Methods and apparatus for reducing the opportunity for accidental removal or insertion of components
US6768643B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 26, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jul 27, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 25, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01R2201/06
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for preventing the accidental or premature decoupling of an electrical connection, the electrical connection having two electrical connectors which can be coupled and decoupled. The invention includes a securing apparatus configured to secure the coupling of a first electrical connector to a compatible second electrical connector. The apparatus includes a moveable securing member. The moveable securing member is configured to be moved from a first position which prevents the first and second electrical connectors from being decoupled, to a second position which allows the first and second electrical connectors to be decoupled. The apparatus further includes an actuator configured to move the securing member between the first and second positions. The actuator is responsive to an authorization command, so that a user or a controller can cause the securing member to be moved. The securing apparatus can be further provided with a securing member sensor. The securing member sensor is configured to detect when the securing member is in the first or the second position, and to generate a position signal in response thereto. The position signal can be used by an oper…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.