US3598941A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Waterproof electrical switch controlled by plug insertion into and removal from receptacle
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-06-12
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Granted: 1971-08-10
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Expires: 1990-06-12
Abstract
Abstract A waterproof electrical switch or trip-free, circuit breaker controlled by the presence or absence of an electrical plug in a mating receptacle. During insertion of the plug into the receptacle, one of the plug pins engages and operates mechanism to turn the switch or circuit breaker on. Conversely, withdrawal of the plug from the receptacle turns the switch off or prepares the trip-free, circuit breaker for resetting. The switch preferably control energization of the receptacle. Thus, the receptacle is energized only when the plug has been inserted, and is deenergized in response to removal of the plug or tripping of the circuit breaker.
Inventors
- 👤 Gunnar I Nelson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 23:36
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/66; H01R13/70; H01R13/703; H01R13/7036; H01R13/713
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
In a waterproof device having an electrical switch with an operating handle and an electrical receptacle for receiving a multipin electrical plug wherein one pin of the plug engages an open sleeve having a solid wall portion and a slotted wall portion so as to actuate a movable rod upon insertion into the receptacle to move the electrical switch operating handle from its OFF position to its ON position, the improvement which comprises: a waterproof O-ring around the rod located such that the O-ring remains within the solid wall portion of the sleeve regardless of the position of the rod at least one sleeve of the receptacle having a longitudinal opening at each end thereof separated by a solid portion and a waterproof O-ring surrounding the solid portion to preclude passage of water from one side of the solid portion to the other; one of the longitudinal openings being shaped to receive a pin of the plug; the other of the longitudinal openings being shaped to receive and connect to a bared end of an electrical lead; and additional waterproof means to preclude passage of water from one end of the receptacle to the other.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
195 words
In a waterproof device having an electrical switch with an operating handle and an electrical receptacle for receiving a multipin electrical plug wherein one pin of the plug engages an open sleeve having a solid wall portion and a slotted wall portion so as to actuate a movable rod upon insertion into the receptacle to move the electrical switch operating handle from its OFF position to its ON position, the improvement which comprises: a waterproof O-ring around the rod located such that the O-ring remains within the solid wall portion of the sleeve regardless of the position of the rod at least one sleeve of the receptacle having a longitudinal opening at each end thereof separated by a solid portion and a waterproof O-ring surrounding the solid portion to preclude passage of water from one side of the solid portion to the other; one of the longitudinal openings being shaped to receive a pin of the plug; the other of the longitudinal openings being shaped to receive and connect to a bared end of an electrical lead; and additional waterproof means to preclude passage of water from one end of the receptacle to the other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The invention of claim 1 including: a box for mounting the electrical switch therein; means for mounting the electrical receptacle to the box so as to prevent passage of water therebetween; the electrical receptacle having a shell and an insert and including a waterproof O-ring between the shell and the insert to prevent passage of water therebetween.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
The invention of claim 2 including: a longitudinal hollow casing mounted at one end thereof to the operating handle of the electrical switch and at the other end thereof to the rod; and restoring means connected between the operating handle and the box so that when the plug is removed from the receptacle, the electrical switch is moved from its ON to its OFF position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein: the hollow casing is provided with a slot therein and the rod is provided with a pin adjacent the end mounted to the hollow casing; the pin being engaged within the slot so as to be movable with respect thereto; and including: a lost motion means mounted in the hollow casing to compensate for any overtravel of the rod.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 4 wherein the lost motion means is a spring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention of claim 5 wherein the restoring means is a spring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention of claim 4 wherein the restoring means is a spring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein the restoring means is a spring.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-09 | 1975-02-08 | 1975-08-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-09 | 1979-02-08 | 1979-08-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-09 | 1983-02-08 | 1983-08-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |