Modular extension cord system

• US 5,681,179 A
• Filed: 12/18/1995
• Issued: 10/28/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alain Gerard Lane
• Original Assignee: Alain Gerard Lane
• Inventors: Lane, Alain Gerard
• Primary Examiner(s): Paumen, Gary F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TA, THO DAC
• Application Number:
  US08/574,338
• Time in Patent Office: 680 Days
• Field of Search: 439/393, 439/425, 439/426, 439/427, 439/638, 439/650, 439/655, 439/32, 439/209
• US Class Current: 439/393
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5812 the cable clamping being achieved by mounting the separate part on the housing of the coupling device
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/162 Electrical connections between or with rails or bus-bars rails having primarily a non electrical function H01R4/64
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/2406 having needles or pins
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/26 Connections in which at least one of the connecting parts has projections which bite into or engage the other connecting part in order to improve the contact H01R4/188, H01R4/203, H01R4/5075 take precedence; using shape memory materials H01R4/01
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/03 Connectors arranged to contact a plurality of the conductors of a multiconductor cable , e.g. tapping connections

Abstract

The present invention uses molded components to receive the ends of electrical zip cord. Elongated contact pins which are molded into the components are inserted axially into the ends of the stranded conductors at the end of the zip cord making positive electrical contact to the conductors. Ridged portions within the molded components receive, grip, and retain the insulator on the outer portion of the zip cord, thereby separating the functions of electrical gripping and mechanical contact in the present invention.

Claims

1. A component for a modular extension cord system adapted to receive an end of a piece of electrical zip cord, said end having at least a pair of exposed conductors, said component comprising:

(a) at least one inner component being adapted to receive and retain a piece of zip cord, said inner component including first means for receiving an end of a piece of zip cord through an opening formed in one end thereof, said first means including a ratcheting ridged portion extending along an inner wall thereof, said ratcheting ridged portion having ratcheting ridge means for contacting and retaining the outer insulator of a piece of zip cord inserted into said opening; and

(b) an outer component separate from said inner component, said outer component being adapted to receive and retain said inner component;

(c) electrical contact means comprising at least a pair of elongated contact pins which are aligned to axially extend into said exposed conductors at the end of said zip cord, thereby making electrical contact therewith, said contact pins being a part of said outer component, said inner component having an opening for admitting said zip cord and at least one opposed opening for admitting said contact pins therethrough when said inner component is inserted into said outer component.

2. The component for a modular extension cord system of claim 1 wherein said first means includes means for biasing the zip cord into said first means.

3. The component of claim 1, wherein said component has a shape and configuration adapted to join two pieces of zip cord which are in line with one another.

4. The component of claim 1, wherein said component has a shape and configuration adapted to join two pieces of zip cord which come together at about a 90 degree angle to one another.

5. The component of claim 1, wherein said component has a shape and configuration adapted to join three pieces of zip cord which come together to form a "T" configuration.

6. The component of claim 1, wherein said component has a shape and configuration adapted to join three pieces of zip cord, two of which enter said component from the same side, the third entering said component from the opposite side.

7. The component of claim 1, wherein said component has a shape and configuration adapted to join two pieces of zip cord which are in line with one another.

8. The component of claim 1, wherein said component has a shape and configuration adapted to join two pieces of zip cord which come together at about a 90 degree angle to one another.

9. The component of claim 1, wherein said component has a shape and configuration adapted to join three pieces of zip cord which come together to form a "T" configuration.

10. The component of claim 1, wherein said component has a shape and configuration adapted to join three pieces of zip cord, two of which enter said component from the same side, the third entering said component from the opposite side.

11. The component for a modular extension cord system of claim 1 wherein said ratcheting ridged portion of said first means includes means for biasing the zip cord into said first means.

12. The component for a modular extension cord system of claim 11 wherein said means for biasing the zip cord into said first means includes sloped portions on said ridges, whereby said ridges have a saw-tooth configuration.

13. The component for a modular extension cord system of claim 1 wherein said component is adapted to electrically and mechanically join at least two lengths of zip cord, wherein said component includes a pair of said first means, and wherein said elongated contact pins, which comprise said electrical contact means, each have two opposed elongated portions, each of said opposed elongated portions being adapted to extend into respective ones of said zip cord being joined.

14. The component of claim 13, wherein said component is adapted to join two lengths of zip cord, and said lengths are substantially aligned with one another, whereby said contact pins are comprised of a pair of substantially parallel, straight contact pins.

15. The component of claim 13 wherein said component is adapted to join two lengths of zip cord, and said lengths are not intended to be substantially aligned with one another, whereby said contact pins are comprised of a pair of substantially parallel contact pins, said contact pins having a configuration which is substantially the same as the outer configuration of said component.

16. The component of claim 13, wherein said component is adapted to join three lengths of zip cord, said contact pins having a number of pairs of elongated portions and a configuration which is substantially the same as the outer configuration of said component.

17. The component of claim 1, wherein said inner component further comprises a hinged portion which is hingedly attached to a wall having said at least one opening for admitting said contact pins, whereby said hinged portion can be opened to further facilitate the introduction into said inner component of said zip cord.

18. The component of claim 1, wherein said component is comprised of at least two inner components and a separate outer component, each of said inner components being adapted to receive and retain a piece of zip cord, said outer component being adapted to receive said inner components, said contact pins being a part of said outer component, each of said inner components having an opening for admitting said zip cord and at least one opposed opening for admitting said contact pins therethrough when said inner components are inserted into said outer component, whereby when said inner components are both inserted into said outer component, said pieces of zip cord are joined mechanically and electrically to one another.

19. The component of claim 18, wherein said component has a shape and configuration adapted to join three pieces of zip cord which come together to form a "T" configuration.

20. The component of claim 18, wherein said component has a shape and configuration adapted to join three pieces of zip cord, two of which enter said component from the same side, the third entering said component from the opposite side.

21. The component of claim 18, wherein said inner component further comprises a hinged portion which is hingedly attached to a wall having said at least one opening for admitting said contact pins, whereby said hinged portion can be opened to further facilitate the introduction into said inner component of said zip cord.

22. The component of claim 21, wherein said hinged portion may be closed down on said zip cord, whereby said zip cord will be urged into contact with said ratcheting ridged portion, thereby mechanically engaging said zip cord within said inner component.

23. The component of claim 22, wherein said hinged portion further comprises at least one retention means, and said outer portion includes at least one retaining means, whereby when said inner portion is received by said outer portion, said elongated pins extend into said inner portion and said retention means and said retaining means cooperate to retain said inner portion within said outer portion.

24. The component of claim 23, wherein said component has a shape and configuration adapted to join three pieces of zip cord, two of which enter said component from the same side, the third entering said component from the opposite side.

25. The component of claim 17, wherein said hinged portion may be closed down on said zip cord, whereby said zip cord will be urged into contact with said ratcheting ridged portion, thereby mechanically engaging said zip cord within said inner component.

26. The component of claim 25, wherein said hinged portion further comprises at least one retention means, and said outer portion includes at least one retaining means, whereby when said inner portion is received by said outer portion, said elongated pins extend into said inner portion and said retention means and said retaining means cooperate to retain said inner portion within said outer portion.