Tamper resistant receptacle with swing out flaps

Abstract

A tamper-resistant receptacle has hot-flap component and a neutral-flap component which are biased by springs in the initial closed position. An attempt to insert a foreign object into the tamper-resistant receptacle causes a hook tip on one of the flaps to catch in a receiver on the other flap, putting the tamper-resistant receptacle into a lock position, and preventing the foreign object from being further inserted into the prong opening.

Description

TAMPER RESISTANT RECEPTACLE WITH SWING OUT FLAPSCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 670,397, filed July 12, 2024, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to tamper resistant electrical receptacles. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to tamper resistant electrical receptacles with swing out flaps.BACKGROUND

[0003] Tamper resistant receptacles are known in the art. “Tamper Resistant” or “TR” receptacles refers to a type of electrical wiring device, such as a household duplex electrical receptacle, equipped with means for physically blocking access to the electrical contacts which lie below the hot and neutral plug blade openings in the faceplate of the receptacle unless simultaneous force is exerted upon both the hot and neutral plug blade openings at the same time. Currently, NEC Code 406.1 1 et seq. and other regulatory requirements provide that not only must the outlet openings remain blocked unless force is applied to both openings at the same time, but also that any foreign object 1 / 32 inch or larger, must be prevented from bypassing the blocking member of a plug opening. All new construction and major renovations are mandated to by code to use TR receptacles.

[0004] As will be appreciated, these code requirements were enacted in response to the all-to-often tragic phenomena of a curious child inserting a conductive material, such as a paperclip, a metal key, a hairpin, or small toy, into either the hot or neutral plug blade opening of a receptacle faceplate and contacting the live hot or neutral electrical contact resulting in electrical shock, burns, or even death.

[0005] In meeting the code standard and providing the level of protection sought from these devices, the art has gravitated towards a configuration of receptacles utilizing cooperating shutter members to block access beyond the faceplate openings of the outlet. Specifically, to ensure that a foreign object force directed into only one of the two blade openings is prevented from reaching the electrical contact that lies beneath, a sliding shutter mechanism is spring-biased into a position blocking (or “shuttering”) the blade opening from underneath the faceplate. The shutter physically prevents an object entering the blade opening from reaching the electrical contact below that shutter. In order to allow the shutter of a respective blade opening to be uncovered, the spring-bias must be overcome by a camming action caused by the other plug blade during insertion in the other blade opening.

[0006] To this end, the most common prior art configuration of a TR receptacle includes a shutter assembly comprising a pair of cooperating shutters. Each of the shutters includes a blocking portion positioned below a respective one of the blade openings blocking access to the contacts. Each of the shutters also includes a cam portion that extends to the opposite blade opening that receives contact from a plug blade and translates the vertical force of a plug blade and camming action into a lateral sliding displacement of the blocking portion. Thus, force by vertical insertion of a plug-blade on the neutral blade opening will move the shutter from obstructing access to the electrical contact below the hot blade opening, and vice versa.

[0007] Specifically, for example, during insertion of a plug, the neutral blade tine will cam against and past the shutter cam surface forcing the shutter cam arm to move laterally, thereby overcoming the spring bias of the shutter and causing the hot blade shutter blocking portion to slide into a position away from and revealing the electrical contact beneath the hot blade opening. Likewise, force on the hot blade opening will contact the cam surface and allow the blade to cam past and move the arm and compress the spring to move the shutter blocking portion that covers the neutral blade opening out of the way.

[0008] As will be appreciated, with this configuration, when a child tries to insert a toy into either opening of the outlet, the blocking portion of the shutter remains immobile from the spring bias of the opposite shutter and prevents the child from reaching the electricalcontact. However, when both blades of an electrical plug contact the shutters simultaneously, the simultaneous force and camming action allows both blades to continue their downward insertion by simultaneously sliding respective shutter blocking portions laterally out of the way of the electrical contacts of the opposite shutter until the blades cam past the shutters and are able to properly “plug in” to the outlet's internal face contacts.

[0009] Existing prior art TR receptacle designs and their operational details are available in U.S. Pat. No. 4,379,607 to Bowden, Jr.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,645,148 to Carbone et aL; and U.S. Publ. No. 2013 / 0295788 to Baldwin, et al. and the references cited therein.

[0010] The proliferation of these important safety devices has led to an appreciation of the issues affecting their effective life span and cost. A feature recognized by the present inventor is that the various examples provides a tamper resistant plug that promotes safety with fewer moving parts than prior designs. This aids in the manufacturing and assembly of the various examples.

[0011] The foregoing underscores some of the problems associated with conventional TR receptacles. Furthermore, the foregoing highlights the long-felt need in the art for a TR receptacle that provides safety by preventing the insertion of a conducting item such as a paperclip, a metal key, a hairpin, small toy or other conductive item. Moreover, the various examples satisfy a long-felt, yet unresolved need in the art for a TR receptacle designed with fewer and uncomplicated constituent parts that facilitates ease of manufacturing and assembly.SUMMARY

[0012] Various examples of the present disclosure can overcome the afore-mentioned disadvantages and other drawbacks associated with known TR receptacles and offer new advantages as well.

[0013] According to various examples of the present disclosure there is provided a tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly comprising a receptacle body configured with a hot-prong hole and a neutral-prong hole, a subassembly face component removably attached to the receptacle body, the subassembly face component including a hot- prong slot aligned with the hot-prong hole, and a neutral-prong slot aligned with theneutral-prong hole, a hot-flap component positioned between the receptacle body and the subassembly face component, the hot-flap component including a hot-flap cover aligned with the hot-prong slot, a neutral-flap component positioned between the receptacle body and the subassembly face component, the neutral-flap component including a neutral-flap cover aligned with the neutral-prong slot, a hot-latch hook arm configured as part of the hot-flap component, the hot-latch hook arm being laterally aligned with the neutral-flap component, a neutral-latch hook arm configured as part of the neutral-flap component, the neutral-latch hook being laterally aligned with the hot- flap component, a flap spring arranged to apply force on a lower side of the hot-flap component that tends to push the hot-flap component towards an initial closed position.

[0014] In some forms, the tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly also includes a hot-latch hook tip configured on a distal end of the hot-latch hook arm, and a neutrallatch hook tip configured on a distal end of the neutral-latch hook arm.

[0015] In some forms, the tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly also includes a flap spring positioned against the hot-flap component. Typically, the flap spring is arranged to apply force on a lower side of the hot-flap component that tends to push the hot-flap component towards an initial closed position.

[0016] In some forms, the flap spring of the tamper-resistant receptacle subassembly is a first flap spring, and the tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly further includes a neutral-flap spring positioned against the hot-flap component and arranged to apply force on the neutral-flap component to push the neutral-flap component towards the initial closed position.

[0017] In some forms, the hot-flap cover of the tamper-resistant receptacle subassembly has a hot-flap upper surface and a hot-flap lower surface, and the tamperresistant receptacle sub-assembly further includes a hot-flap latch receiver formed on the hot-flap lower surface of the hot-flap cover.

[0018] In some forms, a foreign object inserted through the hot-prong slot pushing the hot-flap upper surface of the hot-flap cover downward causes the neutral-latch hook tip to seat in the hot-latch receiver putting the tamper-resistant receptacle in the locked position.

[0019] In some forms, the neutral-flap cover of the tamper-resistant receptacle subassembly has a neutral-flap upper surface and a neutral-flap lower surface, and the tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly further includes a neutral-flap latch receiver formed on the neutral-flap lower surface of the neutral-flap cover.

[0020] In some forms, a foreign object inserted through the neutral-prong slot pushing the neutral-upper surface of the neutral-flap cover downward causes the hot- latch hook tip to seat in the neutral-latch receiver putting the tamper-resistant receptacle in the locked position.

[0021] In some forms, the tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly further includes a first hot-flap rotation peg extending outward from a first hot-flap side of the hot-flap component, the first hot-flap rotation peg being oriented parallel to and adjacent a hot- flap proximal edge of the hot-flap component, a second hot-flap rotation peg extending outward from a second hot-flap side of the hot-flap component, the second hot-flap rotation peg being oriented parallel to and adjacent the hot-flap proximal edge, and first and second hot-flap peg notches formed on the receptacle body.

[0022] In some forms, the tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly further includes a first neutral-flap rotation peg extending outward from a first neutral-flap side of the neutral-flap component that is oriented parallel to and adjacent a neutral-flap proximal edge of the neutral-flap component, a second neutral-flap rotation peg extending outward from a second neutral-flap side of the neutral-flap component, the second neutral-flap rotation peg being oriented parallel to and adjacent the neutral-flap proximal edge, and first and second neutral-flap peg notches formed on the receptacle body.

