US1022815A - Separable attachment-plug. - Google Patents

Description

RQB.BENJAMIN.

. SBPARABLE ATTACHMENT PLUG.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.21, 1908. 190229815, I A Patented Ap1.9,1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

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SEPARABLE ATTACHMENT PLUG.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 21. 190s.

Patented Apr. 9,1912.

2 SHEETS*SHEET 2.

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UMTED STATE-s PATENT onirica.,

BEUBEN B. BENJAMIN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO BENJAMIN IslIElCJIRIC MAN UFA'CTURINGCOMPAN Y, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION 0F ILLINOIS.

SEPARABLE ATTACHMENT-PLUG. y

ASipecifcation of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 9, 1912.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, REUBEN B. BENJA- MIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have inventednew and useful Improvements in Separable"Attach ment-Plugs, ofwhich the following' .is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification. i

My invention relates to attachment plugs; and its object is the provision of a simple and eiicient device by the kuse' of which the `feed conductors leading to movable electrical devices, such asV fan motors, table lamps, etc., can be readily brought into connection with the terminals of a socket or similar fixture disposed in an electric circuit.

Attachment plugs of ordinary construction are subject to the disadvantage that in connecting them to any of the kinds of sockets in general use, it is very .diiicult to avoid twisting' and consequent kinking of the conductors and, furthermore,'consider able time has to be spent in making the connection. This waste of time becomes of great importance when the connection has to be very .frequently made and broken, as would be the case, for instance, in the use of, electrically heated fiat-irons and similar household implements.

In an attachment plug constructed in accordance with `the invention forming the subject of this specification, the outer corrugated or threaded contact member is ar ranged to be readil separated from the body of the plug. lilith such a devlce the corrugated contact member may be first 1n# vserted into a socket so as to make connection with one of the contacts thereof, and the plug body kmay be then 'connected with this Contact member or disconnected therefrom'as occasion. requires. When the plug body is connected with -the corrugated contact member an end contact carried by said plug body engages one of the contacts of the socket, and, at the same time, suitable coengaging means on the corrugated contact member and the plug body make electrical connection `witheach other and thus place the corrugated contact member inv communication with a 'binding terminal' car- Avational view of the ried by the plug body, the vother binding terminal being always connected with the end contact. By this means I obtain a plugof simple and economical construction which has a neat appearance and is eiicient and convenient in use.

In the. accompanying drawings I .have shown two embodiments of my invention, Figures l to 6 inclusive illustrating one. ef the embodiments, while Figs. 7 to 14 inelusive illustrate the other embodiment. Fig. lV is an elevationalcview of the irst form of plug, showing thek removable corrugated contact in place on the plug body; Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the removable contact member separated from the plug body; 3 is an elevational view of the plug body separated from the removable contact member, and-turned to present the side opposite that seen in. Fig. 2; Fig.' 4 is an end view of the plug body separated from the removable contact member; Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. l, but showing the plug in longitudinal section; Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view illustrating a detail of the device upon an enlarged scale; Fig. is an elevational view of theother` form of the device, showing the removable contact member in place on the plug body; Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 but showing the removable contact member separated from the plug body; Fig. 9 is an eley plug body separatedr from the removable contact member and turned' to present the side opposite to that seen in Fig. 8: Fig. 10 is a planview of the device. partly sectional, on |the lineV 10-10 of Fig. 7 Fig. 11 is an end view of the plug body separated from the removable Vcontact;\Fig. 12 shows a partial longitudinal section taken on the line12-12 of Fig. 7 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows; Fig. 13 shows a longitudinal section as on the line'13-13 of Fig. 11; and Fig. 14 is an inverted plan of the removable contact member. U Like reference characters refer to like partsthroughout the specification and dran'- mgs a The attachment plug, in both forms of the device, consists of a plug body and a removable outer part 16, which latter will preferably have the form of a tubular shell,

through the end of4 which the end contact on the plug body extends when the parts are.

. placed together. Throughout the4 follow- Yio mg specification, the plug body will be ie'v ferred to as the body and the removable contact member as the shell Referring rst to Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, the shell, in this form of the device, consists of a corrugated or screw threaded conducting member 17, whichl may be similar in character to the outer-,contact member on plugs of ordinary construction, and is formed with an inwardly extending end .iange 18.- ,Disposed within the upper part` of the corrugated contact member 17, and extending beyond the end thereof, is aninsul'ating block 19, formed with a central aperture through which the end Contact of thefbody 15 is adapted\to pass. The block 19 is formed with' an outwardly extending flan e 20bearing against the flange 18. An

of the rivets 22 are conductor strips 23 which extend downwardly within .the Sleeve 21. The conductor strips 23, which are preferably two in number, are bent over` at their ends to form inwardly extending tongues 24, adapted to coperate'with spring members upon the body 15, as will be hereinafter described..

The body 15 comprises an insulating base 25 carrying the terminals which receive the ends of the leading-out wires. Secured to the base 25 is a metallic collar 2 6 which is screw threaded 'at its' lower end to receive a thumb piece 27which is formed with a screw threaded neck 27 entering the screw threaded portion of the'collar 26. The collar 26 is preferably secured to the base 25 by bending its top edge over -oneor more projections formed' on the base.

. Secured to the collar 26 adjacent the u per edge thereof, and extending rearwarv y along theexterior of the collar, are a pair of metallic spring strips 28. The `spring strips 28 are bent outwardly at their rear.-

ward ends and to the outwardly bent por` tions are aixed insulating knobs 28, The springs 28 are also formed with apertures 29 for receiving the tongues 24 on the conductor strips 23 when the plug body is inserted in the shell. The contact springs 28 tend. to spring a art slightly and away romjthe plu bo y, but may e forced in toward the colar 26 by pressure of the fin# gers upon the knobs 28". -When the body is inserted 'into the shell the spring strips 28 are forced to move inward u ntil the tongues 24 reach, and enter, the openings 29, whereupon thesestrips are enabled to spring outward to a slight extent, the body being then Vlocked within the shell and not releasable until the knobs 28a` are pressed to disengage the tongues 24 from the openings 29, when.

the body maybe removed. Recesses 21 may be formed, if desired, inthe sleeve 21 of the shell for receiving the knobs 28; thus enabling the sleeve 21 to extend downward in close proximity with the thumb piece 27.

The sideof the base 25 4is formed with a recess 30 (See Fig. 3) for receiving a plate 31 for a binding screw 32, which plate is secured to the collar. 26. The recess 30 extendsv longitudinally of the base 25 4to, the lower end of the same and is of suicient width to receive the lead wire 33, the bared end of which is attached to the screw 32.

The base 25 is formed, near its upper end, with a flattened portion 34, to which is Secured, by means of a screw 35 passing through the upper-end of the base, a plate 36 which carries the end cont-act of the device, this plate carrying alsola binding screw 37. Extending longitudinally through the base 25, and opening below the plate 36, is a passage 38 through which extends lead wire 39, the bared end of which is secured inder the screw 37. The .plate 36 is formed with an extension 40 extending beyond the end of theA b'ase and bent at right angles to lie flat thereupon. The extension 40 has an aperture formed therethrough in such a position as to lie approximately over the axis of the insulating base. An axial well or recess41 is formed in the base immediately be-, low this opening. To. the extension 40 is se'cred a cup 42 having an aperture in its bottomregistering wit-h the aperture offthe v late. Telescoping'within the cup 42 is` an inverted cup 43 which forms the end contact of the device, from the center of which a pin 44 extends downward through the aperturesof the cup 42 and `plate 40. lBetween the cups 42 and 43 is arranged a spiral spring .45 tending to separate the cups and force the inner cup forward beyond the end of the insulating member 19. The pin 44 is formed with an enlargement 46 on its inner end, vwhich enlargement engages with the .lower face of the plate 40 and thus limits the forward travel of the cup 43. 4It will be seen that by pressing upon the upper end ofA the cup 43 it maybe made to telescope into the cup 42, the pin 44 entering the well 41.

In using y screwedinto the socket, the effect of whic may lbe said to bethat a second socket is formed, the terminals of which are the ordinary centr contact ,of the socket, accessible through the opening of the insulating block 19, and the conductor strips 23, which are in the device the shell 16 is firmly electrical connection' .with the sleeve 17 through the rivets 22.` `r1`he body 15 may be. said to now form a plug, of which the cup- 43 forms a compressible end contact and the contact springsy28 form the other contact. The body l5 is pushed into the shell 16 in such manner that the contact springs 28 engage the tongues 24 as above described. When the body has been pushed in to a certain extent, the yielding end contact 43 into the shell 16,.the cup 43 telescopes into 15 the 'cup 42, until the tongues 24 enter the openings 29. locking'the parts together. When it isdesired to remove the body from the shell 16, it is only necessary to press with the lingers upon the knobs 28* when .the body may be withdrawn.

Separable plugs as heretofore known -we`reusually constructed so that a projection on one member engaged between spring clips onthe other, and considerable force was necessary to effect separation of the members. This-often resulted in damage to the plug itselfas well as to the socket and fixtures carried thereby. This disadvantage is obviated by my invention since the plug 15 may be withdrawn from the shell 16 with the expenditure o very little force,`

the spring 45 aiding in th separation of the members.

Referring to Figs. 7 to 14, the shell 16 in this case consists of a contact .sleeve 47 flanged inwardlyat its end to form a shoulf der 48 and a neck 49. Upon the neck 49 is secured an insulating ring 50 having an upwardly extending flange surrounding y the sleeve 47 fora portion of its height, the sleeve 47 being flanged over beneath the ring 50 to retaip the latter in position. The ring 50 is formed with three outwardly extending recesses 51, the purpose of which will be hereinafter described. An insulating lining sleeve 52 is arranged in the metallic sleeve 47 and extendsl from a point about midway between the ends thereof to a short distance beyond the outer end of the metallic sleeve. .A part 53 of the insulating sleeve 52 is extended tothe bottom of the sleeve 47 for a purpose to be hereinafter described. The lining sleeve 52 issecured in y the conductor sleeve 47 by punching the latter inward to form projections 54 entering corresponding recesses formed by punching in the side of the `lining sleeve 52. .The body 15 comprises an insulating base 56 having laterally projecting lugs 57 formed thereon. Radially extendin arms 58, formed on a ring 59 upon which t e base is seated, areA bent up to extend along the lugs 57, and have their ends bent inward over the tops of these l toY secure the parts together. Thev base is thus clamped between the ring 59 and the turned over ends of the arms 58.

The ring 59is formed with a lug 65 bent upward to lie in a recess 66 formed in the insulating base 563 Thelug .65 carries a binding screw 67 for holding the endof l aperture of sutiicient size to receive the two v leading-in wires. A screw threaded bushing 62 is screwed into the lower end of the collar `60 and compresses betweenit and the disk 61, a ring 63 of rubber or other flexible material, the aperture of which ring is normally suilicient to allow the passage of the llead wires therethrough. When the bushing 62 is screwed inward to compress the flexible ring 63, the Alatter is distorted, as .shown in Fig. 13, and contracted so as to grip the conductors, whereby they are securely clamped in position and any danger of damage being done to the terminals ot the plug by an accidental jerk upon the conductors is precluded. An insulating ring '64 is externallyscrewed upon the collar 60 to provide means for holding the body when bleirlllg inserted in, orl withdrawn from, the s e The insulating base 56 is formed with a central chamber 68 into which the lead wires can enter through the bushing 62 and compressible ring 63. Leading from the recess 66 is an aperture connecting it with the chamber 68, sothat the conductor to be secured under the terminal 67 may be drawn therethrough. The insulating base is also formed with a second recess. 69, communicating with the chamber 68, in which is arranged a platev 70 carrying the second binding terminal 71. A depression 72 is formed in the outer end of the insulating base and communicates, by means of a well 73, with the chamber 68. lThe upper ehd of the plate 70 is bent over so as to form an ear 7 5, lying in the depression 72. This ear is formed with ap aperture approximately coaxial with the well 73. A metallic lining 74 is provided in the well 73, which lining is reduced at its upper end to enter the aperture of the ear 75 and flanged at its lower edge over the end of the well 73, thus securin the plate 70 in position,

. Slida ly mounted in the aperture of the ear 75 is a plunger 76, formed at its upper end with a head 77 which constitutes the center or end. cont-act of4 the device, and is enlarged at'78 below the ear 75 to limit the' forward movement-bf the plunger. Between `the head 77 and the, ear- 75 of the plate 70 ris disposed a spiral compression spring 7 9.

The plunger 76 may be forced downward int-o the well 74 by pressure upon the head 7 7 but when this pressure is removed, the plunger will be thrust out to its normal p0- sition by the action of the spring 79.

