OUTE_E?ΓS

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an arrangement which is intended for relieving tensile forces in electrical socket outlets and which is of the kind set forth in the following claims.

BACKC350UND PRIOR ART

The connection of electric cables to socket outlets of this kind can present various problems. For instance, the cables are unable to withstand being bent to small radii of θ-_rvature and, especially when consisting of multi-conductor signal cables, cannot be connected readily to the electrical contact devices provided in the socket, owing to the very small sizes of the røntacfc-establishing elements thereof. Furthermore, with respect to the low voltages and the small currents conducted, cables which are connected to such outlets are highly {sensitive to mechanical stresses and vibrations at solder and contact points. Consequently, it is .Important to ensure that such socket outlets, of which one is described and illustrated in Swedish Patent Application 8502503-3, are provided with tensile force relieving arrangements which will relieve the cable of tensile forces, irrespective of the angle at which the cable enters the socket, or box, such that no tensile stresses or vibrations will be transmitted to the solder and electrical contact points of the electrical ∞ntact device, while at the same time avoiding abrupt or sharp cable bends.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide an electrical socket outlet of the aforesaid kind which incorporates a tensile force relieving arrangement which can be used effectively in those cases when the incoming cable is an externally mounted cable and also when the cable is of the kind which enters the socket from an underlying connector box which has been let into a supporting

structure and the cable needs to be relieved of tension in a way that permits the cable to be bent with a satisfactory radius of curvature. Another object is to provide a tensile force relieving arrangement which can be manufactured, fitted and used at relatively low costs and which is also self-adjusting.

These objects are achieved with an inventive tensile force relieving arrangement which has the characterizing features set forth in the following claims.

BRIEF DESC-IPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An exemplifying eirbodiment of the inventive tensile force relieving arrangement will now be described in more detail with reference to the accoirpanying drawing, in which Figure 1 illustrates in perspec¬ tive the bottom plate of a socket outlet and an arrangement support plate, which is shown removed from the socket outlet; Figure 2 is an enlarged end view of one end part of a support plate; Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a socket outlet with the casing removed and with an externally fitted cable relieved of tension, said views being in perspective and side elevation respectively; and Figures 5 and 6 are views similar to those of ΪFigures 5 and 6, but showing a tension- relieved cable entering the outlet socket from beneath.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 illustrates in perspective a frame-like bottom plate 1 of an electric outlet socket. The references 2 and 3 identify bearing or journal projections which are located on respective sides of an opening 4 in the bottom plate and the mutually facing sides of which are provided with channels for aα-onmχχ_at:i_ng bearing studs 6 and 7 of a support plate 5 which forms part of the inventive tensile load relieving arrangement and which is shown to one side of the bottom plate 1. In the case of the illustrated embodiment the support plate is provided with three through-passing holes for receiving so-called bundle straps or screws, by means of which a clamp or keeper can be fitted. The bundle strap or keeper is intended for clamping one or more cables firmly to the support plate 5,

which in Figure. 2 is shown to have slightly concave side surfaces so as to increase the holding force of the tensile load relief as a result of the decreased edge angles.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate in perspective and sideview respectively an electric socket outlet with the outer casing removed, and illu¬ strate a cable 9 which is connected to a data contact 8 arranged in the socket outlet and which is introduced into the socket outlet through that side of said outlet which is not visible in the drawing. The cable connected to the data contact is relieved of tensile load at its point of connection, in that the cable 9 is firmly held to the support plate 5 by a bundle strap 10, said support plate being pivσtally mounted on the bearing projections 2 and 3 of the bottom plate 1.

Figures 5 and 6 are correspondingly a perspective view and a side view respectively of a socket outlet into which a cable 11 is introduced through a connecting box (not shown) which has been let into an underlying support structure, the cable passing 1-hrough the opening 4 in the bottom plate and being connected to a data contact 8. The connection between cable and contact device is also in this case relieved of tensile load, in that the cable 11 is firmly clamped to the support plate 5 by means of a bundle strap 10. Because the support plate 5 is pivotally mounted, it will adopt a favourable inclination with respect to the direction of the cable, such as to enable the cable to be bent to an acceptable radius of curvature, with respect to the nature of the cable, when iiTSert±ng the cable into the socket outlet, as distinct to what has previously been possible when the tensile load on the cable is relieved in a conventional manner, through the agency of the bottom plate of the socket outlet.