Frictional locking receptacle with programmable release
First Claim
1. An apparatus for use in securing an electrical connection, said electrical connection being formed by a mating structure including prongs of a male assembly and sockets of a female assembly, wherein said electrical connection is broken by withdrawal of said prongs from said sockets, said apparatus comprising:
- a locking receptacle comprising;
a clamping mechanism, the clamping mechanism comprising an aperture sized to permit the passage of a ground prong into a socket, said ground prong being maintained at ground potential, wherein the clamping mechanism is moveable between a release position in which the clamping mechanism is arranged to allow separation of the male assembly from the female assembly, and a locked position in which the clamping mechanism is arranged to maintain the electrical connection, wherein the clamping mechanism is arranged to angularly deflect in reaction to a force on the ground prong that tends to withdraw the ground prong from the receptacle, thereby causing the aperture in the clamping mechanism to grip the ground prong thus preventing the withdrawal of the ground prong and maintaining the electrical connection in the locked configuration, anda lock release mechanism arranged to contact the clamping mechanism, wherein the lock release mechanism comprises a release grip accessible from two opposing sides of the locking receptacle, and wherein when the clamping mechanism is in the locked configuration, application of axial tension between the release grip and the male assembly causes the clamping mechanism to release the ground prong such that the male assembly can be separated from the female assembly.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for securing an electrical connection formed by a mating structure including prongs of a male assembly and receptacles of a female assembly are provided. In certain embodiments, the electrical connection can be secured by frictional engagement between the plug and receptacle housings. This can be accomplished by forcing a wedge into an interface between the housings or expanding a locking element, such as an elastomeric ring, into the interface. Such locking and releasing of the secure connection can be actuated using a locking nut.
14 Citations
16 Claims
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1. An apparatus for use in securing an electrical connection, said electrical connection being formed by a mating structure including prongs of a male assembly and sockets of a female assembly, wherein said electrical connection is broken by withdrawal of said prongs from said sockets, said apparatus comprising:
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a locking receptacle comprising; a clamping mechanism, the clamping mechanism comprising an aperture sized to permit the passage of a ground prong into a socket, said ground prong being maintained at ground potential, wherein the clamping mechanism is moveable between a release position in which the clamping mechanism is arranged to allow separation of the male assembly from the female assembly, and a locked position in which the clamping mechanism is arranged to maintain the electrical connection, wherein the clamping mechanism is arranged to angularly deflect in reaction to a force on the ground prong that tends to withdraw the ground prong from the receptacle, thereby causing the aperture in the clamping mechanism to grip the ground prong thus preventing the withdrawal of the ground prong and maintaining the electrical connection in the locked configuration, and a lock release mechanism arranged to contact the clamping mechanism, wherein the lock release mechanism comprises a release grip accessible from two opposing sides of the locking receptacle, and wherein when the clamping mechanism is in the locked configuration, application of axial tension between the release grip and the male assembly causes the clamping mechanism to release the ground prong such that the male assembly can be separated from the female assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for use in securing an electrical connection, said electrical connection being formed by a mating structure including prongs of a male assembly and sockets of a female assembly, wherein said connection is broken by withdrawal of said prongs from said sockets, comprising the steps of:
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providing a locking receptacle comprising a clamping mechanism, the clamping mechanism comprising an aperture sized to permit the passage of a ground prong through said aperture and into a socket, said ground prong being maintained at ground potential, wherein the clamping mechanism is moveable between a release position in which the clamping mechanism is arranged to allow separation of the male assembly from the female assembly, and a locked position in which the clamping mechanism is arranged to maintain the electrical connection, wherein the clamping mechanism is arranged to frictionally engage said ground prong in reaction to a force on the ground prong that tends to withdraw the ground prong from the receptacle, thereby causing the aperture in the clamping mechanism to grip the ground prong thus preventing the withdrawal of the ground prong and maintaining the electrical connection in the locked configuration, wherein a lock release grip is arranged to operate the clamping mechanism, wherein the lock release grip comprises a release grip having portions disposed on two opposing sidewalls of the locking receptacle; and releasing said clamping mechanism by sliding said release grip in relation to said sidewalls, thereby causing the clamping mechanism to release the prong. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification