Electric appliance and a detachable cord thereof

• US 6,568,942 B2
• Filed: 02/09/2001
• Issued: 05/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eastern Sources Housewares (Hong Kong) Limited
• Original Assignee: Eastern Sources Housewares (Hong Kong) Limited
• Inventors: Lau, Wing Chung Joseph, Ho, Leung Chi
• Primary Examiner(s): Bradley, P. Austin
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, PHUONGCHI T
• Application Number:
  US09/779,552
• Publication Number:
  US 20020160629A1
• Time in Patent Office: 837 Days
• Field of Search: 439/39, 439/346, 439/170, 439/342, 439/518, 439/137, 439/145, 439/136, 307/959, 307/678, 307/819, 307/825, 307/887, 307/692, 307/956
• US Class Current: 439/39
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/4534 Laterally sliding shutter
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7037 making use of a magnetically operated switch

Abstract

An electric appliance has a body member and a detachable electric cord. The body member includes a connecting portion having at least one pin member extended therefrom. The electric cord includes at least a first plug member and a second plug member which are electrically connected with each other. The first plug member is electrically connectable to an electric source. The second plug member is releasably engageable with the connecting portion of the body member by a magnetic attracting force between them. The pin member includes a tapered end surface, and the second plug member includes at least one aperture sized to receive the pin of the connecting portion of the body member. The width of the aperture is greater than the width of the pin member by a factor in the range of 1.1 to 5.

Claims

1. An electric appliance having a body member and a detachable electric cord, wherein said body member includes a receptacle having at least one pin member extended therefrom and a first attracting means, wherein said electric cord includes at least a first plug member and a second plug member which are electrically connected with each other, wherein said first plug member is electrically connectable to an electric source, wherein said second plug member includes a second attracting means, and is releasably engageble with said receptacle of said body member by an attracting force between said first and second attracting means, wherein said pin member includes a tapered end surface, and wherein said second plug member further comprises at least one aperture sized to receive said pin member of said receptacle of said body member, and wherein $\frac{\mathrm{width}.\mathrm{of}.\mathrm{said}.\mathrm{aperture}}{\mathrm{width}.\mathrm{of}.\mathrm{said}.\mathrm{pin}.\mathrm{member}}$

is from 1.1 to 5, wherein said second plug member further comprises electrically conducting means and a shutter member adapted to be movable for closing or opening said aperture of said second plug member.

2. An electric appliance as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tapered end surface of said pin member is inclined in relation to a longitudinal axis of said pin member by 15°

to 75°

.

3. An electric appliance as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pin is of a length between 4 to 12 mm.

4. An electric appliance as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pin is of a width between 1.5 to 9 mm.

5. An electric appliance as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first attracting means is a magnet.

6. An electric appliance as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first attracting means is made of metallic materials.

7. An electric appliance as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of said apertures of said second plug member is of a width between 2 to 9.5 mm.

8. An electric appliance as claimed in claim 1 wherein said attracting force between said first and second attracting means is at least 0.5 kgf.

9. An electric appliance as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second attracting means is a magnet.

10. An electric appliance as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second attracting means is made of metallic materials.

11. An electric appliance according to claim 1 wherein said second plug member comprises an abutment surface for abutting said electric appliance when said electric cord is electrically connected with said electric appliance.

12. An electric appliance according to claim 1 wherein said second plug member has at least one surface tapering towards an electric cable connecting said first plug member and said second plug member.

13. An electric appliance according to claim 1 wherein said first plug member comprises a circuit breaker actuable to open the circuit of said electric cord upon contact with water.

14. An electric appliance according to claim 1 wherein said second plug member comprises a circuit breaker actuable to open a circuit of said electric cord upon contact with water.

15. An electric appliance as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pin member is positioned off-centered of said receptacle of said body member.

16. An electric appliance as claimed in claim 1 wherein non-electrically conducting protrusion means is provided on said receptacle of said body member.

17. An electric appliance as claimed in claim 16 wherein a corresponding non-electrically conducting recess is provided on said second plug member, and wherein said protrusion means is receivable by said recess when said second plug member is engaged with said receptacle.

18. An electric appliance as claimed in claim 1 wherein a non-electrically conducting recess is provided on said receptacle of said body member.

19. An electric appliance as claimed in claim 18 wherein corresponding non-electrically conducting protrusion means is provided on said second plug member, and wherein said non-electrically conducting protrusion means is receivable by said non-electrically conducting recess when said second plug member is engaged with said receptacle.

20. An electric appliance as claimed in claim 1 wherein said receptacle is surrounded by a collar.

21. An electric appliance as claimed in claim 20 wherein said collar includes an inner surface which tapers away from said receptacle.

22. An electric appliance as claimed in claim 21 wherein, on engagement, an edge of said second plug member is spaced from said collar of said receptacle by a distance of at least 1 mm.

23. An electric appliance as claimed in claim 1 wherein said movable shutter member is disposable at a closed position in which access to said electrically conducting means is denied and an open position in which access to said electrically conducting means through said aperture is allowed.

24. An electric appliance as claimed in claim 23 wherein said shutter member is biased towards said closed position at which said aperture is closed.

25. An electric appliance according to claim 24 wherein movement of said shutter member for closing or opening said aperture is controlled by spring means.

26. An electric appliance according to claim 25 wherein said spring means biases said shutter member towards said closed position for closing said aperture.

27. An electric appliance as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least two said pin members extend from said receptacle of said body member.

28. An electric appliance as claimed in claim 27 wherein at least one of said two pin members is of a length between 4 to 12 mm.

29. An electric appliance as claimed in claim 27 wherein $\frac{\mathrm{length}.\mathrm{of}.\mathrm{said}.\mathrm{pin}.\mathrm{member}}{\mathrm{width}.\mathrm{of}.\mathrm{said}.\mathrm{pin}.\mathrm{member}}$

is from 1 to 8.

30. An electric appliance as claimed in claim 27 wherein said two pin members are spaced from each other by a distance in the range of 7 to 60 mm.

31. An electric appliance as claimed in claim 27 wherein at least two apertures are provided on said second plug member, and wherein said at least two pin members are receivable by said at least two apertures.

32. An electric appliance as claimed in claim 31 wherein at least one of said apertures is of a width between 2 to 9 mm.

33. An electric appliance as claimed in claim 32 wherein $\frac{\mathrm{width}.\mathrm{of}.a.\mathrm{first}.\mathrm{aperture}}{\mathrm{width}.\mathrm{of}.a.\mathrm{first}.\mathrm{pin}.\mathrm{member}}$

is from 1.1 to 5.

34. An electric appliance as claimed in claim 1 wherein a least three pin members extend from said receptacle.

35. An electric appliance as claimed in claim 34 wherein at least a first of said three pin members is of a length between 4 to 12 mm and wherein at least a second one of said three pin members is of a length between 5 to 13 mm.

36. An electric appliance as claimed in claim 34 $\frac{\mathrm{length}.\mathrm{of}.\mathrm{said}.\mathrm{pin}.\mathrm{member}}{\mathrm{width}.\mathrm{of}.\mathrm{said}.\mathrm{pin}.\mathrm{member}}$

is from 1 to 8.

37. An electric appliance as claimed in claim 34 wherein any of said pin members is spaced from an adjacent pin member by a distance of 7 to 30 mm.

38. An electric appliance as claimed in claim 37 wherein $\frac{\mathrm{width}.\mathrm{of}.a.\mathrm{first}.\mathrm{aperture}}{\mathrm{width}.\mathrm{of}.a.\mathrm{first}.\mathrm{pin}.\mathrm{member}}$

is from 1.1 to 5.

39. An electric appliance as claimed in claim 37 wherein $\frac{\mathrm{width}.\mathrm{of}.a.\mathrm{second}.\mathrm{aperture}}{\mathrm{width}.\mathrm{of}.a.\mathrm{second}.\mathrm{pin}.\mathrm{member}}$

is from 1.1 to 5.

40. An electric appliance as claimed in claim 34 wherein at least three apertures are provided on said second plug member, and wherein said at least three pin members are receivable by said at least three apertures.

41. An electric appliance as claimed in claim 40 wherein at least a first of said apertures is of a width between 2 to 9 mm and wherein at least a second of said three apertures is of a width between 2.5 to 9.5 mm.

42. An electric appliance as claimed in claim 40 wherein said apertures align on a substantially straight line.

43. An electric appliance as claimed in claim 40 wherein said apertures form a triangular shape.

44. An electric appliance according to claim 23 wherein said electrically conducting means includes at least one resilient means.

45. An electric appliance according to claim 44 wherein when said second plug member and said receptacle are engaged, an engagement surface provided by said resilient means is inclined in relation to a longitudinal axis of said pin member, whereby said engagement surface rubs against said tapered end surface of said pin member when said pin member(s) enter(s) said aperture(s).

46. An electric appliance as claimed in claim 44 wherein said resilient means is deformable between an extended configuration and a compressed configuration.

47. An electric appliance as claimed in claim 46 wherein said resilient means is biased towards its extended configuration.

48. An electric appliance as claimed in claim 47 wherein said resilient means is in its extended configuration when said second plug member of said electric cord is out of engagement with said electric appliance.

49. An electric appliance as claimed in claim 48 wherein said resilient means is in its compressed configuration when said second plug member is engaged with said electric appliance.

50. An electric appliance as claimed in claim 49 wherein said resilient means and said pin members are in an electrically conductive relationship when said second plug member is engaged with said electric appliance.

51. An electric appliance according to claim 46 wherein said resilient means further includes a contact element.

52. An electric appliance according to claim 51 wherein a surface of said contact element is inclined in relation to a longitudinal axis of said pin member.

53. An electric appliance according to claim 51 wherein said contact element comprises silver.

54. An electric cord for use with an electric appliance comprising at least a first plug member and a second plug member which are electrically connected with each other, wherein said first plug member is electrically connectable to an electric source, wherein said second plug member includes an attracting means attractable to a magnet, and is adapted to be releasably engageable with a receptacle of an electric appliance, wherein said second plug member further comprises at least one aperture and a shutter member, said aperture having a width in the range of 2 to 9.5 mm, said shutter member is movable for closing or opening said aperture of said second plug member.

55. An electric cord as claimed in claim 54 wherein said attracting means is a magnet.

56. An electric cord as claimed in claim 54 wherein said attracting means is made of metallic materials.

57. An electric cord as claimed in claim 54 wherein said second plug member comprises at least two apertures.

58. An electric cord as claimed in claim 54 wherein at least one of said at least two apertures is of a width between 2 to 9 mm.

59. An electric cord according to claim 54 wherein said second plug member comprises an abutment surface adapted to abut said electric appliance when said electric cord is electrically connected with said electric appliance.

60. An electric cord according to claim 54 wherein said second plug member has at least one surface tapering towards an electric cable connecting said first plug member and said second plug member.

61. An electric cord according to claim 54 wherein said first plug member comprises a circuit breaker actuable to open the circuit of said electric cord upon contact with water.

62. An electric cord according to claim 54 wherein said second plug member comprises a circuit breaker actuable to open the circuit of said electric cord upon contact with water.

63. An electric cord as claimed in claim 54 wherein protrusion means is provided on said second plug member, wherein said protrusion means is adapted to be received by a corresponding recess arranged on said receptacle of said electric appliance.

64. An electric cord as claimed in claim 54 wherein a recess is provided on said second plug member, wherein said recess is adapted to be received by corresponding protrusion means arranged on said receptacle of said electric appliance.

65. An electric cord as claimed in claim 54 wherein second plug member comprises at least three apertures.

66. An electric cord as claimed in claim 65 wherein at least one of said at least three apertures is of a width between 2 to 9 mm.

67. An electric cord as claimed in claim 65 wherein at least one of said at least three apertures is of a width between 2.5 to 9.5 mm.

68. An electric cord as claimed in claim 65 wherein said apertures are aligned along a substantially straight line.

69. An electric cord as claimed in claim 65 wherein said apertures are aligned in a triangular shape.

70. An electric cord as claimed in claim 65 wherein said second plug member further comprises electrically conducting means, and said shutter member is movable between a closed position in which access to said electrically conducting means is denied and an open position in which access to said electrically conducting means is allowed.

71. An electric cord as claimed in claim 70 wherein said shutter member is biased towards said closed position.

72. An electric cord according to claim 71 wherein movement of said shutter member is controlled by spring means.

73. An electric cord according to claim 71 wherein said spring means biases said shutter member towards said closed position.

74. An electric cord according to claim 70 wherein said electrically conducting means includes at least one resilient means.

75. An electric cord as claimed in claim 74 wherein said resilient means is deformable between an extended configuration and a compressed configuration.

76. An electric cord as claimed in claim 74 wherein said resilient means is biased towards its extended configuration.

77. An electric cord as claimed in claim 76 wherein said resilient means is adapted to be at its extended configuration when said second plug member of said electric cord is out of engagement with said electric appliance.

78. An electric cord as claimed in claim 77 wherein said resilient means is adapted to be at its compressed configuration when said second plug member is engaged with said electric appliance.

79. An electric cord as claimed in claim 78 wherein said resilient means is adapted to be in an electrically conductive relationship with a portion of said receptacle when said second plug member is engaged with said receptacle of said electric appliance.

80. An electric cord according to claim 74 wherein said resilient means further includes a contact element.

81. An electric cord according to claim 80 wherein said contact element defines a surface which is inclined in relation to a longitudinal axis of said pin as said pin enters said aperture.

82. An electric cord according to claim 80 wherein said inert metallic material comprises substantially silver.

83. An electrical connecting portion for use in an electric appliance for engagement with the electric cord of claim 54, comprising a receptacle surface, at least one pin member extending therefrom and means for functionally attracting the attracting means of the cord, wherein said pin member includes a tapered end surface which is inclined to a longitudinal axis of said pin member by 15°

to 75°

.

84. An electrical connecting portion as claimed in claim 83 wherein said pin member is of a length between 4 to 13 mm.

85. An electrical connecting portion as claimed in claim 83 wherein said pin member is of a width between 1.5 to 9 mm.

86. An electrical connection portion as claimed in claim 83 wherein said functional attracting means is a magnet.

87. An electric connecting portion as claimed in claim 83 wherein at least two said pin members extend from said receptacle of said body member.

88. An electric connecting portion appliance as claimed in claim 83 wherein said pin member is positioned off-centered of said receptacle of said body member.

89. An electric connecting portion as claimed in claim 83 wherein a non-electrically conducting protrusion means is provided on said receptacle surface.

90. An electric connecting portion as claimed in claim 83 wherein a non-electrically conducting recess is provided at said surface.

91. An electric connecting portion as claimed in claim 83 wherein said connecting portion is molded with a body of said electric appliance.

92. An electric connecting portion as claimed in claim 83 wherein said portion is removably engagable with a body of said electric appliance.

93. An electrical connecting portion as claimed in claim 83 wherein said connecting portion is surrounded by a collar.

94. An electrical connecting portion as claimed in claim 93 wherein said collar includes an inner surface which tapers away from said connecting portion.

95. An electric connecting portion as claimed in claim 83 wherein at least one of said two pin members is of a length between 4 to 12 mm.

96. An electric connecting portion as claimed in claim 95 wherein the length and width of said pin members have a ratio in the range of 1 to 8.

97. An electric connecting portion as claimed in claim 93 wherein said at least two pin members are spaced from each other by a distance in the range of 7 to 60 mm.

98. An electric connecting portion as claimed in claim 83 wherein at least three said pin members extend from said receptacle.

99. An electric connecting portion as claimed in claim 98 wherein at least a first of said at least three pin members is of a length between 4 to 12 mm and wherein at least a second of said at least three pin members is of a length between 5 to 13 mm.

100. An electric connecting portion as claimed in claim 98 wherein the length and width of said pin members have a ratio in the range of 1 to 8.

101. An electric connecting portion as claimed in claim 98 wherein any of said at least three pin members is spaced from an adjacent pin member by a distance of 7 to 30 mm.