Light control dead front connector

Claim 2

In an electrical connector apparatus comprising a plug member and a mating socket member which are movable along an axis with respect to each other to connect or disconnect an electrical circuit from a source to which one of the members is connected through a switching device having contacts, the improvement comprising: light-transmitting means on a first of said members for producing a beam of light and directing it along a path which, at least in part, extends at an angle to said axis; light reception means, including a detector, on a second of said members and aligned with said part of said path when said members are sufficiently mated to provide a primary electrical circuit between the members, for directing said beam to said detector for producing an electrical signal, said detector being connected to said switching device to close the contacts thereof when said electrical signal is produced, said light reception means failing to direct said beam to said detector when said members aRe not sufficiently mated to provide an electrical circuit between the members.

Claim 3

In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second member has a recess parallel to said axis and an opening extending off at an angle from an interior point of said recess, said opening forming a part of the light path to said detector; said first member including a probe which is received in said recess when said members are mated, said probe having an aperture aligned with said opening when said members are mated, said aperture being said part of said path.

Claim 4

In an apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said light transmitting means includes a battery-operated light for producing said beam.

Claim 5

In an apparatus as set forth in claim 3, including a rechargeable battery for said light and battery-recharging means for said battery.

Claim 6

In an apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said members have a plurality of mating prongs and sockets parallel to said axis for providing said primary circuit, one of said prongs being said probe and also being the ground prong.

Claim 7

In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second member is said one member.

Claim 8

In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first member is said one member, and including interconnecting means on the member for providing a second electrical circuit therebetween when said members are between the condition of being fully mated and the condition of being mated to an extent insufficient to provide said primary electrical circuit, said detector and said switching device being connected to said second electrical circuit.

Claim 9

In an electrical connector apparatus comprising two members having a mated condition and an unmated condition, said members having electrical contacts which provide a primary electrical circuit when the members are mated, one of said members having a recess and the other of said members having a prong which fits into said recess when the members are mated, said members moving along an axis with respect to each other as they are being mated, and electrical switch means connected to one of the members, the improvement comprising: a source of light; a light detector having a first condition when light is received and a second condition when no light is received; means defining a light path between said source and said detector when said members are in one of said conditions thereof, with said light not being received by said detector at the other condition of the members, at least a portion of said path being angularly disposed to said axis at a location of a portion of said prong when said members are mated; and actuating means connecting said detector and said switch means to close said switch means in one of said light conditions and to open said switch means in the other of the light conditions.

Claim 10

In an electrical connector apparatus comprising two members having a mated condition and an unmated condition, said members having electrical contacts which provide a primary electrical circuit when the members are mated, one of said members having a recess and the other of said members having a prong which fits into said recess when the members are mated, said members moving along an axis with respect to each other as they are being mated, and electrical switch means connected to one of the members, the improvement comprising: a source of light; a light detector having a first condition when light is received and a second condition when no light is received; means defining a light path between said source and said detector when said members are in one of said conditions thereof, with said light not being received by said detector at the other condition of the members, at least a portion of said path being angularly disposed to said axis at a location of a portion of said prong when said members are mated; and actuating means connecting said detector and said switch means to close said switch means in one of said light conditions and to open said switch means in the other of the light conditions.