Electrical connectors – With insulation other than conductor sheath – Plural-contact coupling part
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-01
2001-07-10
Patel, Tulsidas (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
With insulation other than conductor sheath
Plural-contact coupling part
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257932
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to electrical connectors and ore particularly, to an improved electrical connector.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In many industrial environments, it is desirable to exclude persons from selected assembly/manufacturing or other areas to prevent injuries to persons by equipment operating within the area. To effect such exclusion, referring to
FIG. 3
, a barrier
20
, for example a fence, is erected around such an area. The fence normally includes a gate
22
hinged to the fence
20
for providing access to and from the manufacturing area. An electrical female receptacle
24
is attached to a fixed end or post
26
of the fence
20
. Electrically and mechanically coupled to the receptacle
24
is a male plug
28
which is also connected to one end of a flexible cable or chain
30
. The other end of the chain
30
is rigidly connected to the gate
22
at a location proximate a portion or side of the gate
22
that must be moved in order to enter or leave the area inside a perimeter of the fence. Referring to
FIG. 4
, the plug
28
is often referred to as a shorting plug because its pins
32
are internally shorted together. Pin sockets
34
inside the receptacle
24
are electrically connected to wires or leads
36
. The pin sockets
34
receive the pins
32
of the plug
28
when the plug
28
is mechanically connected to the receptacle
24
, thereby providing continuity in a circuit to which the wires
36
are connected. For example, the wires
36
may be connected to one side of a power supply
38
that provides power to manufacturing equipment
40
.
Thus, with the gate
22
in its illustrated closed position in FIG.
3
and with the receptacle
24
electrically and mechanically coupled to the plug
28
, a closed circuit exists from the power supply
38
and in a circuit formed by the wires
36
, the receptacle
24
, the shorted pins
32
in the plug
38
and the manufacturing equipment
40
. Prior to opening the gate
22
, the plug
28
must be disconnected from the receptacle
24
, thereby interrupting the continuity of the above-described closed circuit. Thus, with the plug
28
disconnected from the receptacle
24
, it is not possible for the power supply
38
to supply power to the manufacturing equipment; and the plug
28
and receptacle
24
function as a manually operable electrical interlock or switch. The gate
22
is then opened, and persons can enter within the perimeter of the fence with little risk of the equipment therein being operated without their knowledge. The receptacle
24
and plug
28
are commercially available as Part Nos. 22801 and 22804, respectively, from Brad Harrison, a David Woodhead Company.
Thus, the known receptacle
24
and plug
28
operate effectively to break circuit continuity prior to the gate
22
being opened. As long as the gate
22
remains open, the plug and receptacle cannot be connected; and the manufacturing equipment within the fence perimeter remain inoperable. However, there is one problem with the known plug and receptacle connector. The manufacturing areas inside the perimeter of the fence
20
may be quite large, and further, the manufacturing equipment within the fence perimeter often hide the presence of persons within the perimeter of the fence. In addition, ambient noise within the manufacturing area often distorts and hides vocal calls and warnings. Thus, it is possible that the gate
22
may be closed and the receptacle
24
and plug
28
reconnected while a person remains within the perimeter of the fence.
Therefore, there is a need for an improved electrical connector that prohibits a connection of the connector if a person remains within the perimeter of the fence.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention provides an electrical connector that functions as a manually operable electrical interlock or switch that is a substantial improvement over known electrical interlocks. If properly used, the electrical connector or interlock of the present invention cannot be inadvertently connected or switched while a person remains undetected within the fence perimeter. Thus, the present invention provides a better, more functional, reliable and higher quality connector than known connectors. The invention is especially useful in providing an electrical interlock connector for fences or other barriers that protect a manufacturing area in which the presence of persons is relatively hard to detect.
In accordance with the principles of the present invention and the described embodiments, an electrical connector includes a first component having a first electrical connecting element. A second component has a second electrical connecting element connectable to the first electrical connecting element in an electrically conductive relationship and a third electrical connecting element. A third component has a fourth electrical connecting element connectable to the third electrical connecting element in an electrically conductive relationship, however, the fourth electrical connecting element is not connectable to the first electrical connecting element in an electrically conductive relationship.
In one aspect of the invention, the first electrical connecting element is a female electrical connector; the second electrical connecting element is a male electrical connector; the third electrical connecting element is a female electrical connector; and the fourth electrical connecting element is a male electrical connector.
In a further aspect of the invention, the first electrical connecting element has pin sockets and the second electrical connecting element has pins insertable into the pin sockets as the second electrical connecting element of the second component is connected to the first electrical connecting component of the first component. Further, the third electrical connecting element of the second component has pin sockets and the fourth electrical connecting element of the third component has pins insertable into the pin sockets as the fourth electrical connecting element of the third component is connected to the third electrical connecting component of the second component.
In a still further aspect of the invention, the pins of the fourth electrical connecting element of the third component are electrically connected together.
In another embodiment, the present invention includes a method of limiting access of personnel to an enclosed area by first erecting a barrier around an area having equipment and from which persons are to be barred during operation of the equipment. The barrier includes a gate having a moving side providing access to the area surrounded by the barrier. Next, a receptacle is attached to the barrier, and the receptacle has a first electrical connector connected to a circuit through which conduction is required to operate the equipment. A shorting plug having an electrical connector is attached to the gate. A first electrical connecter of a key coupling is connected to the electrical connector of the receptacle. A second electrical connector of the key coupling is connected to the shorting plug, thereby placing the circuit in an electrically conductive relationship with the receptacle, the key coupling and the plug. The shorting plug not being connectable to the receptacle.
In one aspect of this second embodiment, the electrically conductive relationship in the circuit is interrupted in response to the key coupling being disconnected from either the receptacle or the shorting plug. In another aspect of this second embodiment, the electrically conductive relationship with the circuit is re-established in response to the key coupling being connected to both the receptacle and the shorting plug.
The electrical connector or interlock of the present invention has the advantage of not being able to be inadvertently connected or switched while a person remains undetected within the fence perimeter and thus, is a more reliable and higher quality electrical interlocking connector than known devices.
Various additional advantages, objects and featu
Patel Tulsidas
Sony Corporation
Wood Herron & Evans L.L.P.
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