Patent · US Expired

Swivelling electrical connection

US3950052A · kind A · utility

30Cited by
4References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 7, 1975
Grant dateApr 13, 1976
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 7, 1995

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01R39/00
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An electrical connection is made between an appliance and a power cord by means of a rotatable plug which is bonded to one end of the power cord and rotatably connected to a socket in the appliance. The plug effects electrical contact with the socket through a central contact member and an exposed concentric contact member which is coaxially disposed relative to the central contact member. The central contact member and the concentric contact member are engaged by spring contacts in the socket which allow the plug to rotate while always maintaining electrical contact. In order to isolate the electrical connection between the appliance and the plug from axial and transverse stresses, the plug is provided with a strain relief bushing which transfers stresses between the cord and appliance to the housing of the appliance. The bushing also allows the plug to rotate or swivel relative to the housing so that torsional stresses applied to the cord are kept to a minimum. To further reduce and distribute stresses on the cord, the plug has a tapered end portion with a series of parallel grooves therein. The tapered end portion extends at an angle to the axis of rotation of the plug.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.