Power supply system including panel with safety release

• US 8,764,469 B2
• Filed: 02/05/2013
• Issued: 07/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Safeconnect Systems LLC
• Original Assignee: Atlantic Great Dane, Inc.
• Inventors: Lamb, Scott D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Application Number:
  US13/759,432
• Publication Number:
  US 20140094046A1
• Time in Patent Office: 511 Days
• Field of Search: 439/35, 439/258, 439/152, 439/923, 439/911, 320/109
• US Class Current: 439/258
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/62 Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6275 Latching arms not integral with the housing H01R13/6276, H01R13/6277, H01R13/6278 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/633 for disengagement only in combination with safety switch H01R13/7132
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/26 for vehicles

Abstract

A power supply system for use with a power source. The system includes a safety circuit panel with a safety circuit and a power cable with a safety release in the form of a safety ejection subsystem. The safety ejection subsystem includes a latch connected to the wall receptacle connector of the power cable and a tension line connected to the latch and to the power cable. When the power cable is placed in tension, such as when the power cable has not been disconnected from the wall receptacle in the ordinary way, the safety ejection subsystem forces the disconnection of the power cable from a plug, thereby ensuring that no live wiring is exposed to the environment.

Claims

1. A power supply system comprising:

a. a circuit panel arranged for connection to a power grid, the circuit panel including a start button and a power cord having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is engaged with the power grid and a second end including a pinhole face with a plurality of pinholes; and

b. a pin power plug with a plurality of pins for releasable engagement with the pinholes of the power cord, wherein the pin power plug is connectable to a device to be powered and wherein the pinhole face and the pin power plug are arranged to transfer power therebetween only when the pins of the pin power plug and the pinholes of the power cord are aligned and engaged with one another,

wherein a first portion of the plurality of pinholes of the power cord and a corresponding first portion of the plurality of pins of the pin power plug are arranged to supply current from the power grid to the power cord when aligned and engaged with one another,

wherein a second portion of the plurality of pinholes of the power cord and a corresponding second portion of the plurality of pins of the pin power plug are arranged to supply current from the power cord to the device when aligned and engaged with one another,

wherein the circuit panel includes a safety circuit arranged to prevent current from the power grid to the power cord unless;

     1) the first and second portions of the plurality of pinholes and the plurality of pins are aligned and engaged with one another; and

     2) contacts of the safety circuit are moved from an open to an engaged position and the start button of the circuit panel has been pushed, and

wherein the power cord includes a safety ejection subsystem configured to cause disconnection of the second end of the power cord from the pin power plug when the two are connected together under tension loading of the power cord.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the pinhole face has six pinholes and the pin power plug has six pins that are arranged for alignment and connection with the six pinholes of the power cord.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the safety circuit includes one or more sensors arranged to sense a lack of contact between at least one of the plurality of pins and a corresponding one of the plurality of pinholes of either the first portion or the second portion and to block current from the power grid to the power cord when the lack of contact is sensed.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the one or more sensors is a voltage meter connect across one or more wires of the power cord and one or more of the pins or pinholes or a current meter in line with one or more wires of the power cord.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the safety ejection subsystem includes a latch connected to a housing of the second end of the power cord and a tension line connected to the latch and to the power cord.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the tension line and the latch are made of steel.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the second end of the power cord includes a sealing cover.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the sealing cover is hinged.

9. A power supply system comprising:

a. a circuit panel arranged for connection to a power grid, the circuit panel including a start button and a receptacle including a pinhole face with a plurality of pinholes; and

b. a power cord having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end includes a plurality of pins for releasable engagement with the pinholes of the receptacle of the circuit panel, wherein the second end of the power cord is connectable to a device to be powered and wherein the pinhole face and the first end of the power cord are arranged to transfer power therebetween only when the pins of the power cord and the pinholes of the receptacle are aligned and engaged with one another,

wherein a first portion of the plurality of pinholes of the receptacle and a corresponding first portion of the plurality of pins of the power cord are arranged to supply current from the power grid to the power cord when aligned and engaged with one another,

wherein a second portion of the plurality of pinholes of the receptacle and a corresponding second portion of the plurality of pins of the power cord are arranged to supply current from the power cord to the device when aligned and engaged with one another,

wherein the circuit panel includes a safety circuit arranged to prevent current from the power grid to the power cord unless;

     1) the first and second portions of the plurality of pinholes and the plurality of pins are aligned and engaged with one another; and

     2) contacts of the safety circuit are moved from an open to an engaged position and the start button of the circuit panel has been pushed, and

wherein the power cord includes a safety ejection subsystem configured to cause disconnection of the first end of the power cord from the receptacle when the two are connected together under tension loading of the power cord.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the pinhole face has six pinholes and the power cord has six pins that are arranged for alignment and connection with the six pinholes of the receptacle.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the safety circuit includes one or more sensors arranged to sense a lack of contact between at least one of the plurality of pins and a corresponding one of the plurality of pinholes of either the first portion or the second portion and to block current from the power grid to the power cord when the lack of contact is sensed.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the one or more sensors is a voltage meter connect across one or more wires of the power cord and one or more of the pins or pinholes or a current meter in line with one or more wires of the power cord.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the safety ejection subsystem includes a latch connected to a housing of the first end of the power cord and a tension line connected to the latch and to the power cord.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the tension line and the latch are made of steel.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the first end of the power cord includes a sealing cover.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the sealing cover is hinged.