Patent ID: 6884083

Claim:
An electrical connector for providing an electrical connection between the body of a cordless electrical appliance and a base which in use is connected to an electrical supply, the connector comprising a male connector part for connection to one of the appliance or base, and a female connector part for connection to the other of the appliance or base, the female connector part comprising recesses or openings provided with electrical contacts, and the male connector part comprising electrical contacts for engaging the contacts within the recesses or openings of the female connector part, said recesses and contacts being adapted to allow engagement of the connector parts over 360° of relative rotational orientation, wherein one connector part for the base is provided with an isolating switch or switches connected to the electrical contacts having a movable switch actuator or actuators engageable by engagement means on the other connector part, wherein the actuators and said engagement means are disposed relative to the electrical contacts on said connector parts such that physical contact is made between said electrical contacts before closing of the switch or switches on mating of the connector parts, wherein the one connector part for the base is provided with an annular recess within which the switch actuator or actuators extend, and wherein the other connector part is provided with an annular surface arranged to protrude into said annular recess and close said switches on mating of the male and female connector parts.