Female Cabling Connector

Abstract

An electric receptacle adapted for insertion and electric engagement of a cylindrical male electric connector is provided. The receptacle employs an annular body defining an axial receiving cavity for the male connector. An angled annular polymeric insert at a leading edge may provide a guide into the receiving cavity which is preferably shaped to form a hyperbolic cylindrical grid structure from a plurality of shaped wires running in parallel paths.

Claims

1. An electric receptacle adapted for insertion and electric engagement of a cylindrical male electric connector, comprising: an annular body having a first end and a second end and having an axis running through an axial receiving cavity; said annular body formed of a plurality of spaced wires formed of electrically conductive material; and a diameter of said receiving cavity at said first end of said receiving cavity adapted for insertion of said male electric connector into said receiving cavity.

2. The electrical receptacle of claim 1 additionally comprising: an annular polymeric insert having an opening therein, positioned at said first end of said annular body; said polymeric insert having a first edge adjacent said first end of said annular body; said polymeric insert having a second edge opposite said first edge; and a diameter of said opening at said second edge being wider than a diameter of said opening at said second edge.

3. The electrical receptacle of claim 1 additionally comprising: said plurality of spaced wires being shaped to form a hyperbolic cylindrical grid structure.

4. The electrical receptacle of claim 2 additionally comprising: said plurality of spaced wires being shaped to form a hyperbolic cylindrical grid structure.

5. The electrical receptacle of claim 3 additionally comprising: said plurality of spaced wires forming said hyperbolic cylindrical grid structure being rectangular wires; each of said rectangular wires having one planar surface facing said axis of said receiving cavity.

6. The electrical receptacle of claim 4 additionally comprising: said plurality of spaced wires forming said hyperbolic cylindrical grid structure being rectangular wires; each of said rectangular wires having one planar surface facing said axis of said receiving cavity.

7. The electrical receptacle of claim 3 additionally comprising: said plurality of spaced wires forming said hyperbolic cylindrical grid structure being round wires; each of said rectangular wires having a curved surface facing said axis of said receiving cavity.

8. The electrical receptacle of claim 4 additionally comprising: said plurality of spaced wires forming said hyperbolic cylindrical grid structure being round wires; each of said rectangular wires having a curved surface facing said axis of said receiving cavity.

9. The electrical receptacle of claim 1 additionally comprising: said receiving cavity having a central portion situated in-between said first end and said second end of said of said annular body; and said central portion of said receiving cavity having a diameter which is smaller than a diameter of said receiving cavity at one or both of said first end and said second end of said receiving cavity.

10. The electrical receptacle of claim 2 additionally comprising: said receiving cavity having a central portion situated in-between said first end and said second end of said of said annular body; and said central portion of said receiving cavity having a diameter which is smaller than a diameter of said receiving cavity at one or both of said first end and said second end of said receiving cavity.

11. The electrical receptacle of claim 3 additionally comprising: said receiving cavity having a central portion situated in-between said first end and said second end of said of said annular body; and said central portion of said receiving cavity having a diameter which is smaller than a diameter of said receiving cavity at one or both of said first end and said second end of said receiving cavity.

12. The electrical receptacle of claim 4 additionally comprising: said receiving cavity having a central portion situated in-between said first end and said second end of said of said annular body; and said central portion of said receiving cavity having a diameter which is smaller than a diameter of said receiving cavity at one or both of said first end and said second end of said receiving cavity.

13. The electrical receptacle of claim 5 additionally comprising: said receiving cavity having a central portion situated in-between said first end and said second end of said of said annular body; and said central portion of said receiving cavity having a diameter which is smaller than a diameter of said receiving cavity at one or both of said first end and said second end of said receiving cavity.

14. The electrical receptacle of claim 6 additionally comprising: said receiving cavity having a central portion situated in-between said first end and said second end of said of said annular body; and said central portion of said receiving cavity having a diameter which is smaller than a diameter of said receiving cavity at one or both of said first end and said second end of said receiving cavity.

15. The electrical receptacle of claim 7 additionally comprising: said receiving cavity having a central portion situated in-between said first end and said second end of said of said annular body; and said central portion of said receiving cavity having a diameter which is smaller than a diameter of said receiving cavity at one or both of said first end and said second end of said receiving cavity.

16. The electrical receptacle of claim 8 additionally comprising: said receiving cavity having a central portion situated in-between said first end and said second end of said of said annular body; and said central portion of said receiving cavity having a diameter which is smaller than a diameter of said receiving cavity at one or both of said first end and said second end of said receiving cavity.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES

[0017] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate some, but not the only or exclusive, examples of embodiments and/or features. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than limiting. In the drawings:

[0018] FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of an annular body engaged forming an axial receiving cavity of a female electric connection formed of a hyperbolic cylindrical grid formed of a plurality of planar wires, which defines an internal axial cavity.

[0019] FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of the annular body of FIG. 1, formed of a hyperbolic cylindrical grid of a plurality of planar wires prior to an engagement into the axial receiving cavity of a female receptacle for male cable connectors.

[0020] FIG. 3 shows a prior art depiction of conventional cable connections between a male connector and female receptacle showing the cylindrical planar contact surfaces of each.

[0021] FIG. 4 shows a prior art depiction of conventional cable connections as in FIG. 3, depicting the constant problem of misaligned engagement of the male connector and receiving cavity components.

[0022] FIG. 5 shows perspective sectional view showing an annular body forming the receiving cavity shown in FIG. 8 and similar in construction to that of FIGS. 1-2 but formed of round wire, in an as-used position within the axial receiving cavity of a female receptacle formed of conductive material such as copper.

[0023] FIG. 6 depicts a perspective sectional view of the annular torsion spring mode of the device shown in FIG. 10, in an as-used positioning within the axial receiving cavity of a female receptacle.

[0024] FIG. 7 depicts the hyperbolic cylindrical grid forming an annular body from conductive material such as copper surrounded by a sidewall and ready for operative positioning to define an axial receiving cavity of a female receptacle.

[0025] FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of the annular body herein formed from hyperbolic cylindrical grid of round conductive wires having an interior defining the receiving cavity for a male electric connector circumference.

[0026] FIG. 9 depicts a perspective view of an annular body for positioning within a recess formed into the sidewall of the axial cavity to thereby define a receiving cavity of a female receptacle.

[0027] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the annular torsion spring mode of the annular body herein as shown in the sectional view of FIG. 6.

[0028] FIG. 11 shows the annular body as in FIGS. 1 and 2 formed from a plurality of planar wires in a hyperbolic cylindrical grid, surrounding a receiving cavity adapted for contact with a circumference of a male electric connector inserted therein.

[0029] Other aspects of the present invention shall be more readily understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and the following detailed description, neither of which should be considered limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0030] In this description, the directional prepositions of up, upwardly, down, downwardly, front, back, top, upper, bottom, lower, left, right and other such terms refer to the device as it is oriented and appears in the drawings and are used for convenience only; they are not intended to be limiting or to imply that the device has to be used or positioned in any particular orientation.

[0031] Now referring to drawings in FIGS. 1-11, wherein similar components are identified by like reference numerals, there can be seen in FIG. 1, an isometric view of a mode of the device 10 herein, having an annular body 15 as described herein in various modes, positioned in an as-used or operative positioning within the receiving cavity 30, for a female receptacle adapted for circumferential engagement around a male connector for high amperage electric equipment.

[0032] The depicted annular body 15 of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, is formed in a preferred shape formed by the shaped wires 11, of a hyperbolic cylindrical grid structure. The wires 11 are held spaced in this shape by annular conductors 21 engaged to all the wires 11, at opposite ends of the plurality of shaped wires 11. The conductors 21 are crimped upon or otherwise firmly engaged to and hold each of the shaped plurality of wires 11. The wires are spaced from each other by parallel gaps 19 running in-between each planar wire 11 and held in the spaced arrangement across the gaps 19, by the engaged annular conductors 21.

[0033] In a preferred mode of the device 10, the wires as shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 11, the wires 11 are rectangular shaped with each having a continuous planar side surfaces 13, facing toward the center or axis running through the insert 15. This planar surface with the spaced wires 11 defining the depicted hyperbolic cylindrical grid structure, has been shown to yield a significantly enhanced electric contact and communication with an inserted male connector and run cooler and is preferred.

[0034] The exterior circumference of the annular conductors 21 of each annular body 15 as shown in FIG. 2, as with all others shown in other drawings herein is electrically engaged with a cable carrying current. While other electric engagements may be employed, one shown herein is forming the annular body 15 sized for operative tight frictional engagement and in electric communication, with an interior wall 31, thereby defining a receiving cavity 30 for the male connector. Such receiving cavities are positioned within the axial cavity of a female receptacle, and are positioned for receiving a removable engagement with male insertable electric connectors. The annular body 15, is shown in an as-used position, with conductor 21 engaged electrically with the wire cable, such as with a conductive interior wall 31, and with each wire 11, is ready to receive an annular body of a male connector, as shown in FIG. 1, or 5-6.

[0035] As noted above and shown in FIG. 2, the receiving cavity 30 for the male connector defined by the surrounding planar surfaces of the wires 11 forming the annular body 15, can accommodate many different sized male connectors in an operative electric engagement. This adaptive but highly conductive fitment, is provided by the ability of the wires 11 to flex into the gaps 19, and also toward a slight space between the wires 11 and the interior wall 31, when the male plug is axial inserted.

[0036] Also shown are an annular inwardly curved portion 33 of the wires 11 having interior surfaces of the wires 11 positioned closer to the center axis 35 running through the annular body 15.

[0037] Consequently, the wires 11 formed in this hyperbolic cylindrical grid structure are functionally able to accommodate larger male connectors and subsequently contract when such are removed. This ability to flex into the gaps 19 and toward the interior wall 31, also allows the wires 11 to flex, and form a biased contact against the surface of the inserted male connector yielding an enhanced electric contact. This biased contact is enhanced at the central inwardly curved portion 33 by increased deflection and metal memory resistance thereto.

[0038] Also shown in FIG. 2, is a busbar 23 configuration for the female receptacle, and the body defining the annular polymeric annular insert 22, having an a curved annular leading edge and inclining angle 22a (FIG. 6) from front to rear, positioned at a first end, or the leading edge of the receiving cavity 30, of the female connector adjacent the conductor 21, opposite the second end thereof. The first end or leading edge of the body forming the polymeric annular insert 22, providing an annular curved ramp or incline 22a at the leading edge of the receiving cavity 30, functions as a guide to center the inserted male connector and prevent hard contact with the leading conductor 21 of the annular body 15 (FIGS. 4-5) and is a solution to the contact of the male conductor of conventional cables in prior art, contacting and damaging the 25 and the annular female receptacle 27 and cold welds therebetween.

[0039] Shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, for reference, is a prior art depiction typical of prior art cable connection between a male connector 25 and female receptacle 27, showing the cylindrical planar contact of the male connector 25, having a circumference engaged against the cylindrical surface 31, defining the receiving cavity 30 of the female receptacle 27.

[0040] The hazards of the conventional mode of FIG. 3, are shown in FIG. 4 which is a prior art depiction of the constant problem of misalignment during engagement of the two components. As also can be seen, a conventional male connector 25 is hidden within the insulating cover 28 as is the receiving cavity 30 of the female receptacle 27. Such conventional configurations make it hard for users, even in optimum conditions, to engage both in axial alignment to avoid damage to either or both components over time.

[0041] FIG. 5 shows perspective sectional view showing a circumferential interior defining a receiving cavity 30, formed by the annular body 15 shown in FIG. 8 and similar in construction to that of FIGS. 1-2 but formed of round wire 11. Shown is this mode of the annular body 15 in an as-used position within and in operative contact with a wire or bus providing electric power, such as within the axial receiving cavity 30 of a conventional configured female receptacle formed of conductive material such as a copper cylindrical surface 31. The annular body 15 of this figures forms the deflectable receiving cavity 30 for a male connector 25, using round wires 11 in the same hyperbolic cylindrical grid structure of FIGS. 1-2 which as noted employed square wires with planar sides facing the axis (FIG. 2) of the formed cavity 30.

[0042] At the central portion of the wires 11 in-between the first end adjacent the opening to the formed receiving cavity 30 and the second end opposite thereto, and in-between the two annular conductors 21 holding them all in position, the wires 11 are shaped to bow inward and form an annular inwardly curved portion 33 of the receiving cavity 30, having interior surfaces of the wires 11 all closer to the center axis 35 running through the annular body 15.

[0043] The contact of the exterior conductive surface of a male connector first against the surface of the wires 11 at the reduced circumference of the annular curved portion 33 and second against the surface of the wires 11 on both sides thereof, yields a biased contact of the annular curved portion 33 when the wires 11 deflect forming a narrowed central portion 41 of the receiving cavity 30 formed by the wires 11. The wires 11 thereafter will deflect into the gaps 19 at the narrowed central portion 41 of a diameter of the receiving cavity 30 but having metal memory, will bias toward their original position. This yields an enhanced electric contact of the wires 11 with the circumference of the metal male connector 25 from the biased contact of the wires 11 therewith at the narrowed diameter central portion 41 in between the wider diameter of the receiving cavity 30 at the first end and second end of the annular body 15. Such a narrowing can be a reduction between 5 to 40 percent of the wider diameters of the receiving cavity 30 at the first and second end of the annular body 15.

[0044] Shown in FIG. 6 is a hyperbolic cylindrical grid of flat wires 11 forming an annular body 15 from conductive material such as copper surrounded by a sidewall. The annular body 15 is depicted ready for operative positioning within the axial receiving cavity 30 of a female receptacle 27. Also shown is the annular polymeric annular body 22 protecting the leading edge of the copper sidewall forming the receiving cavity 30.

[0045] FIG. 7 depicts the hyperbolic cylindrical grid forming an annular body 15 from conductive material such as copper, of FIG. 1-2 or 5, surrounded by a sidewall 45, and ready for operative positioning in a female connector and forming the axial receiving cavity 30 of a female receptacle. The annular body 15 of FIGS. 1-2 and 5 include this sidewall 45 in operative electric engagement with a conductive cable, form the receiving cavity 30. One such electric contact with a cable may be by electric contact with the sidewall 31 which is electrically connected to the cable connected to this female receptacle.

[0046] FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of the full annular body shown in FIG. 5, formed from hyperbolic cylindrical grid of round conductive wires 11, unmounted and ready for operative engagement to provide the receiving cavity 30. FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the annular body 15 configured from coiled wire, which is adapted for positioning within a recess formed into the sidewall 31 of the axial receiving cavity 30 of a conventional female receptacle shown as prior art herein. The narrowed central portion 41 of the diameter of the receiving cavity 30 is shown. FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the annular torsion spring insert shown in FIG. 6, in an unmounted position. Finally, FIG. 11 shows an enlarged view of the annular body 15 as in FIGS. 1 and 2 formed from a plurality of planar wires 11 formed in a hyperbolic cylindrical grid, unmounted, and having an adjustable receiving area for a male insert running axially therethrough which varies in diameter with a smaller diameter central portion 41, as noted above.

[0047] It should be noted and anticipated that although the annular body system for female electric receptacles herein is shown in its most simple form, various components and aspects of the device may be differently shaped or slightly modified when forming the invention herein. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate the descriptions and depictions set forth in this disclosure or merely meant to portray examples of preferred modes within the overall scope and intent of the invention, and are not to be considered limiting in any manner.

[0048] While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the invention have been shown and described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and it will be apparent that in some instances, some features of the invention may be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Consequently, all such modifications and variations and substitutions are included within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.