Connector restraint device

• US 20060046557A1
• Filed: 08/25/2005
• Published: 03/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pulizzi Engineering, Inc. (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Pulizzi Engineering, Inc. (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Pulizzi, Peter S., Vander Vorste, Michael D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,140,903 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/371
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5804 comprising a separate cable clamping part H01R13/5841 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/639 Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6395 for wall or panel outlets
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/74 Means for mounting coupling parts in openings of a panel

Abstract

Electrical plug restricting apparatus includes a male inlet connector fixable to an electrical equipment chassis, a restraint device attachable to the connector and including a plug supporting base, the base having apertures therethrough, and at least one plug securing cable tie insertable through the base aperture and having a length sufficient to surround the plug, the tie securing the plug to the base when tightened.

Claims

1. Electrical plug restraining apparatus comprising:

a restraint device fixable to an electrical equipment chassis over a male inlet connection;

a plug supporting bore extending outwardly from the chassis and having aperture therethrough; and

at least one plug securing cable tie insertable through the aperture and having a length sufficient to surround a plug inserted into the male inlet connection, the cable tie securing the plug to the base when tightened.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the base apertures are spaced apart from one another at a distance at least a width of the plug.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 comprising multiple pairs of apertures, each pair spaced apart from one another at varying distances for enabling corresponding cable ties to accommodate various plug widths.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the restraint device includes upwardly extending attachment ears fixable to the chassis.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said plug supporting base is disposed generally perpendicular to the attachment ears.

6. Electrical plug restricting apparatus comprising:

a male inlet connector fixable to an electrical equipment chassis;

a restraint device attachable to the connector and including a plug supporting base, the base having apertures therethrough; and

at least one plug securing cable tie insertable through the base aperture and having a length sufficient to surround the plug, the tie securing the plug to the base when tightened.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the base apertures are spaced apart from one another at a distance at least a width of the plug.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7 comprising multiple pairs of apertures, each pair spaced apart from one another at varying distances for enabling corresponding cable ties to accommodate various plug widths.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the restraint device includes upwardly extending attachment ears fixable to the chassis.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said plug supporting base is disposed generally perpendicular to the attachment ears.

11. A method for securing a plug to an electrical equipment chassis, the method comprising:

fixing a male inlet connector to the chassis;

fixing a restraint device, having a plug supporting base, to the inlet connector;

insert the plug into the inlet connector, the plug resting in part on the supporting base; and

securing the plug to the base with at least one cable tie.

12. The method according to claim 11 wherein securing the plug to the base includes passing the cable tie through the apertures in the base.

13. The method according to claim 12 wherein fixing in restart device to the chassis includes fixing upwardly extending attachment ears to the chassis.

14. The method according to claim 13 wherein securing the plug to the base includes passing multiple cable ties through spaced apart apertures in the base.