US Patent 7144266 Rotatable earth pin in an electrical plug

An electrical plug is disclosed having a rotatable earth pin that can be folded into a plug body by rotating the rotatable earth pin from an unfolded position to a folded position. In the unfolded position, the rotatable earth pin is interlocked with the plug body through a locking tab on a snap lock that latches onto the plug body. To release the rotatable earth pin from its unfolded position, pressure is exerted onto the locking tab to release the snap lock, which allows the rotatable earth pin to move and rotate to a folded position. Locking pins and associated grooves releasably retain the rotatable earth pin in its folded position.