Detachable breakaway power supply source

• US 20060105590A1
• Filed: 10/31/2005
• Published: 05/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Greenfield World Trade, Inc., TML, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Focus Products Group LLC
• Inventors: Belongia, David C., Jockers, Gustave J., Dobson, William C., Kuo, Hui Ming
• Granted Patent: US 7,498,546 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/39
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/30 End pieces held in contact by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet

Abstract

Objects of the invention relate to a detachable breakaway power supply device that can be selectively coupled to an electrical appliance. A first coupling element is carried by the appliance and a second coupling element is carried by the detachable power supply device. The power supply device is carried by a conventional power supply cord. Attractive magnetic forces between the first and second coupling elements permit selective, removable attachment and electrical contact between the appliance and the power supply device. This arrangement provides a breakaway mechanism in which disturbance of the power supply cord, e.g., by tripping, results in the separation of the power supply device from the appliance to prevent overturning of the appliance and spilling of its contents.

Claims

1-9. -9. (canceled)

10. A detachable power supply for an appliance comprising:

a mounting assembly connected with the appliance and including;

a first coupling element; and

a power supply device including;

a temperature regulating device; and

a second coupling element coupled with the temperature regulating device and configured to removably magnetically couple with the first coupling element.

11. The detachable power supply of claim 10, wherein the second coupling element is further configured to removably electrically couple with the first coupling element.

12. The detachable power supply of claim 10 further comprising a heating element coupled with the first coupling element.

13. The detachable power supply of claim 12, wherein the power supply device is configured to couple with the heating element when the first coupling element is coupled with the second coupling element.

14. The detachable power supply of claim 10, wherein the mounting assembly further comprises a heat transfer probe.

15. The detachable power supply of claim 10, wherein the power supply is configured to couple with a power cord.

16. A detachable power supply for an appliance comprising:

a first coupling element coupled with the appliance; and

a power supply device including;

a temperature regulating device; and

a second coupling element coupled with the temperature regulating device and configured to removably, magnetically couple with the first coupling element.

17. The detachable power supply of claim 16, wherein the power supply device is configured to be coupled with a power cord.

18. The detachable power supply of claim 16, wherein the power supply device is configured to couple with the appliance when the first coupling element is coupled with the second coupling element.

19. The detachable power supply of claim 16, wherein the temperature regulating device includes a thermostat.

20. The detachable power supply of claim 19, wherein the thermostat includes a bi-metallic mechanical leaf thermostat.

21. The detachable power supply of claim 16 further comprising a heat transfer probe connected with the appliance.

22. The detachable power supply of claim 16 further comprising a heating element coupled with the first coupling element.

23. The detachable power supply of claim 16, wherein the heating element includes a first electrical terminal.

24. The detachable power supply of claim 16, wherein the power supply device further includes a second electrical terminal.

25. The detachable power supply of claim 16, wherein:

the heating element includes a first electrical terminal; and

the power supply device further includes a second electrical terminal.

26. The detachable power supply of claim 16, wherein the first and second electrical terminals are configured to removably electrically couple.

27. The detachable power supply of claim 26, wherein the first electrical terminal is electrically coupled with the second electrical terminal when the first coupling element is coupled with the second coupling element.