US3120987A

US3120987A - Electrical cord connector having an improved protective covering

Info

Publication number: US3120987A
Application number: US90822A
Authority: US
Inventors: Paul E Degnan; Joseph F Healy
Original assignee: Harvey Hubbell Inc
Current assignee: Harvey Hubbell Inc
Priority date: 1961-02-21
Filing date: 1961-02-21
Publication date: 1964-02-11
Anticipated expiration: 1981-02-11
Also published as: GB955632A

Description

Feb- 11, 1964 P. E. DEGNAN ETAL y 3,120,987

ELECTRICAL CORD CONNECTOR HAVING AN IMPROVED PROTECTIVE COVERING Filed Feb. 21, 1961 2 sheets-sheet 1 ATTO EY S` Feb- 1l, 1964 P. E. DEGNAN ETAL 3,120,987

ELECTRICAL CORD CONNECTOR HAVING AN IMPROVED PROTECTIVE COVERING 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 2l, 1961 n,VENTORS BYj-uf( QT ATTO EYS United States Patent O This invention relates generally to detachable electrical wiring devices, particularly to electrical cord connectors and more particularly to protective coverings therefor.

There are many detachable electrical wiring devices, such as electrical cord connectors, that are frequently used with ilexible, heavy, resiliently sheathed electrical cords which are used in industrial, marine, trailer and garage areas to permit selective connection and disconnection of the cords, wherein the cords are subjected to water, moisture, metal iilings, dust, dirt, lint and rough physical usage, including being knocked against hard lloors and objects. ln such environine ts, conventional electrical cord connectors are inadequate in that they are unable to .vitnstand such severe conditions, and are subject to malfunct ning and destruction if exposed to such severe conditions, as by having their metallic elements corroded, having their contacts shorted out, having their usual brittle insulating bodies cracked, and by having other physical or functional breakdowns.

lt is an object of the invention to provide a protective covering for an electrical wiring device, particuarly au electrical cord connector, which covering become operatively effective to provide a fluid-tight covering for the entire electrical cord connector simply by connectinfy the usual connector components in the usual manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide an irnproved electrical cord connector covering as set forth in the preceding paragraph wherein the covering also functions as a eheck absorber to protect the connector coinponents from pl'rysical shocks, such as those which result from dropping the connector on a hard iloor or knocking it against a hard object.

Other objects and further details or" that which we believe to be novel and our invention will be clear from the following description and claims taken with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. l is a perspective view of one of the connector components having a protective cover contemplated by the invention mounted on it and showing the front connecting end thereof;

lG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. l but showing tre other connector component and its protective cover;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view showing the connector components with their assembled covers in an intermediate stage or" connecting the connector components to each other, with cooperating portions of the covers broken away and shown in section for the sake of clarity;

FiG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional View 'taken through the connector components and their assembled covers after they have been fully connected, with portions of the connector components and their connected electrical cord sections shown in elevation to simplify the drawings;

llG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional View taken through the cover for one of the connector components showing it in its free unassernbled condition;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to HG. 5 but of the cover for the other connector component;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken substantially on line '7-7 of llG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a sectional View taken substantially on line 3 8 of FIG. 7, and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View of portions of a modified form of the invention.

In Patent No. 2,127,544, of C. T. "Von Holtz, dated August 23, 1938, entitled Waterproof Rubber Covering for Cord Connectors, there is disclosed a waterproof rubber covering for an electrical cord connector of the general type to which our invention relates. ln that patent a rubber covering is disclosed comprising two rubber covers which are individually mounted on two connector components and arranged to become operative on connection of the connector components in the usual manner to etlect a seal to render the connector waterproof. Although the invention in the Von Holtz patent is fully satisfactory for its intended purposes, and has, in fact, met with wide-scale commercial. usage and success, our invention constitutes a definite and distinct improvement thereover.

ln `FIG. 1 there is illustrated a connector body lll having a section l2 of electrical cord electrically connected to its contacts internally thereof in any convenient known manner and a rubber cover le mounted on it and on a portion of the electrical cord section. The particular construction of the connector body l@ forms no specic part of our invention, as it may take inany varied and different forms; however, the one illustrated is of the interlocking type, that is, the type which is constructed to receive the usual interlocking Contact blades formed on the other connector component. lt should be fully understood at the outset, however, that although the preferred form of the invention involves the utilization of an interlocking connector, the invention is not limited to including an interlocking connector and may be utilized with noninterlocking electrical connectors. In fact, the invention is not limited to utilization with or incorporation into electrical cord connectors, for it may be incorporated into other types of detachable electrical wi Ing devices, such as those which include an attachment cap and a receptacle. ln FIG. 1 there is shown the generally flat, circular, diametral front face of the front wall lo of connector body lll, which is accessible and visible through the adjacent front end of the connector body cover la. A plurality of arcuate slots 18 are formed in the wall lo and arranged to receive the interlocking contact blades of the other connector component.

The other connector component is shown in FlG. 2 and it comprises a connector cap 2d having a section Z2 of electrical cord electrically connected to its contacts internally thereof in any convenient known manner, and a rubber cover mounted on it and on a portion of the electrical cord section. The particular construction of connector cap 29 forms no specific part of our invention; however, it is designed to be complementary to connector body ld and to cooperate therewith to electuate electrical connection. Since the FlG. l connector body lll is illustrated as being of the interlocking type, the connector cap 2li is also or" the interl cking type. ln FIG. 2 the generally hat, circular, diametral front face of the front wall 2o of connector cap 2li is shown, which is accessible through the adjacent front end of the connector cap cover 24. A plurality of projecting male contact blades Zd, which are of the interlocking type, are supported by front wall 26 and are constructed and arranged to be inserted into the arcuate slots 18 in the connector body lb and to cooperate therewith to both make electrical connection with the usual female contacts therein and also to effect a physically locked connection. This general type of interlocking electrical connector is well known in the electrical wiring device art and one particular type is described in the referred-to Von Holtz patent. This type of interlocking connector ordinarily operates by having the two connector cornponents juxtaposed with their front ends facing each other and moved longitudinally toward each other so as to cause the connector cap male contact blades to be inserted through slots into the connector body female contacts to effect electrical connection of the contacts, and thereafer on twising of the electrical components relative to each other to cause lateral lugs on the male contact blades to engage internal wall portions formed adjacent the slots in the connector'body to prevent separation of the components by longitudinal separating movement.

In FIG. 2 the locking lugs of male contact blades 28 are designated by reference numeral 3G, and one of the connector cap male contact blades is formed slightly differently from the contact blades 3) and designated by reference numeral 32. Male contact blade 32 includes a bent-over tab 34 which is configured in such a manner that it can only be received in the special slot 36 formed in the front wall 16 of the connector body 1d. In the illustrated embodiment, male contact blade 32 is intended to function as a grounding contact and to engage a cooperating grounding female contact in the connector body 1d positioned behind slot 36. The arrangement is such that the connector components may be connected in only one manner, and thereby the polarity of the contacts is controlled and only the grounding male contact blade may be connected with the grounding female contact. However, this grounding feature may be omitted, if desired, for it forms no specific part of our invention.

Connector body cover 14 and connector cap cover 7.4 are shown by themselves in their free unassernbled conditions in FIGS. and 6, respectively. Both of these covers are made of a tough, but resilient, material, such as a relatively heavy, live rubber, which may be natural or synthetic. Connector body cover 14 on its exterior comprises a central axially extending cylindrical portion 38, a rearwardly and inwardly tapering conical portion 40 that terminates in a relatively short and small diameter tubular portion 42, and a forwardly extending enlarged cylindrical portion 44. On the exterior of connector body cover 14 the

cylindrical portions

38 and 44 may be conveniently connected by conical portion 46. Internally of the connector body cover I4 there is formed a complete but nonuniform axial passageway. Within the enlarged cylindrical portion 44 there are formed a pair of spaced flat, radially inwardly extending flanges 48 and Sti. The portion of the cover 14 at the right hand side of FIG. 5 will be referred to for convenience as the front end of the cover 14; therefore, the flange 48 will be designated the front iange and the flange 50 as the inwardly spaced flange. The flanges 48 and Sti are formed by a deep annular groove 52 and by an adjacent rearwardly spaced shallower annular groove 54. The anges 48 and 5t? have circular openings 56 and 5S, respectively, formed therein. The flange 50 has a at annular forwardly facing face 59 which functions as a major sealing element, as will become apparent subsequently. Within the cylindrical portion 33 of the connector body cover 14 a radially inwardly extending rib d@ is formed by an annular shallow groove 62 that is spaced rearwardly from the annular shallow groove S4. The rib 60 has a central opening 64 formed therein, and an annular flat radial rearwardly facing shoulder 65. The groove 62 forms an internal cylindrical wall on which are formed a plurality of circumferentially spaced axially extending ridges de. Rearwardly adjacent to the groove 62 is a cylindrical wall 63 of lesser diameter than the groove 62 which cooperates therewith to form an annular, hat, radial, forwardly facing shoulder 7@ therebetween. The wall 68 merges at its rearward end with a radially inwardly and rearwardly tapered wall 72 that terminates in a short and small diameter tubular wall 74. FIG. 5 illustrates the approximate thicknesses of the various portions of the connector body 14 at the time when it is in its free unassembled condition.

In FIG. 6 it will be seen that when in its free unassembled condition the connector cap cover 24 comprises on its exterior a generally cylindrical portion 76, a rearwardly and radialiy inwardly tapered conical portion 73, and a short and small diameter tubular portion S0. In PIG. 6 the portion of the connector cap cover 24 that is located at the left hand side of this view is referred to as the front of the cover Z4. It will be seen that on the periphery of the front end of the cylindrical portion 76 there is formed a slightly radially outwardly extending tapered conical portion 82, an annular radially inwardly extending somewhat V-shaped groove 84, and a radially outwardly extending tapered flange 86 that will herein be referred to as a sealing lip. The front face 83 of the sealing lip 6 is planar, but slightly conical, that is, annular and slightly tapered radially inwardly and rearwardly. On the interior of the cover Z4, within the cylindrical portion 76 there is formed a shallow annular groove 90 that cooperates with the sealing lip 36, which has a central opening 92 of lesser diameter than that of the groove Siti to form a radially inwardly extending rib 94 having a flat annular radial rearwardly facing shoulder 95. The groove 9d forms a radially inwardly facing cylindrical wall that has a plurality of circumferentially spaced axialiy extending ridges 96 formed thereon. Adjacent to the groove 9@ on its rearward side is a cylindrical wall of lesser diameter relative thereto and which cooperates therewith to form a flat annular radial forwardly facing shoulder 100 therebetween. The wall 98 at its rearward side merges with a radially inwardly and rearwardly tapered conical wall IGZ that terminates in short and small diameter tubular wall Iii-4.

In FIG. l, the cover 14 is illustrated as mounted on the connector body 10 and cable section I2, and in FIG. 2 the cover 24 is illustrated as mounted on the connector cap 20 and the cable section 22. In order to mount these covers on their respective connector components, it is necessary that they be stretched and distorted, and therefore, after being fully mounted, they are securely mounted and snugly embrace their associated connector component. In order to assemble the covers to their respective connector components and cord section, the following general procedure, which will be described with relation to the mounting of cover 14 on connector body It), must be followed; however, it should be understood that the same general procedure is employed for mounting the cover 24 on the connector cap 2t). Before the cover 14 is mounted on the connector body 10 and before the cord section 12 is connected to the connector body, the free end of the cord section to be connected to the connector body is inserted through the tubular portion 42 of the cover from its rearward side. In order to insert the cord section 12 through the tubular wall 74 it is necessary to force it therethrough and expand the tubular portion 74 whereby the latter snugly embraces the periphery of the cord section after it is mounted thereon and thereby provides a fluid-tight seal thereabout. The free end of the cord section l2 is then passed through the usual connector body cord clamp 106 (see FIG. 4) and into the connector body It) where the individual Wires of the cord section are individually connected in any convenient known manner to the female contacts ItlS that are mounted therein (see FIG. 8). The particular construction of the connector body will not be described in detail; however, it does include, in addition to the previously described front wall I6, a cylindrical body section Il@ which may be integral with the front wall, and both may be made of a rigid electrical insulating material, such as a hard rubber or plastic. The connector body includes a cup-shaped metallic shell lf2. which is rigidly connected to the body section llt) in any convenient known manner, as by utilizing elongated screws 114 (see FIG. l) that may be anchored in threaded openings in the shell MZ to assemble the connector body as a unit after electrical connection of the individual wires of cord section l2 to the fernale contacts in the connector body has been rnade. The shell llZ supports the cord clamp lll, which rnay be of any desired known construction, in any desirable known manner. After the cord section l?. has been electrically connected to the connector body lll, the cord clamp may be tightened on the cord section to relieve any strain on the connections of the cord section wires with the female contacts in the connector body. Thereafter, the cover ld is drawn forwardly over the cord clamp lilo, shell lll?, and body section lill until it reaches its fully assembled position wherein it completely envelopes these parts except for the front face of the front wall lo (see FlG. l).

After the cover lll is fully mounted on the connector body lll, the dispositional relationship o these parts is as illustrated in llG. 4, wherein the following will be observed: The nietallic shell H2 is axially captured between the llat spaced annular confronting shoulders 'lll and d5, and therefore, relative axial movement of the cover 14 and metallic shell M2, and hence the entire connector body lid, is prevented. The metallic shell l?. tightly lits within the groove d?. in the cover 14 and, in fact, squashes the ridges 6d, whereby the latter function to prevent rotation o the metallic shell, and hence the entire connector body relative to the cover lil. Therefore, the cover llis rigidly mounted on connector body l@ and incapable of moving relative thereto, except for certain sealing portions thereof, as will become apparent. The cord clarnp 196 is disposed within the conical portion 72 and cylindrical portion dit of the cover 314. The tubular portion l2 or cover i4 has a larger diameter than it originally had in its free condition (compare these diameters in FlGS. 4 and 5) and snugly embraces the periphery of the cord section l2. The front face of front Wall i6 of the connector body is substantially coplanar with the forwardly facing tace 59 ot the inner flange El? of the cover ift. The connector body cylindrical portion ed overhangs the front end of the connector body, that is, it projects axially beyond the front wall lo. 4 illustrates the precise structural relationship of the cover ld and connector body lit when they are assembled except for the position of the front flange 43. Since FlG. 4 shows all the parts positioned when the connector cornponents are connected, the front llange 48 is shown in its sealing condition, wherein it is deformed from its normal free position which is as shown in FlG. 5, in which it extends radially inwardly, parallel to inner flange Sl?.

FIG. 4 also clearly illustrates the dispositional relationship of the cover 2d and connector cap Ell after these parts are fully assembled, and in this regard the following should be observed in FIG. 4: The connector cap 2li includes a cup-shaped metallic shell ll that internally rigidly supports a body section lill (see FlG. 8) made of a rigid insulating material, such as hard rubber or plastic. Body section l2@ includes the previously referred to front wall which supports male contact blades 2li and 32. Shell 1lb supports a cord clamp i222 that clamps the cord section ZZ so as to function as a strain relief for the connection of the individual wires of cord section 22 and the male contacts within the connector cap. The shell lll-l is axially captured between the shoulders loll and 953 of the cover 24, and therefore, relative axial movement of the cover 2d and shell, and hence the entire connector cap Ztl, is prevented. The shell lll tightly fits within the groove 93 in the cover 24- and squashes the ridges 96 formed therein, whereby the latter function to prevent rotation of the shell H8, and hence the entire connector cap Zd, relative to the cover 24. The cord clamp E22 is disposed generally within the conical portion ll cylindrical portion gli of the cover 24. The ubular portion till of the cover 24, which has been distorted in order to force the cord section 22 through it, has a larger diameter than it originally had in its free condition (compare FIGS. 4 and 6). The front face of the connector cap body section liti) is substantially coplanar with the fro-nt face 8? of the sealing lip 86; however, the latter is slightly tapered away therefrom. The disposition of the cover when it is mounted on the connector cap is precisely as illustrated in FIG. 4, except that he front face of the cover sealing lip 3o is not exactly coplanar with connector cap front face, but rather slightly tapered as in its normal free condition. FIG. 4 shows the parts positioned when the connector components are connected, and therefore, the sealing lip ld is shown deformed and in sealing condition wherein its face 8S is precisely coplanar with front face of front wall 26.

With the

covers

14 and 24 individually mounted on the connector body and connector cap, respectively, they appear as illustrated in FIGS. l and 2. ln order to conrnect the connector cap to the connector body, they are juxtaposed with their front ends adiacent and axially aligned with the connector cap inale contact blades 2d in registry with the connector body slots i8. ln the illustratcd embodiment, as previously pointed out, it is also necessary to align the grounding inale contact blade 32 with the slot 31e in the connector body. When this is done, the connector componen-ts are moved axially toward each other. IFEG. 2 illustrates the connector parts in an intermediate connected condition prior to full connection. lt will therein be observed that the covers lll and 25 are dirnensioned in such a manner that the iront end of the cover 24 snugly lits within the cylindrical portion 44 of the cover ld and its scaling lip Se contacts the front side of the forward flange and both the sealing lip and this flange are dedected in opposite axial directions. On forcinc the connector components axially toward each other further, the flange is deectcd wholly within the cylindrical portion further and ultimately to the point whereby it is distorted irorn its original flat radial disposition to a substantially cylindrical disposition, whereby the sealng lip 86 passes axially past it and is lodged against the front face S9 or inner flange Sil.

This fully connected condition is illustrated in FIG. 4, wherein it will be observed that at this time the settling lip S6 has unstressed itself and undedected relative to its FIG. 3 intermediate connected condition to a considerable extent, but that it is still slightly delieoted relative to its original unstressed condition, shown in FlG. 6, and that the result is that its planar face Sli is biased axially against and into tight sealing contact with the planar :lace 59 of the ange and is substantially coplanar therewith. At this time it will also be observed in 4 that the forward flange has been forced past conical portion d2 or cover 24 and has complete peripheral sealing contact therewith. When the connector components have been moved longitudinally toward each ot er and achieved the IFlG. 4 position, they are ellectively sealed in the zone of their areas of connection, and the cooperating portions of the covers )i4 and 24 function to retain the covers in the assembled condition illustrated in FIG. 4. However, ir an interlocking type of electrical connector is involved, as is illustrated, the connection of the connector components may be locked against longitudinal separation by rotating them with their covers relative to each other after they have been fully longitudinally connected. lt should be understood, however, that it is not essential that an Iinterlocking connector be involved and that the connector components be locked in this manner; however, when such an interlocking connector is involved, the overall arrangement is most elective, and therefore, this is the preferred arrangement.

There are two areas where the covers i4 and 24 cooperate to prov-ide ellective fluid-tight seals in the l-8 rnodilication ot the invention, in addition to the seals which they provide about their associated cord sections. By reference to FIG. 4, the first sealing area has been designated by reference character A, and it comprises an annular radial area of planar contact between the face 59 of the flange Sil of the `cover i4 and the face S8 of the sealing lip S6 of cover 24. The second sealing area is designated by reference character B, and comprises an annular circumferential area of sealing Contact between the outer surface of conical portion 82 of cover 24 and the surface of frange 4S l cover 14 which faces generally radially inwardly at this time. The overall arrangement is such that the connector body 1t?, the connector cap 2li, their associated elements and the portions of cord sections 12 and Z2 that are disposed within the covers, are all effectively sealed. The

covers

14 and 24 are dimensioned relative to the connector components so as to provide for a suiicient amount of axial compression between the interengaging faces of the covers (face 59 and face 38) when the connector components are connected to effectuate sealing area A. The covers are dimensioned and designed so as to provide for a sufficient amount of circumferential compression between the conical portion S2 and ilange 4S to effectuate sealing area B. Throughout connection of the connector components, their covers are rigidly retained in proper assembled condition, notwithstanding the stresses to which the cooperating sealing portions of the covers are subjected which tend to move the coversaxially on their cord sections, by the axial restraining effect of the shoulders d5 and 7d of cover 14 and shoulders 95 and 1h@ of cover 2d.

lIn FIG. 9 there are illustrated portions of a modification of the invention, which is identical to the FlGS. l-S form of the invention in all respects other than one. Therefore, most parts are similar and they will be designated by similar reference characters to those used in FIGS. l-8 with a prime added. llt should be understood that the construction and operation of the FIG. 9 form are identical to those of the FIGS. 1-8 form in all respects other than those specifically mentioned as being different.

It will, therefore, be seen in FIG. 9 that the connector body 10 having a metallic shell 112 and a body section 110 with a front wall 16 has a cover 14 mounted on it, and that connector cap Ztl having a metallic shell 118' and a body section `12h has mounted on it a cover 2d. The cover 2d is identical to cover 2li in the rst modilication and includes conical portion S2', an external peripheral groove 84', a sealing lip Se', a rib 94 and a front face 88.

Cover 14 includes an inner flange dll having a front face 59' and a forward flange 12.4 which is similar to forward ange 43 of the iirst modification with one important exception: ange 12d extends radially inwardly to a greater extent than flange d8. When the

covers

14 and 24 are in their free unassembled condition, they are substantially the same as their counterparts illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, respectively, the only difference being that the ilange 124 extends radially inwardly farther than the llange 48. On the connector body 1h and connector cap 24V being connected, the parts assume the position illustrated in FIG. 9, wherein it will be observed that the additional radial length of the flange lid results in effectuating a third area of sealing designated by reference character C. Therefore, in the modified FIG. 9 form of the invention there are three areas of sealing:

(l) Area A', which is identical to sealing area A of the first form and substantially radial and annular, being formed by the engaging planar faces S9 of cover 14 and 88' of cover 24';

(2) Area B', which is identical to sealing area B of the first form and substantially circumferential and formed by conical portion S2 of cover 2d and the radially inwardly facing side of the flange 124i of cover 14 when the latter is in the FIG. 9 sealing position, and

(3) Area C formed by the circular free edge of the flange 124 making firm contact with the annular flat inclined wall 12d which in part forms the groove 84.

As will be evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of our invention are not limited to the particular details of construction of the examples illustrated, and we contemplate that various and other modilications and applications will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, our intention that the appended claims shall cover such modifications and applications as do not depart from the true spirit and scope of our invention.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A detachable electrical connector for an electrical cord comprising: two detachable connector components; each connector component comprising a body; electrical contact means carried by each body and arranged to be brought into engagement on said connector components being moved longitudinally toward each other; each of said bodies arranged to have a separate electrical cord section connected to its contact means; a separate resilient cover supported on and substantially enveloping each body except for their front ends which are adjacent and confronting when the connector components are operatively associated; each cover having an opening for the passage of a cord section associated with the body on which it is supported; each cover having means to effect a Huid-tight seal where its associated cord section passes through its opening; one of said covers having its longitudinal front end facing the other cover and having an overhanging portion projecting longitudinally beyond its associated body; a pair of longitudinally spaced transversely inwardly extending ilanges formed on said overhanging portion that generally dene a sealing zone; the flange that is spaced longitudinally outward on said overhanging portion being more flexible than said overhanging portion, the other of said covers having a longitudinal front end that faces the longitudinal front end of said one cover and is dimensionally related thereto so that on moving said connector components longitudinally toward each other with their covers mounted thereon the longitudinal front end of said other cover contacts and deforms said outwardly spaced liange longitudinally inwardly and is insertable longitudinally within said overhanging portion into the sealing zone and when the connector components are fully connected with their contact means engaged the end of the longitudinal front end of said other cover is in continuous transverse fluid-tight sealing contact with a longitudinal side of the flange that is spaced inwardly on said overhanging portion and said outwardly spaced flange is deformed so as to have its normally outermost side in continuous peripheral duid-tight sealing contact with the periphery of said other cover, said overhanging portion being dimensioned to provide a sealing Zone of sufficient volume to accommodate said outwardly spaced flange when deformed and the front end of the other of said covers.

2. The combination defined in claim l which further includes interlocking means on said connector components that operates to prevent their separation after they are connected and interlocked by longitudinal separating movement alone; said interlocking means being rendered operative by relative turning movement of said connector components after they have been connected by being longitudinally moved toward each other.

3. The combination defined in claim 2 wherein said covers include means in the form of internal axially extending ridges for preventing turning of themselves relative to their associated connector component bodies when said connector components are turned relative to each other.

4. A detachable electrical connector for an electrical cord comprising: two detachable connector components; each connector component comprising a body; electrical contact means carried by each body and arranged to be brought into engagement on said connector components being moved longitudinally toward each other; each of said bodies arranged to have a separate electrical cord section connected to its contact means; a separate resilient cover supported on and substantially enveloping each body except for their front ends which are adjacent and confronting when the connector components are operatively associated; each cover having an opening for the passage of a cord section associated with the body on which it is supported; each cover having means to ellect a fluid-tight seal where its associated cord section passes through its opening; one of said covers having its longitudinal front end facing the other cover and having an overhanging portion projecting longitudinally beyond its associated body; a pair of longitudinally spaced transversely inwardly extending flanges formed on said overhanging portion that generally define a sealing zone; the flange that is spaced longitudinally outward on said overhanging portion being more flexible than said overhanging portion, the other of said covers having a longitudinal front end that faces the longitudinal end of said one cover and has a continuous forwardly and transversely outwardly inclined lip; the dimensional relationship between said lip and said flanges being such that on moving said connector components longitudinally toward each other with their covers mounted thereon said lip contacts and deforms said outwardly spaced flange longitudinally inwardly and is insertable longitudinally within said overhanging portion into the sealing zone and when the connector components are fully connected with their contact means engaged the end of said lip is in continuous transverse fluid-tight sealing contact with a longitudinal side of the flange that is spaced inwardly of said overhanging portion and said outwardly spaced ange is deformed so as to have its normally outermost side in continuous peripheral huid-tight sealing contact with a portion of said other cover.

The combination `dened in claim 4 wherein an annular outwardly facing transverse groove is formed adjacent said lip; and said outwardly spaced flange extends across said groove and its free edge makes transverse fluid-tight sealing contact with a side wall of said lip on the groove side thereof.

6. A pair of cooperating protective covers for a pair of electrical cord connector components comprising: a first resilient cover adapted to be mounted on one of the connector components including a portion for receiving and snugly embracing a cord section that is connected to the one of the connector components; a portion for surrounding and gripping the one of the connector cornponents; a cylindrical overhanging portion at the front end of said first cover extending axially beyond where the front face of the one of the connector components on which said first cover is adapted to be mounted is disposed when it is mounted thereon; and a pair of axially spaced radially inwardly extending flanges formed on said overhanging portion; the ilange that is spaced axially outwardly on said overhangng portion being more flexible than said overhanging portion; and a second resilient cover adapted to be mounted on the other connector' component including a portion for receiving and snugly embracing a cord section that is connected to the other connector component; a portion for surrounding and gripping the other connector component, and a continuous annular forwardly inclined lip at the front end of said second cover; said covers being dimensioned relative to each other in such a manner that the front end of said second cover is axially insertable within said overhanging portion by contacting and deforming said outwardly spaced flange axially inwardly, and said lip is arranged to be received fully therein with the front face of said lip in planar duid-tight sealing contact with a planar side of the ilange on the inner side of said overhanging portion and the outwardly spaced flange deformed so as to have its normally axially outermost side in peripheral fluidtight sealing contact with an annular portion of said second cover.

7. The combination dened in claim 6 wherein: said lip is inclined radially outwardly; an annular outwardly facing groove is formed adjacent said lip; and said outwardly spaced flange is dimensioned so as to extend across said groove and have its free edge make annular fluid-tight sealing contact with a side wall of said lip.

8. A protective cover adapted to be mounted on a fully assembled connector component comprising a resilient unitary body having: a portion for receiving and snugly embracing a cord section that is connected to the connector component; a portion for surrounding and gripping a connector component; a cylindrical overhanging portion extending axially beyond where the front face of the connector component on which it is adapted to be mounted is disposed when it is mounted on the connector component; and a pair of axially spaced radially inwardly extending ilanges formed on said over-hanging portion, the outermost flange being thinner and more flexible than said overhanging portion whereby it is capable of being deformed within said overhanging portion in operation said overhanging por-tion being dimensioned to accommodate the outermost ange when deformed.

9. A detachable electrical connector for an electrical cord comprising: two detachable connector components, one a connector body and the other a connector cap; each connector component comprising a substantially cylindrical body; electrical contact means carried by each body and arranged to be brought into engagement on said connector components being moved axially toward each other; each of said bodies arranged to have a separate electrical cord section connected to its Contact means; a separate resilient cover supported on and substantially enveloping each body except for their front ends which are adjacent and confronting when the connector components are operatively associated; the cover mounted on said connector body being unitary and resilient and including a portion for receiving and snugly embracing the cord section that is connected to said connector body, a cylindrical portion that surrounds and grips said connector body so as to prevent relative axial movement between said connector body and its cover, a cylindrical overhanging portion extending axially beyond the front end of said connector body and a pair of axially spaced radially inwardly extending flanges formed on said overhanging portion; the flange that is spaced axially outwardly on said overhanging portion being more flexible than said overhanging portion; the cover mounted on said connector cap being unitary and resilient and including a portion for receiving and snugly embracing the cord section that is connected to said connector cap, a cylindrical portion that surrounds and grips said connector cap so as to prevent relative axial movement of said connector cap and its cover, and a continuous annular forwardly and radially outwardly inclined lip at the front end of the cover for said connector cap; said covers being dimensioned relative to each other in such a manner that the front end of said connector cap cover is axially insertable within said overhanging portion by contacting and deforming said outwardly spaced flange axially inwardly, and said lip is arranged to be received fully therein with the front face of said lip in planar fluid-tight sealing contact with a planar side of the flange that is located on the inner side of said overhanging portion and the outwardly spaced flange deformed so as to have its normally axially outermost side in peripheral duid-tight sealing contact with an annular portion of the connector cap cover.

l0. The combination delined in claim 9 wherein an annular outwardly facing groove is formed adjacent said lip; and said outwardly spaced llange extends across said groove and its free edge makes transverse huid-tight sealing contact with a side wall of said lip on the groove side thereof.

1l. The combination defined in claim 9 wherein said connector components include interlocking means for pre- References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Hudson Apr. 14, 1936 Von Holtz Aug. 23, 1938 Horni Dec. 3, 1940 Yost Dec. 15, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Aug. 5, 1938

Claims

6. A PAIR OF COOPERATING PROTECTIVE COVERS FOR A PAIR OF ELECTRICAL CORD CONNECTOR COMPONENTS COMPRISING: A FIRST RESILIENT COVER ADAPTED TO BE MOUNTED ON ONE OF THE CONNECTOR COMPONENTS INCLUDING A PORTION FOR RECEIVING AND SNUGLY EMBRACING A CORD SECTION THAT IS CONNECTED TO THE ONE OF THE CONNECTOR COMPONENTS; A PORTION FOR SURROUNDING AND GRIPPING THE ONE OF THE CONNECTOR COMPONENTS; A CYLINDRICAL OVERHANGING PORTION AT THE FRONT END OF SAID FIRST COVER EXTENDING AXIALLY BEYOND WHERE THE FRONT FACE OF THE ONE OF THE CONNECTOR COMPONENTS ON WHICH SAID FIRST COVER IS ADAPTED TO BE MOUNTED IS DISPOSED WHEN IT IS MOUNTED THEREON; AND A PAIR OF AXIALLY SPACED RADIALLY INWARDLY EXTENDING FLANGES FORMED ON SAID OVERHANGING PORTION; THE FLANGE THAT IS SPACED AXIALLY OUTWARDLY ON SAID OVERHANGING PORTION BEING MORE FLEXIBLE THAN SAID OVERHANGING PORTION; AND A SECOND RESILIENT COVER ADAPTED TO BE MOUNTED ON THE OTHER CONNECTOR COMPONENT INCLUDING A PORTION FOR RECEIVING AND SNUGLY EMBRACING A CORD SECTION THAT IS CONNECTED TO THE OTHER CONNECTOR COMPONENT; A PORTION FOR SURROUNDING AND GRIPPING THE OTHER CONNECTOR COMPONENT, AND A CONTINUOUS ANNULAR FORWARDLY INCLINED LIP AT THE FRONT END OF SAID SECOND COVER; SAID COVERS BEING DIMENSIONED RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER IN SUCH A MANNER THAT THE FRONT END OF SAID SECOND COVER IS AXIALLY INSERTABLE WITHIN SAID OVERHANGING PORTION BY CONTACTING AND DEFORMING SAID OUTWARDLY SPACED FLANGE AXIALLY INWARDLY, AND SAID LIP IS ARRANGED TO BE RECEIVED FULLY THEREIN WITH THE FRONT FACE OF SAID LIP IN PLANAR FLUID-TIGHT SEALING CONTACT WITH A PLANAR SIDE OF THE FLANGE ON THE INNER SIDE OF SAID OVERHANGING PORTION AND THE OUTWARDLY SPACED FLANGE DEFORMED SO AS TO HAVE ITS NORMALLY AXIALLY OUTERMOST SIDE IN PERIPHERAL FLUIDTIGHT SEALING CONTACT WITH AN ANNULAR PORTION OF SAID SECOND COVER.