Importance

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Abstract

An electrical receptacle having openings to receive a plug having either parallel or tandem (perpendicular) blades, and a safety shutter assembly having elements positioned behind the openings to prevent insertion into the electrical contacts of the receptacle of items other than the intended plugs. The shutter assembly includes three individual shutter elements, each positioned upon a spacer element in the back of the receptacle cover for sliding movement thereon. Two of the shutter elements each include a camming portion and a blocking portion, and are positioned for movement by insertion of the blades of a parallel blade plug to permit the blades to be received in the receptacle contacts. The third shutter element is positioned for movement, together with the other two shutter elements, by insertion of a tandem blade plug to permit the blades thereof to be received in the proper contacts. The first two shutter elements are returned to their original positions by springs upon removal of the plug, and the third element is configured and arranged for return movement by one of the spring-biased elements.

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First Claim