Receptacle safety deenergizer

• US 5,508,568 A
• Filed: 05/10/1994
• Issued: 04/16/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alex Mammen
• Original Assignee: Alex Mammen
• Inventors: Mammen, Alex
• Primary Examiner(s): Shoop, Jr., William M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PALADINI, ALBERT WILLIAM
• Application Number:
  US08/240,438
• Time in Patent Office: 707 Days
• Field of Search: 307/117, 307/94, 307/197, 361/42, 361/170
• US Class Current: 307/117
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 1/08 using electric transmission ; transformation of alarm signals to electrical signals from a different medium, e.g. transmission of an electric alarm signal upon detection of an audible alarm signal
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6683 with built-in sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/717 with built-in light source
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/78 with additional earth or shield contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/065 with built-in electric apparatus

Abstract

A safety device for breaking power supplied to the plug of an appliance cord from a standard, preexisting electrical receptacle. The device plugs into the standard receptacle, and in turn accepts the plug of the appliance in an exposed corresponding receptacle. The device detects an audible alarm signal from a standard, preexisting smoke detector, and operates an automatic switch provided in the device. The automatic switch interrupts a power circuit which normally conducts power from the preexisting receptacle to the corresponding receptacle provided in the safety device. A control circuit operates the automatic switch responsive to detection of the audible alarm. An alarm condition indicator and manual reset are provided. The device is compact and unobtrusive, plugs manually into the preexisting receptacle, and requires no modification to the preexisting receptacle, smoke detector, or appliance in order to operate automatically. In an alternative embodiment, the device is intended for incorporation into the building wiring system, and forms a permanent component thereof.

Claims

1. An electrical safety disconnecting device having a standard electrical receptacle for receiving the plug of an appliance power cord and conducting electrical power from a building wiring system, said device for selectively and automatically discontinuing power to said receptacle, said device comprising:

a power circuit including electrical conductors connectable to the building wiring system, at least one protected receptacle connected in series with the building wiring system;

an automatic switch selectively tripping, wherein said automatic switch breaks electrical continuity to said protected receptacle; and

and means for detecting an audible alarm and operating said automatic switch responsive thereto.

2. The device according to claim 1, said power circuit having protruding electrical conductor members cooperating with and attachable to a preexisting receptacle, whereby said device is plugged into the preexisting receptacle for support and for connection to electrical power.

3. The device according to claim 2, said protected receptacle corresponding in configuration to a preexisting receptacle.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the preexisting receptacle is a duplex receptacle, and said protected receptacle is a duplex receptacle.

5. The device according to claim 1, further including an uninterrupted conductor connectable to grounded conductors in the building wiring system and to the appliance plugs.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the building wiring system includes a preexisting duplex receptacle, each individual receptacle thereof having a grounded conductor, said protected receptacle comprising a duplex receptacle including at least one grounded conductor configured and dimensioned to interfit with the grounded conductors of the preexisting duplex receptacle.

7. The device according to claim 1, further comprising an indicator indicating a tripped condition wherein power to said protected receptacle is discontinued.

8. The device according to claim 1, further comprising means for maintaining said device in a tripped condition, wherein power is discontinued, and means for manually restoring power.

9. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:

an indicator indicating the tripped condition, wherein power to said protected receptacle is discontinued;

means for maintaining power discontinued, and for maintaining said indicator operative; and

means for manually restoring power and for discontinuing indication by said indicator of the tripped condition.

10. An electrical safety disconnecting device for discontinuing power to an appliance cord plugged into a preexisting, standard electrical receptacle, said device comprising:

a power circuit including electrical conductors connectable to the power conductors of the preexisting receptacle, at least one protected receptacle corresponding in configuration to the preexisting receptacle and connected in series with said electrical conductors, said power circuit having protruding electrical conductor members cooperating with and attachable to the preexisting receptacle, whereby said device is plugged into the existing receptacle for support and for connection to electrical power;

an automatic switch selectively breaking electrical continuity of at least one of said electrical conductors; and

and means for detecting an audible alarm and operating said automatic switch responsive thereto.

11. The device according to claim 10, further including an uninterrupted conductor connectable to grounded conductors in the preexisting receptacle and appliance plugs.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the preexisting receptacle is a duplex receptacle, and said protected receptacle is a duplex receptacle.

13. The device according to claim 10, further comprising an indicator indicating the condition wherein power to said protected receptacle is discontinued.

14. The device according to claim 10, further comprising means for maintaining power discontinued, and means for manually restoring power.

15. An electrical safety disconnecting device having a standard electrical receptacle for receiving the plug of an appliance power cord and conducting electrical power from a building wiring system, said device for selectively and automatically discontinuing power to said receptacle, said device comprising:

a power circuit including electrical conductors connectable to the building wiring system, at least one protected receptacle connected in series with the building wiring system;

an automatic switch selectively tripping, wherein said automatic switch breaks electrical continuity to said protected receptacle;

means for detecting an audible alarm and operating said automatic switch responsive thereto;

an indicator indicating a tripped condition wherein power to said protected receptacle is discontinued;

an indicator indicating the tripped condition, wherein power to said protected receptacle is discontinued;

means for maintaining power discontinued, and for maintaining said indicator operative; and

means for manually restoring power and for discontinuing indication by said indicator of the tripped condition.

16. The device according to claim 15, further including an uninterrupted conductor connectable to grounded conductors in the building wiring system and to an appliance plug.