CA2042504A1 - Double plug assembly - Google Patents
Double plug assemblyInfo
- Publication number
- CA2042504A1 CA2042504A1 CA 2042504 CA2042504A CA2042504A1 CA 2042504 A1 CA2042504 A1 CA 2042504A1 CA 2042504 CA2042504 CA 2042504 CA 2042504 A CA2042504 A CA 2042504A CA 2042504 A1 CA2042504 A1 CA 2042504A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- connectors
- pair
- outlet
- housing
- prong
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 230000007935 neutral effect Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 claims 2
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000010348 incorporation Methods 0.000 description 2
- KXGFMDJXCMQABM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2-methoxy-6-methylphenol Chemical compound [CH]OC1=CC=CC([CH])=C1O KXGFMDJXCMQABM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 241000287828 Gallus gallus Species 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000002445 nipple Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 239000005011 phenolic resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001568 phenolic resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000009436 residential construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Landscapes
- Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
- Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
Abstract
A wall plug for use with a split circuit duplex wall outlet, including an indicator light to identify the split circuit and including switch means for selectively operating the wall plug on one or both of these two household circuits available at a standard outlet.
Description
This invention relates to an improved electrical appliance wall plug for use with a split circuit duplex wall outlet.
Commonly found in residential kitchens/ the split circuit duplex outlet provides power for up to two separate appliances WhiCh consume relatively large amounts of power, such as deep fryers, electric kettles, griddles, broilers and ovens, each having power requirements of up to 1500 watts.
Conventionally, kitchen appliances are designed for use with single circuit 115 volt alternating current outlets, and utilize a single 2 or 3 pronged male plug and a 2 or 3 wire power cord. Certain appliances, such as those mentioned above, can underperform at wattages limited, conventionally, to 1500 watts and may benefit substantially in their operation by an increase in power to ~etween 1500 and 3000 watts. Current building codes require all kitchen counter outlets to be split circuit duplex wall receptacles providing two 1500 watt circuits operating at the same frequency but 180 degrees out-of-phase, WhiCh can accommodate plugs having 6 male prongs comprising 2 sets of 3 prongs, namely a "hot" or power lead (normally red or black), a neutral (white)/ and a ground (green), and thereby supply up to two 1500 watt 115 volt circuits (3000 watts) or one 3000 watt 230 volt circuit to a single specifically designed appliance.
Need has existed arising from the requirement for flexi~ility in outlet voltages for either 115 or 230 volts, without altering the household wiring connected to the split circuit duplex wall outlet, and to accommodate this need, prior art teachings, such as United States patent to Praml, 4,019,797 dated April 16, 1977, have described plugs comprising two halves in a duplex wall plug which may operate to provide either standard 115 volt or 230 volt power, by substituting plugs having appropriate electrical connections.
One of the improvements comprised in the present invention involves the incorporation of a split circuit indicator light, which visually distinguishes between single and split circuit household duplex receptacles which are unidentifiable otherwise.
Another improvement involves the incorporation of switch means in the plug operat:ing to selectively utilize either both or one side only o~ a split circuit power supplyt thereby allowing the user the flexibility of access to 3000 watts or 1500 watts of power from a split circuit outlet. Further to this, the switch can also limit power to 1500 watts from a single circuit outlet found in ~itchens wired prior to the current building codes.
Accordingly, it is the principle objective of this invention to provide a plug assembly including visual indication means, such as an indicator light, to distinguish between split circuit and single circuit kitchen duplex outlets.
~2~
It is another objective oE this in~ention to provide a plug assembly for use in combination with (1) an identiEied split circuit duplex outlet having switch means to selectively conEigure the plug for low power single circuit operation or high power plug configurations and (2) an identified single circuit duplex outlet having switch means to selectively configure the plug to limit it to single circuit operation.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an apparatus of the type described, which is characterized by a simplicity of design and possesses the necessary ruggedness for practical and reliable use.
Additional objects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and appended claims in whicho Figure 1 is a schematic oE a split wire circuit of a type in common use in residences for connection to duplex wall outlets.
Figu~e 2 is a plan view, partly in schematic, of a plug ass~m~ly in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a side view of the plug assembly of Figure
Commonly found in residential kitchens/ the split circuit duplex outlet provides power for up to two separate appliances WhiCh consume relatively large amounts of power, such as deep fryers, electric kettles, griddles, broilers and ovens, each having power requirements of up to 1500 watts.
Conventionally, kitchen appliances are designed for use with single circuit 115 volt alternating current outlets, and utilize a single 2 or 3 pronged male plug and a 2 or 3 wire power cord. Certain appliances, such as those mentioned above, can underperform at wattages limited, conventionally, to 1500 watts and may benefit substantially in their operation by an increase in power to ~etween 1500 and 3000 watts. Current building codes require all kitchen counter outlets to be split circuit duplex wall receptacles providing two 1500 watt circuits operating at the same frequency but 180 degrees out-of-phase, WhiCh can accommodate plugs having 6 male prongs comprising 2 sets of 3 prongs, namely a "hot" or power lead (normally red or black), a neutral (white)/ and a ground (green), and thereby supply up to two 1500 watt 115 volt circuits (3000 watts) or one 3000 watt 230 volt circuit to a single specifically designed appliance.
Need has existed arising from the requirement for flexi~ility in outlet voltages for either 115 or 230 volts, without altering the household wiring connected to the split circuit duplex wall outlet, and to accommodate this need, prior art teachings, such as United States patent to Praml, 4,019,797 dated April 16, 1977, have described plugs comprising two halves in a duplex wall plug which may operate to provide either standard 115 volt or 230 volt power, by substituting plugs having appropriate electrical connections.
One of the improvements comprised in the present invention involves the incorporation of a split circuit indicator light, which visually distinguishes between single and split circuit household duplex receptacles which are unidentifiable otherwise.
Another improvement involves the incorporation of switch means in the plug operat:ing to selectively utilize either both or one side only o~ a split circuit power supplyt thereby allowing the user the flexibility of access to 3000 watts or 1500 watts of power from a split circuit outlet. Further to this, the switch can also limit power to 1500 watts from a single circuit outlet found in ~itchens wired prior to the current building codes.
Accordingly, it is the principle objective of this invention to provide a plug assembly including visual indication means, such as an indicator light, to distinguish between split circuit and single circuit kitchen duplex outlets.
~2~
It is another objective oE this in~ention to provide a plug assembly for use in combination with (1) an identiEied split circuit duplex outlet having switch means to selectively conEigure the plug for low power single circuit operation or high power plug configurations and (2) an identified single circuit duplex outlet having switch means to selectively configure the plug to limit it to single circuit operation.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an apparatus of the type described, which is characterized by a simplicity of design and possesses the necessary ruggedness for practical and reliable use.
Additional objects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and appended claims in whicho Figure 1 is a schematic oE a split wire circuit of a type in common use in residences for connection to duplex wall outlets.
Figu~e 2 is a plan view, partly in schematic, of a plug ass~m~ly in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a side view of the plug assembly of Figure
2.
Figure 4 is a plan view depicting the housing of the plug assembly of Figure 2.
Similar numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in the drawings.
Referring to the drawings and with particular reference to Figure 1, a schematic showing of a split wire circuit o~ a type conventionally available in modern residential construction is depicted, in which a grounded duplex electrical outlet 10, comprising a pair of outlets 11 and 11', to which are connected, respectively, hot leads 12 and 13 designated respectively as "red" and "black", and connected to the power supply panel through a single throw 230 volt ~reaker 14. Female connectors 15 and 16 are positioned in the insulated housing 17 at opposite ends, as depicted in Fig. 1 to which the hot leads 12 and 13 are connected. Neutral connectors 18 and 19 are spacially aligned conventionally with hot wire connectors 15 and 16 and are connected in parallel to a neutral lead 1~, designated "white" in Fig~ 1. Grounding COnneGtOrS 20 and 21 centered on the housing 17/ are electrically connected to ground 22, Fig. 1.
Referring to Fig. 2, a preferred embodiment of the plug assembly of the invention is depicted, adapted to terminate the electrical cords from electrical appliances or other load-bearing devices. The plug assembly generally designed 23 comprises an insulated housing 2~ of non-conductive plastic, preferably of a phenolic resin conforming to Underwriters' Laboratories Inc.
specifications for 230 volts. The molded housing 24 is of generally rectanqular box-like hollow configuration, constituted to hold the electrically operative elements in rigid configuration, and can be either two-part construction or unitary. Prongs or blades generally indicated at 25 project from the face oE the housing 24, as indicated in Fig. 3, to register with the connectors of the outlet 10, Fig. 1, as will now be described.
Referring again to Fig. 2, the prong 25 includes power prongs 26 and 27 are aligned on the face of the housing 24 with the hot connectors 15 and 16 respecti~ely of Fig. 1, and hOt leads 28 and 29, designated "red" and "black", Fig.
2, connect electrically with the power prongs 26 and 27.
Neutral prongs 30 and 31 are similarly aligned on the housing 24 to register with neutral connectors 18 and 19, FigO 1, and are electrically connected to a common neutral lead 32, designated "white", Fig. 2. Ground prongs 33, 34, normally of u-ground type, are positioned centrally of the housing 24, and aligned with gr.ound connectors 20 and 21, Fig. 1, and are electrically connected to the common ground wire 35, designated "green", Fig. 2.
The prongs or blades 25 are normally formed of ~rass or other conducting metal, and extend through the face o-f the housing 24, into the housing interior and employ conventional electrical connecting means such as screw terminals ~not illustrated) for connection of the . ~! ,., ~ ~ . ;
'' , 2, ~
electrical leads 28, 29, 32S and 35 passing outwardly of the housing 24 at the insulating nipple 36 projecting Erom the rear surface of the housing 24, Fig. 3, and are normally enclosed within a common conduit or ca~le 37, leading to the load-~earing appliance.
Referring Eurther to Figs. 2 and 3, a switch 38 is included on one of the power leads 28, 29, selectively to open one of the circuits, the second circuit eemaining closed, as depicted in Fig. 2. Switch 38 desirably of the slide or throw type, is depicted mounted rigidly on the back surface 39 of the housing 24.
Further reference to Figs. 2 and 3 discloses an indicator light 40, electrically connected across the hot connectors 25 and 26, Fig. 2, and will ~e similarly mounted rigidly on the back surface 39 of the housing 24, Fig. 3.
The indicator light will accommodate 250 volts, as the maximum voltage potential between two halves of the split voltage supplied to the plug asse~bly.
In operation:
(1) with the plug inserted into a split circuit outlet the indicator light 40 will respond to visually indicate that a split circuit outlet has been utilized and two 15 amp circuits are available for useO With the switch 38 closed ~oth 15 amp circuits are availa~le for use as a high power setting and with the switch 38 open only one 15 amp circuit is available for use as a low power setting.
(2) with the plug inserted into a single circuit outlet the indicator light ~0 will not respond and indicate that a single circuit outlet has been utilized and only one 15 amp circuit is available ~or use. This limits the switch 38 to the open position only, providing Eor use in the low power setting exclusively.
The foregoing system offers the following advantages.
(1) a plug assembly for use in combination with a duplex outlet with an indicator light that visually identifies whether a split circuit or single circuit outlet has been utilized and whether both high and low power settings are available, and (2) a switch to allow both high and low power settings when used in combination with a split circuit outlet and to allow usage in the low power setting only, when used in combination with a single circuit outlet.
The present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment disclosed by way of example. It will be appreciated that a plug of the disclosed embodiment can be used with split wire direct current circuits, as well as the alternating current circuit shown herein. It will be understood that the scope o~ the invention is only limited as defined in the appended claims.
Figure 4 is a plan view depicting the housing of the plug assembly of Figure 2.
Similar numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in the drawings.
Referring to the drawings and with particular reference to Figure 1, a schematic showing of a split wire circuit o~ a type conventionally available in modern residential construction is depicted, in which a grounded duplex electrical outlet 10, comprising a pair of outlets 11 and 11', to which are connected, respectively, hot leads 12 and 13 designated respectively as "red" and "black", and connected to the power supply panel through a single throw 230 volt ~reaker 14. Female connectors 15 and 16 are positioned in the insulated housing 17 at opposite ends, as depicted in Fig. 1 to which the hot leads 12 and 13 are connected. Neutral connectors 18 and 19 are spacially aligned conventionally with hot wire connectors 15 and 16 and are connected in parallel to a neutral lead 1~, designated "white" in Fig~ 1. Grounding COnneGtOrS 20 and 21 centered on the housing 17/ are electrically connected to ground 22, Fig. 1.
Referring to Fig. 2, a preferred embodiment of the plug assembly of the invention is depicted, adapted to terminate the electrical cords from electrical appliances or other load-bearing devices. The plug assembly generally designed 23 comprises an insulated housing 2~ of non-conductive plastic, preferably of a phenolic resin conforming to Underwriters' Laboratories Inc.
specifications for 230 volts. The molded housing 24 is of generally rectanqular box-like hollow configuration, constituted to hold the electrically operative elements in rigid configuration, and can be either two-part construction or unitary. Prongs or blades generally indicated at 25 project from the face oE the housing 24, as indicated in Fig. 3, to register with the connectors of the outlet 10, Fig. 1, as will now be described.
Referring again to Fig. 2, the prong 25 includes power prongs 26 and 27 are aligned on the face of the housing 24 with the hot connectors 15 and 16 respecti~ely of Fig. 1, and hOt leads 28 and 29, designated "red" and "black", Fig.
2, connect electrically with the power prongs 26 and 27.
Neutral prongs 30 and 31 are similarly aligned on the housing 24 to register with neutral connectors 18 and 19, FigO 1, and are electrically connected to a common neutral lead 32, designated "white", Fig. 2. Ground prongs 33, 34, normally of u-ground type, are positioned centrally of the housing 24, and aligned with gr.ound connectors 20 and 21, Fig. 1, and are electrically connected to the common ground wire 35, designated "green", Fig. 2.
The prongs or blades 25 are normally formed of ~rass or other conducting metal, and extend through the face o-f the housing 24, into the housing interior and employ conventional electrical connecting means such as screw terminals ~not illustrated) for connection of the . ~! ,., ~ ~ . ;
'' , 2, ~
electrical leads 28, 29, 32S and 35 passing outwardly of the housing 24 at the insulating nipple 36 projecting Erom the rear surface of the housing 24, Fig. 3, and are normally enclosed within a common conduit or ca~le 37, leading to the load-~earing appliance.
Referring Eurther to Figs. 2 and 3, a switch 38 is included on one of the power leads 28, 29, selectively to open one of the circuits, the second circuit eemaining closed, as depicted in Fig. 2. Switch 38 desirably of the slide or throw type, is depicted mounted rigidly on the back surface 39 of the housing 24.
Further reference to Figs. 2 and 3 discloses an indicator light 40, electrically connected across the hot connectors 25 and 26, Fig. 2, and will ~e similarly mounted rigidly on the back surface 39 of the housing 24, Fig. 3.
The indicator light will accommodate 250 volts, as the maximum voltage potential between two halves of the split voltage supplied to the plug asse~bly.
In operation:
(1) with the plug inserted into a split circuit outlet the indicator light 40 will respond to visually indicate that a split circuit outlet has been utilized and two 15 amp circuits are available for useO With the switch 38 closed ~oth 15 amp circuits are availa~le for use as a high power setting and with the switch 38 open only one 15 amp circuit is available for use as a low power setting.
(2) with the plug inserted into a single circuit outlet the indicator light ~0 will not respond and indicate that a single circuit outlet has been utilized and only one 15 amp circuit is available ~or use. This limits the switch 38 to the open position only, providing Eor use in the low power setting exclusively.
The foregoing system offers the following advantages.
(1) a plug assembly for use in combination with a duplex outlet with an indicator light that visually identifies whether a split circuit or single circuit outlet has been utilized and whether both high and low power settings are available, and (2) a switch to allow both high and low power settings when used in combination with a split circuit outlet and to allow usage in the low power setting only, when used in combination with a single circuit outlet.
The present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment disclosed by way of example. It will be appreciated that a plug of the disclosed embodiment can be used with split wire direct current circuits, as well as the alternating current circuit shown herein. It will be understood that the scope o~ the invention is only limited as defined in the appended claims.
Claims (3)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A plug assembly for use in combination with a split circuit duplex outlet having a first pair of connectors one of which is connected to a hot wire lead and is at a voltage potential, and one of which is connected to a neutral lead, and a second pair of connectors at potentials equal to said first pair of connectors 180 degrees out-of-phase therewith, each of said pair of connectors having a ground connector in conjunction therewith, said plug comprising in combination:
. an electrically insulated plug housing having a generally planar face;
. a first pair of prong connectors extending outwardly from said face of said housing to register with said first pair of connectors on said duplex outlet;
. a second pair of prong connectors extending outwardly from said face of said housing to register with said second pair of connectors of said duplex outlet;
. hot electrical connecting means connecting that one of each of said pair of prong connectors registering with one of said hot wire duplex connectors to an external conductor;
. electrical connecting means connecting the other of each of said pair of prong connectors to a common external conductor;
. at least one prong connector extending outwardly from said face portion of said housing to register with a ground connector on said duplex outlet;
. an electrically insulated plug housing having a generally planar face;
. a first pair of prong connectors extending outwardly from said face of said housing to register with said first pair of connectors on said duplex outlet;
. a second pair of prong connectors extending outwardly from said face of said housing to register with said second pair of connectors of said duplex outlet;
. hot electrical connecting means connecting that one of each of said pair of prong connectors registering with one of said hot wire duplex connectors to an external conductor;
. electrical connecting means connecting the other of each of said pair of prong connectors to a common external conductor;
. at least one prong connector extending outwardly from said face portion of said housing to register with a ground connector on said duplex outlet;
2. A plug assembly in accordance with Claim 1, additionally comprising indicator means adapted to indicate the occurrence of a split circuit outlet versus a single circuit outlet.
3. The plug assembly in accordance with Claim 2 in which said indicator means comprises an indicator light mounted on said plug housing electrically connected between said two prong members registering with said hot wires of said duplex outlet.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2042504 CA2042504A1 (en) | 1991-05-14 | 1991-05-14 | Double plug assembly |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2042504 CA2042504A1 (en) | 1991-05-14 | 1991-05-14 | Double plug assembly |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2042504A1 true CA2042504A1 (en) | 1992-11-15 |
Family
ID=4147591
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2042504 Abandoned CA2042504A1 (en) | 1991-05-14 | 1991-05-14 | Double plug assembly |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2042504A1 (en) |
-
1991
- 1991-05-14 CA CA 2042504 patent/CA2042504A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |