Apparatus and method for remotely unplugging electrical plugs
First Claim
1. An apparatus configured to selectively disengage an electric plug from an outlet, the electric plug being connected to an electrical device by a cord, wherein the apparatus comprises:
- a substantially rigid connection member, the connection member having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;
an electrical contact mounted proximate the first end, the electrical contact being configured to engage an outlet to receive electric current;
a receiving socket formed in the connection member, the receiving socket being configured to receive the electric plug and to convey the electric current from the electrical contact to the electric plug; and
a pressure member configured to be selectively movable with respect to the electrical contact between an engaging position and a disengaging position, the pressure member acting to remove the electrical contact from the outlet as the pressure member moves into the disengaging position, wherein movement of the pressure member is controllable from a location remote from the apparatus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for remotely unplugging an electrical device is disclosed. The apparatus may include a connection member with prongs in one end, suitable for engaging a standard wall outlet, and a receiving socket in the opposite end for receiving a standard electrical plug. A pressure member may be movably attached to the connection member to push the connection member away from an electrical outlet, thereby withdrawing the prongs and effectively unplugging the electrical device. The pressure member may be driven by a spring that is held in a compressed configuration by a locking member. The locking member may, in turn, be unlocked by a mechanical or electrical actuator. For example, the actuator may be a flexible connector attached to the power cord of the electrical device, such that pulling on the cord results in unlocking the locking member. Alternatively, the actuator may be a solenoid driven by power through the apparatus. The solenoid may then be activated by a remote switch either wired to the solenoid, or to a transmitter that emits a wireless analog or digital signal received by a receiver connected to the solenoid. The solenoid may also be activated by a current or voltage sensor within the apparatus, so that the apparatus ejects when a user toggles the on/off switch of the electrical device repeatedly, or when the current through the apparatus is higher than advisable for the electrical device.
43 Citations
35 Claims
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1. An apparatus configured to selectively disengage an electric plug from an outlet, the electric plug being connected to an electrical device by a cord, wherein the apparatus comprises:
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a substantially rigid connection member, the connection member having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;
an electrical contact mounted proximate the first end, the electrical contact being configured to engage an outlet to receive electric current;
a receiving socket formed in the connection member, the receiving socket being configured to receive the electric plug and to convey the electric current from the electrical contact to the electric plug; and
a pressure member configured to be selectively movable with respect to the electrical contact between an engaging position and a disengaging position, the pressure member acting to remove the electrical contact from the outlet as the pressure member moves into the disengaging position, wherein movement of the pressure member is controllable from a location remote from the apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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19. An apparatus configured to disengage from an outlet upon receipt of a wireless signal, the apparatus comprising:
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a connection member having a first end;
an electrical contact disposed proximate the first end of the connection member, the electrical contact being configured to engage an outlet to receive electric current;
a pressure member configured to be selectively movable with respect to the connection member between an engaging position and a disengaging position, the pressure member acting to remove the electrical contact from the outlet to the disengaging position; and
a receiver configured to receive a wireless signal, the receiver activating movement of the pressure member when the wireless signal is received.
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25. An apparatus configured to selectively disengage an electric plug from an outlet, the electric plug being connected to an electrical device by a cord, wherein the apparatus comprises:
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a connection member having a first end;
an electrical contact disposed proximate the first end of the connection member, the electrical contact being configured to engage an outlet to receive electric current;
a pressure member configured to be selectively movable with respect to the connection member between an engaging position and a disengaging position, the pressure member acting to remove the electrical contact from the outlet to the disengaging position; and
a flexible connector attached to the cord such that tension on the cord is transmitted to the flexible connector, wherein the flexible connector is operatively connected to the pressure member such that a threshold level of tension in the flexible connector in substantially any direction outward from the outlet activates the pressure member to disengage the electrical contact from the outlet.
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29. A method for remotely disengaging an electric plug from an outlet, the electric plug being connected to an electrical device by a cord, the method comprising:
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plugging the electric plug into a receiving socket of an apparatus, the apparatus having a substantially rigid connection member and a pressure member movable with respect to the connection member, wherein the receiving socket is formed in the connection member;
cocking the apparatus to extend an electrical contact;
plugging the electrical contact into an outlet; and
remotely activating the apparatus to withdraw the electrical contact from the outlet.
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Specification