Abstract:
An electrical adapter for temporarily tapping into an electrical circuit external to the adapter having a first fuse holder member capable of receiving a first fuse holder member of the electrical circuit external to the adapter and a second fuse holder member capable of receiving a second fuse holder member of the electrical circuit external to the adapter. The fuse holder members or other temporary electrical quick disconnect connectors may be connected by cables to a power outlet or may be connected by cables to bare wires that may provide power to another circuit when clamped to the bare wires. When connected to an electrical circuit external to the adapter, the electrical adapter provides a source of electrical power while the electrical circuit external to the adapter is maintained and independently operated.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to an electrical adapter. More particularly, the invention relates to a modular electrical adapter that has fuse holder members for tapping into an electrical circuit.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Devices and techniques for temporarily tapping into an electrical circuit have been commonly used to obtain a source of power from an external electrical circuit at a given location. Typically, these devices and techniques involved cutting into phase conductors and cables, attaching clamps to exposed conductors and taping over or otherwise securing the connections. After tapping into an electrical circuit, removing these temporary devices typically involved further taping and cementing the bare conductors in restoring the circuit to avoid a risk of shock from possible stray voltage of the electrical circuit. This procedure was time-consuming and often performed by users not accustomed to working with electrical circuitry. Accordingly, when this procedure was not performed successfully, it resulted in possible stray voltage, often in public locations.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The above-identified problems are resolved and a technical advance is achieved in the art by a device and method for enabling users to obtain a temporary source of power from an external electrical circuit using existing or easily installed fuse holders.  
         [0004]     An exemplary electrical adapter of the present invention comprises a first electrical disconnect capable of receiving a fuse holder member from an electrical circuit external to the adapter and a second electrical disconnect electrically connected to the first electrical disconnect and capable of receiving a fuse holder member from the electrical circuit external to the adapter.  
         [0005]     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an electrical adapter for tapping into an electrical circuit external to the adapter comprises a first fuse holder member; a second fuse holder member electrically connected to the first fuse holder member; and a power outlet electrically connected to said first fuse holder member and said second fuse holder member.  
         [0006]     In this embodiment, the power outlet may be electrically connected to a pair of connectors for connecting the power outlet to neutral and ground connections, respectively. The first fuse holder member is capable of receiving a fuse holder member from an electrical circuit external to the adapter and the second fuse holder member is capable of receiving a fuse holder member from the electrical circuit external to the adapter. The connectors may be any type known in the art, for example, alligator clamps. The fuse holder members also may be any type known in the art. For example, the fuse holder members may be threaded and upon engaging each other may create a water resistant or waterproof seal around a fuse. The first fuse holder member and second fuse holder member may be electrically connected to a three-way connector such that a single cable connects to the power outlet. The power outlet may be any type known in the art. For example, the power outlet may be suitable for outdoor use, and may include any type of protective covering to create a water resistant or waterproof seal around the power outlet. External electrical circuits having fuse holder members that can be tapped into using the adapter of the present invention include, but are not limited to, circuits found in the base of street lamps.  
         [0007]     In an alternate embodiment, an electrical adapter for tapping into an electrical circuit external to the adapter comprises a first fuse holder member; a second fuse holder member electrically connected to the first fuse holder member; and bare wires electrically connected to said first fuse holder member and said second fuse holder member. The first fuse holder member and second fuse holder member may be electrically connected to a three-way connector such that a single cable connects to the second fuse holder. The cable leading from the second fuse holder may terminate in bare wires covered by a shrink cap. Upon removing the shrink cap, the bare wires may be clamped to a cable of another electrical circuit to provide electrical power to that other circuit.  
         [0008]     In accordance with the present invention, a method of tapping into an electrical circuit external to an electrical adapter is also provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises disconnecting a fuse holder in the external electrical circuit, the fuse holder having a first fuse holder member and a second fuse holder member, connecting a first clamp of the electrical adapter to a neutral connection in the circuit, connecting a second clamp of the electrical adapter to a ground connection, connecting a first fuse holder member of the electrical adapter to the first fuse holder member of the external electrical circuit, and connecting a second fuse holder member of the electrical adapter to the second fuse holder connection of the external electrical circuit such that electrical power is provided to a power outlet connected to said first and second fuse holder members of the electrical adapter.  
         [0009]     In yet another embodiment, the method of tapping into an electrical circuit external to an electrical adapter comprises disconnecting a fuse holder in the external electrical circuit, the fuse holder having a first fuse holder member and a second fuse holder member, connecting a first fuse holder member of the electrical adapter to the first fuse holder member of the external electrical circuit, and connecting a second fuse holder member of the electrical adapter to the second fuse holder member of the external electrical circuit such that electrical power is provided to bare wires connected to said first and second fuse holder members of the electrical adapter.  
         [0010]     The present invention advantageously eliminates the need to cut into an electrical circuit and compromise its insulation. Furthermore, the present invention allows authorized users to quickly and easily obtain access to electrical power and safely restore an electrical circuit that has a fuse holder by eliminating the time-consuming clean-up process and the risk of stray voltage from the electrical circuit.  
         [0011]     Other and further aspects of the present invention will become apparent during the course of the following description and by reference to the attached drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates an electrical adapter in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates an electrical adapter in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrates a typical fuse holder of an external electrical circuit that may be employed with an electrical adapter in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  illustrates the connections made between a typical fuse holder and the electrical adapter of  FIG. 1  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  illustrates the connections made between a typical fuse holder and the electrical adapter of  FIG. 2  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]     In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.  
         [0018]     Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts,  FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating an exemplary electrical adapter  100  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , electrical adapter  100  includes a female fuse holder member  112  and male fuse holder member  114 . Fuse  116  fits inside female fuse holder member  112  and male fuse holder member  114 . Fuse  116  may also be a solid metal link. Female fuse holder member  112  and male fuse holder member  114  include threaded connectors capable of receiving each other and surrounding fuse  116 . The threaded connectors of female fuse holder member  112  and male fuse holder member  114  engage each other to create a water tight seal around fuse  116  for the purpose of storage of fuse  116 , such as during transport. Female fuse holder member  112  and male fuse holder member  114  are connected to cables  118  and  120 , respectively. The opposing ends of cables  118  and  120  are connected to three-way connector  122 . Cable  124  of electrical adapter  100  is connected to three-way connector  122  at one end and at its opposing end cable  124  is connected to power outlet  126 . Power outlet  126  may be a female three-prong 120 volt outlet as shown or any other type of outlet known in the art. Power outlet  126  is connected to cables  128  and  138 . At the end opposite of its connection to power outlet  126 , cable  128  terminates in alligator clamp  132 , which is protected by insulating cover  130 . Similarly, at the end opposite of its connection to power outlet  126 , cable  138  terminates in alligator clamp  142 , which is protected by insulating cover  140 . It will be appreciated that the cables of the electrical adapter described herein, include a positive or load wire, a neutral wire and a ground wire connection. The alligator clamps discussed herein may alternatively be any type of bolted or other electrical connector known in the art.  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary electrical adapter in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , electrical adapter  200 , like adapter  100  shown in  FIG. 1 , includes female fuse holder member  112 , male fuse holder member  114 , fuse  116 , cables  118  and  120 , three-way connector  122  and cable  124  arranged in the manner discussed above in connection with  FIG. 1 . At its opposing end, cable  124 , rather than being connected to power outlet  126 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , is instead connected to fuse holder  226 . Fuse holder  226  includes a female fuse holder member and a male fuse holder member, each of which have threaded connectors capable of receiving each other to create a water tight seal around a fuse (not shown). At the end opposite of its connection to cable  124 , fuse holder  226  is connected to cable  228 . The other end of cable  228  is connected to shrink cap  230 . Shrink cap  230  covers bare wires at the end of cable  228 . It will be appreciated that the cables of the electrical adapter described herein include a positive or load wire (also known as a phase or hot wire).  
         [0020]     The electrical adapter of the present invention may be used to tap into an external electrical circuit as will be described in detail hereinafter in connection with  FIGS. 3A-5 . The external electrical circuit is an electrical circuit external to the electrical adapter of the present invention. A user of an electrical adapter of the present invention locates an external electrical circuit  310  comprising fuse holder  300  having male and female members  302  and  304  with threaded connectors, such as those illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . For example, such a fuse holder may be located in an electrical fixture, such as the base of a streetlight. As shown in  FIG. 3B , male and female members  302  and  304  of fuse holder  300  are disconnected by unscrewing the threaded connectors of male and female members  302  and  304 . By this action, the external circuit is opened and an electrical adapter in accordance with the present invention may be connected to the external circuit, while still maintaining the continuity of the circuit.  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  illustrates exemplary connections that may be made with the electrical adapter of  FIG. 1  to tap into an external electrical circuit. It will be understood that the order in which the following connections are made may vary. With reference to  FIG. 4 , alligator clamp  142  may be connected to a suitable surface (not shown) to form a ground connection. Alligator clamp  132  may be connected to a suitable neutral surface (not shown) such as a neutral cable of the external electrical circuit to form a neutral connection. Female fuse holder member  112  of the electrical adapter of  FIG. 1  may be connected to male fuse holder member  302  of an external electrical circuit by screwing the threaded connectors so that female fuse holder member  112  and male fuse holder member  302  engage each other. Male fuse holder member  114  of the electrical adapter of  FIG. 1  may be connected to female fuse holder member  304  of the external electrical circuit by screwing the threaded connectors so that male fuse holder member  114  and female fuse holder member  304  engage each other. Upon completion of these connections, the electrical adapter of  FIG. 1  creates a circuit in parallel to the external electrical circuit such that electrical power is provided to both power outlet  126  of the electrical adapter of  FIG. 1  and to the external electrical circuit. Thus, for example, if the external electrical circuit is a circuit found at the base of a streetlight, by completing the above-described connections, electrical power is provided to both power outlet  126  of the electrical adapter of  FIG. 1  and to the lamp of the streetlight.  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  illustrates exemplary connections that may be made with the electrical adapter of  FIG. 2  to tap into an external electrical circuit. In like manner as discussed above in connection with  FIG. 4 , the fuse holder members of the electrical adapter of  FIG. 2  may be connected and engaged with the fuse holder members of an external electrical circuit. Upon completion of these connections, the electrical adapter of  FIG. 2  creates a circuit parallel to the external electrical circuit such that electrical power is provided to both the bare wires at the end of cable  228  of the electrical adapter of  FIG. 2  and to the external electrical circuit. Shrink cap  230  may be removed to expose the bare wires at the end of cable  228 . The bare wires at the end of cable  228  may be clamped to bare wires of another circuit to provide electrical power to that other circuit. The bare wires may be clamped together by any suitable connector and the connection may be covered by a suitable protective cover. The other circuit powered by tapping into an external electrical circuit may be, for example, overhead wires at a construction site. It will be appreciated that an electrical adapter according to the present invention is capable of carrying power sufficient to supply electricity to an entire house.  
         [0023]     According to an embodiment of the present invention having cables connecting elements such as the alligator clamps and outlet of the electrical adapter of  FIG. 1 , the cables may be insulated and capable of outdoor use. Optionally, the exterior of the cables may be color coded so that the cables of the electrical adapter may be easily distinguished from one another. The cables may also be color coded in a manner that suggests the type of connection to be made with that cable. For example, a cable to be connected to a ground connection may be green.  
         [0024]     By making the above-described connections between an electrical adapter in accordance with the present invention and an external electrical circuit, an authorized user has tapped into an external electrical circuit without compromising that circuit. For example, engaging the fuse holder members of the external electrical circuit to the fuse holder members of an electrical adapter in accordance with the present invention creates a seal around the fuses held by the fuse holders. Thus, an electrical adapter in accordance with the present invention may be used to tap into an outdoor external electrical circuit.  
         [0025]     When an authorized user has completed temporarily obtaining power from an external electrical circuit, the electrical adapter in accordance with the present invention may be easily disconnected from the electrical circuit and the external electrical circuit may be restored in a quick and safe manner. To disconnect the electrical adapter of the present invention from an electrical circuit, the threaded fuse holder members of the electrical device may be unscrewed and detached from the threaded fuse holder members of the fuse holder from the external electrical circuit. Other connections made with the electrical adapter, such as neutral and ground connections made by alligator clamps, may be unclamped thereby removing any of the connections made with the electrical adapter. Finally, the external electrical circuit may be restored by re-connecting the threaded fuse holder members of the fuse holder from the external electrical circuit such that the fuse holder members engage each other to create a seal around the fuse of the external electrical circuit. Upon re-connecting the threaded fuse holder members of the external electrical circuit, the external electrical circuit is completed and current may flow through the external electrical circuit.  
         [0026]     It will be appreciated that the fuse holder of the electrical adapter in accordance with the present invention may be any type of fuse holder known in the art. It will also be appreciated that the alligator clamps described in accordance with the present invention may be replaced with bolted or other types of mechanical connectors.  
         [0027]     It should be understood that the foregoing description of the invention is intended merely to be illustrative thereof, and that other embodiments, modifications and equivalents may be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention.