Apparatus for controlling use of electrically powered equipment

• US 5,434,368 A
• Filed: 10/06/1993
• Issued: 07/18/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Keith F. Hoffmann
• Original Assignee: Keith F. Hoffmann
• Inventors: Hoffmann, Keith F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Luebke, Renee S.
• Application Number:
  US08/132,279
• Time in Patent Office: 650 Days
• Field of Search: 70/DIG. 30, 200/43.01, 200/43.02, 200/43.22, 200/43.09, 200/43.11, 200/293, 200/51.11, 200/43.16
• US Class Current: 200/43.22
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6397 with means for preventing unauthorised use

Abstract

An apparatus for controlling use of electrically powered equipment includes an enclosure in which there is mounted an electrical connector receptacle which may be connected to a source of electrical power via its own power cable or plug blades. The enclosure is proportioned to receive the end of the electrical power cable or plug leads of one or more electrical power connectors of independently operated electrical devices. Plugging these devices into the electrical connector receptacle provides a direct, controlled connection to the power source. A locking device is provided on the exterior of the enclosure. This locking device could employ a variety of keyed and keyless lock designs. Disengaging the locking device unlocks the top enclosing lid of the enclosure to expose an electrical switch and a plurality of pins. When the electrical apparatus uses plug blades an attachment screw is also exposed to secure the electrical apparatus to the power source. The switch controls the flow of current from the power source to the independently operated electrical devices. The flow of current through the switch may be stopped with the top enclosing lid in the open or closed position. Simultaneously depressing the restraining pins allows the removal of a securable enclosure that is used to keep the electrical power connectors of independently operated electrical devices affixed to the invention. Preventing unauthorized operation as well as removal of independently operated electrical devices is obtained by maintaining the top enclosing lid in the closed position with the locking device engaged.

Claims

1. An electrical apparatus for at least one electrically operated device having an electrical power cable and an electrical power connector for connecting said electrical power cable to a source of electrical power comprising,

an electrical connector receptacle means capable of receiving said electrical power connector,

a power plug means connected to said electrical connector receptacle means providing said electrical connector receptacle means with an electrical circuit connection between said source of electrical power and said electrical connector receptacle means,

an electrical switch means capable of energizing and de-energizing said electrical connector receptacle means,

an enclosing means which denies access to said switch means when said enclosing means is in a closed position,

a locking means capable of a first position in which said enclosing means may be opened, allowing access to said switch means and a second position engaging said enclosing means to deny access to said switch means, said locking means comprising a lock operating means capable of engaging said enclosing means,

whereby said switch means is operated by a user of said electrical apparatus when said enclosing means is opened and said locking means does not act to actuate said switch means.

2. The electrical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said locking means is comprised of at least one indiced disk having positions for a plurality of settings and a corresponding manually operable rotating means, each of said manually operable rotating means being adapted to enter any setting displayable on a corresponding one of said at least one indiced disk, with the movement of said lock operating means being regulated by at least one element adapted for engagement by said lock operating means and said at least one indiced disk whereby the user can open said enclosing means after entering a correct setting on said at least one indiced disk.

3. The electrical apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said at least one element is adapted to allow free operation of said lock operating means with a new setting on said at least one indiced disk by rotating said at least one indiced disk to the current setting which allows free Operation of said lock operating means and selecting a new setting while said at least one element is engaged by translating said lock operating means, whereby a user can reprogram the setting allowing free operation of said locking means to a new value.

4. The electrical apparatus according to claim 1, further including an attachment means to prevent removal of said electrical apparatus from said source of electrical power,

5. The electrical apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said enclosing means denies access to said attachment means when said enclosing means is in the closed position.

6. The electrical apparatus according to claim 1, in which said enclosing means further allows the user to de-energize said switch means while said enclosing means is in the closed position.

7. The electrical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said power plug means is a power cable, said power cable terminating in a power connector which is adapted to be inserted into a conventional electrical outlet.

8. The electrical apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising,

a securable enclosing means capable of a first position providing access to said electrical connector receptacle means, allowing the attachment of said electrical power connector to said electrical connector receptacle means, and a second position denying access to said electrical connector receptacle means,

a restraining means capable of a first position allowing said securable enclosing means to be moved to a position allowing access to said electrical connector receptacle means and a second position engaging said securable enclosing means, preventing tile movement of said securable enclosing means to a position allowing access to said electrical connector receptacle means.

9. The electrical apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said enclosing means denies access to said restraining means when said enclosing means is in the closed position.

10. The electrical apparatus according to claim 8, further including an attachment means to prevent removal of said electrical apparatus from said source of electrical power.

11. The electrical apparatus according to claim 8, in which said enclosing means further allows the user to de-energize said switch means while said enclosing means is in the closed position.

12. The electrical apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a retaining means for retaining said electrical power connector of said at least one electrically operated device within said securable enclosing means, wherein said retaining means comprises at least one notch portion with said at least one notch portion proportioned of a size to accept said power cable and permit passage of said power cable while preventing passage of said electrical power connector through said at least one notch portion when said securable enclosing means is positioned to deny access to said electrical connector receptacle means, thereby retaining said electrical power connector within said securable enclosing means.

13. The electrical apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said power plug means is a power cable, said power cable terminating in a power connector which is adapted to be inserted into a conventional electrical outlet.

14. An electrical apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a housing means having a plurality of wall portions wherein said securable enclosing means, normally mounted on said housing means, includes at least one projecting portion and in which said housing means includes at least one recessed portion with said at least one projecting portion retained by said at least one recessed portion when said securable enclosing means is mounted on said housing means.

15. An electrical apparatus for at least one electrically operated device having an electrical power connector for connecting said electrically operated device to a source of electrical power comprising,

a housing means having a plurality of wall portions,

an electrical connector receptacle means mounted in said housing means adapted to receive said electrical power connector therein for completing an electrical circuit connection therebetween,

a power plug means connected to said electrical connector receptacle means providing said electrical connector receptacle means with an electrical circuit connection between said source of electrical power and said electrical connector receptacle means,

an electrical switch means mounted in said housing means, capable of regulating tile electrical circuit between said power plug means and said electrical connector receptacle means, said switch means controlling whether said electrical connector receptacle means is energized or de-energized,

an enclosing means mounted on said housing means which denies access to said switch means when said enclosing means is in a closed position and allows access to said switch means when said enclosing means is in an open position,

a locking means mounted on said housing means and capable of engaging said enclosing means to restrict said enclosing means to the closed position,

whereby said switch means is operated by a user of said electrical apparatus when said enclosing means is opened and said locking means does not act to actuate said switch means.

16. In an apparatus for controlling use of electrically powered equipment, said electrical apparatus preventing unauthorized supply of electrical energy to at least one electrical power connector for an electrical power cable of an electrically operated device comprising,

an electrical connector receptacle means adapted to receive said electrical power connector to be energized therefrom,

a securable enclosing means capable of a first position providing access to said electrical connector receptacle means, allowing the attachment of said electrical power connector to said electrical connector receptacle means, and a second position denying access to said electrical connector receptacle means,

a restraining means capable of a first position allowing said securable enclosing means to be moved to a position allowing access to said electrical connector receptacle means and a second position engaging said securable enclosing means, preventing movement of said securable enclosing means to a position allowing access to said electrical connector receptacle means,

an electrical switch means capable of energizing and de-energizing said electrical connector receptacle means,

an enclosing means which denies access to said switch means and said restraining means when said enclosing means is in closed position,

a locking means capable of a first position in which said enclosing means may be opened, allowing access to said switch means and said restraining means and a second position engaging said enclosing means to deny access to said switch means and said restraining means, said locking means comprised of at least one indiced disk having positions for a plurality of settings and a corresponding manually operable rotating means, each of said manually operable rotating means being adapted to enter any setting displayable on a corresponding one of said at least one indiced disk, engagement of said locking means with said enclosing means being regulated by at least one element adapted for engagement by said enclosing means and said at least one indiced disk whereby a user can open said enclosing means after entering a correct setting on said at least one indiced disk,

thereby limiting operation of said at least one electrically operated device to persons capable of gaining access to said switch means.