Swivel apparatus providing strain relief for an electrical conductor

Abstract

A swivel apparatus couples an electrical conductor connected to an electrical device, such as a hand held, bar code scanner. The swivel apparatus includes a housing with a first end portion fixedly connectable to an electrical device and a freely movable second end portion. The second end portion rotates about the first end portion to convert bending forces exerted on the electrical conductor supported by the second end portion into movement of the second end portion with respect to the first end portion and twisting of the electrical conductor in a direction to relieve such bending forces on the electrical conductor. In one embodiment, the housing includes a base fixedly attached to the bar code scanner. The base includes an outwardly extending annular flange spaced from the main body of the base by a recess. A two-part clamp having first and second end portions is rotatingly mounted on the base. The first end portion of the two part clamp is rotatingly mounted about the annular flange and the recess on the base. The second end of the clamp is disposed at a predetermined angle with respect to the first end portion. The combination of the angle between the first and second end portions of the clamp and the rotatable mounting of the clamp with respect to the base causes the swivel apparatus to rotate in the direction of forces exerted on an electrical conductor extending through the swivel connector into the electrical device to minimize bending of the electrical conductor.