Method for controlling connector insertion or extraction sequence on power distribution panel
First Claim
1. A coupling guard which insures the coupling of a plurality of plugs and receptacles in a predetermined sequence in which the plugs must be rotated in one direction to complete an electrical connection to the receptacle and rotated in the opposite direction to break the electrical connection, the coupling guard comprising:
- first and second receptacles;
first and second cam rings surrounding the first and second receptacles;
a first cam surface having a convex shape and a first clearance notch on the outer surface of the first cam ring;
a second cam surface and a locking notch on the outer surface of the second cam ring the locking notch having a concave shape which is complimentary to the shape of said first cam surface, wherein the cam surface of the first cam ring prevents rotation of the second cam ring when the first cam surface engages the locking notch of the second cam ring, and wherein the second cam ring is free to turn when the first clearance notch engages the second cam surface on the second cam ring; and
wherein the second cam surface engages the first clearance notch when the second cam ring rotates and prevents rotation of the first cam ring without first rotating the second cam ring to remove the second cam surface of the second cam ring from the clearance notch of the first cam ring.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A coupling guard insures that a plurality of plugs are coupled to plural receptacles in a desired sequence. An array of cam rings which rotate in unison with the rotation of mating plugs are designed to be locked against rotation unless the rings are rotated in the desired sequence. In one embodiment, cover plates coupled to the cam rings cover the entrance to the adjacent receptacles and are removed from the entrance of the receptacles by rotation of the cam rings.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A coupling guard which insures the coupling of a plurality of plugs and receptacles in a predetermined sequence in which the plugs must be rotated in one direction to complete an electrical connection to the receptacle and rotated in the opposite direction to break the electrical connection, the coupling guard comprising:
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first and second receptacles; first and second cam rings surrounding the first and second receptacles; a first cam surface having a convex shape and a first clearance notch on the outer surface of the first cam ring; a second cam surface and a locking notch on the outer surface of the second cam ring the locking notch having a concave shape which is complimentary to the shape of said first cam surface, wherein the cam surface of the first cam ring prevents rotation of the second cam ring when the first cam surface engages the locking notch of the second cam ring, and wherein the second cam ring is free to turn when the first clearance notch engages the second cam surface on the second cam ring; and wherein the second cam surface engages the first clearance notch when the second cam ring rotates and prevents rotation of the first cam ring without first rotating the second cam ring to remove the second cam surface of the second cam ring from the clearance notch of the first cam ring. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A coupling guard for controlling the rotation of a series of cam rings in conjunction with the rotation of a series of plugs which must be rotated when being coupled or uncoupled with a series of receptacles comprising:
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a first and second cam ring; a cam surface at the three o'"'"'clock position on each cam ring; a clearance notch between the one and two o'"'"'clock positions on each cam ring; and a locking notch at the none o'"'"'clock position on each cam ring, wherein engagement of the cam surface of the first cam ring with the locking notch of the second cam ring prevents rotation of the second cam ring. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A coupling guard which insures the coupling of ground, neutral, and power plugs to plural receptacles in a predetermined sequence comprising:
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a plurality of cam rings one for each of the ground, neutral, and power receptacles; a concave cam surface on each cam ring and a concave clearance notch on the ground and neutral cam rings; and a concave locking notch on the neutral and power cam rings, whereby the neutral and power cam rings may be locked against rotation, and whereby the neutral cam ring may be rotated clockwise only after clockwise rotation of the ground cam ring and the power cam ring may be rotated clockwise only after clockwise rotation of the neutral ground ring. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification