POWER SUPPLY CORD HATCH

• US 3,613,044 A
• Filed: 12/11/1969
• Issued: 10/12/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Willis G. Rarick
• Original Assignee: Willis G. Rarick
• Inventors: Rarick, Willis G.
• Primary Examiner(s): McGlynn, Joseph H.
• Application Number:
  US04/884,300
• Time in Patent Office: 670 Days
• Field of Search: 339/36,43,44,119,147 174/67 191/12,12.4
• US Class Current: 439/528
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/60 Means for supporting coupling part when not engaged
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/72 Means for accommodating flexible lead within the holder
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/26 for vehicles

Abstract

An improved hatch for a power supply cord to be used on travel trailers and similar structures wherein it is desired to store within the structure a power supply cord and, from time to time, extract that cord and connect it to a source of electrical current is disclosed. The latch is fabricated in two pieces from nylon or other thermoplastic material and designed to be moisture resistant. A novely configured rear portion of the hatch is designed to flexibly pass an electrical plug during assembly and to pass (without flexing) the power cord during use.

Claims

1. The method of assembling a power supply cord and hatch wherein the hatch comprises a recess defining portion having a first opening adapted to deformably pass the plug and a second opening, and a cover portion, said cover portion adapted to close said second opening comprising the steps of:

providing a multiconductor cable of a predetermined length with a plug affixed to one end;

attaching the other end of the cable to fixed electrical terminals;

deforming said first opening and passing said plug and attached cable therethrough;

closing said cover portion if it is not already closed so as to encase said plug within said recess with said cable extending through said first opening;

opening said cover portion; and

withdrawing said plug and attached cable sufficiently to allow engagement of said plug and a receptacle whereby said cable now passes through both said first and second openings.

2. A power supply cord hatch to be Used in conjunction with a multiconductor cable having a plug attached thereto and comprising:

a plug recess defining portion having first and second opposite ends, said first end formed of a semirigid material and having a first opening which will deformably pass said plug and further slidably pass said multiconductor cable without substantial deformation, said second end having a second opening;

a cover portion adapted to close at least part of said second opening to prevent passage of said plug through said second opening;

hinge means, a first portion of which is permanently affixed to said recess defining portion and a second portion of which is permanently affixed to said cover portion near one edge thereof, said first and second portions being joinable to form a hinge whereby said plug many be placed within said recess with said cover closed and with said semiconductor cable extending through said first opening and subsequently said cover may be hingably opened and said plug withdrawn from said recess and said multiconductor cable slid through said first opening and extended from said hatch a preferred length for attachment of said plug to a receptacle.

3. The hatch of claim 2 wherein the plug recess defining portion defines a recess of a right circular cylindrical configuration, said first opening being located in one end of the cylinder and said second opening being the entire other end of said cylinder.

4. The hatch of claim 2 further comprising means for maintaining said cover portion in its end closing position.