DEVICE AND METHOD FOR LOCKING ELECTRICAL PLUGS TO POWER OUTLETS

Abstract

The present invention comprises a method and a device for connecting and locking electrical plugs into power outlets. This prevents plugs from being shaken or accidentally withdrawn, and hence avoids any disturbance of electric current or occurrence of electric spark which may cause fires. In the case where no plug is plugged in, the current invention blocks the socket openings to prevent children from tampering with it or trying to insert any metal objects therein that might expose them to electric shocks. By this invention, an adult can connect and lock electrical plugs easily while it is impossible doing it by children. There are various embodiments of this invention making it suitable for use in many fields that need a continuous electrical feed without interruption such as medical devices, computers, factory equipment, and home appliances among many other examples.

Claims

1. A locking electrical receptacle (112) for receiving and releasably locking an electrical plug therein comprising: a receptacle housing having a plurality aperture (78, 80) for receiving prongs of said plug; and at least two terminal contacts (42, 44) for connecting electricity to said prongs; and a clamping mechanism (54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64) mounted between said terminal contacts and said apertures an actuation means (66, 90) having defined locking and unlocking positions for actuating said clamping mechanism, at said locking position, said actuation means urges said clamping mechanism to apply a defined clamping force onto at least one of said prongs making said plug fastened in place

2. The locking receptacle in claim 1 wherein said clamping force is applied in a symmetrical manner to prevent bending said prongs.

3. The locking receptacle in claim 1 wherein said actuation means comprising a cam (90) for switching said clamping mechanism between clamping and releasing said prongs.

4. The locking receptacle in claim 1 wherein said actuation means comprising an oval cam (90) which has long and short sides such that switching between said sides shifts said clamping mechanism between clamping and releasing said prongs.

5. The locking receptacle in claim 1 wherein said clamping mechanism comprising movable jaws (54, 56).

6. The locking receptacle in claim 5 wherein said jaws (54, 56) having friction pads (58, 60, 62, 64) for increasing friction between said jaws and said prongs.

7. The locking receptacle in claim 6 wherein said friction pads (58, 60, 62, 64) are made from rubber.

8. The locking receptacle in claim 5 wherein said jaws are structured for blocking said apertures when no electrical plugs are inserted therein and said actuation means is in said locking position.

9. A male electrical connector (114) for being connected and releasably anchored into a power outlet to prevent unintentional withdrawal by withdrawal force comprising: a plurality of electrically conductive pins (34, 36) for contacting terminals of said power outlet, and at least one of said pins having a root portion with high friction surface (96, 98); and an anchoring mechanism (26, 28, 38, 40) for diverting said withdrawal force to a lateral force and transmitting said lateral force to said pins, wherein said lateral force urges said pins to angularly deflect against bores of said power outlet causing said connector to anchor within said power outlet.

10. The electrical connector in claim 9 wherein said male connector is further comprising a releasing means (70, 108, 110) for deactivating said anchoring mechanism to install or remove said connector from said power outlet.

11. An electrical adapter (10) for connecting and releasably locking an electrical plug to a power outlet and preventing said plug from being removed by withdrawal force, comprising: a first side having a male electrical connector (114) is able to be inserted and releasably anchored into said power outlet comprising: a plurality of electrically conductive pins (34, 36) for contacting terminals of said power outlet, and at least one of said pins having a root portion with high friction surface (96, 98); and an anchoring mechanism (38, 40) is able to angularly deflect at least one of said pins against bores of said power outlet causing said connector to anchor within said power outlet, a second side having a locking electrical receptacle (112) for receiving and releasably locking said electrical plug comprising: a receptacle housing having a plurality aperture (78, 80) for receiving prongs of said plug; and at least two terminal contacts (42, 44) connected to said connector pins of said male connector; and a clamping mechanism (54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64) having locking and unlocking positions, said clamping mechanism is mounted between said terminal contacts and said apertures such that in said locking position, said clamping mechanism applies a clamping force on at least on of said prongs, and in said unlocking position, said clamping mechanism releases said clamping force from said prongs making said plug free to withdraw; an assembly means (50) for combining said first and second sides, said assembly means is structured for controlling said clamping mechanism of said locking receptacle and said anchoring mechanism of said electrical connector, wherein said assembly means is synchronizing positions of said clamping mechanism and said anchoring mechanism such that both are in locking or unlocking positions simultaneously.

12. The adapter in claim 11 wherein said clamping mechanism comprising movable jaws (54, 56) having friction pads (58, 60, 62, 64).

13. The adapter in claim 12 wherein said jaws are guided by an oval cam (90) which has long and short sides such that said jaws are aligned with said short side when said clamping mechanism is in said locking position, and said jaws are aligned with said long side when said clamping mechanism is in said unlocking position.

14. The adapter in claim 11 wherein said anchoring mechanism is further comprising a deflection amplifier means (26, 28, 30, 32) for diverting said withdrawal force to a lateral force and transmitting said lateral force to said pins, wherein said lateral force increases said angular deflection of said pins therefore increases attachment of said pins.

15. A method for locking and unlocking an electrical plug in a power outlet comprising the steps of: providing a locking device (10) that includes a locking receptacle (112) in a first side having a clamping mechanism (54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64) and contact terminals (42, 44) therein, said receptacle is capable of receiving and releasably locking said electrical plug; and a male connector (114) in a second side having a plurality of deflectable conductive pins (34, 36) with at least one having high friction surface at root (96, 98), said connector pins are mounted in a movable anchoring mechanism (38, 40) which is able to radially move at least one of said pins, said male connector is capable of anchoring into power outlet when one or more of said pins is deflected; and a body portion (50) for combining said two sides, said body is coupled with a rotatable sleeve (66) which is axially rotatable clockwise and counterclockwise for controlling said clamping mechanism and said anchoring mechanism simultaneously to lock or unlock respectively plugging said locking device into said power outlet such that said male connector pins are inserted into bores of said power outlet, plugging said electrical plug into said locking receptacle in said second side of said locking device, twisting said rotatable sleeve or said electric plug clockwise for connecting electric power from said power outlet to said electrical plug through said connector pins and receptacle terminals urging said clamping mechanism to lock said electrical plug into said locking receptacle urging said anchoring mechanism of said male connector to deflect at least one of said pins to anchor into said power outlet bores, whereby said electrical plug is connected and locked into said locking receptacle and said male connector is connected and anchored into said power outlet bores, twisting said rotatable sleeve or said electric plug counterclockwise for disconnecting electric power to said electrical plug releasing said clamping mechanism urging said anchoring mechanism to align said connector pins with said outlet bores whereby said electrical plug unlocked and able to be unplugged, further said locking device is released and able to be unplugged too.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] A clear understanding of the key features of the invention summarized above may be had by reference to the appended drawings which illustrate the method and device of this invention. These drawings depict preferred embodiments of the invention and, therefore, are not to be considered as limiting its scope with regard to other embodiments which the invention is capable of contemplating.

[0037] FIG. 1 a perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention between plugs and power outlets.

[0038] FIG. 2 a back perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention.

[0039] FIG. 3 a front perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention.

[0040] FIG. 4 a back fully exploded view of the first embodiment of the invention.

[0041] FIG. 5 a front fully exploded view of the first embodiment of the invention.

[0042] FIG. 6 a front exploded perspective view of the receptacle of the first embodiment of the invention.

[0043] FIG. 7 a back exploded perspective view of the receptacle of the first embodiment of the invention.

[0044] FIG. 8 a back exploded perspective view of the male connector of the first embodiment of the invention.

[0045] FIG. 9 a front exploded perspective view of the male connector of the first embodiment of the invention.

[0046] FIG. 10 a perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention between a plug type (F) and a power outlet type (F).

[0047] FIG. 11 a perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention installed in the power outlet.

[0048] FIG. 12 a perspective view showing a plug type (F) installed and unlocked.

[0049] FIG. 13 a perspective view showing a plug type (F) installed and locked.

[0050] FIG. 14 a side sectional view showing, the plug type (F) installed and unlocked, taken along lines I-I of FIG. 12.

[0051] FIG. 15 a front sectional view showing, the plug type (F) installed and unlocked, taken along lines II-II of FIG. 14.

