US3177460A

US3177460A - Enclosed electric connector support

Info

Publication number: US3177460A
Application number: US143106A
Authority: US
Inventors: David F Downey
Original assignee: Electrolux Corp
Current assignee: Electrolux Corp
Priority date: 1961-10-05
Filing date: 1961-10-05
Publication date: 1965-04-06
Anticipated expiration: 1982-04-06

Description

April 1965 D. F. DOWNEY 0 3,177,460

ENCLOSED ELECTRIC CONNECTOR SUPPORT Filed Oct. 5, 1961 INVENTOR. Dav/p .F'Dowusy BY HIS ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,177,460 ENCLUSED ELECTRIC (IQNNECTGR SUFPGRT David F. Downey, Stamford, Conn, assignor to Electrolux Corporation, Old Greenwich, Conn, a corporation of Delaware Filed Oct. 5, 1961, Ser. No. 143,1tl6 7 Claims. (@l. 339-119) My invention relates to electric connectors and more particularly to a connector specially designed for use in combination with a vacuum cleaner of the tank type wherein the motor-fan unit and dust bag are contained in a housing which is remote from the suction nozzle and is connected thereto by means of a flexible suction hose.

In vacuum cleaners of this type it is frequently desirable to provide a motor-driven brush in the nozzle and consequently it is necessary to supply electric current to this motor. This may be done conveniently by having an electric cord connected to the housing of the motor-fan unit and running along the suction hose, preferably secured thereto by means of removable clamps. However, if the electric conductor is continuous from the housing to the nozzle, it is necessary to unclamp the cord from the hose whenever it is desired to use a non-electric noz zle. This inconvenience may be obviated by providing a separable connector in the cord adjacent to the end of the hose which is connected to the nozzle. Thus, if it is desired to use a non-electric nozzle, the cord may be separated at this point and the portion thereof which is clamped to the hose may be permitted to remain on the hose at all times.

It is among the objects of my invention to provide an improved electrical connector for this purpose.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification and of which:

FIG. 1 is a view showing my improved connector in combination with a tank type vacuum cleaner;

FIG. 2 is a perspective View of the connector illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end view of a holder forming part of the connector illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the holder shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an electric receptacle forming par-t of the connector shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a side view, partially in cross-section, of the complete connector shown in FIG. 2, together with an electric plug connected thereto.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 1, reference character it) designates generally a vacuum cleaner housing containing a dust-separating member in the form of a bag 12 and a motor-fan unit 14, the electric motor of the latter being supplied with current through a flexible cord 16. A flexible suction hose 18 is removably connected to the housing Ill so as to discharge into the dust bag 12. The other end of the hose is connected to a rigid tubular member 20 to which different types of suction nozzles may be removably connected. In FIG. 1 there is shown ,a nozzle 22 to which is pivotally connected a rigid tubular handle member 24, the tubular member 26 being removably connected to the upper end of the handle 24.

Nozzle 22 includes an electric motor 26 which is supplied with current througha cord 28 which extends through a tube 30 which preferably is secured to the exterior wall of tubular handle 24. Conveniently, the handle and tube may be a single molded piece. Cord 28 extends for a sufficient distance from the upper end of tube 30 so as to reach beyond the end of tubular member 20, as is clearlys'howri in FIG. 1, and at this end is provided with an electric connector in the form of a male plug 32.

This plug is adapted to be detachably connected to an electric connector shown as a female receptacle 34 which is rcmovably secured to the hose 1d by means of a holder designated generally by reference character 36. An electric cord 38 is connected to the receptacle 34, and is provided with several clamps 49 by means of which it may be removably secured at spaced points to the hose 1?. The opposite end of cord 38 is provided with a plug 42 which may be received in a suitable receptacle mounted on the vacuum cleaner housing 10 and supplied with current from the cord 16.

If it is desired to use the vacuum cleaner with a nozzle other than that shown in FIG. 1, the plug 32 may be disconnected from the receptacle 34 and the tubular member 29 disconnected from the handle 24. The other nozzel may then be connected to the tubular member. The cord 38 may be permitted to remain on the hose 18, where it will be immediately available for use the next time it is desired to connect the hose to the electric nozzle 22. If the

separable connectors

32 and 34 were not provided, it would be necessary to remove the cord 38 from the hose and store it with the nozzle 22 and when it were again desired to use the nozzle 22, it would be necessary to place each of the several clamps ill back on the hose.

As is shown more particularly in FIGS. 2, through 6, my improved electrical connector comprises the holder 36 and the electric receptacle 34. The former is preferably made of a relatively rigid thermoplastic material with spring-like qualities, such as Delrin, an acetal resin made by Du Pont. It comprises a box-like portion 46 having a pair of side Walls 43, a bottom wall Stl and a rear end Wall 52. Extending upwardly from the side walls 48 is a pair of arcuate resilient arms 54 and the space within the box-like portion 46 is in open communication with the space between the arcuate arms. The diametric distance between the arms 54 is slightly less than the diameter of hose 18 and their resiliency is such that they may be spread suiiiciently to permit the hose to be introduced between the ends of the arms, thereupon snugly embracing the hose. The end wall 52 is formed with a slotted opening 56 which is closed at the bottom and open at the top edge of the end wall. The opposite or front end of the box-like portion at is open and the bottom wall 54) adjacent this open end is formed with an undercut or keyhole slot 58.

Electric receptacle 34 comprises suitable female contacts received within a casing preferably made of a soft rubber-like material which has a long flex life and a relatively high coefficient of friction, such as vinyl. The major portion of receptacle 34 is proportioned to fit snugly within the box-like portion 46 of the holder 36. It is also formed with a collar 6d into the center of which the cord 38 extends. The collar 64) is formed with an annular groove 62 immediately adjacent to the main body of the receptacle which is adapted to receive the edges of wall 52 which bound the slotted opening 56 so as to anchor the receptacle against axial movement within the box-like portion 46.

The end of receptacle 34 opposite to the collar 60 is formed with a recess 64 for receiving the plug 32 and this recess is in line with the open end of the box-like portion-46. Integral with the receptacle 34 is a flap 66 which is connected to the receptacle along its upper edge. The opposite edge of the flap is provided with a tab 68 having a width substantially equal to that of the undercut portion of the keyhole slot 58 in the bottom wall 50 of the box-like portion. As is shown in FIG. 2, when the plug 32 is not connected, the flap 66 serves to close the open end of the box-like portion, the tab 68 being received within the undercut portion of the keyhole slot 58 where it is retained by virtue of the fact that it is wider than the entrance portion of the slot. When it is desired to 3 connect the plug 32, the tab 68 may be grasped and, by virtue of the flexible nature of the material of which it is made, it may be pulled out of the keyhole slot to the position shown in FIG. 6. When the plug 32 is then inserted, the flap will lie along theupper side of the plug.

The upper surface of receptacle 34 is formed with a plurality of transversely extending ridges70, the upper edges of which are arcuate and preferably serrated, as

shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. When the receptacle 34 is received within the hollow portion 46 these ridges 70 extend into the space between the resilient arms 54. When the holder 36 is secured to the hose 18 by spreading the arms 54 sufliciently for them to embrace the hose, the serrated edges of the ridges 70 are in contact with the outer surface of the hose and due to the serrations and to. the frictional nature of the material of which the receptacle 34 is made,

3. Anelectric connector assembly including a holder made of relatively rigid material, said holder, having a box-like connector'receiving portion and a pair of arcuate resilient arms extending therefrom for embracing a supporting member, an electric connectorremovably received within said box-like portion, an insulated electric cord connected to one end of said connector, said box-like portionbeing formed with a slotted opening through which said cord'extends, electric contacts at the other end of said connector, said box-like portion being formed with an opening aligned with said other'end through which may be inserted and-removed a second electric connector 7 to be connected to'and disconnectedfrom' the first-mentend to resist axial displacement of the holder with respect to the hose. However, the forward ridge may be slightly lower in the center'than the others so as to be relieved of pressure against the hose in order to prevent collapse of this end of the receptacle in which the recess 64 is formed. i

The receptacle 34 may be assembled within the holder 36 when the latter is removed from the hose by moving the receptacle into the relatively large space between the arms 54 and then moving it downwardly into the box-like portion 46. At the same time the collar 60 enters the slotted opening 56 in the rear wall, the edges of the wall I being received within the groove 62. Thus, the parts may be assembled without the use of any tool and no fastening means is required to retain them in assembled condition. When the holder is clamped on the hose, the receptacle is positively secured in the holder, and when the latter is removed from the hose the friction of the walls in the groove 62 is ample to hold the receptacle in place,

While I have shown one more or less specific embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that this has been done for purposes of illustration only and that the scope of my invention is not to be limited thereby, but is to be determined from the appended claims.

What I claimis: V

1. An electric connector assembly including aholder;

made of relatively rigid material, said holder having a box-like connector receiving portion and a pair of arcuate resilient arms extending'therefrom for embracing a supporting member, an electric connector including an insulating'cover enclosing electric contacts at one end thereof removably received within said box-like portionpan insulated-electric cord extending from the opposite end.

of said connector, said cord including conductors contioned connector, a flexible flap integralwith said firstmentioned connector adjacent to said other .end for closing'said aligned opening to cover said contacts when the opening is not occupied by the second connector, and a tab extending from the end of said flap, said box-like portion having. an undercut slot in a wall thereof. adjacent to said aligned opening for receiving said tab to hold said flap in closed position, said tab extending through said slot to be accessible for manually moving said flap out of said aligned opening. I

