Battery plug and receptacle for use in mines

Abstract

A battery plug and receptacle each of which is formed from individual cartridges for each member. The cartridges are molded in a section of a circle. When installed enough cartridges are utilized to form a full circle. A keeper is provided for containing the cartridges within the housing. Lead screws which hold the line conductors in place are put in the side of the cartridges so that when the plugs are assembled the retainers cannot back out. A polarity adapter is provided on the male plug section which also acts as the keeper for the various cartridges. Three relatively large connectors are provided for positive battery terminal, negative battery terminal and ground. Two smaller connectors are provided for fault detection and control. The male plug control prong can be made slightly smaller than the other male prongs so that the control circuit is broken first when the plug is disconnected. This construction can be used to drop out relays and prevent the power circuit from being broken at the plug. The assembled male and female plugs are retained within metal housing sections. The female portion of the plugs are constructed for attachment to a battery operated electric vehicle. A screw on cap is provided for sealing the female receptacle when it is not connected to the male plug. The male plug is connected to the female receptacle for charging the batteries or for providing power to operate the electric vehicle. By forming each connector from individual cartridges if one is damaged it can be replaced without discarding the entire male plug or female receptacle.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.