Electrical energizable apparatus and adapter connector for use therewith

Claim 2

Electrical energizable apparatus, comprising: a plurality of electrically energizable devices, each of a low voltage rating, which are operatively associated to perform a function, at least two circuit means whose totality includes said devices, each circuit means being substantially current-load-balanced, a high voltage input plug having at least two low voltage circuits individually connected to a separate one of said circuit means, such that upon insertion of said input plug into a high voltage electrical input socket, each of said devices receives its rated low voltage, and a passive adapter connector associated with said apparatus, having a high voltage socket portion cooperable with said input plug, and having a low voltage plug portion cooperable with a low voltage electrical input socket, said connector containing a branching electrical conductor circuit which connects each of said devices to its rated low voltage.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plurality of electrical devices comprise the devices of an electrophotographic copier, said copier having an internal compartment to store said adapter connector when the copier is to be used with a high voltage electrical input socket.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the high and low voltage electrical input sockets provide AC voltage, and wherein the high voltage is three-wire difining two in-phase circuits, each circuit of which is of the low voltage magnitude, and the low voltage is two-wire, single phase.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus comprises an office copier, wherein the high and low voltage electrical input sockets provide AC voltage, and wherein the high voltage is three-wire defining two in-phase circuits, each circuit of which is of the low voltage magnitude, and the low voltage is two-wire, single phase.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said input plug provides two low voltage, two-wire, single phase circuits, having a common conductor, and wherein said adapter connector connects a low voltage, two wire, single phase input at its said low voltage plug portion, to two low voltage, two-wire single phase circuits having a common conductor, at its said high voltage socket portion.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said input plug provides two low voltage, two-wire, single phase circuits, having a common conductor, and wherein said adapter connector connects a low voltage, two wire, single phase input at its said low voltage plug portion, to two voltage, two-wire, single phase circuits having a common conductor, at its said high voltage socket portion.

Claim 8

In an electrophotographic copier having a plurality of electrically energizable devices of like AC voltage ratings, the improvement comprising: a first and a second two-wire energizing circuit, each of said devices being connected to one of said circuits in a manner to substantially current-balance said first and second circuits, a four wire, high voltage AC power input plug, having a ground wire, and three wires defining two low voltage AC phases which are in-phase, each of said two- phases having a common neutral wire, and one phase wire, means connecting said ground wire to said copier, means connecting said first circuit to one of said two low voltage AC phases, means connecting said second circuit to the other of said two low voltage AC phases, a passive adapter connector having a four wire, high voltage socket portion adapted to cooperate with said power input plug, and having a three-wire, low voltage AC plug portion including a ground wire, a neutral wire and a phase wire, and direct circuit connections within said adapter connector connecting the neutral wire of said low voltage plug portion to the common neutral wire of said power input plug, connecting the ground wire of said low voltage plug portion to the ground wire of said power input plug, and connecting the phase wire of said low voltage plug portion to each of the phase wires of said power input plug.

Claim 9

In an electrophotographic copier having a plurality of electrically energizable devices of like AC voltage ratings, the improvement comprising: a first and a second two-wire energizing circuit, each of said devices being connected to one of said circuits in a manner to substantially current-balance said first and second circuits, a four wire, high voltage AC power input plug, having a ground wire, and three wires defining two low voltage AC phases which are in-phase, each of said two- phases having a common neutral wire, and one phase wire, means connecting said ground wire to said copier, means connecting said first circuit to one of said two low voltage AC phases, means connecting said second circuit to the other of said two low voltage AC phases, a passive adapter connector having a four wire, high voltage socket portion adapted to cooperate with said power input plug, and having a three-wire, low voltage AC plug portion including a ground wire, a neutral wire and a phase wire, and direct circuit connections within said adapter connector connecting the neutral wire of said low voltage plug portion to the common neutral wire of said power input plug, connecting the ground wire of said low voltage plug portion to the ground wire of said power input plug, and connecting the phase wire of said low voltage plug portion to each of the phase wires of said power input plug.

Claim 10

The copier of claim 7 including, a storage compartment for use to store said adapter connector when said power input plug is to be directly used with a high voltage source of AC power.