Electrical connectors – With contact preventer or retractable cover part – Movably mounted
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-07
2001-01-23
Bradley, Paula (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
With contact preventer or retractable cover part
Movably mounted
Reexamination Certificate
active
06176712
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a safe connector.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A battery backup unit (BBU) or a power supply in a computer is used for supplying an electric power, especially a DC power, for a power-consuming device. The voltage of the DC power can be very high. However, the conventional electric connector of the BBU or power supply is not safe enough because the conducting elements of the electric connector are usually exposed outside without any safety consideration. If a wet-handed child unwarily touches the conducting elements of the connector, this child will get an electric shock and probably get hurts.
Therefore, it is attempted by the applicant to provide a circuit adapted to be used in an electric connector so that the connector can safely supply an electric power.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novel safe connector such that the aforementioned limitations and difficulties encountered in the prior art can be overcome.
It is therefore another object of the present invention to provide a novel safe connector which can prevent someone from unwarily touching the conducting elements.
The safe connector of the present invention includes a casing having an opening, a plurality of conducting elements set in the casing for conducting electricity, a protecting board set in the casing for protecting the conducting elements from being touched, and having a plurality of holes set thereon, each of which corresponds to one of the conducting elements for passing therethrough the conducting elements, an elastic device set between the casing and the protecting board for urging the protecting board against the opening, and a locking device set in the casing for locking the protecting board in the casing.
When a corresponding connector is plugged into the safe connector through the opening, the locking device is pushed aside to push the protecting board into the casing so that the elastic device is compressed to pass the plurality of conducting elements through the holes of the protecting board for electrically connecting the both connectors. After the corresponding connector is pulled out of the safe connector, the protecting board is pushed back by the elastic device.
According to the present invention, the casing and the protecting board are made of an insulating material for protecting a user from the electric shock.
According to the present invention, the elastic device includes a plurality of elastic bodies, preferably springs. The conducting elements penetrate through the springs and there is a space between the conducting elements and the springs to prevent from the occurrence of short circuit.
According to the present invention, the locking device includes a plurality of locking pieces set around the protecting board. The locking pieces are preferably made of steel. Each of the locking pieces includes a V-shape guard for locking the protecting board underneath and preventing the protecting board from being pushed out of the opening, and includes a holder for holding the protecting board thereon.
Preferably, a specific one of the conducting elements is used for detecting whether a corresponding connector is connected with the safe connector. Only when the specific conducting element detects that the corresponding connector is connected with the safe conductor, the safe connector conducts electricity.
Preferably, the conducting elements are pins.
The present invention may best be understood through the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
REFERENCES:
patent: 5466164 (1995-11-01), Miyazaki et al.
patent: 5599196 (1997-02-01), Powell et al.
patent: 5980277 (1999-11-01), Ichimura
Bever Patrick T.
Bever Hoffman & Harms LLP
Bradley Paula
Delta Electronics , Inc.
Le{acute over (o)}n Edwin A.
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