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US 2020/0273640 A1Published application
Switch blocking device
OwnerZachary Atherton, Brendan Paradisinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A switch blocking device that is insertable into an open switch that prevents the switch from being closed, the device being sized and shaped to fit securely in a space between an open blade of the switch and fixed electrical contacts of the switch, the device having a handle that enables easy insertion and removal while also covering the live electrical blade.
Claims14
1:
- A switch blocking device adapted to keep an electrical switch open, the switch blocking device comprising:
- a blocking wedge and blocking arms, the blocking wedge fitting into a space in the electrical switch that is made accessible by opening the electrical switch, the blocking arms fitting around and covering an electrically conductive open arm of the electrical switch when the blocking wedge is inserted into the space in the electrical switch;
- wherein the electrical switch is not closable when the switch blocking device is inserted into the open electrical switch.
2:
- The switch blocking device of claim 1, further comprising a handle that allows a user to insert and remove the blocking device and that extends over the open arm of the electrical switch.
3:
- The switch blocking device of claim 1, wherein the switch blocking device is made of an electrically insulating material.
4:
- The switch blocking device of claim 1, further comprising openings in the blocking arms that are sized to accept a fastener.
5:
- The switch blocking device of claim 1, wherein the blocking wedge has an outer edge and an inner portion that is narrower than the outer edge.
6:
- The switch blocking device of claim 5, wherein the blocking arms have outer edges and inner portions, the inner portions being narrower in width than the outer edges.
7:
- The switch blocking device of claim 2, further including a tapered gap between the handle and the blocking wedge that enables a cover to be placed over the electrical switch.
8:
- A switch blocking device adapted to keep an electrical switch open, the electrical switch including an electrically conductive blade that is moveably connected to an electrical hinge assembly and electrically conductive contacts, the switch blocking device comprising:
- a blocking wedge and blocking arms, the blocking wedge fitting into a space in the electrical switch that is made accessible by opening the electrical switch, the blocking arms fitting around and covering the blade and hinge assembly when the blocking wedge is inserted into the space in the electrical switch;
- wherein the electrical switch is not closable when the switch blocking device is inserted into the open electrical switch.
9:
- The switch blocking device of claim 8, further comprising a handle that allows a user to insert and remove the blocking device and that extends over the open arm of the electrical switch.
10:
- The switch blocking device of claim 8, wherein the switch blocking device is made of an electrically insulating material.
11:
- The switch blocking device of claim 8, further comprising openings in the blocking arms that are sized to accept a fastener.
12:
- The switch blocking device of claim 8, wherein the blocking wedge has an outer edge and an inner portion that is narrower than the outer edge.
13:
- The switch blocking device of claim 12, wherein the blocking arms have outer edges and inner portions, the inner portions being narrower in width than the outer edges.
14:
- The switch blocking device of claim 13, further including a tapered gap between the handle and the blocking wedge that enables a cover to be placed over the electrical switch.