG.


6


. For those embodiments that require less than a full turn to activate disabling mechanism


114


, body


992


need not be threaded, as shown in FIG.


5


. Break off portion


994


is substantially smaller in cross section than body


992


. When disabling mechanism


114


is activated by rotation of screw head


996


preferably 2-10 pound inches of torque is used to rotate screw head


996


and break off portion


994


is broken off at a torque about twice that used for activation. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that any torque less than the torque necessary to cause damage to either disabling plug


102


or socket


906


can be used. When break off portion


994


is broken off then indicator surface


998


is visible. Indicator surface


998


is a surface that is readily visible to an average person. Preferably, indicator surface


998


is brightly colored such as red, yellow or green. Those of ordinary skill in the art appreciate there are many colors that are equally preferable. Those of ordinary skill in the art readily recognize that any number of break off portions


994


, such as two or three members can also be utilized. Those of ordinary skill in the art will also readily recognize there are many other types of break off mechanisms that can be utilized.




An alternate embodiment of indicator surface


998


that can be used in all of the embodiments shown is the use of a light source such as a light emitting diode (LED) to indicate that disabling mechanism


114


has been activated. For those embodiments, such as a microphone jack as one example, which have available a bias voltage the LED can be powered directly from that bias voltage when sufficient power is available. For those embodiments, such as a headphone jack or telephone line connection as two examples which typically do not have a bias voltage available the LED can be powered through a battery located in base


110


. An alternate embodiment of indicator surface


998


uses an audio source to produce an audible sound. When sufficient power is available from socket


106


the audio generating source preferably is powered from that power source, however, the audio source can also be powered from a battery as well. As those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate when an audible sound is used to indicate disablement it is preferable to have a sensor circuit incorporated in the disabling plug


102


to emit an audible sound when the disabling mechanism has been activated but is not functioning properly.



Claims
  • 1. A plug, comprising:a shaft having an insertable portion adapted to be inserted into an electrical socket; a non conductive base attached to a base end of said shaft, said nonconductive base electrically isolating said shaft; a mechanical disabling mechanism having a nonreversible actuator, attached to said shaft; and at least one moveable member having a resiliently biased or plastically deformable portion, said at least one moveable member not in contact with said nonconductive base and coupled to said non reversible actuator, said at least one moveable member nonreversibly extending outwardly from said shaft after actuating said nonreversible actuator.
  • 2. The plug of claim 1, further comprising a function changer activator disposed on said insertable portion of said shaft and adapted to engage an electrical contact of said electrical socket, wherein said function changer activator contacting said electrical contact changes a state of an electronic device electrically coupled to said electrical socket.
  • 3. The plug of claim 1, wherein said nonconductive base further comprises a cross-sectional area larger than a cross-sectional area of said shaft, and said nonconductive base is adapted to limit insertion of the plug to a maximum predetermined position into said electrical socket.
  • 4. The plug of claim 3, further comprising an indicator disposed within said nonconductive base providing an indication of activation of said disabling mechanism.
  • 5. The plug of claim 1, wherein said at least one moveable member further comprises at least one arm coupled to said resiliently biased portion, wherein said arm is operable between a compressed position facilitating insertion of said shaft through said electrical socket and an extended position preventing removal of the plug from said electrical socket.
  • 6. The plug of claim 1, wherein said nonreversible actuator further comprises a threaded shaft; said shaft further comprises a free end having a threaded portion receptive to said threaded shall, and a second end proximate to said base end having an inner opening through which said threaded shaft extends; and said at least one moveable member further comprises at least one deformable rib coupling said free end of said shaft to said second end of said shaft.
  • 7. The plug of claim 6, wherein said threaded shaft further comprises:a screw head; and a break off mechanism, wherein applying a predetermined torque to said screw head, said screw head breaks off from said threaded shaft.
  • 8. The plug of claim 6, wherein said threaded shaft further comprises a tamper resistant screw head.
  • 9. The plug of claim 1, wherein said nonreversible actuator further comprises a screw; said shaft further comprises a free end and a threaded portion at a second end proximate to said base end wherein said screw threadably engages said threaded portion; and said at least one moveable member further comprises at least one moveable arm hingedly coupled to said shaft, said at least one moveable arm responsive to rotation of said screw pivoting outward from said shaft.
  • 10. The plug of claim 1, wherein said shaft further comprises a hollow shaft, a free end, and at least one opening in said hollow shaft; said nonreversible actuator further comprises a rod mounted to said free end of said shaft, a base end rotatably attached to said rod, and a screw head attached to said base end; and said at least one moveable member further comprising at least one extendable arm resiliently biased in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal shaft axis attached to said base end of said nonreversible actuator, wherein rotation of said screw head rotates said at least one extendable arm relative to said shaft nonreversibly causing said at least one extendable arm to extend in a radial direction through said at least one opening in said hollow shaft, whereby removal of the plug from said electrical socket is prevented.
  • 11. A plug comprising:a shaft having: an insertable end adapted to be inserted into an electrical socket, and a non conductive base end electrically isolating said insertable end from said base end; a base attached to said base end; a nonreversible actuator coupled to said insertable end of said shaft; and at least one moveably projecting member coupled to said non reversible actuator, said at least one moveably projecting member not in contact with said base or said non conductive base end, wherein said at least one moveably projecting member operates between an insertion position facilitating insertion of said shaft into said electrical socket and an extended position extending obliquely outward from said shaft after actuation of said nonreversible actuator.
  • 12. The plug in accordance with claim 11, wherein said extended position further comprises a nonreversible extended position whereby removal of the plug from said electrical socket is prevented.
  • 13. The plug in accordance with claim 11, further comprising a contact breaker disposed on said insertable end of said shaft, wherein said contact breaker changes a state of an electronic device electrically coupled to said electrical socket.
  • 14. The plug in accordance with claim 13, wherein said contact breaker is electrically isolated from said nonreversible actuator.
  • 15. The plug in accordance with claim 13, wherein said contact breaker is electrically isolated from said moveably projecting member.
  • 16. The plug in accordance with claim 13, wherein said contact breaker is conductive.
  • 17. The plug in accordance with claim 11, wherein said nonconductive base end further comprises a base portion having an end face, said base portion connected to said insertable end, wherein said base encloses said base portion and fully encloses said end face.
  • 18. The plug in accordance with claim 11, wherein said insertable end is adapted to be inserted into a microphone socket, inhibiting an internal microphone in a substantially permanent manner.
  • 19. The plug in accordance with claim 11, wherein said insertable end is adapted to be inserted into a telephone socket, inhibiting a telephone function in a substantially permanent manner.
  • 20. The plug in accordance with claim 11, wherein said insertable end is adapted to be inserted into a headphone socket, inhibiting a speaker function in a substantially permanent manner.
  • 21. The plug in accordance with claim 11, wherein said at least one moveably projecting member further comprises at least one arm, wherein said arm operates between a compressed position facilitating insertion of said shaft into a socket opening of said electrical socket and a nonreversible extended position.
  • 22. The plug in accordance with claim 11, further comprising an externally visible indicator visually indicating actuation of said nonreversible actuator.
  • 23. The plug in accordance with claim 11, further comprising an audio source disposed in or on said base providing an audio indication of actuation of said nonreversible actuator.
  • 24. The plug in accordance with claim 11, wherein said at least one moveably projecting member further comprises at least one deformable rib.
  • 25. The plug in accordance with claim 24, wherein said shaft further comprises a threaded portion proximate to said insertable end; said nonconductivebase end further comprises a base portion having an opening through which a threaded screw extends, said threaded screw in threaded engagement with said threaded portion; wherein said at least one deformable rib couples said insertable end of said shaft to said base portion.
  • 26. The plug in accordance with claim 25, wherein said threaded screw further comprises a tamper resistant head.
  • 27. The plug in accordance with claim 25, wherein said threaded screw further comprises:a head coupled to a threaded section; and a break off mechanism, wherein actuating said nonreversible actuator, said head breaks off from said threaded section at a predetermined torque.
  • 28. The plug in accordance with claim 11, wherein said at least one moveably projecting member further comprises at least one moveable arm having an essentially L-shaped structure.
  • 29. The plug in accordance with claim 11, wherein said insertable end of said shaft further comprises a contact tip, wherein said contact tip is adapted to contact an electrical contact of said electrical socket.
  • 30. The plug in accordance with claim 29, wherein said contact tip is electrically conductive and electrically isolated from a base portion of said shaft.
  • 31. The plug in accordance with claim 30, further comprising an electrical conductor attached to said contact tip, said electrical conductor coaxial with a portion of said insertable end of said shaft.
  • 32. The plug in accordance with claim 11, wherein said shaft further comprises a threaded portion, and the plug further comprises a threaded screw in threaded engagement with said threaded portion of said shaft; wherein said at least one moveable arm extends radially outward from said shaft in response to rotation of said threaded screw providing a nonreversibly extended position of said at least one moveable arm preventing removal of the plug from said electrical socket.
  • 33. The plug in accordance with claim 32, wherein said threaded screw further comprises a tamper resistant head.
  • 34. The plug in accordance with clam 32, wherein said threaded screw further comprises:a head coupled to a threaded section; and a break off mechanism, wherein actuating said nonreversible actuator, said head breaks off from said threaded section at a predetermined torque.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/699,855 filed on Oct. 3, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,595,792 which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

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Continuations (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 09/699855 Oct 2000 US
Child 10/456291 US