Rotatable electrical connector
First Claim
1. A rotatable plug comprising:
- first and second contact means defining arcuate electrically conductive contact surfaces, the first and second contact means being symmetrically arranged with respect to an axis of rotation, in opposed relation to one another and separated at each end by a non-conductive space;
first and second conductive means for electrically and frictionally contacting the arcuate electrically conductive contact surfaces of the first and second contact means, the first and second contact means being rotatable a preselected angular distance with respect to the first and second conductive means, respectively, while maintaining electrical contact throughout rotation;
means for keeping the first and second contact means and the first and second conductive means in frictional contact with one another, respectively;
first and second male prong means for insertion into a female electrical receptacle, the first and second male prong means being in fixed electrical contact with a preselected one of the set of first and second contact means, respectively, and the set of first and second conductive means, respectively;
a nonconductive disk means for carrying one of the preselected sets of first and second contact means and first and second conductive means, the preselected set being fastened to one side of the nonconductive disk means, the first and second male prong means extending through the disk means and protruding outward from the other side; and
a holding means having outwardly facing and inwardly facing sides, the outwardly facing side having a circular opening of a first diameter for allowing the first and second male prong means to extend therethrough, the inwardly facing side having a circular groove therein, the nonconductive disk means and the preselected set fastened thereto being disposed within and rotatable within the circular groove.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electrical connector is formed from two pairs of contacts. One pair of contacts is rotatable with respect to the other pair of contacts. Both pairs are in conductive and frictional engagement throughout a 90 degree rotational distance. One pair of contacts have an arcuate conductive contact surface, each contact being symmetrically arranged with respect to the axis of rotation, in opposed relation to one another and separated at each end by a non-conductive space. One pair of contacts are attached to a pair of male electrical prongs. The other pair of contacts are attached to an electrical appliance. The one pair of contacts and the attached pair of male electrical prongs are themselves attached to a nonconductive disk. The nonconductive disk is disposed in a circular groove in a disk holder. The nonconductive disk and the pair of contacts and electrical prongs attached thereto are rotatable within the circular groove. Stops are employed to limit the rotational distance to 90 degree. The electrical connector allows an electrical appliance, such as a night light, attached to the connector to be oriented in a desired direction regardless of whether an outlet is vertically or horizontally disposed.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A rotatable plug comprising:
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first and second contact means defining arcuate electrically conductive contact surfaces, the first and second contact means being symmetrically arranged with respect to an axis of rotation, in opposed relation to one another and separated at each end by a non-conductive space; first and second conductive means for electrically and frictionally contacting the arcuate electrically conductive contact surfaces of the first and second contact means, the first and second contact means being rotatable a preselected angular distance with respect to the first and second conductive means, respectively, while maintaining electrical contact throughout rotation; means for keeping the first and second contact means and the first and second conductive means in frictional contact with one another, respectively; first and second male prong means for insertion into a female electrical receptacle, the first and second male prong means being in fixed electrical contact with a preselected one of the set of first and second contact means, respectively, and the set of first and second conductive means, respectively; a nonconductive disk means for carrying one of the preselected sets of first and second contact means and first and second conductive means, the preselected set being fastened to one side of the nonconductive disk means, the first and second male prong means extending through the disk means and protruding outward from the other side; and a holding means having outwardly facing and inwardly facing sides, the outwardly facing side having a circular opening of a first diameter for allowing the first and second male prong means to extend therethrough, the inwardly facing side having a circular groove therein, the nonconductive disk means and the preselected set fastened thereto being disposed within and rotatable within the circular groove. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A rotatable plug comprising:
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first and second male prong means for insertion into a female electrical receptacle; first and second contact means having electrically conductive contact surfaces, the first and second contact means being in fixed electrical contact with the first and second male prong means, respectively; body means for providing a mounting support for first and second conductive means, the first and second conductive means comprising terminals for an electrical appliance attached thereto, the first and second conductive means being electrically and frictionally in contact with the electrically conductive contact surfaces of the first and second contact means, the first and second contact means being rotatable with respect to the first and second conductive means, respectively, while maintaining electrical contact throughout rotation; stop means for permitting a maximum of 90 degrees of relative angular rotation between the first and second contact means and the first and second conductive means, respectively; a nonconductive disk means for carrying the first and second contact means, the first and second contact means being fastened to one side of the nonconductive disk means, the first and second male prong means extending through the disk means and protruding outward from the other side; and a holding means having a circular groove therein of a preselected first diameter, the nonconductive disk means and the contact means fastened thereto being disposed within and rotatable within the circular groove. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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8. A rotatable plug comprising:
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first and second male prong means for insertion into a female electrical receptacle; first and second contact means for providing arcuate electrically conductive contact surfaces, the first and second contact means being symmetrically arranged with respect to an axis of rotation, in opposed relation to one another and separated at each end by a non-conductive space, the first and second contact means being in fixed electrical contact with the first and second male prong means, respectively; body means for providing a mounting support for first and second conductive means, the first and second conductive means providing terminals for an electrical appliance attached thereto, the first and second conductive means being electrically and frictionally in contact with the arcuate electrically conductive contact surfaces of the first and second contact means, the first and second contact means being rotatable a preselected angular distance with respect to the first and second conductive means, respectively, while maintaining electrical contact throughout rotation; a nonconductive disk means for carrying the first and second contact means thereto, the first and second contact means being fastened to one side of the nonconductive disk means, the first and second male prong means extending through the disk means and protruding outward from the other side; and a holding means having a circular groove therein of a preselected first diameter, the nonconductive disk means and the contact means fastened thereto being disposed within and rotatable within the circular groove. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A rotatable plug comprising, in combination,
first and second male electrical prongs; -
first and second arcuate conductive segments in electrical contact with, and rigidly attached to the first and second male electrical prongs, respectively, the first and second arcuate conductive segments being symmetrically arranged with respect to the axis of rotation, in opposed relation to one another and separated at each end by a non-conductive space; a body comprising first and second conductive contact members mounted thereon, the first and second conductive contact members connected to an electrical appliance, the body and conductive contact members being rotatable a preselected angular distance with respect to the first and second arcuate conductive segments and the first and second electrical prongs fastened thereto, the first and second conductive contact members being in frictional electrical contact with respective first and second arcuate conductive segments throughout rotation, the angular distance substantially defined by the length of one of the arcuate conductive segments; a nonconductive disk with the first and second arcuate conductive segments fastened to one side thereof, the first and second male electrical prongs extending through the disk and protruding outward from the other side; and a holding member having a circular groove therein, the nonconductive disk and the segments fastened thereto being disposed within and rotatable within the circular groove. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification