Rotatable electrical connector for coiled telephone cord

Abstract

The low friction rotatable electrical connector is for use with a coiled telephone cord to prevent the cord from becoming twisted or tangled during use. This connector is generally of insulating material formed with a hollow housing for supporting a rotor assembly therein. This rotor assembly is a hollow cylinder that is positioned within the housing for relative rotation therein. One end wall of the housing has a circular opening in which one end of the rotor assembly is supported for rotation. The rotor assembly has a single longitudinal split for nearly the entire length thereof, but the split does not include the journal at one end that is located within the circular opening or bearing in the end wall of the housing. The rotor assembly supports a plurality of continuous conductive rings on the exterior thereof, and there is an insulating washer positioned between each pair of conductive rings to serve as a spacer between adjacent rings. Each conductive ring includes a separate insulated conductor on the underside that extends through the split in the rotor. There are several modifications of this invention, but each modification includes a plurality of spring wire contact elements mounted within the housing in a parallel array, where each wire contact element has a portion biased into continuous wiping contact with one of the continuous conductive rings for making a reliable electrical connection. The housing includes partitions interposed between the wire contact elements so as to stabilize and space them apart.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A low friction rotatable electrical connector for use with a coiled telephone cord, said connector comprising: a. a hollow insulated housing of generally cylindrical form that is split longitudinally into a base portion and a cover portion, and assembly means for holding the base and cover portions together, and a circular opening in at least one end wall of the cylindrical housing;   b. and a cylindrical rotor assembly of insulating material having a journal at one end that is rotatably mounted within the said circular opening so the rotor assembly may rotate freely relative to the hollow housing, the rotor assembly being a hollow cylindrical member having a single longitudinal split in the wall of the cylinder;   c. a plurality of continuous conductive rings mounted along the length of the rotor assembly and separated by a plurality of insulating washers, where there is a washer positioned between each adjacent pair of conductive rings to serve as a spacer between the rings, each conductive ring including a separate insulating conductor on the underside thereof for extending through the longitudinal split of the rotor extending out from the rotor through the hollow journal to an external termination means;   d. a plurality of spring wire contact elements mounted within the said base portion of the housing in a parallel array, each spring wire contact element having a portion biased into continuous wiping contact with one of the said continuous conductive rings for making a reliable electrical connection between the relatively movable hollow housing and its rotor assembly;   e. each of said plurality of spring wire contact elements being of hairpin shape, the said cover portion of the connector housing having a plurality of partitions to provide means to stabilize and space the contact elements apart.[...]..Iadd.;   f. the plurality of spring wire contact elements has one group extending vertically upwardly from the base portion to be at one side of said rotor assembly and a second group extending vertically upwardly from the base portion to be at the opposite side of said rotor assembly, so that said rotor assembly is positioned between the two groups of spring wire contact elements when the connector is assembled; and,   g. the two groups of spring wire contact elements are formed by a series of common pairs of spring wire contact elements, where each common pair of contact elements engages a separate one of said continuous conductive rings on the opposite sides thereof. .Iaddend. .[.2. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein the said plurality of spring wire contact elements has one group extending vertically upward from the base portion to be at one side of the rotor assembly and a second group extending vertically upward from the base portion to be at the opposite side of the rotor assembly, so that the said rotor assembly is positioned between the two groups of spring wire contact elements when the connector is assembled..]. .[.3. The invention as recited in claim 2 wherein the said two groups of spring wire contact elements are formed by a series of common pairs of spring wire contact elements, where each common pair of contact elements enagages a separate one of the said continuous conductive   
     
     
        rings on the opposite sides thereof..]. 4. The invention as recited in claim .[.3.]. .Iadd.1 .Iaddend.wherein the single longitudinal split in the wall of the cylindrical hollow rotor stops short of the said journal 
     
     
        so that the journal is unbroken. 5. The invention as recited in claim 4 wherein each spring wire contact element is of hairpin shape, having an outwardly bowed upright section, where the top of the contact element is formed at an reentrant angle that extends downwardly as a vertical wiping contact portion for engaging the side of one of the continuous conductive rings, wherein the spring wire contact elements exert substantially equal opposing forces against the opposite sides of the conductive rings to 
     
     
        provide a balanced rotating assemblage. 6. The invention as recited in claim 5 wherein the said rotor assembly is furnished with a journal on 
     
     
        both opposite ends thereof. 7. The invention as recited in claim 6 wherein a bearing is formed intermediate the length of the connector housing to 
     
     
        support the innermost journal therein. 8. The invention as recited in claim 6 wherein the opposite end wall of the connector housing has a circular opening aligned with the circular opening in the other end of the housing for supporting the two journals of the rotor assembly within the circular bearings of these two end walls, the said plurality of spring wire contact elements being molded into the base portion of the housing, where each common pair of contact elements is provided with external 
     
     
        terminal means extending through a sidewall of the base portion. 9. The invention as recited in claim 7 wherein a circuit board means is mounted within the said connector housing having a circuit element for cooperation with each opposing pair of spring wire contact elements, said circuit elements being joined to a second plurality of spring wire contact elements at one end of the connector housing that is opposite the said end wall that includes the circular bearing for receiving the journal of the rotor assembly, where this second plurality of spring wire contact elements serve as terminal means within a female socket built into that 
     
     
        end of the connector housing for receiving a male phone plug therein. 10. The invention as recited in claim 9 wherein the said partitions formed in the top cover portion of the connector housing extend downwardly into the lower base portion and engage the top surface of the circuit board for holding the circuit board firmly in place in the assembled condition of 
     
     
        the connector. 11. A low friction rotatable electrical connector for use with a coiled telephone cord, said connector comprising: a. a hollow insulated housing of generally cylindrical form that is split longitudinally into a base portion and a cover portion, and assembly means for holding the base and cover portions together;   b. and a hollow cylindrical rotor assembly of insulating material having a journal at each opposite end for supporting the rotor assembly within the said housing for freedom of relative rotational movement therebetween about a central longitudinal axis, the rotor assembly having a longitudinal slot in the wall thereof;   c. a plurality of continuous conductive rings mounted along the length of the rotor assembly, and separator means for spacing them apart from each other, each conductive ring having a separate insulated conductor integral therewith on the underside thereof and extending through the said longitudinal slot, and each conductor extending out one end of the rotor assembly and adapted for connection between the rotor assembly rings and a standard phone conductor;   d. a plurality of spring wire contact elements mounted within the said base portion of the housing in a vertical parallel array, each spring wire contact element being of hairpin shape having a free end portion biased into continuous wiping contact with one of the said conductive rings for making a reliable electrical connection between the relatively movable housing and rotor assembly, one-half of the spring wire contacts being on the two opposite of the rotor assembly to balance the spring forces acting upon the rotor assembly, the said spring wire contact elements having terminal means that cooperate together for joining the housing contacts to a standard phone connector;   e. the said cover portion of the housing having partition means extending between adjacent spring wire contact elements to both stabilize the contacts and space them apart.[...]..Iadd.; and,   f. the opposite end wall of the hollow housing has a circular opening for   
     
     
        receiving the second journal of the rotor assembly. .Iaddend.12. The invention as recited in claim 11 wherein there are four continuous conductive rings mounted on the rotor assembly, and there is an opposing pair of spring wire contact elements wiping each conductive ring, where each opposing pair of contact elements is joined together to be in common 
     
     
        with each other and having a single terminal means. 13. The invention as recited in claim 11 where there is but a single spring wire contact element in wiping contact with each continuous conductive ring, where adjacent rings are furnished with spring wire contacts on opposite sides 
     
     
        of the rotor assembly. 14. The invention as recited in claim 11 wherein one end wall of the cylindrical housing is furnished with a circular opening for receiving the journal of the rotor assembly therein, the housing having a bearing intermediate the length thereof for receiving the second journal of the rotor assembly therein. .[.15. The invneition as recited in claim 11 wherein the opposite end wall of the hollow housing has a circular opening for receiving the second journal of the rotor 
     
     
        assembly..]. 16. The invention as recited in claim 11 wherein the said plurality of spring wire contact elements that are mounted in the base portion is supported therein on a circuit board that is clamped in place 
     
     
        by the cover portion of the housing. 17. The invention as recited in claim 11 wherein the said plurality of spring wire contact elements has fixed ends that are molded into the said base portion of the housing, and these said spring wire contact elements have terminal means that extend out through a sidewall of the base portion for joining to a phone connector. 
     
     
        .Iadd.18.  A low friction rotatable connector for use with a coiled telephone cord, comprising: a) a housing comprised of an insulating material and having an opening extending therethrough between a first end and a second end;   b) an insert comprised of insulating material positioned in said housing;   c) a rotor assembly comprised of an insulating material journaled in said housing for permitting rotation of said housing relative to said rotor assembly;   d) a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart conductor means disposed about said rotor assembly;   e) first circuit means extending from said rotor assembly, said first circuit means including a plurality of first circuit elements and each of said first circuit elements in circuit connection with one of said conductor means;   f) a plurality of resilient contact means associated with and extending from said insert, each of said contact means wipingly engaged with one of said conductor means for maintaining circuit connection therewith;   g) second circuit means disposed in said housing, said second circuit means including a plurality of second circuit elements and each of said second circuit elements in circuit connection with one of said contact means and one of said circuit means for connection with a telephone handset and the other of said circuit means for connection with a telephone base for maintaining a continuous circuit between the handset and the base;   h) said conductor means being disposed proximate one of said ends; and,   i) each of said contact means including a first portion in wiping contact with the associated conductor means and a second portion extending therefrom to the other of said ends. .Iaddend. .Iadd.19. The connector of claim 18, wherein:   a) said insert including a generally planar portion with a first and a second surface and said insert extending substantially between said first and second ends; and,   b) said first portions being disposed proximate said first surface and said second portions being disposed substantially along said second surface.   
     
     
        .Iaddend. .Iadd.20.  The connector of claim 19, wherein: a) each of said second portions including an apex proximate said second end from which a third portion comprising a second circuit element extends above said first surface. .Iaddend. .Iadd.21. The connector of claim 18, wherein:   a) each of said first portions including a hairpin element for maintaining wiping contact with the associated conductor means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.22. The connector of claim 21, wherein:   a) there being at least four connector means and at least one contact means for each conductor means;   b) said rotor assembly being centrally positioned relative to said insert for dividing said insert into first and second side portions; and,   c) said contact means first portion being disposed along said side portions so that an equal number of contact means are positioned along said first and second side portions. .Iaddend. .Iadd.23. The connector of claim 22, wherein:   a) said rotor assembly being disposed above said first surface. .Iaddend. .Iadd.24. The connector of claim 20, wherein:   a) means being associated with said insert engageable with each of said third portions for maintaining positioning of said third portions and preventing contact therebetween. .Iaddend. .Iadd.25. The connector of claim 18, wherein:   a) said rotor assembly including aperture means extending therethrough; and,   b) said first circuit elements each including a portion extending through said aperture means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.26. The connector of claim 18, wherein:   a) said rotor assembly including a cylindrical portion disposed within said housing;   b) a plurality of annular recesses being disposed in said spaced longitudinal relation along said cylindrical portion; and,   c) each of said conductor means being positioned in one of said recesses so that adjacent conductor means are separated by an insulating element. .Iaddend. .Iadd.27. The connector of claim 26, wherein:   a) said conductor mean each being annular in plan and having an outer diameter less than the outer diameter of said cylindrical portion whereby said insulating elements position said contact means and prevent contact between adjacent contact means; and,   b) said conductor means rotating on the axis of said rotor assembly. .Iaddend. .Iadd.28. The connector of claim 19, wherein:   a) means being associated with said housing for maintaining said insert in said housing and for positioning said insert relative to said rotor assembly. .Iaddend. .Iadd.29. The connector of claim 27, wherein:   a) means being associated with each of said conductor means for preventing   
     
