Electricity: conductors and insulators – Boxes and housings
Reexamination Certificate
1997-12-12
2001-02-06
Kincaid, Kristine (Department: 2831)
Electricity: conductors and insulators
Boxes and housings
C174S058000, C174S060000, C174S135000, C220S003800, C220S004020, C248S906000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06184461
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
In general, the invention relates to a power inlet arrangement. In particular, the invention relates to a power inlet arrangement for providing power from a generator to a load center.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Portable generators may be used in certain situations to feed electrical power to residential and commercial load circuits during a utility power outage. These systems frequently include a power inlet box which conducts electrical power from the generator to a transfer switching mechanism. The transfer switching mechanism continues the electrical path through to selected electrical loads through circuit breakers located at the transfer switch or electrical subpanel.
In the past, the use of a portable generator involved finding or assembling an electrical cord which can be plugged in at one end to the power generator and at the other end to the power inlet box. This involves additional time and expense on the part of the installer or user. Further, the fact that the cord is separate from the generator makes it possible for the cord to become misplaced or lost, and thus unavailable when needed.
The situation arises where, because of the inconvenience associated with the above mentioned procedure, it is desirable to maintain an electrical cord and its associated power inlet box together. When portable generators are used, the need for any additional cords or adaptor fittings would not arise.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a power inlet arrangement having a permanently affixed cord with a plug for connection to a portable power generator. It is a further object of the invention to provide a power inlet arrangement including an enclosure within which a cord is stored when not in use. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a power inlet arrangement which is relatively simple in its components and assembly, and which provides significant convenience to the user by ensuring the power inlet cord is always available when needed.
In one aspect of the invention, a power inlet arrangement for use with a portable generator having a power outlet includes a power inlet and a power inlet enclosure which contains the power inlet. The power inlet is secured inside the power inlet enclosure, which defines an inner wall and an internal cavity. An electrical cord has a first end that is securely attached to the power inlet and a second end having an electrical plug. The electrical cord is movable relative to the power inlet between an operating position and a storage position. In the operating position, the electrical plug is withdrawn from the power inlet enclosure and engaged with the power outlet of the portable generator. In the storage position, the electrical cord is stored within the internal cavity defined by the power inlet enclosure. The power inlet is secured adjacent to the inner wall of the power inlet enclosure.
The power inlet enclosure includes a door which is movable between an open position and a closed position. The open position of the door provides access to the electrical cord within the internal cavity defined by the enclosure, and the closed position of the door maintains the electrical cord within the power inlet enclosure when the electrical cord is in its storage position. Preferably, the power inlet enclosure includes a series of walls defining the internal cavity within which the electrical cord is received when in its storage position, and the door is hingedly mounted to one of the walls for movement between its open and closed positions. A peripheral resilient seal may be disposed between the door and the walls of the power inlet enclosure when the door is in its closed position for providing a weathertight seal therebetween. The power inlet enclosure may include a notch for receiving the electrical cord when in its operating position for enabling the door to be moved to its closed position. The door also may include a second notch for receiving the electrical cord when in its operating position and when the door is in its closed position. The power inlet enclosure further includes a latching arrangement for securing the door and selectively preventing access to the interior of the power inlet enclosure when the door is in its closed position. The door provides selective access to the internal cavity when in its open position for enabling a user to move the cord between its operating and storage positions and for providing selective access to the power inlet.
In another aspect of the invention, a flexible cord defines a first end fixed to a power inlet and electrically connected to an electrical, panel, and a second end which has a plug that is engageable with the generator power outlet. The power inlet is remote from the electrical panel, and an enclosure is associated with the power inlet and the plug of the flexible cord can be withdrawn from the enclosure to selectively engage the generator power outlet. The enclosure includes a door and a securing mechanism for selectively securing the door to the enclosure and preventing access to the interior of the enclosure. Preferably, the first end of the cord is interconnected with the power inlet via a member threadedly engageable with an extension member of the power inlet for fixedly mounting the first end of the cord to the power inlet and providing an electrical connection therebetween. Preferably, the power inlet is at least partially defined by the enclosure.
The present invention also contemplates a method of providing an electrical cord usable with the portable generator, generally in accordance with the aforementioned aspects of the invention.
Various other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description and the drawings.
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GENTRAN Catalog, GT1094C, Reliance Time Controls, Inc. 1820 Layard Avenue, Racine, WI 53404, No Date.
Andrus Sceales Starke & Sawall LLP
Kincaid Kristine
Patel Dhiru R
Reliance Controls Corporation
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