US2452967A - Connector plug - Google Patents

Description

Nov; 2; 194a. Q, H, THOMAS 2,452,967

CONNECTOR PLUG Filed Dec. 29, 1944 will J B if% INVENTOR.

- Wm H. 720M463 m z W patented Nov. 2 1948 2,452,967 i CONNECTOR PLUG' I Orrin H. Thomas, Wiiliamsport, Pa. Application December '29, 19h, serial hormones it This invention relates to electrical connector plugs and it consists in the constructions, ar-

rangements and combinations hereindescribed and claimed. Itis a particular object of the invention to provide a plug having contact blades embodying a pair of resilient leg or blade members which normally are divergent with respect to each other, one legbeing fixed and the other free for move! ment to a substantially parallel relation with the fiiied leg, there being spring means for limit ing excessive flexing movement of the free leg, thereby, insuring a positive and firm contacting engagement with contacts of asocket when inserted therein.

It is also animportant object of the invention to providea novel construction of plug body, enabling ready assembly of the parts as well as connection of the conductor wires to respective bindingposts of the plug, andalso maintain the spring means in a secure position against acci dental displacement. l

Additional objects, advantages and features of invention will be apparent from the following description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a vertical section through the plug.

Figure 2 isa cross section on the-line 2-2 of Figure 1. i a i i t Figure 3 is a cross section on the line 3,--3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a cross sectionon the lined-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a vertical section on the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the contact prongs and spring means detached from the plug.

There is illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 an attachment plug Ii), formed of insulating material in two vertical sections l I and I2, and as may be seen in Figures 1, 2 and 4, the section I I is formed with a passage l3 divided longitudinally by a medial abutment M, the inner end of which is tapered and stopping short of the conductor inlet opening l5 a distance. The wall defining the opening [5 is continued downwardly upon opposite sides of the abutment, as at l6, following the general contour of the exterior shape of the section, which is here shown as of substantial bell-shape at the lower part, merging inwardly to form a reduced neck 11 and finally terminating in an annular head l8.

A pair of openings 19 are formed in the base 20, positioned at opposite sides of the abutment 14, forming communication with respective pas- 2 Claims, (01. 1 73- 3161) sageslt The base at isof substantial thickness and where, the walls I6 terminate respective shoulders Ziare formedfthe latter functioning foiyrnounting pf respective contact prongs 22, as 5 will be described.

Attention is now: invited to Figure 6 of the drawings, wherein the prongs 22 are illustrated, and it will be seen that the prongs are of identical construction, consisting of a pair of blades 23 q and 2 4, formed from asingle strip of metalbent intermediate its length, the blades being inv divergent relation to each other, Normally, the

blades ,are oi; equal lengths but the blade 23 is bent at right angles inwardly of one of its free yends to form a base mounting 25, the latter being aperturecl asat 26. Thus, the blade, 24 is of a a lengthgreater than the blade 23 so that the l blade 24 will extenda substantial distance inwardly of the opening i9, when injassembled re- Q lation within the plug, and by reason; of the divergency oftheblades, the blade 24 willlie against or closely adjacent the Wall of the abutment H5, as may be seendnqFigure 1.

The abutment I4 is formedwith a pair of slot sameas the openings i9, and: extending in paralelel, relationjto the flat face of the leg 24. A pair of substantially U-shaped spring clips; 28 are employedatconsisting of a bight portion fromg 30% which respective legs 29 are'extended in parallel U relation, the legs being ofia thickness slightly less than the width of the slots 2! and oi the same length from the inside of the bight portion of the clips, thus presenting the bight portions outwardly of the face of the section, by the thickness 45 be apparent thatwhen the prongs are in assembled relation within the sections H and I2, the prongs are securely held against lateral movements.

The sections in and s2 are each provided with 5 a transversely extended opening 3! adapted to be in registrywhen the sections are in mated or aligned relation, and receive an assembly bolt and nut 32 for securing the parts together. Preferably the outer ends of the openings are counter sunk so that the head of the bolt and the nut will Q lie beneath the outer contour of the sections thus presenting a smooth exterior surface.

'In order to assemble the prongs within the plug, it being understood that the sections II and [2 are in a disassembled relation, one of the prongs 22 is presented into the openings l9, with the mounting 25 presented directly upon the shoulder 2 i, the aperture 26' formed in the shoulder 2|. A, binding'screw 33 is ,now.- positioned.

through openings 2,6and 26 so; as-to partly engage int the base 26. The other prong is similarly positioned and secured, and in each instance it will be seen that the blade 24 lies quite close to or contacting respective sides of the" abut ment l4.

The conductor 34 is now laid within the opening -l-respective sides of said abutment, a pair of spring clips, oneof which is mounted on each side of said abutment having a portion adapted to overlie re- I5, respective leads 35 being secured to respective binding screws 33, the latter being tightenedtq,

secure the leads 35. It isnow only necessary to securethe blade 24 against excessive fiexure towardthe blade 23 and, this is accomplished by insertin'g one leg 29of the clip into the slot 21, the other; leg 29 being disposed about'the blade 24 tending tohold' the blade against'the abutment M. The other clip is similarly engaged. The sec.- tion I2 is now aligned with the section ll, the apertures 3| being in registration when the recesses 30 are in snug seating engagement upon the biglit portions of the clips. The bolt 32 is mserted through the apertures '3i and secured by means of a nut.

A plug constructed as shown and described'will insure a'positive and firm grip within-a wall receptacle-or other similar fitting by reason of the fact that the contact blades'23 and 24 are maintained against excessive flexure toward each other, yet by the inherent resilience of the blades and the clips, the prongs may be readily inserted in appropriate electrical fixtures.

While I' haveshown and specifically described preferred forms of the plug, this is by way 'of illustration only; and'I consider as my own all such sp ective terminal ends of said blades, said other section having recessed portions complemental to T a portion of said spring clip members and said sections. ,being provided with transverse aligned "openings and an assembly bolt engaged therea portion; of a plug body, anda separate spring" clip member having a pair of integral parallel leg members,-one of which overlies said dast nar'ned blade member adjacent the free'end-and the other modifications in construction as fairly-fall within body member. of insulatingmaterial consistingof' two separable sections, said sections havinga con ductor; inlet and oneauof said sections having-an interior: passage; .an 7 abutment :on' said section extendedy inwardly, upon said passage; andistoppingr 'Numb'er Name 7 Date 138982359 Gi1beit" 19495521, 1933* 1,979,953 Clark, JIT NOV;6, 1 934"' 296834-86 Gilbert"; Jan;19'; 1937 2,059,375 Liane-:0; Feb; 2; 1937 2;'123;309* McKee July"=l2,-1938- 2,126'fl94 Mea l'rS Ange-$1938 2;1'80}569 Wall's NOV. 21, 1939 252311038 Thomas Feb." 11; 1941 2,260,509 Chirelstein Oct. 28,1941 2,406,154 Medlin' Aug. 20-1946 leg mem'ber being adapted to be engaged-in a portion of aplug body adjacent said free end? ORRIN H. THOMAS.

REFERENCES CITED. 'lfhejfollowing references aref'of'recordf inf tlie, file bffthispatent:

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