Patent attributes
A shuttered electrical connector for receiving an electrical plug, the plug having a hinged tail for lockingly engaging with the connector, is disclosed. The connector includes: a body 20 defining a socket having 22 an open mouth 24; a central shutter 30 hingedly mounted to the body 20 adjacent the open mouth 24 for rotation about a first hinge axis 32; and a pair of spaced apart side shutters 40 & 50 hingedly mounted to the body 20 adjacent the open mouth 24 for rotation about a second hinge axis 42, the second hinge axis 42 parallel to and spaced apart from the first hinge axis 32. The shutters are rotatable through approximately 90 degrees from: a closed position in which together they cover the open mouth 24 while presenting a substantially flat outer face, to an open position receiving the plug in which the central shutter is offset from the side shutters.
