Electrical safety devices and appliances to avoid the flow of electric current based on temperature sensing

Description

1 / 42 Electrical safety devices and apparatus for preventing the flow of electric current based on temperature sensing. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED REQUESTS

[001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 463,906, filed May 4, 2023, disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety in the present invention. TECHNICAL FIELD

[002] This disclosure relates to electrical devices and apparatus, and in particular safety devices and apparatus that detect temperature increases in electrical components and prevent the flow of electrical current in response to the detected temperature increase. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[003] Electrical assemblies are used to conduct electrical energy from a source, typically an electrical power distribution network, to a destination device. Electrical assemblies may include, for example, electrical extension cords, mains-powered electrical devices (such as DC charging devices and electronic equipment), and electrical wall outlets. Components of electrical assemblies may include electrical cables and / or wire assemblies, electrical plugs, and electrical sockets. These components may malfunction, for example, due to loose electrical contacts, loose wiring, or exposed wiring, which may cause an unintended surge or flow of electrical current, which may result in an increase in the temperature of the components and ultimately lead to an electrical fire. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[004] The disclosed material, also referred to in the present invention as the disclosure, includes safety devices and apparatus that Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 103 / 165 2 / 42 detect temperature increases in components of electrical assemblies, such as electrical plugs, electrical sockets, and electrical cables having assemblies of electrical wires, and prevent a flow of electrical current to or through some or all of the components of the electrical assemblies in response to the detected temperature increase. In certain exemplary embodiments, the detection of the temperature increase is performed by a thermal switch having a thermal sensor arrangement that may be in a normally open configuration or a normally closed configuration. In such embodiments, the actuation of the thermal switch may create a short circuit or open circuit in response to the detected temperature increase to prevent the flow of electrical current.Electrical assemblies may include electrical contacts or wiring that are connected, directly or indirectly, to a wall outlet of the electrical power distribution network and, in certain exemplary embodiments, the short circuit or open circuit effected by the thermal switch may cause an avoidance of the flow of electrical current to all circuits connected to the wall outlet of the electrical power distribution network, for example, all circuits having associated circuit breakers housed in a circuit breaker box that also houses a circuit breaker that is associated with the wall outlet of the electrical power distribution network.

[005] According to the teachings of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a safety apparatus is provided. The safety apparatus comprises: an electrical assembly including: an electrical cable for carrying electric current, an electrical plug connected electrically to a first portion of the electrical cable, the electrical plug for electrical connection to an electrical power distribution network to provide flow of electric current from the electrical power distribution network through the electrical cable, and at least one electrical outlet connected electrically to a second portion of the Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 104 / 165 3 / 42 electrical cable to receive electrical current through the electrical cable; and an electrical safety device coupled to the electrical assembly and configured to: collect at least one temperature reading from one or more portions of the electrical assembly and prevent the flow of electrical current through the electrical cable if one or more of the at least one temperature reading collected meets a threshold criterion.

[006] Optionally, the electrical safety device is integrated into the electrical assembly.

[007] Optionally, the electrical safety device is mounted on the electrical assembly.

[008] Optionally, the electrical safety device is installed in at least one electrical outlet.

[009] Optionally, the electrical safety device is installed in the electrical plug.

[010] Optionally, the electrical safety device is installed in or on a portion of the electrical cable.

[011] Optionally, when at least one or more of the collected temperature readings meets the threshold criterion, the electrical safety device causes an avoidance of the flow of electrical current to all circuits connected to the electrical power distribution network.

[012] Optionally, the electrical safety device causes the avoidance of electrical current flow to all circuits connected to the electrical power distribution network, triggering a residual current device that is electrically connected to the electrical power distribution network to disconnect all circuits from the electrical power distribution network when at least one or more of the collected temperature readings meets the threshold criterion. Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 105 / 165 4 / 42

[013] Optionally, the electrical safety device includes a thermal switch electrically connected to the electrical assembly.

[014] Optionally, the thermal switch is a thermal switch that is configured to operate in a normally open configuration.

[015] Optionally, the thermal switch is electrically coupled to a zero element and a grounding element of the electrical assembly and, when at least one of the collected temperature readings satisfies the threshold criterion, the thermal switch closes to create a short circuit between the zero element and the grounding element, so that a residual current device that is electrically connected to the power distribution network prevents the flow of electrical current to all circuits connected to the residual current device.

[016] Optionally, the thermal switch is a thermal commutator that is configured to operate in a normally closed configuration, in which the thermal commutator is connected to a zero element of the electrical assembly.

[017] Optionally, when at least one or more of the collected temperature readings meets the threshold criterion, the thermal switch opens, thereby disconnecting the thermal switch from the zero element.

[018] Optionally, the thermal switch is a thermal fuse.

[019] Also provided, in accordance with the teachings of an embodiment of the present disclosure, is a safety apparatus. The safety apparatus comprises: an electrical assembly including: a set of wires including one or more wires for carrying electric current, an electrical plug electrically connected to a first portion of the wire assembly, the electrical plug for electrical coupling to the power distribution network to provide flow of electric current from the power distribution network through the wire assembly, and at least one emitting component. Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 106 / 165 5 / 42 electrically connected to a second portion of the wiring assembly to receive electrical current through the wiring assembly; and an electrical safety device coupled to the electrical assembly and configured to: collect at least one temperature reading from one or more portions of the electrical assembly and prevent the flow of electrical current through the wiring assembly if one or more of the at least one temperature reading collected meets a threshold criterion.

[020] Optionally, the electrical assembly is an electrically powered device.

[021] Optionally, at least one electrical emission component includes at least one electrical outlet.

[022] Optionally, at least one electrical emission component includes a DC emission.

[023] Optionally, when at least one or more of the collected temperature readings meets the threshold criterion, the electrical safety device causes an avoidance of the flow of electrical current to all circuits connected to the electrical power distribution network.

[024] Optionally, the electrical safety device causes the avoidance of electrical current flow to all circuits connected to the electrical power distribution network, triggering a residual current device that is electrically connected to the electrical power distribution network to disconnect all circuits from the electrical power distribution network when at least one or more of the collected temperature readings meets the threshold criterion.

[025] Optionally, the electrical safety device includes a thermal switch electrically coupled to a zero element and a grounding element of the electrical assembly and which is configured to operate Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 107 / 165 6 / 42 in a normally open configuration, and when at least one or more of the collected temperature readings meets the threshold criterion, the thermal switch closes to create a short circuit between the zero element and the grounding element, so that a residual current device that is electrically connected to the power distribution network prevents the flow of electrical current to all circuits connected to the residual current device.

[026] Optionally, the electrical safety device includes a thermal switch that is configured to operate in a normally closed configuration in which the thermal switch is connected to a zero element of the electrical assembly and, when at least one or more of the collected temperature readings satisfies the threshold criterion, the thermal switch opens, thereby disconnecting the thermal switch from the zero element.

[027] Also provided, in accordance with the teachings of an embodiment of the present disclosure, is a safety device. The safety device comprises: a plug adapter device including: an electrical plug for electrical connection to an electrical power distribution network to receive electrical current from the electrical power distribution network, at least one electrical outlet and an electrical connection arrangement providing an electrical connection between the electrical plug and the at least one outlet; and an electrical safety device coupled to the plug adapter device and configured to: collect at least one temperature reading from one or more portions of the plug adapter device and prevent the flow of electrical current to the at least one electrical outlet if one or more of the at least one temperature reading collected meets a threshold criterion.

[028] Optionally, the electrical safety device includes a Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 108 / 165 7 / 42 A thermal switch electrically coupled to a neutral element and a grounding element of the socket adapter device and configured to operate in a normally open configuration, and when at least one or more of the collected temperature readings meets the threshold criterion, the thermal switch closes to create a short circuit between the neutral element and the grounding element, so that a residual current device that is electrically connected to the power distribution network prevents the flow of electrical current to all circuits connected to the residual current device.

[029] Optionally, the electrical safety device includes a thermal switch that is configured to operate in a normally closed configuration in which the thermal switch is connected to a zero element of the socket adapter device and, when at least one or more of the collected temperature readings satisfies the threshold criterion, the thermal switch opens, thereby disconnecting the thermal switch from the zero element.

[030] Also provided, in accordance with the teachings of an embodiment of the present disclosure, is a safety apparatus. The safety apparatus comprises: an electrical outlet assembly including: a back box, an assembly of electrical wires housed within the back box, the assembly of electrical wires including one or more wires electrically connected to an electrical power distribution network and configured to carry electrical current from the electrical power distribution network, and a front plate mounted on the back box and including an electrical receptacle electrically connected to the assembly of electrical wires, the electrical receptacle configured to receive an electrical plug and conduct electrical current from the electrical power distribution network through the assembly of electrical wires to the Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 109 / 165 8 / 42 electrical plug when the electrical plug is received in the electrical receptacle; and an electrical safety device coupled to the electrical wiring assembly and configured to: collect at least one temperature reading from one or more portions of the electrical wiring assembly and prevent the flow of electrical current through the electrical wiring assembly if one or more of the at least one temperature reading collected satisfies a threshold criterion.

[031] Optionally, when at least one or more of the collected temperature readings meets the threshold criterion, the electrical safety device causes an avoidance of the flow of electrical current to all circuits connected to the electrical power distribution network.

[032] Optionally, the electrical safety device causes the avoidance of electrical current flow to all circuits connected to the electrical power distribution network, triggering a residual current device that is electrically connected to the electrical power distribution network to disconnect all circuits from the electrical network when at least one or more of the collected temperature readings meets the threshold criterion.

[033] Optionally, the electrical safety device includes a thermal switch electrically coupled to a zero element and a grounding element of the electrical outlet assembly and which is configured to operate in a normally open configuration, and when at least one or more of the collected temperature readings meets the threshold criterion, the thermal switch closes to create a short circuit between the zero element and the grounding element, so that a residual current device that is electrically connected to the electrical power distribution network prevents the flow of electrical current to all circuits connected to the residual current device.

[034] Optionally, the electrical safety device includes a Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 110 / 165 9 / 42 thermal switch that is configured to operate in a normally closed configuration, in which the thermal switch is connected to a zero element of the electrical outlet assembly and, when at least one or more of the collected temperature readings satisfies the threshold criterion, the thermal switch opens, thereby disconnecting the thermal switch from the zero element.

[035] Also provided, according to the teachings of an embodiment of the present disclosure, is an electrical safety device for electrical connection to an electrical wiring assembly that is electrically connected to an electrical power distribution network to carry electrical current from the electrical power distribution network, the electrical wiring assembly having a plurality of insulated electrical wires, including a first insulated electrical wire that is a neutral wire and a second insulated electrical wire that is a live wire.The electrical safety device comprises: a thermal switch including at least one temperature sensor configured to sense temperature; and a set of rods electrically connected to the thermal switch, the set of rods including a first rod and a second rod, the first rod configured to penetrate the insulation of the first insulated electrical wire so as to come into contact with the electrically conductive material of the first insulated electrical wire at a first point of contact, the electrical safety device is configured to: collect at least one temperature reading from one or more portions of the electrical wiring assembly near the first point of contact and prevent the flow of electrical current through the electrical wiring assembly if one or more of the at least one temperature reading collected satisfies a threshold criterion.

[036] Optionally, when one or more of the at least one reading Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 111 / 165 If the collected temperature of 10 / 42 meets the threshold criterion, the electrical safety device prevents the flow of electrical current to all circuits connected to the electrical power distribution network.

[037] Optionally, the electrical safety device causes the avoidance of the flow of electrical current to all circuits connected to the electrical power distribution network, triggering a residual current device that is electrically connected to the electrical power distribution network to disconnect all circuits from the electrical power distribution network when at least one or more of the collected temperature readings meets the threshold criterion.

[038] Optionally, the plurality of insulated electrical wires includes a third insulated electrical wire which is a grounding wire, the second rod is configured to penetrate the insulation of the third insulated electrical wire so as to make contact with the electrically conductive material of the third insulated electrical wire at a second point of contact, the thermal switch is a thermal switch which is configured to operate in a normally open configuration and, when one or more of at least one collected temperature reading satisfies the threshold criterion, the thermal switch closes to create a short circuit between the neutral wire and the grounding wire, so that a residual current device which is electrically connected to the electrical power distribution network prevents the flow of electrical current to all circuits connected to the residual current device.

[039] Optionally, the thermal switch is a thermal switch that is configured to operate in a normally closed configuration, in which the thermal switch is connected to the zero wire and, when at least one or more of the collected temperature readings meets the threshold criterion, the thermal switch opens, thereby disconnecting the thermal switch from Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 112 / 165 11 / 42 zero thread.

[040] Also provided, in accordance with the teachings of an embodiment of the present disclosure, is a safety method for performing on an electrical assembly that includes one or more electrical cables, an electrical socket or an electrical plug. The safety method comprises: collecting, by means of an electrical safety device, at least one temperature reading from one or more portions of the electrical assembly and preventing, by means of the electrical safety device, the flow of electrical current through the electrical assembly if one or more of the at least one temperature reading collected satisfies a threshold criterion.

[041] Unless otherwise defined in the present invention, all technical and / or scientific terms used in the present invention have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person skilled in the art to which the disclosure pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described in the present invention may be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the disclosure, exemplary methods and / or materials are described below. In case of conflict, the descriptive report of the patent, including the definitions, shall prevail. Furthermore, the materials, methods and examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be necessarily limiting. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[042] Some embodiments of the present embodiment are described in the present invention only by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference to the detailed drawings, it is emphasized that the particulars shown are by way of example and for the purpose of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the embodiment. In this respect, the description taken together with the drawings makes evident to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the embodiment can be practiced. Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 113 / 165 12 / 42

[043] Attention is now directed to the drawings, where similar reference numbers or characters indicate corresponding or similar components. In the drawings: FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a safety device having an electrical assembly implemented as an extension cable and an electrical safety device integrated into part of the extension cable, according to embodiments of the present disclosure; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an electrical plug from the electrical assembly of FIG. 1, showing the placement of the electrical safety device in the electrical plug; FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the electrical safety device implemented as a normally open thermal switch, and conceptually illustrates the coupling of the electrical safety device with the zero and grounding elements of the electrical assembly, according to the embodiments of this disclosure; FIG. 4 is a diagram that schematically illustrates an electrical assembly with an electrical safety device connected to an electrical power distribution network, as well as one or more circuits connected to the electrical power distribution network via a residual current device, and also a transceiver device connected to the electrical safety device; FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of the electrical safety device, similar to FIG. 3, but showing the electrical safety device implemented as a normally closed thermal switch and conceptually illustrating the coupling of the electrical safety device with a zero element of the electrical assembly, according to the embodiments of this disclosure; Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 114 / 165 13 / 42 FIG. 6A is a front view illustrating a schematic representation of an electrical plug from the electrical assembly of FIG. 1, showing the electrical plug with its cover and pins removed, and showing the coupling of the electrical safety device with the zero and grounding elements of the electrical assembly inside the electrical plug; FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of an electrical plug in an electrical assembly similar to that in FIG. 1, showing the electrical safety device in the electrical plug and the electrical contacts corresponding to the pins of the electrical plug; A front view illustrating a schematic representation of an electrical plug from the electrical assembly in FIG. 1, showing the electrical plug with its cover and pins removed, and showing the coupling of the electrical safety device with the zero and grounding elements of the electrical assembly inside the electrical plug; FIG. 7 is an isometric view illustrating a schematic representation of a safety device having an electrical assembly implemented as an extension cable reel and an electrical safety device integrated into part of the extension cable reel, according to the embodiments of this disclosure; FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a safety device, taken from one side of the electrical plug of the safety device, having an electrical assembly implemented as a socket adapter device with an electrical plug and a pair of electrical sockets and having one or more electrical safety devices integrated into one or more parts of the socket adapter device, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure; FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the safety device of FIG. 1, taken from one side of the electrical outlet of the safety device; Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 115 / 165 14 / 42 FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the safety device of FIGS. 8 and 9, showing the electrical contacts of the electrical plug and the electrical sockets of the socket adapter device, and showing the location of a pair of electrical safety devices; FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the safety apparatus of FIGS. 8 and 9, showing the electrical safety devices and an electrical connection arrangement that provides electrical connection between common elements of the electrical plug and electrical sockets of the plug adapter device; FIG. 12 is a front view illustrating a schematic representation of a safety device having an electrical wall socket assembly and an electrical safety device coupled to a set of electrical wires of the electrical wall socket assembly, according to embodiments of the present disclosure; and FIG. 13 is a plan view illustrating a schematic representation of an electrical safety device having a housing and a pair of electrical contacts with associated rods for penetrating the insulation of insulated electrical wires of an electrical assembly, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED OPTIONS

[044] This disclosure includes safety devices and appliances that detect temperature increases in components of electrical assemblies, such as electrical plugs, electrical sockets and electrical cables, and prevent the flow of electrical current to or through some or all of the components of the electrical assemblies in response to the detected temperature increase.

[045] The principles and operation of safety devices and equipment in accordance with this disclosure can be better understood Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 116 / 165 15 / 42 with reference to the drawings accompanying the description.

[046] The embodiments of this disclosure are applicable for use with various types of electrical assemblies and are of particular value when used with electrical assemblies used in homes, businesses, schools, or any other structures having one or more electrical outlets (sockets) that transmit electricity from the wiring (voltage and current) via a connection to an electrical network. The various types of electrical assemblies with which the embodiments of this disclosure can be used to advantage are typically smaller-scale electrical assemblies, as opposed to large-scale or industrial-type assemblies, such as power generation plants that distribute electrical power to the electrical grid.Examples of electrical assemblies with which the embodiments of this disclosure may be used to advantage include, but are not limited to, assemblies of electrical extension cords having an electrical cord connected to an electrical plug and one or more electrical outlets, electrical wall outlets, electrical devices having an electrical cord connected to an electrical plug and a DC outlet, and electrical equipment having an electrical cord and an electrical plug, electrical cables having an electrical plug or an electrical outlet at one end thereof and wiring at the opposite end thereof.

[047] Within the context of this document, an electrical power distribution network outlet (also referred to as a “electrical power distribution network wall outlet”, “wall outlet” or “wall socket”) is a fixed electrical power distribution network that emits network power (electricity, i.e., voltage and current) via a connection to an electrical network.

[048] Within the context of this disclosure, an “electric power distribution network” (also referred to as a “distribution network”) Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 117 / 165 16 / 42 electrical power voltage”) refers to a distribution network that supplies electrical power (electricity, i.e., voltage and current) via a connection to an electrical grid, typically at least 100 volts AC. An “electrical power distribution network outlet” (also referred to as an “electrical power distribution network wall outlet,” “wall outlet,” or “wall socket”), as used within the context of this disclosure, refers to a fixed electrical power distribution network, generally in the interior and exterior walls of a building, that supplies electrical grid power (electricity, i.e., voltage and current). For example, a wall outlet in the United States typically supplies power in the 100–120 volts AC range, while a wall outlet in Europe typically supplies power in the 220–240 volts AC range.

[049] Before explaining at least one form of disclosure in detail, it must be understood that disclosure is not necessarily limited in its application to the construction details and arrangement of components and / or methods set out in the following description and / or illustrated in the drawings and / or examples. Disclosure may encompass other forms or be practiced or carried out in various ways.

[050] With general reference to the drawings, FIGS. 1 to 13 illustrate electrical safety devices and apparatus and related components thereof, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. According to a number of embodiments, the electrical safety device is electrically coupled to an electrical assembly to form a safety apparatus. In certain embodiments, the electrical safety device may be integrated into part of the electrical assembly, while in other embodiments the electrical safety device may be mounted on part of the electrical assembly by means of contact of one or more wires of the electrical assembly and fixing of the contact area. Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 118 / 165 17 / 42 with adhesive electrical insulation. The electrical assembly can take various forms, as will be discussed in further detail below. In a number of exemplary embodiments, the electrical assembly includes an electrical cable (having one or more wires) that carries electrical current, having electrically connected at a first portion (or end) thereof an electrical plug that is configured to electrically couple to an electrical power distribution network (e.g., via insertion into a network outlet) and having electrically connected at a second portion (or end) thereof at least one electrically emitting component (e.g., socket / outlet, electrically powered device, etc.). Some non-limiting examples of implementations of the electrical assembly according to such embodiments include extension cords and line filters.In other embodiments, the electrical assembly is a device that is powered by an electrical power distribution network, such as, for example, a lamp, a DC charging device (such as a mobile phone charger), an electronic device (such as a desktop computer, a television, etc.), an electronic appliance (e.g., refrigerator, oven, microwave oven, toaster, dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, etc.) and the like. In another series of exemplary embodiments, the electrical assembly is a socket adapter, which may be a multi-socket adapter, having an electrical plug that is configured to electrically couple to an electrical power distribution network and one or more electrical sockets that are electrically connected to the electrical plug via an electrical connection arrangement that may be a series of electrical contacts, one or more busbars, or a series of wires.According to another set of embodiments, the electrical safety device is integrated into or connected to an electrical outlet of the power distribution network to form a safety device in the form of a safe wall outlet. Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 119 / 165 18 / 42

[051] With particular reference to FIG. 1, a safety device, generally designated 10, is shown according to non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure. The safety device 10 includes an electrical assembly 30 having integrated therein an electrical safety device (represented in FIG. 1 as a dashed rectangle 20 to indicate that the electrical safety device is integrated into a portion of the electrical assembly 30). The electrical assembly 30, represented here as an extension cord assembly, includes an elongated electrical cord 32 for carrying electrical power (including electrical current), an electrical plug (i.e., an AC plug) 36 electrically connected to a first portion (first end) of the electrical cord 32, and an electrical outlet (i.e., outlet) 40 electrically connected to a second portion (second end) of the electrical cord 32 opposite the first portion.Electrical plug 36 is configured for electrical coupling to an electrical power distribution network (e.g., via insertion into a wall outlet, not shown in FIG. 1) to provide electrical current flow from the electrical power distribution network through electrical cable 32, so that electrical outlet 40 receives electrical current (power) from the electrical power distribution network through electrical cable 32.

[052] The electrical plug 36 includes a plug body 37 having multiple pins (also referred to as “rods”) extending outward from it. In the embodiment illustrated, there are three pins, which include a neutral pin 38a (also referred to as the “zero” pin), a grounding pin 38b (also referred to as the “earth” pin) and a phase pin 38c (also referred to as the “live” pin).

[053] Electrical cable 32 includes a plurality of electrical wires, typically insulated electrical wires covered by a protective cable sheath. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, a segment of each of the electrical wires is represented by dashed lines to indicate that the electrical wires Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 120 / 165 19 / 42 are internal to cable 32. In the illustrated embodiment, there are three electrical wires, which include a neutral wire 34a (also referred to as the zero wire), a grounding wire 34b (also referred to as the earth wire), and a phase wire 34c (also referred to as the live wire). Although only a section of the electrical wires 34a, 34b, and 34c is shown in the figure, it should be understood that the electrical wires 34a, 34b, and 34c run along the electrical cable 32 and connect between the electrical plug 32 and the electrical outlet 40, as will be discussed.

[054] The zero wire 34a is electrically connected to the zero pin 38a, the ground wire 34b is electrically connected to the ground pin 38b, and the live wire 34c is electrically connected to the live pin 38c.

[055] Electrical socket 40 is a receptacle for receiving a correspondingly configured electrical plug, for example, from another extension cord or an electrically powered device, and includes multiple electrical contacts, represented in FIG. 1 as holes 42a, 42b, 42c in a socket body 41. In the illustrated embodiment, there are three electrical contacts, which include a neutral contact 42a (also referred to as the zero contact), a grounding contact 42b (also referred to as the earth contact) and a phase contact 42c (also referred to as the live contact). The neutral wire 34a is electrically connected to the neutral contact 42a, the grounding wire 34b is electrically connected to the grounding contact 42b and the live wire 34c is electrically connected to the live contact 42c.This electrical connection provides an electrical connection between the electrical outlet 40 and the electrical plug 36, thus providing a path, via the electrical cable 32, for the flow of electrical current from the electrical power distribution network to the electrical outlet 40.

[056] As will be discussed, in certain embodiments, the electrical safety device 20 includes a thermal switch and a series of contacts. Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 121 / 165 20 / 42 electrical, and is electrically coupled to one or more portions of the electrical assembly 30, in particular to a zero element and, optionally, to a grounding element via the electrical contacts. The thermal switch includes a thermal sensing arrangement, having one or more thermal sensors, which collects at least one temperature reading from one or more portions of the electrical assembly 30. If one or more of the collected temperature readings satisfy a threshold criterion, for example, above 40 degrees Celsius, the electrical safety device 20 operates to prevent the flow of electrical current through the electrical cable 32 and, preferably, also causes a prevention of the flow of electrical current to all circuits connected to the electrical power distribution network to which the electrical assembly 30 is coupled.As will be discussed, in certain embodiments, the avoidance of current flow is effected by the thermal switch, creating a short circuit between the zero element and the grounding element, while in other embodiments, the current flow is effected by the thermal switch, creating an open circuit by disconnecting the zero element.

[057] In one non-limiting configuration, the electrical safety device 20 is deployed (i.e., integrated into) the electrical socket 40. In another non-limiting configuration, the electrical safety device 20 is deployed into (i.e., integrated into) the electrical cable 32. In yet another non-limiting configuration, the electrical safety device 20 is deployed (i.e., integrated into) the electrical plug 36. The electrical coupling of the electrical safety device 20 with the electrical assembly 30 depends on the deployment configuration, but generally includes the electrical connection of the electrical safety device 20 with a neutral element (neutral wire 34a, neutral pin 38a or neutral contact 42a) and, optionally, also with a corresponding grounding element (grounding wire 34b, grounding pin 38b or grounding contact 42b). Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 122 / 165 21 / 42 of the electrical assembly 30. In embodiments where the electrical safety device 20 is deployed on the electrical cable 32, the location of the deployment may be selected so that the electrical safety device 20 is deployed at one or more identified critical failure points along the length of the electrical cable 32. A point may be considered a critical failure point if that point tends to rise in temperature more rapidly or to rise at a higher absolute temperature compared to other points along the electrical cable 32.

[058] With continued reference to FIG. 1, attention is also directed to FIGS. 2 and 3, which help to demonstrate a non-limiting example deployment configuration in which the electrical safety device 20 is coupled to the electrical outlet 40. More particularly, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical outlet 40 illustrated in FIG. 1, showing the electrical safety device 20 deployed (i.e., integrated into) the electrical outlet 40. Here, the electrical safety device 20 is implemented as a thermal switch having a housing 22 that carries or contains a thermal sensing arrangement (having one or more thermal sensors, schematically represented as 23 in FIG. 3) and that is coupled to a pair of electrical contacts 24 and 26. FIG.Figure 3 is a representation of the electrical safety device 20 integrated into the electrical socket 40, which schematically shows the thermal sensor(s) 23 and the coupling of the thermal switch 20 to the zero element and the grounding element via the electrical contacts 24 and 26, and also schematically and conceptually shows the switching functionality of the thermal switch 20 via a switching element of the thermal switch 20, schematically represented in the drawings as switching element 21. In FIG. 3, the electrical safety device 20 is shown as being electrically coupled with the zero and grounding elements of the... Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 123 / 165 22 / 42 electrical assembly 30, schematically represented in the drawing as portions of the zero contact 42a and the grounding contact 42b of the electrical outlet 40. These portions of the zero contact 42a and the grounding contact 42b can be located, for example, in internal portions of the outlet 40 that are internal to the outlet body 41 (FIGS. 1 and 2). The first electrical contact 24 is electrically connected to the zero contact 42a, and the second electrical contact 26 is electrically connected to the grounding contact 42b. Note that the electrical connection between the electrical contacts 24 and 26 and the respective zero and grounding elements can also be made, for example, by connecting the electrical contacts 24 and 26 with the portions of the wires 34a and 34c that connect to the electrical contacts 42a and 42c. These portions of wires 34a and 34c are located in internal portions of socket 40 that are inside a socket 40 housing.

[059] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the thermal switch 20 is implemented as a thermal commutator that is configured to operate in a normally open configuration, whereby the commutating element 21 is nominally connected only to the zero element of the electrical assembly 30. This configuration is ideal for use in situations where the electrical plug 36 and the electrical cable 32 include grounding elements (grounding pin 38b and grounding wire 34b). Therefore, when the thermal sensor(s) 23 of the thermal switch 20 sense(s) that the temperature of the electrical cable 32 is above a threshold (i.e., satisfies a temperature threshold criterion), the thermal switch 20 closes (conceptually understood as the commutating element 21 closing between contacts 24 and 26 to connect to the grounding element) to create a short circuit between the zero contact 42a and the grounding contact 42b.This short circuit prevents the flow of electric current through the electrical cable 32 and, more particularly, prevents the flow of... Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 124 / 165 23 / 42 electrical current from the power distribution network to the socket 40. By preventing the flow of electrical current, the risk of electrical fires caused by the increased temperature of the electrical components of the electrical assembly 30 is significantly reduced, if not completely mitigated.

[060] With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, reference is also made to FIG. 4, which schematically illustrates an electrical power distribution network 50 (e.g., wall outlet) to which the electrical assembly 30 is electrically coupled. In many situations, the electrical power distribution network 50 is electrically connected to a residual current device 52, which may be located, for example, in a circuit breaker box, and is electrically connected to one or more other electrical circuits 54 (in many cases, all or a large group of circuits in the building or structure in which the electrical power distribution network is located).In such situations, the residual current (or leakage) resulting from the short circuit caused by the closing of the thermal switch 20 can disengage (or trip) the residual current device 52 to prevent the flow of electrical current to all circuits 54 connected to the residual current device 52. This interruption of electrical current to all circuits, effected by the thermal switch 20 and the residual current device 52, adds another layer of fire protection. FIG. 4 also schematically shows the electrical safety device 20 connected to the electrical assembly 30 and connected to a transceiver device 70, which can be used to send alert notifications via one or more networks according to certain non-limiting modes, as will be discussed in subsequent sections of this document.

[061] Note that, in most developed countries and geographic regions, the wall outlets of the electrical power distribution network and, Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 125 / 165 24 / 42 Thus, plugs, sockets, and electrical cables generally include grounding elements. However, in many parts of the developing world, grounding elements are generally not present in many electrical outlets and plugs. Therefore, in order to accommodate such ungrounded outlets and plugs, embodiments of the electrical assembly 30 may not include any grounding elements (i.e., no grounding pin 38b, no grounding wire 34b, and no grounding contact 42b). However, the electrical safety device 20 according to certain embodiments of this disclosure can still be implemented to operate with such ungrounded electrical assembly configurations. In such embodiments, for example, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 5, the first electrical contact 24 is electrically connected to the neutral element (contact 42a) and the second electrical contact 26 is not electrically connected to any component.Here, the thermal switch 20 can be implemented as a thermal commutator that is configured to operate in a normally closed configuration, so that when the thermal sensor(s) 23 of the thermal switch (commutator) 20 sense(s) that the temperature of the electrical cable 32 is above a threshold, the thermal switch 20 opens (conceptually understood as the commutator 21 opening and disconnecting from contact 26) to create an open circuit to disconnect from the zero contact 42a. The creation of the open circuit has the same general effect on the current flow as the short circuit effected by the normally open configuration discussed above, that is, the open circuit prevents the flow of electrical current through the electrical cable 32 and, more particularly, prevents the flow of electrical current from the electrical power distribution network to the socket 40.However, the normally closed configuration is primarily used in situations where there is no ground connection and it causes an open circuit. Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 126 / 165 25 / 42 when triggered, the open circuit may not disengage any residual current device and therefore may not prevent the flow of electrical current to other circuits connected to the electrical power distribution network.

[062] As mentioned above, the electrical safety device 20 may alternatively or additionally be implanted in the electrical cable 32 and / or in the electrical plug 36. In embodiments in which the electrical safety device 20 is electrically coupled to the electrical plug 36, the coupling may be provided via electrical connection of the electrical contacts 24 and 26 with the zero pin 38a (zero element) and the grounding pin 38b (grounding element), respectively. The electrical connection with pins 38a and 38b may be made, for example, by connecting the electrical contacts 24 and 26 with the portions of wires 34a and 34b that connect to the base of pins 38a and 38b inside the plug body 36, for example, as schematically illustrated in FIG. Figure 6A (showing a plug 36 with the plug body removed and the electrical safety device 20 connected to portions of wires 34a and 34b).As another example, the electrical connection between contacts 24, 26 and pins 38a, 38b can be made by directly connecting contacts 24, 26 to pins 38a, 38b, for example, to a base portion of each of the pins 38a, 38b that is internal to the plug body 37 of plug 36. FIG. 6B shows an example of the electrical safety device 20 in the electrical plug 36, illustrating the electrical contacts 39a, 39b, 39c of the electrical plug 36 that connect respectively to pins 38a, 38b, 38v (the electrical connection between the electrical safety device 20 and the electrical contacts of the electrical plug 36 is not shown in FIG. 6B). The base portions of pins 38a, 38b, 38c can be electrical contacts. Similarly, in embodiments where the electrical safety device 20 is electrically coupled to the electrical cable 32, the coupling may be provided via electrical connection of the electrical contacts 24 and 26 with their respective portions. Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 127 / 165 26 / 42 of the zero wire 34a and the grounding wire 34b (for example, in one or more portions or segments of the cable identified as critical fault point(s)). Although the electrical coupling of the electrical safety device 20 to the electrical cable 32 is not illustrated here, the coupling is conceptually the same as that illustrated in FIG. 3 and can be done in any segment of the electrical cable 32.

[063] The operation of the electrical safety device 20, when deployed in any of these deployment configurations, is in principle the same as described above with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. Therefore, when the thermal sensor(s) 23 of the thermal switch (commutator) 20 sense(s) that the temperature of the electrical plug 36 or cable 32 (or regions of the electrical assembly 30 near the electrical plug 36 or near the contact points of the electrical cable 32) is above a threshold, the thermal switch 20 trips a short circuit between the zero pin 38a or wire 34a and the grounding pin 38b or wire 34b (i.e., closing the commutator 21), thereby preventing the flow of electrical current through the electrical cable 32.Additionally, in embodiments where the electrical plug 36 or cable 32 does not include a grounding element (i.e., grounding pin or grounding wire), the electrical safety device 20 can be deployed in a manner similar to that described with reference to FIG. 5. Therefore, in such embodiments, the first electrical contact 24 is electrically connected to the zero pin 38a or wire 34a (i.e., zero element) and the second electrical contact 26 is not electrically connected to any component, thus triggering an open circuit (i.e., opening the switch 21) when the thermal sensor(s) 23 of the thermal switch 20 sense(s) that the temperature of the electrical plug 36 or cable 32 (or regions of the electrical assembly 30 near the electrical plug 36 or near the contact points of the electrical cable 32) is. Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 128 / 165 27 / 42 above a threshold.

[064] It should be appreciated that implementing the thermal switch as a thermal commutator provides a reusability advantage of the electrical safety device 20, since the thermal commutator can typically return to its initial position or state (i.e., reopen if in a normally open configuration and close if in a normally closed configuration) if and when the temperature of the component that triggered the commutator falls below the threshold temperature. However, despite the fact that the thermal commutator can return to its initial (“normal”) position, human intervention is typically required in order to restore the flow of electrical current to the various circuits.In configurations where the thermal switch is in a normally open setting (for example, when the power distribution network and the electrical assembly include grounding elements), restoring the flow of electrical current can be as simple as manually resetting (i.e., switching on) a residual current device connected to the power distribution network circuit and / or resetting a circuit breaker in the power distribution network. In configurations where the thermal switch is in a normally closed setting (for example, when the power distribution network and the electrical assembly do not include grounding elements), restoring the flow of electrical current may require manually reopening the corresponding circuit.Despite the advantage of reusing the thermal switch implementation, other thermal switch implementations are contemplated in the present invention, including, for example, implementation as a thermal fuse.

[065] Note that, although FIG. 1 illustrates a particular non-limiting construction of the electrical assembly 30 as an extension cable, other constructions Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 129 / 165 28 / 42 of cable-based electrical assemblies are within the scope of this disclosure. For example, although the electrical assembly 30 illustrated in FIG. 1 is shown as having a single electrical outlet 40, it should be evident that the electrical assembly according to the embodiments of this disclosure may include a plurality of electrical outlets, each being constructed similarly to the electrical outlet 40, arranged in series or in parallel. For example, in a non-limiting implementation, the electrical assembly may be implemented as a line filter having a block of electrical outlets electrically connected to a first end of an electrical cable and having an electrical plug connected to a second end of the electrical cable. In such embodiments, the electrical cable may be elongated but have a shorter length than in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.In certain configurations, for example, in configurations where the electrical assembly is implemented as a line filter, the electrical assembly may include a surge protector to limit the voltage supplied to the electrical outlet 40.

[066] By way of another example, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 7, the electrical assembly according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented as an extension cable reel, whereby the electrical cable 32 is further lengthened compared to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, and can be stored by winding the electrical cable around a frame or drum 60. Note that the implementation of the electrical safety device 20 within or on the electrical cable 32 in such frame-wound electrical assemblies has particular advantages, due in part to the fact that winding the electrical cable 32 around the frame 60 can, in certain cases, cause a rapid increase and / or a more significant absolute increase in the temperature of the components of the electrical assembly 30. In such embodiments, the critical failure point of the electrical cable 32 may be at a Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 130 / 165 29 / 42 distance of approximately 2 meters from the electrical power distribution network (wall outlet) and, therefore, the electrical safety device 20 can preferably be deployed (mounted or integrated into the electrical cable 32) at or near such a critical fault point.

[067] Note that the electrical socket 40 (or sockets) is merely a type of electrical emitting component that can be electrically connected to the electrical cable 32. In general, the electrical assembly 30 may include any suitable electrical emitting component, such as the exemplary electrical socket, as well as any type of device that is powered by an electrical power distribution network, including, but not limited to, DC charging devices (such as a mobile phone charger), electronic devices (e.g., desktop computers, televisions, etc.) and electronic equipment (e.g., refrigerator, oven, microwave oven, toaster, dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, etc.).Therefore, the electrical assembly may include one or more electrical emitting components implemented as non-socket type components, including, for example, an electrical emitting component in the form of a DC emitting component (e.g., as part of a mobile phone charger), a lighting power component that supplies power to a lighting component (e.g., a lamp), a heating power component that supplies power to a heating element, and the like.

[068] Referring now to FIGS. 8 to 11, a safety device 100 is illustrated according to another series of embodiments of the present disclosure. Here, the safety device 100 includes an electrical assembly 300, implemented as a socket adapter device, which may be a multi-socket adapter, having integrated into the same device(s) of Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 131 / 165 30 / 42 electrical safety 20 (represented in FIGS. 8 and 9 as dashed rectangles to indicate that the electrical safety device(s) is / are integrated into the electrical assembly 300). The electrical assembly 300 includes a housing 302 having opposite first and second sides 304a, 304b. Here, an electrical plug 36 projects out from a central region of the first side 304a, and a pair of electrical sockets 40 are recessed into respective regions of the second side 304b. The electrical plug 36 is configured for electrical coupling to an electrical power distribution network (not shown) to provide electrical current flow from the electrical power distribution network, so that the electrical socket(s) 40 receive(s) electrical current from the electrical power distribution network via the electrical plug 36.

[069] In parentheses, note that the 300 socket adapter device may, in certain embodiments, include a voltage adapter (converter) that is configured to convert between high-voltage networks of two or more regions or countries. For example, the voltage adapter may be configured to convert between 100-120 volts AC (as used in the United States) and 220-240 volts AC (as used in Europe). In other embodiments, the 300 socket adapter device may include a surge protector to limit the voltage supplied to the electrical outlet(s) 40.

[070] Note that although only two electrical outlets are illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 11, it should be evident that the electrical assembly may include any suitable number of electrical outlets, including a single outlet or more than two outlets. For example, a single outlet may be employed in embodiments in which the outlet adapter device includes a voltage adapter.

[071] As illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the electrical assembly 300 includes an electrical connection arrangement 306 inside the housing 302 that provides a Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 132 / 165 31 / 42 electrical connection between the electrical plug 36 and the electrical socket(s) 40, and in particular between common elements of the plug and the sockets (e.g., ground to ground, zero to zero, live to live). The electrical connection arrangement 306 includes electrically conductive material and can be implemented in various ways, including, for example, as one or more busbars or one or more wires. In the illustrated embodiment, the busbars 306 provide electrical connection between the electrical contacts 42a, 42b, 42c of each of the electrical sockets 40 and the corresponding electrical contacts 39a, 39b, 39c (which, although not shown in the drawings, are located at the base of the corresponding pins 38a, 38b, 38c, inside the housing 302). In certain embodiments, the electrical contacts 24 and 26 of the thermal switch 20 can be electrically connected to the zero and grounding elements via direct connection with appropriate portions of the busbars 306.

[072] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 11, the electrical plug 36 and each of the electrical sockets 40 have an electrical safety device 20 attached to them. Note, however, that any combination of coupling of the electrical safety device to the plug 36 and the sockets 40 may be employed, including a single electrical safety device 20 attached to the plug 36 or a single electrical safety device 20 attached to one of the sockets 40. The coupling of the electrical safety device 20 to the plug and sockets is similar to that of the embodiments described above.Thus, in embodiments where the electrical safety device 20 is electrically coupled to the electrical plug 36, the coupling can be provided via electrical connection of the electrical contacts 24 and 26 with the respective zero and grounding pins of the electrical plug 36, where the electrical connections with the pins can be made by connecting the electrical contacts 24 and 26 to the pin portions that are internal to the plug 36 (i.e., inside the housing 302). In this way. Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 133 / 165 32 / 42 similarly, in embodiments where the electrical safety device 20 is electrically coupled to one of the electrical sockets 40, the coupling may be provided via electrical connection of the electrical contacts 24 and 26 with respective portions of a zero contact and a grounding contact of the socket (for example, portions that are internal to the socket, for example, inside the housing 302). In certain embodiments, the coupling between the electrical safety device 20 and the electrical plug 36 and / or the electrical socket(s) 40 may be provided via electrical connection of the electrical contacts 24 and 26 with zero and grounding portions of the busbars 306.

[073] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 11, the operation of the electrical safety device(s) 20 is, in principle, the same as in the embodiments described above. Therefore, when the thermal sensor(s) of the thermal switch (commutator) 20 sense(s) that the temperature of the electrical assembly 300 (electrical plug 36 or socket(s) 40) is above a threshold, the thermal switch 20 trips a short circuit between the zero element and the grounding element (i.e., closing the commutator), thus preventing the flow of electric current to the electrical socket(s) 40.

[074] Note that the electrical assembly 300 can also be configured without grounding elements (i.e., without a grounding pin or grounding contacts). In such embodiments, the electrical safety device 20 can be deployed similarly to that described with reference to FIG. 5, whereby the first electrical contact 24 is electrically connected to a zero element (which may be a zero pin, a zero contact or a zero element of the appropriate busbar 306), and the second electrical contact 26 is not electrically connected to any component, thus triggering an open circuit (i.e., opening the switch) when the thermal sensor(s) of the thermal switch 20 sense(s) that the temperature of the electrical assembly 300 (plug 36) Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 134 / 165 33 / 42 or electrical outlet(s) 40) is above a threshold.

[075] Referring now to FIG. 12, a safety device 200 is illustrated according to another series of embodiments of the present disclosure. Here, the electrical safety device 20 is integrated into or connected to an electrical wall socket assembly of the power distribution network 210 to form a safe wall socket. The electrical wall socket assembly 210 includes a back box (or base plate) 212, an electrical wire assembly 214 that is housed within the back box 212, and a front plate 216 that is mounted on the back box 212. The electrical wire assembly 214 includes one or more wires that are electrically connected to the power distribution network and are configured to carry electrical current from the power distribution network. In the illustrated embodiment, the wires of the electrical wire assembly 214 include neutral (zero) wire 34a, grounding (earth) wire 34b, and live (phase) wire 34c.The front panel 216 includes an electrical receptacle (socket) 40 which is electrically connected to the electrical wiring assembly 214 and is configured to receive an electrical plug and conduct electrical current from the power distribution network through the electrical wiring assembly 214 to the electrical plug when the electrical plug is received in the electrical receptacle. The electrical receptacle 40 includes multiple electrical contacts, represented in FIG. 12 as holes 42a, 42b, 42c. The electrical contacts of the electrical receptacle 40 include the neutral (zero) contact 42a, the grounding (earth) contact 42b, and the live (phase) contact 42c. The neutral wire 34a is electrically connected to the neutral contact 42a, the grounding wire 34b is electrically connected to the grounding contact 42b, and the live wire 34c is electrically connected to the live contact 42c.

[076] The electrical safety device 20 is coupled to the socket assembly 210 in a manner similar to the methods described above. Thus, the electrical safety device 20 can be coupled to the socket assembly. Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pages 135 / 165 34 / 42 electrical 210 via electrical connection of electrical contacts 24 and 26 with respective portions of a zero element and a grounding element of the electrical socket assembly 210, for example, portions of the zero wire 34a and the grounding wire 34b, or portions of the zero contact 42a and the grounding contact 42b that are internal to the electrical receptacle 40.

[077] The operation of the safety device 200 is, in principle, the same as the modalities described above. Therefore, when the thermal sensor(s) of the thermal switch (commutator) 20 sense(s) that the temperature of a portion or portions of the electrical wall socket assembly 210 (portion(s) / segment(s) of the electrical wiring assembly 214) is above a threshold, the thermal switch 20 trips a short circuit (i.e., closing the commutator) between the zero element and the grounding element, thus preventing the flow of electric current through the electrical wiring assembly 214.

[078] Note that the electrical wall socket assembly 210 can also be configured without grounding elements (i.e., without grounding wire or grounding contact). In such embodiments, the safety device 200 can be deployed in a manner similar to that described with reference to FIG. 5, whereby the first electrical contact 24 is electrically connected to a zero element, which can be a portion of the zero wire 34a or a portion of the zero contact 42a. Consequently, when the thermal sensor(s) of the thermal switch 20 sense(s) that the temperature of the electrical wall socket assembly 210 (portion(s) / segment(s) of the electrical wire assembly 214) is above a threshold, the thermal switch 20 disconnects from the zero element to trip an open circuit (i.e., opening the switch).

[079] The modalities thus described so far refer to devices Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 136 / 165 35 / 42 electrical safety devices that are integrated into electrical assemblies. However, the present invention contemplates embodiments in which electrical safety devices are mounted externally on one or more components of electrical assemblies. Referring now to FIG. 13, a schematic illustration of the electrical safety device 20' is shown, configured for electrical connection to an electrical wiring assembly, which is electrically connected to an electrical power distribution network carrying electrical current. The electrical wiring assembly has a plurality of insulated electrical wires. In certain embodiments, the plurality of insulated electrical wires includes an insulated neutral (zero) wire, an insulated grounding (earth) wire, and an insulated phase (live) wire. In other embodiments, no grounding wire may be present. In certain embodiments, the insulated electrical wires are part of an electrical cable, for example, the electrical cable 32 of FIG.1, and are provided within a protective cable sheath. In other embodiments, the insulated electrical wires are not provided with a cable sheath, for example, when they are part of an electrical wall socket, such as the electrical wire assembly 214 in FIG. 12.

[080] The electrical safety device 20' is identical in structure to the electrical safety device 20 described in previous embodiments, but also includes a set of rods 25 having a pair of rods 27 and 29 that are close to each other (e.g., within a few millimeters or one or two centimeters) that allow a user to externally mount the electrical safety device 20' on electrical cables or wiring by inserting the rods into the wiring assembly. Rods 27 and 29 provide electrical contact points to form an electrical connection between electrical contacts 24 and 26 and the respective neutral and ground wires. Rods 27 and 29 have pointed ends to enable the rods to penetrate the Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 137 / 165 36 / 42 insulation of the insulated wires, such that rod 27 is configured to penetrate the insulation of the zero wire of the electrical wiring assembly (e.g., wire 34a in FIG. 1) so as to make contact with the electrically conductive material of the zero wire at a first point of contact along the zero wire. In embodiments where a grounding wire is present, rod 29 is configured to penetrate the insulation of the grounding wire of the electrical wiring assembly (e.g., wire 34b in FIG. 1) so as to make contact with the electrically conductive material of the grounding wire at a second point of contact along the grounding wire, where the second point of contact is close to the first point of contact (due to the proximity of rods 27 and 29).

[081] In embodiments where the electrical wiring assembly is provided within a protective cable sheath (for example, when the 20' electrical safety device is to be mounted externally on an electrical cable), the rods of the rod assembly may be elongated so as to be able to penetrate the protective cable sheath to reach the electrically conductive material of the wires. As should be evident, in embodiments where the 20' electrical safety device is to be mounted externally on the wiring of a wall outlet, the faceplate of the wall outlet must first be removed in order to allow the user to access the wiring assembly of the wall outlet.

[082] Once the electrical safety device 20' is mounted on the wiring assembly, adhesive electrical insulation (commonly referred to as “insulating tape”) can be wrapped around the electrical safety device and the mounted portion of the cable or electrical wiring in order to provide insulation to any exposed wiring and also to secure the electrical safety device 20 to the cable or electrical wiring. Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 138 / 165 37 / 42

[083] The operation of the electrical safety device 20 illustrated in FIG. 13 is in principle the same as in the embodiments described above in which the electrical safety device is integrated into the electrical cable or electrical wiring assembly and, therefore, the description of such operation will not be repeated here.

[084] In certain embodiments, the electrical safety device 20 (and / or the safety devices 10, 100, 200 or the electrical socket assembly 200) of this disclosure may be configured to provide warning notifications.

[085] In a number of embodiments, warning notifications may be provided by one or more indicator components that indicate the switching operation, i.e., the avoidance of the flow of electric current. In certain embodiments, the indicator components may be implemented as visual indicator components to provide a visual indication that the flow of electric current has been switched off. A non-limiting example of a visual indicator component is a lighting component, such as a light-emitting diode (LED), which may be part of the thermal switch or be electrically coupled to the thermal switch and which may be activated (illuminated) upon detection, by the thermal sensor(s), that the temperature of the electrical assembly is above a threshold. In other embodiments, the indicator components may be implemented as audible indicator components to provide an audible indication that the flow of electric current has been switched off.A non-limiting example of an audible indicator component is a tone generator, which may be part of the thermal switch or electrically coupled to the thermal switch, and which may be actuated to emit an audible tone or other sound upon detection, by the thermal sensor(s), that the temperature of the electrical assembly is above a threshold. Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 139 / 165 38 / 42

[086] In another series of embodiments, the electrical safety device 20 (and / or the safety appliances 10, 100, 200 or the electrical outlet assembly 200) of this disclosure may provide alert notifications to one or more users via communication with one or more networks which may include, for example, one or more cellular networks, one or more local area networks, the internet and the like. The alert notifications may take various forms, including, but not limited to, text-based messages sent to a user's mobile device via messaging service (e.g., SMS, MMS, WhatsApp, etc.) and email notifications sent to a user's email address. In such embodiments, network communication may be provided, for example, by a transceiver device that is part of or electrically connected (i.e., attached) to the electrical safety device 20 (and / or the safety appliances 10, 100, 200 or the electrical outlet assembly 200).In a non-limiting example implementation, the transceiver device may include a cellular transceiver that is configured to communicate with a cellular network. In such embodiments, the actuation of the thermal switch induces the transceiver device to transmit the alert notification via the network(s). FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a non-limiting example of an embodiment in which the electrical safety device 20 is connected to a transceiver device 70 that is in operation sending alert notifications when the electrical safety device 20 is actuated. Note that, although FIG.4 shows a transceiver device in the context of an embodiment in which there are circuits 54 connected to the electrical power distribution network 50 (to which the electrical assembly is connected) via a residual current device 52, the transceiver device 70 can be used with any of the embodiments described in the present invention, and it may be advantageous to use the transceiver device in embodiments in which there is no residual current device. Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 140 / 165 39 / 42 residual connecting the electrical power distribution network to other circuits.

[087] Note that the embodiments described in the present invention include various electrical plugs that are configured to electrically couple to an electrical power distribution network. Within the context of this document, an electrical coupling of an electrical plug to an electrical power distribution network may be a direct coupling, for example, via insertion into an electrical wall outlet, or it may be an indirect coupling, for example, via insertion into an electrical outlet of an extension cord or a socket adapter or other assembly that has an electrical plug inserted into an electrical wall outlet.

[088] Many of the embodiments disclosed in the present invention pertain to electrical safety devices used with electrical assemblies that have an electrical cable with an electrical plug at one end thereof and at least one electrical emitting component (e.g., socket / outlet, electrically powered device, etc.) at the other end thereof. Note, however, that the electrical safety devices according to the present disclosure may be used with other variants of such electrical assemblies, including variants in which an electrical cable is provided at one end with an electrical plug or socket, and in which loose electrical wires (connected to the electrical plug or socket) are at a second end of the electrical cable (opposite the first end).These methods allow a user to select an electrical connector component, such as at least one electrical outlet or plug, to connect to the other end of the electrical cable via an appropriate wiring connection.

[089] The various embodiments described in the present invention pertain to electrical safety devices, for example, in the form of switches. Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 141 / 165 40 / 42 thermal devices, which collect at least one temperature reading from one or more components of electrical assemblies and operate to prevent the flow of electrical current through components of the electrical assemblies if one or more of the collected temperature readings meet a threshold criterion, that is, if one or more of the collected temperature readings are above a threshold temperature. The temperature criterion / temperature threshold at which the electrical safety devices prevent the flow of electrical current may be a predefined parameter of the electrical safety device or may be an adjustable parameter that may be a temperature selected from an operating range of temperatures supported by the electrical safety device.For example, one thermal switch might have a preset temperature threshold of 40 degrees Celsius, while another thermal switch, for example, supplied by Texas Instruments of Dallas, Texas, might have a higher preset temperature threshold, for example, approximately 100 degrees Celsius. As another series of examples, Sensata Technologies of Attleboro, Massachusetts, produces an array of thermal switches with different operating ranges, allowing the user to select preferred temperature thresholds within the operating range.Therefore, safety devices according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may have pre-selected temperature thresholds or user-adjustable temperature thresholds, and the selection of the type of electrical safety device to be used with the various electrical assemblies discussed in the present invention may differ according to the particular application and may differ from electrical assembly to electrical assembly.

[090] The descriptions of the various forms of this disclosure have been presented for illustrative purposes only, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be made. Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 142 / 165 41 / 42 evident to those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope and spirit of the embodiments described. The terminology used in the present invention has been chosen to better explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement in relation to technologies found on the market, or to enable other those skilled in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed in the present invention.

[091] As used in the present invention, the singular forms a, an and the, “a” include plural references, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[092] The word “exemplary” is used in the present invention to mean “serving as an example, instance or illustration”. Any embodiment described as exemplary is not necessarily interpreted as preferential or advantageous over other embodiments and / or to exclude the incorporation of attributes of other embodiments.

[093] It is appreciated that certain attributes of the disclosure, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, several attributes of the disclosure, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination or as appropriate in any other described embodiment of the disclosure. Certain attributes described in the context of several embodiments should not be considered essential attributes of those embodiments unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.

[094] Insofar as the accompanying claims have been drafted without multiple dependencies, this was done only to accommodate formal requirements in jurisdictions that do not allow such multiple dependencies. It should be noted that all possible combinations of attributes that would be implicit in Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 143 / 165 42 / 42, which makes the multiply dependent claims explicitly stated, should be considered part of the disclosure.

[095] Although disclosure has been described in conjunction with specific modalities thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the intention is to cover all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fit within the spirit and broad scope of the accompanying claims. Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 144 / 165

Claims

1 / 11 CLAIMS 1. Safety device, characterized in that it comprises: an electrical assembly including: an electrical cable for carrying electrical current, an electrical plug connected electrically to a first portion of the electrical cable, the electrical plug for electrical coupling to an electrical power distribution network to supply electrical current flow from the electrical power distribution network through the electrical cable, and at least one electrical socket connected electrically to a second portion of the electrical cable to receive electrical current through the electrical cable; and an electrical safety device coupled to the electrical assembly and configured to: collect at least one temperature reading from one or more portions of the electrical assembly, and prevent the flow of electrical current through the electrical cable if one or more of the at least one temperature reading collected satisfies a threshold criterion.

2. Safety device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrical safety device is integrated into the electrical assembly.

3. Safety device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrical safety device is mounted on the electrical assembly.

4. Safety device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrical safety device is implanted in at least one electrical outlet. Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 145 / 165 2 / 11 5. Safety device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrical safety device is implanted in the electrical plug.

6. Safety device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrical safety device is implanted in or on a portion of the electrical cable.

7. Safety device, according to claim 1, characterized in that when one or more of the collected temperature readings meets the threshold criterion, the electrical safety device causes an interruption of the flow of electric current to all circuits connected to the electrical power distribution network.

8. Safety device, according to claim 7, characterized in that the electrical safety device causes the avoidance of the flow of electric current to all circuits connected to the electrical power distribution network, triggering a residual current device that is electrically connected to the electrical power distribution network to disconnect all circuits from the electrical power distribution network when one or more of at least one collected temperature reading satisfies the threshold criterion.

9. Safety device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrical safety device includes a thermal switch electrically connected to the electrical assembly.

10. Safety device according to claim 9, characterized in that the thermal switch is a thermal switch that is configured to operate in a normally open configuration.

11. Safety device, according to claim 10, characterized in that the thermal switch is electrically coupled to a zero element and a grounding element of the electrical assembly, wherein when at least one temperature reading collected satisfies the threshold criterion, the thermal switch closes to create a short circuit between the zero element and the grounding element, so that a residual current device that is electrically connected to the power distribution network prevents the flow of electric current to all circuits connected to the residual current device.

12. Safety device, according to claim 9, characterized in that the thermal switch is a thermal commutator that is configured to operate in a normally closed configuration in which the thermal commutator is connected to a zero element of the electrical assembly.

13. Safety device, according to claim 12, characterized in that when one or more of the collected temperature readings meets the threshold criterion, the thermal switch opens, thereby disconnecting the thermal switch from the zero element.

14. Safety device according to claim 9, characterized in that the thermal switch is a thermal fuse.

15. Safety device, characterized in that it comprises: an electrical assembly including: a set of wires including one or more wires for carrying electric current, an electrical plug electrically connected to a first portion of the wire assembly, the electrical plug for electrical coupling to an electrical power distribution network to supply electric current flow from the electrical power distribution network through the wire assembly, and at least one electrical emitting component connected Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, p.147 / 165 4 / 11 electrically to a second portion of the wiring assembly to receive electrical current through the wiring assembly; and an electrical safety device coupled to the electrical assembly and configured to: collect at least one temperature reading from one or more portions of the electrical assembly, and prevent the flow of electrical current through the wiring assembly if one or more of the at least one temperature reading collected meets a threshold criterion.

16. Safety device according to claim 15, characterized in that the electrical assembly is an electrically powered device.

17. Safety device according to claim 15, characterized in that at least one electrical emitting component includes at least one electrical socket.

18. Safety device according to claim 15, characterized in that at least one electrical emitting component includes a DC emission.

19. Safety device, according to claim 15, characterized in that when one or more of the collected temperature readings meets the threshold criterion, the electrical safety device causes an interruption of the flow of electric current to all circuits connected to the electrical power distribution network.

20. Safety device, according to claim 19, characterized in that the electrical safety device causes the avoidance of the flow of electric current to all circuits connected to the electrical power distribution network, triggering a residual current device that is electrically connected to the electrical power distribution network to disconnect all circuits from the electrical power distribution network when at least one temperature reading collected satisfies the threshold criterion.

21. Safety device, according to claim 15, characterized in that the electrical safety device includes a thermal switch electrically coupled to a neutral element and a grounding element of the electrical assembly and that it is configured to operate in a normally open configuration, and in which, when one or more of at least one collected temperature reading satisfies the threshold criterion, the thermal switch closes to create a short circuit between the neutral element and the grounding element, so that a residual current device that is electrically connected to the electrical power distribution network prevents the flow of electrical current to all circuits connected to the residual current device.

22. Safety device, according to claim 15, characterized in that the electrical safety device includes a thermal switch that is configured to operate in a normally closed configuration in which the thermal switch is connected to a zero element of the electrical assembly, and in which, when one or more of the at least one collected temperature reading satisfies the threshold criterion, the thermal switch opens, thereby disconnecting the thermal switch from the zero element.

23. Safety device, characterized in that it comprises: a socket adapter device including: an electrical plug for electrical coupling to an electrical power distribution network to receive electrical current from the electrical power distribution network, Petition 870250095096, 10 / 17 / 2025, p. 149 / 165 6 / 11 at least one electrical outlet, and an electrical connection arrangement that provides an electrical connection between the electrical plug and at least one outlet; and an electrical safety device coupled to the socket adapter device and configured to: collect at least one temperature reading from one or more portions of the socket adapter device, and prevent the flow of electrical current to at least one electrical outlet if one or more of the at least one temperature reading collected meets a threshold criterion.

24. Safety device, according to claim 23, characterized in that the electrical safety device includes a thermal switch electrically coupled to a neutral element and a grounding element of the socket adapter device and that it is configured to operate in a normally open configuration, and in which, when one or more of at least one collected temperature reading satisfies the threshold criterion, the thermal switch closes to create a short circuit between the neutral element and the grounding element, so that a residual current device that is electrically connected to the electrical power distribution network prevents the flow of electrical current to all circuits connected to the residual current device.

25. Safety device, according to claim 23, characterized in that the electrical safety device includes a thermal switch that is configured to operate in a normally closed configuration in which the thermal switch is connected to a zero element of the socket adapter device, and in which, when at least one or more of the collected temperature readings satisfies the threshold criterion, the thermal switch opens, thereby disconnecting the thermal switch from the zero element.

26. Safety device, characterized in that it comprises: an electrical socket assembly including: a back box, an electrical wire assembly housed within the back box, the electrical wire assembly including one or more wires electrically connected to an electrical power distribution network and configured to carry electrical current from the electrical power distribution network, and a front plate mounted on the back box and including an electrical receptacle electrically connected to the electrical wire assembly, the electrical receptacle configured to receive an electrical plug and to conduct electrical current from the electrical power distribution network through the electrical wire assembly to the electrical plug when the electrical plug is received in the electrical receptacle;and an electrical safety device attached to the electrical wiring assembly and configured to: collect at least one temperature reading from one or more portions of the electrical wiring assembly, and prevent the flow of electrical current through the electrical wiring assembly if one or more of the at least one temperature reading collected meets a threshold criterion.

27. Safety device, according to claim 26, characterized in that when one or more of the at least one temperature reading collected satisfies the threshold criterion, the electrical safety device causes an avoidance of the flow of electric current to all circuits connected to the electrical power distribution network. Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 151 / 165 8 / 11 28. Safety device, according to claim 27, characterized in that the electrical safety device prevents the flow of electric current to all circuits connected to the electrical power distribution network, triggering a residual current device that is electrically connected to the electrical power distribution network to disconnect all circuits from the electrical network when one or more of at least one collected temperature reading satisfies the threshold criterion.

29. Safety device, according to claim 26, characterized in that the electrical safety device includes a thermal switch electrically coupled to a neutral element and a grounding element of the electrical outlet assembly and that it is configured to operate in a normally open configuration, and in which, when one or more of at least one collected temperature reading satisfies the threshold criterion, the thermal switch closes to create a short circuit between the neutral element and the grounding element, so that a residual current device that is electrically connected to the electrical power distribution network prevents the flow of electrical current to all circuits connected to the residual current device.

30. Safety device, according to claim 26, characterized in that the electrical safety device includes a thermal switch that is configured to operate in a normally closed configuration in which the thermal switch is connected to a zero element of the electrical outlet assembly, and in which when at least one or more of the collected temperature readings satisfies the threshold criterion, the thermal switch opens, thereby disconnecting the thermal switch from the zero element.

31. Electrical safety device, characterized in that it is for electrical connection to an electrical wiring assembly that is electrically connected to an electrical power distribution network to carry electrical current from the electrical power distribution network, the electrical wiring assembly having a plurality of insulated electrical wires, including a first insulated electrical wire that is a neutral wire and a second insulated electrical wire that is a live wire, the electrical safety device comprising: a thermal switch including at least one temperature sensor configured to sense temperature;and a set of rods electrically connected to the thermal switch, the set of rods including a first rod and a second rod, the first rod configured to penetrate the insulation of the first insulated electrical wire so as to come into contact with the electrically conductive material of the first insulated electrical wire at a first point of contact, wherein the electrical safety device is configured to: collect at least one temperature reading from one or more portions of the electrical wiring assembly near the first point of contact, and prevent the flow of electrical current through the electrical wiring assembly if one or more of the at least one temperature reading collected satisfies a threshold criterion.

32. Electrical safety device, according to claim 31, characterized in that when one or more of the collected temperature readings meets the threshold criterion, the electrical safety device causes an avoidance of the flow of electric current to all circuits connected to the electrical power distribution network. Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 153 / 165 10 / 11 33. Electrical safety device, according to claim 32, characterized in that the electrical safety device causes the avoidance of the flow of electric current to all circuits connected to the electrical power distribution network, triggering a residual current device that is electrically connected to the electrical power distribution network to disconnect all circuits from the electrical power distribution network when one or more of at least one collected temperature reading satisfies the threshold criterion.

34. Electrical safety device, according to claim 32, characterized in that the plurality of insulated electrical wires includes a third insulated electrical wire that is a grounding wire, wherein the second rod is configured to penetrate the insulation of the third insulated electrical wire so as to make contact with the electrically conductive material of the third insulated electrical wire at a second point of contact, wherein the thermal switch is a thermal switch that is configured to operate in a normally open configuration, and wherein, when one or more of at least one collected temperature reading satisfies the threshold criterion, the thermal switch closes to create a short circuit between the neutral wire and the grounding wire, so that a residual current device that is electrically connected to the electrical power distribution network prevents the flow of electrical current to all circuits connected to the residual current device.

35. Electrical safety device, according to claim 31, characterized in that the thermal switch is a thermal commutator that is configured to operate in a normally closed configuration in which the thermal commutator is connected to the zero wire, and in which, when at least one or more of the collected temperature readings satisfies the threshold criterion, the thermal commutator opens, thereby disconnecting the thermal commutator from the zero wire.

36. A safety method for implementation on an electrical assembly that includes one or more of an electrical cable, an electrical socket or an electrical plug, the safety method characterized in that it comprises: collecting, by means of an electrical safety device, at least one temperature reading from one or more portions of the electrical assembly, and preventing, by means of the electrical safety device, the flow of electrical current through the electrical assembly if one or more of the at least one temperature reading collected satisfies a threshold criterion. Petition 870250095096, dated 10 / 17 / 2025, pp. 155 / 165

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