Breakable connector
First Claim
1. A breakable connector for connecting a vehicle to a power source, the breakable connector comprising:
- a first fitting including a body having a radially extending flange and a plurality of radially extending and axially spaced apart ribs, the fitting further including one of a plurality of electrical sockets and a plurality of current-carrying pins coupled to the body; and
a second fitting including a body having a receptacle for matingly receiving a portion of the first fitting, the second fitting body being coupled to the other of the plurality of current-carrying pins and the plurality of electrical sockets, the flange engaging a first portion of the receptacle, the ribs engaging a second portion of the receptacle spaced apart from the first portion and the current-carrying pins conducting electricity to the electrical sockets when the first fitting is coupled to the second fitting, the first and second fittings being separable from one another when placed under a predetermined tensile force.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A breakable connector for connecting a vehicle to a power source includes a first fitting and a second fitting coupled to one another. The first fitting includes a radially extending flange, a plurality of radially extending ribs and an electrical connector. The second fitting includes an electrical connector and a receptacle for receiving a portion of the first fitting. The flange biasedly engages a first portion of the receptacle and the ribs engage a second portion of the receptacle. The first and second fittings are separable from one another when placed under a predetermined tensile force.
36 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A breakable connector for connecting a vehicle to a power source, the breakable connector comprising:
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a first fitting including a body having a radially extending flange and a plurality of radially extending and axially spaced apart ribs, the fitting further including one of a plurality of electrical sockets and a plurality of current-carrying pins coupled to the body; and
a second fitting including a body having a receptacle for matingly receiving a portion of the first fitting, the second fitting body being coupled to the other of the plurality of current-carrying pins and the plurality of electrical sockets, the flange engaging a first portion of the receptacle, the ribs engaging a second portion of the receptacle spaced apart from the first portion and the current-carrying pins conducting electricity to the electrical sockets when the first fitting is coupled to the second fitting, the first and second fittings being separable from one another when placed under a predetermined tensile force. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A breakable connector for connecting a vehicle to a power source, the breakable connector comprising:
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a first cord having a first end and a second end, the first end having a first connector adapted to be selectively connected to the power source;
a second cord having a first end and a second end, the first end having a second connector adapted to be selectively connected to the vehicle;
a first fitting fixedly attached to the second end of the first cord, the first fitting including a radially extending flange and a first electrical connector;
a second fitting fixedly attached to the second end of the second cord, the second fitting including a second electrical connector and a receptacle having a radially inwardly extending lip, wherein the flange engages the lip in a snap-fit arrangement to interconnect the first fitting and the second fitting as well as electrically couple the first electrical connector to the second electrical connector, the first fitting and the second fitting being operable to disconnect from one another with application of a predetermined tensile force. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of interconnecting a vehicle and a power source, the method comprising:
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connecting a first end of a cord set to the power source;
connecting a second end of the cord set to the vehicle;
moving the vehicle away from the power source with the cord set still connected to the power source and to the vehicle;
placing the cord set under tension due to movement of the vehicle relative to the power source; and
disconnecting a breakable connector of the cord set when a predetermined tensile force is experienced by the cord set, wherein the breakable connector includes a first fitting coupled to a second fitting, the first fitting having a receptacle in receipt of a portion of the second fitting. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification