Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
230 words
In combination with an appliance having a housing and circuitry connected to a first terminal member mounted within said housing, an arrangement for connecting additional circuitry to said circuitry through said first terminal member, said arrangement comprising: a cartridge including: a shell having an opening; means for securing said additional circuitry within said shell; and a second terminal member connected to said additional cricuitry and adapted for mating connection with said first terminal member, said second terminal member being fixedly mounted inside said shell in proximity to said opening so that an incursion of said first terminal member into said opening will result in a mating connection therewith; a casing mounted on and extending through said housing, said casing having an opening; means for mounting said first terminal member within said casing away from said opening; a platform supported within said casing for translatory motion between first and second positions within said casing, said platform having an opening adapted to receive said first terminal member therethrough when in said second position, and said platform substantially blocking said casing opening when in said first position; and latch means mounted on said platform for retaining said platform in said first position and cooperating with said cartridge for releasing said platform to allow said platform to be moved to said second position upon application of a force to said platform through said cartridge.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
230 words
In combination with an appliance having a housing and circuitry connected to a first terminal member mounted within said housing, an arrangement for connecting additional circuitry to said circuitry through said first terminal member, said arrangement comprising: a cartridge including: a shell having an opening; means for securing said additional circuitry within said shell; and a second terminal member connected to said additional cricuitry and adapted for mating connection with said first terminal member, said second terminal member being fixedly mounted inside said shell in proximity to said opening so that an incursion of said first terminal member into said opening will result in a mating connection therewith; a casing mounted on and extending through said housing, said casing having an opening; means for mounting said first terminal member within said casing away from said opening; a platform supported within said casing for translatory motion between first and second positions within said casing, said platform having an opening adapted to receive said first terminal member therethrough when in said second position, and said platform substantially blocking said casing opening when in said first position; and latch means mounted on said platform for retaining said platform in said first position and cooperating with said cartridge for releasing said platform to allow said platform to be moved to said second position upon application of a force to said platform through said cartridge.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
The arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said cartridge further includes: a door pivotally mounted within said shell adjacent said opening; and means for biasing said door so as to cover said opening, said door being adapted to pivot and uncover said opening when said first terminal member pushes against said door upon entry into said shell through said opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
87 words
The arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said latch means includes: a pair of movable latch members; means for urging said latch members away from each other; each of said latch members having an extension; and a pair of shoulders formed on said casing, each of said shoulders adapted to receive thereon a respective one of said extensions, said shoulders being positioned in said casing so that they receive thereon said extensions when said platform is in said first position and said latch members are urged apart.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
The arrangement according to claim 3 wherein said platform includes a pair of further openings, each of said latch members includes a camming surface thereon, and said cartridge further includes a pair of prongs each adapted to be inserted through one of said platform further openings so as to engage one of said latch member camming surfaces to force said latch members toward each other and said extensions off said shoulders.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The arrangement according to claim 3 wherein said latch member extensions are each positioned on an extremity of their respective latch member away from the other of said latch members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
82 words
The arrangement according to claim 1 further including a door pivotally mounted on said platform and adapted to cover said platform opening when said platform is in said first position, said door including a camming surface adapted to be engaged by said first terminal member as said platform is moved from said first position toward said second position so as to cause said door to be pivotally moved to expose said platform opening and allow said first terminal member to pass therethrough.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The arrangement according to claim 6 wherein said casing includes a camming surface adapted to engage said door as said platform is moved from said second position toward said first position so as to cause said door to be pivotally moved to cover said platform opening.