Electric power interrupting apparatus

Claim 2

An AC power interrupting means for a hand-held appliance, comprising: a. a DC power supply; b. an AC power connecting means; c. an electrically actuated switching circuit for controlling said AC power connecting means which is powered by said DC power supply and which is controlled by a first touch circuit controlled switching means and a first orientation circuit controlled switching means in said electrically actuated switching circuit; d. a touch sensor and a touch circuit powered by said DC power supply for controlling said first touch circuit controlled switching means by means of a first electrically powered switch actuator in said touch circuit; and e. an orientation sensor and orientation circuit powered by said DC power supply for controlling said first orientation circuit controlled switching means by means of a second electrically powered switch actuator in said orientation circuit.

Claim 3

An AC power interrupting means for a hand-held appliance as described in claim 1 wherein: a. said first touch circuit controlled switching means is a relay switch; and wherein said first electrically powered switch actuator is a relay coil which is part of said touch circuit; and b. said first orientation circuit controlled switching means is a relay switch and wherein said second electrically powered switch actuator is a relay coil in said orientation circuit.

Claim 4

An AC power interrupting means for a hand-held appliance as described in claim 1 wherein said electrically actuated switching means in said switching circuit are comprised of solid-state switches and wherein said electrically powered switch actuators in said touch circuit and in said orientation circuit are solid-state switching actuators.

Claim 5

An AC power interrupting means as described in claim 1 wherein said touch circuit is a capacitance-controlled circuit, and wherein said touch sensor is an electrical conductor.

Claim 6

An AC power interrupting means for a hand-held appliance as described in claim 1 wherein said orientation sensor is a liquid mercury switch.

Claim 7

An AC power interrupting means for a hand-held appliance as described in claim 1 wherein: a. said electrically actuated switching circuit is comprised of relay switches; b. said touch circuit and said orientation circuit include relay coils for actuating said relay switches; c. said touch circuit is a capacitance-controlled switching circuit; d. said touch sensor is an electrical conductor; and e. said orientation sensor is a liquid mercury switch.

Claim 8

An electric power interrupting apparatus for a hand-held electric appliance having a handle, an electric power cord, and a plug connector, comprising: a. an AC power interrupting means for connecting an AC power source with the hand-held electric appliance, said AC power interrupting means being comprised of a touch sensor mounted on the handle of the appliance, an orientation sensor mounted on the appliance, a DC power supply, a touch circuit and an orientation circuit powered by said power supply a switching circuit comprised of electrically actuated switching means which are controlled by electrically powered switch actuators which are controlled by said touch circuit and said orientation circuit, and an electric power connecting means controlled by said switching circuit and powered by said DC power supply; b. a receptacle which receives the plug connector of the appliance power cord and which is connected to said AC power connecting means; c. an AC power connector plug which is connected to said AC power connecting means for insertion into an AC power source; and d. a housing which houses said AC power connecting means, said switching circuit, said touch circuit, said orientation circuit, and said receptacle; and from which said AC power plug projects.

Claim 9

An electric power interrupting apparatus for a hand-held electric appliance having a handle, an electric power cord, and a plug connector, comprising: a. an AC power interrupting means for connecting an AC power source with the hand-held electric appliance, said AC power interrupting means being comprised of a touch sensor mounted on the handle of the appliance, an orientation sensor mounted on the appliance, a DC power supply, a touch circuit and an orientation circuit powered by said power supply a switching circuit comprised of electrically actuated switching means which are controlled by electrically powered switch actuators which are controlled by said touch circuit and said orientation circuit, and an electric power connecting means controlled by said switching circuit and powered by said DC power supply; b. a receptacle which receives the plug connector of the appliance power cord and which is connected to said AC power connecting means; c. an AC power connector plug which is connected to said AC power connecting means for insertion into an AC power source; and d. a housing which houses said AC power connecting means, said switching circuit, said touch circuit, said orientation circuit, and said receptacle; and from which said AC power plug projects.

