Apparatus with separated conductors

• US 6,538,421 B1
• Filed: 05/14/2001
• Issued: 03/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Warren W. Carpenter
• Original Assignee: Warren W. Carpenter
• Inventors: Carpenter, Warren W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hamdan, Wasseem H.
• Application Number:
  US09/853,647
• Time in Patent Office: 680 Days
• Field of Search: 324/457, 324/127, 324/117.R, 324/531, 324/508, 324/142, 248/201, 439/271
• US Class Current: 324/127
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/06788 Hand-held or hand-manipulated probes, e.g. for oscilloscopes or for portable test instruments end pieces terminating in a probe H01R11/18
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/30 Constructions

Abstract

An invention including separated conductors is disclosed. The invention can assume many different embodiments. The invention includes a chassis or body adapted to receive a first conductor and second conductor, the first conductor being separated from the chassis and the second conductor a distance sufficient to accommodate a portable, handheld current-sensing device. The first conductor has an insulating jacket and is generally less flexible than the flexibility of the first conductor without the insulating jacket. In addition, the invention preferably does not influence the current flow through the apparatus and the invention continues to provide electricity even if the current detector malfunctions.

Claims

1. An apparatus with separated conductors comprising:

a chassis adapted to receive a first conductor and second conductor;

a portion of the first conductor being separated from the chassis and the second conductor a distance sufficient to accommodate a portable, handheld current-sensing device;

the portion of first conductor having an insulating jacket and being less flexible than the flexibility of the first conductor without the insulating jacket;

the insulating jacket being substantially rigid, and being made of a non-metallic martial;

wherein the insulating jacket is mechanically connected to a side of the chassis and extending outwardly from the side of the chassis in a substantial half-loop shape;

wherein the side of the chassis is insulated; and

wherein the operation of the portable, handheld current-sensing device does not influence the current flow through the apparatus and wherein the apparatus continues to provide electricity even if the portable, handheld current-sensing device malfunctions.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is insulated and does not include an exposed conductive surface in communication with the first conductor or the second conductor.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first conductor is insulated and does not include an exposed conductive surface in communication with the first conductor.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a first end of the apparatus includes a connector.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a first end of the apparatus includes a female connector.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a first end of the apparatus includes a male connector.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second conductor is separated from the chassis and the first conductor a distance sufficient to accommodate a portable, handheld current-sensing device.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a third conductor is separated from the chassis and the first conductor and the second conductor a distance sufficient to accommodate a portable, handheld current-sensing device.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a hole is disposed in the apparatus and the first conductor is disposed in a groove on one side of the hole and the second conductor is disposed in a groove on the other side of the hole.

10. A power strip comprising:

a chassis adapted to receive a first conductor and second conductor;

a portion of the first conductor being separated from the chassis and the second conductor a distance sufficient to accommodate a portable, handheld current-sensing device;

the portion of first conductor having an insulating jacket and being less flexible than the flexibility of the first conductor without the insulating jacket;

the insulating jacket being substantially rigid, and being made of a non-metallic material;

wherein the insulating jacket is mechanically connected to a side of the chassis and extending outwardly from the side of the chassis in a substantial half-loop shape;

wherein the side of the chassis is insulated; and

wherein the operation of the portable, handheld current-sensing device does not influence the current flow through the apparatus and wherein the apparatus continues to provide electricity even if the portable, handheld current-sensing device malfunctions.

11. The power strip of claim 10, wherein the side of the chassis also includes at least one electrical connector adapted to receive a plug.

12. The power strip of claim 11, wherein the first conductor is in communication with the electrical connector.

13. The power strip of claim 10, wherein the side of the chassis also includes a plurality of electrical connectors adapted to receive respective plugs.

14. The power strip of claim 13, wherein the first conductor is in communication with every one of the plurality of electrical connectors.

15. The power strip of claim 10, wherein the power strip is entirely insulated thereby having no exposed energized parts.

16. The power strip of claim 10, wherein the portable, handheld cent-sensing device can be removed without disrupting electrical power.

17. A rack mount component including provisions to permit association with standard racks comprising:

a chassis adapted to receive a first conductor and second conductor;

a portion of the first conductor being separated from the chassis and the second conductor a distance sufficient to accommodate a portable, handheld current-sensing device;

the portion of first conductor having an insulating jacket and being less flexible than the flexibility of the first conductor without the insulating jacket;

the insulating jacket being substantially rigid, and being made of a non-metallic material;

wherein the insulating jacket is mechanically connected to a side of the chassis and extending outwardly from the side of the chassis in a substantial half-loop shape,

wherein the side of the chassis is insulated; and

wherein the open of the portable, handheld current-sensing device does not influence the current flow through the apparatus and wherein the apparatus continues to provide electricity even if the portable, handheld current-sensing device malfunctions.

18. The rack mount component of claim 17, wherein the side of the chassis also includes a plurality of electrical connectors adapted to receive respective plugs.

19. The rack mount component of claim 17, wherein a second side, facing a different direction than the side including the insulating jacket, includes at least one electrical connector adapted to receive a plug.

20. The rack mount component of claim 17, further comprising a surge protector.

21. The rack mount component of claim 17, further comprising a power conditioner.

22. The rack mount component of claim 17, further comprising an isolation transformer.

23. The rack mount component of claim 17, further comprising a voltage regulator.

24. The rack mount component of claim 17, further comprising a power filter.

25. The rack mount component of claim 17, wherein the rack mount component is entirely insulated thereby having no exposed energized parts.

26. The rack mount component of claim 17, wherein the portable, handheld current-sensing device can be removed without disrupting electrical power.