Connector restraint device

• US 7,140,903 B2
• Filed: 08/25/2005
• Issued: 11/28/2006
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): GUSHI, ROSS N
• Application Number:
  US11/213,021
• Publication Number:
  US 20060046557A1
• Time in Patent Office: 460 Days
• Field of Search: 439/371, 439/373
• 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 base extending outwardly from the chassis and having multiple pairs of apertures therethrough, each pair of operatives being spaced apart from one another at varying distances for enabling corresponding cable ties to accommodate various plug widths, the plug resting on the base adjacent said aperture; 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 restraint device includes upwardly extending attachment ears fixable to the chassis.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said plug supporting base is disposed generally perpendicular to the attachment ears.

4. 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 multiple pairs of apertures therethrough, each pair of apertures being spaced apart from one another at varying distances for enabling corresponding cable ties to accommodate various plug widths, the plug resting on the base adjacent said apertures; and

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

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

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

7. 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 including passing multiple cable ties through spaced apart apertures in the base;

fixing upwardly extending attachment ears to the chassis;

inserting 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 by passing the cable tie through the apertures in the base.

8. Electrical plug restraining apparatus comprising:

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

a plug supporting base extending outwardly from the chassis and having multiple pairs of apertures therethrough, each pair spaced apart from one another at varying distances for enabling corresponding cable ties to accommodate various plug widths; 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.

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 8 wherein said plug supporting base is disposed generally perpendicular to the attachment ears.