Claim 10

An AC power interrupting means for a hand-held appliance, comprising: a. a DC power supply; b. an AC power connecting means; c. an audible alarm; d. an electrically actuated switching circuit for controlling said AC power connecting means and said audible alarm which are powered by said DC power supply; said AC power connecting means being controlled by a first touch circuit controlled switching means and a first orientation circuit controlled switching means in said electrically actuated switching circuit, and said audible alarm being controlled by a second touch circuit controlled switching means and a second orientation circuit controlled switching means in said electrically actuated switching circuit; e. a touch sensor and touch circuit powered by said DC power supply for controlling said first and second touch circuit controlled switching means of an electrically powered switch actuator in said touch circuit; and f. an orientation sensor and orientation circuit powered by said DC power supply for controlling said first and second orientation circuit controlled switching means in said switching circuit by means of a second electrically powered switch actuator in said orientation circuit.

Claim 11

An AC power interrupting means for a hand-held appliance, comprising: a. a DC power supply; b. an AC power connecting means; c. an audible alarm; d. an electrically actuated switching circuit for controlling said AC power connecting means and said audible alarm which are powered by said DC power supply; said AC power connecting means being controlled by a first touch circuit controlled switching means and a first orientation circuit controlled switching means in said electrically actuated switching circuit, and said audible alarm being controlled by a second touch circuit controlled switching means and a second orientation circuit controlled switching means in said electrically actuated switching circuit; e. a touch sensor and touch circuit powered by said DC power supply for controlling said first and second touch circuit controlled switching means of an electrically powered switch actuator in said touch circuit; and f. an orientation sensor and orientation circuit powered by said DC power supply for controlling said first and second orientation circuit controlled switching means in said switching circuit by means of a second electrically powered switch actuator in said orientation circuit.

Claim 12

An electric power interrupting apparatus for a hand-held electric appliance having a handle, an electric power cord, and a plug connector, comprising: a. an AC power interrupting means for connecting an AC power source with the hand-held electric appliance, said AC power interrupting means being comprised of a touch sensor mounted on the handle of the appliance, an orientation sensor mounted on the appliance, a DC power supply, a touch circuit and orientation circuit powered by said power supply, a switching circuit comprised of electrically actuated switching means which are controlled by electrically powered switch actuators which are controlled by said touch circuit and said orientation circuit and said electric power connecting means, and an audible alarm controlled by said switching circuit and powered by said DC power supply; b. a receptacle which receives the plug connector of the appliance power cord and which is connected to said AC power connecting means; c. an AC power connector plug which is connected to said AC power connecting means for insertion into an AC power source; and d. a housing which houses said AC power connecting means, said audible alarm, said switching circuit, said touch circuit, said orientation circuit, said receptacle; and from which said AC power plug projects.

Claim 13

An electric power interrupting apparatus for a hand-held electric appliance having a handle, an electric power cord, and a plug connector, comprising: a. an AC power interrupting means for connecting an AC power source with the hand-held electric appliance, said AC power interrupting means being comprised of a touch sensor mounted on the handle of the appliance, an orientation sensor mounted on the appliance, a DC power supply, a touch circuit and orientation circuit powered by said power supply, a switching circuit comprised of electrically actuated switching means which are controlled by electrically powered switch actuators which are controlled by said touch circuit and said orientation circuit and said electric power connecting means, and an audible alarm controlled by said switching circuit and powered by said DC power supply; b. a receptacle which receives the plug connector of the appliance power cord and which is connected to said AC power connecting means; c. an AC power connector plug which is connected to said AC power connecting means for insertion into an AC power source; and d. a housing which houses said AC power connecting means, said audible alarm, said switching circuit, said touch circuit, said orientation circuit, said receptacle; and from which said AC power plug projects.

