July 6, 1965
`
`3,193,636
`ROTATABLE MULTIPLE—LEAD ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR
`
`C. W. DANIELS
`
`Filed Noy. 7, 1962
`
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`IPR2016-01613
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`

`

`JUIY 6, 1965
`
`£3,193,636
`'
`‘
`c. w. DANIELS
`EOTATABLE MULTIPLE—LEAD ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR
`Filed Nov. 7, 1962
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`3 Sheets-Sheet 2
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`July 6, 1965
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`V
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`c. w. DANIELS
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`3,193,636 .
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`

`

`United States Patent Office
`Patented July 6, 1965
`
`3,193,636
`
`“i
`
`2
`
`3,193,636
`ROTATABLE MULTIPLE-LEAD ELECTRICAL
`CONNECTOR
`Carl W. Daniels, Newport, Ky., assignor‘ to Avco Corpo-
`ration, Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware
`Filed Nov. 7, 1962, Ser. No. 236,104
`6 Claims.
`(Cl. zen—51.12)
`
`invention relates generally to multiple-
`The present
`lead electrical connectors of the swivel type, and more
`particularly to a self-interlocking demount'able swivel-type
`connector in which the internal contacts provide self-in-
`terlock features for the connector.
`Swivel connectors which are designed to connect the
`ends of a pair of cables togethei generally comprise a
`female receptacle for housing the lead ends of one set
`of conductors of one cable, and a plug insertable into
`the receptacle for housing the lead ends of the set of
`conductors of the other cable. Conventional connectors
`are designed so that lead ends in the plug are soldered
`or otherwise attached to annular contact ‘r'ings' provided
`on the outer surface of the plug, and the lead ends of
`conductors in the receptacle are Connected to internal con—
`tact rings secured to the receptacle. The contact rings
`mate when the plug is inserted into the receptacle thereby
`effecting-an electrical connection between the ends of
`the cables.
`
`After the plug is inserted into the receptacle, the prob-
`lem arises of preventing an unintentional breakage of the
`electrical contact by‘forces applied to the cables or to
`the connector directly. ' The prior art has sought to over-
`come this problem by providing the connector with a
`locking device that permits limited rotative movement
`between the plug and the receptacle and yet limits or pre—
`vents electrical contact—breaking axial movement between
`these two parts. Conventional locking devices may, for
`example, take the form of a cap for the plug which in-
`capsulates the plug and threadedly connects the plug to
`the receptacle; or the locking device may take the form
`of a bolt that extends axially through the plug and re-
`ceptacle land is threadedly connected to the receptacle
`so that the head of the bolt can limit contact-breaking
`movement between the plug and the receptacle.
`Electrical assemblies may, incdrporate a considerable
`number of swivel-type multi-conductor connectors, and
`therefore it would be advantageous to eliminate the use
`of a locking device as well as the accompanying step of
`fastening the locking device to the receptacle after the
`plug has been sea-ted in the receptacle.
`In prior-art con-
`nectors that incorporate locking devices of the general
`type described briefly hereina-bove, if the particular lock-
`ing device were not employed, only frictional engagement
`between thermatirng cont-acts would serve to hold the plug
`within the receptacle. By increasingthe frictional con—
`tact between the mating contacts, the force which must
`be applied to effect contact-breaking separation also in-
`creases. Unfortunately,
`the increase in frictional en-
`gagement between the contacts also gives rise to the need
`for applying a correspondingly increased force to effect
`proper insertion of the plug into the receptacle.
`Another disadvantage of known swivel-type connectors
`is the lack of a relatively simple mechanism for push-
`ing the plug outwardly from the receptacle so that the
`lengths of the cables extending from the plug and the
`receptacle do not have tobe grasped and pulled apart
`to eifect separationabetween the plug and receptacle. Par-
`ticularly if the junction formed by- the internal contacts
`of the plug and the receptacle is relatively tight, pulling
`on the. cable instead of the connector may'cause‘ break-
`age of the connection existing between-the lead ends of
`the cables and their contacts in the plug and receptacle
`
`5
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`10
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`15
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`of the cables and their contacts in the plug and recep-
`tacle of the connector.
`The present invention is primarily directed to over-
`coming the aforementioned disadvantages of known
`swiveldtype multiconductor connectOrs, and provides
`among other features, interlocking contact elements which
`mechanically interlock such that the force that must be
`applied tobreak contact between the elements must be
`considerably larger than the'force initially required to
`seat the plug in the receptacle ' An additional feature
`of the invention is the provision of a relatively simple
`mechanism which can be actuated to push the plug out-
`wardly from the receptacle a distance sufiicient to break
`the interlock existing between the internal contacts there-
`by facilitating the removal of the plug from the receptacle.
`Broadly, therefore, it is an object of this invention to
`provide a multiple--lead electrical connector of the swivel
`type wherein the internal electrical contacts self-interlock.
`More specifically, it is an object of this invention to
`provide a multiple—lead connector of the swivel typeine
`eluding a plug and a receptacle for receiving the plug,
`wherein mating contacts aflixed to the plug and recep-
`tacle respectively, permit relatively easy insertion of the
`plug into the receptacle but offer a considerably increased
`resistance to removal of the plug from the receptacle.
`Another object of this invention is to proivde a swivel-
`type electrical connector having interlocked internal con-.
`tacts, the connector including a mechanism operable to
`break the interlock existing between the internal contacts.
`Still another object of this invention is to provide a
`self—-interlocking multiple lead electrical connector includ-
`ing a plug and a receptacle having mating contact sec-
`tions affixed thereto, the plug and receptacle being ro-
`tatable relative to each other so that a lead connected to
`one contact section on the plug may be selectively con-
`nected to a lead connected to another and initially non-
`mating contact section on the receptacle.
`Yet another object of this invention is to provide a
`self-interlocking multiple-lead connector including a re-
`ceptacle and a plug seated in the receptacle and having
`mating internal contacts, the receptacle including a device
`for orienting the plug during insertion thereof into the
`receptacle so that proper electrical contact
`is effected
`between the internal contacts.
`.
`The above and still further objects, features and. ad-
`vantages of the present invention will become apparent
`upon consideration 10f the following detailed description
`of one specific embodiment thereof, especially when taken
`in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
`FIGURE 1
`is a perspective view of a disconnected
`swivel-type multiple—lead connector in accordance with
`this invention;
`V
`,
`,
`FIGURE 2 is a sectional side View of the receptacle
`of the connector taken on line 2—2 of FIGURE 1;.
`FIGURE 3 is an end view of the receptacle shown in
`FIGURE 1;
`FIGURE 4 is a side View Of the plug of the connector
`shown1n FIGURE 1;
`FIGURE 5 is an end view of the plug shown'1n FIG-
`URE 4;
`FIGURE 6 illustrates another embodiment of the con-‘
`nectorin accordance with this invention;
`FIGURE 7 is a partial sectional side View of FIGURE
`6 taken on line 7—7 of that figure;
`FIGURE 8 is a full sectional end view of the embodi-
`ment shown in FIGURE 6 taken on line 8—4:! of FIG-
`URE 7,
`FIGURE-91s a partial sectional side View or the recep-
`tacle and the plug seated'1n the receptacle, and addition-
`ally illustrates a mechanism for forcing the contacts on
`the plug from interlocking relatibnship with mating. con-
`tacts in the receptacle;
`0004
`
`0004
`
`

`

`greases
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`FIGURE 10 is a full sectional end view of the con-
`nector shown in FIGURE 9 taken on line 10—10 of
`that figure;
`'
`FIGURE 11 is a partially sectioned perspective View
`of another embodiment of a receptacle constructedin ac-
`cordance with this invention;
`FIGURE, 12 is an end VieWof FIGURE 11;»
`FIGURE 13 is a side View of another embodiment of I
`a plug for use with the receptacle shown in FIGURE 11;
`FIGURE 14 is a section View of FIGURE 13 taken
`on section line 14—14 of that figure; and
`FIGURE 15 illustrates a cross--section of an assembled
`connector embodying the plug and receptacle illustrated'in
`.
`FIGURES 11—14, inclusive, the cross-section being taken 3
`'15
`through section 14—14.of .the plug.
`,
`Referring now to FIGURES 1 and 2 of the accompany-
`ing drawings for a more complete understanding of the
`present invention, the cylindrical connector 10 comprises ‘
`a cylindrical receptacle 11 formed of an electrical insu-
`lating material, as for example, hard rubber. A coni-
`cal bore 12 is 'formed in the receptacle 11 into which an
`essentially frusto-conical shaped plug 13 can be inserted
`and seated. Extending into the bore 12 are one or more
`finger-type contact elements, three of these elements be-.
`ing shown and designated by the numerals 14,15 and
`16, respectively The contact elements 14,15 and 16
`are formed with ring—-like bases 14a, 15a and 16a, respec-
`tively, which may be molded into, or otherwise secured
`to the conical wall forming the bore 12, the bases 14a,
`15a and 1651 respectively increasing in diameter an amount
`corresponding to the increase in diameter of the bore 12.
`The contact elements 14’, .15 and 16 are segmented in
`order to provide a plurality of contact arms, one arm of
`each contact element 14, 15 and 16 being designated by
`the numeral 14b, 15b and 16b, respectively. The con-
`tact arms 14b,u15b and 16b cantilever fromthe bases
`14a, 15a and 16a, respectively, and are inclined with re—
`spect to the walls forming the bore 12 in the direction of
`plug insertion. The number of contact arms formed
`in each contact element may valy as a matter of design,
`and therefore the description with respect thereto will be
`limited'to the single set of arms 14b,15b and 16b. The
`extiemity or each arm 14!), 15b and 16b is formed with
`an angled dependent tip 14c, 15c and 16c, respectively,
`and the purpose of this specific design of the contact
`arms and the tips will be disCussed in detail subsequently.
`A cylindrical plug 17 of insulating material is formed .
`preferably With the longitudinal axis thereof concentric
`with the axis of the conical bore 12. A metal pin 18”
`having the head 20 thereof moldedin the base of the re-
`ceptacle 11 maybe embodied in the plug 17’ to decrease
`the flexibility of the plug 17, if necessary. A plurality of
`conductors or leads referred to generally by the numerals
`21, 22 and 23 have the ends thereof soldered or other-'
`Wise attached to the contact bases 14a, 16a and 15a, re-
`spectively, the three conductors extending from both ends
`of the connector 10 being usually bundled and wrapped
`together so as to form cables
`With reference to FIGURES l and 4 of the drawings,
`the frusto-conical plug 13 is composed of a suitable
`electrical
`insulating material which may be the same
`composition as the receptacle 11, and a plurality of con-
`tact, rings referred to by the numerals 32, 33 and 34 are
`embedded in the tapered periphery of the plug 13 and
`are positioned so as to mate with and make electrical
`contact with the contact elements 14, 15 and 16, respec-
`tively, of the receptacle 11 when the plug 13 is seated
`in the receptacle 11. Conductors or leads 211:, 22a and
`23a which are to be electrically connected to the con-
`ductors 21, 22 and 23, respectively, extend from the
`cylindrical base end 31 of the plug 13 and terminate in
`leads that are soldered or otherwise connected to the
`contacts 32,34 and 33, respectively; The base 31 is pref.
`erably molded to'the plug 13 and includes a threaded
`portion 36,,which may be screwed into a fixture or into
`0005
`
`G5
`
`an electrical installation for the purpose of securing the
`connector 10 to that fixture or installation.
`As shown in FIGURES 2, 4 and 7 of the accompany-
`32, 33 and 34 are essen-
`ing drawings, the ring contacts
`tially of an inverted W shape, the V-shaped peripheral
`raceways or grooves 32a, 33a, and 3411,
`respectively,
`formed intermediate the embedded ends of the contacts
`to receive the tips 14c, 15c and 166, respectively, as well
`- as a relatively short section of the adjoining contact arms
`14b, 15b and 1617, respectively. The angle formed by
`the tips 14c, 15c and 16p and the adjoining short sections
`of the contact arms 14!), 15b and 16b, respectively, is
`essentially the same angle formed by the opposite in-
`clined sides of the V-shaped grooves 32a, 33a and 34a,
`respectively, so that the tips 14c, 15c
`and 16p and the
`adjoining relatively short sections of the contact arms
`14b, 15b and 16b, respectively, contact opposite sides of
`V—shaped grooves, FIGURES 7 and 9, when the plug 13
`is seated in, the receptacle 11. The outermost radii of
`the contact rings '32 and 33 are preferably made less than
`the innermost radius of the contact; element'lé, and the
`outermost radii of the ring 32 is also preferably made
`less than the innermost radius of the contact ring 33 in
`order to eliminate any additional resistance to the inser-
`tion of the plug into the receptacle beyond thatrequired
`to actually 'eflect the interlock between mating contact
`elements.
`- As will be evident during insertion of the plug 13 into
`the here 12 of the receptacle 11, the arms 14b, 15b and
`1621 are forced inwardly towards the wall of the bore 12
`until the tips 14c, 150 and 160 of each contact arm of
`the ring 14, 15 and 16 snap into the grooves 32a, 33a
`and 34a, respectively. Since the arms 14b, 15b and 1617
`are inclined in the direction of plug insertion, and the in-
`verted W—shape of the contacts 32, 33 and 34 provide
`leading inclined surfaces 32b, 33b and 34!), respectively,
`which initially engage 'onlyythe inclined arms 14b, 15b
`and 16b, comparatively ’ little force need be applied
`against the base 31 of the plug 13 in order to seat the
`plug 13 in the receptacle 11.1 A bore 37 is formed con-.
`centrically in theplug 13 and the plug 17 can be inserted
`into the bore 37 to guide and concentrically position the
`plug 13'1n the bore 12.
`With the plug 13 seated in the receptacle 11, the tips
`, -14c,'15c and 16c engage the sides of the V—shaped race-
`ways or grooves'32a, 33a and 34a adjoining the surfaces
`32b, 33b and 34b, respectively, and the relatively short
`adjoining sections of the arms 14b, 15b andv16b contact
`the opposite sides of the V-shaped grooves to efiectuate
`an interlock between the mating contact elements. The
`contact arms.14b, 15b nad 161) are flexed inwardly to-
`wards the wall forming the bore 12 and 'since the plug
`13 can only be withdrawn axially from the receptacle 11
`therelatively short and inflexible arm's 14b, 15b and 16b
`abutting the sides of the grooves 32a, 33a and 34a adjoin-
`ing the surfaces 32b, 33b and 34b, respectively through
`the tips 14b,-15c and 160, respectively, offer a greater re-
`sistance to the removal of the plug from thereceptacle
`than that offered by the contact arms during seating of
`the plug in the receptacle. Consequently the force re-
`quired to disconnect
`the, connectOr 10 is considerably
`greater than theforce initially required to effect the con-
`nection. Although an axial mechanical interlock exists
`between the contact elements, the receptaclell and the
`plug 13can be swiveled relative to each other without
`breaking the electrical contacts.
`While mating contact elements and conductors for a
`three-wire system are shown in the accompanying draw-
`ings, the number of mating contacts and the number of
`conductors embodied in the connector 10 will ordinarily
`be merely a matter of connector design, and a plurality of
`conductors may be connected to any single contact ring if
`so desired.
`FIGURE 6 illustrates a modification of the connector
`10, wherein like elements are referred to by like numerals
`
`30
`
`DD Cl
`
`,
`
`60
`
`75
`
`0005
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`

`8,193,636
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`10
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`20
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`30
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`5
`in the accompanying-drawings. For purposes of, illustra~
`tion only, the cylindrical connector 10’ is. shOWn having
`- six leads .41,-42,'43,'44’ 45 and 46, extending from one
`end thereot, and having six leads 47, 48, 49, 50, 51 and
`' 52, extending from the other end thereof.
`In this embodi-
`ment,«a selective connection can be made between any
`'lead or leads extending‘from one endof the connector
`'10’ to any lead or leads extending from the other end of
`' the connector 10’. To achieve an interval selective con—
`nection between the leads, the contact ring elements as,
`for example,» thecontact rings 16' and 34’ of the recep-
`tacle 11’ and the plug 13’, respectively, are divided into
`incremental contact ring sections so that upon swivel-
`ing of either the receptacle ,11’ or the plug'13’ one or
`more leads connected to one centact ring section in the
`receptacle is electrically connected to one or more leads
`- connected to- an interlocking contact ring section on the
`. plug.
`To illustrate specifically, the contact rings 16' and 34’,
`FIGURES 7 and 8, are each divided into four equal and
`distinct contact ring sections separated one from the
`other by the insulation of the receptacle 11’ and the plug
`‘13’, respectively, and designated by the numerals 53,’ 54,
`55 and '56, and by the numerals 57, 58, 59 and 60, re-
`spectively. One or more leads extending from one end of
`the connector 10’ as, for example the lead 41, may be con-
`» nected to one section, as for example the section 53; and
`one of the leads extending from the other end of the con-
`nector 10’,- as for example the lead 47, may be connected
`to the mating section 57 [so that an electrical connection
`between the conductors 47 and 51 will be created when
`the sections 53 and 57 are rotated into electrical contact
`with each other. Although the sections formed by the
`. contact elements 16' and 34’ axially interlock for reasons
`discussed in regard to the embodiment illustrated in FIG-
`URES 1 to 5, inclusive, the interlocking connection per-
`- .mits swiveling movement between the receptacle 11 and
`the plug 13 and thus the establishment of an electrical
`connection between any contact section on the plug 13' and
`any contact section in‘the receptacle 11'. Single or plural
`leads may be connected to the section 53 and single or
`plural leads connected to Other sections of the ring 16’,
`or single or plural leads may be connected to the recep-
`tacle rings 14 and/or 15, as needed.
`In the embodiment
`illustratedrin the drawings, lead pairs 41 and 44 are con-
`nected to the contact ring 16’; lead pairs 42 and 45 to
`.the contact ring 15’, lead pairs 43 and 46 to the contact
`‘ring‘ 14’,“lea‘d' pairs "47' and 51 to the contact ring 34’,
`lead pairs‘48”and"‘52 'to‘ the contact ring 33’, and lead
`pair's'49 ‘and’SO to‘the" contact ring 32’.
`It will be appar-
`ent to those working the art, however, that the number
`of sections into‘which the receptacle. is' divided is ordi-
`narily a matter of choice, dependent upon the number of
`leads which ’are'to be' selectively connected together by
`the connection.
`
`The various sections can be rotated through any desired
`angle for achieving a variety of results. For example, an
`external ring gear 61 could be afl‘ixed to the periphery of
`the base 36 of the plug 13’ and a pinion 62 connected
`to drive the base 36 through the gear 61 from a motor M.
`If the receptacle 11’ were held stationary in a supporting
`structure, timed switching could be effected between the
`leads extending from each end of the connector 10’ by
`the rotation of the plug and the receptacle relative to one
`another at predetermined cyclic rates in opposite or the
`same direction determined by the motor M to effect at least
`one cycle of timed switching. Alternatively, the plug 13’
`might be held stationary while the receptacle 11’ is rotated
`at some constant predetermined velocity to efiect at least
`one continuous cycle of timed switching. Obviously, the
`plug 13’ may be manually swiveled relative to the recep-
`tacle 11’ as desired in the event the plug is inadvertently
`turned while in the receptacle 11’, or in the event the plug
`13' is improperly oriented in the receptacle 11’ after the
`demounting and subsequent reinsertion of the plug into
`the receptacle.
`
`r!“
`,
`3
`,
`'Since the contact rings 14, 15 and 16 interlock with
`, the contact rings 32, 33 and 34 respectively, a mechanism
`may be incorporated in the receptacle 11, as illustrated in
`FIGURES 9 and 10, to facilitate the disconnection of the
`, plug 13 from the receptacle 11, and the tapered end of the
`'plug 13 modified to accept this mechanism. The mecha-
`nism preferably comprises a’pair of levers 63 and 63’,
`pivotally mounted by pins 64 and 64’, respectively, in
`diametrically opposed tapered slots 65 and 65’ formed
`in‘ the base of the receptacle 11. The ends 66 and 66’ ot'
`the levers. 63v and 63’ that extend into the bore 12 are
`preferably yoke shaped, as shown in FIGURE 10,‘ and
`are positioned to bear against a shoulder 68 formed at
`the tapered end of the plug‘13.
`.The yoke-shape of the
`ends 66 and 66’ provides essentially equal distribution of
`pressures on each half of the shoulder 68 upon outward
`pivotal movement of the ends 66 and‘ 66’. The ends 70
`and 70’ of the levers‘ 63 and 63’ extend from the surface
`of the receptacle 11 and are inclined at an angle with re-
`speCt thereto so that‘by gripping the ends 70 and 70’, for
`instance between the thumb and forefinger, and squeez-
`ing, the ends 66 and 66’ will force the plug 13 outwardly
`from the bore 12 a distance suflicient to release the plug
`from interlocking contact with the receptaccle 11.
`'It
`will be apparent that the lever release mechanism‘may
`also be embodied in the connectcor 10’ to effect breakage
`of the interlock between the various contact sections.
`Referring now to FIGURES 11—15, inclusive, there is
`shown anotherembodiment of a connector 10" (FIG-
`URE 15) in accordance with the instant invention. The
`connector 10” illustrated in these figures comprises a re-
`' ceptacle‘ll” which is essentially identical to the’recep-
`tacle 11’ discussed hereinabove,
`the receptacle 11” in-
`cluding three pairs of diametrically opposed ring contact
`sections similar in construction to the contact sections
`14’, 15’ and 16’illustrated in FIGURE 7. One pair of
`diametrically opposed contact sections is shown in FIG-
`URE 12, each section being‘designated by. the numeral
`'72 and 73, respectively. A plurality of leads 41’-46',
`inclusive, extend from the receptacle 11”, each lead be-
`ing connected to a contact ring section. The lead 41’
`may for example, be connected to the ring 72 whereas
`the lead 46’ may be connectced to the contact ring 73.
`.An annular. groove 74 is formed in the receptacle 11” at
`the entrance of the receptacle, and as illustrated in FIG-
`URE 12, the angle formed between the axis of symmetry
`of the receptacle 11” and the ends of the .groove 74 is
`slightly less than 180 degrees; for instance 175 degrees.
`FIGURE 13 illustrates a plug 13”, similar to the plug
`13’ disclosed in the embodiment shown in FIGURE 7,
`and comprises three diametrically opposedpairs of seg-
`mented contact elements, one group of contacts forming
`one element of a pair being designated byithe numerals
`’ 75, 76 and 77 in FIGURE 13, and one pair of diametrical-
`"1y opposed contact elements being illustrated in FIG-
`Q71Or
`URE 14,.and referred to by the numerals 75 and 78.
`The two segmented contact elements forming pairs with
`the elements 76 and 77 are positioned in the same relative
`position as the contact element 78 on the tapered surface
`of the plug 13”. The angles formed at the axis of sym-
`metry of the receptacle 11’ and the plug 13” between the
`ends of each arcuate contact element are preferably slight-
`ly less than 90 degrees, as illustrated in FIGURE 14.
`Leads 47’—52', inclusive, extend from the base end of the
`plug 13” and may be connected to any one of the seg-
`mented contact elements on the plug periphery. For ex-
`ample, the lead 47’ may be connected to the contact ele-
`ment 75 and the lead 52’ may be connected to the con-
`tact element 78. A protruding element 80 is formed at
`the junction between the base of the plug 13" and the
`tapered surface, as shown in FIGURE 13. The element
`80 is designed to fit into the travel in the groove 74, FIG-
`URE 12, and will efiectively limit the angle of swiveling
`between the plug 13" and the receptacle 11” by abutting
`either end of the groove 74.
`FIGURE 15 illustrates a cross-section taken on the
`0006
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`0006
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`3,193,636
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`U!
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`10‘
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`contacts being positioned in mating relationship
`With a respective V-shaped circumferential raceway
`when said plug is seated in said receptacle, each of
`said'V—shaped contacts bearing against the sides of
`said respective V-shaped circumferential raceways
`so that electrical connection is established between
`respective ones of said first, and second pluralities of
`contact elements, said leading surface radially urging
`said second contact elements outwardly during plug
`insertion, whereby the inclination of the other end
`of said second Contact elements in the direction of
`r plug insertion in cooperation with said leading sur-
`face results in the requirement of less force to con-
`nect the contact elements than required to disconnect
`the contact elements; and
`'
`,
`electrical leads connected to each of said contact ele-
`' ments.
`'
`2. The invention as'defined in claim l'wherein said
`plug andreceptacle are conically tapered in comple-
`mentary relationship.
`,
`.
`,
`.
`.
`3. The invention as defined in‘claim 2, and a guide
`member integral with said female receptacle, said guide
`member extending axially within said female receptacle,
`said male ,plug having a complementary opening therein
`' for receiving saidguide member for aligning said male
`plug concentrically in said female'receptacle, and lever
`. means positioned at the tapered end of said receptacle and
`extending therein, said lever means contacting the tapered
`end of said male plug, whereby the application of force
`to said lever. means will break the interlocking contact
`, between said contact elements upon actuation thereof.
`4. The connector as claimed in claimtl, wherein means
`are provided in said receptacle for concentrically posi-
`' tioning said plug in said receptacle. ’
`_
`5. The invention as defined in claim 1, and means co-
`acting'in said plug and receptacle for limiting the degree
`' of swiveling movementtherein.
`6. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said
`arcuate contact elements extend less than 180 degrees
`and wherein is provided means for timed relative i‘ota-
`tion between said plug and said receptacle so that con-
`nection and disconnection are effected for each of said
`first and second contact elements at predetermined time in— '
`tervals.
`'
`
`‘
`
`'2’
`section line 14—14 when the plug 13" is inserted into the
`receptacle 11”. ‘ As will be apparent, the projecting ele-
`ment 8% limits the total rotation of the contact elements
`to an angle preferably slighlty less than 180 degrees, so
`that'the mating elements always remain in contact, as
`shown in FIGURE 15. Thusthe projection 80 travel-
`ing in the groove 74 permits swiveling between plug 13”
`and the receptacle 171” through an are slightly less than
`180 degrees and prevents internal disconnection between
`the contract elements and their associated leads 4-1—46, and
`47’—"2’, inclusive.
`'
`In the embodiment disclosed hereinabove the plug and
`receptacle could be of cylindrical shape rather than of
`conical shape.
`If so desired, anextraneous locking mech-
`anism such as a coaxial threaded bolt could beincorpo—
`rated in the connector which wOuld permit swiveling be-
`tween therplug and receptacle and yet‘provide an addi—
`tional restraint against. axial movement between these
`members.
`,
`'
`,
`,
`'
`,
`, While I have described and illustrated one specific em-
`bodiment of my invention,'it will be clear that variations
`of the details of construction which are specifically illus-
`trated and described may be resorted to without depart—.
`ing from the’true spirit and scope of the invention as
`. defined in the appended claims.
`'
`,
`,
`What is claimed is:
`.
`1. A multiple—lead connector of the swivel type having
`-male andfemale portions adapted for relative rotation on
`_ a longitudinal axis, the combination comprising:
`’
`a female receptacle and a complementary shaped in-
`sertable male plug rotatably seated in said receptacle,
`said plug and receptacle being comprised of electrical
`insulating material;
`first plurality of axially spaced arcuate contact ele— 7
`ments of electrical conducting material concentrical- ,
`1y fixed with respect to said axis to the outer surface
`of said male plug, said first plurality of contact ele-
`ments having an inclined leading surface in the direc-
`tion of plug insertion, and having a substantially V-
`shaped circumferential raceWay formed immediately
`aft of said leading surface, the apex of the V of said
`raceway being oriented radially with respect to said
`axrs;
`a Second plurality of axially spaCed arcuate contact ele-
`ments of electrical conducting material. concentri—
`cally fixed with respect to said axis to the inner sur— 7,
`face of said female receptacle, said second plurality
`of contact elements being axially spaced and in com-
`plementary relationship to said first plurality, each of
`said second» contact elements being formed with
`spring material, One end of said contact elements be-
`, ing secured to said female receptacle and, the other
`rendbeing free'a'nd. inclined in the direction of plug
`insertion, forming the first leg of V—shaped contacts v
`and terminating in an angularly dependenttip form-
`ing the second leg of saidefshaped contacts com-
`‘ plementary to said raceway, each, of said V—shaned.
`
`.‘References Cited by the Examiner
`’ UNITED STATES PATENTS '
`3/14 Schwartz ____’. _______ »__ 219—533
`1,090,238
`3/40 Sumner ___.._..____'_»___ 339—258
`7. 2,192,943
`10/42 ROseet a1. _____;____ 339—182 X
`2,298,172
`2,476,735 , 7/49 Johnson ______________ , 339—45
`2,551,533
`5/51 Gernheuser ________,_.'_ 339——~45
`, 2,551,630
`5/51‘, Page ______________ 339—182 X
`2,787,771
`4/57‘ Francisr.._____________»_ 339—81
`JOSEPH D. SEERS, PrimdryExamz'ner.
`ALFRED s. TRASK, Examiner.
`
`toU!_
`
`40
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`,
`
`,
`
`55
`
`‘ 0007
`
`0007
`
`