Patent Application
20070049079
This invention relates generally to safety devices for electrical outlets, and relates more particularly to safety covers for electrical outlets.
Electrical power outlets carry electric currents at a level sufficient to cause serious physical injury or death to one who is exposed to such currents. The death toll due to accidental electrocution is not high compared to total population, but neither is it insignificant, with accidental electrocution claiming, for example, between 500 and 1,000 lives every year in the United States. A greater number of people suffer non-fatal but still serious and/or painful electricity-related injuries, and household wiring is involved in a majority of these incidents. Unprotected power outlets therefore pose significant safety risks, yet power outlets are nearly ubiquitous in modem society, with dozens of them existing in a typical home.
Outlet covers designed to prevent accidental contact with dangerous electrical currents have been developed, but the existing outlet covers either fail to cover all of the outlet openings, must be manually removed before the outlet can be used, in what is often a rather difficult or inconvenient procedure, or suffer from some other drawback. Accordingly, there exists a need for an outlet safety barrier that covers all openings of an outlet and that moves aside easily, conveniently, and automatically when an electrical plug inserted, but is much more difficult to move aside under other circumstances.
The invention will be better understood from a reading of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures in the drawings in which:
For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention. The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.
The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the invention described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms “comprise,” “include,” “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.
The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the invention described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as directly or indirectly connected in an electrical, mechanical, or other manner.
In one embodiment of the invention, a safety mechanism capable of blocking an opening to an electrical connection in an electrical outlet comprises a safety barrier coupled to the electrical outlet at a pivot point and a biasing member coupled to the safety barrier. The safety barrier is rotatable between a first position, in which the safety barrier blocks the opening, and a second position, in which the safety barrier does not block the opening. The biasing member biases the safety barrier toward the first position. In the same or another embodiment of the invention, the safety mechanism forms a part of one or more electrical outlets contained in an electrical product.
The safety mechanism described above makes potentially harmful contact with a live electrical outlet less likely, thus helping to reduce the number of incidents in which a person receives an electric shock from household wiring. As described in detail below, the safety mechanism reduces the likelihood of such potentially harmful contact by blocking, when appropriate, the openings that lead to the live electrical connections inside an electrical outlet.
Referring now to the figures,
It is well known that different regions of the world have differing electrical standards, and that one consequence of these differing standards is that a plug that will fit into an electrical outlet in one country may not fit into an electrical outlet in another country. Some countries, recognizing this incompatibility, have developed universal outlets capable of receiving plugs in a wide variety of configurations, standards, and specifications. China, for example, is one country in which universal outlets are at least somewhat common. Although safety mechanism 110 may be beneficially used with electrical outlets in many configurations, its use in this document will be described and illustrated with respect to a universal outlet, a portion of which is shown in
Referring again to
In the embodiment illustrated in
Safety mechanism 110 further comprises a channel 150 under shutter 113 and a channel 160 under shutter 114. A biasing member (not shown in
In one embodiment, safety mechanism 110 comprises two biasing members, one for each of shutters 113 and 114. In at least one manifestation of that embodiment, one of the biasing members is adjacent to shutter 113, in channel 150, the other biasing member is adjacent to shutter 114, in channel 160, and shutters 113 and 114 can move independently of each other.
Shutter 113 of safety barrier 111 comprises an extension arm 175 oriented so as to be located over channel 150 when safety barrier 111 is in the first position. Similarly, shutter 114 of safety barrier 111 comprises an extension arm 185 oriented so as to be located over channel 160 when safety barrier 111 is in the first position. This orientation of extension arms 175 and 185 tends to keep the biasing members in place within channels 150 and 160. When safety barrier 111 is in the second position, surfaces 171 and 181 perform an equivalent function. In the absence of extension arms 175 and 185 or another component that performs an equivalent function, the biasing members may have a tendency to leave channels 150 and 160, with possible detrimental effect to safety mechanism 110.
The discussion thus far has focused on the ability of safety mechanism 110 to block the openings in an electrical outlet, thereby increasing safety by reducing the likelihood of electrocution. There will of course be many times, however, when unfettered access to the electrical outlet will be desired, and at those times safety barrier 111 must be moved from the first position to the second position, i.e., be moved out of the way so as to no longer block the openings in the electrical outlet. In order to accomplish such movement automatically, without requiring direct manipulation of safety barrier 111 by hand, shutter 113 comprises a surface 171 facing the electrical connections and a surface 172 opposite surface 171 and facing away from the electrical connections. Similarly, shutter 114 comprises a surface 181 facing the electrical connections and a surface 182 opposite surface 181 and facing away from the electrical connections. (Surfaces 171 and 181 are hidden from view in
A portion 179 of surface 172 is angled with respect to surface 171, and a portion 189 of surface 182 is angled with respect to surface 181, such that portions 179 and 189 slope toward each other, forming a “V”-shape. When the prongs of a plug (not shown) are pushed against portion 179 and portion 189, the resulting force has a first component that is perpendicular to surfaces 171 and 181 and a second component that is parallel to surfaces 171 and 181. It is the parallel component that tends to rotate shutter 113 about pivot point 112, and shutter 114 about pivot point 115, thus exposing openings 120, 130 and 140.
In the preceding paragraph, a newly-described element of an embodiment of the invention was described as being similar to a previously-described element of an embodiment of the invention. It is to be understood that everywhere such comparisons are made herein, the phrase “can be similar to” means the compared elements can be similar to each other not only in structure but also in the function they perform.
In the illustrated embodiment, safety barrier 211 comprises a shutter 213 coupled to the electrical outlet at a pivot point 212, and a shutter 214 coupled to the electrical outlet at a pivot point 215. Shutter 213 comprises a surface 271 facing the electrical connections and a surface 272 opposite surface 271 and facing away from the electrical connections. Similarly, shutter 214 comprises a surface 281 facing the electrical connections and a surface 282 opposite surface 281 and facing away from the electrical connections. (Surfaces 271 and 281 are hidden from view in
Safety mechanism 210 further comprises a biasing member adjacent to safety barrier 211 that biases safety barrier 211 toward the first position. The biasing member of safety mechanism 210 is not visible in
Shutter 213 of safety barrier 211 comprises an extension arm 275 oriented so as to be located over channel 250 when safety barrier 211 is in the first position. Similarly, shutter 214 of safety barrier 211 comprises an extension arm 285 oriented so as to be located over channel 260 when safety barrier 211 is in the first position. This orientation of extension arms 275 and 285 tends to keep the biasing members in place within channels 250 and 260. When safety barrier 211 is in the second position, surfaces 271 and 281 perform an equivalent function. In the absence of extension arms 275 and 285 or another component that performs an equivalent function, the biasing members may have a tendency to leave channels 250 and 260, with possible detrimental effect to safety mechanism 210.
With respect to the details and components described thus far, safety mechanism 210 is similar to safety mechanism 110 of
Coupling mechanism 255 in safety mechanism 210 forces shutters 213 and 214 to move in synchronization, where any movement of one shutter leads to a corresponding movement in the other shutter, while the absence of a coupling mechanism in safety mechanism 110 allows shutters 113 and 114 to move independently of each other. One potential advantage made possible by coupling mechanism 255 is that safety mechanism 210 requires only one biasing member, unlike safety mechanism 110, which requires two. A further advantage of coupling mechanism 255 is that it may make safety mechanism 210 easier to open when an electric plug is pressed against safety mechanism 210, because motion of one shutter will assist motion of the other shutter.
In the illustrated embodiment, safety barrier 311 comprises a shutter 313 and a shutter 314 coupled to the electrical outlet at a pivot point 312. Because shutters 313 and 314 share a single pivot point, the shutters can be closer together than shutters 213 and 214 and shutters 113 and 114, each of which have their own separate pivot point, enabling a more compact footprint for safety mechanism 310 than is possible for safety mechanisms 110 and 210.
Shutter 313 comprises a surface 371 facing the electrical connections and a surface 372 opposite surface 371 and facing away from the electrical connections. Similarly, shutter 314 comprises a surface 381 facing the electrical connections and a surface 382 opposite surface 381 and facing away from the electrical connections. (Surfaces 371 and 381 are hidden from view in
Safety mechanism 310 further comprises a channel 350, a channel 360, and biasing members (not shown) adjacent to safety barrier 311 that bias shutters 313 and 314 toward the first position. Neither biasing member of safety mechanism 310 is visible in
Shutter 313 of safety barrier 311 comprises an extension arm 375 oriented so as to be located over channel 350 when safety barrier 311 is in the first position. Similarly, shutter 314 of safety barrier 311 comprises an extension arm 385 oriented so as to be located over channel 360 when safety barrier 311 is in the first position. This orientation of extension arms 375 and 385 tends to keep the biasing members in place within channels 350 and 360. When safety barrier 311 is in the second position, surfaces 371 and 381 perform an equivalent function. In the absence of extension arms 375 and 385 or another component that performs an equivalent function, the biasing members may have a tendency to leave channels 350 and 360, with possible detrimental effect to safety mechanism 310.
In a non-illustrated embodiment, safety mechanism 310 comprises a coupling mechanism that can be similar to coupling mechanism 255 of safety mechanism 210, both of which are shown in
Safety barrier 430 comprises a portion 435 and a portion 436 that are angled with respect to faceplate 420. Safety barrier 430 is coupled to body 410 at a pivot point 412. Safety barrier 430 is rotatable between a first position, in which safety barrier 430 blocks each one of plurality of openings 427, and a second position, in which safety barrier 430 does not block any of plurality of openings 427. Biasing member 440 biases safety barrier 430 toward the first position. As an example, safety barrier 430, portions 435 and 436, and pivot point 412 can be similar to, respectively, safety barrier 111, portions 179 and 189, and pivot point 112, all of which were shown in
Safety barrier 430 comprises a shutter 431 coupled to body 410 at pivot point 412 and a shutter 432 also coupled to body 410 at pivot point 412. Accordingly, safety mechanism 401 is similar to safety mechanism 310, shown in
Body 410 comprises a cavity 411 containing a hot electrical connection, a cavity 413 containing a neutral electrical connection, and a cavity 414 containing a ground electrical connection. Alternatively, cavity 413 contains the hot electrical connection, and cavity 411 contains the neutral electrical connection. The hot, neutral, and ground electrical connections are at least some of plurality of electrical connections 417. As first described above, electrical outlet 400 is a universal outlet designed to receive plugs of configurations, standards, and specifications used in many if not most countries around the world. That universal design explains the oblong or oversized cavities that may appear unusual to those accustomed to electrical outlets adapted only for a single standard.
Body 410 further comprises a channel 415 capable of housing spring 441, a channel 416 capable of housing spring 442, and a surface 418 adjacent to channels 415 and 416 and to cavities 411, 413, and 414. In the embodiment illustrated in
Body 410 still further comprises a support feature 419 and a friction-reducing feature 421 on surface 418. Support feature 419 acts to prevent or reduce bending of safety barrier 430 when a plug is pressed against safety barrier 430. Friction-reducing feature 421 comprises a raised rib or ridge, possibly having an arched top, rising above surface 418 and offering a travel path for shutter 432 that generates less friction between it and shutter 432 than would surface 418 itself. This reduced friction is due at least in part to the fact that shutter 432 and friction-reducing feature 421 are in contact across a smaller surface area than shutter 432 and surface 418 would be. Support feature 419, in addition to performing the function discussed above, may also reduce friction between shutter 431 and surface 418 for a similar reason.
As illustrated, electrical product 500 comprises safety mechanisms of each of the three types discussed above. In other words, electrical product 500 contains safety mechanisms similar to each of safety mechanisms 110, 210, and 310 from
As further illustrated in
Electrical product 500 still further comprises a safety barrier 530, a safety barrier 580, and a safety barrier 590. Safety barrier 530 is located between plurality of openings 527 and plurality of electrical connections 517, is coupled to a pivot point 512 about which it is capable of rotational motion between a first position, in which safety barrier 530 blocks each one of plurality of openings 527, and a second position, in which safety barrier 530 does not block any of plurality of openings 527, and is adjacent to a biasing member 540, which biases safety barrier 530 toward the first position. Safety barrier 580 is located between plurality of openings 587 and plurality of electrical connections 567, is coupled to pivot points 561 and 562 about which it is capable of rotational motion between a first position, in which safety barrier 580 blocks each one of plurality of openings 587, and a second position, in which safety barrier 580 does not block any of plurality of openings 587, and is adjacent to a biasing member 563, which biases safety barrier 580 toward the first position. Safety barrier 590 is located between plurality of openings 597 and plurality of electrical connections 577, is coupled to pivot points 571 and 572 about which it is capable of rotational motion between a first position, in which safety barrier 590 blocks each one of plurality of openings 597, and a second position, in which safety barrier 590 does not block any of plurality of openings 597, and is adjacent to a biasing member 560, which biases safety barrier 590 toward the first position.
Pivot points 512, 561, 562, 571, and 572 comprise posts extending away from body 510 toward faceplate 520. Pivot points 512, 561, 562, 571, and 572 are thus similar to pivot point 412 shown in
Safety barrier 530 comprises a shutter 531 and a shutter 532, safety barrier 580 comprises a shutter 581 and a shutter 582, and safety barrier 590 comprises a shutter 591 and a shutter 592. As an example, shutters 531 and 532 can be similar to shutters 313 and 314 of
In order to maintain a footprint for electrical product 500 that is similar to those for similar electrical products without safety mechanisms, safety barriers 530, 580, and 590 are located in close proximity to each other on body 510, so close, in fact, that adjacent shutters, such as shutters 582 and 591, or shutters 532 and 581, would collide with each other if both shutters were equidistant from surface 518 of body 510. To prevent such collisions, adjacent shutters are positioned at differing distances above surface 518. As an example, shutters 532, 582, and 592 are positioned at a first height above surface 518 in the illustrated embodiment, and shutters 531, 581, and 591 are positioned at a second, greater height above surface 518. Accordingly, shutter 582 is located between shutter 591 and surface 518, with shutter 591 elevated above shutter 582, such that shutter 582 rotates underneath shutter 591, and between shutter 591 and surface 518 of body 510. Similarly, when electrical product 500 comprises outlets in adjacent rows or columns, the shutters are designed to rotate through an angle sufficient to alternately cover and expose the plurality of electrical connections, but not so large as to encroach on the space occupied by any adjacent electrical outlet. In one embodiment, the angle of travel is between approximately twenty and thirty degrees. In a particular embodiment, a travel angle of approximately 25 degrees is appropriate.
Safety barrier 580 further comprises a coupling mechanism 585 linking shutter 581 and shutter 582. As an example, coupling mechanism 585 can be similar to coupling mechanism 255, first shown in
Body 510 comprises channels 514 and 515 capable of housing biasing member 540, channel 564 capable of housing biasing member 563, and channels 574 and 575 capable of housing biasing member 560. A channel 565 is an optional feature of body 510, since coupling mechanism 585 renders superfluous a biasing member that would reside in channel 565 in the absence of coupling mechanism 585. As illustrated, channels 514, 564, and 574 are elevated above surface 518 of body 510, so as to accommodate raised shutters 531, 581, and 591. Although it was not mentioned earlier, one or more of the channels described previously may also have this elevated configuration. In particular, channels 150, 250, 350, and 415 are shown as being elevated in their respective figures.
Shutter 531 comprises an extension arm 533 and shutter 532 comprises an extension arm 534. Similarly, shutter 581 comprises an extension arm 583, shutter 582 comprises an extension arm 584, shutter 591 comprises an extension arm 593, and shutter 592 comprises an extension arm 594. As an example, each of the extension arms mentioned in this paragraph can be similar to extension arms 433 or 434, both of which were first shown in
Body 510 further comprises a support feature 519 adjacent to electrical connections 517, a support feature 569 adjacent to electrical connections 567, and a support feature 579 adjacent to electrical connections 577. As an example, support features 519, 569, and 579 can be similar to support feature 419 shown in
Body 510 further comprises a friction-reducing feature 511 adjacent to electrical connections 517, a friction-reducing feature 566 adjacent to electrical connections 567, and a friction-reducing feature 576 adjacent to electrical connections 577. In particular embodiments, additional friction-reducing features can be situated adjacent to any or all of electrical connections 517, 567, and 577. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, body 510 still further comprises a friction-reducing feature 568 adjacent to electrical connections 567 and a friction-reducing feature 578 adjacent to electrical connections 577. As an example, friction-reducing features 511, 566, 568, 576, and 578 can be similar to friction-reducing feature 421, shown in
As was the case in
As illustrated in
Safety mechanism 610 further comprises channels that can be similar to channels 150 and 160, and still further comprises a biasing member that can be similar to biasing members 291, 440, 540, 560, and 563. Neither the channels nor the biasing member are visible in
Shutter 613 of safety barrier 611 comprises an extension arm 675 oriented so as to be located over one of the channels when safety barrier 611 is in the first position. Similarly, shutter 614 of safety barrier 611 comprises an extension arm 685 oriented so as to be located over the other channel when safety barrier 611 is in the first position. This orientation of extension arms 675 and 685 tends to keep the biasing members in place within the channels. When safety barrier 611 is in the second position, surfaces 671 and 681 perform an equivalent function. In the absence of extension arms 675 and 685 or another component that performs an equivalent function, the biasing members may have a tendency to leave the channels, with possible detrimental effect to safety mechanism 610.
