Mechanically energized mechanical power communication coupling system
First Claim
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1. A system for receiving a mechanical power service consumer comprising:
- a mechanical power coupling system comprising;
a first mechanical power service connector component capable of being operably associated with the mechanical power service consumer;
a contact proximity target associated with at least one of the first mechanical power service connector and the mechanical power service consumer;
a second mechanical power service connector component operably engageable with the first mechanical power service connector component, the second mechanical power service connector component being capable of being operably associated with a mechanical power service source;
a mechanical power service switch operably associated with the second mechanical power service connector component, the mechanical power service switch selectively permitting the communication of the mechanical power service from the mechanical power service source to the first mechanical power service connector component; and
a contact proximity sensor operably associated with the mechanical power service switch, the contact proximity sensor engageable with the contact proximity target when the first mechanical power service connector component is engaged with the second mechanical power service connector component;
wherein the mechanical power service switch is operable to permit communication of the mechanical power service to the first mechanical power service connector component in response to the contact proximity sensor engaging the contact proximity target.
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Abstract
A mechanical power coupling system including a mechanical power connector component for communicating a mechanical power service with another mechanical power connector component. A mechanical power service switch is provided for selectively permitting communication of the mechanical power service between the mechanical power connector components. The mechanical power service switch is activated to transfer a mechanical power service from a mechanical power service source to a mechanical power service consumer in response to a proximity sensor engaging a proximity target.
37 Citations
48 Claims
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1. A system for receiving a mechanical power service consumer comprising:
a mechanical power coupling system comprising; a first mechanical power service connector component capable of being operably associated with the mechanical power service consumer; a contact proximity target associated with at least one of the first mechanical power service connector and the mechanical power service consumer; a second mechanical power service connector component operably engageable with the first mechanical power service connector component, the second mechanical power service connector component being capable of being operably associated with a mechanical power service source; a mechanical power service switch operably associated with the second mechanical power service connector component, the mechanical power service switch selectively permitting the communication of the mechanical power service from the mechanical power service source to the first mechanical power service connector component; and a contact proximity sensor operably associated with the mechanical power service switch, the contact proximity sensor engageable with the contact proximity target when the first mechanical power service connector component is engaged with the second mechanical power service connector component; wherein the mechanical power service switch is operable to permit communication of the mechanical power service to the first mechanical power service connector component in response to the contact proximity sensor engaging the contact proximity target. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A mechanical power coupling system for connecting a portable device to a host, the mechanical power coupling system comprising:
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a mechanical power service connector component capable of communicating a mechanical power service; a mechanical power service switch operably connected to the mechanical power service connector component for selectively permitting the mechanical power service to be transmitted to the mechanical power service connector component; and a contact proximity sensor operably connected to the mechanical power service switch and engageable with a contact proximity target; wherein the mechanical power service switch is configured to allow the mechanical power service to be transmitted to the mechanical power service connector component when the contact proximity sensor engages the contact proximity target. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A system for use in association with a host having a mechanical power service provider, a first mechanical power service connector component, and a mechanical power service switch selectively providing a mechanical power service to the first mechanical power service connector component in response to a contact proximity sensor engaging a contact proximity target, and in association with an accessory device having a mechanical power service consumer, the system comprising:
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a second mechanical power service connector component engageable with the first mechanical power service connector component; a mechanical power service pathway interconnecting the mechanical power service consumer and the second mechanical power service connector component; and a contact proximity target capable of engaging the contact proximity sensor to activate the mechanical power service switch. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. An adapter for removably coupling a portable device having a first device mechanical power service connector component to a host having a mechanical power service provider, a first host mechanical power service connector component that cannot be directly connected to the first device mechanical power service connector component, and a mechanical power service switch selectively providing a mechanical power service to the first host mechanical power service connector component in response to a contact proximity sensor engaging a contact proximity target, the adapter comprising:
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a second host mechanical power service connector component engageable with the first host mechanical power service connector component; a second device mechanical power service connector component engageable with the first device mechanical power service connector component; a mechanical power service pathway interconnecting the second host mechanical power service connector component and the second device mechanical power service connector component for the transfer of a mechanical power service therealong; and a contact proximity target capable of engaging the contact proximity sensor to actuate the mechanical power service switch. - View Dependent Claims (34)
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35. A mechanical power communication device for mechanical power communication with an appliance performing a useful cycle of operation on an article and having a housing, a cavity in the housing, the cavity having an first mechanical power service connector component, and a first proximity coupling system component associated with the first mechanical power service connector component, the mechanical power service communicating device comprising:
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a second mechanical power service connector component capable of connecting with the first mechanical power service connector component for the communication of mechanical power service therebetween; and a second proximity coupling system component associated with the second mechanical power service connector component, capable of communicating with the first proximity coupling system component within a proximity coupling system to selectively control the communication of mechanical power service between the first and second mechanical power service connectors in response to the interaction of the proximity coupling devices providing an indication that the first and second mechanical power service connectors are coupled. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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Specification