Detachable breakaway power supply source

• US 6,988,897 B2
• Filed: 04/16/2003
• Issued: 01/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Greenfield World Trade, Inc., TML, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Focus Products Group LLC, TML, Inc.
• Inventors: Belongia, David C., Dobson, William C., Kuo, Hui Ming, Jockers, Gustave J.
• Primary Examiner(s): PASCHALL, MARK H
• Application Number:
  US10/414,822
• Publication Number:
  US 20040077187A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,014 Days
• Field of Search: 219/494, 219/481, 219/490, 219/491, 219/505, 439/39, 439/40, 439/38, 99325-338
• US Class Current: 439/39
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/30 End pieces held in contact by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet

Abstract

Objects of the invention relate to a detachable breakaway power supply device that can be selectively coupled to an electrical appliance. A first coupling element is carried by the appliance and a second coupling element is carried by the detachable power supply device. The power supply device is carried by a conventional power supply cord. Attractive magnetic forces between the first and second coupling elements permit selective, removable attachment and electrical contact between the appliance and the power supply device. This arrangement provides a breakaway mechanism in which disturbance of the power supply cord, e.g., by tripping, results in the separation of the power supply device from the appliance to prevent overturning of the appliance and spilling of its contents.

Claims

1. A detachable power supply apparatus for an appliance, the apparatus comprising

(a) a mounting assembly carried by the appliance, the assembly comprising

i. a heat transfer probe,

ii. a first coupling element, and

iii. a heating element terminating in a first electrical terminal,

(b) a power supply device carried by a power supply cord, the device comprising

i. a second coupling element adapted to removably magnetically couple with the first coupling element to couple the appliance with the power supply device,

ii. a temperature regulating device coupled with the second coupling element, and

iii. a second electrical terminal adapted for removable electrical contact with the first electrical terminal,

wherein attractive magnetic forces between the first and second coupling elements removably and electrically couple the appliance and the power supply device.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1

wherein the temperature regulating device is a bi-metallic mechanical leaf thermostat.

3. An apparatus as in claim 1

wherein the heat transfer probe comprises aluminum.

4. An apparatus as in claim 1

wherein the first and second coupling elements are magnets of opposite polarity.

5. An apparatus as in claim 1

wherein one of the first and second coupling elements is magnetized and the other of the first and second coupling elements is a metal responsive to magnetic forces.

6. An apparatus as in claim 1

wherein at least one of the first and second electrical terminals is spring-loaded.

7. A detachable power supply apparatus for an appliance, the apparatus comprising

(a) a first coupling element carried by the appliance

(b) power supply device carried by a power supply cord, the device comprising

i. a temperature regulating device

ii. a second coupling element coupled to the temperature regulating device and adapted to removably magnetically couple with the first coupling element to couple the appliance with the power supply device distal to the temperature regulating device, whereby detachment of the appliance from the power supply device detaches the temperature regulating device from the appliance.

8. A detachable power supply apparatus for an appliance, the apparatus comprising

(a) a first coupling element carried by the appliance,

(b) a heat transfer probe carried by the appliance,

(c) a heating element carried by the appliance and terminating in a first electrical terminal

(d) a power supply device carried by a power supply cord, the device comprising

i. a temperature regulating device,

ii. a second coupling element coupled to the temperature regulating device and adapted to removably magnetically couple with the first coupling element to couple the appliance with the power supply device, at least a portion of the second coupling element being located between the first coupling element and the temperature regulating device when the first and second coupling elements are magnetically coupled, such that severing of the magnetic coupling detaches the power regulating device from the appliance.

9. A detachable regulated power supply apparatus for an appliance, the apparatus comprising

(a) a heating element carried by the appliance and terminating in a first electrical terminal,

(b) a first coupling element carried by the appliance,

(c) a heat transfer probe carried by the appliance and having an inner end portion arranged for contact with the heating element and an outer end portion including a first heat transfer surface,

(d) a power supply device carried by a power supply cord, the device comprising

i. a second electrical terminal to selectively, removably receive the first electrical terminal to provide electrical contact between the appliance and the power supply device,

ii. a temperature regulating device,

iii. a second coupling element coupled to the temperature regulating device and adapted for magnetic coupling with the first coupling element, and

iv. a second heat transfer surface carried by the second coupling element and arranged for severable heat transfer contact with the first heat transfer surface when the first and second coupling elements are magnetically coupled.