Mechanical interlock mechanism for switched electrical connector

摘要

A switched electrical device adapted to be coupled to a complementary locking type electrical connector by initial relative axial movement therebetween and subsequent relative rotational movement therebetween. The switched electrical device includes a housing with an inlet opening for receiving the complementary electrical connector, a rotatable locking type electrical connector with a set of electrical contacts for engaging the electrical contacts of the complementary electrical connector, a switch mounted within the housing for selectively supplying electrical energy to the set of electrical contacts of the electrical connector, an operating handle for moving the switch between "on" and "off" positions, and an interlock mechanism for releasably locking the switch. The interlock mechanism selectively locks the switch in its "off" position so that it cannot move to its "on" position, until after the complementary electrical connector has been inserted into said opening and rotated to a locked position. The interlock mechanism also prevents removal of the complementary electrical connector from the inlet opening until the operating handle has been moved to its "off" position, which disconnects power to the electrical contacts of the switch connector and the electrical contacts of the complementary connector.