US5470239A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
International electrical ground connector-adaptor for computer monitor
Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
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Filing: 1993-03-23
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Granted: 1995-11-28
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Expires: 2013-03-23
Abstract
Abstract A power connector in accordance with IEC320 for providing common connections for individual male and female connectors and a ground lead, for example, to a anti-glare filter. The power connector device includes an insulating body which houses male ground and power plugs and female ground and power receptacles which are joined within the body to the male plugs; a common ground connector adapted for external connection to a ground lead as well as to the electrically common male and female ground connectors; and preferably a shroud surrounding the external sections of the male plugs for preventing accidental human contact.
Inventors
- 👤 James D. Rancourt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 12:12
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R24/00; H01R24/20; H01R24/22; H01R13/00; H01R13/44; H01R13/443; H01R2103/00; H01R31/00; H01R31/02; H01R4/00; H01R4/58; H01R4/64
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
A power connector comprising: an insulating body; electrically interconnected male and female external receptacles mounted in the insulating body, for connecting a first device to a power electrical outlet, each receptacle including a pair of power connectors and a ground connector, and the individual power and ground connectors of the male receptacle being permanently connected to associated power and ground connectors of the female receptacle; an external ground line adapted for connection to a second device separate from the power electrical outlet; means for connecting the external ground line to the electrically interconnected ground connector of the male and female external receptacles, thereby connecting the second device to a ground connection of the electrical outlet via the electrically interconnected ground connectors of the male and female receptacles; and wherein the means for connecting the ground line to the ground connector comprises a socket housed in the body and a mating prong mounted on the ground line for removable insertion into the ground connector socket.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
A power connector comprising: an insulating body; electrically interconnected male and female external receptacles mounted in the insulating body, for connecting a first device to a power electrical outlet, each receptacle including a pair of power connectors and a ground connector, and the individual power and ground connectors of the male receptacle being permanently connected to associated power and ground connectors of the female receptacle; an external ground line adapted for connection to a second device separate from the power electrical outlet; means for connecting the external ground line to the electrically interconnected ground connector of the male and female external receptacles, thereby connecting the second device to a ground connection of the electrical outlet via the electrically interconnected ground connectors of the male and female receptacles; and wherein the means for connecting the ground line to the ground connector comprises a socket housed in the body and a mating prong mounted on the ground line for removable insertion into the ground connector socket.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The power connector of claim 1, wherein the ground line prong is a banana prong.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
203 words
A grounded contrast enhancement filter device for a display, adapted for providing ground connection to the filter and ground and power connections to the display, comprising: a contrast enhancement filter; a ground lead connected to the filter; and a power connector, comprising an insulating body including receptacle means comprising three sockets including a ground socket located at one side of the body and plug means including three prongs including a ground prong extending from another side of the body; means electrically individually connecting the three sockets to associated ones of the prongs, including connecting the ground socket to the ground prong, to provide electrical through-connectors, including a ground connector, for electrically connecting an external plug connected to the receptacle means of the power connector through the power connector to an external receptacle connected to the plug means; and means for connecting the ground line to the ground connector of the power connector; whereby the power connector receptacle means or plug means may be connected to the power plug or receptacle of a display and a power cord may be connected to the plug means or receptacle means, thereby simultaneously providing power and ground connections to the display and ground connection to the filter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
203 words
A grounded contrast enhancement filter device for a display, adapted for providing ground connection to the filter and ground and power connections to the display, comprising: a contrast enhancement filter; a ground lead connected to the filter; and a power connector, comprising an insulating body including receptacle means comprising three sockets including a ground socket located at one side of the body and plug means including three prongs including a ground prong extending from another side of the body; means electrically individually connecting the three sockets to associated ones of the prongs, including connecting the ground socket to the ground prong, to provide electrical through-connectors, including a ground connector, for electrically connecting an external plug connected to the receptacle means of the power connector through the power connector to an external receptacle connected to the plug means; and means for connecting the ground line to the ground connector of the power connector; whereby the power connector receptacle means or plug means may be connected to the power plug or receptacle of a display and a power cord may be connected to the plug means or receptacle means, thereby simultaneously providing power and ground connections to the display and ground connection to the filter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 3, wherein the means for connecting the ground line to the ground connector provides permanent connection.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 3, wherein the means for connecting the ground line to the ground connector provides removable connection.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device of claim 3, wherein the means for connecting the ground line to the ground connector comprises a socket housed in the body and a mating prong mounted on the ground line for removable insertion into the ground connector socket.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 6, wherein the ground line prong is a banana prong.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
37 words
The device of any one of claims 1, 2 or 3-7, further comprising a shroud mounted to the insulating body and extending laterally over the male receptacles or prongs, for preventing accidental human contact with the prongs.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4173383A
Cited
US4725240A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-11-27 | 1999-05-29 | 1999-11-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-11-27 | 2003-05-29 | 2003-11-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-11-27 | 2007-05-29 | 2007-11-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |