POWER INDICATING PLUG, CORD, SWITCH OR RECEPTACLE

CORDON, FICHE, INTERRUPTEUR OU PRISE AVEC INDICATION DE PASSAGE DE COURANT

English Abstract

By using fundamental principals of electricity "The Power
Indicating Plug, Cord, Switch or Receptacle" provides an indication
to the user that current is flowing to the device plugged in or
switched on. This invention can be used with any number of
voltages and current loads. One example of an immediate use is to
insert the new device between the source of 115Vac power and the
block heater of a vehicle, thus giving clear indication on a cold
winter day that the block heater is in fact operating.

French Abstract

En utilisant les principes fondamentaux de l'électricité, "L'indicateur de courant pour fiche, cordon, interrupteur ou prise de courant" indique à l'utilisateur si le courant circule dans le dispositif qui est branché ou sur lequel on est branché. Cette invention peut servir avec toute variété de tensions et de charges de courant. On peut par exemple insérer le nouveau dispositif entre la source de courant alternatif 115 V et le chauffe-bloc d'un véhicule pour obtenir une indication claire, lors des jours froids d'hiver, que le chauffe-bloc fonctionne bel et bien.

Claims

Claims For Which Protection Is Sought
Claim 1
The design of Indicating Electrical Current Flow to an electrical
load or device by passing the hot electrical wire which supplies
power to the electrical load or device through a core or winding
the wire on the core, with a second small diameter wire (example
AWG 30) wound on the same core, and the ends of the small diameter
wire connected to a Light Emitting Diode (LED).
Claim 2
The design of Claim 1 with the added electronic circuitry connected
in parallel with the LED in Claim 1 to keep the voltage accross the
LED below the Maximum Voltage Rating of the LED.
Claim 3
Power Indicating Insertion Receptacle using the design in Claim 1
and if desired also using the design in Claim 2 which plugs into a
cord or receptacle, and into which an electrical load or device may
be plugged, and when current flows to the electrical load or device
the LED on the Power Indicating Insertion Receptacle emits light.
Claim 4
Power Indicating Receptacle using the design in Claim 1 and if
desired also using the design in Claim 2 into which an electrical
load or device may be plugged, and when current flows to the
electrical load or device the LED on the Power Indicating
Receptacle emits light.
Claim 5
Power Indicating Switch using the design in Claim 1 and if desired
also using the design in Claim 2 into which an electrical load or
device may be wired and when the switch is turned on and when
current flows to the electrical load or device the LED on the Power
Indicating Switch emits light.

Claims 2
Claim 6
Power Indicating Extension Cord using the design in Claim 1 and if
desired also using the design in Claim 2 which plugs into a cord or
receptacle, and into which an electrical load or device may be
plugged, and when current flows to the electrical load or device
the LED on the Power Indicating Extension Cord emits light.
Claim 7
Power Indicating Block Heater Cord using the design in Claim 1 and
if desired also using the design in Claim 2 which plugs into a cord
or receptacle, into which a vehicle block heater would be plugged
into directly and when current flows to the block heater the LED on
the Power Indicating Insertion Receptacle emits light.

Description

2 ~ 82~2~
Spec;fic~tion
When an electrical device is re~uired to be operating and fails it
is often not discovered until after the fact and many times with
costly conse~uences or with much discomfort or inconvenience. A
broken wire, Open circuit (Open Fuse or Breaker), or defective
electrical device can all be detected immediately when using the
"Power Indicating Plug or Receptacle."
This device for which the Patent Application has been submitted is
to be manufactured in several different ways; this depends on use,
voltages used, and current re~uired. The principal electrical
design will remain the same but the end products will vary.
The main principal by which the Power Indicator (Stated in Claims
1 and 2, and shown on Drawing Sht. 1) Works is as follows:
- The Hot Wire or Wires supplying power to an electrlcal load or
device is be passed through or wound onto a core.
- A small diameter wire (ex. AWG 30)will be wound on the same core.
- A Light Emitting Diode will be connected to each end of the small
diameter wire.
- Zener Diodes or other components may or may not be used depending
on whether voltage clamping is required as per application of t~e
device.
By induction, when current passes through the hot wire to the
electrical device which a person desires to use, a low voltage is
produced on the small diameter wire which causes the LED to emit
light. Since the indication parts of this product are electrically
isolated from any line power sources this device is safe and
extremely useful.

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The following descriptions show the "power indicator~' as an
insertion unit, a switched unit, a receptacle, and an extension
cord.
a. Power Indicating Insertion Receptacle.
(Stated in Claim 3 and shown on Drawing Sht. 5)
- This Power Indicating Insertion Receptacle would plug into an
extension cord or or standard Outlet (Voltage could vary ex.
European or North American). An electrical device or an extension
cord would then plug into the Power Indicating Receptical. When
sufficient current flows through the hot wire(s) of the receptacle
the LED would emit light. The number of outlets available on the
Power Indicating Receptacle would be one or more, depending on the
users application. The Power Indicating Receptacle may or may not
have a seperate indicator for each outlet, depending on the users
application.
b. Power Indicating Receptacle.
(Stated in Claim 4 and shown on Drawing Sht. 2)
- The Power Indicating Receptacle would be similar to any
standard outlet with the addition of the low voltage indicating
components. The Receptacle would be able to be panel mounted or
placed in a standard electrical box. When an electrical device is
plugged into the Receptacle and there is sufficient current flow
the LED would emit light.
c. Power indicating Switch
(Stated in Claim 5 and shown on 3rawing Sht. 3)
- The Power Indicating Switch would be similar to any standard
electrical switch with the addition of the low voltage indicating
components. The Switch would be able to be panel mounted or placed
in a standard electrical box. When an electrical device is wired
to the switch and the switch is turned on and there is sufficient
current flow the LED would emit light.
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' ' 2~82420
.
d. Power Indicating Extension Cord
(Stated in Claim 6 and shown on Drawing Sht. 4)
- This Power Indicating Extension Cord would be similar to
standard extension cords being produced with the addition of the
low voltage indicating components. The Power Indicating Extension
cord would plug into a standard Outlet (Voltage could vary ex.
European or North American). An electrical device would then plug
into the Power Indicating Extension Cord. When sufficient current
flows through the hot wire(s) of the receptacle the LED would emit
light. The number of outlets available on the Power Indicating
Extension Cord would be one or more, depending on the users
application. The Power Indicating Receptacle may or may not have
a seperate indicator for each outlet, depending on the users
application. Please be aware that the indicating portion of the
circuit could be on the male end the cable, (ie. the plug) if that
option were ordered.
e. Power Indicating Block Heater Cord
(Stated in Claim 7 and shown on Drawing Sht. 6)
- A power indicating block heater cord is also to be produced
with the Power Indication circuit being on the male end of the cord
and the female end plugging into the block heater.
REEYE ..
jf 9

Representative Drawing