[0052] FIG. 16 a side sectional view showing, the plug type (F) installed and locked, taken along lines III-III of FIG. 13.

[0053] FIG. 16a a side detail view showing, the force distribution on the male connector.

[0054] FIG. 17 a front sectional view showing, the plug type (F) installed and locked, taken along lines IV-IV of FIG. 16.

[0055] FIG. 18 a front sectional view showing, the jaws in the unlock position, taken along lines V-V of FIG. 12.

[0056] FIG. 19 a front sectional view showing, the jaws in the lock position, taken along lines VI-VI of FIG. 13.

[0057] FIG. 20 a front sectional view showing, the plug prongs at the unlock position and prongs are not connected to terminal contact, taken along lines VII-VII of FIG. 12.

[0058] FIG. 21 a front sectional view showing, the plug prongs at the lock position and prongs are connected to terminal contact, taken along lines VIII-VIII of FIG. 13.

[0059] FIG. 22 a cut in plug type (F) showing the ground connection.

[0060] FIG. 23 a side sectional view showing, the two ground connections of plug type (F), taken along lines IX-IX of FIG. 22.

[0061] FIG. 24 a perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention between a plug type (C) and a power outlet type (F).

[0062] FIG. 25 a perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention installed in the power outlet.

[0063] FIG. 26 a perspective view showing, the plug type (C) installed and unlocked.

[0064] FIG. 27 a perspective view showing, the plug type (C) installed and locked.

[0065] FIG. 28 a side sectional view showing, the plug type (C) installed and unlocked, taken along lines X-X of FIG. 26.

[0066] FIG. 29 a front sectional view showing the plug type (C) installed and unlocked, taken along lines XI-XI of FIG. 28.

[0067] FIG. 30 a side sectional view showing, the plug type (C) installed and locked, taken along lines XII-XII of FIG. 27.

[0068] FIG. 31 a front sectional view showing, the plug type (C) installed and locked, taken along lines XIII-XIII of FIG. 30.

[0069] FIG. 32 a perspective view showing, a power outlet type (F) with two outlets.

[0070] FIG. 33 a perspective view showing, the first embodiment locking a plug type (C) to a power outlet.

[0071] FIG. 34 a perspective view showing, two first embodiments locking two plugs to two power outlets.

[0072] FIG. 35 a front perspective view showing, the first embodiment of the invention installed and unlocked into a power outlet and its openings are open.

[0073] FIG. 36 a front perspective view showing, the first embodiment of the invention locked into the power outlet and its openings are blocked.

[0074] FIG. 37 a perspective view showing, the second embodiment of this invention.

[0075] FIG. 38 a perspective view showing, the second embodiment opened to show the connection between its terminal contacts and the electric cable.

[0076] FIG. 39 a perspective view showing, further details of the second embodiment electrical connection.

[0077] FIG. 40 a front perspective view showing, the third embodiment of this invention connected to an electric cable.

[0078] FIG. 41 a rear perspective view showing, the third embodiment of this invention connected to an electric cable.

[0079] FIG. 42 a perspective view showing the third embodiment opened and connected to an electric cable.

[0080] FIG. 43 a front perspective view showing, the third embodiment mounted to the wall by a mounting means.

[0081] FIG. 44 a rear perspective view showing the third embodiment mounted to a wall and connected to the in-wall electrical wires.

[0082] FIG. 45 a perspective view showing the third embodiment within a hub means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0083] Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

[0084] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising”, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

TABLE-US-00001 Drawings Reference Numerals:  4 Withdrawal Force  6 Inclined Force  8 Friction Force 10 The First Embodiment 12 Electrical Plug Type (C) 14 Electrical Plug Type (F) 16 Power outlet Type (C-A) 18 Power outlet Type (F) 20 Power outlet Type (C) 22 Wall 24 Base Plate 26, 28 Pusher 30, 32 Spring 34, 36 Special Pin 38, 40 Leg 42, 44 Terminal contact 46, 48 Stationary Ground Contact 50 Assembling shell 52 Security Lip 54, 56 Jaw 58, 60, 62, 64 Friction Pad 66 Rotatable Sleeve 68 Security Button 70 Legs Guide Fin 71 Receptacle Housing 72 Jaws Guide Fin 74, 76 Rotatable Ground Contact 78, 80 Aperture 82, 84 Groove 86, 88 Smooth Tip 90 Oval cam 92, 94 Smooth Metallic Portion 96, 98 High Friction Portion 100, 102 Pusher's Inclined Surface 104, 106 Legs Inclined Surface 108, 110 Paddle 112  Locking Receptacle 114  Male connector 116, 118 Bore 120, 122 Clip 124, 126 (F) Plug Metallic prong 128, 130 (F) Power outlet Earth Clip 132, 134 (F) Plug Earth Clip 136, 138 (C) Plug Metallic prong 140, 142 (C) Plug Insulated prong 148, 150 Back Shell  152, 154, Cable 156, 158 Cable 160  Wall Mounting means 162  Electric Box 164  Power Hub 152a, b, c Wire Terminal 154a, b, c Wire Terminal 156a, b, c Wire Terminal

[0085] In the description which follows, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and, in some instances, proportions have been exaggerated in order to allow clearer depiction of certain features of the invention.

[0086] FIGS. 1 to 36 illustrate the components and methods of use of the first embodiment of this invention as follows:

[0087] FIG. 1 shows the first embodiment (10) between the electrical plug type (C) (12) and type (F) (14) and the wall outlets type (C) (20), type (F) (18) and the combined type (C-A) (16).

[0088] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the first embodiment comprises two sides. The first is an axially rotatable locking receptacle (112) that can receive and lock electrical plugs therein. The second side is a male connector (114) with two special pins (34), (36) which is able to be inserted and anchored in power outlets. Both sides are assembled to the assembling shell (50).

[0089] Components of the first embodiment are exploded in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. These Components are divided into three main parts, a locking receptacle (112), a male connector (114), and an assembling shell (50).

[0090] The male connector (114) comprises a base plate (24) and two pushers (26), (28) which are separated away by two springs (30), (32). The two springs are preloaded so they always force pushers (26), (28) to move outward. The two legs (38), (40) hold the two special pins (34), (36) and connect them to the two terminals (42), (44). The stationary ground contacts (46), (48) are fixed to the assembling shell (50).

[0091] The locking receptacle (112) comprises a receptacle housing (71) and two clamping jaws (54), (56). Each jaw has two friction pads (58), (60) and (62), (64). The locking receptacle also comprises a rotatable sleeve (66), a security button (68), a jaws guide fin (72), a legs guide fin (70) and two rotatable ground contacts (74), (76).

[0092] The locking receptacle (112) illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 is the key responsible for fixing and locking electrical plugs. It comprises a rotatable sleeve (66) and two clamping jaws (54), (56). The rotatable sleeve (66) contains two rotatable contacts (74), (76) which connect ground line to the plug earth clips. Additionally, it comprises two apertures (78), (80) that plug prongs are inserted in. Also, it has jaws guide fin (72) and legs guide fin (70). Further, it has a security button (68). Each jaw (54) and (56) contains two friction pads (58), (60) and (64), (62) respectively. These pads could be rubber, silicon or any other material which has a high friction coefficient. Jaws guide fin (72) guides jaws (54), (56) through grooves (82), (84) so that the jaws (54), (56) are able to slide radially and rotate with the jaws guide fin (72). Each jaw (54), (56) has its smooth tip (86), (88) which can slide freely inside the oval cam (90) of the assembling shell (50).

[0093] FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 illustrate the male connector which is responsible for anchoring in the power outlet circular bores. Pins (34), (36) are specially made for the purpose of generating a high friction so each pin has a smooth metallic portion (92), (94) and a high friction portion (96), (98) which may be rough, textured or coated by a high friction material. The two special pins (34), (36) are fixed to an anchoring mechanism which comprises two legs (38), (40), each leg has an inclined smooth surface (104), (106) and a paddle (108), (110). Legs inclined surfaces (104), (106) are adjacent to Pushers inclined smooth surfaces (100), (102) so they can slide freely over each other. Pushers (26), (28) are subjected to an outward force exerted by two preloaded springs (30), (32). The outward force is transmitted to legs (38), (40) through the pushers inclined smooth surfaces (100), (102)

[0094] FIG. 10 through FIG. 13 are showing the process of fixing and locking an electric plug type (F) to a power outlet type (F). FIG. 10 illustrates the arrangement of the power outlet (18), the first embodiment (10) and the electrical plug (14). In FIG. (11), the first embodiment (10) is inserted in power outlet (18). In FIG. 12 the plug (14) is inserted in the other side of the first embodiment (10). By turning either the rotatable sleeve (66) or the plug (14) 90 degrees clockwise, the three members power outlet (18), the first embodiment (10) and the electrical plug (14) will be all fixed together and locked and the electric power will be connected to the plug (14). In FIG. 13, electrical plug (14) is fixed and locked in place with the power outlet (18) so it cannot be turned or pulled out. To unlock and remove the electrical plug (14), the security button (68) must be pressed then either the rotatable sleeve (66) or the plug (14) must be turned 90 degrees counterclockwise.

[0095] FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 are sectional views which provide further illustration of the first embodiment (10) unlocked and connected to the power outlet (18) and the electrical plug (14). As shown in FIG. 14, the first embodiment is in the unlock position and the male connector is free to slide in and out within the outlet bores (116), (118). That is because the legs guide fin (70) is preventing any movement of the paddles (110), (108). Consequently, legs (38), (40) are fixed in place against pushers (26), (28). Therefore, pins (34), (36) are aligned with the outlet bores (116), (118). So, they can be inserted or removed easily without touching the surface of bores (116), (118).

[0096] FIG. 15 shows plug prongs (124), (126) between the two clamping jaws (54), (56) and four friction pads (58), (60), (62), (64). When the device is in the unlock position, jaws guide fin (72) directs the two jaws (54), (56) to be aligned with the major diameter of the oval cam (90) so these four friction pads (58), (60), (62), (64) are uncompressed and plugs pins (124), (126) are free to move in and out.

[0097] FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 are sectional views taken in FIG. 13 which demonstrate the first embodiment in the lock position and how it fixes plug and power outlet together. In FIG. 16, a side sectional view showing how the plug prongs (124), (126) are connected to the power outlet clips (122), (120) through terminal contacts (42), (44) and special pins (34), (36). FIG. 16 is further demonstrate the anchoring mechanism that consists of springs (30), (32), pushers (26), (28) and legs (38), (40). This anchoring mechanism is responsible of fixing the male connector (114) in the power outlet (18). The anchoring mechanism is controlled through the leg guide fin (70) which, when rotated 90 degrees, frees the legs (38), (40) to move outward by the two springs (30), (32). This outward movement pushes the two special pins (34), (36) against the outlet bores (116), (118). Therefore, An Initial friction Force is generated between the sides of outlet bores (116), (118) and the pins high friction portions (96), (98). This initial friction force fixes the male connector (114) in the power outlet (18).

[0098] When a withdrawal force is applied to the plug (14) or the first embodiment (10), the anchoring mechanism will increase the friction force between the outlet bores (116), (118) and the pins high friction portions (96), (98) to prevent withdrawal of the plug (14) and the first embodiment (10).

[0099] FIG. 16a) illustrates the working principle of the anchoring mechanism when a withdrawal force (4) is applied. The withdrawal force is transmitted to the base plate (24) through assembling shell (50). The base plate (24) transmits the withdrawal force (4) to pushers (26), (28). The inclined surface between pushers (26), (28) and legs (38), (40) will divert the withdrawal force (4) to the inclined force (6). This inclined force (6) will increase the pressure on the special pins (34), (36) which increases the friction force (8) proportionally.

[0100] FIG. 17 is showing plug prongs (124), (126) clamped with friction pads (58), (60), (62), (64). These pads are compressed because the clamping jaws (54), (56) are rotated and aligned with the minor diameter of the oval cam (90). Both jaws apply equal forces on the opposite sides of plug prongs (124), (126). The symmetry of forces applied on the prongs (124), (126) produces a pure clamping force without any bending components. Due to this clamping force, the plug (14) will be fasten in place without deflecting, bending or moving the prongs (124), (126).

[0101] FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 are showing the plug prongs (124), (126) between friction pads (58), (60), (62), (64) while the first embodiment is in the unlocking and locking positions respectively.

[0102] FIG. 20 and FIG. 21 are showing the plug prongs (124), (126) and the terminal contacts (42), (44) in unlock and lock positions respectively. It also illustrates that the electric power is not transmitted to plug pins (124), (126) until they contact terminal contacts (41), (44) which happens only when the plug is locked.

[0103] FIG. 22 and FIG. 23 illustrate how the ground line is connected between plug earth clips (132), (134) and the power outlets earth clips (128), (130) through the rotatable ground contacts (74), (76) and stationary ground contact (46), (48).

[0104] The first embodiment of this invention (10) is also capable of fixing plug type (C) with all power outlet types as shown in FIG. 24 through FIG. 31. All the previous descriptions about plug (F) (14) are common with plug (C) (12) except that there are no earth clips in plug type (C) (12).

[0105] FIG. 32, FIG. 33 and FIG. 34 are illustrating simplicity of the first embodiment (10) which makes it capable of fitting in a multiple outlet (148) side by side with another electrical plug.

[0106] FIG. 35 and FIG. 36 show that the first embodiment can be used itself as a tamper-resistant device by installing it in the power outlet then rotating its rotatable sleeve (66) 90 degrees clockwise. Then the first embodiment (10) will be fixed and locked in place with the power outlet (18) and the two apertures (78), (80) will be blocked by the friction pads (58), (60), (62), (64). To reuse the power outlet again, the security button (68) must be pressed then rotatable sleeve (66) must be rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise so the apertures (78), (80) will be open.

[0107] FIGS. 37 through 39 illustrate the second embodiment of this invention, which is a lockable electrical plug. This lockable plug comprises a male connector (114), an assembling shell (50), rotatable sleeve (66) and a back shell (148). In FIG. (38) and FIG. 39, the male connector is connected to the cable (152) through wire terminals (152a) and (152b) while the ground contact (48) is connected to the ground wire terminal (152c). The second embodiment of this invention can be inserted or removed from power outlets as a conventional plug while the rotatable sleeve (66) is in the unlock position. However, it can be locked in the power outlet when the rotatable sleeve (66) is rotated 90 degrees clockwise. The male connectors in the first embodiment and in the second one are identically having the same components and working principles. So, all descriptions and figures of the male connector in the first embodiment are applied to the second embodiment.

[0108] The third embodiment of this invention is another configuration of the locking receptacle (112) (described in the first embodiment). It has the same main components and working principles recited in the first embodiment descriptions and figures. With some modifications, this locking receptacle can be used as a power extension or a wall outlet.

[0109] FIGS. 40 through 45 illustrate the different configurations of the third embodiment. In FIGS. 40, 41 and 42, the first configuration comprises the locking receptacle (112) connected to an electric cable (154) to be used as a single port power extension with an extra option of locking plugs therein. FIG. 42 shows the connection between the locking receptacle (112) and the electric cable (154). Terminals contacts (42), (44) are connected to the wire terminals (154a), (154b) and the ground contact (76) is connected to the wire terminal (154c).

[0110] In FIG. 43 and FIG. 44, a wall outlet configuration of the third embodiment is shown. Mounting the locking receptacle (112) to the wall (22) by a mounting means (160) provides another application of the third embodiment. In this configuration the third embodiment works like a conventional wall outlet. Further, it is able to lock plugs inserted therein. In FIG. 44, the terminal contacts (42), (44) are connected to the wire terminals (156a), (156b) of the wall electrical cable (156) and the ground contact (76) is connected to the ground wire terminal (156c).

[0111] In FIG. 45, the third embodiment of this invention is configured as a power hub when multiple locking receptacles (112) are assembled to a power hub (164) and connected to a cable (158).

[0112] While three embodiments have been shown and described, many variations are possible. With time, additional features may be employed. The particular shape or configuration of the platform or the interior configuration may be changed to suit the system or equipment with which it is used.

[0113] Having described the invention in detail, those skilled in the art will appreciate that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from its spirit. Therefore, it is not intended that the scope of the invention be limited to the specific embodiment illustrated and described. Rather, it is intended that the scope of this invention be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0114] The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.