Magnetic safety receptacle and plug
First Claim
1. A safety receptacle and plug comprising:
- a receptacle assembly includingsupport means having an exterior surface and an interior surface,a first electrical contact pair extending through said support means and having exterior surfaces and interior surfaces,an over-center drop-out member coupled to said support means proximate said interior surface, said drop-out member including a second electrical contact pair adapted to abut the interior surfaces of said first electrical contact pair, and a first ferromagnetic member, where said drop-out member is movable between an open position and a closed position in contact with said first electrical contact pair; and
a plug assembly includinga plug body,a third electrical contact pair supported by said plug body and adapted to abut the exterior surfaces of said first electrical contact pair,and a second ferromagnetic member carried by said plug body;
whereby when said third electrical contact pair abuts said first electrical contact pair magnetic attraction between said first ferromagnetic member and said second ferromagnetic member causes said drop-out member to move to said closed position.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A magnetically actuated safety receptacle and plug characterized by a receptacle having a first pair of electrical contacts extending through a support member, and an over-center drop-out member hinged to the support member and carrying a second pair of electrical contacts. When a magnetic plug is inserted into a recess provided in the front of the support member the drop-out member is magnetically attracted towards the support member so that the first pair of electrical contacts and the second pair of electrical contacts abut to provide power to the plug. The hinge attaching the drop-out member to the support member is articulated so that the contacts can wipe against each other to remove any oxide build up. An industrial version of this invention includes a gas tight enclosure surrounding the drop-out member and the interior contacts to prevent accidental ignition of combustible gases.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. A safety receptacle and plug comprising:
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a receptacle assembly including support means having an exterior surface and an interior surface, a first electrical contact pair extending through said support means and having exterior surfaces and interior surfaces, an over-center drop-out member coupled to said support means proximate said interior surface, said drop-out member including a second electrical contact pair adapted to abut the interior surfaces of said first electrical contact pair, and a first ferromagnetic member, where said drop-out member is movable between an open position and a closed position in contact with said first electrical contact pair; and a plug assembly including a plug body, a third electrical contact pair supported by said plug body and adapted to abut the exterior surfaces of said first electrical contact pair, and a second ferromagnetic member carried by said plug body; whereby when said third electrical contact pair abuts said first electrical contact pair magnetic attraction between said first ferromagnetic member and said second ferromagnetic member causes said drop-out member to move to said closed position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification