US2100094A - Electric cord plug adapter - Google Patents

Description

yNov. 23, 1937. L- J. WAHL `ELECTRIC CORD PLUG ADAPTER Filed Feb. 19, .179:56

lxllll Patented Nov. 23, 1937 UNITED STATES;

PATENT OFFICE 2,100,094.A n i f ELECTRIC conn PLUG ADAPTER Leo J. Wam, sterling, n1., assignor to wahl Clipper Corporation, Sterling, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application February 19, 1936, serial No. 64,704

Claims.

My invention relates to attachment plugs or connectors for electrical cords and more particularly to an adapter which is for the purpose' of changing a standard plug of one type to a stand- 5 ard plug of another type. v

In plug connectors for electrical cords, the side spacing and shape of the connecting prongs are i different in the dilferent countries. For example, in the United States, a standard plug utilized for most all electrical devices that are operated from and the shape of the prongs is also diierent. For' 0 example, the English type plug employs round y slotted prongs having a spacing somewhat greater than the United States type. The German type o prong is similar to the English type except that the prong is smaller in diameter and the spacing is somewhat different.

The present invention contemplates an adapter` structure whereby prongs of the English or German or otherdiiferent types may be readily provided inv conjunction with a standard United Statestype of plug.

I will describe the preferred form of the invention by reference to the accompanying .drawing whereinl Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation4 showing the several parts of a device embodying the invention separated from each other; l l Fig. 2 isa vertical sectional view through an assembly ofthe parts in Fig. 1 after they have d been placed together; i 4o Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 isa view in side elevation of a modified form of prong. l.

Referring now in detail to the drawing,` the numeral 5 indicates an insulating body or base for a connector plug. This body has fixed therein two prongs 6 and 1 which prongs are connected in any well known manner to a pair of electrical conductors 8 and 9. In the standard United States form of plug, the prongs 6 and 'l are substantially rectangular in cros"s section and have their wider surfaces parallel to each other. Also,

usually these prongs are provided with apertures l at i2. 1t will be noted that this prong is 4smo-v stantially' cylindrical .in cross section, and it may be slotted at I3 as will be readily understood. In

the foreign plugs, of course, this prong is mounted is a base such .as 5 with a proper spacing from a. 5 similar prong I 4 to fit the sockets provided in that particular country. Therefore, the devices I2 and I4 shown herein are not actual reproductions of the foreignprongs. They merelyhave the socket engaging portions of the same size and 10 i shape as the foreign prong. Each of the devices I2 and I4 has a shank portion I5 which is sub A stantially rectangular in cross section and which may or may not be aligned with -the axis of the rounded portions ofthe devices I2 and I4. The 16 degree of offset of the shanks I5 determines the spacing which the prongs I2 and I4 will ultimately have. Each 'of the shanks I5 has formed thereon a lug I6 which lug is shaped to fit the apertures I0 and II and to prevent the plug coming apart 20 on theU. S. standard side.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the auxiliary prongs I2 and I4 are shown attached to the standard prongs 6 and 1. A retaining body I1 is utilized as the means for holding the prongs 6 and 1 and their 25 auxiliary prongs I2 and I4 assembled together. This body I'I is substantially cylindrical in cross y section and is constructed of a resilient material such for example as rubber. The body I1 has a recess at I8 in which a reduced portion I9 of the 30 plug ybody 5 is seated. The body I1 also'has a. pair of apertures 2U ,and 2| which apertures are spaced to receive the prongs 6 and 1. The apertures 20 and 2| are slightly smaller in dimensions than the combined thickness of the prongs 6 and 35 'I and the associated Shanks I5 of the auxiliary prongs I2 and I4. I

The manner of assembly, it is believed,vwill be clear from Figs..1 and 2. The bodyl I'I is rst shoved into the position shown in Fig.' 2 over the 40A prongs 6 and 1. After this has been done, the auxiliary prongs I2 and |14 are shoved into the openings 20 and 2| along side the prongs and 1 untilthe lugs I6 an the shanks I5 drop into the openings I0 and Il. The resiliency of the body 45 -I1 permits the insertion of the shanks I5 Without great difficulty.' and, after the Shanks are inserted, the body I1 will hold them tightly against the prongs 6 and 1. if.

In Fig. 4, I have illustrated an auxiliary prong 5o 22 for the purpose of showing how the spacing between theauxiliary prongs may be changed by the mere substitution of different auxiliary prongs. In the auxiliary prong 22, a shank 23' thereof is offset in the formation of the prong so diameters and shapes of the socket engaging portions of the auxiliaryy prongs may-be made such,

as tio iit the sockets with whichV they are to be Having thus describedrone speciicl form of my y' invention, what I claim as new Aanddesire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An adapter for electric cord plugs of the type having spaced parallel prongs shaped and spaced yto seati'n-one socket, said adapter comprising a body of resilient material having spaced openingsV extending through the body, one 'end of each opening being adapted to receive one of the prongs of a plug, auxiliary prong membershaving shank portions entering the body at the other end of by the pressure of the resilient body thereon.,

2. An adapter for electric cord plugs of the type having spaced parallel prongs, said adapter comprising a body of resilient material having spaced openings extendirigthr'o-ugh the body, one end of each opening being adapted to receive one of the prongs of a plug, auxiliary prong members having shank portions entering the body at the other end of saido'penings and adapted to establish electrical contact with the plug prongs in the openings, said auxiliary prong members having prong portions projecting from the body and adapted to seat in a socket, said prongs being held in place by the pressure of the resilient body thereon, the Shanks of the auxiliary members and the prongs of the plugs having cooperative interlocking portions. A

3. An adapter for electric cord'plugs of the type having spaced parallel prongs, said adapter comprising a body of resilient material having spaced openings extending through the body, one end of each opening being adapted to receive one of the prongs of a plug, auxiliary prong members having shank portions entering the body at the other end of said openings, and contacting i with` the plug prongs to establish electrical contact vvith the plug prongs in the openings, said auxiliary prong members having prong portions projecting from the.body and adapted to seat in a socket, said prongs being held in place by the pressure of the resilient body thereon, the prong portions of said auxiliary members being of a different shape than the plug prongs.

"i. An adapter for electric cord plugs ofA the ,type having spaced parallel prongs, said adapter comprising a body of resilient material having spaced openings extending through the body, one endl of each opening being adapted to receive one of the prongs of a plug, auxiliary prong members having shank portions entering the body at the other end of said openings, and contacting with the plug prongs to establish electrical contact with the-plug prongs in the openings, said auxiliary prong members having prong portions projecting from the body and adapted to seat in a socket, sai prongs being held in place by the pressure of the resilient body thereon, the prong portions of said auxiliary members being provided with a diierent spacing than the plug prongs when assembled with the body and the plug.

45. An adapter for electric cord plugs of the type havingspaced parallel prongs, said adapter comprising a body of resilient material, said body being apertured to receive the prongs of the plug, auxiliary prong members having shank portions inserted in the ape'rtured body from the end thereof opposite the plug, said shank portions being overlapped with the plug prongs and held in place by the pressure of the body thereon, said auxiliary prong members having prong portions formed to seat in a. socket incapable of receiving the plug prongs.

1 LEO J. WAHL.

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