US2563909A - Outlet plug connector - Google Patents

Description

Au 14, 1951 J J, BAUER 2,563,909

OUTLET PLUG CONNECTOR Filed Feb. 19, 1946 .M/VfA/TOR filesffiauer A; 7 w z:

Patented Aug. 14, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE i I I 2,563,909

ouir ln'r PLUG CONNECTOR Jules). Bauer, Pittsburgh, Pa. Application February 19,- 1946, Serial No. 648,766

a very limited number of plugs; furthermore,

they are generally clumsy in construction, particularly when they are designed to accommodate more than two 'plugs.

An object of my invention, thereforepis to provide a novel electrical outlet attachment that can accommodate a comparatively large num ber of' plugs so as to serve numerous electrical appliances from a single outlet;

A further object of my invention is to provide a relatively simple, compact and inexpensive attachment or connector for plugging into an outlet, which attachment or'connector is generally circular in shape so that the plugs are plugged radially inwardly thereof and, thereby occupy a minimum overall space.

A more specific object of'my invention is to provide an improved connector or plug attachment including 'a'pair 'of annular terminals sandwiched between discs of "insulating material and serving as common terminals for a plurality of electrical plugs whose contact blades are plugged into contact relationship'with the terminals.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a study of the following specification taken with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a top or plan view of a connector or attachment plug involving the principles of my invention and showing a plug connected thereto;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a front or elevational view of the connector or attachment plug shown in Figures 1 and 2, and

Figure 4 shows only the annular terminals of Figures 1, 2 and 3, that is, it shows the structure with the insulating discs removed to more clearly show the construction of the terminals and the mode of connection to the prongs of a plug.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, numerals I and 2 denote a pair of metallic rings or annular terminals to which are integrally secured, such as by welding, contact prongs or blades 3 and 4, respectively (see Figure 4) which extend at right angles to the planes of the annular terminals. Terminals I and 2 may be made of copper or other suitable electrically -somimS. (01. 173-334) of the periphery of any disc.

i 2 conductive material suitable as an electrical contact.

A plurality of discs 5, 6 and I of plastic or other insulating material. are provided in stacked relationship. Prong 3 extends through suitable aligned holes in discs 5 and I while prong 4 extends through a suitable hole in disc I so that the prongs extend from the outer end surface of disc I for plugging into an electrical outlet (not shown) such as found on walls and floor of most homes.

Projections 5a and 5b extend from the central portions of the end surfaces of disc 5, serving as spacers for providing clearances or narrow spaces between discs 5 and 6 and between discs 5 and I to allow entry of the prongs or contact blades II and I2 of a plug I0 attached to the end of a flexible cord, shown broken away, which cord energizes any desirable electrical appliance (not shown). 7

I While only one plug I0 is shown, it should be noted that a plurality of such plugs may be pl'ugged'in radially of the discs, the number of such plugs being limited only by the length Thus a relatively large number of plugs, such as It), may be plugged in, considerably more than in common types of attachments of more complicated design.

A bolt 8 extends through axially disposed holes in the various discs'and has a tapered head portion on one end fitting into a correspondingly shaped countersunk'portionof disc I and having a spring washer 9 threaded to the other end thereof, which washer is located in a countersunk portion of disc 6. As the various plugs such as I 0 are plugged in, their contact blades tend to separate the discs and this separation is resisted by the tension of spring washer 9 thereby providing a tight, sliding fit of the prongs, such as II and I2, between the annular terminals I and 2 and the inner surfaces of discs 6 and I, respectively. In some cases, a nut may be substituted for spring washer 9 and still give satisfactory operation.

While insulators 5, 6 and I have been described as being disc-shaped, it should be noted that they may be made square, hexagonal or in other polygonal shapes if so desired.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided a relatively simple connector or attachment plug that is inexpensive to manufacture, is exceedingly compact, and is nevertheless adapted to receive a large number of plugs for energizing a large number of electrical appliances from a single outlet into which the attachment is plugged.

While I have illustrated and described one specific embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that this is merely byway of illustration only, and that various changes and modifications may be made within the contemplation of my invention and within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a universal connector, an insulating body having a pair of prongs projecting therefrom for insertion into and mounting the connector on a conventional outlet plug, said body comprising a plurality of concentric insulating discs arranged to provide a pair of spaced annulargrooves positioned intermediate the axial ends of said body and facing radially outwardly thereof, each of said grooves being positioned between an end one of said discs and an intermediate one of said discs and having an annular contact p0.- sitioned therein, one of said end discs having a pair of spaced openings through which. said prongs project, one of said prongs terminating in the annular groove adjacent. said end disc and being electrically connected to the annular contact therein, the intermediate disc adjacent said one end disc having an opening aligned with one of said pair of openings and through which the other of said prongs projects, said other prong terminating in the annular groove. remote from said end disc and being electrically connected to the annular contact therein.

2. In a universal connector, an insulating body having a pair of. prongs projecting therefrom for insertion into and mounting the connector on a conventional outlet plug, said body comprising a. plurality of concentric insulating discs arranged to provide a pair of spaced annular grooves positioned intermediate the axial ends of said body and racing radially outwardly thereof, each of said grooves being positioned. between an end one of said discs and an. intermediate one of said discs and. having an annular contact positioned therein, each of said annular contacts having an electrical connection with one of said prongs, and fastening means, for securing said discs together comprising a bolt extending. axially and centrally of said discs, and a resilient member securing said discs on said bolt and allowing a yielding axial movement of said discs thereon in response to the prongs of a conventional connector being entered into said spaced grooves and engaged with the annular contacts therein, said resilient member comprising a flexible washer threaded on the end of said bolt.

3. In a universal connector, an insulating body having a pair of prongs projecting therefrom for insertion into and mounting the connector on a conventional outlet plug, said body comprising a plurality of concentric insulating discs arranged to provide a pair of spaced annular grooves positioned intermediate the axial ends of said body and facing radially outwardly thereof, each of said grooves being positioned between an end one of said discs and an intermediate one of said discs and having an annular contact positioned therein, one of said end discs having a pair of spaced openings through which said prongs project, one of said prongs terminating in the annular groove adjacent said end disc and being electrically connected to the annular contact therein, the intermediate disc adjacent said one end disc having an opening aligned with one of said pair of openings. and through which the other of said prongs projects, said other prong terminating in the annular groove remote from said end, disc and being electrically connected to the annular contact therein, and fastening means for securing said discs together comprising a bolt extending axially and centrally of said discs, and a resilient member securing said discs on said bolt. and allowing a yielding axial movement of said discs thereon in response to the prongs of a conventional connector being entered into said spaced grooves and engaged with the annular contacts therein.

JULES J. BAUER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,045,273v Fisher Nov. 26,. 1912 1,503,306 Dominick July 29, 1924 1,633,025. Kranz June 21., 1927 1,717,836, Conner June 18, 1929 1,901,817 Hubbell May 9, 1933 1,950,717. Douglas. n Mar. 13, 1934 2,062,752 Kindberg Dec. 1, 1936 2,093,358. Holler Sept. 14, 1937

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