Retention components are provided that are configured to retain a first end of an electrical cord in a plugged configuration with an electrical outlet. The retention components have an interior sized to receive the first end therein and include an wire opening having at least one dimension that is smaller than the corresponding dimension of the first end so that the first end cannot pass therethrough. In one form, a wall plate is provided having retention portion configured to retain a first end of an electrical cord, such that with the wall plate secured to a wall or other substrate, the first end of the electrical cord is retained between the wall and the wall plate.

A locking mechanism includes a drive motor; a locking member configured to perform a linear reciprocating motion along a predetermined movement path by the drive motor, and selectively locking or unlocking a predetermined object to be locked according to a position of the locking member on the movement path; a position sensor including a sensor gear rotatably driven by the drive motor and a variable resistor of which a resistance value is varied according to a rotation angle of the sensor gear; and a controller configured to determine an operating state of the locking member on the basis of a voltage value applied to the variable resistor.

A cover that includes a main body covering to be attached to a connector main body including an insertion hole through which a bolt for attaching to a device can be inserted; and a bolt covering that is formed integrally with the main body covering and is for covering a head of the bolt inserted through the insertion hole, wherein: the main body covering includes: a cylindrical covering for covering the connector main body; and a fixing member for fixing the covering in a fastened state to the connector main body, the bolt covering is formed so as to extend outward in a radial direction of the covering from an outer circumferential surface of the covering, and the bolt covering is an integral product made of elastic synthetic resin that is formed integrally with the covering.

An apparatus for locking welding leads together and for protecting such welding leads, such apparatus including two shell members hingedly attached together, an appendage, and an engagement member wherein the appendage and engagement member are configured for engaging with one another. The engagement member further includes a lock housing and associated built-in lock for locking the appendage to the engagement member, thereby locking the first shell member to the second shell member and, if two welding lead cable connectors are located in the primary cavity, locking the two welding lead cable connectors inside the shell.

A plug connector having two housings and a locking clip and a catch for locking and unlocking the two housings is provided, wherein the locking clip is rotatably mounted on one of the two housings. The catch comprises at least one part and is arranged on the locking clip. It has a folded-out position and a folded-in position. In addition, the catch has at least one articulated connection and is formed in the shape of a Z-beam or Z-support. The catch prevents inadvertent opening and closing of the locking clip with simultaneously simple handling for the user. Methods for locking and unlocking a plug connection are also provided.

A method and system for contraband detection is provided that allows for the determining whether devices are authorized to receive power from an outlet. A power adapter and/or an outlet authenticate a device when it is connected to the outlet through the power adapter. On the basis of this authentication, a determination is made whether the devices are to receive power from the outlet. If the device is authorized, the outlet is activated, transitioning from inactive state (where no power is relayed through the outlet) to an active state (where power is relayed through the outlet).

In a vehicle capable of external charging, when the connection of an inlet of the vehicle with a charging cable is detected, an ECU transmits a locking command to a locking device. When it is determined that the locking device is in a locked state, the ECU permits external charging, and when it is determined that the locking device is not in the locked state, the ECU does not permit external charging. When the ECU does not permit external charging, the ECU displays information about manual locking by manual operation. When it is determined that the locking device is in the locked state after the ECU does not permit external charging, the ECU permits external charging.

A plug socket includes a recess receiving a charging plug in a plug-in direction and a locking element movable from a plug-in position into a blocking position. The recess terminates in an insertion opening in the plug-in direction and has an undercut acting in the plug-in direction to latch a latching element of the charging plug. The locking element in the plug-in position is located in the recess and overlaps the undercut transverse to the plug-in direction. The blocking position is spaced apart from the plug-in position in the plug-in direction and the locking element is located closer to the insertion opening in the blocking position than in the plug-in position.

A charging connector control system may include a charging control unit of a charging equipment for supplying a control signal for charging; and a vehicle control unit for changing a sensing control signal to a normal control signal by executing a variable resistor control according to whether the sensing control signal, which is generated by sensing the control signal transmitted through a charging connector for connecting the charging equipment and a vehicle, is normal.

The secured storage receives an electronic device including but not limited to a tablet, smart phone, mobile computing device, or other computing device. The secured storage provides a charging system that charges the device. The system selectively charges the devices based upon identified rules. The lock of the secured storage secures the electronic device within the storage. The system maintains a log of the users who access the electronic devices. The system then control access by granting access to users and restricting access to users based upon usage history, behavior, or other criteria.