Except for the fact that shutter 614 is flat or substantially flat instead of angled, safety mechanism 610, with respect to the features thus far described, is substantially identical to safety mechanism 210, first shown in
Safety mechanism 610 further comprises an interlock feature 690, a living hinge 695, and a slot 697. Interlock feature 690 helps maintain safety mechanism 610 in the first position when no plug is inserted in the electrical outlet by latching shutters 613 and 614 to each other or to another portion of safety mechanism 610. As an example, interlock feature 690 can comprise a cantilever arm, located on one of shutters 613 and 614, having a raised portion on an end of the cantilever arm capable of latching onto a protrusion located on the other one of shutters 613 and 614 or, for example, onto a portion of a housing of an electrical product of which safety mechanism 610 is a part.
As illustrated, living hinge 695 is located in shutter 614, and comprises a region in which a portion of shutter 614 has been removed to create a thin and flexible bridge of material, as known in the art. Living hinge 695 allows shutter 614 to flex when pressure is applied to shutter 614. This ability to flex enables interlock feature 690 to function as described above, and also enables a smooth transition back and forth between the first and second positions for safety mechanism 610. Slot 697 allows shutter 614 to flex in response to pressure applied by, for example, a plug pressed against safety mechanism 610. Slot 697 relieves at least some of the stress that such flexure would otherwise bring to bear on pivot point 615 or another portion of safety mechanism 610.
Any or all of the safety mechanism discussed herein can be constructed at least in part from polyoxymethylene (POM), a material that has a very low coefficient of friction, high chemical and thermal resistance, and is rigid and dimensionally stable. Another suitable, and somewhat less expensive, material for any or all of the safety mechanisms discussed herein is Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), which exhibits a pleasing surface quality, color fastness, and heat resistance.
A step 720 of method 700 is to provide a safety barrier having a first surface and a second surface that is angled with respect to the first surface. As an example, the safety barrier can be similar to safety barriers 111, 211, 311, or 611, first shown in
A step 730 of method 700 is to provide a faceplate having a plurality of openings corresponding to the plurality of electrical connections. As an example, the faceplate can be similar to faceplate 420 or 520, first shown in
A step 740 of method 700 is to couple the safety barrier to the body at the pivot point such that the safety barrier is capable of rotating about the pivot point between a first position, in which the safety barrier blocks each one of the plurality of openings, and a second position, in which the safety barrier does not block any of the plurality of openings.
A step 750 of method 700 is to attach the faceplate to the body such that the safety barrier is between the body and the faceplate.
A step 760 of method 700 is to position a biasing member adjacent to the safety barrier such that the biasing member biases the safety barrier toward the first position. As an example, the biasing member can be similar to any of the biasing members described herein, including, for example, biasing member 291, first shown in
In one embodiment, step 720 or another step of method 700 comprises providing the safety barrier with an extension arm, and method 700 further comprises positioning the safety barrier such that the extension arm at least partially covers the channel when the safety barrier is in the first position. In the same or another embodiment, step 720 or another step of method 700 further comprises providing a first shutter and a second shutter, coupling the first shutter to the pivot point at a first height over the body, and coupling the second shutter to the pivot point at a second height over the body, where the first height is different from the second height. As an example, the extension arm can be similar to extension arm 175 or to extension arm 185, both of which were first shown in
Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Various examples of such changes have been given in the foregoing description. Accordingly, the disclosure of embodiments of the invention is intended to be illustrative of the scope of the invention and is not intended to be limiting. It is intended that the scope of the invention shall be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims. For example, to one of ordinary skill in the art, it will be readily apparent that the safety mechanism and electrical outlets and products discussed herein may be implemented in a variety of embodiments, and that the foregoing discussion of certain of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments.
All elements claimed in any particular claim are essential to the invention claimed in that particular claim. Consequently, replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and not repair. Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with regard to specific embodiments. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims.
Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.
