US3784958A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-ejecting electric plug
Assignee: Gould Inc
•
Filing: 1971-04-05
•
Granted: 1974-01-08
•
Expires: 1991-04-05
Abstract
Abstract The plug includes a plunger normally spring retracted between the prongs and a chamber containing thermally expansible material and an electric heater which is the plug cord circuit, a remote switch closure energizing the heater to expand the material against the plunger to drive it outwardly and eject the plug from the receptacle.
Inventors
- 👤 L Harris
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 03:45
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/66; H01R13/70; H01R13/713; H01R13/7132; F; F03; F03G; F03G7/00; F03G7/06; F03G7/061; F03G7/06112; F03G7/06113; H01R13/62; H01R13/629; H01R13/633; H01R13/637; H05; H05B; H05B3/00; H01R2103/00; H01R24/00; H01R24/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
A self-ejecting electrical connector, comprising a body member having a recess therein, an annular member having a central bore in substantial alignment with said recess, an elastic diaphragm at the mount of said recess forming a fluid chamber therewith, said diaphragm having an annular fold therein disposed substantially in said recess in the collapsed condition of same and adapted for distension into said bore upon build up of pressure in said fluid chamber, a thermally expansible fluid filling said fluid chamber when said diaphragm is in the collapsed condition, electrical heater means disposed in said fluid chamber, said heater means being completely submerged in said fluid, a pair of electrical contacts extending outwardly of said annular member, said contacts being adapted for insertion into conventional outlet box connectors, means connecting said electrical contacts and said heater means for applying electrical energy to the latter to cause distension of said diaphragm and a change in the volume of said fluid chamber, and a plunger supported in said bore and abutting said diaphragm, said plunger adapted upon distension of said diaphragm to move between said electrical contacts for obstruction of the latter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
A self-ejecting electrical connector, comprising a body member having a recess therein, an annular member having a central bore in substantial alignment with said recess, an elastic diaphragm at the mount of said recess forming a fluid chamber therewith, said diaphragm having an annular fold therein disposed substantially in said recess in the collapsed condition of same and adapted for distension into said bore upon build up of pressure in said fluid chamber, a thermally expansible fluid filling said fluid chamber when said diaphragm is in the collapsed condition, electrical heater means disposed in said fluid chamber, said heater means being completely submerged in said fluid, a pair of electrical contacts extending outwardly of said annular member, said contacts being adapted for insertion into conventional outlet box connectors, means connecting said electrical contacts and said heater means for applying electrical energy to the latter to cause distension of said diaphragm and a change in the volume of said fluid chamber, and a plunger supported in said bore and abutting said diaphragm, said plunger adapted upon distension of said diaphragm to move between said electrical contacts for obstruction of the latter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprises means for securing said body member, said annular member and said electrical contacts as a unitary structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A connector as set forth in claim 2 wherein said diaphragm is supported at the periphery thereof between said body member and said annular member and is retained in fluid tight engagement by said securing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A connector as set forth in claim 3 wherein said connecting means comprises a pair of electrically conductive bolts extending through said body means and said annular means for conducting electrical power from said contacts to said heater means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
A connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein said heater means is an electrical resistance heater supported in said body member and disposed in said fluid chamber, and said fluid is an inert dielectric fluorinated hydrocarbon liquid readily vaporizable by the energy supplied by said heater means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
A connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein said annular member includes a stop flange at the outer end of said bore and said plunger includes a flange at its inner end and further including a spring disposed between said plunger flange and said stop flange for biasing said plunger to a retracted position within said Bore.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
157 words
An electrical connector, comprising a body member, a pair of spaced contacts extending from said body member, a plunger slidable from a position within said body member to a position between said contacts for preventing association of the latter with conventional connector devices, spring means for biasing said plunger to a normally retracted position within said body member, and electrically actuated means for urging said plunger between said contacts and against the bias of said spring means comprising a fluid chamber in said body member, a flexible folded diaphragm forming one wall of said fluid chamber, said diaphragm being in abutment with said plunger and adapted to move the latter upon distension due to buildup of pressure in said fluid chamber, a readily vaporizable fluid in said fluid chamber, and resistance heater means in said fluid chamber energizable from a source of power for vaporizing said fluid to cause a buildup of pressure in said fluid chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
157 words
An electrical connector, comprising a body member, a pair of spaced contacts extending from said body member, a plunger slidable from a position within said body member to a position between said contacts for preventing association of the latter with conventional connector devices, spring means for biasing said plunger to a normally retracted position within said body member, and electrically actuated means for urging said plunger between said contacts and against the bias of said spring means comprising a fluid chamber in said body member, a flexible folded diaphragm forming one wall of said fluid chamber, said diaphragm being in abutment with said plunger and adapted to move the latter upon distension due to buildup of pressure in said fluid chamber, a readily vaporizable fluid in said fluid chamber, and resistance heater means in said fluid chamber energizable from a source of power for vaporizing said fluid to cause a buildup of pressure in said fluid chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A connector as set forth in claim 7 wherein said fluid is a fluorinated hydrocarbon liquid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A connector as set forth in claim 8. further including switch means in circuit with said contacts and said heater means for energization of the latter.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2612419A
Cited
US2597890A
Cited
US2688734A
Cited
US2829500A
Cited
US3084901A
Cited
US3168805A
Cited
US3475715A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-07 | 1977-07-09 | 1978-01-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-07 | 1981-07-09 | 1982-01-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-07 | 1985-07-09 | 1986-01-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |