Electrical interlock

• US 4,370,694 A
• Filed: 10/03/1980
• Issued: 01/25/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
• Original Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
• Inventors: Hargrave, Thomas A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller, J. D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Schroeder, L. C.
• Application Number:
  US06/193,874
• Time in Patent Office: 844 Days
• Field of Search: 361/170, 361/179, 340/568, 340/687, 455/117, 455/129, 200/51.09, 200/51.1, 343/894, 343/906
• US Class Current: 361/179
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/46 comprising switches

Abstract

A radio transmitter is protected against the possibility of initiating transmission without the radio being connected to a load by having a switch that controls a push-to-talk key line that is only enabled when the antenna load is connected to the transmitter.

Claims

1. An electrical interlock comprising:

protection circuit means for protecting electrical equipment;

a male type connector with an external conductor shaped to provide a first fastener means;

a flat insulated spacer means for mounting on the male type connector the flat insulated spacer mean includes;

an electrical insulator shaped as a washer with a first center opening--an electrical conductor shaped as a washer with a second center opening having a greater diameter than the first center opening--mounting means for mounting the electrical conductor on the insulator--and connector means for connecting the electrical conductor to the protection circuit means to provide an electrical contact thereby;

a female type connector with an external conductor shaped to provide a second fastener means acceptable to the first fastener means; and

the protection circuit means being connected to the electrical conductor whereby when said first fastener means is engaged with the second fastener means, the protection circuit is deactivated to enable the use of the electrical equipment.

2. The electrical interlock circuit according to claim 1 wherein the protection circuit means comprises:

a relay with at least one set of normally open contacts;

a power supply connected between one side of the coil of the relay and a reference potential;

conductor connected between the other side of the relay and the electrical contact;

means for mounting the male type connector to the electrical equipment;

means for energizing the electrical equipment; and

means for connecting the electrical conductor in series with the means for energizing the electrical equipment.

3. In a combination a radio transmitter having an electrical interlock circuit comprising:

a protection circuit;

a male type connector with an external conductor shaped to provide a first fastener means connected to the output of the radio transmitter;

a flat insulated spacer means mounted on the male type connector;

the flat insulated spacer means includes;

an electrical insulator shaped as a washer with a first center opening--an electrical conductor shaped as a washer with a second center opening having a greater diameter than the first center opening--mounting means for mounting the electrical conductor on the insulator--and connector means for connecting the electrical conductor to the protection circuit to provide an electrical contact thereby;

a female type connector with an external conductor shaped to provide a second fastener means accepted to the first fastener means and connected to the load of the radio transmitter; and

the protection circuit means being connected to the electrical conductor on the flat insulator means whereby when said first fastener means is engaged with the second fastener means, the protection circuit is disabled thereby enabling the use of the radio transmitter.

4. The combination according to claim 3 wherein the protection circuit comprises:

a relay with at least one set of normally open contacts;

a power supply connected between one side of the coil of the relay and a reference potential;

conductor connected between the other side of the relay and the electrical conductor;

means for mounting the male type connector to the electrical equipment;

means for energizing the electrical equipment; and

means for connecting the electrical contact in series with the means for energizing the electrical equipment.