4. An electric connector assembly including a holder made of relatively rigid material, said holder having a box-like connector receiving portion and a pair of arcuate resilient arms extending'therefrom for embracing a cylindrical supporting member, the interior of said box-like portion being in open communication with the space between said arms, an electric connector including an insulating cover of relatively soft rubber-like material enclosing electric contacts at one end thereof removably received'within said box-like portion, the surface of said cover facing the space between said arms being arcuate for'frictional engagement with said cylindrical supporting member, an insulated electriccord extending from the opposite end of said connector, said cord including conductors connected to said contacts within said cover, said box-like portion being formed with a slotted opening :through which said cord extends, and said box-like portion being formed with an opening aligned with said one end through which may be inserted and removed an electric connector to be connected to the firstementioned electric connector; V I p 5. An electric connector assembly including a holder made of relatively rigid material, said holder having a box-like connector receiving portion and a pair of arcuate nected to said contacts within said cover, saidbox-likie portion being formed with a slotted opening through which said cord extends, and said box-like portion being formed with an opening aligned with said one end through, which may be inserted and removed an electric connector to be connected to. and disconnected from the first-mentioned electric connector.

resilient armsextending therefrom-for embracing a cylindrical supporting member, the-interior of said box-like portion being in open communication with the space between said arms, an electric connector of relatively soft rubber-like material removably received within said boxlike portion, a plurality of transverse ridges on the surface of said connector facing the space between said arms, the

outer surfaces of said ridges being arcuate and serrated for frictional engagement with said cylindrical supporting 1 member, an" insulated electric cord connected to one end 2. An'electric connector assembly ,including a holderv a made of relatively rigidmaterial, said ,holder having. a

box-like connector receiving portion and a pair of arcuate of said connector, said box-like 'portionbeing formed with a slotted opening through which said cord extends, elecresilient arms extending therefrom for embracing a supporting member, an electric connector removablyreceived within said. box-like portion, an insulated electric cord connected to one end of said connecton said box-like portion being formed with a slotted opening through which said cord extends, electric, contacts at the other end of 'said connector, said box-like portion being formed with an openinga'lignedwith saidzother end th'rough'whi'ch may be inserted and removed a second electric connector to be connected to and disconnected from the first-mentioned connector, and a flexible flap integral with said first-mentric contacts at the other end of said connector, and said box-likefportion being formed with an .opening aligned with said other end through which may be inserted a sec- 7 0nd connector to be connected tothe first-mentioned connector.

tioned connector adjacent to said other'end'for'closing said aligned opening to cover said contacts when the open-' ing is not occupied by the secondconnector;

wall bounding said slotted opening to anchor said connector within said box-like portion, electric contacts at the other end of said connector, said box-like portion being formed with an opening aligned with said other end through which may be inserted and removed an electric connector to be connected to and disconnected from the first-mentioned connector, and a flexible flap integral with said first-mentioned connector adjacent to said other end for closing said aligned opening to cover said contacts when the opening is not occupied by the second connector.

7. An electric connector assembly including a holder made of relatively rigid material, said holder having a box-like connector receiving portion and a pair of arcuate resilient arms extending therefrom for embracing a supporting member, the interior of said box-like portion being in open communication with the space between said arms, an electric connector of relatively soft rubber-like material removably received within said box-like portion, a plurality of transverse ridges on the surface of said plug facing the space between said arms, the outer surfaces of 20 said ridges being arcuate and serrated for frictional engagement with said cylindrical supporting member, an insulated electric cord connected to one end of said connector, said box-like portion being formed with a slotted opening through which said cord extends, said connector being formed with an annular groove adjacent to said one end and concentric with said cord, said groove receiving edges of the wall bounding said slotted opening to anchor said connector within said box-like portion, electric contacts at the other end of said connector, and said box-like portion being formed with an opening aligned with said other end through which may be inserted a second connector to be connected to the first-mentioned connector.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,182,446 Nelson Dec. 5, 1939 2,292,140 Lofgren Aug. 4, 1942 2,332,846 Fladd Oct. 26, 1943 2,756,402 Haworth et al. July 24, 1956 2,975,391 Beede et al Mar. 14, 1961 3,014,194 Berglund Dec. 19, 1961 3,048,810 Steen Aug. 7, 1962

Claims

1. AN ELECTRIC CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A HOLDER MADE OF RELATIVELY RIGID MATERIAL, SAID HOLDER HAVING A BOX-LIKE CONNECTOR RECEIVING PORTIONS AND A PAIR OF ARCUATE RESILIENT ARMS EXTENDING THEREFROM FOR EMBRACING A SUPPORTING MEMBER, AN ELECTRIC CONNECTOR INCLUDING AN INSULATING COVER ENCLOSING ELECTRIC CONTACTS AT ONE END THEREOF REMOVABLY RECEIVED WITHIN SAID BOX-LIKE PORTION, AN INSULATED ELECTRIC CORD EXTENDING FROM THE OPPOSITE END OF SAID CONNECTOR, SAID CORD INCLUDING CONDUCTORS CONNECTED TO SAID CONTACTS WITHIN SAID COVER, SAID BOX-LIKE PORTION BEING FORMED WITH A SLOTTED OPENING THROUGH WHICH SAID CORD EXTENDS, AND SAID BOX-LIKE PORTION BEING FORMED WITH AN OPENING ALIGNED WITH SAID ONE END THROUGH WHICH MAY BE INSERTED AND REMOVED AN ELECTRIC CONNECTOR TO BE CONNECTED TO AND DISCONNECTED FROM THE FIRST-MENTIONED ELECTRIC CONNECTOR.