US3030601A - Electric cord connector - Google Patents

Description

April 17, 1962 D. R. KREBS ELECTRIC CORD CONNECTOR Filed Oct. 30. 1958 Donald R. Krebs INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,030,601 ELECTRIC CORD CONNECTOR Donald R. Krebs, 125 Denver St., Rapid City, S. Dak. Filed Oct. 30, 1958, Ser. No. 770,760 2 Claims. (Cl. 33975) This invention relates generally to electric extension cords of the type comprising a prong type plug or male member and a socket or female member on one end for detachably connecting a pair of such cords, and has for one of its important objects to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, novel means for preventing the accidental separation of said members.

Another very important object of the present invention is to provide means for electrically insulating the extension cord connector.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide an insulator and holder of the aforementioned character which will readily adjust to accommodate extension cord connectors of various sizes.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an eX- tension cord connector holder and insulator of the character set forth which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, of light weight and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These, together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view, showing a device embodying the present invention applied;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical longitudinal section through the device, showing the same in use;

FIGURE 3 is a view in transverse section, taken substantially on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 4 is a detail view in perspective of one of the resilient reinforcing clamps.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that reference character 5 designates generally a conventional connector detachably connecting a pair of electric conductor or extension cords 6 at one end. The connector 5 includes the usual female member or socket 7 on one end of one of the cords 6 which is adapted to receive a prong type plug or male member 8 on one end of the other cord 6.

The embodiment of the present invention which has been illustrated comprises an elongated sleeve 9 of suitable rubber or other material, which sleeve is longitudinally split from end to end, as indicated at 10. The sleeve 9 includes a relatively thin, elastic intermediate portion 11 and tapered or substantially frusto-conical end portions 12.

The sleeve 9 further includes, in the elastic portion 11 thereof, a chamber 13 for the reception of the connector 5. Extending longitudinally into the sleeve 9 from the ends thereof and communicating with the chamber 13 are bores or passages 14 which accommodate the conductor cords 6. Of course, the bores or passages 14 and the chamber 13 communicate throughout their length with the split in the sleeve 9.

Molded in the end portions 12 of the sleeve 9 is a pair of resilient, substantially C-shaped circumferentially extending wire clamps 15. The wire clamps 15 are skeletonized and, as shown to advantage in FIGURE 3 of the drawing, the ends of said clamps are located adjacent the longitudinal walls of the split 10 in the sleeve 3,030,601 Patented Apr. 17, 1962 9. Formed integrally with the sleeve 9 in one of the bores 14 is a plurality of resilient teats or lips 16 for engaging, centering and retaining relatively small conductor cords.

It is thought that the use of the device will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the plug 8 is inserted in the socket 7 for detachably connecting the conductor cords 6. The resilient sleeve 9 is then opened at the split 10 and applied in an obvious manner, the chamber 13 receiving the connector Sand the bores or passages 14 receiving the cords 6. The construction and arrangement is such that when the device is thus applied the elastic intermediate portion 11 of the sleeve 9 is stretched and tensioned for holding the members 7 and 8 tightly together, the end walls 17 of the chamber 13 abutting the outer ends of said members. Also, the elasticity of the intermediate portion 11 of the sleeve 9 permits the device to readily accommodate various sizes of connectors. The resilient clamps 15 assist in closing the end portions 12 of the sleeve 9.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An insulator and holder for separable electric conductor cord connectors of various lengths, said insulator and holder comprising: an elastomeric sleeve including a relatively thin, elastic, longitudinally stretchable intermediate portion having a chamber therein for the reception of the connector and of a length, when unstretched, less than said connector, said sleeve further including end portions engageable under tension with the ends of the connector for yieldingly holding same together and having longitudinal bores therein communicating with the chamber for the passage of the cords, said end portions being relatively thick and of a substantial length to be gripped for stretching the sleeve for application to the connector, and resilient lips integral with the sleeve in at least one of the bores for frictionally engaging and retaining the respective conductor cord, said end portions of said sleeve still further being frusto-conical for riding over irregularities in a supporting surface when the sleeve is pulled longitudinally in opposite directions thereover.

2. An insulator and holder in accordance with claim 1, wherein said sleeve is longitudinally split from end to end to facilitate insertion of the connector and the cords.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 868,460 LHoest et al. Oct. 15, 1907 912,778 Banes Feb. 16, 1909 1,620,933 Wilcox Mar. 15, 1927 2,229,849 Heidebrecht Jan. 28, 1941 2,267,630 Weiland Dec. 23, 1941 2,277,468 Welch Mar. 24, 1942 2,662,953 Barker Dec. 15, 1953 2,667,906 Stiller Feb. 2, 1954 2,721,313 English Oct. 18, 1955 2,803,696 Hefner Aug. 20, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 402,839 Great Britain Dec. 11, 1933

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