Live circuit indicator for plugs and receptacles

• US 20050037661A1
• Filed: 02/13/2004
• Published: 02/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Arenas, Alfredo, Lindenstraus, Leslie, Tanacan, Mehmet K., Brinas, Eusebio
• Granted Patent: US 7,086,892 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/488
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6641 with diode with LED H01R13/7175
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6691 with built-in signalling means H01R13/717 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/717 with built-in light source
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7172 Conduits for light transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7175 Light emitting diodes (LEDs)

Abstract

An electrical connector, such as one for receiving a plug, having at least two prongs for insertion into the connector, and having an electrical cable connected to the prongs of the plug and the connector in the usual way, includes a series circuit having an LED. The LED is located within the connector behind a window, and light from the LED provides a visual indication to a user that the connector is connected to a live circuit. The series circuit is located in a module that can be pre-assembled before being located within the connector and, when in the connector, the series circuit is electrically coupled directly to the contacts in the connector by means of spring contacts located in passageways in the module. Indexing means is provided for aligning the LED in the module with the window in the connector to insure that a user can see if the LED is on or off.

Claims

1. An electrical connector comprising:

first and second contacts coupled to the connector and adapted to slidably engage corresponding contacts in a mating connector for receiving electrical power;

a module of insulating material adapted to be coupled to the electrical connector;

indexing means coupled to the module to orient the module relative to the electrical connector; and

a series circuit having light emitting means supported by the module of insulating material and coupled across the first and second contacts for indicating the presence or absence of electrical power.

2. The electrical connector of claim 1 wherein the first and second contacts are prongs of a male plug or contacts of a female connector.

3. The electrical connector of claim 2 wherein the module of insulating material is adapted to be located within the electrical connector and attached to a portion of the connector coupled to the prongs or contacts.

4. The electrical connector of claim 3 wherein the light emitting means comprises an LED.

5. The electrical connector of claim 4 wherein the series circuit further comprises a resistor and a diode in series with the LED.

6. The electrical connector of claim 5 wherein the series circuit is connected directly to the prongs of the plug or contacts of the connector.

7. The electrical connector of claim 5 further comprising a window located to allow light from the LED to pass therethrough.

8. The electrical connector of claim 7 further comprising a lens located in the window.

9. The electrical connector of claim 8 wherein the lens located in the window is clear.

10. The electrical connector of claim 8 wherein the lens located in the window is colored.

11. The electrical connector of claim 7 further comprising yieldable conducting members positioned to connect the ends of the series circuit to the first and second contacts.

12. The electrical connector of claim 11 wherein the yieldable members comprise conductive springs.

13. The electrical connector of claim 12 wherein the conductive springs contact the top ends of the prongs or contacts.

17. The electrical connector of claim 1 wherein said connector is connected to a conductor in the usual way.

14. A method of indicating that a connector is connected to a live source of electrical power comprising the steps of:

connecting a circuit having a light emitting means between contacts of the connector adapted to slidably engage contacts in a mating connector;

locating the light emitting means within the connector; and

providing a window in the connector to allow light from the light emitting means to exit the connector for indicating if power is being fed to the connector.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the circuit comprises a resistor and a diode in series with the light emitting means.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the series circuit is coupled through conductive springs directly to the contacts of the connector;

the light emitting means comprises an LED; and

the window in the connector has a lens.