Patent attributes
A ground prong power switch for an electrical receptacle having an open switch position in which current is prevented from flowing to a receptacle outlet and a closed switch position in which current can flow to the outlet, which switch is activated by the insertion or removal of a ground prong of a plug into pin receiving slot of the outlet. A phase conductor is connected directly to a first switch mechanism, and a separate conductor is connected between the switch mechanism and the hot terminal of the receptacle. In a first open switch position a pair of contacts is electrically disconnected and in a second closed switch position the contacts are touching and an electrical current is reinstated to the hot terminal of the receptacle. A tab portion extends into the distal end of the ground prong receiving slot such that upon a ground prong being inserted into the ground prong receiving slot, the tab is contacted and is depressed outwardly causing the switch mechanism to move to the second closed switch position. The tab portion is tapered towards its end, so that items other than a ground prong inserted in the slot will likely deflect to the side of the tab and not activate the switch and close the circuit. Also provided is an electrical adapter plug device configured to enable a two-pronged power cord plug to be used with and energize the safety outlet or receptacle device including a female socket portion configured for receiving the two-prong plug and a three-prong plug portion including an activator pin configured to be received in a grounding pin slot of a socket and further including a mechanism for preventing the two-prong plug from being easily disengaged from the adapter.
