The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 13, 2001
Filed:
May. 18, 1999
Thomas M. Mullen, Jr., Dunellen, NJ (US);
Heyco Products, Inc., Toms River, NJ (US);
Abstract
The present invention relates to a connecting device adapted for connecting an electrical cable, which includes wires, to a similar or identical electrical cable. The device includes a housing having a connecting end, which is adapted to be removably connected to a connecting end of an identical connecting device, and an opposite end, which includes a slot for receiving an electrical cable inserted into the housing. The housing also includes a receiving portion at the connecting end for receiving a plurality of connecting blades adapted to engage blades of an identical device and to receive wires of an electrical cable inserted into the housing through an open side thereof. A cover is provided for covering the open side of the housing. The cover is pivotally connected to the housing remote from the opposite end thereof such that the cover is pivotally movable relative to the housing between an open position, in which the open side of the housing is substantially unobstructed by the cover for insertion of electrical wires into the blades, and a closed position, in which the open side of the housing is substantially closed off by the cover. The slot is unobstructed by the cover when the cover is in the open position, whereby an electrical cable inserted into the housing can be laid in the slot while the cover is attached to the housing and then secured to the housing in response to the pivotal movement of the cover from the open position to the closed position.