US2459118A - Electric swivel connection - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 11, 1949.

F. J. REHM, JR

ELECTRIC SWIVEL CONNECTION Filed Feb. 2, 19,46

Patented Jan. 11, 1949 Frank J. Rehm-,- Jr.; Elmwoodilarkgllll.,assgnorf" to Sittler v Manufacturimg:A Goma, Chicago," Illa.

av corporation of Illinois Application February 2, 1946, Serial`No; 645,023l

y Q Claimsi` 1 This invention relates-to improvements inelectric'swivel-connector `for portable appliances; and' is' particularlyl adapted, though not necessarily" limitedinits use with solderingirons, Welding devices; curling irons, and thev like,U and one-of the" objects of'theinventionr is to providean' improved; connector of` this character to preventL twisting or kiniringl oi 4theconductor wire or cable, while permitting free use and turningof the appliancev with respect to` theV cable; andprovidingV an un'- interrupted flow'of electricity'through thecon'- ductor wires or cable.

A further object is to '.provideian` improved connector of' this character, whiclfl will' bepen'cased within the handle` ofthe appliance withwhichit'* is used, and, at'the same time, will be of asimple and durable construction; andeiiicientandefecl tive in operation'.

To the attainment of these. ends, andthaac; complis'hment of other new and usefullobjectsas" will appear, the invention consists inthe features' of noveltyin substantiallytheconstructure; com'- bination.. and. arrangement of' theV several parts, hereinafter more fully Vdescribed"andclaimed; and shown in the accompanying drawings illustrating" theinvention, in which Figure l'is an elevationaliviewofattoolembodying this invention'.I

Figure 2 is a` View' of 'the `parts' separated;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal:sectional"view-'of"the toolI and` swivel connection' onu anv enlarged scale.

Figure 4'L is an elevational-view of-'one partof" the' connection.

Figure 511s an elevation of the twoconnecting membersremovedfrom the tool;`

Figure 6 is a sectional View ofv the contact members;

Figure 7 is a-view'taken on line'V--4` Figure-4c In the= accompanying drawingsr this improved"- iron l0, in which'there is the usualheatingele ment' (not shown), andy having a handle formedV4 ofv'two-separable sections i l, l2, fastened"-together against separation, in any desired or suitable manner, such as by means of screws'l engagingv 45! tion; and` preferably, by ascrew l5. Arranged-t 50'supportedbyanotherinsulatingfblockor' mem-L withinatlie plug" areeapair of, springrpressed; contact members it; ,l 'I3 Vwhicharenormally proj cctedl beyond' the: end ofi. the plus; The` plug is`l con;y andi secured? thereto, outf off electrical'` connection: with. each, other; are electrical contactsIlB-i 9:: O'ne ofrtlflcse One ofi these contacts, such.as' the",A contact/:182.

structed` off insulating' material,

with:1 thelfspring Ipres'se'dl contacts '.I l-I 1i .hasfcon nectedf' theretol a'. conductor* 'cord l or lwireiy 2:0; .contplementi" it), andi the otlier'contact I9 .has connected'fto it1 a-=wire2or conductor2fl.; constitutil'lgv thef-otherfsi'd'e ofi the"v circuit-tothe implement?.

tacts-i andll foraumrposeto be later described.. The coiitactv 212? isfelectrically'connected to the` contact i 9, to which the conductor'Zl is connected; so asV to complete-` thef circuit through the conc'onductors 2li-2 lf; when4` the` parts Y are assembled in a manner" to beset forth.

Within the section I'Zof thetoolhandle, there is arrangedi ablock* of-Y insulatingmaterial 23;-

securedin position; against rotationfwith respecti to the handle, and by mcan'sof'ascrew 2f41, andi rotatably mounted Vin saidiblocklis la tubular: member `25 having a1 circumferential flange- 2B inter-V mediate its ends, andthenan'ge--i's yofl 'a diameter to fit within-the handle section I0.' A" sleeve 21" may 'beprovided'inl` the block 23', ifi desired', to. entcompass 'the-tubularmember 25; to form arbear'-,

of'V ther bloclr; This flange' Z8? is disposed? in proximityvto; but spaced from thehadjacentinfacew connector is' shown in-connection'with a-solderingA 4oj ings-2li; If'idesired; awashersmaylbefdisposed' between the1balls-29`and tl'i'efV ange' 28;v to form ab'earing fr thefb'alls, andthe Washerrl is=loose uponithe tubular memberj 25'.-v

Thev end` ofthe' t'ub'ularf member 2E preferably terminates in aninsulating- `block f orf member 311;

andthe block-'is preferably-cut" away; as-at 32, toy provide for contact terminal`s13'35-34j towhich they ends-of 'the conductor wires'13'5'5 36a're respectively connected. These-terminals Silj are preferably-v bei' 3l, which is xed with respect to the block 3 I.

A contact plate 38 is secured to the block 3'I, and connected thereto and extending through this block is the terminal 33. The plate 38 is provided with an opening 39, which registers with an opening 46 in the block 31, and in alinement with the opening 40 is a portion of the contact terminal 34, to which latter the conductor wire 36 is electrically connected. When these parts are thus assembled, the elements 25, 3l, 37, 38, and the contacts 33 and 34 will be fixed with respect to each other, and as the conductors 35 and 36 are contained within the cable 4 I which4 is secured in any suitable manner to the rotatable tubular member 25, such as by means of a fastening de-v vice 42, it will be seen that a free rotation of these parts will be obtained with relation to the handle section i2, and bearing block 23 and the plug I4. The result will -be that the operator may freely manipulate or turn the implement without twisting or kinking the conductor wires 35, 3B. The contact 22, being longer than the contacts IG and I1, will project therebeyond so as to enter the opening 39 in the member 38,` to engage a portion of the terminal 34.

It will therefore be manifest that when the parts are thus assembled, the current will flow through the conductor 3B, to the terminal 34, thence through contact 22, contact I9, conductor 2l, through tool I0, conductor 20, contacts I8, contacts I6 and II, conductor plate 38, terminal 33, and conductor 35, causing `the tool to be heated. By the use of the ball bearing 29, and by reason of the contacts IG and I'I engaging and moving over the contact plate 38, they will permit of a rotation of the plate 38, while the end of the Contact 22, which engages the end of the terminal 34, will rotate withv respect thereto, and thereby maintain electrical connection, without interrupting the circuit, at the same time maintaining the conductors 35, 35 and the cable 4l against kinking or twisting.

The point of connection of the cable 4I with the member 25, is preferably disposed Within a recess I2a in the end of the handle I2, so as to protect the same.

y While the preferred form of the invention is herein shown and described, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, within the scope of the claims, without departing from the spirit of this invention.

What is claimed as new is:

l. A swivel connector for electric cables and the like, embodying atubular sectional body, a member secured rigidly to one section of the body, spring pressed contacts passing through said member, a second member secured in the other body section, and spaced from the rst said member, a rotatable contact bearing member in one 'of the sections and disposed between the said members, a conductor element passing through the said second member said rotatable member co-operating with the said second member to form a ball race Way therebetween, balls in said race way, a cable secured to the said rotatable contact bearing member, and contact terminals connected with said cable, one of the last said terminals embodying an extended surface adapted to be engaged by certain of the spring pressed contacts, another of said spring pressed contacts passing through said surface and out of electrical connection therewith and adapted to engage a contact connected to the cable, said spring pressed contacts adapted to be moved over the respective (zo-operating contacts when a said section is rotated with respect to the cable, the parts in the respective body members being removable as assembled units from the respective body members when the latter are separated.

2. A swivel connector for electric cables and the like, embodying two substantially cylindrical body sections connected in axial alinement, a bearing member in one of the sections and iixed with respect thereto, a sectional tubular member passing through and beyond said bearing, a ilange on the end of saidv tubular member cooperating with the end of said bearing member to form a ball race way therebetween, balls in said race way, a rotatable insulating member iixedly connected with said tubular member beyond said race Way, a contact plate carried by said insulating member, to which plate one end of a conductor is electrically connected, a second contact member carried by said rotatable insulating member, out of electrical connection with said plate, an insulating member carried by the other section, spring pressed terminals carried by the last said member, and conductors connected to the spring pressed terminals, certain of said terminals, when said sections are assembled, contacting said plate, and another of said terminals passing through said plate, out of electrical contact therewith and contacting the said second contact member, whereby the engaging contact member may be relatively rotated, all of the parts contained in each body section being removable as assembled units from the respective body members when the latter are separated.

3. A swivel connection of a character described, embodying a sectional tubular housing a bearing member and a contact carrying member secured Within the respective housing sections, against rotation with respect thereto and spaced from each other in a direction lengthwise of the housing, conductor members electrically connected with the said contacts, a rotatable contact carrying member disposed in one of the housing sections and in the space between said bearing member and the first said contact carrying member, and conductors electrically connected with the contacts on said rotatable member, the last said conductors passing through the said bearing member, the parts of the connection in the respective housing section being removable therefrom as separate and assembled units, when the housing sections are separated.

4. A swivel connection of the character described, embodying a sectional housing, a bearing member and a contact carrying member secured within the respective housing sections against rotation with respect thereto and spaced from each other in a direction lengthwise of the housing, conductor members electrically connected with the said contacts, a rotatable contact carrying member disposed in the space be tween said bearing member and the rst said contact carrying member and within one of the housing sections, and conductors electrically connected with the contacts on said rotatable member, the last said conductors passing through the said bearing member, the said housing being of sectional construction, the said bearing member being secured in one of the housing sections and the rst said contact carrying member being secured in another of the housing sections, the

lparts of the connection in each housing section :measures bodying a casing comprising twosectirisgon'efend of one of thesections being reducedfandgtelescoping into the other section, an insulation member secured in the end of one of the. sections against' rotation' wit'lr respect'Y tlfl'ereto,l spring pressed' contactscarriedj-by the said insulation member and projecting'beyon'dthe end* thereof, an insulation member'fsecur'e'd inthe otherjsece tion; spacedi from" said' telescoping end;v andfthe firstv said insulationmembezr'andsecured-against rotation with respect to the section, a sleeve rotatably mounted in, and extending through the last said insulation member, a flange on and secured to said sleeve within the space between the insulation members and spaced from the end of the sleeve, ball bearings between the said flange and the second said insulation member, an insulation contact supporting'member secured to said sleeve Within the space between the rst two said insulation members, contact terminals carried by the said insulation Contact supporting member, and conductors passing through the sleeve and secured to the last said conta-ct members, one of the last said contact members having an opening through which one of the first said spring pressed contacts passes, and the other of the first said contacts engaging the other contact member on the rotatable insulation member.