[0023] In some forms, the first and second hot-flap rotation pegs of the tamperresistant receptacle sub-assembly rotatably fit within the first and second hot-flap peg notches to support the hot-flap component and allow the hot-flap component to hinge inward, and first and second neutral-flap rotation pegs rotatably fit within the first and second neutral-flap peg notches to support the neutral-flap component and allow the neutral-flap component to hinge inward.

[0024] In some forms, the tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly further includes a hot-flap protuberance extending outward from a hot-flap distal edge of the hot-flapcover, and a neutral-flap protuberance extending outward from a neutral-flap distal edge of the neutral-flap cover.

[0025] In some forms, the tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly further includes a hot-flap cavity formed between the hot-latch hook tip and the hot-flap proximal edge of the hot-flap component, and a neutral-flap cavity formed between the neutral-latch hook tip and the neutral-flap proximal edge of the neutral-flap component.

[0026] In some forms, with the tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly in the initial closed position the hot-flap protuberance of the hot-flap component is seated in the neutral-flap cavity of the neutral-flap component, and the neutral-flap protuberance of the neutral-flap component is seated in the hot-flap cavity of the hot-flap component.

[0027] In some forms, upon insertion of a hot prong and a neutral prong of an electrical plug into the hot-prong slot and neutral-prong slot of the tamper-resistant receptacle, the hot-flap cover hinges inward causing the hot-flap protuberance to become unseated from the hot-flap cavity.

[0028] The disclosure herein should become evident to a person of ordinary skill in the art given the following enabling description and drawings. The drawings are for illustration purposes only and are not drawn to scale unless otherwise indicated. The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The following enabling disclosure is directed to one of ordinary skill in the art and presupposes that those aspects within the ability of the ordinarily skilled artisan are understood and appreciated.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Various aspects and advantageous features of the present disclosure will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill when described in the detailed description of preferred examples and reference to the accompany drawing wherein:

[0030] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a tamper resistant receptacle according to various examples disclosed herein.

[0031] FIG. 1 B is a side view of a receptacle body according to various examples disclosed herein.

[0032] FIG. 1 C is a perspective view of a receptacle body according to various examples disclosed herein.

[0033] FIG. 1 C is a perspective view of a receptacle body according to various examples disclosed herein.

[0034] FIG. 2A depicts perspective views of a hot-flap component and a neutral-flap component according to various examples disclosed herein.

[0035] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the underside of a hot-flap component according to various examples disclosed herein.

[0036] FIG. 2C is a perspective top view of hot and neutral-flap components fitted together according to various examples disclosed herein.

[0037] FIG. 2D is a perspective bottom view of hot and neutral-flap components fitted together according to various examples disclosed herein.

[0038] FIG. 3A is a cutaway side view depicting the tamper resistant receptacle in the locked position in response to a foreign object being inserted into the hot-prong slot according to various examples disclosed herein.

[0039] FIG. 3B is a cutaway side view of latch hook tip seated in a latch receiver in the locked position according to various examples disclosed herein.

[0040] FIG. 4A is a cutaway side view of the tamper resistant receptacle with both prongs of an electrical plug being inserted into the prong slots according to various examples disclosed herein.

[0041] FIG. 4B is a cutaway side view of the tamper resistant receptacle with a foreign object being inserted in one of the prong slots according to various examples disclosed herein.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS

[0042] The Figures depict a presently preferred example of a TR receptacle subassembly for use in a TR receptacle. As depicted, the example is configured for use as a TR sub-assembly in a 15-Amp or 20-Amp receptacle adapted for receipt of a two-prong or three-prong plug member. However, one of ordinary skill in the art armed with the present specification will readily appreciate that the teachings of the present disclosure may be adapted for any specific type of TR device through routine experimentation,including duplex receptacles, electrical cords, receptacles with USB ports, receptacles with circular or other geometries for the subassembly face component or prongs, etc.

[0043] FIG. 1 A is a perspective view of a tamper resistant receptacle 100 according to various examples disclosed herein. The tamper resistant receptacle 100 includes subassembly face component 1 11 which has a hot-prong slot 115 and a neutral-prong slot 117. Some examples of subassembly face component 1 11 have a ground prong slot 1 19 as well. These prong slots guide the prongs of an electrical plug into the tamper resistant receptacle 100. The tamper resistant receptacle 100 also includes a hot-flap component 101 component and a neutral-flap component 103. The hot-flap component 101 is aligned with hot-prong slot 115 and the neutral-flap component 103 is aligned with neutral-prong slot 1 17. The flap- width 199w is typically the same or slightly greater than the length of the prong slot it sits behind — e.g., the same or slightly greater than the hot- prong slot 115 or neutral-prong slot 1 17. In some implementations the flap-width 199w is not greater than 20% longer than the width of its corresponding prong slot — either the hot-prong slot 115 or neutral-prong slot 1 17.

[0044] FIG. 1 B is a side view and FIG. 1 C is a perspective view of a receptacle body 1 13 according to various examples disclosed herein. The receptacle body 113 includes a hot-prong hole 1 15a, a neutral-prong hole 117a and a ground prong hole 119a. These prong holes guide the prongs of an electrical plug further into the tamper resistant receptacle 100 to make contact with electrical connectors once they have passed the face component prong slots 115-119. The receptacle body 113 also has two peg notches 101g and two peg notches 103g. The peg notches 101 g / 103g support the respective hot- flap component 101 and neutral-flap component 103, allowing them to hinge inward upon insertion of an electrical plug.

[0045] Subassembly face component 11 1 is configured to be removably attached to the receptacle body 113. The hot / neutral-flap components 101 -103 are contained beneath subassembly face component 111 , fitted within and on receptacle body 1 13. Details of the hot and neutral-flap components 101 -103 are depicted in FIGS. 2A-C.

[0046] FIG. 2A depicts perspective views of a hot-flap component 101 and a neutralflap component 103 according to various examples disclosed herein. FIG. 2B is aperspective view of the underside of hot-flap component 101 according to various examples disclosed herein.

[0047] In some examples the hot-flap component 101 and neutral-flap component 103 are shaped identical to each other and can be interchanged. This facilitates manufacturing of the hot / neutral-flap components 101 -103. In other examples the hot / neutral-flap components 101 -03 may take slightly different shapes tailored to engaging the hot prong and neutral prong of an electrical connector. Since the hot / neutral-flap components 101 -03 depicted in FIGS. 2A-B are identical, the flap shown in FIG. 3C could be either a hot-flap component 101 or a neutral-flap component 103. However, the reference numbers in FIG. 3C are consistent with a hot-flap component 101.

[0048] Hot-flap component 101 has a hot-flap cover 101 a, hot-latch receivers 101 b, hot-latch hook arms 101 c each with a hot-latch hook tip 101 h, a hot-flap protuberance 101 d, a hot-flap cavity 101 e and hot-flap rotation pegs 101 f. The hot-flap cover 101 a may be configured with a guide groove 101 i. The hot-flap rotation pegs 101 f are positioned one the lateral sides of the hot-flap component 101 adjacent and parallel to its proximal edge. The hot-flap protuberance 101d extends outward from a distal edge of the hot-flap cover 101 a. Similarly, neutral-flap component 103 has a neutral-flap cover 103a, neutrallatch receivers 103b, neutral-latch hook arms 103c each with a neutral-latch hook tip 103h, a neutral-flap protuberance 103d, a neutral-flap cavity 103e and neutral-flap rotation pegs 103f. The neutral-latch receivers 103b — which are formed on the underside of neutral-flap cover 103a of FIG. 2A — are typically identical in shape to hot-latch receivers 101 b shown in FIG. 2B. Similarly, the neutral-flap cavity 103e — not visible in FIG. 2A — are typically identical in shape to hot-flap cavity 101 e shown in FIG. 2A. The neutral-flap rotation pegs 103f are positioned one sides of the neutral-flap component 103 adjacent and parallel to its proximal edge. The neutral-flap protuberance 103d extends outward from a distal edge of the neutral-flap cover 103a. In various examples the hot / neutral-flap protuberances 101 d / 103d typically extend outward at least 1 / 16 inch from the distal edge of the neutral-flap cover 103a and are shaped to fit within the neutral / hot- flap guide grooves 103i / 101 i.

[0049] The hot-flap rotation pegs 101 f of hot-flap component 101 are supported by the peg notches 101 g of the receptacle body 1 13. They allow the hot-flap component 101 to hinge inward in response to insertion of the hot and neutral-prongs of an electrical plug. Similarly, the neutral-flap rotation pegs 103f of neutral-flap component 103 are supported by the peg notches 103g of the receptacle body 1 13 allowing it to hinge inward as well.

[0050] The examples depicted in the figures have two latch receivers 101 b / 103b and two latch hook arms 101 c / 103c on each respective flap cover 101 a / 103a. However, other examples are configured with only one latch receiver 101 b / 103b and one latch hook arm 101 c / 103c on each flap cover 101 a / 103a. In such examples the flap protuberances 101 d / 103d and flap cavities 101 e / 103e are positioned either towards the right or left end of flap components 101 / 103.

[0051] FIG. 2C is a perspective top view and FIG. 2D is a perspective bottom view of hot / neutral-flap components 101 -103 fitted together according to various examples disclosed herein. With hot / neutral-flap components 101 -103 fitted together, the line passing through hot-flap rotation pegs 101 f is parallel to the line passing through the neutral-flap rotation pegs 103f. This allows the hot / neutral-flap components 101 -103 to rotatedly hinge about their respective flap rotation pegs 101 f / 103f. In various examples the distance between the ends of hot-flap rotation pegs 101 f is the same as the distance between the ends of neutral-flap rotation pegs 103f.

[0052] In an assembled tamper resistant receptacle 100 with the hot / neutral-flap components 101 -103 in the initial closed position, the hot-latch hook tips 101 h align and are adjacent to the neutral-latch receivers 103b, and the neutral-latch hook tips 103h align with and are adjacent to the hot-latch receivers 101 b. This can be seen in FIG. 2D (shown upside down). Also, the hot-flap protuberance 101 d is shaped to seat within the neutralflap cavity 103e, and the neutral-flap protuberance 103d is shaped to fit within the hot- flap cavity 101 e. A flap spring 105 is provided for each of the hot / neutral-flap components 101 -103. Some of the various examples use a single flap spring to bias both of the hot and neutral-flap components 101 / 103.

[0053] The flap springs 105 push on the lower side of hot / neutral-flap components 101 / 103, keeping the hot / neutral-flap components 101 / 103 pushed upward in the initial closed position — so long as nothing is inserted in the prong slots 1 15-117 of the facecomponent. In the initial closed position both of the hot / neutral-flap covers 101 a / 103a are hinged upward as far as they will go behind the face component 111 . A foreign object inserted into either the hot-prong slot 115 or the neutral-prong slot 1 17 tends to push down on the hot / neutral-flap covers 101 a / 103a, swinging them slightly inward away from the initial closed position. In FIG. 3A the tamper resistant receptacle 100 is in the locked position in response to a foreign object being inserted into the hot-prong slot 115. FIG. 3A depicts the hot-latch hook tip 101 h seated in the neutral-latch receiver 103b.

[0054] FIG. 3B is a cutaway side view of latch hook seated in a latch receiver in the locked position according to various examples disclosed herein.

[0055] FIG. 4A is a cutaway side view of the tamper resistant receptacle 100 with both prongs 1 15-1 / 117-1 of an electrical plug being inserted into the prong slots 115 / 1 17 according to various examples disclosed herein. Inserting an electrical plug results in each of its prongs 115-1 / 1 17-1 simultaneously pushing the flap component out of the way for the other prong. This allows the hot / neutral / ground prongs 115-1 / 117-1 / 119-1 to be inserted into the tamper resistant receptacle 100 to make electrical contact with the hot, neutral and ground contacts.

[0056] Inserting the hot / neutral-prongs 1 15-1 / 117-1 to initially make contact with the hot-flap cover 101 a and neutral-flap cover 103a and apply pressure causes the hot / neutral-flap components 101 / 103 to begin hinging downward, as shown in FIG. 4A. This, in turn, causes the hot / neutral-flap protuberances 101 d / 103d to leave the flap cavities 101 e / 103e and begin scraping across the upper surface of the hot / neutral-hook arms 101 c / 103c. Inserting the hot / neutral-prongs 1 15-1 / 1 17-1 further in causes the hot / neutral-flap covers 101 a / 103a to hinge further inward. At the same time, the hot and neutral-latch receivers 101 b / 103b are also hinging inward in the opposite direction of the flap receiver 101 b / 103b they are positioned against.

[0057] Since the flap protuberances 101 d / 103d extend outward from the flap covers 101 a / 103a, they help to push the hot / neutral-flap covers 101 a / 103a even further inward, causing the hot / neutral-latch hook tips 101 h / 103h to avoid catching on the corresponding neutral / hot-latch receiver 103b / 101 b of the other flap. This provides access for the hot / neutral-prongs 115-1 / 117-1 of the electrical plug to be fully inserted to make electrical contact within the tamper resistant receptacle 100.

[0058] FIG. 4B is a cutaway side view of the tamper resistant receptacle 100 with a foreign object 999 being inserted in the hot-prong (left) slot 1 15 according to various examples disclosed herein. As the foreign object 999 makes contact with and pushes on the upper surface of hot-flap cover 101 a, it causes the hot-flap component 101 to begin hinging downward (inward). However, since nothing is inserted in the neutral-prong (right) slot 117, the neutral-flap component 103 does not hinge downward (inward) out of the way. As hot-latch hook arm 101 c continues hinging downward, the hot-latch hook tip 101 h catches on and seats in the neutral-latch receiver 103b. This prevents the hot / neutral-flap components 101 / 103 from opening any further, maintaining it in a relatively flat locked position. This prevents further insertion of the foreign object 999.

[0059] Similarly, a foreign object 999 inserted in the neutral-prong (right) slot 117 begins pushing the neutral-flap component 103 downward (inward). However, with nothing is inserted in the hot-prong (left) slot 115, the hot-latch receiver 101 b of hot-flap component 101 does not hinge downward (inward) out of the way. As hot-latch hook arm 101 c continues hinging downward, hot-latch hook tip 101 h catches on and seats in the hot-latch receiver 101 b. This prevents the hot / neutral-flap components 101 / 103 from opening any further, maintaining the tamper resistant receptacle 100 in a locked position with the neutral-flap cover 103a oriented relatively flat. This prevents further insertion of the foreign object 999.

[0060] The above examples and similar examples use fewer parts than previous designs. This makes the disclosed examples cost effective to manufacture and assemble. Fewer parts also increases the useful life of the products since there are fewer points of failure. These beneficial attributes promote the use, availability, and reliability of these important safety products.

[0061] In the disclosure of the various examples the phrase “full insertion into the tamper resistant receptacle sub-assembly” is used to describe the prongs of an electrical plug, or a foreign object, being inserted into the tamper resistant receptacle. “Full insertion” in this context means insertion to the point where the inserted object makes contact with the electrical conductor within the receptacle — e.g., either the hot conductor or the neutral conductor.

[0062] In the disclosure of the various examples the phrase "relatively flat position” is used to describe the orientation of a component part — e.g., the orientation of neutral-flap cover 103a in the locked position with hot-latch hook tip 101 h seated in neutral-latch receiver 103b as shown in FIG. 3A. The phrase “relatively flat” in this context means no greater than 35 degrees from flat — e.g., 35 degrees from horizontal.

[0063] In the disclosure of the various examples the phrase “aligned with” is used to describe the position of an object or an opening with respect to a component. In this context, an object inserted straight into an opening that is aligned with a component would come in contact with the component. For example, the hot-flap cover 101 a is aligned with the hot-prong slot 115 of face component 1 1 1 , as shown in FIG. 3A. A foreign object inserted into hot-prong slot 1 15 will come in contact with the hot-flap cover 101 a. The phrase “laterally aligned” is also used to describe the position of an object or an opening with respect to a component. An object laterally aligned with an opening is aligned in the lateral direction (e.g., left-right), but not necessarily aligned in a direction orthogonal to the lateral direction. For example, the hot-latch hook tip 101 h in the initial closed position is aligned with neutral-prong slot 117. However, inserting an electrical plug with a hot prong 1 15-1 and a neutral prong 1 17-1 causes the hot-latch hook arm 101 c to swing inward, with hot-latch hook tip 101 h missing the neutral-latch receiver 103b. Even though with the electrical plug fully inserted the hot-latch hook tip 101 h is no longer aligned with neutral-prong slot 1 17, the hot-latch hook tip 101 h is still said to be “laterally aligned”. The term “laterally aligned” is broader than the term “aligned.” Two objects that are aligned are also laterally aligned. However, two objects that are laterally aligned are not necessarily aligned.

[0064] In the disclosure of the various examples the phrase “in the closed position” is used to describe the position of main flaps 107a-b and 20A flap 105. A flap in the closed position does not let an object inserted in a receptacle opening aligned with the flap pass by the flap.

[0065] One of ordinary skill will appreciate that the exact dimensions and materials are not critical to the disclosure and all suitable variations should be deemed to be within the scope of the disclosure if deemed suitable for carrying out the objects of the disclosure.

[0066] One of ordinary skill in the art will also readily appreciate that it is well within the ability of the ordinarily skilled artisan to modify one or more of the constituent parts for carrying out the various examples of the disclosure. Once armed with the present specification, routine experimentation is all that is needed to determine adjustments and modifications that will carry out the present disclosure.

[0067] The above examples are for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure or the adaptation of the features described herein. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the above-described preferred examples can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically described.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:1 . A tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly comprising: a receptacle body configured with a hot-prong hole and a neutral-prong hole; a subassembly face component removably attached to the receptacle body, the subassembly face component including a hot-prong slot aligned with the hot-prong hole, and a neutral-prong slot aligned with the neutral-prong hole; a hot-flap component positioned between the receptacle body and the subassembly face component, the hot-flap component including a hot-flap cover aligned with the hot-prong slot; a neutral-flap component positioned between the receptacle body and the subassembly face component, the neutral-flap component including a neutral-flap cover aligned with the neutral-prong slot; a hot-latch hook arm configured as part of the hot-flap component, the hot- latch hook arm being laterally aligned with the neutral-flap component; a neutral-latch hook arm configured as part of the neutral-flap component, the neutral-latch hook being laterally aligned with the hot-flap component; and a flap spring arranged to apply force on a lower side of the hot-flap component that tends to push the hot-flap component towards an initial closed position.

2. The tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly of claim 1 , further comprising: a hot-latch hook tip disposed on a distal end of the hot-latch hook arm; and a neutral-latch hook tip disposed on a distal end of the neutral-latch hook arm.

3. The tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly of claim 2, further comprising: the flap spring positioned against the hot-flap component; wherein the flap spring is arranged to apply force on a lower side of the hot- flap component that tends to push the hot-flap component towards an initial closed position.

4. The tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly of claim 3, wherein the flap spring is a first flap spring, the tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly further comprising: a neutral-flap spring positioned against the neutral-flap component; wherein the neutral-flap spring is arranged to apply force on the neutral-flap component that tends to push the neutral-flap component towards the initial closed position.

5. The tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly of claim 4, wherein the hot-flap cover has a hot-flap upper surface and a hot-flap lower surface, the tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly further comprising: a hot-flap latch receiver formed on the hot-flap lower surface of the hot-flap cover.

6. The tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly of claim 5, wherein a foreign object inserted through the hot-prong slot pushing the hot-flap upper surface of the hot-flap cover downward causes the neutral-latch hook tip to seat in the hot-flap latch receiver putting the tamper-resistant receptacle in a locked position.

7. The tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly of any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the neutral-flap cover has a neutral-flap upper surface and a neutral-flap lower surface, the tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly further comprising: a neutral-flap latch receiver formed on the neutral-flap lower surface of the neutral-flap cover.

8. The tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly of claim 7, wherein a foreign object inserted through the neutral-prong slot pushing the neutral-flap upper surface of the neutral-flap cover downward causes the hot-latch hook tip to seat in the neutral-flap latch receiver putting the tamper-resistant receptacle in a locked position.

9. The tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly of any one of claims 5 to 8, further comprising:a first hot-flap rotation peg extending outward from a first hot-flap side of the hot-flap component, the first hot-flap rotation peg being oriented parallel to and adjacent a hot-flap proximal edge of the hot-flap component; a second hot-flap rotation peg extending outward from a second hot-flap side of the hot-flap component, the second hot-flap rotation peg being oriented parallel to and adjacent the hot-flap proximal edge; and first and second hot-flap peg notches formed on the receptacle body.

10. The tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly of claim 9, further comprising: a first neutral-flap rotation peg extending outward from a first neutral-flap side of the neutral-flap component, the first neutral-flap rotation peg being oriented parallel to and adjacent a neutral-flap proximal edge of the neutral-flap component; a second neutral-flap rotation peg extending outward from a second neutralflap side of the neutral-flap component, the second neutral-flap rotation peg being oriented parallel to and adjacent the neutral-flap proximal edge; and first and second neutral-flap peg notches formed on the receptacle body.1 1 . The tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly of claim 10, wherein the first and second hot-flap rotation pegs rotatably fit within the first and second hot-flap peg notches to support the hot-flap component and allow the hot- flap component to hinge inward; and wherein the first and second neutral-flap rotation pegs rotatably fit within the first and second neutral-flap peg notches to support the neutral-flap component and allow the neutral-flap component to hinge inward.

12. The tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly of claim 11 , further comprising: a hot-flap protuberance extending outward from a hot-flap distal edge of the hot-flap cover; and a neutral-flap protuberance extending outward from a neutral-flap distal edge of the neutral-flap cover.

13. The tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly of claim 12, further comprising: a hot-flap cavity formed between the hot-latch hook tip and the hot-flap proximal edge of the hot-flap component; and a neutral-flap cavity formed between the neutral-latch hook tip and the neutral-flap proximal edge of the neutral-flap component.

14. The tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly of claim 13, wherein in the initial closed position the hot-flap protuberance of the hot-flap component is seated in the neutral-flap cavity of the neutral-flap component, and the neutral-flap protuberance of the neutral-flap component is seated in the hot-flap cavity of the hot-flap component.

15. The tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly of claim 13 or claim 14, wherein, upon insertion of a hot prong and a neutral prong of an electrical plug into the hot-prong slot and neutral-prong slot of the tamper-resistant receptacle, the hot-flap cover hinges inward causing the hot-flap protuberance to become unseated from the hot-flap cavity.

16. A tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly comprising: a receptacle body configured with a hot-prong hole and a neutral-prong hole; a subassembly face component removably attached to the receptacle body, the subassembly face component including a hot-prong slot aligned with the hot-prong hole, and a neutral-prong slot aligned with the neutral-prong hole; a hot-flap component rotatably coupled to the receptacle body, the hot-flap component including a hot-flap cover aligned with the hot-prong slot and a hot-latch hook arm; a neutral-flap component rotatably coupled to the receptacle body, the neutral-flap component including a neutral-flap cover aligned with the neutral-prong slot and a neutral-latch hook arm; the hot-latch hook arm being laterally aligned with the neutral-flap component; the neutral-latch hook being laterally aligned with the hot-flap component; and a flap spring arranged to apply force on a lower side of the hot-flap component;wherein the hot-flap component and the neutral flap component are movable between a closed position where the flap spring supports the hot-flap cover substantially parallel to the neutral-flap cover and an open position where the hot-flap cover is inclined relative to the neutral-flap cover.

17. The tamper-resistant receptable sub-assembly of claim 16, wherein the hot-flap component including first pegs; the neutral-flap component including second pegs; and the receptacle body includes first notches for supporting the first pegs and second notches for supporting the second pegs.

18. The tamper-resistant receptable sub-assembly of claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the flap spring is a first spring, and wherein the tamper-resistant receptable sub-assembly further includes a second spring arranged to apply a force on a lower side of the neutral-flap component.

19. The tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly of any one of claims 16 to 18, further comprising: a hot-latch hook tip disposed on a distal end of the hot-latch hook arm; and a neutral-latch hook tip disposed on a distal end of the neutral-latch hook arm.

20. The tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly of any one of claims 16 to 19, further comprising: a first hot-flap rotation peg extending outward from a first hot-flap side of the hot-flap component, the first hot-flap rotation peg being oriented parallel to and adjacent a hot-flap proximal edge of the hot-flap component; a second hot-flap rotation peg extending outward from a second hot-flap side of the hot-flap component, the second hot-flap rotation peg being oriented parallel to and adjacent the hot-flap proximal edge; and first and second hot-flap peg notches formed on the receptacle body.21 . The tamper-resistant receptacle sub-assembly of any one of claims 16 to 20, further comprising: a first neutral-flap rotation peg extending outward from a first neutral-flap side of the neutral-flap component, the first neutral-flap rotation peg being oriented parallel to and adjacent a neutral-flap proximal edge of the neutral-flap component; a second neutral-flap rotation peg extending outward from a second neutralflap side of the neutral-flap component, the second neutral-flap rotation peg being oriented parallel to and adjacent the neutral-flap proximal edge; and first and second neutral-flap peg notches formed on the receptacle body.

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