Double disconnect, waterproof electrical connector assembly for

Abstract

A cylindrical molded plastic cuff at one end of a double flexible tube electrified vacuum hose for a wet/dry vacuum cleaner includes an integral molded plastic pocket bearing an elongated receptacle body of insulation material. The body includes two laterally spaced bores, counterbored from one end, which counterbores bear enlarged peripheral recesses intermediate of their ends. Cylindrical plungers sized to the counterbores and having a radially enlarged collar intermediate of their ends, in excess of the diameter of the counterbore but less than the peripheral recess, are slidably mounted therein with the collar positioned in the radial recess. A coil spring sized to the peripheral recess is compressed between the collar and one end of the radial recess to spring bias the plunger away from the bore. An O-ring seal whose outside diameter is approximately equal to that of the radial recess is positioned on the plunger to the side of the collar opposite that of the coil spring. The end of the plunger facing the bore carries a reduced diameter portion acting as a male contact which slidably fits into a small diameter axial hole within the facing end of a female contact having a base portion sealably carried within the bore of the receptacle body. A plug bears male contact prongs which project into female contacts formed within the end of the plunger opposite the compression spring. The plug locks to the cuff when the plug male contact prongs mate with the female contacts of the plungers, and the plungers are forciably displaced against the bias of the springs to engage their male contact ends with the axial holes within the fixed female contacts to complete a two part electrical connection through the plug and between the electric motor driving a scrubber mechanism of a vacuum cleaner vacuum pick up head and an electrical source at the opposite end of the hose.