WO2006133502A1

WO2006133502A1 - Lead connector

Info

Publication number: WO2006133502A1
Application number: PCT/AU2006/000835
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shane Armstrong Fels
Original assignee: Fels, Kerri-Anne
Priority date: 2005-06-15
Filing date: 2006-06-15
Publication date: 2006-12-21

Abstract

A lead connector (10) comprises an elongate body having a first retainer (30) provided at a first end of the elongat body and a second retainer (31) provided at a second end of the elongate body. Both the first retainer and the secon retainer comprise a pair of fingers (35) for engaging at least one lead.

Description

TITLE LEAD CONNECTOR

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a lead connector. In particular, although not exclusively, the invention relates to an apparatus for maintaining electrical leads in physical and electrical connection.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Electricity is generally accessed from electrical sockets, which receive electrical plugs. Male electrical plugs commonly incorporate two or three prongs and are available in a range of shapes and arrangements depending on the jurisdiction in which the plugs are to be used. The prongs of the male plug are in electrical communication with insulated wires located within a lead or cable that is attached to an electrical device.

In extension leads, for example, a male plug is engaged with a complimentary shaped female socket, which generally incorporates three receiving sockets for receiving a different prong of the male plug. The prongs of the male plug fit relatively securely in the receiving sockets of the female socket to hold the male plug and female socket together. When sufficient force is applied the male plug and/or female socket will disengage.

One problem with the aforementioned arrangement is that the male plug can sometimes be unintentionally disengaged from the female socket or electrical socket with the application of a relatively low force. An example of this problem occurs on construction sites when a worker is operating an electrical tool. Power may be supplied to the electrical tool by one or a number of extension leads and if the extension lead is placed under tension or catches on an obstacle, it is easy for the plug and socket to disengage. This requires the worker to stop working and reconnect the electrical tool lead back into the extension lead. Other examples include work or home environments where electrical devices are used, such as computers. If a computer becomes disconnected from the power supply unintentionally, e.g. because of someone tripping over the cable, and power to the computer is lost, valuable data is likely to be lost, typically at great inconvenience to the user.

Some attempts have been made to address the aforementioned problem. For example, United States Patent 2,720,633 discloses a clamp for electrical connectors comprising a c-shaped spring member having a pair of fingers formed at each end, which are suitable for gripping electrical plugs or leads. The clamp is applied to plug and socket type connectors to hold the connectors in a physically and electrically connected relationship.

However, when moving electrical connectors secured together with such a clamp, it is relatively easy for the c-shaped member to become caught on an obstacle. This can result in the clamp being detached from the electrical connectors, which could lead to the male plug and female socket being separated. Additionally, if only one end of the c-shaped member becomes detached, the potential for snagging is increased, thus increasing the likelihood of the plug and socket being detached. United States Patent 4,183,603 discloses an extension cord lock, which is u-shaped and has circular openings adjacent each end through which cords are located. A first cord having a male plug attached thereto is permanently located within one of the circular openings at one end. In use, a second cord having a socket attached thereto may be located through the circular opening at the opposite end via a slot. A metal bar is imbedded within the extension cord lock to provide rigidity thereto.

When the extension cord lock is in use, it may be dragged along the ground and in this instance it is possible for edges of the extension cord lock to become caught on obstacles. It is then relatively easy for the cord with the socket attached to disengage from the circular opening via the slot and consequently the socket is likely to be disengaged from the plug.

In this specification, the terms "comprises", "comprising" or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a method, system or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements not listed.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least alleviate one or more of the aforementioned problems associated with the prior art or to provide a useful commercial alternative. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one form, although it need not be the only or indeed the broadest form, the invention resides in a lead connector comprising: an elongate body; a first retainer provided at a first end of the elongate body; and a second retainer provided at a second end of the elongate body; wherein the first retainer and the second retainer each comprise a pair of fingers for engaging at least one lead. Preferably, each finger comprises a bulbous end.

Suitably, each finger is bulbous on at least one face. Preferably, the bulbous ends of adjacent fingers contact each other. Suitably, the elongate body is resilient or elastic. Preferably, the width of the pair of bulbous fingers is greater than the width of the elongate body.

Preferably, walls of an aperture through said elongate body between each pair of fingers are inclined at an angle in the range of about 20° to 60° with respect to a top face of the elongate body.

Alternatively, the walls of the apertures are perpendicular to a face of the elongate body.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To assist in understanding the invention and to enable a person skilled in the art to put the invention into practical effect, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG 1 shows a plan view of a lead connector in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG 2 shows a side view of the lead connector of FIG 1 ; FIG 3 shows a perspective view of the lead connector of FIG 1 securing together leads of a male plug coupled to a female socket;

FIG 4 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the lead connector securing together a male plug lead coupled to an electrical socket pack;

FIG 5 shows a pair of lead connectors securing the leads of two male plugs engaged with an electrical safety pack;

FIG 6 shows a third embodiment of the lead connector; and FIG 7 shows a fourth embodiment of the lead connector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIGS 1 and 2, there is provided an embodiment of a lead connector 10 comprising an elongate body 20. First and second retainers 30 and 31 , respectively, are provided at opposing first and second ends of the elongate body 20.

The first and second retainers 30 and 31 each comprise a pair of fingers 35 having bulbous ends 37. The bulbous ends 37 are partially substantially spherical and in this embodiment a small gap or space 39 exists between the bulbous ends 37. In an alternative embodiment, the bulbous ends 37 are each positioned in contact with an adjacent bulbous end 37. In this embodiment, the fingers 35 are integrally formed with the elongate body 20. However, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments, the fingers 35 may be separately attached to the elongate body 20 and/or the bulbous ends 37 separately attached to the fingers 35. In the current embodiment, a width of each pair of the bulbous ends 37 is greater than a width of the elongate body 20.

The elongate body 20 and retainers 30, 31 are made of flexible or resilient plastic having sufficient rigidity to ensure that the bulbous ends 37 of the fingers 35 are not easily separated accidentally, for example, due to a collision with an obstacle. However, the rigidity of the retainers 30, 31 is such that a lead can be passed between the fingers thereof. In the current embodiment, the lead connector 10 is made of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), which is both durable and UV-resistant. However, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments other plastics and other materials may be suitable. Apertures 40 and 41 are located toward each end of the elongate body 20 between the fingers 35. In the embodiment shown in FIGS 1 and 2, walls 43 of the apertures 40 and 41 are inclined at an angle α with respect to a top face 25 of the elongate body 20. The angle α in the present embodiment is in the range of about 20° to 60°, although angles in the range of about 30° to 45^° are preferable. However, in alternative embodiments, walls 43 of the apertures 40, 41 are substantially perpendicular to the top face 25.

Referring to FIG 3, a female socket lead 50 is electrically and physically coupled to a male plug lead 60 via female socket 55 and male plug 65, respectively. The female socket lead 50 and the male plug lead 60 are located in the apertures 41 and 40, respectively. The male plug 65 comprises a front face (not shown) from which three prongs 66 (shown in phantom) extend and the female socket 55 comprises a front face (not shown) having three female apertures (not shown) suitable for receiving the prongs 66.

When the male plug 65 and female socket 55 are engaged, the lead connector 10 is coupled to the male plug and female socket leads 60, 50, by inserting the leads 60, 50, between the bulbous ends 37 of the fingers 35 of the second and first retainers 31 and 30, respectively, such thatthe leads 60, 50, are positioned within the apertures 41 and 40, respectively. The rigid plastic bulbous ends 37 reduce the likelihood of the leads 60, 50 being snagged and inadvertently removed from apertures 40, 41. The substantially spherical shape of the bulbous ends 37 also reduces the risk of the lead connector 10 becoming caught on an object. The elongate body 20 passes over the coupled male plug 65 and female socket 55 and bends or flexes such that the leads 60, 50 are aligned with the inclination of the apertures 40 and 41 , which helps minimize the force applied to the leads 60, 50 by the lead connector 10. In the absence of the lead connector 10, when a suitable force is applied to the leads 60, 50, the male plug 65 and female socket 55 are disengaged from one another. However, when the lead connector 10 is attached to the leads 60, 50, the force that would ordinarily be transferred to the coupled male plug 65 and female socket 55, is instead transferred to the lead connector 10, thus maintaining the male plugs 65 and female, socket 55, in a coupled relationship.

Referring to FIG 4, there is provided a perspective view of the male plug 65 coupled with a female socket of a multiple socket pack 70 and secured in place by a second embodiment of the present invention in the form of an elastic lead connector 80. The multiple socket pack 70 incorporates, for example, four female sockets. In this embodiment the elastic lead connector 80 comprises a elastic elongate body 90, which is made of an elastic rubber or other suitable elastic material. The elastic lead connector 80 comprises first and second retainers 95, 96, which are identical to the first and second retainers 30 and 31 of the first embodiment of the lead connector 10 and which are integrally formed at opposing ends of the elastic elongate body 90.

In use, the first retainer 95 of the elastic lead connector 80 is coupled to the male plug lead 60. Subsequently, the elastic elongate body 90 is drawn around a base 71 of the multiple socket pack 70 and a second retainer 96 is coupled to the male plug lead 60. In this embodiment the elastic elongate body 90 does not have a sufficient length to pass around the multiple socket pack 70 without the elastic elongate body 90 stretching. Hence, the elastic lead connector 80 is in tension and applies a force directing the male plug 60 into the multiple socket pack 70.

Referring to FIG 5, there are shown two elastic lead connectors 80,

80a, coupled with two male plug leads 60, 60a, respectively, belonging to male plugs 65, 65a, which are both coupled with an electrical safety pack

100. The electrical safety pack 100 can be suitable for receiving, for example, 4 male plugs 65. However, it should be appreciated that the electrical safety pack 100 may be of a completely different design and that the design of the electrical safety pack 100 is not limiting to the current invention.

When a pair of male plugs 60, 60a are to be secured to the electrical safety pack 100 a first retainer 95 of the elastic lead connector 80, is attached to a first male plug lead 60, the elastic elongate body 90 is stretched across the electrical safety pack 100 and a second retainer 96 is coupled with the second male plug lead 60a. The second elastic lead connector 80a is subsequently coupled to the male plug leads 60 and 60a in the same manner. It should be appreciated that alternatively, one, or more than two, elastic lead connectors 80 can be applied.

When only one male plug 65 is coupled to the electrical safety pack 100, the first and second retainers 95, 96, are coupled to the male plug lead 60 and the elastic elongate body 90 is extended around the electrical safety pack 100.

Referring to FIG 6, in a third embodiment of the lead connector 10, bulbous ends 37 are only provided on a top face 25 of the fingers 35. The lead connector 10 of the present invention can be utilized such that only the topside 26 will be exposed to obstacles and the bulbous ends 37 thus prevent, or at least minimize the likelihood of the connector snagging on obstacles. The provision of bulbous ends 37 on only the top face 25 does have the slight drawback that the lead connector 10 must be used in a particular orientation whereas the first and second embodiments can be used in any orientation.

Referring to FIG 7, in a fourth embodiment of the lead connector 10, bulbous ends 37 are omitted and the ends of the fingers 35 are substantially planar or flat. This embodiment still maintains the leads securely together and reduces the materials required for the lead connector 10.

It will be appreciated that the lead connector 10 of the present invention can be manufactured in a range of sizes to suit the particular application. For example, the elongate body 20 can occupy a larger proportion of the overall length of the connector to enable the connector 10 to secure cables together at larger distances or pass around larger objects. The apertures 40, 41 can be made larger or smaller according to the one or more leads that need to be secured.

Hence, the lead connector 10 of the present invention provides a solution to the aforementioned problem of male plugs being unintentionally disengaged from sockets by virtue of the elongate body 20 comprising first and second retainers 30, 31 having fingers 35 and apertures 40, 41 for engaging at least one lead. Fingers 35 can have bulbous ends 37, which have no sharp or abrupt edges that might catch on an object and result in the lead connector 10 being disengaged from the leads 50, 60. Alternatively, bulbous ends 37 can be provided on a top face 25 only, since this the lead connector can be used such that the top face 25 is the only exposed face. In a further alternative, the bulbous ends 37 can be dispensed with to minimize the materials used. The apertures 40, 41 , can have walls 43 that are inclined at the angle α to help ensure that a minimum force is applied to the leads 60, 50 by the lead connector 10.

Throughout the specification the aim has been to describe the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features. Persons skilled in the relevant art may realize variations from the specific embodiments that will nonetheless fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A lead connector comprising: an elongate body; a first retainer provided at a first end of the elongate body; and a second retainer provided at a second end of the elongate body; wherein the first retainer and the second retainer each comprise a pair of fingers for engaging at least one lead.

2. The lead connector of claim 1 , wherein each finger comprises a bulbous end.

3. The lead connector of claim 2, wherein each finger is bulbous on at least one face.

4. The lead connector of claim 1 , wherein each finger comprises a substantially flat end.

5. The lead connector of claim 1 , wherein the ends of adjacent fingers contact each other.

6. The lead connector of claim 1 , wherein the elongate body is resilient.

7. The lead connector of claim 1 , wherein the elongate body is elastic.

8. The lead connector of claim 1 , wherein a width of the pair of fingers is greater than a width of the elongate body.

9. The lead connector of claim 1 , further comprising an aperture through said elongate body between each pair of fingers.

10. The lead connector of claim 9, wherein side walls of the aperture are inclined at an angle in the range of about 20° to about 60° with respect to a top face of the elongate body.

11. The lead connector of claim 9, wherein side walls of the aperture are substantially perpendicular with respect to a top face of the elongate body.