Electrical connectors – With stress relieving means for conductor to terminal joint – Curved conductor path
Reexamination Certificate
2001-09-27
2002-11-26
Bradley, P. Austin (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
With stress relieving means for conductor to terminal joint
Curved conductor path
C439S369000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06485324
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
The invention relates to the electrical power arts. It is especially applicable to strain relief of electrical cords used in home appliances such as lamps, toasters, blenders, radios, coffee makers, and the like. However, the invention will find application in other situations where a cord or supply line provides a consumable element, such as electricity, a fluid, pressurized air, or the like, to a device or apparatus.
Electrical appliances typically receive electrical power via an electrical cord that connects the appliance to an electrical outlet. In the most common situation, a two-wire or three-wire electrical cord is permanently connected to the appliance at a first end and has a two-prong plug or a three-prong grounded plug a second end that connects to an electrical wall receptor to receive electrical power. The attachment of the first end of the cord to the appliance must be physically restrained to prevent the cord from detaching therefrom. Detachment disadvantageously interrupts power to the appliance and requires repair of the cord attachment. Furthermore, physical cord detachment or less drastic damage of the electrical connection of the first end to the appliance due to inadequate strain relief can pose serious electrical shock and fire safety hazards. For these reasons, cord strain relief mechanisms are typically required to meet regulatory agency pull requirements.
A strain relief apparatus for use in conjunction with an electrical cord should meet several additional criteria. Because electrical cords usually connect to an appliance through an electrical conduit, hook, or tube, the strain relief apparatus should be capable of being installed into the conduit, hook, or tube prior to assembly of the unit. This means that the strain relief apparatus should be smaller than the hole that the threaded conduit, hook, or tube is inserted into, and should not interfere with the installation thereof. However, the strain relief apparatus should also be large enough to prevent passage of the apparatus through the exposed end of the conduit, hook, or tube.
Several methods have been used in the past to provide strain relief for electrical cords. A simple method is to place a knot into the cord whereby the end of the cord is prevented from passing through the conduit. Other strain relief devices include a clamping mechanism that restrains the cord. Yet another approach is to use a series of posts to restrain the cord. These prior art approaches have the disadvantage of not always being easily incorporated into a given design because they are not easily applied to the inside of a conduit.
The present invention contemplates an improved electrical cord strain relief apparatus that overcomes the above-mentioned limitations and others.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a strain relief apparatus is disclosed for providing strain relief near the connection of an associated electrical cord with an associated electrical device. A form has a zigzag shape, around which the associated electrical cord is wrapped over and under a plurality of times.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an electrical apparatus is disclosed. An electrical device has an electrical cord with a first end of the cord connected to the electrical device. The cord has a second end adapted to connect with a source of electrical power. A strain relief device is operatively connected with the electrical cord and the electrical device. The strain relief device includes a conduit attached by an end thereof to the electrical device, and a zigzag shaped form disposed inside the conduit and around which the electrical cord is wrapped over and under a plurality of times.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a strain relief apparatus for providing strain relief at an exit point of an associated cord from an associated body is disclosed. A conduit is attached to the associated body. A frictional locking element is disposed inside the conduit and frictionally locks onto the associated cord.
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Fay Sharpe Fagan Minnich & McKee LLP
General Electric Company
Hammond Briggitte R.
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