Electrical connectors – Connector movable between accessible and inaccessible positions
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-06
2001-07-17
Patel, Tulsidas (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
Connector movable between accessible and inaccessible positions
C439S174000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06261109
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a fastener for all-purpose power supply sockets, and more particularly to a fastener including a moveable member for engaging or disengaging a plug from the socket easily.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A conventional all-purpose power supply socket usually has a common socket to support a variety of plugs, in which every plug has a first end to connect with the socket and a second end to connect with a power source. Generally, the all-purpose socket in the art includes a plug-type insert as a receptacle for electrically engaging with the first end of the plug. The second end of the plug may be embodied as a three-port plug, a two-port plug, a vertical-board type plug, or any plug type known in the art.
In conventional art, coupling of the socket and the plug is usually simply done by engaging the insert of the socket and the first end of the plug. U.S. Pat. No. 5,616,051 is one of such examples. Although such a type of engagement of the socket and the plug can provide a simple connection structure, yet it is quite possible that the engagement becomes looser and looser after long-term usage; especially after experiencing frequently engaging and disengaging operations. To remedy this problem, some fastening means between the socket and the plug have been introduced recently. U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,863 is one typical example for applying such fastening means.
However, the fastening means disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,863 has an integrally formed plastic plug body (i.e., by associating part numbers 630,636 and 638 and the cavity 218). Due to the plastic material, the fastening means have limitation on applicable dimensions and deflection. It hence cannot be manufactured to a substantial size for facilitating manual operation. Also, because of material used and integral production property, it usually does not have enough strength to withstand fatigue fracture (e.g., it is prone to rupture at the root).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of aforesaid disadvantages, it is therefore an object of this invention to provide a fastener for all-purpose power supply sockets that has an independent fastening member to enable easy operation of a plug into a socket and making the whole unit more durable.
It is another object of this invention to provide an insert positioning means for the power supply socket that includes angular bulges and a recess to make assembly of the socket easier.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a socket conversion means to enable the insert of a plug having more than one type of outlet to suit different requirements.
The fastener according to this invention includes a socket and at least one plug.
The socket has a receptacle formed in a casing for receiving the plug. In the receptacle, there is provided with an insert that has a pair of terminals extending toward a top opening of the receptacle.
The plug has one end equipped with power terminals for coupling with an external power source and another end having slot-type openings for engaging with the receptacle. The slot openings, terminals and power terminals form an electric connection.
The fastening means according to this invention includes a latch bar located at the plug and a latch cavity located in a rear wall of the receptacle. The latch bar has a latch head formed at one end for engaging with the latch cavity, a latch tail formed at another end for engaging with a spring strip, and a first button located above the latch bar to enable a user in disengaging the latch head from the latch cavity when desired.
In one aspect of this invention, the latch cavity is formed in a wedge shape. The receptacle may have a transverse stop bar to prevent undesirable objects from entering in or making contact with the insert.
In another aspect of this invention, a conversion plug may be provided to engage with the receptacle. The conversion plug has slot openings at one end to couple with the terminals of the insert in the receptacle and a conversion socket formed at another end thereof for connecting with an external power source. The conversion socket, which is electrically connected with the slot openings, may be a socket of any standard specification.
In a further aspect of this invention, the insert may include an insert body pivotally engaged with the receptacle so that the insert may rotate in the receptacle. An angular means and a positioning means may be provided respectively to the insert body and the receptacle for enabling the insert to rotate among predetermined angles and to anchor at one of the angles. The positioning means may include a tongue-like member formed on the rear wall of the receptacle for providing an elastic engagement with the insert to facilitate rotation and positioning of the insert. The tongue-like member may be formed by cutting a U-shaped groove on the rear wall of the receptacle. Of course, other shape of groove may also be used. The positioning and angular means of this invention may be embodied as positioning bulges and an angular recess respectively, or vice versa (e.g., positioning recesses and an angular bulge respectively).
REFERENCES:
patent: 4997381 (1991-03-01), Oh
patent: 5613863 (1997-03-01), Klaus et al.
patent: 5616051 (1997-04-01), Rogers et al.
patent: 5829993 (1998-11-01), Wu
patent: 5973948 (1999-10-01), Hahn et al.
patent: 6059584 (2000-05-01), Mareno
patent: 6062880 (2000-05-01), Skuza
Liu Chia-Fu
Liu Daniel
Delta Electronics , Inc.
Patel Tulsidas
LandOfFree
Fastener for all-purpose power supply sockets does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Fastener for all-purpose power supply sockets, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Fastener for all-purpose power supply sockets will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2521842