GB2261775A

GB2261775A - Cable clamp for electrical plug

Info

Publication number: GB2261775A
Application number: GB9223154A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kevin Andrew Kingston
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-11-05
Filing date: 1992-11-05
Publication date: 1993-05-26
Anticipated expiration: 2012-11-05
Also published as: GB9223154D0; GB2261775B

Abstract

A cable clamp for a plug comprises two pillars (30) joined together by a connecting strip (32), parallel holes (34) formed in the pillars for engagement by the conventional clamping screws, and respective gates (36) projecting obliquely towards each other from the pillars (30) to define a tapering space into which the cable 22 can be pushed. The gates (36) are not directly connected to the connecting strip (32). The clamp may simply replace a conventional clamp formed of a strap clamped by two screws. In another embodiment, (figs 7 to 11 not shown) flanges projecting from the pillars and the connecting strip are a close fit in corresponding recesses in a plug and locate the clamp without the need for screws. <IMAGE>

Description

"Grip for an Electrical Cable" This invention relates to a cord-grip for an electrical cable, particularly but by no means exclusively for use in a standard electrical plug-top of the well-known type having three pins of rectangular crsoo-section and a fuse with a maximum capacity of 13 amperes.

A cable-grip is fitted to every such plug-top and conventionally consists of a sissiple strip of nylon a a strap which i secured b two 'self-tapping screms These screws are engaged in holes at the respective ends of the strap so as to embrace the cord and are then tithtened to grip the cord between the strap and the base of the plug-top. There is also a requirement for a similar cable-grip without a plug0top in cases where an electr cable enters an appliance such as a television set.

However, these convent onal cable-gripe are too time-consuming when plug-tops have to be fitted manually in large numbers to plug-tops and electrical appliances by the original manufacturers of such appliances.

The object of the present inventiopn is to provide a lese time cousuming cable-grip for a standard plug-top or electrical appliance.

According to one aspect of the invention, a grip for an electrical cable comprises a resilient one-piece plasties meulding having two pillars joined together at one end by a connecting strip, at least one of the pillars having a gate projecting obliquely therefrom towards the other pillar to define a tapering space into which the cable can be pushed, said gate not being directly connected to the connecting strip.

The grip preferably comprises respective gates projecting obliquely towards each other from adjacent sides of the pillars se as together to define between them a tapering space into which the cable can be pushed, said gates not being directly connected to the connecting strip.

Preferably, the or each gate is recurved.

Preferably, also, the or each gate has at least one serration arranged to enhance gripping of the cable and prevent it being pulled out of the grip.

Preferably, the or each serration has th form of a ratchet tooth and extends parallel to the pillars.

Preferably, also, the end of the or each serration at that end of the or each gate remote fro::; the connecting strip is chamfered to facilitate pushing the cable into the space.

Preferably, parallel holes are formed in the pillars for engagement by screws in order to secure the grip in operative position.

Alternatively or additionally, respective flanges project from the remote sides of the pillars for engagement in corresponding recesses in order to locate the grip in operative position.

Preferably, at least one flange project from that side of the connecting strip remote from the or each gate for engagement in a corresponding recess in order to assist in locating the grip in operative position.

Preferably, also, a plurality of flanges project from that side of the connecting strip remote from the or each gate for engagement in respective recesses.

The grip preferably comprises a nylon moulding.

The grip may be adapted to replace the conventional cable-grip of a standard plug-top Tithout any modification of said plug-top.

Another aspect of the invention comprises a standard plug-top which has fitted to it in place i3f a conventional cable-grip strap, a grip according t any one of the preceding statements of invention.

The invention will now be described in greater detail, by Way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:- Figure t is a plan view of the b-Se of a. standard plub-top which has fitted to it one embodiment cable-grip according to the invention with a cable gripped therein ; Figure 2 is a partly exploded end view in the direction of the arrow 2 in Figure 1 of the whole plug-top and cable-grip without d cable Figure 3 is an end view of the cable-grip;; Figure 4 is a plan view thereof; Figure 5 is a view of the underside thereof; Figure 6 is a perspective view thereof; Figure 7 is a plan view of the base of standard plug-top which has fitted to it another embodiment of cable-grip according to the invention, without a cable; Figure 8 is a partly exploded end view in the direction of the arrow 8 in Figure 7 of the plug-top base and cable-grip; Figure 9 is a side view of said other embodiment of cable-grip showing a modification thereof; Figure 10 is a view of the underside of the cable grip of Figure 9 ; and Figure 11 is a perspective view thereof Referring now to Figures 1 to 8 of the drawings, a standard electrical ptug-top comprises a base 10 and a cover 12 secured to said base by a 'crew (not shownl adapted to pass. through a hole 14 in said base The base 10 carries two pins 16 and 18 and a terminal 8 to which the neutral, earth and live wires of an electrical cable 22 can be respectively connected, and a fuse 24 with a maximum capacity of 13 amperes interposed between the terminal 8 and a third pin 20.The base 10 also has two holes 28 for the reption of respective cable-grip screws 28 intended to be tightened to grip the cable 22 between the base 10 and a conventional cable-grip strap In place of the conventional strap there is provided a resilient one-piece nylon moulding having two parallel cylindrical pillars 30 joined together at one end by a connecting strip 32 perpendicular to them, said pillars having respective co-axial holes 34 for engagement by the screws 28 inserted through the existing holes 28. The sides of the pillars 80 adjacent to each other have respective gates 36 the faces and the free ends 38 of which are.

perpendicular to the connecting strip 32. The g gates 5.6 are recurved to define a tapering space 40, and are not directly connected to the connecting strip 32 but are spaced therform by gaps 42 so as not to preven them from flexing in a direction parallel to the pillars 30. Each of the gates 36 has several serrations 44 near its free and 88 which have the form of ratchet teeth and are parallel to the pillars 80 aid serrations enhance the gripping of the cable 22 and prevent Its being pulled out of the plug-top. The ends of the serrations 44 at those ends of the gates 36 remote from the connecting strip 32 are chamfered at 46 to facilitate pushing of the cable 22 into the space 40.

