Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6257932
-
Patent Number
6,257,932
-
Date Filed
Monday, May 1, 200024 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, July 10, 200122 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Wood, Herron & Evans, L.L.P.
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 439 638
- 439 628
- 439 620
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
An electrical connector includes a first component having a first electrical connecting element. A second component of the electrical connector has a second electrical connecting element connectable to the first electrical connecting element in an electrically conductive relationship and a third electrical connecting element. The electrical connector has a third component with 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. Thus, as long as the second component is carried with a person, an electrically conductive relationship cannot be established through the electrical connector.
Description
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 features of the invention will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of one embodiment of an electrical connector in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
FIG. 2
is perspective view of a second embodiment of an electrical connector in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
FIG. 3
is an environment in which a known connector is used.
FIG. 4
is a schematic electrical diagram of a known connector.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to
FIG. 1
, the present invention utilizes a multiple component, electrical, connector or plug
44
. A first component, for example, a female receptacle
46
which may be identical to the receptacle
24
is mechanically attached to a fixed pole
26
of the fence
20
. Further, a second component, for example, a male shorting plug
48
is mechanically connected to one end of the chain
30
in a similar manner as the plug
28
. The shorting plug
48
has an electrical connecting element comprised of pins
66
that are electrically shorted together by a jumper
49
. Intermediate the receptacle
46
and shorting plug
48
is a third component, for example, a key coupling
50
having one electrical connecting element comprised of a male key plug portion
51
on one side or end and another electrical connecting element comprised of a female key receptacle portion
53
on an opposite side or end. The key plug portion
51
has a cavity
54
containing pins
52
. The cavity
54
has a cross-sectional profile or shape that is very similar to the cross-sectional profile or shape of the receptacle extension
56
, thereby permitting the cavity
54
to receive an electrical connecting element on a distal end of a receptacle extension
56
, for example, pin sockets
58
. As the key plug cavity
54
receives the receptacle extension
56
, the pin sockets
58
of the receptacle
46
receive and connect with the pins
52
of the key coupling
50
in an electrically conductive relationship.
The key receptacle portion
53
has an extension
60
which has a cross-sectional profile or shape that is very similar to the cross-sectional size and shape of the cavity
62
of the shorting plug
48
. In addition, the key receptacle portion
53
has pin sockets
64
with a cross-sectional profile that permits the pin sockets
64
to receive and contact the pins
66
of the shorting plug
48
in an electrically conductive relationship. The cross-sectional profile or shape of the cavity
62
is normally different from the cross-sectional profile of the receptacle extension
56
, so that the cavity
62
cannot physically receive the extension
56
of the receptacle
46
. Similarly, the spacing of the pins
66
is normally different from the spacing of the pin sockets
58
. Therefore, in the absence of the key coupling
50
, it is physically impossible to mechanically couple and electrically connect the shorting plug
48
with the receptacle
46
. However, with the key coupling
50
mechanically coupled to, and electrically connected with, both the receptacle
46
and the shorting plug
48
, continuity is provided between the wires or leads
36
of the receptacle
46
.
In use, when a person desires to enter the manufacturing area within the perimeter of the fence
20
, the key coupling
50
is disconnected from the receptacle
46
and is also removed from the shorting plug
48
. The key coupling is then carried by the person entering through the gate
22
. Thus, as long as the person remains within the perimeter of the fence
20
and in possession of the key coupling
50
, it is physically impossible to interconnect the shorting plug
48
with the receptacle
46
and obtain continuity through the wires
36
. Thus, in those situations where it is difficult or impossible to determine whether a person remains within the perimeter of the fence
20
, as long as the key coupling
50
is missing from the connector
44
, a person at the gate
22
can easily determine that someone remains within the perimeter of the fence
20
. Further, in the absence of the key coupling
50
, a person at the gate cannot mechanically or electrically connect the shorting plug
48
with the receptacle
46
.
Referring to
FIG. 2
, the principles of the invention of
FIG. 1
are expanded by the use of another component, for example, a second key coupling
70
. The second key coupling
70
has a first electrical connecting element comprised of a female key receptacle portion
71
on one end and a second electrical connecting element comprised of a male key plug portion
73
on an opposite end. The key plug portion
73
has a cavity
72
on one side or end that is sized and shaped to receive the extension
56
a
of the receptacle
46
a
. In addition, the pin sockets
58
a
in the receptacle
46
a
are sized and shaped to receive pins
74
of the second key plug
70
in an electrically conductive relationship. On the opposite end, the female key receptacle portion
73
includes an extension
76
that is sized and shaped to fit within the cavity
52
a
of the first key plug
50
a
. Further, within the extension
56
a
, pin sockets
78
are sized and shaped to receive the pins
52
a
of the first key plug
50
a
in an electrically conductive relationship. However, the size and shape of the cavity
54
a
, as well as the shape and spacing of the pins
52
a
, precludes the cavity
54
a
from receiving the receptacle
56
a
. Similarly, the size and shape of the cavity
62
a
in the shorting plug
48
a
and the spacing of the pins
66
a
makes it physically impossible to insert the extension
76
of the second key plug
70
into the shorting plug
48
a.
The embodiment of
FIG. 2
is especially useful in those applications where it is expected that two persons are required within the perimeter of the fence
20
at the same time. As each person enters the fenced area, he/she removes one of the key plugs
50
a
,
70
and carries the respective key plug with them while inside the perimeter of the fence
20
. Removing either of the plugs
50
a
,
70
interrupts the continuity in a circuit connected to the wires
36
. Further, continuity cannot be restored to the circuit connected to the wires
36
until both plugs
50
a
,
70
are reconnected between the receptacle
46
a
and the shorting plug
48
a
as each person leaves the perimeter of the fence
20
, thereby guaranteeing that both persons are outside the perimeter of the fence
20
. As will be appreciated, any number of different key plugs
50
a
,
70
may be stacked such that they form a chain of continuity through the connector
44
.
The electrical connector or interlock of the present invention has the advantage of not being able to be inadvertently connected or switched while one or more persons remain undetected within the fence
20
perimeter and thus, is a more reliable and higher quality electrical interlocking connector than known devices.
While the present invention has been illustrated by a description of various preferred embodiments and while these embodiments have been described in considerable detail in order to describe the best mode of practicing the invention, it is not the intention of Applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will readily appear to those skilled in the art. For example, in the described embodiment, the receptacle
24
is connected to the fixed end
26
of the fence, and the chain
30
is connected to the gate
22
. As will be appreciated, the chain
30
can be connected to the fixed end
26
of the fence
20
and the receptacle
24
can be connected to the gate
22
. Similarly, either the receptacle
24
or the shorting plug
28
can be connected to the end of the chain
30
.
In addition, in the embodiment of
FIG. 1
, the size of the cavity
62
and spacing of the pins
66
is different from the size of the extension
56
and the spacing of the pin sockets
58
. However, what is important is that the extension
56
cannot be connected to the shorting plug
48
. That objective can be achieved by either making the cross-sectional profile of the extension
56
different from the cross-sectional profile of the cavity
62
or, making the spacing of the pin sockets
58
different from the spacing of the pins
66
or, making the cross-sectional profile of the pin sockets
58
different from the cross-sectional shape of the pins
66
. Any one of those or other changes to the geometry of the extension
56
, the cavity
62
, the pin sockets
58
or the pins
66
will prevent the receptacle
46
from being electrically and mechanically coupled to the shorting plug
48
. For example, the cross-sectional profile of the extension
56
and receiving cavity
54
may be one shape, such as, round; and the cross-sectional profile of the extension
60
and receiving cavity
62
may be any different shape, such as, oval, rectangular, triangular, etc. In another example, the pins
52
and receiving pin sockets
58
may be one shape, such as round; and the pins
66
and receiving pin sockets
64
may be a different shape, such as, rectangular, triangular, etc. While changing any one physical feature is sufficient to practice the present invention, changing more than one physical feature provides even more protection.
Therefore, the invention in its broadest aspects is not limited to the specific detail shown and described. Consequently, departures may be made from the details described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims which follow.
Claims
- 1. An electrical connector assembly providing continuity in a circuit for use with a barrier including a gate providing access to an area surrounded by the barrier, the electrical connector comprising:a first receptacle adapted to be mounted to a fixed portion of the barrier, the first receptacle having a curvilinear, first cross-sectional profile and adapted to be electrically connected to the circuit and the first receptacle having at least two first pin sockets having a first spacing therebetween; a first key coupling comprising a first plug comprising a first cavity having a curvilinear cross-sectional profile substantially identical to the first cross-sectional profile of the first receptacle, thereby permitting the first receptacle to be inserted in the first cavity, and at least two first pins disposed in the first cavity and having the first spacing therebetween, the first pins being insertable in the first pin sockets upon the first receptacle being inserted into the first cavity of the first receptacle, and a second receptacle having a curvilinear, second cross-sectional profile different from the first cross-sectional profile, the second receptacle having at least two second pin sockets with a second spacing therebetween different from the first spacing; and a second plug adapted to be mounted to the gate comprising a second cavity having a curvilinear cross-sectional profile substantially identical to the second cross-sectional profile of the second receptacle, thereby permitting the second receptacle to be inserted in the second cavity, and at least two second pins disposed in the second cavity and having the second spacing therebetween, the second pins being electrically connected together and insertable in the second pin sockets upon the second receptacle being inserted into the second cavity of the second receptacle, whereby manually inserting the first receptacle into the first plug and the second receptacle into the second plug provides electrical continuity between the first pin sockets via the first key coupling and the second plug.
- 2. An electrical connector assembly providing continuity in a circuit for use with a barrier including a gate providing access to an area surrounded by the barrier, the electrical connector comprising:a first receptacle adapted to be mounted to a fixed portion of the barrier, the first receptacle having a first cross-sectional profile and adapted to be electrically connected to the circuit and the first receptacle having at least two first pin sockets having a first spacing therebetween; a first key coupling comprising a first plug comprising a first cavity having a cross-sectional profile substantially identical to the first cross-sectional profile of the first receptacle, thereby permitting the first receptacle to be inserted in the first cavity, and at least two first pins disposed in the first cavity and having the first spacing therebetween, the first pins being insertable in the first pin sockets upon the first receptacle being inserted into the first cavity of the first receptacle, and a second receptacle having a second cross-sectional profile different from the first cross-sectional profile, the second receptacle further having at least two second pin sockets with a second spacing therebetween different from the first spacing; a second key coupling comprising a second plug comprising a second cavity having a cross-sectional profile substantially identical to the second cross-sectional profile of the second receptacle, thereby permitting the second receptacle to be inserted in the second cavity, and at least two second pins disposed in the second cavity and having the second spacing therebetween, the second pins being insertable in the second pin sockets upon the second receptacle being inserted into the second cavity of the second receptacle, and a third receptacle having a third cross-sectional profile different from the first and second cross-sectional profiles, the third receptacle further having at least two third pin sockets with a third spacing therebetween different from the first and second spacings; and a third plug adapted to be mounted to the gate comprising a third cavity having a cross-sectional profile substantially identical to the third cross-sectional profile of the third receptacle, thereby permitting the third receptacle to be inserted in the third cavity, and at least two third pins disposed in the third cavity and having the third spacing therebetween, the third pins being electrically connected together and insertable in the third pin sockets upon the third receptacle being inserted into the third cavity of the third receptacle, whereby manually inserting the first receptacle into the first plug, the second receptacle into the second plug and the third receptacle into the third plug provides electrical continuity between the first pin sockets via the first and second key couplings and the third plug.
US Referenced Citations (6)