STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a device for more safely providing electrical energy to electronic devices. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention are directed to an electrical outlet that comprises a means for requiring coupled engagement between an outlet component and a plug component before electrical energy is supplied via the electrical outlet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditional alternating current (AC) power electrical outlets (e.g., 120V and 240V, 480V) are wire-connected to municipal power supplies and/or localized power production systems (e.g., solar panel systems, wind farms, gas-powered backup generators, etc.). Typically, such outlets comprise two orifices through which electrical current flows when an electrical device is connected to the outlet via a plug which comprises two protruding members that are fitted into the orifices. Since electrical energy of such voltages can be hazardous, safety features have been incorporated into electrical outlets. In one aspect, outlets may contain an earthing (grounding) connection, which operates to protect against insulation failure of a connected electrical device. In another aspect, an outlet may comprise a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) (also known as a residual-current device (RCD) or residual-current circuit breaker (RCCB)). Such a device automatically breaks the electrical circuit (and therefore stops the flow of electricity through the outlet) when it detects that the electrical current is not balanced between the supply and return conductors of the circuit.

Many electrical outlet modifications and improvements have been described, such as in U.S. Pat. No. 3,665,252 to Rogers, Sr. et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,059,843 to Girismen; U.S. Pat. No. 4,378,579 to Hudson, Jr.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,466,040 to Barthel et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,616,285 to Sackett; U.S. Pat. No. 4,867,694 to Short; U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,639 to Cohn et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,970,349 to Jones; U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,017 to Sellati et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,029,037 to Bartelink; U.S. Pat. No. 5,095,182 to Thompson; U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,841 to Knights; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,267,116 and 5,426,552 to Avitan; U.S. Pat. No. 5,708,551 to Bosatelli; U.S. Pat. No. 5,999,384 to Chen et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,038,115 to Kleemeier et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,049,143 to Simpson et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,111,733 to Neiger et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,183,264 to Harsányi; U.S. Pat. No. 6,252,407 to Gershen; U.S. Pat. No. 6,455,789 to Allison; U.S. Pat. No. 6,495,775 to Lawson et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,552,888 to Weinberger; U.S. Pat. No. 6,979,212 to Gorman; U.S. Pat. No. 6,986,674 to Gorman; U.S. Pat. No. 7,400,476 to Hull, Jr.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,525,402 to Gao; U.S. Pat. No. 7,887,349 to Macomber; U.S. Pat. No. 7,932,644 to Poyner et al; U.S. Pat. No. 7,978,447 to Baxter; and U.S. Pat. No. 9,077,105 to Kim, each of which is incorporated herein by reference to the extent not inconsistent herewith.

Importantly, obtaining electrical current through such outlets merely requires contact with the conducting lead within one or both of orifices and a path to ground. Accordingly, if a child, for example, inserts an object into an outlet opening, electrical current can move through the object and through the child, possibly causing serious injury or death. It would therefore be useful to provide an electrical outlet that removes such a risk of electrocution.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of an apparatus of the present invention generally include an electrocution prevention electricity provision device comprising a communication member, wherein AC electrical power flows through the device only when an object comprising a complementary communication member is contacted with the device, whereby the proximity of the communication members actuates the device to provide electrical current therethrough. Embodiments of a method of using embodiments of an apparatus of the present invention are also provided.

