Patent attributes
An access-restricted electrical receptacle is configured to permit proper access to energized electrical contacts within the receptacle by a corresponding and properly-aligned plug, and to substantially limit or prevent improper access by foreign objects. The receptacle includes a receptacle body that defines a shutter cavity and a ramped slide surface, a face portion coupled to the receptacle body and defining a plurality of outlet openings to the shutter cavity, and a shutter that is movable in the shutter cavity between an unblocking position and at least one blocking position. The face portion defines a ramped return surface spaced from the ramped slide surface, and the shutter includes contact surfaces that engage the slide surface and the return surface during operation. Optionally, the ramped surfaces may be formed in either or both of a side wall or a base wall of the receptacle body and the face portion.
