# US 9,437,966 B2 · Electrical cord plug eject mechanism

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- Number: US 9,437,966 B2
- Document ID: US9437966B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/587,881
- Filed: 2014-12-31
- Published: 2015-07-09
- Granted: 2016-09-06
- Earliest claimed: 2014-01-03
- Assignees: Brainwave Research Corporation
- Applicants: Brainwave Research Corporation
- Inventors: Jean-Guy Gagne; James W. Rogers; Patrick Belanger
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9437966B2

## CPC

- H01R 13/62: Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
- H01R 13/635: by mechanical pressure, e.g. spring force
- H01R 13/6691: {with built-in signalling means (H01R13/717 takes precedence)}
- H01R 13/70: with built-in switch
- H01R 13/7132: {having ejecting mechanisms}
- H01R 24/30: with additional earth or shield contacts
- H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS

## Abstract

A plug housing includes an ejector mechanism and a controller electrically coupled to the ejector mechanism for detaching electrical conductive blades of the plug from a mated connection with a female connector. In response to a switch signal from the controller, a solenoid is activated to release a latch in the mechanism, thereby permitting the force of a compressed spring to impel a structure outwardly from the plug. The controller may be located remotely from the plug and superimpose control signals to the plug over the power lines within the cord.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An electrical device comprising:
a plug housing comprising a plurality of conductive blades connected to respective wires of an electrical cord, and an ejector mechanism; and
a controller connected to the cord, the controller electrically coupled to the ejector mechanism; wherein;
the controller is located at a remote distance from the plug housing; and
the ejector mechanism comprises:
a shell circumferentially surrounding the conductive blades;
a spring coaxial with the plug housing; and
a latch, an end portion of the shell is positioned between the latch and the spring to maintain the shell within the plug housing, and
wherein the shell comprises a plurality of individually spaced sections along the shell circumference, spaces between the sections exposing the conductive blades.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

An electrical device as recited in claim 1, wherein the ejector mechanism further comprises:
a solenoid having an axis traverse to the axial direction of the plug housing and a plunger pivotally attached to the latch;
wherein energization of the solenoid forces release of the latch from the shell to apply an ejection force of the spring to the shell.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

An electrical device as recited in claim 2, wherein the ejector mechanism further comprises a second spring oriented in the transverse direction, the second spring biasing the latch to a position between the cylindrical spring and the shell.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

An electrical device as recited in claim 3, wherein the latch comprises a plurality of latch elements, biased away from each other by the second spring.

### Claim 5

An electrical device as recited in 2, wherein the plug housing further includes a circuit board to which the blades are connected.