Electrical connectors – With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in... – Retaining means
Patent
1995-02-21
1997-04-01
Nguyen, Khiem
Electrical connectors
With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in...
Retaining means
439370, H01R 1362
Patent
active
056160461
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a tubular member which is capable of encasing two interconnect members, such as a male electrical member (plug) with an electrical outlet, and minimizing penetration of liquid or moisture between the interconnected members to achieve a substantially waterproof connection. The tubular member also functions to maintain the two interconnected members in engagement with one another.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A variety of such connection devices are known in the art but such known devices are generally cumbersome to utilize and are not particularly adapted for maintaining a substantially waterproof connection between the two interconnect members.
Further, when a male electrical member is connected to an electrical outlet, it is readily disconnected from the electrical outlet when the electrical cord, to which the male electrical member is connected, is accidently tripped over or tugged at to create a disconnecting force away from the electrical outlet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Wherefore, it is a primary object of the invention to provide a tubular member for providing a substantially waterproof engagement between two interconnected engaged members and to prevent disconnection of those two members in the event that a force, tending to dislodge the two interconnected members, is applied.
Another object of the invention is to provide a tubular member which is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture and relatively easy to employ.
A further object of the invention is to provide a tubular member which is durable yet relatively flexible so that the tubular member has an extended operating life.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a tubular member which is substantially impermeable to liquid and moisture to reduce the possibility of an electrical short occurring between two interconnected electrical members when the tubular member is employed in an outdoor environment.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a reinforced tubular member which minimizes the axial stretch thereof to minimize the possibility of the two members from becoming disconnected from one another.
Another object of the invention is to provide a face plate for an electrical outlet with a supporting surface, for supporting the tubular member, for maintaining an electrical connection between a male connecting member of an electrical device and the electrical outlet.
Briefly, the present invention relates to a resilient elongate tubular member, formed from a single unitary piece of a substantially water impermeable material, for encasing two interconnected members which together define, when interconnected, an intermediate portion of greater cross section than two opposed end portions of the interconnected members, said elongate tubular member having opposed open first and second ends; a first portion being located adjacent the first opposed end and being dimensioned to encase and closely receive one of the opposed end portions of the interconnected members, and a second portion, serially arranged with said first portion, being dimensioned to be roll over the intermediate portion of two interconnected members and be resiliently expanded, when rolled thereover, to minimize penetration of liquid between the tubular member and the intermediate portion to achieve a substantially waterproof engagement therebetween; and said tubular member having a plurality of axially extending and spaced apart reinforcing means for minimizing axial stretch of said tubular member when a disconnecting force is applied thereto.
The present invention further relates to an electrical outlet receptacle adaptor comprising opening means for providing for an electrical connection between a plug and a receptacle of an electrical outlet; and said opening means being encompassed by a boss having an exterior surface, a first end of the exterior surface of the boss being configured to be encased by a resilient waterproofing tubular member and a second end thereof preventing liquid from accessing the plug, w
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Dumont Donald R.
Sundstrom Robert A.
Lynx Enterprises, Inc.
Nguyen Khiem
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