Method and apparatus for control of appliance coupler retention and withdrawal forces
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A plug retaining assembly comprising:
- a plug including a lug;
a socket to interface with the plug; and
a retaining clip including a lug engaging mechanism structured to allow disengagement of the plug from the socket at a predetermined release force applied to the plug while the retaining clip is engaged with the plug, the retaining clip being movably positioned with respect to the socket for movement between (1) a non-plug-retaining position, and (2) a plug-retaining position wherein a sloping surface of the lug engaging mechanism engages the lug, the sloping surface having an angle that is at least partially determinative of the predetermined release force,wherein the retaining clip is movable between the non-plug-retaining position and the plug-retaining position while the plug is engaged with the socket.
11 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for predetermining the withdrawal force required to disconnect an appliance coupler such as a plug and socket. The invention also relates to a method and apparatus for preventing disconnection of an appliance coupler such as a plug from a socket. Furthermore, the invention relates to method and apparatus for preventing inadvertent or unintentional disconnection of a plug from a socket for the supply of electrical power to a medical apparatus.
28 Citations
34 Claims
-
1. A plug retaining assembly comprising:
-
a plug including a lug; a socket to interface with the plug; and a retaining clip including a lug engaging mechanism structured to allow disengagement of the plug from the socket at a predetermined release force applied to the plug while the retaining clip is engaged with the plug, the retaining clip being movably positioned with respect to the socket for movement between (1) a non-plug-retaining position, and (2) a plug-retaining position wherein a sloping surface of the lug engaging mechanism engages the lug, the sloping surface having an angle that is at least partially determinative of the predetermined release force, wherein the retaining clip is movable between the non-plug-retaining position and the plug-retaining position while the plug is engaged with the socket. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A method of changing the release force of a plug retaining assembly, the method comprising:
-
providing the plug retaining assembly with a plug, a socket to interface with the plug, and a retaining clip, wherein the plug includes a lug and the retaining clip includes a lug engaging mechanism having a wedge angle adapted to allow disengagement of the plug from the socket at a predetermined release force while the retaining clip is engaged with the plug; and selecting the wedge angle in accordance with the predetermined release force; engaging the plug with the socket; and moving the lug engaging mechanism with respect to the engaged plug and socket to position the wedge angle with respect to the lug. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
-
23. A method of setting a release force of a plug retaining assembly, the method comprising:
-
providing the retaining assembly with a plug, a socket to interface with the plug, and a retaining clip, wherein the plug includes a lug and the retaining clip includes a lug engaging mechanism having a wedge angle adapted to allow disengagement of the plug from the socket at a predetermined release force while the retaining clip is engaged with the plug; selecting a resilience of the retaining clip in accordance with the predetermined release force; engaging the plug with the socket; and moving the lug engaging mechanism with respect to the engaged plug and socket to position the wedge angle with respect to the lug. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
-
-
31. A plug retaining assembly, comprising:
-
a plug having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the second end including a lug; a socket having a receptacle to receive the first end of the plug, the second end of the plug including the lug being exposed when the plug is engaged with the socket; and a retainer having a first end and a second end, the first end being pivotably mounted on the socket, and the second end being engaged with the lug such that the lug is positioned between the retainer and the socket, wherein the second end of the retainer includes a lug engaging mechanism structured to allow disengagement of the plug from the socket at a predetermined release force applied to the plug while the retainer is engaged with the plug. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34)
-
Specification