US2714712A - Electric connecting block having a plurality of outlets for attachment plugs - Google Patents

Electric connecting block having a plurality of outlets for attachment plugs Download PDF

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US2714712A
US2714712A US447218A US44721854A US2714712A US 2714712 A US2714712 A US 2714712A US 447218 A US447218 A US 447218A US 44721854 A US44721854 A US 44721854A US 2714712 A US2714712 A US 2714712A
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contact
connecting block
prongs
plug
casing
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Richard E Riccardelli
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    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01RELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R25/00Coupling parts adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts, e.g. for distributing energy to two or more circuits
    • H01R25/003Coupling parts adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts, e.g. for distributing energy to two or more circuits the coupling part being secured only to wires or cables

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  • This invention relates to a safety electric connecting block having a plurality of outlet sockets whereby electric current may be readily distributed from a main supply source to a plurality of light bulbs or lamps.
  • This invention is particularly applicable in connection with a display, such as a Christmas tree and provides a current distributing device which lends itself for ready incorporation or mounting in the display.
  • An object of this invention is to provide an electric current supply source and the leads for electrically operated devices, provisions being made to eliminate the danger of fire due to short circuiting or arcing.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide a safety electric connecting block for all around use, of sturdy, durable and economical construction, and made of the fewest possible number of parts which are, furthermore, adapted to be assembled quickly and easily.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide a safety electric connecting block comprising duplicate casing members and duplicate annular metallic contact members having radially positioned contact prongs separated by a disk made of insulating material and which makes it possible to bring the contact prongs in close relation, the radial contact prongs being perpendicular to the axis of the casing to permit a large number of light feeding plugs to be selectively plugged in around the connecting block.
  • Figure 1 is a top plan view of an assembled connecting block embodying my invention.
  • Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 in Figure 1, showing electric contact members separated by a disk made of insulating material, and showing radial contact extensions after bending to arcuate form.
  • Figure 3 is aside elevation showing the manner of attaching a plurality of safety connecting blocks to form a multiple lighting unit.
  • Figure 4 is a plan view of the interior of the upper member of the connecting block showing the manner of mounting an annular metallic contact member therein, and showing radial contact extensions prior to bending.
  • Figure 5 is a plan View. of the interior of the lower memberpf the"connecting block showing a disk made of insulating material and in covering relation with an annular contact member.
  • Figure 6 is a plan view on an enlarged scale of a plug forming part of this invention.
  • Figure 7 is a central cross-sectional view of a modified form of electric connecting block adapted to receive duplicate standard male plugs both at the top and bottom of the connecting block.
  • Figure 8 is a plan view of the upper member of the 2,714,7l2 Patented Aug. 2, 1955 2 connecting block and showing radial contact extensions prior to bending, the section being taken on line 7--7 in Figure 8.
  • Figure 9 is a plan view of the lower member of the connecting block.
  • the numeral 10 indicates a safety electric connecting block for distributing electric current to a plurality of plugs 11, and comprising a casing made of insulating material and of two substantially duplicate lower and upper casing members 13, 13'.
  • the lower member 13 has a central tubular inlet 14 for a lead-in wire 15 connected to a standard electric lighting plug 16 and having an annular recess 17 concentric with the inlet 14.
  • the upper casing member 13' has an annular recess 17 concentric with the annular recess 17 in the lower casing member 13.
  • the upper casing member 13 has apertures 18 adapted to receive the prongs 19 of the standard lighting plug 16.
  • the arrangement When the multiple electric connecting block 10 is in use as a current distributing device for Christmas trees, the arrangement includes a plurality of connecting blocks 16), there being one connecting block at each level at which the limbs extend from the trunk of the Christmas tree. Each two successive connecting blocks 10 are connected by a standard electric plug 16. In practice, there may be four or more connecting blocks in use on a Christmas tree.
  • Each of the casing members 13 and 13 has a plurality of radially directed recesses 20 which respectively communicate with the annular recesses 17 and 17' and extend to the outer periphery of the casing member.
  • Each contact member 22 has a plurality of radially directed contact arms 23 positioned in the radial recesses 26 and stop short of the outer periphery of the casing member thereby leaving exposed socket portions 24 defined by insulating material.
  • each contact arm 23 has its outer end portion curved in arcuate form 25 directed toward the mid-portion of the connecting block 10.
  • the plugs 11 which are designed to feed current from the connecting block to electric lights 21 have prongs 26 which enter the connecting block 10 radially and equally above and below a separating disk 27. As shown in Figure 6, the prongs 26 are positioned in spaced apart relation from each other by a slot 28. It will also be seen that the plug 11 has body material spaced apart from each other by the slot 28. The result is that the circumferential space occupied by one of the feeding plugs 11 is merely the thickness of the plug, and it is well known that the thickness of a male plug is much less than the height of the plug.
  • the disk is made of suitable electrical insulating material. I have found that when using micarta insulating material for the separating disk 27 thatlthe break down voltage is above 2000 volts and this is very much greater than theconventional or 220. volts normally expected to be used with the electric connecting blocks herewith disclosed.
  • the upper contact member 22 has an integral contact prong 31 which extends into the other transverse opening 18 in the upper casing member 13.
  • Both contact members are made of suitable metal having a degree of resiliency so that the prongs 19and 26 will rebound when flattened.
  • Screws 32 suitably secure the upper and lower casing members in unitary relation.
  • the upper casing. member 13' has radially positioned ribs 33 and the lower casing member 13 has radially positioned ribs 34-.
  • each annular contact member is shown in flat form in Figures 4 and 5, and that in Figure 2 four radial extensions are shown as they appear when bent in arcuate form forming resilient prongs 25.
  • Figure 7 illustrates a modified safety electric connecting block 35, comprising two duplicate casing members 36 made of electric insulating material.
  • Both casing members 36 have elongated central extensions 37 with through tubular openings 38 of rectangular cross-section and adapted to receive the prongs 19 of standard lighting plugs 16 shown in Figure 2.
  • Each casing member 36 is of circular outer form and has an annular recess 39 concentric therewith.
  • the annular recess 39 has a plurality of radially directed rectangular recesses 40 which extend to the outer periphery of the casing member.
  • Each contact member 42 has a plurality of radially directed con tact arms 43' positioned in the radial recesses 40 and stop short of the outer periphery of the casing member thereby leaving exposed rectangular socket portions 44' defined by insulating material.
  • Each contact arm 43 has its outer end portion. curved in arcuate form 45 directed toward the mid-portion of the connecting block 35.
  • a separating disk 47 made of electrically insulating material, is positioned between the arcuate end portions 45 of the contact arms 43'.
  • the disk 47 is of smaller diameter than the casing member 36'but of larger diameter than the contact prongs 45 shown in Figure 7.
  • the disk has two apertures 48 of rectangular cross-section and positioned in alignment with the openings 38 in the central extensions 37.
  • the upper annular contact member 42 has a contact arm 50 secured thereto by a rivet 51' or the like.
  • the contact arm 50 is of sufficient length toextend into the tubular opening 38 of the central extension 37 of the lower casing member and terminating short of the outer surface 52 of the central extension 37 in a prong 19.
  • the upper annular contact member 42 has an integral contact member bent directly therefrom and which extends into the other tubular opening 38 ofthe central extension 37 and terminates short of the outer surface 52 in a prong19.
  • the lower annular contact member 42 has a contact arm 513 secured thereto by a rivet 51 or the like.
  • the contact arm 50 is of sufficient length to extend into the tubular opening 38 of the central extension 37 of the upper casing member and terminating short of the lower outer surface 52 of the central extension 37 in a prong 19.
  • the lower annular contact member 42 has an integral contact member 53 bent directly therefrom and which extends into the other tubular opening 38 of the central extension 37 and terminates short of the lower outer surface 52 in a prong 19'.
  • one or both upper and lower plugs 16 may be connected or disconnected from the connecting block 35. This is contrary to practice with the connecting block 10 wherein the lower plug 16 remains connected at all times to the connecting block.
  • one of the branch wires 54 from the lead-in: wire 15 is passed through the central inlet 14 in the casing member 13 and is secured to the lower annular contact member 22 by a screw 55.
  • the other branch Wire 56 from the lead-in wire 15 is passed through an opening. 57 in the separating disk 27 and is secured to the upper annular contact member 22 by a screw 58.
  • the branch wires 54 and 56 are under normal operative conditions not detachable from the connecting block 10.
  • a safety electric connecting blockfor distributing electric current to a plurality of plugs comprising an in-- sulating casing made of two substantially duplicate members, one having a central inlet for a lead-in wire and an annular recess concentric with said inlet, the other having apertures for the prongs of a plug, both said casing members having a plurality of radially directed recesses communicating with said annular recess, an annular metallic contact member seated in said annular recess and having radially directed arms positioned in said radial recesses and stopping short of the outer periphery of said casing member, each of said arms being bent laterally prior to insertion of said contact member in said annular recess to permit resilient rebound when flattened, an insulating disk housed between said body members and separating said contact members from each other, said insulating disk being of larger diameter than the diameter of said contact arms preventing.
  • a plug having two'closely spaced-apart contact arms adapted to enter one of said radial sockets, said plug having. body material coextensive with the length of said contact prongs and spaced apart from each other, whereby when inserting said plug into one of said radial sockets,
  • said insulating disk will enter between the arms of said plug prior to making electrical contact with said contact arms and thereby providing a safety feature in the operation of said multiple connecting block.
  • a safety electric connecting block for distributing electric current to a plurality of plugs comprising an insulating casing made of two substantially duplicate members, one having a central inlet for a lead-in wireand an annular recess concentric with said inlet, the other having an annular recess concentric with said first mentioned annular recess and apertures for the prongs of a.
  • said casing members having a plurality of radially directed superposed recesses communicating with said annular recesses, an annular metallic contact member seated in each of said annular recesses and having radially directed contact arms positionedin said radial recesses and stopping short of the outer periphery of said casing member, each of said contact arms being bent laterally prior to insertion of said contact member in said annular recess to permit resilient rebound when flattened, an insulating disk housed between said body members and separating said contact arms from each other, said insulating disk being of larger diameter than the diameter of said contact arms preventing short circuiting of said contact arms, and a plug having two closely spaced-apart prongs adapted to enter said radial recesses, said plug having body material coextensive with the length of said contact prongs and spaced apart from each other, whereby when inserting said plug into said two superposed radial recesses, said insulating disk will enter between the prongs of said plug prior to contact of
  • a safety electric connecting block for distributing electric current to a plurality of plugs comprising a casing made of insulating material and upper and lower substantially duplicate members, said lower casing member having a central inlet for a lead-in wire and an annular recess concentric with said inlet, said upper casing member having an annular recess concentric and in superposed relation with said first mentioned annular recess, said upper casing member having apertures for receiving the prongs of a male electric plug, said casing members having a plurality of radially directed superposed recesses communicating with said annular recesses, each of said casing members having an annular metallic contact member seated in its respective recess and having integral radially directed contact arms positioned in said radial recesses and stopping short of the outer periphery of said casing member, each of said contact arms being bent laterally prior to insertion of said contact member in said annular recess to permit resilient rebound of said arms when flattened, an insulating disk housed between said casing member and
  • a safety electric connecting block for distributing electric current to a plurality of plugs comprising a casing made of insulating material and upper and lower substantially duplicate members, one of said casing members having an inlet for a lead-in wire and an annular recess concentric with said casing, the other casing member having an annular recess concentric with said first mentioned annular recess, said upper casing member having apertures for receiving the prongs of a male electric plug, said casing members having a plurality of radially directed superposed recesses communicating with said annular recesses, each of said casing members having an amiular metallic contact member seated in its respective recess and having integral radially directed contact arms positioned in said radial recesses and stopping short of the outer periphery of said casing member, each of said contact arms being bent laterally prior to insertion of said contact member in said annular recess to provide prongs permitting resilient rebound when flattened, an insulating disk housed between said casing members and separating said contact
  • a safety electric connecting block for distributing electric current to a plurality of plugs comprising a casing made of insulating material and upper and lower substantially duplicate members, one of said casing members having an inlet for a lead-in wire and an annular recess concentric with said casing, the other casing member having an annular recess concentric with said first mentioned annular recess, said upper casing member having apertures for receiving the prongs of a male electric plug, said casing members having a plurality of radially directed superposed recesses communicating with said annular recesses, each of said casing members having an annular metallic contact member seated in its respective recess and having integral radially directed contact arms positioned in said radial recesses and stopping short of the outer periphery of said casing member, each of said contact arms being bent laterally prior to insertion of said contact member in said annular recess to provide prongs permitting resilient rebound when flattened, an insulating disk housed between said casing members and separating said contact arms

Description

2, 1955 R E. RICCARDELLI 2,714,712
ELECTRIC CONNE CTING BLOCK HAVING A PLURALITY OF OUTLETS FOR ATTACHMENT PLUGS Filed Aug. 2, 1954 5 Sheecs-Sheet l RICHARDERICCARDELLI f0 INVENTOR ATTORNEY 2, 1955 R. E. RICCARDELLI ELECTRIC CONNECTING BLOCK HAVING A PLURALITY OF OUTLETS FOR ATTACHMENT PLUGS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 2, 1954 RICHARD E. RICCARDELLI INVENTOR BMW ATTO R N EY 2 11 7 a 4 1 7 7 2 Y T I L A ws H G w P Um LI M 5m DH C R A AC ml. Cm m m Rm F S EnTb .EE R m N 0U C O F E O R T C E L E Aug. 2, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 2, 1954 FIG? RICHARD ERICCARDELLI INVENTOR ATTORNEY United States Patent O ELECTRIC CONNECTING BLOCK HAVING A PLURALITY OF OUTLETS FOR ATTACH- MENT PLUGS Richard E. Riccardelli, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Application August 2, 1954, Serial No. 447,218
Claims. (Cl. 339-159) This invention relates to a safety electric connecting block having a plurality of outlet sockets whereby electric current may be readily distributed from a main supply source to a plurality of light bulbs or lamps.
This invention is particularly applicable in connection with a display, such as a Christmas tree and provides a current distributing device which lends itself for ready incorporation or mounting in the display.
An object of this invention is to provide an electric current supply source and the leads for electrically operated devices, provisions being made to eliminate the danger of fire due to short circuiting or arcing.
Another object of this invention is to provide a safety electric connecting block for all around use, of sturdy, durable and economical construction, and made of the fewest possible number of parts which are, furthermore, adapted to be assembled quickly and easily.
Another object of this invention is to provide a safety electric connecting block comprising duplicate casing members and duplicate annular metallic contact members having radially positioned contact prongs separated by a disk made of insulating material and which makes it possible to bring the contact prongs in close relation, the radial contact prongs being perpendicular to the axis of the casing to permit a large number of light feeding plugs to be selectively plugged in around the connecting block.
With the above and other objects in view, the invention will be hereinafter more particularly described, and the combination and arrangement of parts will be shown in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims which form part of this specification.
Reference will now be had to the drawings, wherein like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, in which:
Figure 1 is a top plan view of an assembled connecting block embodying my invention.
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 in Figure 1, showing electric contact members separated by a disk made of insulating material, and showing radial contact extensions after bending to arcuate form.
Figure 3 is aside elevation showing the manner of attaching a plurality of safety connecting blocks to form a multiple lighting unit.
Figure 4 is a plan view of the interior of the upper member of the connecting block showing the manner of mounting an annular metallic contact member therein, and showing radial contact extensions prior to bending.
Figure 5 is a plan View. of the interior of the lower memberpf the"connecting block showing a disk made of insulating material and in covering relation with an annular contact member. 1
Figure 6 is a plan view on an enlarged scale of a plug forming part of this invention.
Figure 7 is a central cross-sectional view of a modified form of electric connecting block adapted to receive duplicate standard male plugs both at the top and bottom of the connecting block. 1
Figure 8 is a plan view of the upper member of the 2,714,7l2 Patented Aug. 2, 1955 2 connecting block and showing radial contact extensions prior to bending, the section being taken on line 7--7 in Figure 8.
Figure 9 is a plan view of the lower member of the connecting block.
In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the numeral 10 indicates a safety electric connecting block for distributing electric current to a plurality of plugs 11, and comprising a casing made of insulating material and of two substantially duplicate lower and upper casing members 13, 13'.
The lower member 13 has a central tubular inlet 14 for a lead-in wire 15 connected to a standard electric lighting plug 16 and having an annular recess 17 concentric with the inlet 14. The upper casing member 13' has an annular recess 17 concentric with the annular recess 17 in the lower casing member 13. The upper casing member 13 has apertures 18 adapted to receive the prongs 19 of the standard lighting plug 16.
When the multiple electric connecting block 10 is in use as a current distributing device for Christmas trees, the arrangement includes a plurality of connecting blocks 16), there being one connecting block at each level at which the limbs extend from the trunk of the Christmas tree. Each two successive connecting blocks 10 are connected by a standard electric plug 16. In practice, there may be four or more connecting blocks in use on a Christmas tree.
Each of the casing members 13 and 13 has a plurality of radially directed recesses 20 which respectively communicate with the annular recesses 17 and 17' and extend to the outer periphery of the casing member.
Two substantially duplicate annular metallic contact members 22 are respectively seated in the annular recesses 17 and 17'. Each contact member 22 has a plurality of radially directed contact arms 23 positioned in the radial recesses 26 and stop short of the outer periphery of the casing member thereby leaving exposed socket portions 24 defined by insulating material.
As shown in Figure 2, each contact arm 23 has its outer end portion curved in arcuate form 25 directed toward the mid-portion of the connecting block 10.
It is to be noted that the plugs 11 which are designed to feed current from the connecting block to electric lights 21 have prongs 26 which enter the connecting block 10 radially and equally above and below a separating disk 27. As shown in Figure 6, the prongs 26 are positioned in spaced apart relation from each other by a slot 28. It will also be seen that the plug 11 has body material spaced apart from each other by the slot 28. The result is that the circumferential space occupied by one of the feeding plugs 11 is merely the thickness of the plug, and it is well known that the thickness of a male plug is much less than the height of the plug.
I position the separating disk 27 between the arcuate end portions 25 of the contact arms 23. The disk is made of suitable electrical insulating material. I have found that when using micarta insulating material for the separating disk 27 thatlthe break down voltage is above 2000 volts and this is very much greater than theconventional or 220. volts normally expected to be used with the electric connecting blocks herewith disclosed.
The lower metallic contact member =22 has an integral contact prong 29 which extends through an opening 30 in the disk 27 into one of the transverse openings 18 in the upper casing member 13.
The upper contact member 22 has an integral contact prong 31 which extends into the other transverse opening 18 in the upper casing member 13.
Both contact members are made of suitable metal having a degree of resiliency so that the prongs 19and 26 will rebound when flattened.
a) Screws 32 suitably secure the upper and lower casing members in unitary relation. The upper casing. member 13' has radially positioned ribs 33 and the lower casing member 13 has radially positioned ribs 34-.
While I have shown an electrical connecting. block. having connections for eight plugs, I may make connecting blocks having connections for as many as twenty plugs with safety.
It is also to be noted that l mak make safety electrical connecting blocks inaccordance with the principles of this invention, to' transmit current to large electrical units requiring very large current capacity, the metallic contact members being then made of suitable large current carrying capacity.
It is to be noted that while I have shown the metallic contact members and the radial contact arms or prongs arranged to supply current in parallel, that i ma with slight modification of the metallic contact members supply el'ect'ric current in series.
It is to be noted that due to my insulating disk which separates the upper and lower contact arms or prongs from each other,l am enabled to utilize a plug having prongs that are very close together and still operate with safety. This arrangement of the closeness of the prongs permits me to space a greater number of plugs around a given periphery of the connecting block than has been possible heretofore.
It is to be noted that only two metal contact members are necessary to accomplish the purposes of this invention and that these two parts are made by stampingoperations in dies and this contributes to the low cost of the connecting block.
It is to be noted that the radial extensions of each annular contact member is shown in flat form in Figures 4 and 5, and that in Figure 2 four radial extensions are shown as they appear when bent in arcuate form forming resilient prongs 25.
Figure 7 illustrates a modified safety electric connecting block 35, comprising two duplicate casing members 36 made of electric insulating material.
Both casing members 36 have elongated central extensions 37 with through tubular openings 38 of rectangular cross-section and adapted to receive the prongs 19 of standard lighting plugs 16 shown in Figure 2. Each casing member 36 is of circular outer form and has an annular recess 39 concentric therewith. The annular recess 39 has a plurality of radially directed rectangular recesses 40 which extend to the outer periphery of the casing member.
Two duplicate annular metallic contact members 42 are respectively seated in the annular recesses 39. Each contact member 42 has a plurality of radially directed con tact arms 43' positioned in the radial recesses 40 and stop short of the outer periphery of the casing member thereby leaving exposed rectangular socket portions 44' defined by insulating material.
Each contact arm 43 has its outer end portion. curved in arcuate form 45 directed toward the mid-portion of the connecting block 35. A separating disk 47, made of electrically insulating material, is positioned between the arcuate end portions 45 of the contact arms 43'.
The disk 47 is of smaller diameter than the casing member 36'but of larger diameter than the contact prongs 45 shown in Figure 7. The disk has two apertures 48 of rectangular cross-section and positioned in alignment with the openings 38 in the central extensions 37.
The upper annular contact member 42 has a contact arm 50 secured thereto by a rivet 51' or the like. The contact arm 50 is of sufficient length toextend into the tubular opening 38 of the central extension 37 of the lower casing member and terminating short of the outer surface 52 of the central extension 37 in a prong 19. The upper annular contact member 42 has an integral contact member bent directly therefrom and which extends into the other tubular opening 38 ofthe central extension 37 and terminates short of the outer surface 52 in a prong19.
Similarly, the lower annular contact member 42 has a contact arm 513 secured thereto by a rivet 51 or the like. The contact arm 50 is of sufficient length to extend into the tubular opening 38 of the central extension 37 of the upper casing member and terminating short of the lower outer surface 52 of the central extension 37 in a prong 19. The lower annular contact member 42 has an integral contact member 53 bent directly therefrom and which extends into the other tubular opening 38 of the central extension 37 and terminates short of the lower outer surface 52 in a prong 19'.
It will thus be seen that one or both upper and lower plugs 16 may be connected or disconnected from the connecting block 35. This is contrary to practice with the connecting block 10 wherein the lower plug 16 remains connected at all times to the connecting block.
When connecting the lower plug 16 to the connecting block W, one of the branch wires 54 from the lead-in: wire 15 is passed through the central inlet 14 in the casing member 13 and is secured to the lower annular contact member 22 by a screw 55. The other branch Wire 56 from the lead-in wire 15 is passed through an opening. 57 in the separating disk 27 and is secured to the upper annular contact member 22 by a screw 58. The branch wires 54 and 56 are under normal operative conditions not detachable from the connecting block 10.
in accordance with the patent statutes I have described and illustrated the preferred embodiment of my invention, but it will be understood that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing:
from the spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
I claim: 1. A safety electric connecting blockfor distributing electric current to a plurality of plugs, comprising an in-- sulating casing made of two substantially duplicate members, one having a central inlet for a lead-in wire and an annular recess concentric with said inlet, the other having apertures for the prongs of a plug, both said casing members having a plurality of radially directed recesses communicating with said annular recess, an annular metallic contact member seated in said annular recess and having radially directed arms positioned in said radial recesses and stopping short of the outer periphery of said casing member, each of said arms being bent laterally prior to insertion of said contact member in said annular recess to permit resilient rebound when flattened, an insulating disk housed between said body members and separating said contact members from each other, said insulating disk being of larger diameter than the diameter of said contact arms preventing. contact and short circuiting of said contactmembers, and a plug having two'closely spaced-apart contact arms adapted to enter one of said radial sockets, said plug having. body material coextensive with the length of said contact prongs and spaced apart from each other, whereby when inserting said plug into one of said radial sockets,
said insulating disk will enter between the arms of said plug prior to making electrical contact with said contact arms and thereby providing a safety feature in the operation of said multiple connecting block.
2. A safety electric connecting block for distributing electric current to a plurality of plugs, comprising an insulating casing made of two substantially duplicate members, one having a central inlet for a lead-in wireand an annular recess concentric with said inlet, the other having an annular recess concentric with said first mentioned annular recess and apertures for the prongs of a. male electric plug, said casing members having a plurality of radially directed superposed recesses communicating with said annular recesses, an annular metallic contact member seated in each of said annular recesses and having radially directed contact arms positionedin said radial recesses and stopping short of the outer periphery of said casing member, each of said contact arms being bent laterally prior to insertion of said contact member in said annular recess to permit resilient rebound when flattened, an insulating disk housed between said body members and separating said contact arms from each other, said insulating disk being of larger diameter than the diameter of said contact arms preventing short circuiting of said contact arms, and a plug having two closely spaced-apart prongs adapted to enter said radial recesses, said plug having body material coextensive with the length of said contact prongs and spaced apart from each other, whereby when inserting said plug into said two superposed radial recesses, said insulating disk will enter between the prongs of said plug prior to contact of said prongs with said contact arms and thereby providing a safety feature in the operation of said multiple connecting block.
3. A safety electric connecting block for distributing electric current to a plurality of plugs, comprising a casing made of insulating material and upper and lower substantially duplicate members, said lower casing member having a central inlet for a lead-in wire and an annular recess concentric with said inlet, said upper casing member having an annular recess concentric and in superposed relation with said first mentioned annular recess, said upper casing member having apertures for receiving the prongs of a male electric plug, said casing members having a plurality of radially directed superposed recesses communicating with said annular recesses, each of said casing members having an annular metallic contact member seated in its respective recess and having integral radially directed contact arms positioned in said radial recesses and stopping short of the outer periphery of said casing member, each of said contact arms being bent laterally prior to insertion of said contact member in said annular recess to permit resilient rebound of said arms when flattened, an insulating disk housed between said casing member and separating said contact arms from each other, said insulating disk being of larger diameter than the diameter of said contact arms, preventing short circuiting of said contact arms, and a plug having two closely spaced-apart prongs adapted to enter two superposed radial recesses, said plug having body material coextensive with the length of said contact prongs and spaced apart from each other, whereby when inserting said plug into said two superposed radial recesses, said insulating disk will enter between the prongs of said plug prior to contact of said prongs with said contact arms and thereby providing a safety feature in the operation of said multiple connecting block.
4. A safety electric connecting block for distributing electric current to a plurality of plugs, comprising a casing made of insulating material and upper and lower substantially duplicate members, one of said casing members having an inlet for a lead-in wire and an annular recess concentric with said casing, the other casing member having an annular recess concentric with said first mentioned annular recess, said upper casing member having apertures for receiving the prongs of a male electric plug, said casing members having a plurality of radially directed superposed recesses communicating with said annular recesses, each of said casing members having an amiular metallic contact member seated in its respective recess and having integral radially directed contact arms positioned in said radial recesses and stopping short of the outer periphery of said casing member, each of said contact arms being bent laterally prior to insertion of said contact member in said annular recess to provide prongs permitting resilient rebound when flattened, an insulating disk housed between said casing members and separating said contact arms from each other, said insu- Iating disk being of larger diameter than the diameter of said contact arms, preventing short circuiting of said contact arms, and a plug having two spaced-apart prongs adapted to enter two superposed radial recesses, said plug having body material coextensive with the length of said contact prongs and spaced apart from each other, whereby when inserting said plug into said two superposed radial recesses, said insulating disk will enter between the prongs of said plug prior to contact of said prongs with said contact arm and thereby providing a safety feature in the operation of said multiple connecting block.
5. A safety electric connecting block for distributing electric current to a plurality of plugs, comprising a casing made of insulating material and upper and lower substantially duplicate members, one of said casing members having an inlet for a lead-in wire and an annular recess concentric with said casing, the other casing member having an annular recess concentric with said first mentioned annular recess, said upper casing member having apertures for receiving the prongs of a male electric plug, said casing members having a plurality of radially directed superposed recesses communicating with said annular recesses, each of said casing members having an annular metallic contact member seated in its respective recess and having integral radially directed contact arms positioned in said radial recesses and stopping short of the outer periphery of said casing member, each of said contact arms being bent laterally prior to insertion of said contact member in said annular recess to provide prongs permitting resilient rebound when flattened, an insulating disk housed between said casing members and separating said contact arms from each other, said insulating disk being of larger diameter than the diameter of said contact arms, preventing short circuiting of said contact arms, and a plug designed for receiving current from said connecting block and having two spaced-apart prongs adapted to enter two superposed radial recesses and re.- dially of said connecting block, said plug having body material coextensive with the length of said contact prongs and spaced apart from each other, whereby when inserting said plug into said two superposed radial recesses, said insulating disk will enter between the prongs of said plug prior to contact of said prongs with said contact arm and thereby providing a safety feature in the operation of said multiple connecting block.
References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,219,568 Stewart Oct. 29, 1940 2,500,987 Harpster Mar. 21, 1950 2,563,909 Bauer Aug. 14, 1951 2,576,165 Wood Nov 27, 1951
US447218A 1954-08-02 1954-08-02 Electric connecting block having a plurality of outlets for attachment plugs Expired - Lifetime US2714712A (en)

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US447218A US2714712A (en) 1954-08-02 1954-08-02 Electric connecting block having a plurality of outlets for attachment plugs

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Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2821692A (en) * 1955-04-15 1958-01-28 Jesse A Marcel Utility power cord for television receivers
US3576990A (en) * 1968-09-27 1971-05-04 Wallace F Johnson Lighting system
US3735329A (en) * 1971-07-03 1973-05-22 Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co Distributor apparatus
US4154499A (en) * 1974-04-11 1979-05-15 Weber Franz K Electrical connector and method of making
US4462656A (en) * 1980-11-24 1984-07-31 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Installation system of labeled conductors including plugs and connecting centers
US4620765A (en) * 1984-07-26 1986-11-04 The Siemon Company Eight conductor modular test adapter
US4631648A (en) * 1984-07-09 1986-12-23 Nilssen Ole K Modular suspended ceiling and lighting system
US4660913A (en) * 1985-02-11 1987-04-28 Turner Philip R Electrical plug and socket assemblies
US4805075A (en) * 1983-04-27 1989-02-14 Dolores Damore Artificial Christmas tree
US5444970A (en) * 1990-12-05 1995-08-29 Hitachi, Ltd. Spindle directly driven by motor and textile machine using same
WO2008107765A1 (en) * 2007-03-02 2008-09-12 Giachetti Loris S.R.L. Electrical connection equipment
WO2014060769A1 (en) * 2012-10-18 2014-04-24 Sanders Associates Limited Led lighting distribution unit and components thereof

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2219568A (en) * 1938-08-24 1940-10-29 Walter R Stewart Electrical product
US2500987A (en) * 1946-02-12 1950-03-21 Harpster Glen Multiple outlet electrical connector plug
US2563909A (en) * 1946-02-19 1951-08-14 Jules J Bauer Outlet plug connector
US2576165A (en) * 1948-02-24 1951-11-27 John R Wood Electric socket member having plugin openings for the prongs of a plurality of plugs

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2219568A (en) * 1938-08-24 1940-10-29 Walter R Stewart Electrical product
US2500987A (en) * 1946-02-12 1950-03-21 Harpster Glen Multiple outlet electrical connector plug
US2563909A (en) * 1946-02-19 1951-08-14 Jules J Bauer Outlet plug connector
US2576165A (en) * 1948-02-24 1951-11-27 John R Wood Electric socket member having plugin openings for the prongs of a plurality of plugs

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2821692A (en) * 1955-04-15 1958-01-28 Jesse A Marcel Utility power cord for television receivers
US3576990A (en) * 1968-09-27 1971-05-04 Wallace F Johnson Lighting system
US3735329A (en) * 1971-07-03 1973-05-22 Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co Distributor apparatus
US4154499A (en) * 1974-04-11 1979-05-15 Weber Franz K Electrical connector and method of making
US4462656A (en) * 1980-11-24 1984-07-31 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Installation system of labeled conductors including plugs and connecting centers
US4805075A (en) * 1983-04-27 1989-02-14 Dolores Damore Artificial Christmas tree
US4631648A (en) * 1984-07-09 1986-12-23 Nilssen Ole K Modular suspended ceiling and lighting system
US4620765A (en) * 1984-07-26 1986-11-04 The Siemon Company Eight conductor modular test adapter
US4660913A (en) * 1985-02-11 1987-04-28 Turner Philip R Electrical plug and socket assemblies
US5444970A (en) * 1990-12-05 1995-08-29 Hitachi, Ltd. Spindle directly driven by motor and textile machine using same
WO2008107765A1 (en) * 2007-03-02 2008-09-12 Giachetti Loris S.R.L. Electrical connection equipment
WO2014060769A1 (en) * 2012-10-18 2014-04-24 Sanders Associates Limited Led lighting distribution unit and components thereof

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