6. A swivel connection for electric cables, embodying a casing comprising two sections, one end of one of the sections being reduced and telescoping into the other section, an insulation member secured in the end of one of the sections against rotation with respect thereto, spring pressed contacts carried by the said insulation member and projecting beyond the end thereof, an insulation member secured in the other section, spaced from said telescoping end and the first said insulation member and secured against rotation with respect to the section, a sleeve rotatably mounted in, and extending through the last said insulation member, a iiange on and secured to said sleeve within the space between the insulation members and spaced from the end of the sleeve, ball bearings between the said flange and the second said insulation member, an insulation contact supporting member secured to said sleeve within the space between the rst two said insulation members, contactterminals carried by the said insulation Contact supporting member, conductors passing through the sleeve and secured to the last said contact members, one of the last said Contact members having an opening through which one of the rst said spring pressed contacts passes, and the other of the rst said contacts engaging the other contact member on the rotatable insulation member, a cable within which said conductors are located, and means connecting the end of the cable to said sleeve, within and spaced from the end of the casing sections.

7. A swivel connection for electric cables, embodying a casing comprising two sections, one end of one of the sections being reduced and telescoping into the other section, an insulation member secured in the end of one of the sections against rotation lwith respect thereto, spring pressed contacts carried by the said insulation member and projecting beyond the end thereof, an insulation member secured in the other section, spaced from said telescoping end and the flrst'lsaidmnsuiatiommemberrandisecured againsti rot'ationiwitn' respeottto?. the: sectirmar al sleeve; ro:- tatably f.mountedi in,,. arido 'extendingz through rthe:

lastfsaidzinsulationtrnember; aaflange onaandzse-l cured :tolsaid sleevewithintheifspacezbetweenf the:

insulation members? andispacedriromr. the: end; off the sleeve; bafll,bearingscbetween., the flanges and: thee secondi,saithA insulation: member; ai. hol;- lowf `insulationi contact: supporting'. member se;-y curedto'J-sai'd,sleeveiwithin thefspaceb'etweenithe iirst :.twoi saidiinsulation .memlaers-,I Contact; ter:` minalsi carriedibystheesaidinsulationcontactsup; porting member, and conductors passing through;` thefsleerreeinto theiiellowfinsulation member, and secured to the last said contact members, one of the last said contact members having an opening through which one of the first said spring pressed contacts passes, and the other of the rst said contacts engaging the other contact member on the rotatable insulation member.

8. A swivel connection for electric cables, embodying a casing comprising twofsections, one end of one of the sections being reduced and telescoping into the other section, an insulation member secured in the end of one of the sections against rotation with respect thereto, spring pressed contacts carried by the said insulation member and projecting beyond the end thereof, an insulation member secured in the other section, spaced from said telescoping end and the first said insulation member and secured against rotation with respect to the section, a sleeve rotatably mounted in, and extending through the last said insulation member, a flange on and se- -cured to said sleeve within the space between the insulation members and spaced from the end of the sleeve, ball bea-rings between the said flange and the second said insulation member, an insulation contact supporting member secured to said sleeve within the space between the iirst two said insulation members, Contact terminals carried by the said insulation contact supporting member, and conductors passing through the sleeve and secured to the last said contact `members, one of the last said contact members having an opening through which one of the iirst said spring pressed contacts passes, and the other of' the first said contacts engaging the other contact member on the rotatable insulation member, said casing sections being separable, the iirst rsaid insulation member being secured in one section, the remaining parts of the swivel connection being secured in the other section of the casing. n

9. A swivel connection for electric cables, embodying a casing comprising two sections, one end of one of the sections being reduced and telescoping into the other section, an insulation member secured in the end of one of the sections against rotation with respect thereto, spring pressed contacts carried by the said insulation member and projecting beyond the end thereof, an insulation member secured in the other section, spaced from said telescoping end and the first said insulation member and secured against rotation with respect to the section, a sleeve ron tatably mounted in, and extending through the last said insulation member, a flange on and secured to said sleeve within the space between the insulation members and spaced from the end of the sleeve, ball bearings between the said flange and the second said insulation member, an insulation contact supporting member secured to said sleeve within the space between the rst two said insulation members, contact terminals car- REFERENCES CIT The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,460,037 Pierson June 26, 1923 1,720,619 Baldwin July 9, 1929 1,956,966 Tromanhauser s May 1, 1934 1,973,234 Tsavaris Sept. 11, 1934 2,119,168 Kus May 31, 1938 2,387,015 Gilbertson Oct. 16, 1945

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