Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
In a connector comprising a cord, a plug attached to an end of the cord, said plug having a body portion and a resilient tab angularly extending from the body portion, said tab having a free end and being movable towards the body portion when depressed, said tab having first interconnecting engaging means for releasably engaging second interconnecting engaging means of a receptacle to releasably connect the plug to the receptacle, said plug being adapted to be disengaged from the receptacle upon depressing said tab, the improvement comprising a boot mounted on the cord in a position where it cooperates with the plug to prevent snagging of the tab when pulling or snaking the cord backwards through a space having obstructions therein, said boot comprising a housing having an opening formed therein for receiving the body portion of the plug, and a pair of spaced apart, rigid wings each having upper edge margins which extend above and beyond the free end of the tab when the boot is assembled with the plug for protecting the tab from being snagged by said obstructions by preventing the latter from engaging said tab, said tab being located between the wings such that the tab may be depressed without substantial interference from the wings.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
In a connector comprising a cord, a plug attached to an end of the cord, said plug having a body portion and a resilient tab angularly extending from the body portion, said tab having a free end and being movable towards the body portion when depressed, said tab having first interconnecting engaging means for releasably engaging second interconnecting engaging means of a receptacle to releasably connect the plug to the receptacle, said plug being adapted to be disengaged from the receptacle upon depressing said tab, the improvement comprising a boot mounted on the cord in a position where it cooperates with the plug to prevent snagging of the tab when pulling or snaking the cord backwards through a space having obstructions therein, said boot comprising a housing having an opening formed therein for receiving the body portion of the plug, and a pair of spaced apart, rigid wings each having upper edge margins which extend above and beyond the free end of the tab when the boot is assembled with the plug for protecting the tab from being snagged by said obstructions by preventing the latter from engaging said tab, said tab being located between the wings such that the tab may be depressed without substantial interference from the wings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The boot as set forth in claim 1, said wings extending from opposite sides of the housing at an angle intersecting the angle of the tab whereby, when the cord and plug are pulled backwards through a space, the wings slidably move past any obstructions within the space.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The boot as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a strain relief section integral with the housing for strengthening the connection of the cord and the plug.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The boot as set forth in claim 1, said housing and wings of the boot being of molded plastic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
The boot as set forth in claim 1, said opening of the housing being rectangular and sized to receive the rectangular body portion of the plug therein, said housing further including a top wall spaced between the wings, said top wall having a slot formed therein so as to provide clearance for permitting maximum downward flexing of said tab.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The boot as set forth in claim 1, the housing being of two piece construction having two sections releasably attachable to each other along respective edges for permitting attachment of the boot to the cord without having to slip it over the end of the cord.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The boot as set forth in claim 1, the housing comprising a bottom wall, two side walls and a top wall which combine to define a generally rectangular-shaped opening sized for receiving the body portion of the plug.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The boot as set forth in claim 7, the wings extending upwardly from respective side walls and being integral therewith.