US4957445A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lock-out enclosure for power connector
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1989-04-18
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Granted: 1990-09-18
•
Expires: 2009-04-18
Abstract
Abstract A tubular enclosure for a power connector attached to a power supply line, whereby the enclosure can be moved along the line to a position enclosing the power connector; the enclosure serves as a lock-out device to prevent the connection of the power connector to a power source by unauthorized or untrained persons. In a preferred form of the invention the enclosure is permanently retained on the power line so that it is readily available for use when needed for the lock-out function.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald A. Burke, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:20
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
An enclosure for a connector attached to a power supply line comprising: a tube sized to be slipped over said connector; a cap connectable to one end of said tube, said cap having an end wall, a cylindrical flange extending from said end wall, and a slot extending through said cylindrical flange to a central area of said end wall, said slot having a transverse width sufficient to receive said power supply line therethrough; and an adhesive binding said cylindrical flange of said cap to said one end of said tube to lock said enclosure to said connector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
An enclosure for a connector attached to a power supply line comprising: a tube sized to be slipped over said connector; a cap connectable to one end of said tube, said cap having an end wall, a cylindrical flange extending from said end wall, and a slot extending through said cylindrical flange to a central area of said end wall, said slot having a transverse width sufficient to receive said power supply line therethrough; and an adhesive binding said cylindrical flange of said cap to said one end of said tube to lock said enclosure to said connector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The enclosure of claim 1 wherein said tube and said cap are formed of a dielectric material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The enclosure of claim 2 wherein said connector is an electrical connector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The enclosure of claim 1 wherein said connector is a hydraulic connector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The enclosure of claim 1 wherein said connector is a pneumatic connector.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The enclosure of claim 1 further comprising removable closure means for closing the end of said tube opposite said one end.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
The enclosure of claim 6 wherein said tube has two diametrically spaced openings in near adjacency to said end of said tube opposite said one end, said removable closure means is a closure bar extendable through said two diametrically spaced openings, said closure bar assuming an obstructing position preventing the connection of said connector to a source of power.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
106 words
A lock-out enclosure for a connector attached to a power supply line comprising: a cylindrical tube receivable over the connector; a cap connectable to one end of said cylindrical tube, said cap having an end wall, a cylindrical flange, and a power line slot extending through said cylindrical flange and through said end wall from said cylindrical flange to a central region of said end wall; means for locking said cap to said one end of said cylindrical tube; and closure means for closing the end of said cylindrical tube opposite said one end to prevent the removal of said connector from inside said cylindrical tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
106 words
A lock-out enclosure for a connector attached to a power supply line comprising: a cylindrical tube receivable over the connector; a cap connectable to one end of said cylindrical tube, said cap having an end wall, a cylindrical flange, and a power line slot extending through said cylindrical flange and through said end wall from said cylindrical flange to a central region of said end wall; means for locking said cap to said one end of said cylindrical tube; and closure means for closing the end of said cylindrical tube opposite said one end to prevent the removal of said connector from inside said cylindrical tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
The lock-out enclosure of claim 8 wherein said means for locking is at least one aperture provided in said cylindrical flange and at least one resilient tang provided on said cylindrical tube lockingly engaging said at least one aperture in a snap lock manner.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
The lock-out enclosure of claim 8 wherein said closure means is a closure bar extendable through two diametrically opposed slots provided through said cylindrical tube adjacent to the end of said cylindrical tube opposite said one end to prevent the removal of said connector from said cylindrical tube and prevent said connection of the connector to a source of power.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The lock-out enclosure of claim 8 wherein said means for locking said cap to said one end of said cylindrical tube is an adhesive binding said cylindrical flange to said cylindrical tube.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The lock-out enclosure of claim 11 wherein the internal diameter of said cylindrical flange is approximately equal to the external diameter of said cylindrical tube so that said cylindrical tube is telescopically received inside of said cylindrical flange.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
The lock-out enclosure of claim 11 wherein the external diameter of said cylindrical flange is approximately equal to the internal diameter of said cylindrical flange so that said cylindrical flange is telescopically received inside of said cylindrical tube.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
133 words
A lock-out enclosure for a connector attached to a power supply line comprising: a cylindrical tube sized to be received over said connector, said cylindrical tube having a closed end, an open end and at least one finger axially extending from said open end of said cylindrical tube, said at least one finger having an aperture provided therethrough to receive the shackle of a lock; and a cap for enclosing said open end of said cylindrical tube, said cap having an end wall, a cylindrical flange circumscribing said cylindrical tube and a radial slot for receiving said power supply line therethrough, said radial slot extending from a central region of said end wall through said cylindrical flange, said cap further having at least one arcuate slot receiving said at least one finger therethrough.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
133 words
A lock-out enclosure for a connector attached to a power supply line comprising: a cylindrical tube sized to be received over said connector, said cylindrical tube having a closed end, an open end and at least one finger axially extending from said open end of said cylindrical tube, said at least one finger having an aperture provided therethrough to receive the shackle of a lock; and a cap for enclosing said open end of said cylindrical tube, said cap having an end wall, a cylindrical flange circumscribing said cylindrical tube and a radial slot for receiving said power supply line therethrough, said radial slot extending from a central region of said end wall through said cylindrical flange, said cap further having at least one arcuate slot receiving said at least one finger therethrough.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The lock-out enclosure of claim 14 wherein said at least one finger is three fingers and said at least one arcuate slot is three arcuate slots aligned with said three fingers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
89 words
An enclosure for a connector attached to a power supply line comprising: a tube sized to be slipped over said connector; a cap connectable to one end of said tube, said cap having an end wall, a cylindrical flange extending from said end wall, and a slot extending through said cylindrical flange to a central area of said end wall, said slot having a transverse width sufficient to receive said power supply line therethrough; and removable closure means for closing the end of said tube opposite said one end.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
89 words
An enclosure for a connector attached to a power supply line comprising: a tube sized to be slipped over said connector; a cap connectable to one end of said tube, said cap having an end wall, a cylindrical flange extending from said end wall, and a slot extending through said cylindrical flange to a central area of said end wall, said slot having a transverse width sufficient to receive said power supply line therethrough; and removable closure means for closing the end of said tube opposite said one end.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
59 words
The enclosure of claim 16 wherein said tube has two diametrically spaced openings in near adjacency to said end of said tube opposite said one end, said removable closure means is a closure bar extendable through said two diametrically spaced openings, said closure bar assuming an obstructing position preventing the connection of said connector to a source of power.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
113 words
An enclosure for a connector attached to a power supply line comprising: a tube sized to be slipped over said connector; a cap connectable to one end of said tube, said cap having an end wall, a cylindrical flange extending from said end wall, and a slot extending through said cylindrical flange to a central area of said end wall, said slot having a transverse width sufficient to receive said power supply line therethrough, said cylindrical flange having at least one opening provided therethrough; and at least one resilient tang provided at said one end of said tube engaging said at least one opening in said cylindrical flange in a snap lock engagement.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
113 words
An enclosure for a connector attached to a power supply line comprising: a tube sized to be slipped over said connector; a cap connectable to one end of said tube, said cap having an end wall, a cylindrical flange extending from said end wall, and a slot extending through said cylindrical flange to a central area of said end wall, said slot having a transverse width sufficient to receive said power supply line therethrough, said cylindrical flange having at least one opening provided therethrough; and at least one resilient tang provided at said one end of said tube engaging said at least one opening in said cylindrical flange in a snap lock engagement.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The enclosure of claim 18 further comprising removable closure means for closing the end of said tube opposite said one end.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
59 words
The enclosure of claim 19 wherein said tube has two diametrically spaced openings in near adjacency to said end of said tube opposite said one end, said removable closure means is a closure bar extendable through said two diametrically spaced openings, said closure bar assuming an obstructing position preventing the connection of said connector to a source of power.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
123 words
An enclosure for a connector attached to a power supply line comprising: a tube sized to be slipped over said connector, said tube having at least one axially extending finger extending from one end thereof, said at least one axially extending finger having an aperture therethrough to receive a shackle of a lock; and a cap connectable to one end of said tube, said cap having an end wall, a cylindrical flange extending from said end wall, and a slot extending through said cylindrical flange to a central area of said end wall, said slot having a transverse width sufficient to receive said power supply line therethrough, said cap further having at least one arcuate slot for receiving said axially extending finger therethrough.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
123 words
An enclosure for a connector attached to a power supply line comprising: a tube sized to be slipped over said connector, said tube having at least one axially extending finger extending from one end thereof, said at least one axially extending finger having an aperture therethrough to receive a shackle of a lock; and a cap connectable to one end of said tube, said cap having an end wall, a cylindrical flange extending from said end wall, and a slot extending through said cylindrical flange to a central area of said end wall, said slot having a transverse width sufficient to receive said power supply line therethrough, said cap further having at least one arcuate slot for receiving said axially extending finger therethrough.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The enclosure of claim 21 wherein said tube has an end wall enclosing the end of said tube opposite said one end.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
52 words
The enclosure of claim 12 wherein said at least one arcuate slot is three equally spaced arcuate slots and said at least one axially extending finger is three equally spaced axially extending fingers, each of said three axially extending fingers extending through a respective one of said three equally spaced arcuate slots.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-09-17 | 1994-03-19 | 1994-09-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-09-17 | 1998-03-19 | 1998-09-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-09-17 | 2002-03-19 | 2002-09-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |