Electrical connectors – Convertible by internal change to selectively cooperate with... – Coupling part
Patent
1994-01-03
1996-01-09
Nguyen, Khiem
Electrical connectors
Convertible by internal change to selectively cooperate with...
Coupling part
439668, H01R 2900
Patent
active
054824680
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electrical connector in the form of a jack-type socket plug including a central contact pin for one conductor and resilient contact elements in the region of the outer surface of the plug for the other conductor, the plug having an elongate male portion for mating with a female part of the current socket receiving the plug.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide a plug which can be used for two current sockets of different sizes without needing to use some form of adaptor or protector. It is namely usual with at least two different dimensions for jack-type current sockets receiving this kind of plug. It is customary in the automobile industry to use a socket having a certain diameter, while a socket where the receiving female part has a smaller diameter is used for marine purposes. This kind of current socket and plug is used together with radio apparatus, telephones and the like. Particularly with respect to radios and telephones it is impractical to have one type of plug, suiting the cigarette lighter socket, intended for using the instrument in a vehicle such as a car, while an other version of the plug is needed when the same instrument is to be used for marine purposes. The present invention solves the problem such that the same plug on the cord to the instrument can be used for current sockets having two different dimensions. The invention also ensures that the plug is a good fit in the female part of the current socket when used in either size of current socket. In addition, there is no need, as already mentioned, for an adaptor or protective sleeve or the like, which is customary at present, such means and devices being easily lost or forgotten when using the associated apparatus.
Characterizing for the invention and providing a solution to the problem is that the male part comprises two members with two different cross-sectional dimensions so that one male part mates with a current socket female part and the other male part mates with the female part of an other current socket having different cross-sectional dimensions than that of the first mentioned current socket female part, and in that the smaller male part carries the central contact pin and is movable in the larger male part, but no further than that the pin still projects out axially outside the larger male part, and such that by the movement the plug can be optionally mated to either of the two differently dimensioned current sockets.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side view of the plug, while FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section through it with the smaller male part in different positions. FIG. 3 illustrates the same parts as in FIG. 1 but with a fuse inserted.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Turning now to FIG. 1, it will be seen that a hollow body 1 comprises a male part. A sleeve 2, axially displaceable in the body 1, constituting a male part of less cross-sectional dimensions than the corresponding dimensions for the body 1, is illustrated in an outwardly thrust position. The sleeve 2 can thus be thrust into the body 1 but only so far that a contact 3 mounted on the left-hand side (in the Figure) of the sleeve 2 is still free or projects out in front of the end of the body 1. The pin 3 is connected to the positive conductor of a cord 6. This connection takes place inside the body 1, see FIG. 2 and the text below. In the outer surface of both body 1 and sleeve 2 there is a contact element 4,5. In the interior of body 1 this element is connected to the other conductor of the cord 6, preferably its minus pole. When the plug is pushed into a female part of a small diameter the element portion 5 constitutes the contact means, while when the plug is thrust into a female part having a large diameter the element portion 4 serves as contact means. The pin 3 is always the positive means when the plug is inserted into a
REFERENCES:
patent: 4239320 (1980-12-01), Hesse et al.
patent: 4626052 (1986-12-01), Rumble
patent: 4770644 (1988-09-01), Feder
patent: 5131870 (1992-07-01), El-Haj
patent: 5201677 (1993-04-01), Takayama
IBM Technical Disclosure, vol. 11, No. 10, Mar. 1969.
Ingenjorsfirma Mauritz Bolin AB
Nguyen Khiem
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