US2318230A

US2318230A - Electric plug

Info

Publication number: US2318230A
Application number: US332862A
Authority: US
Inventors: Howard B Jones
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1940-05-02
Filing date: 1940-05-02
Publication date: 1943-05-04
Anticipated expiration: 1960-05-04

Description

M y 1943- H. B. JONES 2,318,230

ELECTRIC PLUG Filed May 2,' 1940 INVENIOR.

. f7 BY owardfi @7266,

Patented May 4, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC PLUG Howard B. Jones, Evanston, 111. Application May 1940, Serial No. 332,862

4 Claims. (o1. 173-361) My invention relates to electrical apparatus and particularly to a plug having novel characteristics. This application is a continuation in part of my copending application, Serial No. 309,- 765, filed December 18, 1939 patented as 2,235,155, dated March 18, 1941.

the plug provides the usual wire connector ele- An object of my invention is to provide a simpie, sturdy plug adapted for use in connection with high capacity currents and which may be assembled with a minimum of labor. It is particularly intended for use in connection with a multiple plug and socket; that is, one in which a plurality of connections are made by the use of the same assembly.

In the use of multiple plugs and sockets, it is element for each contact piece.

Furthermore, since it is essential that the terminal pieces to which the wires are connected shall be covered, I provide a hood into which the wires are led and which hood is likewise removably secured to the base in such manner as to adapt it for easy separation when required.

The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawing; in which,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a multiple plug assembly, a portion of the hood and base being broken away;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the assembly; and,

, Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 1.

In the drawing I have shown a base It composed of Bakelite or some similar dielectric material, the base being rectangular in outline and providing eight openings for the accommodation of the plugs for a four circuit assembly. These openings Ii, one of which is shown in Fig. 3 and all of which are identical, extend downward and terminate short of the lower wall l2 of the base in a narrow slot l3 of substantially the size of the plug or contact piece it which projects there through. At the upper end of the opening I provide notches I5 on diametrically opposite sides in order to accommodate lateral projections or ears It provided on the plug. The upper end of ments including the screw I1.

"The base is also provided with a transverse opening l8 having a contracted unthreaded portion l9 and a continuation 20 thereof at a point beyond the other opening ll. Within this transverse opening is received a screw 2| and the plug member M has a threaded opening which is engaged by the said screw.

In installing the plug member it is seated in the position shown in Fig. 3 by a sliding movementand thereafter the screw 2| is placed as shown, the opening l8 being later filled with wax. Thus for replacement it is only necessary to back out the screw 2! and the contact piece may be renewed. 1

As a means for covering the wire connectors I provide a hood having a body portion 22 which is U-shaped in cross-section and provided with

ends

23 and 23a, the end 23 being permanently Joined to the body portion by crimping or riveting, and the hood being lined with an insulating material. Secured to the end 23a and surrounding an opening in said end is a thimble or sleeve 24 adapted to receive and hold a cable 25 through which the to hold the hood in place. For ease in assembly the said openings are flared at their outer ends,

as best shown in Fig. 3.

In order to replace any damaged plug, it is only necessary to remove the screws 21 and lift the hood body by means of the finger holds 28 sumciently to expose the base and connectors. 'Ihereupon the screw 2! holding the damaged plug maybe removed and a new contact piece inserted.

I claim:

1. In combination, a base having an opening, a contact piece within the opening and extending on opposite sides of the base, said opening being of substantially greater width than the piece at its upper end and being contracted at its lower end to a size only slightly greater than the cross sectional area of the piece, and its upper end screw extended laterally through a side wall of the base and engaging said threaded opening in the piece whereby to hold the piece against longitudinal movement.

2. In combinatiom-a base having an opening, a contact piece within the opening and extending on opposite sides of the base, said opening being of substantially greater width than the piece at its upper end and being contracted at its lower end to a size only slightly greater than the cross sectional area of the piece, and its upper end having diametrically opposite notches, projections on opposite sides of said piece adapted to engage said notches, whereby the piece is held only at the upper and lower ends of the opening against lateral movement, and said projections and notches act as limit stops for the piece against downward motion, and a screw extended laterally through a side wall of the base and engaging said piece to hold it against longitudinal movement.

3. In combination, a dielectric base and a plurality of metallic plug elements readily removably mounted therein, each held in place by a screw entering the base from a side edge of the base, and a hood overlying the assembly of base and plugs and removably connected to the base by holding means engaging the said side edges oi the base, said hood overlying said plug-holding screws, said hood being composed 01' a body portion havinga permanent end wall at one end and at its other end a sleeve for the reception of wires adapted to be connected to said plug elements. said hood with its fixed end wall being removable as a unit vertically from the base.

4. In combination, a dielectric base and a plurality of metallic plug elements readily removably mounted therein, each held in place by a screw entering the base from a side edge of the base, and a hood overlying the assembly of base and plugs and removably connected to the base by holding means engaging the said side edges of the base, said hood overlying said plug-holding -screws, said hood being composed of a U-shaped body portion having a fixed end wall at one end and at its other end an end wall carrying a sleeve for receiving wires adapted to be connected to said plug elements, said hood body and fixed end wall being removable as a unit vertically from the base.

HOWARD B. JONES.