In using the plug, the shell 16 is rst screwed into the socket. The body 15 is then inserted in such manner that the binding screw (3T and the arms 58 register with the recesses 51 of the ring 50. The body may be then pushed in until the yielding contact 77 engages the center contact of the socket. The plug is then pushed farther in, the spring 79 becoming compressed, until the shoulders 55, formed by the lower end of the arms 58, pass beyond the upper face of the shoulder lt8 ofthe shell. The body may then be rotated until the sides of the arms 58 strike against the edge of the downward extension 53 of the insulating sleeve 52, as shown in Fig. 10. When the plug has been rotated to this vposition the terminal 71 will be located opposite the downward extension 53, whereby any chance of sparking from the terminals 7l to t-he sleeve 47 is precluded. The body is now locked in position in the shell. One edge of the downward extension 53 is located at the side of one of the openings 51, as will be clearly seen from Fig. 10, whereby the turning of the body in the wrong direction is rendered impossible. ln this t'orm of my invention,

also, the exerciseof very litt-le force is necessary in order to effect the separation of the body from the shell.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. An attachment plugmade in two separable parts, a corrugated contact member carried by one of said parts, the-other of said parts being insertible thereinto from the rear, and an endcontact carried by said insertible part for engagement with the center contact of a socket.

2. A n attachment lug constructed in separable parts, one o said parts Abeing insertible into the other from the rear and carrying a yielding contact for engagement with t-he center contact of a socket, binding terminals also carried by said insertible part, one of said binding terminals being electrically connected to said yieldingcontact, the other of said separable parts including a corrugated contact member, and

means for making electrical connection between said corrugated contact member and the other of said binding terminals when said separable parts are put together.

3. An attachment plugv made in separable parts, one of which is insertible into the other from the'rear, an end contact carried by said insertible part for engagement with the center contact of a socket, binding terminals also carried by said insertible part,

a side contact member carried by the other of said separable parts, and means for connecting said side contact with one of said binding terminals when said separable parts are put together.

4. An attachment plug made in separable parts, one of which is insertible into the other from the rear and carries an end contact for engagement with the center contact of a socket, said part carrying also binding terminals, one of which is connected with said end contact, a side contact member carried by .the other of said separable parts, and means detachably locking said separable parts together and electrically connecting Said side Contact with another binding terminal-when said separable parts are put together.

5. An attachment plug made in two separable parts, one of which is insertible into the other from the rear, a yieldingly mounted end contact carried by the inner of said parts arranged for engagement with the center contact of a socket, binding terminals also carried by said part, one of said binding terminals being connected with said end contact, the other part having a corrugated contact, and cooperating means carried by said parts for electrically connecting said corrugated contact with the other binding terminal when one of said parts is insei-ted into the other.

6. A separable attachment plug comprising a shell and a body insertible thereinto from the rear, binding terminals carried by said body, a yieldable end contact connected with one of said binding terminals and arranged to extend forward beyond said shell. saidshell having a corrugated contact, and coengaging means carried by said body and shell respectively for connecting said corrugated contact with the other of said binding terminals.

7. A separable attachment plug comprisin a shell and a body insertible thereinto from the rear` binding terminals carried by said body, a yieldable end contact connected with one of said binding terminals and extending forward beyond said shell, said shell having a corrugated contact, co-engaging means carried by said body and shell respectively for connecting said corrugated contact with the other of said binding terminals, and means for locking said body and shell together.

8. A separable attachment plug comprising a body and a shell, said body carrying binding terminals and having an end contact connected with one of said terminals and arranged to extend through said shell when the parts are put together, said shell including a corrugated contact, means carried by said shell and body for detachably securing said shell and body together and making electrical connection between said corrugated contact and the other binding terminal.

9. In an attachment plug, a shell comprising a threaded contact, a body for insertion into said shell from the rear, an end contact` carried by said body, said body .carrying also binding terminals, and means for locking said body and shell together With said outei` contact and one of said binding terminals in electrical connection when said body is inserted into said shell, said locking means being manually releasable to 'permit the parts to be readily separated.

10. An attachment plug comprising, in combination, a body, a yielding end `contact carried thereby, binding terminals also carried by said body, a removable outer cont-act, and manually releasable interlocking means for securing said `outer contact on said body with sald outer contact in electrical connection with one of said binding terminals.

11. An attachment plug comprisin an insulating block, a current carrying racket secured to said block and a spring-controlled plunger passing through an arm of the bracket and adapted to engage a `center contact. s

12. An attachment plug comprising an insulating block having a recess, a current carrying bracket secured inV said recess, a plunger socketed in the recess and engaging the bracket and a spring acting to retain the plunger in position to engage' a center contact.

13. An attachment plug comprising an insulating block, a currentcarrying bracket secured to said block, a plunger socketed in the block and having 'a reduced end passing through the bracket and leaving a shoulder and a spring surrounding the plunger and bearing against the shoulder and the bracket to retain the plunger in operative position.

In Witness whereof, I- have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two wit- M.`L. FARRAR, C. L. HOPKINS.

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