GB2173050A - Safety device for use with an electrical connector - Google Patents

Safety device for use with an electrical connector Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2173050A
GB2173050A GB08507821A GB8507821A GB2173050A GB 2173050 A GB2173050 A GB 2173050A GB 08507821 A GB08507821 A GB 08507821A GB 8507821 A GB8507821 A GB 8507821A GB 2173050 A GB2173050 A GB 2173050A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
abutment
generally
shaped element
component
connector
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB08507821A
Other versions
GB8507821D0 (en
GB2173050B (en
Inventor
Roy Buckley
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Coal Industry Patents Ltd
Original Assignee
Coal Industry Patents Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Coal Industry Patents Ltd filed Critical Coal Industry Patents Ltd
Priority to GB08507821A priority Critical patent/GB2173050B/en
Publication of GB8507821D0 publication Critical patent/GB8507821D0/en
Publication of GB2173050A publication Critical patent/GB2173050A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2173050B publication Critical patent/GB2173050B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/60—Means for supporting coupling part when not engaged

Landscapes

  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)

Abstract

A safety device for use with an electrical connector having an electrically 'live' connector component and an electrically 'dead' connector component (1) comprises gate means constituted by an abutment (7) which, in use, when mounted on the 'dead' connector components prevent electrical connection of the two components. A generally 'u' shaped retainer element (8, 9, 11) associated with the abutment and the 'dead' connector component retains the abutment in the mode preventing electrical connection of the two connector components. A lock (not shown) engages in hole 12 to prevent inadvertent removal of the retainer element and thereby the abutment. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Safety device for use with an electrical connector This invention relates to safety devices for use with electrical connectors comprising plug and socket connector components, the safety devices tending to prevent the connector components being inadvertently connected.
In particular, although not exclusively, the present invention relates to a safety device for use with an electrical plug connector component used for connecting an electrical supply cable to a power supply.
In the past accidents have resulted when one operator having picked up the wrong plug connector component has connected electrical equipment to a mains supply when a second unsuspecting operator was working on the equipment. The second operator not realising the equipment had been made electrically 'live' by the action of the first mentioned operator.
Such an occurrence might easily occur where several separate items of electrical equipment are sited adjacent each other, as for example, as might occur on an electrical work bench.
An object of the present invention is to provide a safety device intended to reduce the possibility of such an accidental occurrence.
According to the present invention a safety device for use with an electrical connector having an electrically 'live' connector component and an electrically 'dead' connector component comprises gate means which, in use, is mountable on a first of the connector components to prevent electrical connection of the two connector components, retainer means associated with the gate means and the first of the connector components to retain the gate means in the mode preventing electrical connection of the two connector components and releasable lock means for releasably retaining the retainer means and thereby the gate means in the mode preventing electrical connection of the two connector components.
Preferably, said electrical 'dead' component is constituted by a plug component having outwardly extending contact pins, the gate means comprising an outwardly extending abutment.
Preferably, the abutment comprises an annular bush arrangeable around at least a number of the outwardly extending contact pins.
Advantageously, the annular bush extends outwardly beyond at least a number of the contact pins.
Conveniently, the retainer means comprises a generally 'u' shaped element.
Conveniently, the abutment is provided with a cross passage for engagement by one limb of the generally 'u' shaped element, the other limb, in use, being engaged on the side of the plugs component remote from the contact pins.
Preferably, one of the limbs of the generally 'u' shaped element is provided with a hole for accepting the releasable lock means.
Conveniently, the limb of the generally 'u' shaped element engaged in the cross passage provided by the abutment is, in use, engageable between some of the outwardly extending contact pins.
Preferably, a strap extends between the abutment and the generally 'u' shaped element.
One embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows an incomplete perspective view of a safety device mounte'd on an electrical plug connector component.
Referring to the drawing, a well known electrical plug connector component 1 is shown on the end of a flexible power supply cable 2 leading to electrical equipment (not shown). In the drawing the plug component is shown in a 'dead' mode disconnected from an associated 'live' socket connector component (not shown).
The plug component has two current carrying contact pins 3 and 4 and one earth contact pin 5, the pins extending outwardly from the body 6 of the plug component.
The safety device according to the present invention comprises a gate means constituted by an abutment in the form of an annular bush 7 arranged around the contact pins, the axial length of the bush being outwardly extending beyond the ends of pins. The annular bush may be made by an electrically non conductive material, as, for example, plastics material.
The safety device also comprises retainer means constituted by a generally 'u' shaped element 8 having one limb 9 extending through cross passages 10 provided in the annular bush, the limb 9 being engaged between the pin 5 and the bush pins 3 and 4.
The other limb 11 of the generally 'u' shaped element is engaged on the side of the plug component body remote from the contact pins.
The limb 11 of the generally 'u' shaped element is provided with a hole 12 for accepting releasable lock means (not shown) for releasably retaining the retainer means and thereby the gate means in the mode preventing electrical connection of the 'dead' plug component with the 'live' socket component.
A strap 13 extends between the annular bush and the generally 'u' shaped element to retain the two items together when not being used.
Thus, in use, before an operator starts work on a set of electrical equipment he disconnects the plug connector component from the 'live' socket component and mounts the safety device as previously described and as shown in the accompanying drawing. By in serting his personal lock in the hole 12 he ensures no other operator can remove the generally 'u' shaped element and thereby the annular bush. Consequently, no other operator can inadvertently insert the 'dead' plug component in a 'live' socket component.
In other embodiments of the invention the abutment and the retained means are joined together as, for example, by a hinge joint. In such an embodiment the abutment may constitute at least part of one limb of the generally 'u' shaped element.
In other embodiments of the present invention the safety device is adopted to fit a socket connector component.

Claims (9)

1. A safety device for use with an electro.
cal connector having an electrically 'live' component and an electrically 'dead' component, comprises -gate means which, in use, is mountable on a first of the connector components to prevent electrical connection of the two connector components, retainer means associated with the gate means and the first of the connector components to retain the gate means in the mode preventing electrical connection of the two connector components, and releasable lock means for releasably retaining the retainer means and thereby the gate means in the mode preventing electrical connection of the two connector components.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which said electrically 'dead' component is constituted by a plug component having outwardly extending contact pins, the gate means comprising an outwardly extending abutment.
3. A device as claimed in claim 2, in which the abutment comprises an annular bush arrangeable around at least a number of the outwardly extending contact pins.
4. A device as claimed in claim 3, in which the annular bush extends outwardly beyond at least a number of the contact pins.
5 A device as claimed in any one preced ing claim in which, the retainer means comprises a generally 'u' shaped element.
6. A device as claimed in claim 5 when dependent upon claims 2 to 4, in which the abutment is provided with a cross passage for engagement by one limb of the generally 'u' shaped element, the other limb, in use, being engaged on the side of the plug component remote from the control pins.
7. A device as claimed in claim 6-, in which one of the limbs of the generally 'u' shaped element is provided with a hole for accepting the releasable lock means.
8. A device as claimed in claim 7, in which the limb of the generally 'u' shaped element engaged in the cross passage provided by the abutment is, in use, engageable between some of the outwardly extending contact pins.
9. A safety device for use with an electri cal connector, substantially as described herein and substantially as shown in the ac companying drawing.
9. A device as claimed in claim 8, in which a strap extends between the abutment and the generally 'u' shaped element.
10. A safety device for use with an electrical connector, substantially as described herein and substantially as shown in the accompanying drawing.
New claims or amendments to claims filed on 9th Aug., 1985.
Superseded claims 1,5.
1. A safety device for use with an electrical connector having an electrically 'live' component and an electrically 'dead' component, comprises gate means which, in use, is mountable on a first of the connector components to prevent electrical connection of the two connector components, retainer means comprising a generally 'u' shaped element having one limb associated with the gate means and another limb engaged on a side of the first of the connector components and remote from the gate means to retain the gate means in the mode preventing electrical connection of the two connector components, and releasable lock means for releasably retaining the retainer means and thereby the gate means in the mode preventing electrical connection of the two connector components.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which said electrically 'dead' component is constituted by a plug component having outwardly extending contact pins, the gate means comprising an outwardly extending abutment;
3. A device as claimed in claim 2, in which the abutment comprises an annular bush arrangeable around at least a number of the outwardly extending contact pins.
4. A device as claimed in claim 3, in which the annular bush extends outwardly beyond at least a number of the contact pins.
5 A device as claimed in claim 4, in which the abutment is provided with a cross passage for engagement by said one limb of the generally 'u' shaped element, the other limb, in use, being engaged on the side of the plug component remote from the control pins.
6. A device as claimed in claim 5, in which one of the limbs of the generally 'u' shaped element is provided with a hole for accepting the releasable lock means.
7. A device as claimed in claim 6, in which said one limb of the generally 'u' shaped ele ment engaged in the cross passage provided by the abutment is, in use, engageable between some of the outwardly extending contact pins.
8. A device as claimed in claim 7, in which a strap extends between the abutment and the generally 'u' shaped element.
GB08507821A 1985-03-26 1985-03-26 Safety device for use with an electrical connector Expired GB2173050B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08507821A GB2173050B (en) 1985-03-26 1985-03-26 Safety device for use with an electrical connector

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08507821A GB2173050B (en) 1985-03-26 1985-03-26 Safety device for use with an electrical connector

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8507821D0 GB8507821D0 (en) 1985-05-01
GB2173050A true GB2173050A (en) 1986-10-01
GB2173050B GB2173050B (en) 1988-09-14

Family

ID=10576652

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB08507821A Expired GB2173050B (en) 1985-03-26 1985-03-26 Safety device for use with an electrical connector

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2173050B (en)

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB935829A (en) * 1958-12-05 1963-09-04 Hettie Shrusha Dony Improvements in or relating to safety devices for electrical apparatus
US3539968A (en) * 1968-09-24 1970-11-10 Wilfred Tunstall Electrical plug blade safety cover
US3662320A (en) * 1970-12-24 1972-05-09 Arthur J Marx Plug lock
GB1421033A (en) * 1972-02-02 1976-01-14 Perdios A Safety plug for electrical socket outlets
US4030795A (en) * 1976-03-05 1977-06-21 Niemann John A Locking device for electrical plugs
US4060297A (en) * 1976-11-29 1977-11-29 Marshall Bruce H Plug cap
US4143933A (en) * 1977-09-06 1979-03-13 Aitkins Richard L Safety sleeve for attachment to the prong of an electrical connector and key for its removal
US4407554A (en) * 1981-03-16 1983-10-04 Drall Jerry E Electrical plug safety device
US4445738A (en) * 1981-07-16 1984-05-01 Wiencke Erich K Locking device for electrical plugs

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB935829A (en) * 1958-12-05 1963-09-04 Hettie Shrusha Dony Improvements in or relating to safety devices for electrical apparatus
US3539968A (en) * 1968-09-24 1970-11-10 Wilfred Tunstall Electrical plug blade safety cover
US3662320A (en) * 1970-12-24 1972-05-09 Arthur J Marx Plug lock
GB1421033A (en) * 1972-02-02 1976-01-14 Perdios A Safety plug for electrical socket outlets
US4030795A (en) * 1976-03-05 1977-06-21 Niemann John A Locking device for electrical plugs
US4060297A (en) * 1976-11-29 1977-11-29 Marshall Bruce H Plug cap
US4143933A (en) * 1977-09-06 1979-03-13 Aitkins Richard L Safety sleeve for attachment to the prong of an electrical connector and key for its removal
US4407554A (en) * 1981-03-16 1983-10-04 Drall Jerry E Electrical plug safety device
US4445738A (en) * 1981-07-16 1984-05-01 Wiencke Erich K Locking device for electrical plugs

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8507821D0 (en) 1985-05-01
GB2173050B (en) 1988-09-14

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee