초록 ▼

An electrical plug for connecting an electrical cable such as an electrical heating cable to an electrical power outlet. Contained within the housing of the plug are first and second contact members which comprise a first prong and a second prong, respectively, each prong being suitable for insertio

An electrical plug for connecting an electrical cable such as an electrical heating cable to an electrical power outlet. Contained within the housing of the plug are first and second contact members which comprise a first prong and a second prong, respectively, each prong being suitable for insertion into a socket of an electrical power outlet. A cutting module and a cutting element which fits within the cutting module are used to remove polymer, e.g. insulation or a conductive polymer composition, from the first and second electrodes of the cable at the end of the cable in order to make electrical connection from the electrodes to the first and second contact members. Present within the cutting module are first and second electrode-contact sections positioned on the concave arcuate inner surface of the wall of a cavity in the cutting module. The electrode-contact sections can be electrically connected to the first and second contact members. The cutting element comprises a cutting wedge which has (a) a convex arcuate outer surface which complements the inner surface of the wall of the cutting module, and (b) piercing means suitable for penetrating the polymer. The cutting element rotates within the cavity of the cutting module from an opened position to a closed position so that, after the cable has been inserted into the cavity and the cutting element is rotated, the rotation first causes the piercing means to penetrate the polymer between the first and second electrodes, then causes an end portion of the polymer to separate from the electrodes, and then forces the first electrode into physical contact with the first electrode-contact section and the second electrode into physical contact with the second electrode-contact section. The cutting module and the cutting element can also be used as a tool for removing polymer from an electrical cable, and in a connector to make electrical connection from a first electrical cable to a second electrical cable.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An electrical plug for connecting an electrical cable to an electrical power outlet, said electrical cable comprising a first elongate electrode and a second elongate electrode, said first and second electrodes surrounded by and separated from one another by a polymer, sa

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An electrical plug for connecting an electrical cable to an electrical power outlet, said electrical cable comprising a first elongate electrode and a second elongate electrode, said first and second electrodes surrounded by and separated from one another by a polymer, said plug comprising(A) a housing which comprises(1) a first housing member which comprises a slot for receiving the cable, and(2) a second housing member,the first and second housing members being movable relative to each other between a unique mated configuration and a demated configuration;(B) a first contact member which comprises a first prong suitable for insertion into one socket of an electrical power outlet;(C) a second contact member which comprises a second prong suitable for insertion into a second socket of an electrical power outlet;(D) a cutting module which is positioned in the first housing member and which comprises(1) a cavity comprising a wall which has a concave arcuate inner surface,(2) an opening in the wall which opens into the cavity and is aligned with the slot for receiving the cable,(3) a first electrode-contact section which is positioned on the inner surface of the wall and can be electrically connected to the first prong, and(4) a second electrode-contact section which is positioned on the inner surface of the wall and can be electrically connected to the second prong; and(E) a cutting element which(1) fits within the cutting module,(2) comprises a cutting wedge which comprises(a) a convex arcuate outer surface which complements the inner surface of the wall, and(b) piercing means suitable for penetrating the polymer, and(3) rotates within the cavity from an opened position to a closed position so that, after the cable has been inserted into the cavity through the opening and the cutting element is rotated, the rotation(a) first, causes the piercing means to penetrate the polymer between the first and second electrodes,(b) second, causes an end portion of the polymer to separate from the electrodes, and(c) third, forces the first electrode into physical contact with the first electrode-contact section and the second electrode into physical contact with the second electrode-contact section.