US3922055A - Electrical device - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for enabling a male connector secured to a first electrical cable to be engaged to a female connector secured to a second electrical cable in such manner as to prevent the connectors from being separated accidentally. A rigid elongated rod-like metal member has a mid-section region with first and second opposite end regions. Each end region defines a coil-like structure with several turns. The first cable is placed removably in the turns of one end region while the second cable is placed removably in the turns of the other end region. The engaged connectors are disposed adjacent the mid-section region. A finger operable clamp pivotally secured to the member at the mid-point of the mid-section region can be manually engagable with and disengagable from the engaged connectors.

Description

5 United States Patent 1 McGregor Nov. 25, 1975 1 ELECTRICAL DEVICE Clifford A. McGregor, Elsie, Nebr.

[731 Assignee: The Raymond Lee Organization,

Inc., a part interest [75] Inventor:

[22] Filed: Oct. 25, 1974 211 Appl. No.: 517,888

[52] U.S. Cl. 339/105; 174/135; 339/75 P 151] Int. Cl. HOlR 13/58 [581 Field of Search 339/105, 106, 13; 174/135 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3.781.761 12/1973 Harwood 339/75 P Primary E.\'aminerJoseph H. McGlynn Assistant E.\'aminerDeWalden W. Jones [57] ABSTRACT A device for enabling a male connector secured to a first electrical cable to be engaged to a female connector secured to a second electrical cable in such manner as to prevent the connectors from being separated accidentally. A rigid elongated rod-like metal member has a mid-section region with first and second opposite end regions. Each end region defines a coil-like structure with several turns. The first cable is placed removably in the turns of one end region while the second cable is placed removably in the turns of the other end region. The engaged connectors are disposed adjacent the mid-section region. A finger operable clamp pivotally secured to the member at the midpoint of the mid-section region can be manually engagable with and disengagable from the engaged connectors.

4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 3,922,055

ELECTRICAL DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Users of power tools often have to use extension cables to supply electric power to the tool whereby a male connector secured to a first electrical cable must be engaged with a female connector secured to a second electrical cable. When the tool is moved in use, the connectors can be accidentally disengaged. Alternatively, someone walking by can trip over the cables and cause disconnection. This invention is a device which can be used by anyone to maintain such engaged connectors in such manner that accidental disengagement will not occur; the connectors can only be disengaged by deliberate action.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention, a rigid elongated rod-like member has a mid-section region with first and second opposite end regions. Each end region defines a coil-like structure with several turns. The first cable is placed removably in one end region with the male connector disposed adjacent the mid-section region. The second cable is placed removable in the other end region with the female connector disposed adjacent the mid-section region. The male and female connectors are then manually engaged for use.

As an additional safety feature, means pivotally secured to the mid-section region can be manually engagable with and disengagable from the engaged connec tors. The means can then lock the engaged connectors together.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS portion of the structure of Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, an elongated rigid steel rod-like member has a flat or somewhat curved midsection region 10 with first and second opposite end regions l2 and 14. Each end region defines a coil-like structure with several turns 12A and 14A. The axes of these end regions are aligned and can be coincident with the flat region 10. A manually operable clamp 16 can be pivotally secured to the mid-point of region 10.

In use a first cable 18 carrying male connector 20 at one end can be wound removably in the turns 12A while a second cable 22 carrying female connector 24 at one end can be wound removably in turns 14A. Connectors 20 and 24 are disposed adjacent region 10 and can be manually engaged.

The clamp 16 can be used to detachably engage the engaged connectors and lock same together.

While the invention has been described with detailed reference to the drawings, the protection sought is to be limited only by the terms of the claims which follow.

I claim:

1. A device for enabling a male connector secured to a first electrical cable to be engaged to a female connector secured to a second electrical cable in such manner as to prevent the connectors from accidentally being separated, said device comprising:

a rigid elongated rod-like member having a midsection region with first and second opposite end regions, said end regions each defining a coil-like structure with several turns, the first cable being placed removably in the turns of one end region, the second cable being placed removably in the turns of the other end region, the engaged connectors being disposed adjacent the mid-section region.

2. Thedevice of claim 1 further including means pivotally secured to said mid-section region and manually engageable with and disengagable from said engaged connectors.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said means is a finger operated clamp.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein the clamp is pivotally secured to the mid-point of the mid-section region.

Claims (4)

1. A device for enabling a male connector secured to a first electrical cable to be engaged to a female connector secured to a second electrical cable in such manner as to prevent the connectors from accidentally being separated, said device comprising: a rigid elongated rod-like member having a mid-section region with first and second opposite end regions, said end regions each defining a coil-like structure with several turns, the first cable being placed removably in the turns of one end region, the second cable being placed removably in the turns of the other end region, the engaged connectors being disposed adjacent the mid-section region.

2. The device of claim 1 further including means pivotally secured to said mid-section region and manually engageable with and disengagable from said engaged connectors.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said means is a finger operated clamp.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein the clamp is pivotally secured to the mid-point of the mid-section region.

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