Electrical connectors – With indicating or identifying provision – Distinct indicia bearing member
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-29
2001-10-16
Sircus, Brian (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
With indicating or identifying provision
Distinct indicia bearing member
C439S382000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06302726
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to means for identifying the operating voltage of an electrical connection component. It also relates to a component and electrical connection apparatus fitted with the means.
2. Description of Background and Relevant Information
Electrical connection devices usually comprise two bodies that are coupled together.
This type of device may, for example, comprise an electrical connector having an electrical socket and a plug, or an extension consisting of a movable electrical socket and a plug, or a connector consisting of a socket and a movable plug.
Each body to be coupled comprises a coupling component designed to couple and to connect electrically with the coupling component of the other body. Each body is either in the form of an electrical socket or connector socket mounted on an accessory or support such as a handle, casing, sleeve, or other, machine frame etc.
The electrical characteristics of the two coupling components to be coupled must always be compatible to ensure correct flow of current from one to the other.
To ensure the safety of persons and equipment, these types of coupling components are usually fitted with differentiation and foolproofing means to ensure that only electrically compatible components may be coupled.
Moreover, even where there are no issues of safety, it can be convenient for electrically compatible components to be identified by special markings, in particular by a colour associated with the voltage supplied or received. This type of colour-coding is, in fact, required by certain standards applicable to electrical equipment.
Foolproofing means often require special manufacturing procedures in which the coupling components or parts thereof may, for example, be made of a particular colour conventionally accepted as indicating the electrical characteristics of the component in question.
However, this approach clearly increases production costs.
Furthermore, the means for differentiating the electrical characteristics, as in the devices normally manufactured by the applicant, may depend on a simple angular positioning of the component on which the electrical contacts are fitted. In addition, all the parts are identical for a range of characteristics such that, particularly for obvious reasons related to production and range identification, all the parts are advantageously made the same colour.
If it is nonetheless desired to create a colour differentiation or identification system, simple, effective, permanent means are required that do not necessitate devices being made entirely or partly in a given colour. This problem has been known for some time but has not yet been solved.
Finally, where a particular colour is only assigned to part of a coupling component, for example the protective cover of an electrical socket, the identification conferred by the colour-code is negated if the cover is destroyed and a replacement cover, if one can be found, can cause a risk of confusion between the colours available during repairs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention therefore proposes an original identification mechanism for identifying the operating voltage of an electrical connection component mounted on an accessory or support, hereinafter referred to as a “support”, that is remarkable in that it utilizes of at least one coloured ring designed to be inserted between the coupling component and its support, the measurements of at least one diameter of the ring being at least as great as that of the coupling component and/or its support in their plane of assembly such as to present a visible annular peripheral surface that, at least in part, is flush with or projects from the coupling component and/or its support.
The ring may, for example, be sandwiched between the two parts of the coupling component and its support when screwed together.
In one embodiment of the invention the ring firstly has an annular zone in the plane of assembly of the coupling component and its support; this ring is gripped between the coupling component and its support. It also has a peripheral edge constituting a visible annular surface under which part of the coupling component and/or its support is inserted. In this situation the inner surface of the peripheral edge is advantageously adjusted to the measurements of that section of the coupling component or its support that is inserted such that the ring may remain in position when the coupling component is connected to or disconnected from its support.
A leaktight seal is usually placed between the coupling component and its support and the ring may advantageously be made at least in part of a material suitable for this function.
Similarly, the ring may alternatively or additionally have another function. It may, for example, include at least a partial projection made of a material suitable for acting as a shock protector.
The ring may also in some cases advantageously comprise at least one protuberance designed to provide shock protection for a projecting section of the coupling component; this may, for example, be a fastening pin provided on one of the components to match a hook on the other component to be coupled to it.
It is clear that the invention also relates to any electrical connection component mounted on an accessory or support an fitted with at least one such ring. It also clearly relates to any electrical connection component comprising two bodies to be coupled together, one of which is provided with an electrical connection component fitted with at least one ring according to the invention since it is clear that the advantage of being able to see the operating voltage of one component is dependent on seeing the other component to which it is to be coupled.
As already stated above, the connection devices may be of various types, in particular an electrical socket and a plug, or a movable electrical socket and a plug, or a connector socket and a movable electrical socket.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5139444 (1992-08-01), Garay et al.
patent: 5449302 (1995-09-01), Yarbrough et al.
patent: 5529513 (1996-06-01), Lee
patent: 5588853 (1996-12-01), Anthony
patent: 5641306 (1997-06-01), Stepniak
patent: 5951309 (1999-09-01), Hopper
patent: 2304238 (1997-12-01), None
Greenblum & Bernstein P.L.C.
Hyeon Hae Moon
Sircus Brian
Societe d'Exploitation des Procedes Marechal (SEPM)
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