US1772261A - Electric attachment plug - Google Patents

Description

g- 5, 1930- G. w. MCCARTHY 1,772,261

ELECTRIC ATTACHMENT PLUG Filed April 13, 1928 George WM Calf/2y,

INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented v Aug. 5, 1930 PT NT OFFICE GEORGE W. MCCARTHY, OF

NAUGATUCK, CONNECTICUT ELECTRIC ATTACHMENT PLUG Application filed April 13,

This invention relates to electric attachment plugs, and more particularly to an 1mproved form of top cap of a two-part separable attachment plug.

One object of this invention is to provide a top cap of the above nature having a pair of laterally extending wings aifordlng a handle of ample size to facilitate the removal of said top cap from the base of the attachment plug.

A further object is to provide a top cap of the above nature in which the currentsupply conductor cord passes through an aperture in the side of the top cap instead of through a central aperture as 1n the for- .mer type of top cap.

A further object is to provide a device of the above nature which will be simple 1n construction, inexpensive to manufacture,

compact, easy to manipulate, ornamental in appearance, and very eflicient and durable in use.

With these and other objects in view there has been illustrated on the accompanying drawings one form in which the invention may be conveniently embodied in practice.

Fig. 1 represents a front view 1n separated relation of the top cap and base member of the attachment plug, said top cap being shown partly in section.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the top cap.

Fig. 3 is a top View of the same.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vieW of a lamp shade and socket upon which the invention has been installed.

Fig. 5 is a front view of a wall outlet showing the attachment plug shown connected therewith.

In the use of the former standard type of two-part separable attachment plug, it has been found difficult for the operator to insert or remove the top cap from the base of the plug, when the latter was screwed into its socket. This was due to the fact that only a small finger-gripping rim was provided on said top cap, and also because the V socket was frequently so located that the base of the top cap was inaccessible to the hand of the operator, as for example, when said plug was screwed into a lamp socket sur- 1928. Serial No. 269,694.

rounded by a long narrow lamp shade. It was customary under such conditions, in order to remove the cap, for the user to grasp the cord itself and pull outwardly upon the cap. This method of removing the top cap, however, was objectionable not only because it caused the cord to rapidly become worn, but also since in pulling out the cap by the cord, the base of the plug was likely to be laterally bent, thereby loosening it in its socket.

The present invention avoids the above and other disadvantages by the use of a novel form of top cap having a handle member connected therewith, said handle serving to facilitate the insertion or removal of the top cap When the base of said cap is difficult of access to the hand of the user.

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numerals denote corresponding parts throughout the several views, the top cap 10 of the plug comprises an intermediate spherical section 11, a narrow bottom knurled cylindrical section 12, and a pair of downwardly extending parallel prongs 13 and 14:, the latter being adapted to be received in vertical recesses 15 and 16 located in the base 17 of the plug, said base having the usual center contact 18 and threaded shell terminal 19. y

In order to facilitate the manipulation of the top cap member 10, provision is made of a pair of oppositely extending wing sections 20 and 21, said wing sections being substantially cylindrical in cross-section as shown In Fig. 2, and providing a strong handle to be grasped by the fingers of the user.

Current is supplied to the top cap memberg 10 by means of a two-conductor cord 22 comprising a pair of insulated wires 23 and 24. Instead of passing into the top cap through a central aperture as in the usual construction'of standard top caps, the conductor cord 22 enters it through a flanged collar 25 in the side thereof below the wing sections 20 and 21 of the handle. 7

It will thus be seen that the present invention provides an ornamental device of simple construction which will greatly facili tate the connection and disconnection of ourrent-supply cords of lamps, toasters, vacuum cleaners, and other electrical equipment.

One advantage of the present invention is that by arranging the cord eccentrically with respect to the ax1s of the top cap, there will be less danger of accidentally pulling said cap out from its base than with caps in which the conductor cord is centralized.

A further advantage is that the handle of the cap being of relatively small height proiects out from its socket only a short distance, thereby producing only the minimum of obstruction.

While there has been disclosed in this specification one form in which the invention may be embodied, it is to be understood that this form is shown for the purpose of illustration only, and that the invention is not to belimited to the specific disclosure but may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit. In short,

the invention includes all the modifications and embodiments coming within the scope of the followinguclaim.

Having thus lly described the invention, what is claimed as new, and for which it is desired to secure Letters Patent, is:

Ina top cap for detachable connection with the base of a two-part electric attachment plug, a body member having a curved upper surface, a pair of projecting terminals at the under side of said body member, a manipulating handle projecting upwardly from said curved surface, said handle having a pair of oppositely disposed lateral gripping arms,

- and an electric conductor cord passing into said body member through the curved upper surface thereof at a point substantially at right-angles to the line connecting said gripping arms, whereby said plug may be readily removed from its socket, or the cap removed from its base withoutpulling upon said cord. k

In testimony whereof, I have aflixed my signature to this specification.

GEORGE MCCARTHY.

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