Breakaway power supply device

• US 20050082915A1
• Filed: 10/14/2003
• Published: 04/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Conair Corporation
• Original Assignee: Conair Corporation
• Inventors: Steinberg, Howard I.
• Application Number:
  US10/684,962
• Publication Number:
  US 20050082915A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/147
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet

Abstract

A breakaway power supply device operatively connectable to an electronic appliance either directly or indirectly via a controller is provided. The controller is used for sensing and/or controlling the operation of the appliance to which it is operatively connected. The breakaway device also has a power cord with a first connector suitable for releasably connecting with the controller and/or the appliance via a magnetic attraction. The power cord also has a second connector suitable for connecting to a power source. The magnetic attraction is suitable to withstand a predetermined or predefined disconnect force. This predetermined disconnect force may be varied as desired. The breakaway power supply device provides an effective, reliable and safe power connection for heatable electronic appliances that require continuous intimate contact with a separable controller.

Claims

1. A breakaway power supply device operatively connectable to an appliance, said device comprising:

a controller for sensing and/or controlling the temperature of said appliance; and

a power cord with a first connector for connecting said power cord to said controller and a second connector for connecting said power cord to a power source,

wherein said first connector has at least two conductive connector outputs with a magnet therein.

2. The breakaway device of claim 1, wherein said at least two connector outputs are made of a ferrous type material.

3. The breakaway device of claim 1, wherein said magnets are made of samarium colbalt.

4. The breakaway device of claim 1, wherein said controller has at least two conductive controller inputs suitable for operatively connecting to said at least two conductive connector outputs of said first connector.

5. The breakaway device of claim 4, wherein said at least two conductive controller inputs are made of a ferrous type material.

6. The breakaway device of claim 4, wherein said at least two conductive connector outputs and said at least two conductive controller inputs are electrically, magnetically and separably connectable.

7. A power supply device electrically, magnetically and separably connectable to an appliance, said device comprising:

a power supply cord with a first connector for connecting to a controller and a second connector for connecting to a power source,

wherein said first connector has one or more conductive connector outputs, each of said one or more connector outputs having a magnet disposed therein.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein said each magnet is dispose entirely inside said one or more conductive connector outputs.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein said one or more conductive connector outputs are made of a ferrous type material.

10. The device of claim 7, wherein said controller has one or more conductive controller inputs suitable for operatively connecting with said at one or more conductive connector outputs of said first connector.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein said one or more conductive controller inputs are made of a ferrous type material.

12. The device of claim 7, wherein said controller has a sensor probe for sensing the temperature of said appliance.

13. The device of claim 7, wherein said controller has one or more conductive controller inputs suitable for operatively connecting with said at one or more conductive connector outputs of said first connector, and wherein said conductive connector outputs and said conductive controller inputs facilitate electrically, magnetically and separably connecting said appliance to said power supply.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein said first connector is separable from said controller upon application of a predetermined disconnecting force.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein said predetermined disconnecting force is dependent on the magnetic force of said magnets.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein said magnetic force is adjustable.

17. A power supply cord comprising:

a first connector for connecting to a power source; and

a second connector for connecting to a controller, said controller operatively connectable to an electrical appliance,

wherein said second connector and said controller electrically and magnetically interact via a plurality of conductive contacts.