Battery recharge interconnection system with safety cut-out

A battery recharge interconnection system for an electric vehicle powered by a rechargeable battery, comprising:

• a cut-out switch operatively connected to the vehicle wiring for rendering the vehicle inoperable when the cut-out switch is engaged and for permitting operation of the vehicle when the cut-out switch is disengaged,
• a female charger receptacle operatively connected to the rechargeable battery of the vehicle for mating with a charger plug from an external charger which is insertable into the charger receptacle along an insertion axis to recharge the battery, and
• a cover for the charger receptacle operatively connected to the cut-out switch, the cover being mounted for movement between first and second positions in a direction transverse to the insertion axis of the charger receptacle, wherein when the cover is in the first position the cut-out switch is disengaged and the cover prevents an external charger from mating with the charger receptacle, and when the cover is in the second position the cut-out switch is engaged and the cover is moved to a nonblocking position relative to the charger receptacle permitting an external charger to be mated with the charger receptacle, whereby the vehicle is inoperable during recharging of the battery.

A battery recharge interconnection system for use in the electrical circuitry of a load device powered by a rechargeable battery, the interconnection system comprising:

• a cut-out switch operatively connected to the electrical circuitry for interrupting the power to the load device from the rechargeable battery when the cut-out switch is engaged and for permitting power from the battery to energize the load device when the cut-out switch is disengaged,
• a charger receptacle for mating with an external recharger, the charger receptacle being operatively connected to the electrical circuitry to supply recharging current to the battery, and
• a movable receptacle cover adjacent the charger receptacle for selectively blocking the charger receptacle, the cover being operatively connected to the cut-out switch and mounted for movement relative to the charger receptacle between a first position, in which the cover blocks the charger receptacle and prevents an external charger from mating with the charger receptacle to recharge the battery and also disengages the cut-out switch, and a second position in which the cover unblocks the charger receptacle permitting an external charger to be mated with the charger receptacle and the cut-out switch is engaged, whereby the load device is inoperable during recharging of the battery.

A receptacle and actuator assembly for permitting electrical interconnections to be selectively made when the actuator portion of the assembly is moved to a predetermined position, comprising:

• an electrical receptacle having an opening into which a plug is insertable to complete one or more electrical interconnections,
• a cover for the receptacle rotatably mounted adjacent the receptacle, the cover being rotatable between a first position in which the cover blocks the opening of the receptacle to prevent insertion a plug into the receptacle and a second position in which the cover is rotated out of its blocking position, thereby permitting insertion of a plug into the receptacle, and
• an actuator operatively coupled to the cover for operating a device separate from the electrical receptacle, the actuator being movable between first and second states in response to rotational movement of the cover between its respective first and second positions, whereby a plug is insertable in the receptacle only when the actuator is moved to its second state.