Patent · US Expired

Service door interlock

US5949039A · kind A · utility

8Cited by
7References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 20, 1997
Grant dateSep 7, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 20, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF16P3/08
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An interlock switch access control apparatus controls access to an interlock switch (12) positioned in a cavity (14) in a housing (16). The interlock switch access control apparatus includes a plate (32) for sliding above the cavity (14) in a slot (30) in the housing (16), with the plate (32) having a plurality of apertures (38, 40). A detent (34) is positioned in a first aperture (38) of the plate (32) for fixing the position of the plate (32) in a first position over the cavity (14) to cover the interlock switch (12) to prevent access thereto. A resilient member such as a spring (48) applies a restoring force to the detent (34) to push the detent (34) toward the plate (32). The resilient member pushes the detent (34) toward and through the first aperture (38) when the plate (32) is positioned with the first aperture (38) in a longitudinal path of the detent (34). The detent (34) responds to a releasing force opposing the restoring force to move out of the first aperture (38) to release the plate (32) therefrom and so to allow the plate (32) to slide in the slot (30). A main access cover (20) is pivotally mounted to the housing (16) to cover the plate (32) in a closed position, an…

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