Abstract:
A kit for connecting in parallel two electrical generators, including a wiring unit mounted on an attachment frame which is configured to be rigidly affixed to one of the two electrical generators. The wiring unit includes an external output receptacle, and a circuit breaker, plus hard-wired connections for receiving the power inputs from the two electrical generators being connected in parallel. The wiring unit is screwed or otherwise fastened to a preferably contoured bracket which, in turn, is screwed or otherwise fastened, preferably, to a frontal area of one of the two generators.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates in general to portable power generation devices and accessories therefor. 
   2. Background Art 
   Portable power generation devices are well known. Some of these devices, having power outputs large enough to single-handedly supply most or all of an average household&#39;s power requirements, for at least a short period of time, are relatively heavy and are supported by tubular metal frames, which may or may not be supplied with wheels and handles to enable them to be moved from place to place. While these power generation devices are at least nominally designated “portable”, in reality, the weight and bulk of these devices makes them not conveniently portable. 
   A newer generation of portable power generation devices has been developed, which are smaller self-contained units that have all-enclosing housings, and built-in handles, usually on their top surfaces. These smaller units are typically of sufficient power for uses such as camping, recreational vehicle, or light construction or other job-site uses. Occasionally, it has been found desirable, in situations in which a single one such smaller power generation device has been found to be insufficient to meet power requirements, to connect two such power generation devices in parallel, so as to increase the total current output, while maintaining the output voltage of the paired units the same as for a single unit. 
   Devices for parallel connection of power generation devices are known. Typically, these connection devices can be little more than a group of wires, having the appropriate end connectors, which are banded together. In other embodiments, the connection device may be in the form of a box housing, having appropriate internal circuitry, which housing has terminals, to which leads from or to each of the respective power generation devices are connected. Such a box housing in the past has either been entirely unconnected to either of the power generation devices, or possibly joined to one or the other of the power generation devices by a flexible strap. Such arrangements can be cumbersome, and can lead to a sprawling of wires, leads and circuitry boxes, which can be unsightly, difficult to move readily from place to place, and potentially hazardous. 
   It would be desirable to provide an alternative construction for a parallel connection kit for power generation devices, which is easier to physically manipulate and manage, and provides for facilitated electrical connection of the power generation devices to be connected. 
   These and other desirable characteristics of the present invention will become apparent in view of the present specification, including claims, and drawings. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention comprises, in part, a kit for connecting the electrical outputs of at least two electrical generators in parallel. A wiring unit is provided, having at least two input electrical connections, operably configured to receive electrical leads connected to the outputs of a corresponding at least two electrical generators, and at least one output electrical receptacle, operably configured to receive an electrical lead to be connected to a load. An attachment frame is operably affixed to the wiring unit, and, in turn, is operably configured to be rigidly affixed to an electrical generator. 
   The wiring unit preferably further comprises a circuit breaker electrically connected to the at least two input electrical connections and at least one output electrical receptacle, for providing overload protection to electrical generators when connected by the kit. 
   The present invention also comprises in part a first electrical generator, in combination with a kit for connecting the electrical outputs of the first electrical generator in parallel with at least one other electrical generator. The combination comprises a first electrical generator; a wiring unit, having at least two input electrical connections, operably configured to receive electrical leads connected to the output of the first electrical generator and at least one other electrical generator, and at least one output electrical receptacle, operably configured to receive an electrical lead to be connected to a load; and an attachment frame, to which the wiring unit is operably affixed, and which, in turn, is rigidly affixed to the first electrical generator. 
   The present invention also comprises a method for connecting two electrical generators in parallel. The method comprises the steps of:
     providing a wiring unit, having at least two input electrical connections, operably configured to receive electrical leads connected to the outputs of a corresponding at least two electrical generators, and at least one output electrical receptacle, operably configured to receive an electrical lead to be connected to a load; and   providing an attachment frame;   affixing the wiring unit to the attachment frame;   rigidly affixing the attachment frame to one of two electrical generators;   electrically connecting an output of one of the two electrical generators to one of the input electrical connections of the wiring unit;   electrically connecting an output of the other of the two electrical generators to the other of the input electrical connections of the wiring unit;   electrically connecting a load to the at least one output electrical receptacle of the wiring unit.   

   The present invention is also directed to a power outlet adapter kit for power generators. The power outlet adapter kit comprises a wiring unit, having at least one input electrical connection, operably configured to receive at least one electrical lead connected to the output of a corresponding at least one electrical generator, and at least one output electrical receptacle, operably configured to receive an electrical lead to be connected to a load. The at least one output electrical receptacle has a plug configuration that is different from any output electrical receptacles which may be disposed on the at least one electrical generator. An attachment frame is provided, to which the wiring unit is operably affixed, and which, in turn, is operably configured to be rigidly affixed to the at least one electrical generator. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an illustration of a pair of power generation devices, connected in parallel by a parallel connection kit according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a parallel connection kit according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 3 . is a perspective exploded view of the parallel connection kit according to the embodiment of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the housing shell for the parallel connection kit according to the embodiment of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of the housing shell for the parallel connection kit according to the embodiment of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 6  is a front elevation of the housing shell of  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 7  is a side elevation, in section, taken along line A-A of  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 8  is a side elevation, in section, taken along line C-C of  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 9  is a side elevation, in section, taken along line B-B of  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 10  is a front perspective exploded view of the front plate assembly of the parallel connection kit. 
       FIG. 11  is a rear perspective view of the front plate of the parallel connection kit. 
       FIG. 12  is a side view of an exemplary wiring harness for the parallel connection kit of the present invention. 
       FIG. 13  is an illustration of the electrical connections within a wiring unit according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 14  is a schematic wiring diagram for the external electrical connections and internal wiring of the wiring unit for the parallel connection kit according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective exploded view of a parallel connection kit according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, incorporating an alternative rigid attachment frame. 
       FIG. 16  is a perspective view of an alternative rigid attachment frame for the parallel connection kit of the present invention. 
       FIG. 17  is a front view of the frame of  FIG. 16 . 
       FIG. 18  is a rear view of the frame of  FIG. 16 . 
       FIG. 19  is a view from one side of the frame of  FIG. 16 . 
       FIG. 20  is a view from an opposite side, to that of  FIG. 19 , of the frame of  FIG. 16 . 
       FIG. 21  is an end perspective view of the frame of  FIG. 16 . 
       FIG. 22  is an illustration of a power generator, having a wiring kit mounted thereon, using the frame of  FIGS. 16-21 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail, a preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure should be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment so illustrated. 
   Any numerical values or specific component identifications provided in the specification or drawings herein are provided solely as examples of the invention, and the invention is not to be construed as limited thereto. 
     FIG. 1  illustrates a pair of power generation devices  10 , connected in parallel electrical arrangement by parallel connection kit  12 . Kit  12  includes wiring unit  14 , attachment frame  16  and two wiring harnesses  18 . A schematic illustration of kit  12  is given in  FIG. 2 , in which wiring harnesses  18  are shown in truncated form. Wiring unit  14  includes face plate  20 , in which are set power connections  22 ,  24 , circuit breaker  26 , and power outlet receptacle  28 ; and shell  30 . Attachment frame  16 , and the components of wiring unit  14  may be fabricated from any material suitable for electrical power transmission accessory applications, including metal and plastic. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the face plate is fabricated from a suitable metal material, such as stamped steel or the like, and the shell  30  is fabricated from a plastic material. 
   Attachment of wiring unit  14  in a semi-permanent manner is a key feature of the present invention. This semi-permanent, “rigid” attachment is accomplished through the fastening of attachment frame  16  in a rigid manner to one of the power generation units, such as with screws or bolts, preferably making use of existing bolt or screw apertures in the power generation unit. There is known to be, for example, a particular power generator, for which a bracket is made, for holding a light kit, to convert the entire unit into essentially a large gasoline powered flashlight. This bracket is provided with fastener apertures which align with existing fastener apertures in the outer housing of the generator. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, that existing bracket may be used for attachment of wiring unit  14 . However, it is to be understood that for alternative embodiments of the invention, in which the wiring unit is to be attached to other makes and models of generator, the shape of the attachment frame may and likely will be different, and need not conform closely to the contours of the generator, see, e.g.,  FIGS. 16-22  (though from an aesthetic viewpoint it would be desirable to have the attachment frame conform more or less closely to the generator contours) so long as the attachment frame is configured to be susceptible of rigid attachment to the generator housing. 
   Inasmuch as attachment frame  16  happens to have an upper housing bulge  32  (which is configured for attachment of a lighting kit, as indicated above), rear shell  30  is preferably provided with rear recess area  34 . Shell  30  will be provided with suitable fastener apertures to enable fixed attachment of shell  30  to attachment frame  16  by, e.g., bolts  36 , which will engage with suitably threaded fittings  38  ( FIG. 11 ) in the rear of face plate  20 . 
   Wiring unit  14  contains only passive electrical connections, and not active circuitry (see  FIG. 13 ) which is used to connect the generator input fittings  22 ,  24 , circuit breaker  26  and receptacle  28  (all of which are fitted to suitably shaped openings in face plate  20 , and affixed thereto, e.g., by screws or bolts). The manner of wiring the components together is shown in  FIG. 13 , and would be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art of power generator accessories, having the present disclosure before them. 
   Once wiring unit  14  has been assembled, and affixed to attachment frame  16 , the entire assembly may then be affixed in a rigid manner to the generator  10 , such as by screws  40  ( FIG. 1 ) through fastener apertures  42  ( FIG. 3 ), which screws  40  are preferably advantageously part of the existing fastener scheme of generator  10 . In an alternative embodiment, new fastener apertures may be carefully formed in the housing of generator  10 , to accommodate fastener apertures in an attachment frame that is not necessarily already specifically contoured to conform to the generator housing.  FIG. 14  is a schematic illustration of the preferred electrical connections to be made between the parallel connection kit and the two generators, and the wiring inside of wiring unit  14 . Any numerical values provided are shown by way of example only, and the invention is not limited to those specific numerical values. 
     FIG. 15  is a perspective exploded view of a parallel connection kit  12 ′ according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, incorporating an alternative rigid attachment frame  50 , which is configured to be hung from a handle of the generator. Preferably, hook portion  52  is configured to relatively snuggly grip the handle of the generator, to provide for the wiring unit to be relatively rigidly supported on the generator, without swinging from side to side. 
   The parallel connection kit may be employed to make a connection between two small portable generators (as shown in the figures), which generators are then connected to the load, which may be a household circuit, as previously described (preferably via a generator transfer switch, for safety&#39;s sake), or which may be a recreational vehicle (RV) or camper circuit, through the use of a standard shore power hookup cord, with an approved plug/receptacle combination. 
     FIGS. 16-22  illustrate an alternative frame  100 , for use with wiring unit  14 . Frame  100  includes plate  102 , having a generator mounting web  104 , and a wiring unit mounting region  106  (which is bolted or screwed to the back of shell  30 . Frame  100  also includes brace  108 , which is affixed to plate  102  by any suitable fastener. Brace  108  includes pegs  110 , which abut the face of a power generator (see  FIG. 22 ). 
   Typically, portable power generators are provided with receptacles that are for receiving a three-pronged power plug, such as are commonly found on appliances intended for regular household use. Accordingly an alternative use of the connection kit of the present invention is not necessarily to electrically connect in parallel two different generators, but to provide a single generator with an alternative power outlet receptacle, which may be provided with an alternative plug configuration, such as for accepting a “pigtail” plug (as illustrated) or a shore power plug, as previously mentioned. In this mode of operation, the connection kit serves as a power receptacle adapter. 
   The foregoing description and drawings merely explain and illustrate the invention, and the invention is not so limited as those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention.