US5273445A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Locking electrical connector
Assignee: Hubbell Inc
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Filing: 1993-04-22
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Granted: 1993-12-28
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Expires: 2013-04-22
Abstract
Abstract A male electrical connector having an insulating plug body and a cylindrical sleeve surrounding conductive prongs extending from the plug body. The sleeve has at least one aperture in a side wall thereof to removably receive a locking member. The removable locking member is preferably a padlock having a substantially U-shaped shackle extending through the aperture in the sleeve to prevent insertion of the male connector into the mating female connector.
Inventors
- 👤 Alfred L. Ehrenfels
- 👤 Robert J. Simon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 11:17
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/60; H01R13/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A male electrical connector, the combination comprising: an insulating plug body having first and second longitudinal ends and being adapted to receive an electrical cable through said first longitudinal end; a plurality of conductive prongs extending axially from said second longitudinal end of said insulating plug body, said plurality of conductive prongs being shaped and dimensioned for insertion into openings in a mating female connector; a sleeve having an outer surface, and an end face, and extending axially from and being coupled to said second longitudinal end of said insulating plug body to prevent relative movement between said body and said sleeve and to encircle said plurality of conductive prongs, said sleeve having a length substantially corresponding to a length of said plurality of conductive prongs; and a lock-out mechanism including at least one hole formed in said sleeve adjacent said end face and at least one removable locking member mounted in said at least one hole and projecting radially of said sleeve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
A male electrical connector, the combination comprising: an insulating plug body having first and second longitudinal ends and being adapted to receive an electrical cable through said first longitudinal end; a plurality of conductive prongs extending axially from said second longitudinal end of said insulating plug body, said plurality of conductive prongs being shaped and dimensioned for insertion into openings in a mating female connector; a sleeve having an outer surface, and an end face, and extending axially from and being coupled to said second longitudinal end of said insulating plug body to prevent relative movement between said body and said sleeve and to encircle said plurality of conductive prongs, said sleeve having a length substantially corresponding to a length of said plurality of conductive prongs; and a lock-out mechanism including at least one hole formed in said sleeve adjacent said end face and at least one removable locking member mounted in said at least one hole and projecting radially of said sleeve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A male connector according to claim 1, and further comprising a key formed on the outer surface of said sleeve and extending longitudinally thereof, said key being receivable in a complementary groove formed in said mating female connector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A male connector according to claim 1, and further comprising abutment means, extending radially outwardly from said outer surface of said sleeve, for limiting axial extension of said plurality of conductor prongs within said female connector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A male connector according to claim 1, wherein said lock-out mechanism further comprises a plurality of holes and a corresponding number of removable locking members mounted respectively in said plurality of holes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A male connector according to claim 1, wherein said at least one hole is radially positioned between two of said prongs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
A male connector according to claim 1, wherein said lock-out mechanism comprises a plurality of holes and a corresponding number of removable locking members, each comprising a padlock having a body and a shackle, said shackle of each padlock passing through a corresponding one of said plurality of holes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A male connector according to claim 1, wherein said at least one removable locking member comprises a padlock having a substantially U-shaped shackle and a body, said shackle being received in said at least one hole.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A male connector according to claim 1, wherein said at least one removable locking member projects axially over said end face of said sleeve.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A male connector according to claim 1, wherein said at least one hole is an elongated slot.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
A male connector according to claim 9, wherein said lock-out mechanism comprises two removable locking members, each comprising a padlock having a body and a shackle, wherein both said shackles pass through said elongated slot.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
164 words
A male electrical connector, the combination comprising: an insulating plug body having first and second longitudinal ends and being adapted to receive an electrical cable through said first longitudinal end; a plurality of conductive prongs extending axially from said second longitudinal end of said insulating plug body, said prongs being shaped and dimensioned for insertion into openings in a mating female connector; a sleeve having an outer surface, and an axial end face, and extending axially from and being coupled to said second longitudinal end of said plug body to prevent relative movement between said body and said sleeve and to encircle said plurality of conductive prongs, said sleeve having a length substantially corresponding to a length of said plurality of conductive prongs; and a lock-out mechanism including at least one hole formed in said sleeve adjacent said end face and at least one removable padlock having a body and a shackle, said shackle passing through said at least one hole in said sleeve.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
164 words
A male electrical connector, the combination comprising: an insulating plug body having first and second longitudinal ends and being adapted to receive an electrical cable through said first longitudinal end; a plurality of conductive prongs extending axially from said second longitudinal end of said insulating plug body, said prongs being shaped and dimensioned for insertion into openings in a mating female connector; a sleeve having an outer surface, and an axial end face, and extending axially from and being coupled to said second longitudinal end of said plug body to prevent relative movement between said body and said sleeve and to encircle said plurality of conductive prongs, said sleeve having a length substantially corresponding to a length of said plurality of conductive prongs; and a lock-out mechanism including at least one hole formed in said sleeve adjacent said end face and at least one removable padlock having a body and a shackle, said shackle passing through said at least one hole in said sleeve.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
A male electrical connector according to claim 11, wherein said shackle of said at least one padlock is substantially U-shaped and extends through said at least one opening and over said axial end face of said sleeve.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A male electrical connector according to claim 11, said lock-out mechanism includes a plurality of holes spaced from said axial end face.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
A male electrical connector according to claim 11, wherein said lock-out mechanism includes two spaced-apart holes, and said shackle of said at least one padlock is substantially U-shaped and extends through each of said two spaced-apart holes.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
A male electrical connector according to claim 11, wherein said lock-out mechanism includes a plurality of holes and a plurality of padlocks, each said padlock having a body and a shackle, said shackles extending through corresponding ones of said plurality of holes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
A male electrical connector according to claim 11, wherein said at least one hole is an elongated slot.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
A male electrical connector according to claim 16, wherein said lock-out mechanism further comprises a second padlock having a body and shackle, said shackles of said first and second padlocks extending through said elongated slot.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
137 words
A male electrical connector, the combination comprising: an insulating plug body adapted to receive an electrical cable and having a plurality of conductive prongs extending axially from said plug body; a substantially cylindrical sleeve extending axially from said plug body a distance at least equal to the distance said prongs extend from said body, said sleeve including a cylindrical outer surface and an axial end face and at least one hole spaced from said axial face; said prongs and sleeve being shaped and dimensioned for insertion into openings in a mating female connector; and locking means, removably coupled to said sleeve through said at least one hole, for locking out said male electrical connector from said female connector, said locking means extending axially over said end face and radially beyond said cylindrical outer surface of said sleeve.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
137 words
A male electrical connector, the combination comprising: an insulating plug body adapted to receive an electrical cable and having a plurality of conductive prongs extending axially from said plug body; a substantially cylindrical sleeve extending axially from said plug body a distance at least equal to the distance said prongs extend from said body, said sleeve including a cylindrical outer surface and an axial end face and at least one hole spaced from said axial face; said prongs and sleeve being shaped and dimensioned for insertion into openings in a mating female connector; and locking means, removably coupled to said sleeve through said at least one hole, for locking out said male electrical connector from said female connector, said locking means extending axially over said end face and radially beyond said cylindrical outer surface of said sleeve.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
59 words
A male electrical connector according to claim 18, wherein said prongs comprise arcuate shaped conductive blades extending from said plug body, said blades being shaped and dimensioned for insertion into and translation in slots formed in a mating female connector as said plug body is moved axially and operationally bout the plug body axis relative to the female connector.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
A male electrical connector according to claim 18, wherein said locking means comprises a padlock having a substantially U-shaped shackle.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
A male electrical connector according to claim 18, wherein said sleeve includes a plurality of holes spaced circumferentially about said sleeve.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
A male electrical connector according to claim 21, wherein said locking means includes a plurality of locking members removably mounted in corresponding ones of said plurality of holes.
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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) | 1996-12-27 | 1997-06-28 | 1997-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-12-27 | 2001-06-28 | 2001-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-12-27 | 2005-06-28 | 2005-12-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |