WO2025199941A1

WO2025199941A1 - Shutter assembly for providing tamper resistance to an outlet socket receptacle

Info

Publication number: WO2025199941A1
Application number: PCT/CN2024/084790
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hao Zhou; Jiali Chen; Xueqin SHEN
Original assignee: Honeywell International Inc
Current assignee: Honeywell International Inc
Priority date: 2024-03-29
Filing date: 2024-03-29
Publication date: 2025-10-02
Anticipated expiration: 2026-09-29

Abstract

An outlet socket may include a first outlet receptacle and a second outlet receptacle. Each of the first outlet receptacle and the second outlet receptacle may include a shutter assembly. Each of the shutter assemblies are configured to provide tamper resistance to a first outlet receptacle or a second outlet receptacle of an outlet socket while permitting a properly inserted electrical plug having a male hot conductor and a male neutral conductor to be easily inserted.

Description

SHUTTER ASSEMBLY FOR PROVIDING TAMPER RESISTANCE TO AN OUTLET SOCKET RECEPTACLE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to outlet sockets and more particularly to shutter assemblies for outlet sockets that provide tamper resistance.

BACKGROUND

Outlet sockets are commonly used for plugging electrical plugs into the outlet sockets in order to provide electrical power to a variety of different devices. Outlet socket receptacles are configured to provide 125 volts, 220 volts or even 250 volts, among others. Accidental contact with the electrical conductors within an outlet socket receptacle can be dangerous. In manyjurisdictions, there is a desire, ifnot a requirement, to make it more difficult for someone to accidentally contact one of the electrical conductors within an outlet socket receptacle. Shutter assemblies may be configured to allow proper insertion of an electrical plug including at least a male hot conductor and a male neutral conductor (and optionally a male ground conductor) while preventing insertion of a single component such as a nail, screwdriver or other conductor by people, especially children. What would be desirable are improved shutter assemblies that provide tamper resistance while reliably permitting proper insertion of an electrical plug.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates generally to outlet sockets and more particularly to shutter assemblies for outlet sockets that provide tamper resistance. An example may be found in a shutter assembly for providing tamper resistance to a first female contact and a second female contact of an electrical outlet receptacle in which the first female contact is configured to receive a first male conductor of an electrical plug and the second female contact is configured to receive a second male conductor of the electrical plug. The shutter assembly includes a first shutter that is movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the first shutter is biased toward the closed position and is configured to move toward the open position in response to receiving a translation force that is applied to a drive surface of the first shutter by the first male conductor of the electrical plug as the first male conductor of the electrical plug is moved toward the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle. The shutter assembly includes a second shutter that is movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the second shutter is biased toward the closed position and is configured to move toward the open position in response to receiving a translation force that is applied to a drive surface of the second shutter by the second male conductor of the electrical plug as the second male conductor of the electrical plug is moved toward the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle. The first shutter and the second shutter are configured to block the first male conductor of the electrical plug from engaging the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle and the second male conductor of the electrical plug from engaging the second female contact unless both the first shutter is in the open position and the second shutter is in the open position. The first shutter is configured to pivot about a first pivot and engage a first catch that deters the first shutter from moving toward the open position of the first shutter when the drive surface of the second shutter receives the translation force from the second male conductor of the electrical plug but the drive surface of the first shutter does not receive the translation force from the first male conductor of the electrical plug.

Another example may be found in a method for providing tamper resistance to a first female contact and a second female contact of an electrical outlet receptacle in which the first female contact is configured to receive a first male conductor of an electrical plug and the second female contact is configured to receive a second male conductor of the electrical plug. The illustrative method includes moving a first male object toward the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle without moving a second male object toward the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle. In response, a first shutter is moved to an open position of the first shutter and a second shutter is pivoted about a pivot to engage a catch that deters the second shutter from moving from a closed position toward an open position of the second shutter. The first shutter and the second shutter are configured to block the first male object from engaging the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle unless both the first shutter is in the open position and the second shutter is in the open position.

Another example may be found in a shutter assembly for providing tamper resistance to a first female contact and a second female contact of an electrical outlet receptacle in which the first female contact is configured to receive a first male conductor of an electrical plug and the second female contact is configured to receive a second male conductor of the electrical plug. The illustrative shutter assembly includes a first shutter that is movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the first shutter is configured to move toward the open position in response to a first male object being moved toward the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle. The shutter assembly includes a second shutter that is movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the second shutter is configured to move toward the open position in response to a second male object being moved toward the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle. The first shutter and the second shutter are configured to block the first male object from engaging the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle and the second male object from engaging the second female contact unless both the first shutter is in the open position and the second shutter is in the open position. The first shutter is configured to pivot about a first pivot and engage a first catch that deters the first shutter from moving toward the open position of the first shutter when the second shutter is moved toward the open position in response to the second male object being moved toward the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle and the first male object is not moved toward the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle.

Another example may be found in a shutter assembly for providing tamper resistance to a first female contact and a second female contact of an electrical outlet receptacle in which the first female contact is configured to receive a first male conductor of an electrical plug and the second female contact is configured to receive a second male conductor of the electrical plug. The illustrative shutter assembly includes a first shutter that is movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the first shutter is biased toward the closed position and is configured to move toward the open position in response to receiving a first translation force that is applied to a first drive surface of the first shutter by a first male object that is moved toward the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle and a second translation force that is applied to a second drive surface of the first shutter by a second male object that is moved toward the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle. The first shutter is configured to rotate about a pivot to engage a first catch that deters the first shutter from moving toward the open position when the first drive surface of the first shutter receives the first translation force from the first male object but the second drive surface of the first shutter does not receive the second translation force from the second male object. The first shutter is configured to rotate about the pivot to engage a second catch that deters the first shutter from moving toward the open position when the second drive surface of the first shutter receives the second translation force from the second male object but the first drive surface of the first shutter does not receive the first translation force from the first male object. The shutter assembly includes a second shutter that is movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the second shutter is configured to move toward the open position in response to receiving a translation force that is applied to a drive surface of the second shutter by the second male object that is moved toward the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle. The second shutter is blocked from moving toward the open position of the second shutter when the first shutter is not in the open position of the first shutter.

Another example may be found in a shutter assembly for providing tamper resistance to a first female contact and a second female contact of an electrical outlet receptacle in which the first female contact is configured to receive a first male conductor of an electrical plug and the second female contact is configured to receive a second male conductor of the electrical plug. The illustrative shutter assembly includes a shutter that is movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the shutter is biased toward the closed position and is configured to move toward the open position in response to receiving a translation force that is applied to a drive surface of the shutter by a male object that is moved toward the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle. The drive surface of the shutter includes a first region that initially engages the male object as the male object is moved toward the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle, wherein the continued movement of the male object against the first region moves the shutter from the closed position to an intermediate position. The drive surface of the shutter includes a second region that engages the male object to continue to move the shutter from the intermediate position toward the open position, wherein the first region presents a greater angle of incidence to the male object than the second region.

Another example may be found in a shutter assembly for providing tamper resistance to a first female contact and a second female contact of an electrical outlet receptacle in which the first female contact is configured to receive a first male conductor of an electrical plug and the second female contact is configured to receive a second male conductor of the electrical plug. The illustrative shutter assembly includes a shutter that is movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the shutter is biased toward the closed position and is configured to move toward the open position in response to receiving a translation force that is applied to a drive surface of the shutter by a male object that is moved toward the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle. The drive surface of the shutter presents an angle of incidence to the male object of at least 35 degrees along at least part of the movement of the shutter between the closed position to the open position.

Another example may be found in a shutter assembly for providing tamper resistance to a first female contact and a second female contact of an electrical outlet receptacle in which the first female contact is configured to receive a first male conductor of an electrical plug and the second female contact is configured to receive a second male conductor of the electrical plug. The illustrative shutter assembly includes a first shutter that is movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the first shutter is biased toward the closed position and is configured to move toward the open position in response to receiving a translation force that is applied to a drive surface of the first shutter by a first male object that is moved toward the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle. The shutter assembly includes a second shutter that is movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the second shutter is biased toward the closed position and is configured to move toward the open position in response to receiving a translation force that is applied to a drive surface of the second shutter by a second male object that is moved toward the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle. The shutter assembly includes a third shutter that is movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the third shutter is configured to move toward the open position in response to receiving a translation force that is applied to a drive surface of the third shutter by the second male object that is moved toward the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle. The shutter assembly includes a fourth shutter that is movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the fourth shutter is configured to move toward the open position in response to receiving a translation force that is applied to a drive surface of the fourth shutter by the second male object that is moved toward the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle. The first shutter, the second shutter, the third shutter and the fourth shutter are configured to block the first male object from engaging the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle and the second male object from engaging the second female contact unless the first shutter, the second shutter, the third shutter and the fourth shutter are all in their open positions.

Another example may be found in a method for providing tamper resistance to a first female contact and a second female contact of an electrical outlet receptacle in which the first female contact is configured to receive a first male conductor of an electrical plug and the second female contact is configured to receive a second male conductor of the electrical plug. The illustrative method includes moving a first male object toward the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle and simultaneously moving a second male object toward the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle, wherein the second male object is oriented parallel with the first male object (e.g. 15 Amp plug) or orthogonal to the first male object (e.g. 20 Amp plug) . When the second male object is orientated orthogonal to the first male object (e.g. 20 Amp plug) , the method includes moving a first shutter to an open position, moving a second shutter to an open position, moving a third shutter to an open position, and moving a fourth shutter to an open position. With the first shutter, the second shutter, the third shutter and the fourth shutter all in their open positions, the method includes allowing the first male object to engage the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle and allowing the second male object that is orientated orthogonal to the first male object to engage the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle. When the second male object is orientated parallel to the first male object (e.g. 15 Amp plug) , the method includes moving the first shutter to the open position, moving the second shutter to the open position, not moving the third shutter to the open position, and not moving the fourth shutter to the open position. With the first shutter and the second shutter in their open positions, and the third shutter and the fourth shutter in their closed positions, the method includes allowing the first male object to engage the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle and allowing the second male object that is orientated parallel to the first male object to engage the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle.

Another example may be found in a method for providing tamper resistance to a first female contact and a second female contact of an electrical outlet receptacle in which the first female contact is configured to receive a first male conductor of an electrical plug and the second female contact is configured to receive a second male conductor of the electrical plug. The illustrative method includes moving a first male object toward the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle and simultaneously moving a second male object toward the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle, and in response, moving a first shutter to an open position as the first male object engages a drive surface of the first shutter, moving a second shutter to an open position as the second male object engages a drive surface of the second shutter, moving a third shutter to an open position when the second male object engages a driving surface of the third shutter, and moving a fourth shutter to an open position when the second male object engages a driving surface of the fourth shutter. When the second male object does not engage the driving surface of the third shutter and the driving surface of the fourth shutter, the method includes allowing the first male object to engage the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle and allowing the second male object to engage the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle when the first shutter and the second shutter are in their open position and the third shutter and the fourth shutter are in their closed positions. When the second male object does engage the driving surface of the third shutter and the driving surface of the fourth shutter, the method includes allowing the first male object to engage the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle and allowing the second male object to engage the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle when the first shutter, the second shutter, the third shutter and the fourth shutter are all in their open positions.

The preceding summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the innovative features unique to the present disclosure and is not intended to be a full description. Afull appreciation of the disclosure can be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, figures, and abstract as a whole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The disclosure may be more completely understood in consideration of the following description of various examples in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of an illustrative outlet socket including one or more trim plates and having a first socket receptacle style;

Figure 2 is a front view of an illustrative outlet socket including one or more trim plates and having a second socket receptacle style;

Figure 3 is a front view of the line voltage components of the illustrative outlet sockets of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a front plate forming part of the illustrative outlet socket of Figure 1, revealing an illustrative shutter assembly;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the illustrative shutter assembly of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a perspective partially cutaway view of the illustrative shutter assembly of Figure 4, revealing details of a first side of the illustrative shutter assembly;

Figure 7 is a perspective partially cutaway view of the illustrative shutter assembly of Figure 4, revealing details of a second side of the illustrative shutter assembly;

Figure 8 is a partially cutaway side view of the illustrative shutter assembly of Figure 4, showing how the illustrative shutter assembly prevents insertion of a single male object;

Figure 9 is a partially cutaway side view of the illustrative shutter assembly of Figure 4, showing how the illustrative shutter assembly prevents insertion of a single male object;

Figure 10 is a partially cutaway side view of the illustrative shutter assembly of Figure 4, showing how the illustrative shutter assembly permits simultaneous insertion of the hot and neutral conductors of an electrical plug;

Figures 11A and 11B are flow diagrams that together show an illustrative method for providing tamper resistance to a first female contact and a second female contact of an electrical outlet receptacle;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of an illustrative shutter assembly usable in the illustrative outlet socket of Figure 1;

Figure 13 is a rear view of a portion of the illustrative shutter assembly of Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a flow diagram showing an illustrative method for providing tamper resistance to a first female contact and a second female contact of an electrical outlet receptacle;

Figure 15 is a flow diagram showing an illustrative method for providing tamper resistance to a first female contact and a second female contact of an electrical outlet receptacle;

Figure 16 is a perspective view of an illustrative shutter assembly usable in the illustrative outlet socket of Figure 1;

Figure 17 is a partially cutaway side view of the illustrative shutter assembly of Figure 16, showing how the illustrative shutter assembly prevents insertion of a single male object;

Figure 18 is a partially cutaway side view of the illustrative shutter assembly of Figure 16, showing how the illustrative shutter assembly prevents insertion of a single male object;

Figure 19 is a perspective view of the illustrative shutter assembly of Figure 16, showing how the illustrative shutter assembly prevents insertion of a single male object;

Figure 20 is a schematic view of the illustrative shutter assembly of Figure 16, showing how the illustrative shutter assembly permits insertion of the hot and neutral conductors of an electrical plug (e.g. 10 Amp plug) ;

Figure 21 is a schematic view of the illustrative shutter assembly of Figure 16, showing how the illustrative shutter assembly permits insertion of the hot and neutral conductors of an electrical plug (e.g. 20 Amp plug) ;

Figure 22 is a perspective view of an illustrative shutter assembly usable in the illustrative outlet socket of Figure 1; and

Figure 23 is a cross-sectional view of the illustrative shutter assembly of Figure 22, taken along the line 23-23 of Figure 22.

While the disclosure is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the disclosure to the particular examples described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

DESCRIPTION

The following description should be read with reference to the drawings, in which like elements in different drawings are numbered in like fashion. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict examples that are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Although examples are illustrated for the various elements, those skilled in the art will recognize that many of the examples provided have suitable alternatives that may be utilized.

All numbers are herein assumed to be modified by the term “about” , unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers subsumed within that range (e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, and 5) .

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a” , “an” , and “the” include the plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

It is noted that references in the specification to “an embodiment” , “some embodiments” , “other embodiments” , etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is contemplated that the feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is contemplated that the feature, structure, or characteristic may be applied to other embodiments whether or not explicitly described unless clearly stated to the contrary.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative outlet socket 10 shown with a trim plate 12. In some cases, there may be one or more additional trim plates (not shown) underneath the trim plate 12. The outlet socket 10 includes a first outlet receptacle 14 and a second outlet receptacle 16. The outlet socket 10 includes a front plate 18. The first outlet receptacle 14 includes a first female hot port 20, a first female neutral port 22 and a first female ground port 24 that each extend through the front plate 18 and that together are configured to accommodate a male plug (not shown) including a male hot conductor, a male neutral conductor, and a male ground connector, respectively. The second outlet receptacle 16 includes a second female hot port 26, a second female neutral port 28 and a second female ground port 30 that each extend through the front plate 18 and together are configured to accommodate a male plug (not shown) including a male hot conductor, a male neutral conductor, and a male ground connector, respectively.

The outlet socket 10 may be installed into a junction box in the illustrated orientation, in which the first female ground port 24 is atop the first outlet receptacle 14 and the second female ground port 30 is atop the second outlet receptacle 16. In some instances, the outlet socket 10 may be installed into a junction box in a reversed illustrated orientation, in which the first female ground port 24 is at the bottom of the first outlet receptacle 14 and the second female ground port 30 is at the bottom of the second outlet receptacle 16. This assumes a vertically oriented junction box.

The outlet socket 10 may be configured to be connected to a variety of different electrical power circuits. For example, the outlet socket 10 may be configured to be electrically coupled with a 10 ampere (10 A) electrical power circuit. The outlet socket 10 may be configured to be electrically coupled with a 15 ampere (15 A) electrical power circuit. As shown, the outlet socket 10 is configured to be electrically coupled with a 20 ampere (20 A) circuit. In the 20 ampere outlet socket, and as shown, the first female neutral port 22 and the second female neutral port 28 are made to accommodate not only a flat bladed male neutral conductor (not shown) , but also to accommodate a male neutral conductor that has an orthogonal orientation (such as a straight blade angle plug) . In some instances, the outlet socket 10 may be considered as being a smart socket, but this is not required. This means that the outlet socket 10 may be configured to communicate with a remote device (e.g. remove hub and/or remote server) that is able to monitor electrical consumption by the outlet socket 10, monitor internal temperature within the outlet socket 10 in order to detect possible overheating scenarios before a fire results, and/or remotely turn the first outlet receptacle 14 and/or the second outlet receptacle 16 on and off. These are just examples.

In some instances, the outlet socket 10 may include a first button 32 that a user may use to manually turn the first outlet receptacle 14 on or off. The first button 32 may include a first LED indicator 34 that provides an indication of the status of the first outlet receptacle 14. For example, the first LED indicator 34 may be on when the first outlet receptacle 14 is powered and the first LED indicator 34 may be offwhen the first outlet receptacle 14 is not powered. In some instances, the first LED indicator 34 may be any of a variety of different colors. For example, the first LED indicator 34 may glow green to indicate that the first outlet receptacle 14 is powered, and may glow red to indicate a potential problem. In some instances, as will be discussed, the first LED indicator 34 may simply be an aperture formed within the first button 32 that allows light from an LED below the first button 32 to shine through. In some cases, a light pipe may deliver the light from an LED to the aperture.

In some instances, the outlet socket 10 may include a second button 36 that a user may use to manually turn the second outlet receptacle 16 on or off. The second button 36 may include a second LED indicator 38 that provides an indication of the status of the second outlet receptacle 16. For example, the second LED indicator 38 may be on when the second outlet receptacle 16 is powered and the second LED indicator 38 may be off when the second outlet receptacle 16 is not powered. In some instances, the second LED indicator 38 may be any of a variety of different colors. For example, the second LED indicator 38 may glow green to indicate that the second outlet receptacle 16 is powered, and may glow red to indicate a potential problem. In some instances, as will be discussed, the second LED indicator 38 may simply be an aperture formed within the second button 36 that allows light from an LED below the second button 36 to shine through. In some cases, the outlet socket 10 may not be a smart socket, and thus may not include the first button 32 and the second button 36.

Figure 2 is a front view of an outlet socket 10a that is similar to the outlet socket 10 shown in Figure 1, but is an example of an outlet socket that is configured for a lower power rating such as a 10 ampere circuit or a 15 ampere circuit. As shown, the front plate 18 includes the first outlet receptacle 14 and the second outlet receptacle 16. One distinction over that shown in Figure 1 is that the first neutral port 22a of the first outlet receptacle 14 and the second neutral port 28a of the second outlet receptacle 16 are designed to accommodate a first male neutral conductor component but not the corresponding orthogonally arranged second male neutral conductor component. This may signify that the outlet socket 10a is designed for a lower power circuit than that shown in Figure 1, for example.

The first outlet receptacle 14 has been described as including the first female hot port 20, the first female neutral port 22 and the first female ground port 24, and the second outlet receptacle has been described as including the second female hot port 26, the second female neutral port 28 and the second female ground port 30, each of which are essentially openings or apertures formed within the front plate 18 in order to allow the individual conductors of a male plug (not shown) to access and make mechanical and electrical contact with electrical conductors behind the front plate 18. Figure 3 is a front view of an illustrative arrangement of electrical conductors that may be disposed within the outlet socket 10 (or the outlet socket 10a) in order to electrically couple to each of the individual conductors inserted within either the first outlet receptacle 14 or the second outlet receptacle 16.

The first outlet receptacle 14 includes a first female hot contact 40 that is aligned with the first female hot port 20, a first female neutral contact 42 that is aligned with the first female neutral port 22, and a first female ground contact 44 that is aligned with the first female ground port 24. The male hot conductor of a male plug (not shown) can extend through the first female hot port 20 and into the first female hot contact 40 and make electrical connection therewith, the male neutral conductor of the male plug can extend through the first female neutral port 22 and into the first female neutral contact 42 and make electrical connection therewith, and the male ground conductor of the male plug can extend through the first female ground port 24 and into the first female ground contact 44 and make electrical connection therewith.

Similarly, the second outlet receptacle 16 includes a second female hot contact 46 that is aligned with the second female hot port 26, a second female neutral contact 48 that is aligned with the second female neutral port 28, and a second female ground contact 50 that is aligned with the second female ground port 30. The male hot conductor of a male plug (not shown) can extend through the second female hot port 26 and into the second female hot contact 46 and make electrical connection therewith, the male neutral conductor of the male plug can extend through the second female neutral port 28 and into the second female neutral contact 48 and make electrical connection therewith, and the male ground conductor of the male plug can extend through the second female ground port 30 and into the second female ground contact 50 and make electrical connection therewith.

In some cases, the first female hot contact 40 and the second female hot contact 46 may be configured to be electrically coupled within the outlet socket 10 (or the outlet socket 10a) with a source of line voltage. This may be a direct connection, for example. In some cases, particularly when the outlet socket 10 (or the outlet socket 10a) is a smart socket, the first female hot contact 40 and the second female hot contact 46 may be coupled to a source of line voltage through one or more relays that selectively provide power to the first female hot contact 40 and/or the second female hot contact 46. In some cases, the first female neutral contact 42 and the second female neutral contact 58 may be electrically coupled together. In some instances, the first female ground contact 44 and the second female ground contact 50 may be electrically coupled together.

In some instances, there is a desire to provide tamper resistance to the outlet socket 10 (or the outlet socket 10a) in order to prevent someone from accidently inserting a single conductive member (e.g. a nail, screwdriver or other conductor) into one of the ports formed within the front plate 18 and allowing the single conductive member to contact one of the underlying conductive female conductors behind the front plate 18. At the same time, the tamper resistance feature or features need to be able to allow a properly inserted male plug, having a male hot conductor and a male neutral conductor (and optionally a male ground conductor) to be easily and reliably inserted into either the first outlet receptacle 14 or the second outlet receptacle 16 and make appropriate electrical contact with the corresponding female contacts within the first outlet receptacle 14 or the second outlet receptacle 16.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the front plate 18 forming a part of the illustrative outlet socket 10. As shown, the front plate 18 includes a first aperture 62 that allows the first button 32 (and corresponding first LED indicator 34) to extend through the front plate 18 and a second aperture 64 that allows the second button 36 (and corresponding second LED indicator 38) to extend through the front plate 18. The front plate has been partially cutaway to reveal a shutter assembly 60 that is disposed behind the front plate 18 and that aligns with the second outlet receptacle 16. A second shutter assembly 60 may be considered as being disposed behind the front plate 18 that aligns with the first outlet receptacle 14. Each of the shutter assemblies 60 may be configured to allow a properly inserted male plug, having a male hot conductor and a male neutral conductor (and optionally a male ground conductor) to be easily inserted into either the first outlet receptacle 14 or the second outlet receptacle 16 and make appropriate electrical contact with the corresponding female contacts within the first outlet receptacle 14 or the second outlet receptacle 16 while preventing improper insertion of only a single conductor.

The shutter assembly 60 may be considered as providing tamper resistance to a first female contact (such as one of the first female hot contact 40, the first female neutral contact 42, the first female ground contact 44, the second female hot contact 46, the second female neutral contact 48, or the second female ground contact 50) and a second female contact (such as another of the first female hot contact 40, the first female neutral contact 42, the first female ground contact 44, the second female hot contact 46, the second female neutral contact 48, or the second female ground contact 50) present in the same electrical outlet receptacle such as the first outlet receptacle 14 and/or the second outlet receptacle 16. Figures 5, 6 and 7 show greater details of the illustrative shutter assembly 60 of Figure 4. In particular, Figure 5 is a perspective view of the shutter assembly 60, Figure 6 is a perspective partially cutaway view revealing details of a first side of the shutter assembly 60, and Figure 7 is a perspective partially cutaway view revealing details of a second side of the shutter assembly 60.

The shutter assembly 60 includes a first shutter 70, a second shutter 72 and a third shutter 74 that are each disposed within a shutter housing 76. The first shutter 70 is movable between a closed position and an open position, with the first shutter 70 being biased toward the closed position (as shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7) . The first shutter 70 is configured to move toward the open position in response to receiving a translation force that is applied to a drive surface 78 of the first shutter 70 by a first male object (such as a first male conductor of an electrical plug or another conductive element that someone may attempt to insert) moved toward the first female contact (such as one of the first female hot contact 40, the first female neutral contact 42, the first female ground contact 44, the second female hot contact 46, the second female neutral contact 48, or the second female ground contact 50) of the electrical outlet receptacle (such as the first outlet receptacle 14 and/or the second outlet receptacle 16) .

The second shutter 72 is movable between a closed position and an open position, with the second shutter 72 being biased toward the closed position. The second shutter 72 is configured to move toward the open position in response to receiving a translation force that is applied to a drive surface 80 of the second shutter 72 by a second male object (such as a first male conductor of an electrical plug or another conductive element that someone may attempt to insert) moved toward the second female contact (such as another of the first female hot contact 40, the first female neutral contact 42, the first female ground contact 44, the second female hot contact 46, the second female neutral contact 48, or the second female ground contact 50) of the electrical outlet receptacle (such as the first outlet receptacle 14 and/or the second outlet receptacle 16) .

The first shutter 70 and the second shutter 72 are configured to block the first male object from engaging the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle and the second male object from engaging the second female contact unless both the first shutter 70 is in the open position and the second shutter 72 is in the open position.

In some instances, the first shutter 70 is configured to pivot about a first pivot 82 and engage a first catch 84 that deters the first shutter 70 from moving toward the open position of the first shutter 70 when the drive surface 80 of the second shutter 72 receives a translation force from the second male object but the drive surface 78 of the first shutter 70 does not receive the translation force from the first male object. In some cases, the second shutter 72 is configured to rotate about a second pivot 86 (see Figure 7) to engage a second catch 88 that deters the second shutter 72 from moving toward the open position of the second shutter 72 when the drive surface 78 of the first shutter 70 receives a translation force from the first male object but the drive surface 80 of the second shutter 72 does not receive the translation force from the second male object. In some cases, the first pivot 82 and the second pivot 86 are coaxial.

In some instances, the shutter housing 76 may include a first fulcrum 90 that is associated with the first pivot 82. The shutter housing 76 may include a second fulcrum 92 that is associated with the second pivot 86. The shutter housing 76 may include a first detent 94 that is associated with the first catch 84. The shutter housing 76 may include a second detent 96 that is associated with the second catch 88. In some instances, the first shutter 70 may include a first shutter detent 98 for interacting with the first detent 94 of the shutter housing 76 to deter the first shutter 70 from moving toward the open position of the first shutter when the first shutter detent 98 is engaged with the first detent 94 of the shutter housing 76. In some cases, the second shutter 72 may include a second shutter detent 100 for interacting with the second detent 96 of the shutter housing 76 to deter the second shutter 72 from moving toward the open position of the second shutter 72 when the second shutter detent 100 is engaged with the second detent 96 of the shutter housing 76.

In some cases, the first shutter 70 may be considered as including a first blocking member 102 for blocking the first male object from engaging the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle unless the first shutter 70 is in the open position, and a second blocking member 104 for blocking the second male object from engaging the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle unless the first shutter 70 is in the open position. The second shutter 72 may be considered as including a first blocking member 106 for blocking the second male object from engaging the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle unless the second shutter 72 is in the open position, and a second blocking member 108 for blocking the first male object from engaging the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle unless the second shutter 72 is in the open position.

In some cases, a male neutral conductor may include a flat bladed male neutral conductor or alternatively flat bladed male neutral conductor that is oriented orthogonal to the first flat bladed male neutral conductor. Figure 1 shows the first female neutral port 22 and the second female neutral port 28 as being configured to accommodate a flat bladed male neutral conductor that is oriented orthogonal to the first flat bladed male neutral conductor. In some cases, a first blade of the male neutral conductor may engage the drive surface 80 of the second shutter 72. A second blade of the male neutral conductor may engage a drive surface 114 of a third shutter 74. In some cases, the second shutter 72 may include a bearing feature 110 that bears against a bearing surface 112 on a side of the third shutter 74 when the first shutter 70 is in its closed position.

The second blade oriented orthogonal to the first flat blade would contact the drive surface 114 of the third shutter 74 and cause the third shutter 74 to attempt to move in a downward (in the illustrated orientation of Figure 5) direction in order to accommodate the second blade. However, if the second shutter 72 is in its closed position as a result of nothing being simultaneously inserted through the first female hot port 20 of the first outlet receptacle 14 or the second female hot port 26 of the second outlet receptacle 16, the bearing feature 110 of the second shutter 72 will push against the bearing surface 112, thereby limiting movement of the third shutter 74 and preventing insertion of the male neutral conductor. When an electrical plug having a male hot conductor and a male neutral conductor having a blade oriented orthogonal to the male hot conductor is inserted into the outlet socket 10, the second shutter 72 will move in a rightward (in the illustrated orientation or Figure 5) direction, allowing the bearing feature 110 to align with an opening 116 (see Figure 7) formed within the third shutter 74. As a result, the third shutter 74 is able to move further downward (in the illustrative orientation of Figure 5) in order to accommodate a properly inserted electrical plug. The shutter assembly 60 may be considered as having a longitudinal axis LA and a transverse axis TA that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis LA. In some cases, the first shutter 70 moves along the longitudinal axis LA when moving between its closed position and its open position. In some cases, the second shutter 72 moves along the longitudinal axis LA when moving between its closed position and its open position. In some cases, the third shutter 74 moves along the transverse axis TA when moving between its closed position and its open position.

In some cases, and as best shown in Figure 5, the shutter assembly 60 may include a first spring 118 that biases the first shutter 70 towards its closed position. The shutter assembly 60 may include a second spring 120 that biases the second shutter 72 towards its closed position. In some instances, the first shutter 70 is movable in a first direction against a biasing force provided by the first spring 118 when moving from the closed position to the open position of the first shutter 70, and the second shutter 72 is movable in the first direction against a biasing force provided by the second spring 120 when moving from the closed position to the open position of the second shutter 72. As an example, the first direction may be indicated by an arrow 122. In some cases, the first direction may be parallel or even coaxial with the longitudinal axis LA. In some instances, the third shutter 74 is movable in a second direction when moving from the closed position to the open position of the third shutter 74. As an example, the third direction may be indicated by an arrow 124. In some instances, the second direction may be parallel or even coaxial with the transverse axis TA. In some cases, the drive surface 78 of the first shutter 70 and the drive surface 80 of the second shutter 72 may be angled to translate inward movement of first and/or second plug contacts toward the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle into movement of the first shutter 70 and/or the second shutter 72 in the first direction from a closed position to an open position.

In some instances, the first shutter 70 and the second shutter 72 each have one or more sliding surfaces, where the one or more sliding surfaces touch and slide against each other when the first shutter 70 and the second shutter 72 are moved relative to one another. As an example, the second blocking member 104 of the first shutter 70 touches and slides against the first blocking member 106 of the second shutter 72. As another example, the second blocking member 108 of the second shutter 72 touches and slides against the first blocking member 102 of the first shutter 70.

In some cases, the first shutter 70 is movable between a closed position and an open position and is configured to move toward the open position in response to a first male object being moved toward the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle (such as the first outlet receptacle 14 or the second outlet receptacle 16) . The second shutter 72 may be movable between a closed position and an open position and is configured to move toward the open position in response to a second male object being moved toward the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle. The first shutter 70 and the second shutter 72 may be configured to block the first male object from engaging the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle and the second male object from engaging the second female contact unless both the first shutter 70 is in the open position and the second shutter 72 is in the open position. In some cases, the first shutter 70 is configured to pivot about a first pivot 82 and engage a first catch 84 that deters the first shutter 70 from moving toward the open position of the first shutter 70 when the second shutter 72 is moved toward the open position in response to the second male object being moved toward the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle and the first male object is not moved toward the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle.

In some cases, the second shutter 72 may be configured to pivot about the second pivot 86 and engage the second catch 88 that deters the second shutter 72 from moving toward the open position of the second shutter 72 when the first shutter 70 is moved toward the open position in response to the first male object being moved toward the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle and the second male object is not moved toward the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle. In some cases, pivoting the first shutter 70 includes pivoting the second shutter 72 with the first shutter 70 about the first pivot 82 but not having the second shutter 72 engage the first catch 84 so that the second shutter 72 is not deterred from moving to the open position of the second shutter 72.

Figures 8 and 9 are partially cutaway side views of the shutter assembly 60, showing how the shutter assembly 60 prevents a single male object from being inserted far enough through the shutter assembly 60 in order to reach the conductive contacts behind the shutter assembly 60. In Figure 8, a single male object 126 is shown as being inserted towards the shutter assembly 60 such that the single male object 126 will impact the drive surface 78 of the first shutter 70. As a result, and with no counter balance force applied to the drive surface 80 of the second shutter 72, the first shutter 70 and the second shutter 72 will pivot together about the first pivot 82 (See Figure 6) and the second pivot 86 (see Figure 7) in a direction shown by an arrow 128. If the single male object 126 is inserted further, the first shutter 70 will be caused to translate in a direction indicated by an arrow 130. However, the second shutter 72 will be held from translation via the second catch 88. As a result, even when the first shutter 70 translates far enough for the single male object 126 to be inserted past the first shutter 70, the second blocking member 108 of the second shutter 72 will prevent further advancement of the single male object 126.

In Figure 9, the single male object 126 is shown as being inserted towards the shutter assembly 60 such that the single male object 126 will impact the drive surface 80 of the second shutter 72. As a result, and with no counter balance force applied to the drive surface 78 of the first shutter 70, the first shutter 70 and the second shutter 72 will pivot together about the first pivot 82 (see Figure 6) and the second pivot 86 (see Figure 7) in a direction indicated by the arrow 128. If the single male object 126 is inserted further, the second shutter 72 will be caused to translate in a direction indicated by the arrow 130. However, the first shutter 70 will be held from translation via the first catch 84. As a result, even when the second shutter 72 translates far enough for the single male object to be inserted past the second shutter 72, the second blocking member 104 of the first shutter 70 will prevent further advancement of the single male object 126.

Figure 10 is a partially cutaway side view of the shutter assembly 60, showing how the shutter assembly 60 permits a first male conductor 132 and a second male conductor 134 to be inserted together. As an example, the first male conductor 132 may be a neutral conductor of an electrical plug being inserted into the outlet socket 10 (or 10a) and the second male conductor 134 may be a hot conductor of the electrical plug being inserted into the outlet socket 10 (or 10a) . The shutter assembly 60 easily accommodates the first male conductor 132 and the second male conductor 134, allowing the first male conductor 132 and the second male conductor 134 to easily reach and engage the conductive elements within the outlet socket 10. As the first male conductor 132 contacts the drive surface 80 of the second shutter 72 and the second male conductor 134 contacts the drive surface 78 of the first shutter 70, the first shutter 70 and the second shutter 72 are both caused to translate in a direction indicated by the arrow 130. Because both male objects are inserted simultaneously or nearly simultaneously (as a result of the first male conductor 132 and the second male conductor 134 being part of the same electrical plug) , neither the first shutter 70 nor the second shutter 72 are caused to pivot or rotate because each are providing a counter balance force to the other. As the first male conductor 132 and the second male conductor 134 are inserted farther, the first shutter 70 and the second shutter 72 both translate further in the direction indicated by the arrow 130. Because the first shutter 70 and the second shutter 72 are both translating together, the second blocking member 104 of the first shutter 70 does not impede insertion of the first male conductor 132 and the second blocking member 108 of the second shutter 72 does not impede insertion of the second male conductor 134.

Figures 11A and 11B are flow diagram that together show an illustrative method 136 for providing tamper resistance to a first female contact and a second female contact of an electrical outlet receptacle, the first female contact being configured to receive a first male conductor of an electrical plug and the second female contact being configured to receive a second male conductor of the electrical plug. The illustrative method 136 includes moving a first male object toward the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle without moving a second male object toward the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle, as indicated at block 138. In response, the method 136 includes moving a first shutter to an open position of the first shutter, as indicated at block 138, and pivoting a second shutter about a pivot to engage a catch that deters the second shutter from moving from a closed position toward an open position of the second shutter, as indicated at block 138b. The first shutter and the second shutter are configured to block the first male object from engaging the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle unless both the first shutter is in the open position and the second shutter is in the open position, as indicated at block 140.

In some cases, the method 136 may further include moving a second male object toward the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle while the first male object is moved toward the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle, as indicated at block 142. In response, the method includes pivoting the second shutter about the pivot to disengage the catch, as indicated at block 142a, and moving the second shutter to the open position of the second shutter, as indicated at block 142b. The first male object is allowed to engage the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle and the second male object is allowed to engage the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle, as indicated at block 144. In some cases, pivoting the second shutter about the pivot to engage the catch includes also pivoting the first shutter about the pivot but the first shutter does not engage the catch and is not deterred from moving to the open position of the first shutter.

Continuing on Figure 11B, the method 136 may further include moving the first male object away from the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle, as indicated at block 146. In response, the method 136 may further include moving the first shutter to a closed position of the first shutter, as indicated at block 146a, and pivoting a second shutter about the pivot to disengage the catch, as indicated at block 146b. In some instances, the method 136 may further include moving a second male object toward the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle without moving the first male object toward the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle, as indicated at block 148. In response, the method 136 may include moving the second shutter to the open position of the second shutter, as indicated at block 148a, and pivoting the first shutter about a pivot to engage a catch that deters the first shutter from moving from the closed position toward the open position of the first shutter, as indicated at block 148b.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of an illustrative shutter assembly 160 that is configured to allow a properly inserted male plug, having a male hot conductor and a male neutral conductor (and optionally a male ground conductor) to be easily inserted into either the first outlet receptacle 14 or the second outlet receptacle 16 and make appropriate electrical contact with the corresponding female contacts within the first outlet receptacle 14 or the second outlet receptacle 16 while preventing improper insertion of only a single conductor. Figure 13 is a back view showing features of the illustrative shutter assembly 160. The shutter assembly 160 may be considered as providing tamper resistance to a first female contact (such as one of the first female hot contact 40, the first female neutral contact 42, the first female ground contact 44, the second female hot contact 46, the second female neutral contact 48, or the second female ground contact 50) and a second female contact (such as another of the first female hot contact 40, the first female neutral contact 42, the first female ground contact 44, the second female hot contact 46, the second female neutral contact 48, or the second female ground contact 50) present in the same electrical outlet receptacle such as the first outlet receptacle 14 and/or the second outlet receptacle 16.

The illustrative shutter assembly 160 includes a first shutter 170, a second shutter 172, a third shutter 174a and a fourth shutter 174b that are each disposed within a shutter housing 176. The first shutter 170 is movable between a closed position and an open position, with the first shutter 170 being biased toward the closed position (as shown in Figure 12) . The first shutter 170 is configured to move toward the open position in response to receiving a translation force that is applied to a drive surface 178 of the first shutter 170 by a first male object (such as a first male conductor of an electrical plug or another conductive element that someone may attempt to insert) moved toward the first female contact (such as one of the first female hot contact 40, the first female neutral contact 42, the first female ground contact 44, the second female hot contact 46, the second female neutral contact 48, or the second female ground contact 50) of the electrical outlet receptacle (such as the first outlet receptacle 14 and/or the second outlet receptacle 16) .

The second shutter 172 is movable between a closed position and an open position, with the second shutter 172 being biased toward the closed position. The second shutter 172 is configured to move toward the open position in response to receiving a translation force that is applied to a drive surface 180 of the second shutter 172 by a second male object (such as a first male conductor of an electrical plug or another conductive element that someone may attempt to insert) moved toward the second female contact (such as another of the first female hot contact 40, the first female neutral contact 42, the first female ground contact 44, the second female hot contact 46, the second female neutral contact 48, or the second female ground contact 50) of the electrical outlet receptacle (such as the first outlet receptacle 14 and/or the second outlet receptacle 16) .

The third shutter 174a is movable between a closed position and an open position, with the third shutter 174a sometimes being biased toward the closed position. The third shutter 174a is configured to move toward the open position in response to receiving a translation force that is applied to a drive surface 214a of the third shutter 174a by a second male object (such as a first male conductor of an electrical plug or another conductive element that someone may attempt to insert) moved toward the second female contact (such as another of the first female hot contact 40, the first female neutral contact 42, the first female ground contact 44, the second female hot contact 46, the second female neutral contact 48, or the second female ground contact 50) of the electrical outlet receptacle (such as the first outlet receptacle 14 and/or the second outlet receptacle 16) .

The fourth shutter 174b is movable between a closed position and an open position, with the fourth shutter 174b sometimes being biased toward the closed position. The fourth shutter 174b is configured to move toward the open position in response to receiving a translation force that is applied to a drive surface 214a of the fourth shutter 174b by a second male object (such as a first male conductor of an electrical plug or another conductive element that someone may attempt to insert) moved toward the second female contact (such as another of the first female hot contact 40, the first female neutral contact 42, the first female ground contact 44, the second female hot contact 46, the second female neutral contact 48, or the second female ground contact 50) of the electrical outlet receptacle (such as the first outlet receptacle 14 and/or the second outlet receptacle 16) . In some cases, the second male object may be a male conductor that has an orthogonal orientation as discussed above. When so provided, the first shutter 170, the second shutter 172, the third shutter 174a and the fourth shutter 174b are each configured to block the first male object from engaging the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle and the second male object from engaging the second female contact unless the first shutter 170, the second shutter 172, the third shutter 174a and the fourth shutter 174b are all in their open positions. When the first male object and the second male object are parallel blades conductors, the first shutter 170, the second shutter 172, the third shutter 174a and the fourth shutter 174b are configured to block the first male object from engaging the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle and the second male object from engaging the second female contact unless the first shutter 170 and the second shutter 172 are both in their open positions, even though the third shutter 174a and the fourth shutter 174b remain in their closed positions.

In some cases, the first shutter 170 is movable between the closed position and the open position along a first axis such as the longitudinal axis LA. The second shutter 172 may be movable between the closed position and the open position along the first axis such as the longitudinal axis LA. The third shutter 174a may be movable between the closed position and the open position along a second axis that is orthogonal to the first axis. The second axis may be the transverse axis TA, for example. The fourth shutter 174b may be movable between the closed position and the open position along the second axis such as the transverse axis TA. In some instances, the first shutter 170 may be movable from its closed position to its open position in a first direction that is along the first axis and that is indicated by an arrow 222. The second shutter 172 may be movable from its closed position to its open position in the first direction that is along the first axis and that is indicated by the arrow 222. The third shutter 174a may be movable from its closed position to its open position in a second direction that is along the second axis and that is indicated by an arrow 224a. The fourth shutter 174b may be movable from its closed position to its open position in a third direction along the second axis, that is indicated by an arrow 224b. As can be seen, the third direction (as indicated by the arrow 224b) is opposite to the second direction (as indicated by the arrow 224a) .

In some cases, the first shutter 170 may be considered as including a first blocking member 202 for blocking the first male object from engaging the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle unless the first shutter 170 is in the open position and a second blocking member 204 for blocking the second male object from engaging the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle unless the first shutter 170 is in the open position. The second shutter 172 may be considered as including a first blocking member 206 for blocking the second male object from engaging the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle unless the second shutter 172 is in the open position and a second blocking member 208 for blocking the first male object from engaging the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle unless the second shutter 172 is in the open position.

In some instances, the first shutter 170 and the second shutter 172 each have one or more sliding surfaces, where the one or more sliding surfaces touch and slide against each other when the first shutter 170 and the second shutter 172 are moved relative to one another. As an example, the second blocking member 204 of the first shutter 170 touches and slides against the first blocking member 206 of the second shutter 172. As another example, the second blocking member 208 of the second shutter 172 touches and slides against the first blocking member 202 of the first shutter 170.

In some cases, the first shutter 170 may be configured to block the fourth shutter 174b from moving from its closed position to its open position unless the first shutter 170 is in its open position. In some cases, the second shutter 172 may be configured to block the third shutter 174a from moving from its closed position to its open position unless the second shutter 172 is in its open position. In some instances, the first shutter 170 when moving from its open position to its closed position applies a force to the fourth shutter 174b that returns the fourth shutter 174b to its closed position. In some cases, the second shutter 172 when moving from its open position to its closed position applies a force to the third shutter 174a that returns the third shutter 174a to its closed position. In some cases, the third shutter 174a may overlap with the fourth shutter 174b when the third shutter 174a and the fourth shutter 174b are each in the closed position. Thus, in order for a male conductor that has an orthogonal orientation as discussed above to pass, both the third shutter 174a and the fourth shutter 174b must be moved to their respective open positions.

As seen in Figure 13, which shows the first shutter 170 and the second shutter 172 in an open position, the first shutter 170 includes a bearing feature 210a that bears against a bearing surface 212a on a side of the fourth shutter 174b when the first shutter 170 is in its closed position. However, when the first shutter 170 is in its open position, as shown in Figure 13, the bearing feature 210a aligns with an opening 216a that is formed in a side of the fourth shutter 174b. This allows the fourth shutter 174b to move laterally from its closed position (as shown) to an open position. Similarly, the second shutter 172 includes a bearing feature 210 that bears against a bearing surface 212a on a side of the third shutter 174a when the second shutter 172 is in its closed position. However, when the second shutter 172 is in its open position, as shown in Figure 13, the bearing feature 210 aligns with an opening 216 that is formed in a side of the third shutter 174a. This allows the third shutter 174a to move laterally from its closed position (as shown) to an open position. Because the bearing feature 210a and the opening 216a both have an angled surface by which the bearing feature 210a engages the opening 216a, the first shutter 170 returning to its closed position causes the fourth shutter 174b to also return to its closed position. Because the bearing feature 210 and the opening 216 both have an angled surface by which the bearing feature 210 engages the opening 216, the second shutter 172 returning to its closed position causes the third shutter 174a to also return to its closed position.

It will be appreciated that if someone attempts to advance a first male object against the drive surface 178 of the first shutter 170 without simultaneously advancing a second male object against the drive surface 180 of the second shutter 172, the first shutter 170 may translate in a direction indicated by the arrow 222 while the second shutter 172 does not translate. This results in the second blocking member 208 of the second shutter 172 preventing advancement of the first male object. Similarly, if someone attempts to advance a first male object against the drive surface 180 of the second shutter 172 without simultaneously advancing a second male object against the drive surface 178 of the first shutter 170, the second shutter 172 may translate in a direction indicated by the arrow 222 while the first shutter 170 does not translate. This results in the second blocking member 204 of the first shutter 170 preventing advancement of the first male object. However, ifa first male object is advanced against the drive surface 178 of the first shutter 170 and a second male object is advanced against the drive surface 180 of the second shutter 172, the first shutter 170 and the second shutter 172 will translate in the direction indicated by the arrow 222, thereby permitting the first male object and the second male object to both advance through the shutter assembly 160. If the first male object is configured to engage the drive surface 178 of the first shutter 170, the drive surface 214a of the third shutter 174a and the drive surface 214b of the fourth shutter 174b (e.g. ae first male object that is orientated orthogonal to the second male object, such as in a 20 Amp plug) , and after both the first shutter 170 and the second shutter 172 are moved to their open positions, the third shutter 174a and the fourth shutter 174b will translate in the directions indicated by the arrows 224a and 224b, respectively, and allow the first male object and the second male object to both advance through the shutter assembly 160.

Figure 14 is a flow diagram showing an illustrative method 240 for providing tamper resistance to a first female contact and a second female contact of an electrical outlet receptacle, the first female contact is configured to receive a first male conductor of an electrical plug and the second female contact is configured to receive a second male conductor of the electrical plug. The illustrative method 240 includes moving a first male object toward the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle and simultaneously moving a second male object toward the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle, as indicated at block 242. In response, the method 240 includes moving a first shutter to an open position, as indicated at block 242a. In response, the method 240 includes moving a second shutter to an open position, as indicated at block 242b. In response, the method 240 includes moving a third shutter to an open position, as indicated at block 242c. In response, the method 240 includes moving a fourth shutter to an open position, as indicated at block 242d. With the first shutter, the second shutter, the third shutter and the fourth shutter all in their open positions, the first male object is allowed to engage the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle and the second male object is allowed to engage the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle, as indicated at block 244. In some cases, when any of the first shutter, the second shutter, the third shutter and the fourth shutter are in their closed position, the first male object is prevented from engaging the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle and the second male object is prevented from engaging the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle, as indicated at block 246.

Figure 15 is a flow diagram showing an illustrative method 248 for providing tamper resistance to a first female contact and a second female contact of an electrical outlet receptacle, the first female contact is configured to receive a first male conductor of an electrical plug and the second female contact is configured to receive a second male conductor of the electrical plug. The illustrative method 248 includes moving a first male object toward the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle and simultaneously moving a second male object toward the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle, as indicated at block 250. In response, the method 248 includes moving a first shutter to an open position as the first male object engages a drive surface of the first shutter, as indicated at block 248a. In response, the method 248 includes moving a second shutter to an open position as the second male object engages a drive surface of the second shutter, as indicated at block 248b. In response, the method 248 includes moving a third shutter to an open position when the second male object engages a driving surface of the third shutter, as indicated at block 248c. In response, the method 248 includes moving a fourth shutter to an open position when the second male object engages a driving surface of the fourth shutter, as indicated at block 248d. When the second male object does not engage the driving surface of the third shutter and the driving surface of the fourth shutter, the first male object is allowed to engage the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle and the second male object is allowed to engage the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle when the first shutter and the second shutter are in their open position and the third shutter and the fourth shutter are in their closed positions, as indicated at block 252. When the second male object does engage the driving surface of the third shutter and the driving surface of the fourth shutter, the first male object is allowed to engage the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle and the second male object is allowed to engage the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle only when the first shutter, the second shutter, the third shutter and the fourth shutter are all in their open positions, as indicated at block 254.

Figure 16 is a perspective view of an illustrative shutter assembly 300 that is configured to allow a properly inserted male plug, having a male hot conductor and a male neutral conductor (and optionally a male ground conductor) to be easily inserted into either the first outlet receptacle 14 or the second outlet receptacle 16 and make appropriate electrical contact with the corresponding female contacts within the first outlet receptacle 14 or the second outlet receptacle 16 while preventing improper insertion of only a single conductor. The illustrative shutter assembly 300 may be considered as providing tamper resistance to a first female contact (such as one of the first female hot contact 40, the first female neutral contact 42, the first female ground contact 44, the second female hot contact 46, the second female neutral contact 48, or the second female ground contact 50) and a second female contact (such as another of the first female hot contact 40, the first female neutral contact 42, the first female ground contact 44, the second female hot contact 46, the second female neutral contact 48, or the second female ground contact 50) present in the same electrical outlet receptacle such as the first outlet receptacle 14 and/or the second outlet receptacle 16.

The illustrative shutter assembly 300 includes a first shutter 302 and a second shutter 304 that are each disposed within a shutter housing 306. The first shutter 302 is movable between a closed position and an open position, with the first shutter 302 being biased toward the closed position (as shown in Figure 16) via a biasing spring 308. The first shutter 302 is configured to move towards the open position in response to receiving a first translation force that is applied to a first drive surface 310 of the first shutter 302 by a first male object that is moved towards the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle and a second translation force that is applied to a second drive surface 312 of the first shutter 302 by a second male object that is moved toward the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle.

Figures 17 and 18 are partially cutaway side views of the shutter assembly 300 and Figure 19 is a perspective view of the shutter assembly 300, showing how the shutter assembly 300 provides tamper resistance by preventing insertion of a single male object. As shown in Figure 17, a first male object 316 is shown being inserted towards the first drive surface 310 of the first shutter 302. As the first male object 316 is inserted (and no corresponding male object is advanced into contact with the second drive surface 312 of the first shutter 302, the first shutter 302 is caused to pivot around a pivot 318 to engage a first catch 320 that deters the first shutter 302 from moving toward the open position when the first drive surface 310 of the first shutter 302 receives the first translation force from the first male object 316 but the second drive surface 312 of the first shutter 302 does not receive the second translation force from a second male object. As seen in Figure 18, the first shutter 302 is configured to rotate about the pivot 318 to engage a second catch 324 that deters the first shutter 302 from moving toward the open position when the second drive surface 312 of the first shutter 302 receives the second translation force from a second male object 322 but the first drive surface 310 of the first shutter 302 does not receive the first translation force from the first male object 316.

In some cases, the second shutter 304 is configured to move toward the open position in response to receiving a translation force that is applied to a drive surface 314 of the second shutter 304 by a second male object that is moved toward the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle. In some cases, as seen in Figure 19, a male object 326 may have an orientation that renders the second male object orthogonal (or may include a component that is orthogonal) to the second drive surface 312 of the first shutter 302 and thus parallel with the drive surface 314 of the second shutter 304. In some cases, the second shutter 304 may be blocked from moving toward the open position of the second shutter 304 when the first shutter 302 is not in the open position of the first shutter 302.

In some cases, the first shutter 302 may be movable between the closed position and the open position along a first axis such as a longitudinal axis LA and the second shutter 304 may be movable between the closed position and the open position along a second axis such as a transverse axis TA that is orthogonal to the first axis. In some cases, the second male object may be configured to engage the second drive surface 312 of the first shutter 302 or the drive surface 314 of the second shutter 304. In some cases, the orthogonal second leg may be configured to engage the second drive surface 312 of the first shutter 302 and also engage the drive surface 314 of the second shutter 304. In some cases, the first shutter 302 may be configured, when moving from its open position to its closed position, to apply a force to the second shutter 304 that returns the second shutter 304 to its closed position.

Figures 20 and 21 provide examples of how the shutter assembly 300 permits a properly inserted electrical plug to be inserted. In Figure 20, an electrical plug 330 includes a male hot conductor 332, a male neutral conductor 334 and a male ground conductor 336. The male neutral conductor 334 is a single blade parallel with a single blade forming the male hot conductor 332. When properly inserted, the male hot conductor 332 contacts the first drive surface 310 of the first shutter 302 and the male neutral conductor 334 contacts the second drive surface 312 of the first shutter 302. As a result, the first shutter 302 does not pivot, but instead translates to the left (in the illustrated orientation of Figure 20) along the longitudinal axis LA, which enables the male hot conductor 332 and the male neutral conductor 334 to extend through the shutter assembly 300.

In Figure 21, an electrical plug 338 includes the male hot conductor 332, a male neutral conductor 340 and the male ground conductor 336. The male neutral conductor 340 is a single blade orientated orthogonal to the single blade forming the male hot conductor 332. When properly inserted, the male hot conductor 332 contacts the first drive surface 310 of the first shutter 302 and the male neutral conductor 334 contacts the second drive surface 312 of the first shutter 302 as well as contacting the drive surface 314 of the second shutter 304. As a result, the first shutter 302 does not pivot, but instead translates to the left (in the illustrated orientation of Figure 21) and the second shutter 304 translates along the transverse axis TA, which enables the male hot conductor 332 and the male neutral conductor 340 to extend through the shutter assembly 300.

Figure 22 is a perspective view of an illustrative shutter assembly 350 that may be used in combination with the outlet socket 10 and/or 10a, and Figure 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 23-23 of Figure 22. The illustrative shutter assembly 350 is configured to allow a properly inserted male plug, having a male hot conductor and a male neutral conductor (and optionally a male ground conductor) to be easily inserted into either the first outlet receptacle 14 or the second outlet receptacle 16 and make appropriate electrical contact with the corresponding female contacts within the first outlet receptacle 14 or the second outlet receptacle 16 while preventing improper insertion of only a single conductor. The shutter assembly 300 may be considered as providing tamper resistance to a first female contact (such as one of the first female hot contact 40, the first female neutral contact 42, the first female ground contact 44, the second female hot contact 46, the second female neutral contact 48, or the second female ground contact 50) and a second female contact (such as another of the first female hot contact 40, the first female neutral contact 42, the first female ground contact 44, the second female hot contact 46, the second female neutral contact 48, or the second female ground contact 50) present in the same electrical outlet receptacle such as the first outlet receptacle 14 and/or the second outlet receptacle 16.

The illustrative shutter assembly 350 includes a shutter 352 that is disposed within a shutter housing 354. The shutter 352 is movable between a closed position and an open position and is biased toward the closed position via a biasing spring 356. The shutter 352 includes a first drive surface 358 that is configured to accommodate a first male object such as a male hot conductor and a second drive surface 360 that is configured to accommodate a second male object such as a male neutral conductor. The shutter 352 is configured to move toward the open position in response to receiving a translation force that is applied to either the first drive surface 358 or the second drive surface 360 by a male object (e.g. a male hot conductor and/or a male neutral conductor) that is moved toward the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle.

The first drive surface 358 includes a first region 358a that initially engages the male object as the male object is moved toward the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle, wherein the continued movement of the male object against the first region 358a moves the shutter 352 from the closed position to an intermediate position. The first drive surface 358 includes a second region 358b that engages the male object to continue to move the shutter 352 from the intermediate position toward the open position, wherein the first region 358a presents a greater angle of incidence to the male object than the second region 358b.

In some cases, the angle of incidence of the male object (relative to a vector normal to the surface of the first region 358a) in the first region 358a is greater than 35 degrees, and the angle of incidence of the male object in the second region 358b is less than 30 degrees. In some cases, the angle of incidence to the male object in the first region 358a is greater than 40 degrees, and the angle of incidence to the male object in the second region 358b is less than 35 degrees. In some cases, the first region 358a is planar and the second region 358b is planar. In some cases, at least part of the first region 358a is non-planar (e.g. concave) .

The second drive surface 360 includes a first region 360a that initially engages the male object as the male object is moved toward the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle, wherein the continued movement of the male object against the first region 360a moves the shutter 352 from the closed position to an intermediate position. The second drive surface 360 includes a second region 360b that engages the male object to continue to move the shutter 352 from the intermediate position toward the open position, wherein the first region 360a presents a greater angle of incidence to the male object than the second region 360b.

In some cases, the angle of incidence to the male object in the first region 360a is greater than 35 degrees, and the angle of incidence to the male object in the second region 360b is less than 30 degrees. In some cases, the angle of incidence to the male object in the first region 360a is greater than 40 degrees, and the angle of incidence to the male object in the second region 360b is less than 35 degrees. In some cases, the first region 360a is planar and the second region 360b is planar. In some cases, at least part of the first region 360a is non-planar.

While described as being part of the shutter assembly 350, it will be appreciated that having a drive surface with a first region having a greater angle of incidence than a second region may be applied to any of the shutter assemblies described herein, including the shutter assembly 60, the shutter assembly 160 and the shutter assembly 300. Having the first region with a greater angle of incidence can help in getting the shutter to slide more easily, or to help overcome initial stiction that restricts movement of the shutter.

Having thus described several illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure, those of skill in the art will readily appreciate that yet other embodiments may be made and used within the scope of the claims hereto attached. It will be understood, however, that this disclosure is, in many respects, only illustrative. Changes may be made in details, particularly in matters of shape, size, arrangement of parts, and exclusion and order of steps, without exceeding the scope of the disclosure. The disclosure’s scope is, of course, defined in the language in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims

A shutter assembly for providing tamper resistance to a first female contact and a second female contact of an electrical outlet receptacle, the first female contact configured to receive a first male conductor of an electrical plug and the second female contact configured to receive a second male conductor of the electrical plug, the shutter assembly comprising:

a first shutter that is movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the first shutter is biased toward the closed position and is configured to move toward the open position in response to receiving a translation force that is applied to a drive surface of the first shutter by the first male conductor of the electrical plug as the first male conductor of the electrical plug is moved toward the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle;

a second shutter that is movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the second shutter is biased toward the closed position and is configured to move toward the open position in response to receiving a translation force that is applied to a drive surface of the second shutter by the second male conductor of the electrical plug as the second male conductor of the electrical plug is moved toward the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle;

the first shutter and the second shutter configured to block the first male conductor of the electrical plug from engaging the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle and the second male conductor of the electrical plug from engaging the second female contact unless both the first shutter is in the open position and the second shutter is in the open position; and

the first shutter is configured to pivot about a first pivot and engage a first catch that deters the first shutter from moving toward the open position of the first shutter when the drive surface of the second shutter receives the translation force from the second male conductor of the electrical plug but the drive surface of the first shutter does not receive the translation force from the first male conductor of the electrical plug.
The shutter assembly of claim 1, wherein the second shutter is configured to rotate about a second pivot to engage a second catch that deters the second shutter from moving toward the open position of the second shutter when the drive surface of the first shutter receives the translation force from the first male conductor of the electrical plug but the drive surface of the second shutter does not receive the translation force from the second male conductor of the electrical plug.
The shutter assembly of claim 2 comprising a shutter housing, wherein the shutter housing comprises:

a first fulcrum associated with the first pivot;

a second fulcrum associated with the second pivot;

a first detent associated with the first catch; and

a second detent associated with the second catch.
The shutter assembly of claim 3, wherein:

the first shutter includes a first shutter detent for interacting with the first detent of the shutter housing to deter the first shutter from moving toward the open position of the first shutter when the first shutter detent is engaged with the first detent of the shutter housing; and

the second shutter includes a second shutter detent for interacting with the first detent of the shutter housing to deter the second shutter from moving toward the open position of the second shutter when the second shutter detent is engaged with the second detent of the shutter housing.
The shutter assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the first shutter including:

a first blocking member for blocking the first male conductor of the electrical plug from engaging the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle unless the first shutter is in the open position;

a second blocking member for blocking the second male conductor of the electrical plug from engaging the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle unless the first shutter is in the open position;

the second shutter including:

a first blocking member for blocking the second conductor plug of the electrical plug from engaging the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle unless the second shutter is in the open position; and

a second blocking member for blocking the first conductor plug of the electrical plug from engaging the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle unless the second shutter is in the open position.
The shutter assembly of claim 1, wherein the first shutter is biased toward the closed position by a spring.
The shutter assembly of claim 1, wherein the first shutter is biased toward the closed position by a first spring and the second shutter is biased toward the closed position by a second spring.
The shutter assembly of claim 1, wherein the first shutter is movable in a first direction when moving from the closed position to the open position of the first shutter, and the second shutter is movable in the first direction when moving from the closed position to the open position of the second shutter.
The shutter assembly of claim 8, wherein the first shutter and the second shutter each have one or more sliding surfaces, wherein the one or more sliding surfaces touch and slide against each other when the first shutter and the second shutter are moved relative to one another.
The shutter assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the drive surface of the first shutter is non-orthogonal to a direction of movement of the first male conductor as the first male conductor is moved toward the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle; and

the drive surface of the second shutter is non-orthogonal to a direction of movement of the second male conductor as the second male conductor is moved toward the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle.
The shutter assembly of claim 10, wherein:

wherein the drive surface of the first shutter is configured move the first shutter against a bias force in a first direction toward the open position in response to receiving the translation force that is applied to the drive surface of the first shutter by the first male conductor of the electrical plug as the first male conductor of the electrical plug is moved toward the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle;

wherein the drive surface of the second shutter is configured move the second shutter against a bias force in a second direction toward the open position in response to receiving the translation force that is applied to the drive surface of the second shutter by the second male conductor of the electrical plug as the second male conductor of the electrical plug is moved toward the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle; and

wherein the second direction is the same as the first direction.
A method for providing tamper resistance to a first female contact and a second female contact of an electrical outlet receptacle, the first female contact is configured to receive a first male conductor of an electrical plug and the second female contact configured to receive a second male conductor of the electrical plug, the method comprising:

moving a first male object toward the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle without moving a second male object toward the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle, and in response:

moving a first shutter to an open position of the first shutter;

pivoting a second shutter about a pivot to engage a catch that deters the second shutter from moving from a closed position toward an open position of the second shutter; and

the first shutter and the second shutter are configured to block the first male object from engaging the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle unless both the first shutter is in the open position and the second shutter is in the open position.
The method of claim 12, further comprising:

moving a second male object toward the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle while the first male object is moved toward the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle, and in response:

pivoting the second shutter about the pivot to disengage the catch;

moving the second shutter to the open position of the second shutter; and

allowing the first male object to engage the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle and allowing the second male object to engage the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle.
The method of claim 12, wherein pivoting the second shutter about the pivot to engage the catch includes also pivoting the first shutter about the pivot but the first shutter does not engage the catch and is not deterred from moving to the open position of the first shutter.
The method of claim 12, comprising:

moving the first male object away from the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle, and in response:

moving the first shutter to a closed position of the first shutter; and

pivoting a second shutter about the pivot to disengage the catch.
The method of claim 15, comprising:

moving a second male object toward the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle without moving the first male object toward the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle, and in response:

moving the second shutter to the open position of the second shutter; and

pivoting the first shutter about a pivot to engage a catch that deters the first shutter from moving from the closed position toward the open position of the first shutter.
A shutter assembly for providing tamper resistance to a first female contact and a second female contact of an electrical outlet receptacle, the first female contact configured to receive a first male conductor of an electrical plug and the second female contact configured to receive a second male conductor of the electrical plug, the shutter assembly comprising:

a first shutter that is movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the first shutter is configured to move toward the open position in response to a first male object being moved toward the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle;

a second shutter that is movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the second shutter is configured to move toward the open position in response to a second male object being moved toward the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle;

the first shutter and the second shutter are configured to block the first male object from engaging the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle and the second male object from engaging the second female contact unless both the first shutter is in the open position and the second shutter is in the open position; and

the first shutter is configured to pivot about a first pivot and engage a first catch that deters the first shutter from moving toward the open position of the first shutter when:

the second shutter is moved toward the open position in response to the second male object being moved toward the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle; and

the first male object is not moved toward the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle.
The shutter assembly of claim 17, wherein:

the second shutter is configured to pivot about a second pivot and engage a second catch that deters the second shutter from moving toward the open position of the second shutter when:

the first shutter is moved toward the open position in response to the first male object being moved toward the first female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle; and

the second male object is not moved toward the second female contact of the electrical outlet receptacle.
The shutter assembly of claim 18, wherein the first pivot and the second pivot are co-axial.
The shutter assembly of claim 17, wherein pivoting the first shutter comprises pivoting the second shutter with the first shutter about the first pivot but not having the second shutter engage the first catch so that the second shutter is not deterred from moving to the open position of the second shutter.