The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 03, 2004
Filed:
Sep. 21, 2001
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
Provided are a plug that makes it possible to readily connect a power supply such as a solar battery or fuel cell to an external load or system power and to enhance safety, as well as a power converter and power generating apparatus having the plug. The plug has a movable insulating member for covering the plug electrodes when the plug is connected to an outlet and for exposing the electrodes when the plug is not connected to the outlet. In another example of the plug, the plug has at least two electrodes and switches corresponding to respective ones of the electrodes, wherein the switches are opened (turned off) when the plug is pulled out of the outlet. In still another example of the plug, the plug has at least two electrodes and a switch that is opened/closed in dependence upon the state of the connection between the electrodes and the outlet. When the plug is connected to the outlet, the switch is closed (turned on) to thereby sense the fact that the plug has been connected to the outlet.