US3872383A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Visual ground fault indicator
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-12-07
•
Granted: 1975-03-18
•
Expires: 1993-12-07
Abstract
Abstract A ground fault testing receptacle comprising a frontal panel incorporating a standard electrical service outlet and a grounding terminal. The panel has a red signal lamp at one side, a white signal lamp at the other side, and a toggle switch below. If the ground line for the premises is normal, the closing of the switch will turn on the white lamp. However, it will turn on the red lamp if the ground line is broken. The signals are conditions for plugging an electrical appliance into the outlet.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward Kolodziej
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 15:13
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R19/00; G01R19/145
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
A ground fault indicating receptacle comprising a frontal panel with an outlet presenting a pair of service terminals and a ground terminal, red and white signal lamps mounted in the panel, a switch also mounted in the same and operable to light the white lamp in case of a normal ground connection and the red lamp in case of an interrupted ground connection, a resistance element, a circuit for said lamps, resistance element and switch, including a ground line connected to said ground terminal, a grounded negative feed line connected to one service terminal and a positive feed line connected to the other service terminal wherein one terminal of each lamp is connected to the ground line, the other terminal of the red lamp is connected to the grounded negative feed line and said one service terminal, the other service terminal is connected to one side of the switch, the other terminal of the white lamp is connected to the other side of the switch and said resistance element interconnects said other terminal of the white lamp with the ground line.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
A ground fault indicating receptacle comprising a frontal panel with an outlet presenting a pair of service terminals and a ground terminal, red and white signal lamps mounted in the panel, a switch also mounted in the same and operable to light the white lamp in case of a normal ground connection and the red lamp in case of an interrupted ground connection, a resistance element, a circuit for said lamps, resistance element and switch, including a ground line connected to said ground terminal, a grounded negative feed line connected to one service terminal and a positive feed line connected to the other service terminal wherein one terminal of each lamp is connected to the ground line, the other terminal of the red lamp is connected to the grounded negative feed line and said one service terminal, the other service terminal is connected to one side of the switch, the other terminal of the white lamp is connected to the other side of the switch and said resistance element interconnects said other terminal of the white lamp with the ground line.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
184 words
A visual indicating device for a faulty ground connection in a first electrical service outlet circuit comprising a receptacle with two service terminals and a ground terminal, a grounded negative feed line connected to one of said service terminals, a positive feed line connected to the other of said service terminals, a ground line connected to the ground terminal, and a second circuit comprising a first conductor interconnecting the grounded negative feed line and one terminal of a switch, a pair of differently colorEd lamps in series with said first conductor, a second conductor interconnecting said positive feed line and the other terminal of said switch and a resistance element connected to said ground line and to said first conductor in parallel relationship with one of said lamps, said element having an impedance greater than that of said one lamp, said first conductor being joined to said ground line between said lamps, whereby when said switch is closed, said one lamp will be lighted if the ground line is in order and said other lamp will be lighted if the ground line is faulty.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
184 words
A visual indicating device for a faulty ground connection in a first electrical service outlet circuit comprising a receptacle with two service terminals and a ground terminal, a grounded negative feed line connected to one of said service terminals, a positive feed line connected to the other of said service terminals, a ground line connected to the ground terminal, and a second circuit comprising a first conductor interconnecting the grounded negative feed line and one terminal of a switch, a pair of differently colorEd lamps in series with said first conductor, a second conductor interconnecting said positive feed line and the other terminal of said switch and a resistance element connected to said ground line and to said first conductor in parallel relationship with one of said lamps, said element having an impedance greater than that of said one lamp, said first conductor being joined to said ground line between said lamps, whereby when said switch is closed, said one lamp will be lighted if the ground line is in order and said other lamp will be lighted if the ground line is faulty.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-17 | 1978-09-16 | 1979-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-17 | 1982-09-16 | 1983-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-17 | 1986-09-16 | 1987-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |