US Patent 8647134 Charge cord lock for electric vehicle

A charge cord assembly for a vehicle having a charging receptacle for engaging the charge cord during battery recharging. The charge cord assembly includes an electric cord extending between a source of electric current and the charging receptacle; a cord end connector engaging the electric cord and having a electrical socket engaging the charging receptacle, a latch hook that selectively secures the cord end connector to the charging receptacle, a release handle, a release linkage assembly engaged between the release handle and the latch hook to release the latch hook from the charging receptacle when the release handle is actuated; and a lock assembly having a locked position that prevents the release linkage assembly from releasing the latch hook from the charging receptacle and an unlocked position that allows the release linkage assembly to release the latch hook from the charging receptacle when the release handle is actuated.