Patent · US Expired

Plug and receptacle with separable switch contactors

US4553000A · kind A · utility

76Cited by
12References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateNov 14, 1983
Grant dateNov 12, 1985
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 14, 2003

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01R13/64
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A plug (10) carries terminals (38) which also act as switch contacts and which insert into a receptacle (12) with essentially zero insertion force. The receptacle also carries terminals (84) which similarily double as switch contacts. After insertion of the plug into the receptacle, the plug terminals and receptacle terminals are electrically bridged by electrical bridges (68) driven forward by actuator means (62, 122) which also doubles as an integral part of an interlock arrangement. A first bayonet type of polarizing means ensures that the plug will only insert into the receptacle in a single orientation, whereas a second polarizing means permits keying a given plug to a given receptacle. The combining of switch and interlock into a minimum of parts provides simplicity and interlock protection as well as creates an exceptionally compact design.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.