Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specific condition
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-05
2001-09-25
Lefkowitz, Edward (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specific condition
C340S584000, C340S656000, C337S001000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06295003
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a socket, and more particularly to a socket having an overload indicating and warning device.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Typical electrical facilities each comprises a plug for plugging into the typical sockets which are coupled to the electric power supply for supplying the electric power to the electrical facilities. The sockets may be burned and damaged when the electric power flowing through the plug and the socket is overload. The typical sockets have no overload indicating and warning device for indicating the overload of the electric power through the socket and for warning the users when the electric power through the socket is overload. Serious hazards, particularly the fires, may be generated when the sockets are overload or when the sockets are over-heated.
The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional sockets.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a socket including an overload indicating and warning device for indicating the overload of the electric power through the socket and for warning the users when the electric power through the socket is overload.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a socket comprising an enclosure, at least one socket member received in the enclosure, and a current indicator disposed in the enclosure and coupled to the socket member for indicating an electric current through the socket member. The current indicator may indicate whether the socket member is overload or not such that the user may turned off the electric power when the socket is overload and such that the serious hazards may be avoided.
The enclosure includes a first housing and a second housing secured together, the second housing includes at least one opening formed therein for receiving the socket member. The current indicator includes a graduation, a coil, a bar straddled over the coil, an indicator rotatably secured to the bar at a pivot axle and actuated by the coil to indicate the graduation of the current indicator or to indicate the current through the socket.
A device may further be provided for detecting a temperature of the socket and includes a current limiting device having a heat detecting device for detecting the temperature of the socket. Another device is further provided for generating a warning signal and includes a buzzer for generating a warning sound, or includes an indicating light for generating a warning light.
The socket further includes a photoresistive member, and a device is provided for shielding the photoresistive member. The current indicator includes an indicator rotatably secured in the enclosure for indicating a current through the socket, the shielding device includes a shield attached to the indicator for shielding the photoresistive member. The warning signal generating device may generate a warning signal, such as a warning sound or a warning light, when the photoresistive member is blocked or shielded and when the socket is overload.
Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of a detailed description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate reference to accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4352058 (1982-09-01), Westra
patent: 4875152 (1989-10-01), Foster
patent: 5600306 (1997-02-01), Ichikawa et al.
patent: 5650771 (1997-07-01), Lee
patent: 5990769 (1999-11-01), Tam
patent: 6157311 (2000-12-01), Berkovich
Baxley Charles E.
Goins Davetta W.
Lefkowitz Edward
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