US1696583A - Coupling for electric circuits - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 25, 1928.

H. R. SARGENT ET AL COUPLING FOR ELECTRIC CIRCUITS Filed May 10. 1927 y m t2 m 5 swim/t Pa @f fi mS w ,1] HOLD e n vd T n I Wk IILI v/ b Patented Dec. 25, 1928.

UETED STATES HOWARD R. SARGENT AND FRANK C. DE REAMER, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNORS TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

COUPLING FOR ELECTRIC CIRCUITS.

Application filed May 10, 1927. Serial No. 190,323.

Our invention relates to coupling devices of the type especially adapted for use, for example, in connection with Christmas trees, vacuum cleaners, radio sets, and the like.

Heretofore. coupling devices of this sort have been made in which the connection function is performed by one set of elements and the contact functions are performed by a differentset of elements, and our invention differs from the prior art in that we use a pivoted spring which takes part in both functions.

Among the objects of the invention are the following:

To provide a coupling device, the receptacle element of which is provided with a unit element in the form of a spring connector which performs the functions of both contact and connector element; to provide a device of the foregoing character in which the element, the cap, and the receptacle which receives the element are formed and constructed so that the wire to which the coupling is fastened is clamped to the connecto by the cap of the device. and that the cap. iinparts to the unit element a moment about a fulcrum in the receptacle; to provide a coupling device, the connector element of which engages both the wire and the plug contact, which unit element is in such operative relation to the cap of the device that the cap affects both its-contact function and its connector function.

The invention will be more fully understood from the accompanying specification, claims and drawing, in which drawing Fig. 1 shows the device of the invention attached to a line. Fig. 2 shows the same device attached to the line with the cap lifted. Fig. 3 is a section through the axial plane of the device showing the cap, the body of the reccptacle and the connector unit elements, one

on each sideof the central axis of the receptacle and by means of which connection is made between the line wires and the plug. in this figure the plug is shown in position about to be inserted into the receptacle to make contact with the spring unit elements. Fig. 4 shows one of the unit elements in perspective. Fig. 5 shows a bottom view of the cap of the device. Fig. .6 is an enlargement of the upper left hand sect-ion of the device as it is shown in Fig. 3.

Referring more in detail to the drawing, it will be seen that the body 2 of the receptacle is provided with a pair of channels or plug chambers one on each side of the central axis of the device and of a form to re ceive each one of the unit elements, such as elements 3 or 4. As shown in Fig. 4, the spring element is folded so as to form'a heel 5, which when in position as shown in Fig. 3 engages the edge 6 of the shelf 7 which forms the lower boundary of the connection chamber in which the folded portion of the spring is located, the edge serving as a fulcrum for the unit element. It will be seen that there is provided a channel 8 near the forward end of the upper section of the unit element for receiving the wire with which the unit element is to be connected. It will also be observed, and as indicated more particularly in Fig. 3, that the channel 8 extends above the edge (3. 'lherefore, when the wire 9 is clamped between, the cap 10 and the unit element, as indicated in Fig. 3, a moment is created about the edge 6 with the result that the lower portion of the spring tends to rotate about the fulcrum. As indicated in Figs. 3 and 4:, this lower portion of the spring is bowed so that when the cap is clamped its lower edge 12 is pressed against the wall of the receptacle. The result is that the portion 11 of the spring is rendered substantial and resilient, thereby enabling the terminal elements 13 and 14 of the plug 15 to be inserted in the receptacle between the spring and the-central wall 16 of the receptacle, insuring a good electrical contact between the spring and its corresponding plug terminal. It will be seenthat the spacing between the cap 10 and the shield 7 is sufiicient to enable the spring to function as explained about the edge 6.

As indicated in Fig. 2, in order to establish an effective connection between a two strand cableand the receptacle, all that is necessary is to make a short portion of the cable bare so as to enable the conductors to be placed cachin contact with one of the springs. Therefore, by the more operation of clamping the cap in position, as for example by means of a screw 17, an effective and substantial connection is insured between the cable strands and their respective springs insuring at the same time that an effective connection will result when the plug 15 is inserted in the receptacle and pressed home.

It will be understood that while we have illustrated and described the invention in connection with a specific form of device, we do not wish to be limited to such specific construction, inasmuch as in view of the disclosure variations ma obviously be made which do not. depart from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims herein.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In combination with a socket, a plug, means in'the socket for joining a wire with the plug through the socket, said means consisting of a lever in the form of a spring pivoted in the socket, one arm of the lever serving to connect with the wire, the other end of the lever serving to connect with the plug and a cap for the socket for clamping the wire against the spring and for producing a bias in the spring about the pivot to maintain the said other arm of the lever in proper position in the socket whereby the plug may be readily inserted and effective connection insured in the socket.

2. In combination with a socket, a plug, means in the socket for joining a wire wit-h the plug through the socket. said means con sisting of a lever in the form of a spring pivoted in the socket, one arm of the lever servin to connect with the wire, the other arm of the lever serving toconnect with the plug and a cap for the socket for clamping the wire against the spring and for produc- 1 ing a bias in the spring about the pivot, said socket and spring being so formed and placed with respect to each other that as a result of the bias one point of the spring along the said other arm engages the wall of the socket producing thereby a resilient contact member between two points of support thereby insuring a substantial contact connection between the plug and the said other arm.

In combination with a socket, a plug, means in the socket for engaging the plug whereby connection may be extended from the plug to the socket, said means serving also for engaging a wire from which a supply of current may be drawn, said means being in the form of a spring lever, said lever being pivoted on a'fulcrum within the plug, and means for imparting a bias to the lever about the fulcrum and for maintaining the spring in proper position with re spect to the socket.

4.11 combination a line and a circuit coupling device having a plug and a socket receptacle, a cavity in the receptacle and a cap for the receptacle, means for securing the cap to the receptacle, a section of said cavity extending longitudinally of the socket for receiving the plug, a section of the cavity extending transverse the socket for receiving the line, a spring for connecting the line and the plug, said spring located in said cavity, a fulcrum in said cavity, said spring being bent to form a seat for receiving the fulcrum'and in the form of a lever,

to clamp the line and said seat beyond the fulcrum to thereby create a'biasing moment in the spring about the fulcrum and to press a point in the forward part of the bowed arm against the wall of the plug cavity whereby'when the plug is inserted in the socket it will pass between the bowed arm and the wall of the socket cavity nearest the central lon itudinal axis of the socket to insure an eflect-ive and resilient contact between the plug and the bowed arm, the folded arm and cap serving to effect a substantially resilient contact between the line and the folded arm of the spring.

5. In a plug device, in combination, a receptacle, a spring element, and a cap forthe receptacle, said receptacle formed with a fulcrum, said spring being mounted as a lever on said fulcrum, said lever being under the control of said cap, said cap imparting to said lever a bias with respect to said fulcrum.

6. In combination with a plug, a socket device for connecting electric apparatus and a wire whereby the apparatus may draw current from the wire, said plug having a contact terminal, said socket having a body of insulating material, a cavity within said body, one end of the cavity,forming a plug chamber for the device and the other end of the cavity serving as a connection chamber for the device, a spring in said cavity in the form of a lever, said body having a fulcrum head projecting in the cavity for said lever, one arm of the lever being located in the plug chamber on one side of the fulcrum in position to engage the plug terminal when the latter is inserted in the plug chamber whereby contact is madebctween the spring and the plug terminal and the other arm of the lever being located in the connection chamber on the other side of the fulcrum in position to engage the wire, a cap for the socket serving as means for applying pressure to the connection arm of the lever to produce a biasing moment in the spring about the fulcrum for maintaining the end of the lever in the plug chamber in proper position, the arms of the lever being dispo ed one transverse the direction of the other.

In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this, 7th day of May, 1927.

HOXVARD R. SARGEN'I. FRANK C. DE RE'AMER.

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