GB1475170A - Shuttered electrical socket connectors - Google Patents

Abstract

1475170 Socket connector CONTACTUM Ltd 11 Nov 1975 [11 Nov 1974] 48777/74 Heading H2E A shuttered electrical socket connector wherein in response to the application to a single shutter member of a force resulting from the simultaneous presentation of contact pins in apertures in a cover member of the connector, the shutter is subject to a translatory movement in a plane perpendicular to the direction of entrance of the pins, but in response to a force applied by an object presented in one only of the apertures, will respond by limited rotation in the same plane so that a portion engages an abutment which prevents translatory movement. In an embodiment, (Figs. 1 and 2) the connector 10 comprises a cover member 11 with apertures 12, 13, a shutter member 14 and a base member 20. A spring 15 abuts against the end of slot 14e and a projection 11a inside the cover 11. The face of the shutter 14, opposing the cover 11, has bevelled portions 14f, 14g (Fig. 5) so that when pins (24, 25) of a plug (Fig. 3, not shown) are urged into apertures 12, 13 the shutter is displaced against the bias exerted by spring 15, allowing the pins to enter the respective socket contacts 16 (Fig. 3, not shown). If an object is thrust into only one aperture the shutter will rotate in its own plane until one of projections 14d engages an abutment 11b, preventing any further movement of the shutter (Fig. 4, not shown). In an alternative embodiment (Figs. 7-13, not shown) the shutter (34) is used in a three-pin to two pin fused adapter (32) for use with an electric razor. The shutter (34, Fig. 12, not shown) has a body portion (34a) having rounded laterally extending wings (34b), a tapering extension (34c), extending from the body portion, ending in a laterally extending head portion (34d); body portion (34a) has a central groove (34e) in which a rib (32f, Fig. 9, not shown) extends and on either side of this groove there are two shorter slots (34f) forming spring pockets for springs (35). A fuse carrier (44, Fig. 13, not shown) used with this connector, has a cover-plate (44a) from the centre of which extends a cylindrical part (44b) having a circular bore (44c) which accepts a fuse cartridge (45) so that the fuse is parallel to the coverplate. In another embodiment (Fig. 14) the shutter 51 slides behind a cover member 50 which has apertures 50a, 50b masked by the shutter in its normal position. A central slot 51d on shutter 51 receives spring 53, which also abuts an abutment 50c secured to cover 10. The sides of abutment 50c which face the sides of slot 51d are provided with serrations 50d and the facing portions of the sides of slot 51d have matching serrations 51c so that when an object is introduced in only one of the apertures 50a or 50b the serrations interfere between them to prevent movement of the shutter. The means adapted to guide the shutter 51 consist of a large washer (54, Fig. 15, not shown) held by a screw (55) engaging in a tapped hole (50e) on the abutment 50c.