Claim 14

An AC power interrupting means for a hand-held appliance, comprising: a. a DC power supply; b. an AC power connecting means; c. an electrically actuated switching circuit for controlling said AC power connecting means which is powered by said DC power supply and which is controlled by a first touch circuit controlled switching means, a first orientation circuit controlled switching means, and a first electronic timer circuit controlled switching means in said electrically actuated switching circuit; d. a touch sensor and touch circuit powered by said DC power supply for controlling said first touch circuit controlled switching means by means of an electrically powered switch actuator in said touch circuit; e. an orientation sensor and orientation circuit powered by said DC power supply for controlling said first orientation circuit controlled switching means by means of a second electrically powered switch actuator in said orientation circuit; and f. an electronic, resettable timer powered by said DC power supply for controlling said first timer circuit controlled switching means by means of a third electrically powered switch actuator in said timer circuit.

Claim 15

An AC power interrupting means for a hand-held appliance, comprising: a. a DC power supply; b. an AC power connecting means; c. an electrically actuated switching circuit for controlling said AC power connecting means which is powered by said DC power supply and which is controlled by a first touch circuit controlled switching means, a first orientation circuit controlled switching means, and a first electronic timer circuit controlled switching means in said electrically actuated switching circuit; d. a touch sensor and touch circuit powered by said DC power supply for controlling said first touch circuit controlled switching means by means of an electrically powered switch actuator in said touch circuit; e. an orientation sensor and orientation circuit powered by said DC power supply for controlling said first orientation circuit controlled switching means by means of a second electrically powered switch actuator in said orientation circuit; and f. an electronic, resettable timer powered by said DC power supply for controlling said first timer circuit controlled switching means by means of a third electrically powered switch actuator in said timer circuit.

Claim 16

An electric power interrupting apparatus for a hand-held electric appliance having a handle, an electric power cord, and a plug connector, comprising: a. an AC power interrupting means for connecting an AC power source with the hand-held electric appliance, said AC power interrupting means being comprised of a touch sensor mounted on the handle of the appliance; an orientation sensor mounted on the appliance; a touch circuit; an orientation circuit; an electronic, resettable timer; a DC power supply; a switching circuit comprised of electrically actuated switching means which are controlled by electrically powered switch actuators which are controlled by said touch circuit, said orientation circuit, and said electronic, resettable timer; and an electric power connecting means controlled by said switching circuit and powered by said DC power supply; b. a receptacle which receives the plug connector of the appliance power cord and which is connected to said AC power connecting means; c. an AC power connector plug which is connected to said AC power connecting means for insertion into an AC power source; and d. a housing which houses said AC power connecting means, said switching circuit, said touch circuit, said orientation circuit, said electronic, resettable timer, and said receptacle; and from which said AC power plug projects.

Claim 17

An electric power interrupting apparatus for a hand-held electric appliance having a handle, an electric power cord, and a plug connector, comprising: a. an AC power interrupting means for connecting an AC power source with the hand-held electric appliance, said AC power interrupting means being comprised of a touch sensor mounted on the handle of the appliance; an orientation sensor mounted on the appliance; a touch circuit; an orientation circuit; an electronic, resettable timer; a DC power supply; a switching circuit comprised of electrically actuated switching means which are controlled by electrically powered switch actuators which are controlled by said touch circuit, said orientation circuit, and said electronic, resettable timer; and an electric power connecting means controlled by said switching circuit and powered by said DC power supply; b. a receptacle which receives the plug connector of the appliance power cord and which is connected to said AC power connecting means; c. an AC power connector plug which is connected to said AC power connecting means for insertion into an AC power source; and d. a housing which houses said AC power connecting means, said switching circuit, said touch circuit, said orientation circuit, said electronic, resettable timer, and said receptacle; and from which said AC power plug projects.

Claim 18

An AC power interrupting means for a hand-held appliance, comprising: a. a DC power supply; b. an AC power connecting means; c. an audible alarm; d. an electrically actuated switching circuit for controlling said AC power connecting means and said audible alarm which are powered by said DC power supply; said AC power connecting means being controlled by a first touch circuit controlled switching means, a first orientation circuit controlled switching means, and a first electronic timer circuit controlled switching means in said electrically actuated switching circuit; said audible alarm being controlled by a second touch circuit controlled switching means, a second orientation circuit controlled switching means, and a second electronic timer circuit controlled switching means in said electrically actuated switching circuit; e. a touch sensor and touch circuit powered by said DC power supply for controlling said first and second touch circuit controlled switching means by means of an electrically powered switch actuator in said touch circuit; f. an orientation sensor and orientation circuit powered by said DC power supply or controlling said first and second orientation circuit controlled switching means by means of a second electrically powered switch actuator in said orientation circuit; and g. an electronic resettable timer powered by said DC power supply for controlling said first and second timer circuit controlled switching means by means of a third electrically powered switch actuator in said timer circuit.

Claim 19

An AC power interrupting means for a hand-held appliance, comprising: a. a DC power supply; b. an AC power connecting means; c. an audible alarm; d. an electrically actuated switching circuit for controlling said AC power connecting means and said audible alarm which are powered by said DC power supply; said AC power connecting means being controlled by a first touch circuit controlled switching means, a first orientation circuit controlled switching means, and a first electronic timer circuit controlled switching means in said electrically actuated switching circuit; said audible alarm being controlled by a second touch circuit controlled switching means, a second orientation circuit controlled switching means, and a second electronic timer circuit controlled switching means in said electrically actuated switching circuit; e. a touch sensor and touch circuit powered by said DC power supply for controlling said first and second touch circuit controlled switching means by means of an electrically powered switch actuator in said touch circuit; f. an orientation sensor and orientation circuit powered by said DC power supply or controlling said first and second orientation circuit controlled switching means by means of a second electrically powered switch actuator in said orientation circuit; and g. an electronic resettable timer powered by said DC power supply for controlling said first and second timer circuit controlled switching means by means of a third electrically powered switch actuator in said timer circuit.

Claim 20

An electric power interrupting apparatus for a hand-held appliance having a handle, an electric power cord, and a plug connector, comprising: a. an AC power interrupting means for connecting an AC power source with the hand-held electric appliance, said AC power interrupting means being comprised of a touch sensor mounted on the handle of the appliance; an orientation sensor mounted on the appliance; a touch circuit; an orientation circuit; an electronic, resettable timer; a DC power supply; a switching circuit comprised of electrically actuated switching means which are controlled by electrically powered switch actuators which are controlled by said touch circuit, said orientation circuit, and said electronic, resettable timer; and an electric power connecting means and an audible alarm controlled by said switching circuit and powered by said DC power supply; b. a receptacle which receives the plug connector of the appliance power cord and which is connected to said AC power connecting means; c. an AC power connector plug which is connected to said AC power connecting means for insertion into an AC power source; and d. a housing which houses said AC power connecting means, said audible alarm, said switching circuit, said touch circuit, said orientation circuit, said electronic, resettable timer, and said receptacle; and from which said AC power plug projects.

Claim 21

An electric power interrupting apparatus for a hand-held appliance having a handle, an electric power cord, and a plug connector, comprising: a. an AC power interrupting means for connecting an AC power source with the hand-held electric appliance, said AC power interrupting means being comprised of a touch sensor mounted on the handle of the appliance; an orientation sensor mounted on the appliance; a touch circuit; an orientation circuit; an electronic, resettable timer; a DC power supply; a switching circuit comprised of electrically actuated switching means which are controlled by electrically powered switch actuators which are controlled by said touch circuit, said orientation circuit, and said electronic, resettable timer; and an electric power connecting means and an audible alarm controlled by said switching circuit and powered by said DC power supply; b. a receptacle which receives the plug connector of the appliance power cord and which is connected to said AC power connecting means; c. an AC power connector plug which is connected to said AC power connecting means for insertion into an AC power source; and d. a housing which houses said AC power connecting means, said audible alarm, said switching circuit, said touch circuit, said orientation circuit, said electronic, resettable timer, and said receptacle; and from which said AC power plug projects.