Patent US5944550A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5944550A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electrical connection device lockable in the open position
Assignee: MELTRIC Corp
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Filing: 1997-12-02
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Granted: 1999-08-31
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Expires: 2017-12-02
Abstract
Abstract Electrical connection device lockable in an open position provided with a plug having a cylindrical body equipped with internal contact pins and a power transmitting female element in the form of a socket or a coupler socket of an extension cord, and having a casing equipped with internal contacts and an external rotational ring that projects by extending beyond the casing and intended to lock and unlock the plug from or into the connection position. Coupling is accomplished via paired guide elements provided on the plug and female element by at least one first translational movement of the plug in the female connection followed by a rotation and a second translation until the closed connection position is obtained. The device is especially characterized in that the body of the plug is provided at its base with a locking tab that extends axially in the direction of the coupling and at a distance from the body so as to be able to pass above the locking ring during coupling, and in that the tab and the locking ring each have an opening, the angular positions of the openings and the longitudinal position of the opening of the tab being such that the openings get superposed during the second translational movement between the start thereof and before the final connection position so as to allow it to get locked, in this open position, still considered open, by any member that gets introduced into the openings.
Inventors
- 👤 Henri Vindigni
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 07:46
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/62; H01R13/639; H01R13/6397; H01R13/66; H01R13/70; H01R13/71
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
226 words
Electrical connection device lockable in an open position, comprising: a plug comprising a cylindrical body including internal contact pins; a power transmitting female element comprising a casing including internal contacts and an external rotational locking ring projecting beyond said casing to enable locking and unlocking of said plug from or into a closed, connection position; paired guide elements associated with said plug and said female element to enable coupling of said plug to said female element by at least one first translational movement of said plug in said female element, followed by a rotation, and then a second translational movement to the closed connection position; a locking tab positioned on a base of said plug, said locking tab extending axially in a direction of coupling and at a distance from said body so as to be able to pass above said rotation ring during the coupling; and an opening associated with each of said locking tab and said locking ring, each said opening having an angular and longitudinal position so that the opening associated with said locking tab and the cut-out associated with the locking ring are superposed during the second translational movement between and including a start of the second translational movement up to the closed, connection position to enable locking in an open position by insertion of a locking member into the superposed openings.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
226 words
Electrical connection device lockable in an open position, comprising: a plug comprising a cylindrical body including internal contact pins; a power transmitting female element comprising a casing including internal contacts and an external rotational locking ring projecting beyond said casing to enable locking and unlocking of said plug from or into a closed, connection position; paired guide elements associated with said plug and said female element to enable coupling of said plug to said female element by at least one first translational movement of said plug in said female element, followed by a rotation, and then a second translational movement to the closed connection position; a locking tab positioned on a base of said plug, said locking tab extending axially in a direction of coupling and at a distance from said body so as to be able to pass above said rotation ring during the coupling; and an opening associated with each of said locking tab and said locking ring, each said opening having an angular and longitudinal position so that the opening associated with said locking tab and the cut-out associated with the locking ring are superposed during the second translational movement between and including a start of the second translational movement up to the closed, connection position to enable locking in an open position by insertion of a locking member into the superposed openings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electrical connection device according to claim 1, wherein said female element comprises a socket.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electrical connection device according to claim 1, wherein said female element comprises a coupler socket of an extension cord.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
The electrical connection device according to claim 1, wherein said opening of said locking ring is positioned in a portion of said lockable ring that projects from said female element; a space is formed between said body of said plug and locking ring; and, in the open position, the locking member passes through said opening of said lockable ring and within said space.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electrical connection device according to claim 4, wherein said locking member comprises a padlock.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The electrical connection device according to claim 1, wherein the open, locking position, in which said openings are superposed, is obtained after initiation of the second translational coupling movement such that in said open, locking position, said plug is already rotationally blocked by said paired guide elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The electrical connection device according to claim 4, wherein the open, locking position, in which said openings are superposed, is obtained after initiation of the second translational coupling movement such that in said open, locking position, said plug is already rotationally blocked by said paired guide elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The electrical connection device according to claim 1, wherein said female element includes contacts which ensure independent opening and closure functions of a circuit breaker.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electrical connection device according to claim 1, including indicia for determining the open position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electrical connection device according to claim 1, including indicia for determining the closed position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electrical connection device according to claim 1, including first and second indicia for determining the open and closed position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The electrical connection device according to claim 11, wherein said first and second indicia comprise first and second colors, said first and second colors being different colors.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electrical connection device according to claim 12, including a window through which said first and second colors are viewable.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
205 words
Electrical connection device lockable in an open position, comprising: a plug comprising a body including contact pins; a power transmitting female element comprising a casing including contacts and a rotational locking ring projecting beyond said casing to enable locking and unlocking of said plug from or into a closed, connection position; guide elements associated with said plug and said female element to enable coupling of said plug to said female element by at least one first translational movement of said plug in said female element, followed by rotation, and then a second translational movement to the closed connection position; a locking tab positioned on a base of said plug, said locking tab extending axially in a direction of coupling and at a distance from said body; an opening associated with each of said locking tab and said locking ring, each said opening having an angular and longitudinal position so that the opening associated with said locking tab and the opening associated with the locking ring are superposed during the second translational movement between and including a start of the second translational movement up to the closed, connection position to enable locking in an open position by insertion of a locking member into the superposed openings.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
205 words
Electrical connection device lockable in an open position, comprising: a plug comprising a body including contact pins; a power transmitting female element comprising a casing including contacts and a rotational locking ring projecting beyond said casing to enable locking and unlocking of said plug from or into a closed, connection position; guide elements associated with said plug and said female element to enable coupling of said plug to said female element by at least one first translational movement of said plug in said female element, followed by rotation, and then a second translational movement to the closed connection position; a locking tab positioned on a base of said plug, said locking tab extending axially in a direction of coupling and at a distance from said body; an opening associated with each of said locking tab and said locking ring, each said opening having an angular and longitudinal position so that the opening associated with said locking tab and the opening associated with the locking ring are superposed during the second translational movement between and including a start of the second translational movement up to the closed, connection position to enable locking in an open position by insertion of a locking member into the superposed openings.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electrical connection device according to claim 14, wherein said female element comprises a socket.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electrical connection device according to claim 14, wherein said female element comprises a coupler socket of an extension cord.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
63 words
The electrical connection device according to claim 14, wherein said opening of said locking ring is positioned in a portion of said lockable ring that projects from said female element; a space is formed between said body of said plug and locking ring; and, in the open position, the locking member passes through said opening of said lockable ring and within said space.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electrical connection device according to claim 17, wherein said locking member comprises a padlock.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
47 words
The electrical connection device according to claim 14, wherein the open, locking position, in which said openings are superposed, is obtained after initiation of the second translational coupling movement such that in said open, locking position, said plug is already rotationally blocked by said paired guide elements.
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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) | 2002-08-30 | 2003-03-01 | 2003-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-08-30 | 2007-03-01 | 2007-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-08-30 | 2011-03-01 | 2011-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |