The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 31, 2013
Filed:
Mar. 30, 2011
Larry W. Martin, Cupertino, CA (US);
John Gee Tang, Redwood City, CA (US);
Larry W. Martin, Cupertino, CA (US);
John Gee Tang, Redwood City, CA (US);
Amazon Technologies, Inc., Reno, NV (US);
Abstract
A receptacle may include a locking mechanism for retaining a plug in a mated condition. For example, the locking mechanism may engage with a hole formed in at least one prong of the plug. The locking mechanism may include at least one locking pin that moves to a retracted position during insertion of the plug into the receptacle, and that moves to an engaged position when the hole in the prong aligns with the locking pin. In some implementations, an electrical connection is not formed until the locking pin at least begins to engage with the hole in the prong. In some instances, an electrical contact may move into electrical connection with the prong as the locking pin engages with the hole in the prong. Furthermore, in some implementations, the receptacle may be included in a plug adapter for securely mating a plug with the plug adapter.