US3550061A

US3550061A - Electrical swivel connector

Info

Publication number: US3550061A
Application number: US696359A
Authority: US
Inventors: Eugene G Sukup
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1968-01-08
Filing date: 1968-01-08
Publication date: 1970-12-22
Anticipated expiration: 1987-12-22

Description

E. G. SUKUP ELECTRICAL SWIVEL CONNECTOR Dec. 22, 1970 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 8, 1968 06N 6 Sum/p Dec. 22, 1970 SUKUp ELECTRICAL SWIVEL CONNECTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 73 Filed Jan. e,' 1968 p y m I NW P fwm wa r E 4 MW 0 [V 7 United States Patent 3,550,061 ELECTRICAL SWIVEL CONNECTOR Eugene G. Sukup, Sheffield, Iowa 50475 Filed Jan. 8, 1968, Ser. No. 696,359 Int. Cl. H01r 39/14 US. Cl. 3398 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to an improved swivel connector electrically connecting a revolving object to an electric source, the connector having a tubular core enclosing insulated wires connected to the electric source the tube having a slot extending substantially the length thereof to permit exiting of the wires enclosed within the tube to facilitate attachment of the wires to conductor rings which are then frictionally mounted upon the tube, the rings engaging spring contacts electrically connected to the revolving object.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The field of this art includes all types of devices for connecting an object capable of rotational motion to an electrical source.

Several arrangements are known to connect a revolving object to an electrical source. One known arrangement involves a plurality of bands with pins projecting therefrom wrapped around a cable leading from an electrical source and terminating within a cavity in the power source. The pins project through the cable and the insulation of the individual wires therein and thereby connect each wire of the cable. A swivel pin is then inserted longitudinally into the cable and connected to a frame within the power source wherein contacts engage the rings and relay electricity from the cable. The disadvantage of this arrangement is that it is not sufficiently durable to withstand constant and continued usage, nor is it advantageous when heavy cable is being used.

Other arrangements, such as that shown in US. Pat. No. 2,123,103 provide for a power source capable of rotation to be swivelly connected to an electrical source. The disadvantage of this particular arrangement is that the power source must remain stationary upon the swivel core. It may not radiate back and forth from the longitudinal axis of the core about which it rotates.

SUMMARY OF THE [INVENTION This invention relates to an improved electric swivel connector having a tube core about which conductor rings are frictionally mounted, the rings being connected to electric wires enclosed within the tube core and connected to a power source, spring contacts engaging the rings and electrically connected to an object capable of rotation about the longitudinal axis of the core, thus supplying the object with electricity without binding or eventually breaking the wires. The tube core, by its slotted shape, facilitates exiting of heavy wire from within the core and permits quick and easy assemblage on a job site.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved electric swivel connector.

It is another object of this invention to provide an electric swivel connector which is adaptable for use with heavy or cabled wire.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a device as hereinbefore defined which adaptable for connecting either one circuit or a plurality of circuits within the same device.

It is still another object of this invention to provide "ice a device as hereinbefore defined which may be easily assembled or modified at the site of installation.

'It is another object of this invention to provide a device as hereinbefore defined which is sufficiently rugged to withstand constant and continued use.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a device as hereinbefore defined which is capable of withstanding all climatic conditions.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a device as hereinbefore defined which is adaptable for use with heavy electrical cable.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a device as hereinbefore described which is simple, efficient, and economical.

These objects and other features and advantages of this invention will become readily apparent upon reference to the following description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device of this invention shown in assembled relation;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device of this invention showing the housing split away;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view as taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view as taken along the line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view as taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective, exploded view showing the unassem'bled core of this invention and the individual parts thereof in relation to each other.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, the swivel connector device of this invention is indicated generally at 10 in FIG. 1.

Generally, the connector device 10 comprises a core 11 (FIG. 2), a plurality of conductor rings 12 disposed about the core 11, and electrically connected by a plurality of wires 13 enclosed within the core 11 to an electrical source (not shown), a housing 14 disposed and rotatable about the core 11, and a plurality of spring contact conductors 16 disposed in the housing 14 and engaging the conductor rings 12 therein, the contact conductors 16 being electrically connected to a power source (not shown) by an electric cable 17 (FIG. 1).

More specifically, the core 11 is comprised of an elongated cylindrical tube 18 (FIG. 6) of rigid insulant material such as plastic. The tube 18 is threaded at both ends 19 and 21. A slot 22 extends substantially the length of the core through one end 21 thereof, and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the core 18. The purpose of the slot 22 is to permit passage of the wires 13 (FIG. 2) from within the tube 18 to connect the conductor rings 12 and to facilitate mounting of the rings 12 about the tube 18.

The unslotted end 19 of the tube 18 (FIGS. 4 and 6) is securely fastened to an open end threaded extension 23 comparable to a standard reducer. The threaded exterior portion 24 of the extension 23 serves to attach the core 11 to the rigid conduit pipe 26 disposed about the wires 13 emanating from the electrical source (not shown), while the open end 25 of the extension 23 permits the wires 13 to enter the core 11. Prior to securing the extension 23 to the conduit 26, the threaded portion 24 may first traverse a bracket support (not shown) to add lateral support to the device 10.

The wires 13 are pulled through the tube 18 to extend beyond the end 21 of the tube 18 and drawn out through the slot 22 to facilitate the attachment, as by soldering, of the conductor rings 12 to the stripped ends 34 of the wires 13. Each wire 13 is attached to a separate ring 12, and the number of rings 12 used is determined by the number of circuits desired connected by the device 10. Each conductor ring 12 is of a thin metallic conductive material having an inner diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the tube 18. Once the conductor rings 12 are united with the wires 13, the core 11 is ready to be assembled.

A bushing 27 (FIG. 6) having an inner diameter substantially that of the outside diameter of the tube 18 is slid upon the tube 18 from the slotted end 21 to a position adjacent the extension 23. The bushing 27 is of a thin hard substance upon which the housing 14 rotates to retard wear upon the softer material comprising the tube 18. For purposes of economy, it may be the same size and of the same material as the conductor rings 12.

After positioning of the bushing 27, a spacer ring 28 having the same inner diameter as the bushing 27 is slid upon the tube 18 to a position adjacent the bushing 27. The spacer ring 28 is of a rigid insulant material having a larger outer diameter than does either the bushing 27 or the conductor rings and its dual purpose is to center the conductor rings 12 within the confines of the housing 14 and to retard the rings 12 from contact with the housing 14. The length of the spacers 28 is dependent upon the number of circuits connected by the device, for example, a single circuit would call for a long spacer 28 or a multiple of shorter spacers 28 whereas a plurality of circuits to be connected would necessitate more conductor rings 12 and shorter spacers 28.

A connected conductor ring 12 is then slid over the tube 18 with the wire connection 34 being first centered in the tube slot 22. As the conductor band 12 is slid toward the spacer 28, the wire 13 is pushed back up through the tube 18, extension 23 and conduit 26 so that the band 12 is positioned adjacent to the spacer 28.

An insulating ring 29 comparable to the spacer 28 in every respect but being shorter is then added to the tube 18 in the manner hereinbefore described.

Another conductor ring 12 is then added, followed by an insulating ring 29 and this procedure is followed until all of the conductor rings 12 are added, then a spacer ring 31 and bushing 32 identical to the bushing 27 and spacer 28 previously described are stacked upon the tube 18. The rings 12, 27-32 are then secured into position by a cap 33.

The cap 33 is of a rigid non-corrosive material and is threaded 34 for attachment to the tube 18. A hole 36 is bored through the closed end 37 of the cap 33 to facilitate the drainage of any fluid which may collect within the tube 18.

An oblong, box-shaped housing 14 (FIG. 1) rotates about the longitudinal axis of the core 11 on the

bushings

27 and 32.

The housing 14 (FIG. 2) is comprised of two

halves

38 and 39, each

half

38 and 39 being flanged 41 about its entire perimeter, the flange 41 giving the housing 14 a rectangular shape.

Semi-circular grooves

42 and 43 are molded into the center of the narrower sides '44 and 46 of each

half

38 and 39 of the housing 14. The radius of the

grooves

42 and 43 is substantially the same as the outer radius of the

bushings

27 and 32 so that when the

halves

38 and 39 are joined, the

grooves

42 and 43 form a circular hub about the bushings 2.7 and 32 to enable the housing 14 to rotate. The housing grooves 42 and 43 (FIG. 4) set within the

core grooves

27 and 32 formed by the larger diameter of the

rings

28 and 31, extension 23, and cap 33 adjacent to the

smaller diameter bushings

27 and 32. The overlapping of the extension 23 above the groove 42 reduces the opportunity of Water to enter the housing 14.

One half 39 of the housing 14 serves to secure an in- 4 sulated flat, rectangular plate 47 within the housing 14. The plate 46 is removed from the wall 48 of the housing half 39 by appropriate blocks 49 (FIG. 3) attached to the wall 48. The blocks 49 also serve as a base for the screws 51 securing the plate 47.

Attached to the top 52 of the plate 47 (FIG. 3) is a plurality of contact conductors 16 comprised of band springs 53 biased toward the conductor rings 12 secured to the core 11 traversing the longitudinal axis of the housing '14. The end 54 of the spring 53 away from the plate 47 is attached to a metal disk 56 which engages the conductor rings 12.

The contact conductors 16 are connected to a plurality of wires 57 at the bottom side 58 of the plate 47. The wires 57 emanate from a cable 17 entering the housing 14 through a hole 61 (FIG. 2) bored toward one side of the wall 48 of the housing 14 attaching the plate 47. The cable 17 is anchored to the wall 48 by an electrical clamp 62 attached thereto.

When the two

halves

38 and 3 9 are joined together by a plurality of nuts 63 and bolts 64 (FIG. 2), inserted through holes 66 bored into the corners 67 of the flanges 41 of the

halves

38 and 39, the connected circuits are open to connect the rotating power source (not shown) by means of the cable '17 to an electrical source (not shown) by means of the wires 13. A sealant (not shown) spread on the flanges 41 before joining the

halves

38 and 39 seals the housing 14 to ice, rain, or snow.

I claim:

1. An electrical swivel conector comprising:

a plastic, elongated tube of constant diameter having a slot formed longitudinally therein from one end of said tube, said slot terminating short of the other end of said tube;

a tubular extension threadably secured to said tube other end;

a bushing embracing said tube and adjacent said extension;

a spacer ring embracing said tube and adjacent said bushing;

a plurality of conductor rings and insulating rings arranged in an alternate side-by-side relationship about said tube adjacent said spacer ring;

a plurality of insuated wires each connected to a conductor ring, and extended through said slot and exiting out said other end;

another spacer ring embracing said tube adjacent an outer one of said conductor rings;

another bushing embracing said tube adjacent said another spacer ring;

a closed end cap threaded onto said tube one end;

contact means engaging said conductor rings and electrically connected to another plurality of insulated wires; and

housing means including a pair of halves clamped together and into rotatable frictional engagement with said bushings, said housing means enclosing said conductor rings, insulating rings, and contact means;

all of said bushings, spacer rings, conductor rings, and

insulating rings having identical inner diameters.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,697,287 l/l929 Pieper et al. 317102 1,711,858 5/1929 Samminiatelli 3395 1,837,723 12/1931 McGraW 339 183X 2,291,070 7/1942 Bruno 339-8X 3,218,595 11/1965 Motsinger 3395 2,523,081 9/1950 Wendt 3 39-5 2,530,891 11/1950 Marttke 339-5 FOREIGN PATENTS 75,590 9/1946 Czechoslovakia 339-5(M) RICHARD E. MOORE, Primary Examiner