US2712116A - Swivel coupler for electrical - Google Patents

Description

June 28, 1955 H. R. BAUMANN 2,712,116

SWIVEL COUPLER FOR ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS Filed Sept. 11, 1951 FIG. .1. Fig. 2.

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BY 40% Z?)Qm A TTOF/VEY United States Patent I SWIVEL COUPLER FOR ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS Harry B a'um'ann, Los Angeles, Calif. Application September 11 1951, Serial No. 246,103

2 Claims. (Cl. 339--8) This invention relates to coupling devices for electrical conductors, and it has particular reference to a swivel coupling for electric cords or conductors for appliances, and its principal object resides in the provision of a device by which an electric conductor can be prevented from kinking, twisting, or otherwise being distorted while the flow of electric current can be maintained and uninterrupted.

Another object of the invention is that of providing a coupling device which is simple and economical in design yet dependable in aflording flexibility for the conductor without impairing its function.

A still further object of the invention resides in the provision of a compact structure comprising a minimum of parts yet capable of being disassembled at will for repair or cleaning, or removed and installed by unskilled persons, a sectional shell being provided for the assembly which can be readily and easily removed.

Broadly, the invention contemplates the provision of a swivel coupler for electrical conductors having structural features enabling the use of the same in any type of wiring, such as telephone or signal circuits, and aid in preserving the conductors against impairment to their insulation which often results in hazards to life and property through exposed wires.

While the foregoing objects are paramount, other and lesser objects will become manifest as the description proceeds, taken in connection with the appended drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the invention illustrating the association of the plug, the casing therefor and external sectional housing.

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the casing showing the conductor strips thereon for connecting conductor wires to the conductor bands within the casing.

Figure 3 is an elevational view of the plug member showing the mandrel portion thereof and illustrating the plurality of different length conductor strips thereon.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the casing member, shown in Figure 2, and illustrating the several conductor strips and their terminals.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the conductor strips for the casing member.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of the conductor strips on the plug member, and

Figure 7 is a perspective illustration of the assembled coupling having conductors connected thereto.

It is a prime object of the invention to provide a coupling device which comprises a pair of rotatively connected members, each being attached to a length of electrical conductor, yet having an outer shell or casing which can be freely rotated without affecting the conductor in which the device is connected.

The device, therefore, primarily comprises a round plug 10 which is formed with a mandrel portion 11 extending from the main body and which is preferably hollow to afford a chamber 12 therein, as shown in Figure l. Opposite the mandrel portion 11 is an integral cylindri- 2,712,116 Patented niuune 28, 1955 cal neck 13 through which a conductor 14 can extend so that the ends of the wires therein can be connected to the plug 10 in a manner which will be presently de scribed.

The plug 10 has a plurality of indentations 15 spaced therearound which extend from points well within the body portion 16 into the mandrel portion 11, and these indentations have passages 17 communicating therewith which extend into the hollow neck 13 so that conductor wires can be arranged therethrough and connected to terminal screws 18 which secure, at their inner ends, a plurality of flexible conductor strips 19 of different lengths, one of which is arranged in each of the indentations 15 and has its free end tensioned outwardly and formed with a contact member 20 whose function will presently become manifest.

A cap or casing 21 is provided to conformably embrace the mandrel portion 11 and be rotated thereon. The casing 21, shown in Figure 2, has a series of metal bands 22 circumscribing its interior and spaced apart axially of the casing 21.

A series of elongated recesses or indentations 23 are formed in the casing 21, and longitudinally of its axis, and spaced circumferentially. In each of the indentations 23 is a flexible metal conductor strip 24 and each has a passage 25 which provides communications between the cylindrical neck portion 26 formed thereon through which a conductor 27 can be arranged, the wires extending through passages 25 and secured by terminal screws 28 which retain the strips 24, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4.

Each of the strips 24 has contact opposite its screw 28 with one of the bands 22 so that electric current can flow through the device while the members 10 and 21 are rotated with respect to each other, the conductor strips 19 having sliding contacts with the bands 22. Ohviously, there may be any desired number of the bands 22 and the conductor strips 19 and 24. Figures 2, 3 and 4 illustrate structures which embody three terminals in order to provide for either or 220 volt circuits.

The assembled members 10 and 21 are housed within a shell which is formed in two sections 29 and 30, the latter having an internally threaded flange 31 which is adapted to receive an externally threaded portion 32 on the member 29. The opposing ends of the members 29 and 39 have apertures 33 and 34 therein which concentrically embrace the necks 13 and 26 of the plug 10 and the casing 21, as shown in Figures 1 and 7, so that the entire assembly of the sections 10 and 21 can rotate freely in the shell formed by the sections 29 and 30.

Manifestly, the structure herein shown and described is capable of certain modifications, from time to time, by persons skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and intent of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A swivel coupler for electrical conductors comprising, a cylindrical plug having a mandrel portion formed axially therewith and an integral boss extending oppositely from said mandrel portion, a plurality of indentations formed in said mandrel portion longitudinally thereof and extending into the body portion of said plug, tensioned contact conductive strips of different lengths secured at one end to the body portion of said plug in each of said indentations and having contact means at their free ends, each of said strips having means on its secured end for attaching electrical conductors thereto, a hollow member rotatively embracing said mandrel portion and having a series of bands arranged circumferentially therewithin and spaced longitudinally of the axis thereof whereby the said contact means on said strips slidably engage said bands, means for connecting electrical conductors to said bands, and a sectional shell rotatively embracing said plug and said hollow member.

2. A swivel coupler for electrical conductors comprising a cylindrical plug having a mandrel portion formed therewith and a plurality of therein and extending into said mandrel portion indentations formed longitudinally thereof, each having a tensioned conductor strip therein attached at one end to the body portion of said plug, the

said strips having dilferent lengths and extending along said indentations, a cylindrical casing having a series of conductive bands arranged circumferentially interiorly thereof and spaced longitudinally of its axis engageable by the free ends of said strips, means for connecting a conductor Wire to each of said bands, the said casing rotatively embracing said mandrel portion whereby said strips have a sliding contact with said bands, and a sectional shell rotatively embracing said plug and said casing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 296,355 Ritchie Apr. 8, 1884 1,379,795 Allen May 31, 1921 2,465,022 Laubi Mar. 22, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS 619,280 France Mar. 30, 1927 687,051 France Aug. 4, 1930

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