Safety Device for a Plug (Patch Guard)

• US 20100136809A1
• Filed: 08/08/2005
• Published: 06/03/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Reichle & De-Massari AG (Reichle Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Reichle & De-Massari AG (Reichle Holding AG)
• Inventors: Marty, Hugo, Andres, Hans, Buergler, Thomas, Gerber, Matthias, Bouvard, Hans-Peter
• Granted Patent: US 8,038,460 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/133
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/38875 Protection from bending or twisting
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/389 characterised by the method of fastening connecting plugs and sockets, e.g. screw- or nut-lock, snap-in, bayonet type
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3893 Push-pull type, e.g. snap-in, push-on
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/639 Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6397 with means for preventing unauthorised use
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/64 for high frequency, e.g. RJ 45

Abstract

The invention relates to a security device for a plug (1) with at least one locking clip (2) said security device comprising a lockable closure piece (8, 12) which prevent the manual operation of the locking clip (2). The closure piece (8, 12) comprises a closure lower piece (8) which may be fixed to the plug (1) on which a separate closure upper piece (12) is placed. Said closure lower piece (8) is designed such as to be clipped on the plug (1) with a positive and/or non-positive fit.

Claims

1. Safety device for a plug (1) of a plug connection wherein said plug includes at least one locking clip (2) and the safety device includes a lockable closure piece that prevents the manual operation of at least one locking clip (2), characterized in that this closure piece (8, 12) comprises a closure lower piece (8) that can be fixed on the plug (1) and that it is possible to place a separate closure upper piece (12) upon said closure lower piece.

2. Safety device according to claim 1, characterized in that the closure lower piece (8) is designed such as to be clipped on the plug (1) with positive and/or non-positive fit.

3. Safety device according to claim 2, characterized in that the closure upper piece (12) is designed as a slide piece, which slide piece can slide into a closed position and into a release position and which slide piece includes, on its locking-clip side, at least one wedging element (14), which wedging element (14) is located underneath at least one locking clip (2) when the slide piece is in its closed position.

4. Safety device according to claim 2, characterized in that the closure upper piece (12) is designed as a slide piece, which slide piece can slide into a closed position and into a release position and which slide piece includes, on its locking-clip side, at least one cover element, which cover element is located above at least one locking clip (2) when the slide piece is in its closed position.

5. Safety device according to claim 4, characterized in that the slide piece can be locked to the closure lower piece (8) with the aid of at least one locking element (10, 11) attached to the closure lower piece (8).

6. Safety device according to claim 4, characterized in that the slide piece can be locked to the closure lower piece (8) with the aid of at least one locking element (10, 11) attached to the slide piece.

7. Safety device according to claim 5, characterized in that the locking element (10, 11) is designed as a separate component.

8. Safety device according to claim 5, characterized in that the locking element (10, 11) is designed as a spring tongue.

9. Safety device according to claim 5, characterized in that the slide piece can be unlocked with the aid of a separate tool, especially a key (15).

10. Safety device according to claim 5, characterized in that the slide piece is provided with a locking-clip hold-down element (17), which presses the locking clip (2) down when the slide piece slides from the closed position into the release position and thereby enables easy separation of the plug connection.

11. Safety device according to claim 2, characterized in that the closure upper piece (12) is designed as a housing piece that covers a release element (18), which release element (18) can be operated with the aid of a separate tool, especially a key (15), in such a manner that, when operated, this release element (18) presses the locking clip (2) down and thereby enables easy separation of the plug connection.

12. Safety device according to claim 3, characterized in that the closure upper piece (12) is equipped with an exchangeable code, especially a color code (16).