Patent ID: 6051801
Filing Date: 2000-04-18
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A switch for a power cable having at least two power cords, comprising:an upper housing;a lower housing connectable to said upper housing to define an interior space, said lower housing having opposing internal sides each for accommodating therein a respective power cord of a power cable, said lower housing further having a receptacle at one of the internal sides for receiving one of the power cords of the power cable, and having two opposing deflectors at the other internal side, said deflectors being spaced apart from each other to define a passage therebetween and each deflector being so disposed in said lower housing as to provide a space on each side of the respective deflector for accommodating the other one of the power cords, each of the spaces being in communication with the passage, wherein when the other one of the power cords is severed into two portions, each portion of the severed power cord is positioned to extend in the respective space on one side of the respective deflector and toward the passage, to bend back around the deflector, and to extend in the respective space on the other side of the deflector and away from the passage, so as to hold the respective severed portions of the power cord within the interior space;a switching wheel rotatable about a central axis thereof, and disposed within the interior space;a conductive switch conductor concentrically disposed on the switching wheel and rotatable therewith; andfirst and second blade/leaf conductors disposed within the interior space and adjacent to the conductive switch conductor, wherein when said conductive switch conductor is rotated, said conductive switch conductor electrically communicates said first and second blade/leaf conductors with each other, and wherein, as said conductive switch conductor is further rotated, said first and second blade/leaf conductors cease to be in electrical communication with each other, said first and second blade/leaf conductors each further having piercing points that extend toward the other internal side of said lower housing, said piercing points piercing the respective potions of the severed power cord when said lower housing is connected to said upper housing so as to be in electrical communication with the respective severed portions.