Cord disconnect apparatus and methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A cord disconnect apparatus comprising:
- a housing defining a receptacle for a plug of a cord;
an ejection mechanism including a scotch yoke assembly supported by the housing, the scotch yoke assembly being reciprocatable to engage and eject the plug from the receptacle; and
wherein the cord is connect able to a first circuit, and wherein the apparatus further comprises an apparatus circuit supported by the housing, the apparatus circuit being connectable between a second circuit and the first circuit, the apparatus circuit including a first switch closing in response to the plug being in the receptacle, and a second switch opening in response to a signal, transfer between first circuit and the second circuit being facilitated when the first switch and second switch are closed, transfer being prevented when the first switch or the second switch is open.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A power cord disconnect apparatus and methods of disconnecting a power cord. An ejection mechanism may include a scotch yoke assembly, the scotch yoke being reciprocatable to engage and eject a power cord plug out of a receptacle. The apparatus may include a power circuit with a normally-open first switch closing in response to the plug being inserted into the receptacle and a normally-closed second switch opening in response to a signal, power being transferred between the power cord and the power circuit when the first switch and second switch are closed, power being prevented if either the first or second switch opens.
45 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A cord disconnect apparatus comprising:
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a housing defining a receptacle for a plug of a cord; an ejection mechanism including a scotch yoke assembly supported by the housing, the scotch yoke assembly being reciprocatable to engage and eject the plug from the receptacle; and wherein the cord is connect able to a first circuit, and wherein the apparatus further comprises an apparatus circuit supported by the housing, the apparatus circuit being connectable between a second circuit and the first circuit, the apparatus circuit including a first switch closing in response to the plug being in the receptacle, and a second switch opening in response to a signal, transfer between first circuit and the second circuit being facilitated when the first switch and second switch are closed, transfer being prevented when the first switch or the second switch is open. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A cord disconnect apparatus comprising:
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a housing defining a receptacle for a plug of a cord; and an ejection mechanism including a scotch yoke assembly supported by the housing, the scotch yoke assembly being reciprocatable to engage and eject the plug from the receptacle; and wherein the plug is insertable into the receptacle along an insertion axis, the plug having a radial outer surface, and wherein the apparatus further comprises a door operable to close the receptacle, the door including an axially-extending door surface, the outer surface of the plug being engageable with the door surface and the plug being movable transverse to the insertion axis to open the door. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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9. A disconnect apparatus comprising:
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a housing defining a receptacle for a plug of a cord connected to a first circuit; and an apparatus circuit supported by the housing, the apparatus circuit being connectable between a second circuit and the first circuit, the apparatus circuit including a first switch closing in response to the plug being in the receptacle, and a second switch opening in response to a disconnect signal, transfer between first circuit and the second circuit being facilitated when the first switch and second switch are closed, transfer being prevented when the first switch or the second switch is open. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of ejecting a cord, wherein the cord is connectable to a first circuit and includes a plug receivable in a receptacle defined by a housing, the method comprising:
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reciprocating a scotch yoke assembly to engage and eject the plug from the receptacle; connecting an apparatus circuit supported by the housing between a second circuit and the first circuit to facilitate transfer between the first circuit and the second circuit when a first switch in the apparatus circuit closes in response to the plug being in the receptacle and when a second switch in the apparatus circuit is closed; and preventing transfer between the first circuit and the second circuit when the first switch is open or when the second switch opens in response to a signal.
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Specification