Safety system, apparatus and method

Abstract

An apparatus configured for use with a first power cord, a second power cord and safety glasses including a first wireless communication device. The apparatus includes at least one line conductor, an electrical isolation device configured to prevent current flow in the at least one line conductor, a second wireless communication device configured to wirelessly couple to the first wireless communication device and a body housing the electrical isolation device and the second wireless communication device. The body includes a collar configured to move in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis while coupled to the body. The collar includes an interior wall that defines a hollow region sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the body therein, the collar configured to secure to one of the female electrical socket and the male electrical plug with the respective one of first power cord and the second power cord electrically coupled to the distal end of the body and the collar at least partially extended from the body in a direction of the distal end. The electrical isolation device is configured to allow current flow in the at least one line conductor when the information provided by the wireless signal indicates that the safety glasses are being worn by the user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A safety system for a user employing each of eye protection hardware including a first wireless communication device, a first power cord including a male plug and a second power cord including a female socket, the system comprising:
 a first component configured to secure to a respective one of the first power cord and the second power cord;   a second component including:
 a longitudinal axis; 
 at least one line conductor; 
 an electrical isolation device configured to prevent current flow in the at least one line conductor; 
 a second wireless communication device configured to wirelessly couple to the first wireless communication device; 
 a body housing the electrical isolation device and the second wireless communication device, the body including:
 a first end defining a female electrical socket coupled to the at least one line conductor included in the body, the female electrical socket configured to electrically couple to the first power cord; 
 a second end defining a male electrical plug coupled to the at least one line conductor, the male electrical plug included in the body configured to electrically couple to the second power cord; and 
 a distal end selected from one of the first end and the second end; and 
 
 a fastening device coupled to the body and including a distal end, the fastening device configured to move in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis from a first position to a second position in which the distal end of the fastening device extends beyond the distal end of the body to receive the respective one of the first power cord and the second power cord and properly align the fastening device to secure the first component to the second component; 
   wherein the second wireless communication device is configured to receive a wireless signal transmitted from the first wireless communication device, the wireless signal providing information concerning whether the user is wearing the safety glasses, and   wherein the electrical isolation device is configured to allow current flow in the at least one line conductor when the information provided by the wireless signal indicates that the safety glasses are being worn by the user.   
     
     
         2 . The safety system of  claim 1 , wherein the first component is configured to secure to at least one of the male plug included in the first power cord and the female socket included in the second power cord, and
 wherein the first component includes a first piece and a second piece configured to be secured together to form a cavity therein, the cavity sized and shaped to receive the at least one of the male plug and the female socket.   
     
     
         3 . The safety system of  claim 2 , wherein the first component has a proximate end including at least a first part of a fastening system configured to secure the first piece and the second piece together. 
     
     
         4 . The safety system of  claim 3 , wherein the fastening system is a first fastening system,
 wherein the safety system includes a second fastening system configured to secure the first component to the second component, and   wherein at least a part of the second fastening system is included at the distal end of the fastening device.   
     
     
         5 . The safety system of  claim 4 , wherein the second fastening system includes a mechanical fastener, and
 wherein the at least a part of the second fastening system is configured to receive at least a portion of the mechanical fastener, and   wherein the mechanical fastener is selected from a group consisting of a threaded fastener and a push-to-release button.   
     
     
         6 . The safety system of  claim 1 , wherein the eye protection hardware is selected from a group consisting of safety glasses and goggles. 
     
     
         7 . The safety system of  claim 6 , wherein the eye protection hardware includes a processor coupled to the first wireless communication device and a sensor coupled to the processor, the sensor configured to sense whether the eye protection hardware is being worn by the user. 
     
     
         8 . The safety system of  claim 7 , wherein the fastening device includes a collar. 
     
     
         9 . The safety system of  claim 8 , the collar including an interior wall that defines a hollow region sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the body therein, the collar configured to secure to one of the female electrical socket and the male electrical plug with the respective one of first power cord and the second power cord electrically coupled to the distal end of the body and the collar at least partially extended from the body in a direction of the distal end. 
     
     
         10 . The safety system of  claim 9 , wherein the interior wall includes a first set of threads,
 wherein a second set of threads is formed by on an exterior surface of the first component with the first component is secured to the respective one of the first power cord and the second power cord, the second set of threads configured to engage the first set of threads, and   wherein the collar is free to rotate about the longitudinal axis while coupled to the body to engage the first set of threads and the second set of threads to thread the collar and the first component together.   
     
     
         11 . An apparatus configured for use with a first power cord, a second power cord and safety glasses including a first wireless communication device, the apparatus comprising:
 at least one line conductor;   an electrical isolation device configured to prevent current flow in the at least one line conductor;   a second wireless communication device configured to wirelessly couple to the first wireless communication device;   a body housing the electrical isolation device and the second wireless communication device, the body including:
 a longitudinal axis; 
 a first end defining a female electrical socket coupled to the at least one line conductor, the female electrical socket configured to electrically couple to the first power cord; 
 a second end defining a male electrical plug coupled to the at least one line conductor, the male electrical plug configured to electrically couple to the second power cord; and 
 a distal end selected from one of the first end and the second end; and 
   a collar configured to move in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis while coupled to the body, the collar including an interior wall that defines a hollow region sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the body therein, the collar configured to secure to one of the female electrical socket and the male electrical plug with the respective one of first power cord and the second power cord electrically coupled to the distal end of the body and the collar at least partially extended from the body in a direction of the distal end,   wherein the second wireless communication device is configured to receive a wireless signal transmitted from the first wireless communication device, the wireless signal providing information concerning whether the user is wearing the safety glasses, and   wherein the electrical isolation device is configured to allow current flow in the at least one line conductor when the information provided by the wireless signal indicates that the safety glasses are being worn by the user.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the electrical isolation device is configured to prevent current flow in the at least one line conductor when the safety glasses are not being worn by the user. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the body includes an outer surface including a first abutment projecting therefrom,
 wherein the interior wall of the collar includes a second abutment, and   wherein the first abutment and the second abutment are configured to prevent further travel of the fastening device in the direction of the distal end when the respective abutments make contact with one another.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the collar includes at least a first part of a mechanical fastening system configured to securely attach the collar to the respective one of the female electrical socket and the male electrical plug. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein, with the first abutment and the second abutment located proximate to one another, the first part of the mechanical fastening system is located in a position that allows the collar to be fastened to the respective one of the female electrical socket and the male electrical plug using the mechanical fastening system.