     
        rotation thereof relative to said rotor assembly. .Iaddend. .Iadd.30.  The connector of claim 23, wherein: a) said rotor assembly being rotatable on an axis disposed centrally of said housing. .Iaddend. .Iadd.31. The connector of claim 27, wherein:   a) said conductor means and said contact means being comprised of a solderable copper containing material. .Iaddend. .Iadd.32. The connector of claim 18, wherein:   a) said first circuit means including a male plug portion; and,   b) said second circuit means including a female receptacle portion. .Iaddend. .Iadd.33. The connector of claim 32, wherein:   a) means being operably associated with said insert for journaling said rotor assembly. .Iaddend. .Iadd.34. The connector of claim 18, wherein:   a) said contact means and said second circuit means being integral. .Iaddend. .Iadd.35. A low friction rotatable electrical connector for use with a coiled telephone cord, comprising:   a) a housing comprised of an insulating material and having an opening extending therethrough between a first end and a second end;   b) a generally cylindrical rotor assembly comprised of an insulating material journaled in said housing first end and permitting rotation of said rotor assembly relative to said housing;   c) a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart conductor means disposed about said rotor assembly and rotatable therewith;   d) first circuit means extending from said rotor assembly, said first circuit means including a plurality of first circuit elements and each first circuit element having a portion in circuit connection with one of said conductor means;   e) a plurality of resilient contact means positioned in said housing and each contact means having a first portion in wiping contact with one of said conductor means for maintaining circuit connection therewith;   f) said contact means including circuit means extending towards said second end and said second circuit means including a plurality of second circuit elements and each of said second circuit elements in circuit connection with one of said contact means and one of said circuit means for connection with a telephone handset and the other of said circuit means for connection with a telephone base so that a continuous circuit is maintained between the handset and the base;   g) said conductor means being disposed proximate said first end;   h) said contact means including a second portion disposed proximate said second end;   i) each second portion terminating in an apex proximate said second end; and,   j) a third portion comprising a second circuit element extending from said apex angularly disposed to the axis of said rotor assembly. .Iaddend. .Iadd.36. The connector of claim 35, wherein:   a) a plurality of recesses disposed about said rotor assembly and said recesses being longitudinally spaced apart by an insulating element; and,   b) each of said conductor means being mounted in one of said recesses and said conductor means each being annular in plan and having an outer diameter less than the outer diameter of said rotor assembly so that the insulating element between adjacent recesses positions said contact means apart and prevents contact between adjacent contact means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.37. The connector of claim 25, wherein:   a) each contact means first portion being disposed generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of said rotor assembly and said second portion extending generally parallel to the axis of said rotor assembly. .Iaddend. .Iadd.38. The connector of claim 35, wherein:   a) each first portion including a hairpin having a portion in wiping engagement with the associated conductor means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.39. The connector of claim 35, wherein:   a) said rotor assembly being centrally positioned in said housing and dividing said housing into first and second housing portions; and,   b) each of said first portions being positioned in one of said housing portions and there being an equal number of first portions in each housing portion for maintaining said rotor assembly centrally of said housing. .Iaddend. .Iadd.40. The connector of claim 35, wherein:   a) said rotor assembly including central aperture means; and,   b) said first circuit means including a portion extending through said aperture means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.41. The connector of claim 40, wherein:   a) said first circuit means including a male plug portion; and,   b) said second circuit means including a female socket portion. .Iaddend. .Iadd.42. The connector of claim 35, further comprising:   a) an insert being removably positioned in said housing and extending substantially between said ends;   b) said contact means extending along said insert; and,   c) means being operably associated with said insert for journaling said rotor assembly. .Iaddend. .Iadd.43. The connector of claim 42, wherein:   a) said insert having a substantially planar surface and said first portion extending generally perpendicular to said surface. .Iaddend. .Iadd.44. The connector of claim 43, wherein:   a) means being associated with said housing for maintaining said insert in a preselected position; and,   b) the longitudinal axis of said rotor assembly extending parallel to and spaced from said surface. .Iaddend. .Iadd.45. The connector of claim 43, wherein:   a) said contact means each including a second portion extending along said surface and terminating in an apex proximate said second end; and,   b) a third contact portion comprising a second circuit element extending from said apex at an acute angle to said surface and being disposed adjacent a second surface of said insert parallel to said first mentioned surface. .Iaddend. .Iadd.46. The connector of claim 45, wherein:   a) said insert including an end wall portion proximate said second end; and,   b) a plurality of grooves being disposed in said end wall, each of said apexes being received in one of said grooves for maintaining said contact means apart. .Iaddend. .Iadd.47. The connector of claim 45, wherein:   a) means being associated with said insert for receiving said third portions and for maintaining said third portions spaced apart and for permitting said third portions to flex. .Iaddend. .Iadd.48. The connector of claim 35, wherein:   a) said rotor assembly including a portion extending coaxially from said conductor means; and,   b) means being positioned in said housing for rotatably receiving said coaxial portion and thereby permitting rotation of said housing relative to said rotor assembly. .Iaddend. .Iadd.49. The connector of claim 35, wherein:   a) said contact means and said second circuit means being integral. .Iaddend.