In operation, the cable-grip is fitted to the plug-top prior to connecting the plug-top to the cable 22 As well as securing the cable-grio to the plug-top, the screws 28 stengther the pillars 30, making them more rigid and holding them parallel to each other. The wires of the cable 22 are connected to the pins 16 and 18 and the terminal 8 in the usual way, and the cable 22 is then simply and firmly gripped by pushing it into the space 40 in a direction parallel to the pillars 30, it being understood that the width of the space 40 prior to its gripping the cable 22 is less than the diameter of said cable.

Referring now to Figures 7 and 8 of the drawings, an electrical plug-top which is substantially identical to that of Figures 1 and 2 has like parts designated 5y the same reference numerals Howerver, the base 10 of this plug-top has two recesses 50 formed in it at those sides of the holes 26 remote from each other, and also has two closely-spaced parallel ribs 52 formed in it between ;said holes to assist in gripping, the cable 22 when a conventional cable-grip strap is employed. A cable-grip which is substantially identical to that of Figures 1 to has like parts designated by the same reference numerals.

However, respective flanges 54 project from remote ides of the pillars 30 for close-fitting engagement in the recesses 50, and a flange 5. projects from that side of the connecting strip 82 remote from the gates 86 for clove-f itting engagement in a recess flanking the ribs 52 on that side remote from the pis 16, 18 and 20.

In operation, the cable-grip is located in operative position by the flange 54 and 56 and is retained in said position by the cover 12 whilst said cover is held in place. If desired, the cable-grip can be more permanently secured in operative position, and also strengthened, by means of the screws 28, but in this embodiment of the invention their use is optional, not essential.

Referring no to Figures 9 to 11 of the drawings, the cable-grip of Figures 7 and 6 is modified by the provision of two additional flanges 60 and 62 parallel to the flange 56. The flange 60 is arranged to engage in the recess etween the ribs 52, and the flange 62 is arranged to engage that flank of said ribs adjacent the pins 16, 18 an C 0. The flanges 60 and are close-fitting and constitute additional locating members for the cable-grip.

In one rather more radical modification of the nventuion, only one of the pillars 30 is provide with a ate 36, the arrangement and dimensions being such that said gate and the other pillar 30 together define between them a a tapering space Into which the cable 22 can be lied, the width of said space prior to its gripping said cable being less than the diameter of said cable. In another rather more radical modification of the invention, le-grip in accordance therewith is not associated with a plug-top but is installed in an electrical appliance such as a television set or elekctrical iron at the point where a cable enters the appliance.

Claims

What I claim is:

1. A grip for an electrical cable comprising a resilient One-piece plastics moulding having two pillars joined together at one end by a connecting strip, at least one of the pillars having a gate projecting obliquely therefrom towards the other pillar to define a tapering space into which the cable can be pushed, said gate not being directly connected to the connecting strip 2. A grip according to Claim 1, comprising respective gates projecting obliquely towards each other from adjacent sides of the pillars so as together to define between the a tapering space into which the cable can be pushed, said gates not being directly connected to the connecting strip.

3 A grip according to either of the preceding claims, wherein the or each gate is recurved.

4. A grip according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each gate has at least one serration arranged to enhance gripping of the cable and prevent it being pulled out of the grip.

5. h grip according to Claim 4, wherein the or each serration has the form of a ratchet tooth and tends parallel to the pillars.

6. A r grip according to Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein the end of the or each serration, at that end of the or each gate remote from the connecting strip is chamfered to facilitate pushing the cable into the space.

7. A grip according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein parallel holes are formed in the pillars for engagement by screws In order to secure the grip in operative position.

8. A grip according to any one of Claims 1 to 6 or Claim 7, wherein respective flanges project from the remote sides of the pillars for engagement In corresponding recesses in order to locate the grip In operative pos it ion.

8. A grip according to Claim 8, wherein at least one flange projects from that side of the connecting strip remo-te fi-on the or each gate for engagement in a corresponding recess in order to assist in locating the grip in operative position.

10. A grip according to Claim 9, having a plurality of fianges pro ect ing from that side of the connecting strip remote fi-on the or each gate for engagement in respective recesses.

11. A grip according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a nylon moulding.

1, a g,r p according to any one of the preceding claims, adapted to isplace the conventional cable-grip of a standard plug-top without any modification of said plug-top.

13. A grip for an electrical cable, construsted, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated by, Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

14. A grip for an electrical cable, constructed, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated by, Figures 7 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.

15. A grip for an electrical cable, constructed, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated by, Figures 9 to 11 cf the accompanying drawings.

16. A standard plug-top which has fitted to it, in place of a cinventional cable-grip strap, a grip according t any one of the preceding claims