Detachable breakaway power supply source

• US 7,498,546 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2005
• Issued: 03/03/2009
• 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., Jockers, Gustave J., Dobson, William C., Kuo, Hui Ming
• Primary Examiner(s): Paschall; Mark H
• Application Number:
  US11/262,655
• Publication Number:
  US 20060105590A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,219 Days
• Field of Search: 219/481, 219/490, 219/491, 219/494, 219/505, 439 38- 40, 99325-338
• US Class Current: 219/518
• 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 for an appliance comprising:

a mounting assembly connected with the appliance, the mounting assembly including;

a first coupling element having a heat transfer probe attached thereto; and

a power supply device including;

a second coupling element having a temperature regulating device attached thereto,

wherein the second coupling element is removably magnetically coupled with the first coupling element and the heat transfer probe is thereby removably thermally coupled to the temperature regulating device.

2. The detachable power supply of claim 1, wherein the power supply device is further configured to removably electrically couple with the mounting assembly.

3. The detachable power supply of claim 1 further comprising a heating element coupled with the mounting assembly.

4. The detachable power supply of claim 3, wherein the power supply device is configured to electrically couple with the heating element when the first coupling element is coupled with the second coupling element.

5. The detachable power supply of claim 1, wherein the power supply is configured to couple with a power cord.

6. A detachable power supply for an appliance comprising:

a first coupling element having a heat transfer probe associated therewith, the first coupling element and heat transfer probe connected with the appliance; and

a power supply device including;

a second coupling element having a temperature regulating device associated therewith;

wherein the second coupling element is configured to removably, magnetically couple with the first coupling element and the heat transfer probe is configured to removably thermally couple to the temperature regulating device.

7. The detachable power supply of claim 6, wherein the power supply device is configured to be coupled with a power cord.

8. The detachable power supply of claim 6, wherein the power supply device is configured to couple with the appliance when the first coupling element is coupled with the second coupling element.

9. The detachable power supply of claim 6, wherein the temperature regulating device includes a thermostat.

10. The detachable power supply of claim 9, wherein the thermostat includes a bi-metallic mechanical leaf thermostat.

11. The detachable power supply of claim 6 further comprising a heating element coupled with the first coupling element.

12. The detachable power supply of claim 11, wherein the heating element includes a first electrical terminal.

13. The detachable power supply of claim 12, wherein the power supply device further includes a second electrical terminal.

14. The detachable power supply of claim 11, wherein:

the heating element includes a first electrical terminal; and

the power supply device further includes a second electrical terminal.

15. The detachable power supply of claim 14, wherein the first and second electrical terminals are configured to removably electrically couple.

16. The detachable power supply of claim 15, wherein the first electrical terminal is electrically coupled with the second electrical terminal when the first coupling element is coupled with the second coupling element.

17. A detachable power supply for an appliance comprising:

a mounting assembly connected with the appliance and including;

a heat transfer probe; and

a first coupling element; and

a power supply device including;

a temperature regulating device; and

a second coupling element coupled with the temperature regulating device and configured to removably magnetically couple with the first coupling element;

wherein the heat transfer probe is removably thermally coupled to the temperature regulating device; and

wherein the first coupling element and the second coupling element are magnetically coupled but are not in direct contact.

18. A detachable power supply for an appliance comprising:

a heat transfer probe connected with the appliance;

a first coupling element coupled with the appliance; and

a power supply device including;

a temperature regulating device; and

a second coupling element coupled with the temperature regulating device and configured to removably, magnetically couple with the first coupling element;

wherein the heat transfer probe is removably thermally coupled to the temperature regulating device; and

wherein the first coupling element and the second coupling element are magnetically coupled but are not in direct contact.

19. An appliance having a detachable power supply, comprising:

a mounting assembly connected with the appliance, the mounting assembly including a heat transfer probe; and

a power supply device including a temperature regulating device;

wherein the power supply device is removably magnetically coupled to the mounting assembly, thereby removably thermally coupling the temperature regulating device to the heat transfer probe.