WATERTIGHT ELECTRIC RECEPTACLE CONNECTOR

• US 3,633,150 A
• Filed: 04/08/1970
• Issued: 01/04/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Edward Swartz
• Original Assignee: Edward Swartz
• Inventors: Swartz, Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Champion, Marvin A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lewis, Terrell P.
• Application Number:
  US05/026,689
• Time in Patent Office: 636 Days
• Field of Search: 339/89R,89C,89M,36,39,45M,176,177,180,188R,188C,191R,191M,192R,94R 174/67 220/24,24.3
• US Class Current: 439/142
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5221 having cable sealing means

Abstract

A watertight receptacle including a receptacle connector having electrical contacts and a threaded body that mates with an existing watertight plug is provided. The receptacle body is internally threaded to receive in a watertight fitting a removable plug. The threaded internal area is positioned opposite an enlarged outer grip portion which is substantially identical in form to the screwcap of the mating plug to facilitate tightening to achieve a watertight connection.

Claims

1. A sealable electric receptacle assembly adapted to be connected to a sealable electric plug, comprising:

a hollow receptacle body generally cylindrical in shape, said body having in longitudinal succession;

an externally threaded cylindrical portion for connection of a mating electric plug cap;

an enlarged diameter external grip portion and an internally threaded area opposite said grip portion to facilitate securing an electric contact means therein and tightening said cap;

an elongate central cavity for receiving the contact means;

a reduced diameter end portion and a cable-packing means adapted to be inserted therein for receiving an electric cable in sealed relationship;

an externally threaded portion disposed about said cable end portion for receiving a cable-securing cap;

an electric contact means adapted to be secured in said body; and

a screwcap adapted to form a sealed closure when tightened on said body, whereby a sealed receptacle is provided which is adapted for connection with a mating electrical plug assembly to form a sealed electric connection.

2. The receptacle assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the mating electric plug is provided with a screwcap and a closure flange against which a sealing washer is Compressed when said screwcap is tightened, the grip portion of said receptacle assembly having an outer transverse surface disposed a selected distance from the adjacent end of the assembly to permit complete tightening of the screwcap of the mating electric plug, the mating threaded areas of said screwcap and said cylindrical portion providing one sealed area and the washer providing the other sealed area at the junction of said plug and receptacle.

3. The receptacle assembly as defined in claim 3 wherein said contact means is adapted to be screwed into said internally threaded area by the prongs of said male plug.

4. In a series of electric cords or cables for establishing a watertight circuit which includes a watertight plug having a screwcap and washer adapted to form a seal when tightened on a fixed receptacle, the combination of:

a receptacle assembly having a hollow receptacle body generally cylindrical in shape, said body including in longitudinal succession an externally threaded cylindrical portion having threads matching the threads on said fixed receptacle;

a reduced diameter chamber adapted to receive a contact housing and the terminal ends of a cable to be connected thereto, said chamber forming a radially disposed surface against which said plug abuts and having a threaded area adjacent said surface;

an enlarged diameter grip portion radially disposed with respect to said chamber threaded area, said grip portion substantially identical in shape to the screwcap of said plug to facilitate tightening of the screwcap;

a cable and cable-packing receiving chamber for receiving an electric cable in sealed relationship therein, said packing chamber forming a radially disposed surface against which the cable packing abuts;

an internally threaded cable-securing cap and external threading on said receptacle housing for securing said cable-securing cap thereto;

a contact housing secured in said receptacle housing; and

a cable secured in said receptacle housing and connected to said contact housing whereby cables assembled using said watertight receptacles and plugs may form power extensions of any desired length, providing lighting, outlets, etc., for ship or shore use.

5. The receptacle assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein said contact means is adapted to be screwed into said internally threaded area by the prongs of said male plug.