Patent Publication Number: US-8985586-B1

Title: Method and apparatus for sealing connections between electrical extension cords

Description:
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS 
     Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claim is identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the present application are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for sealing connections between electrical extension cords and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for protecting electrical extension cord connections from moisture by sealing a water-impermeable material around them. 
     Electrical extension cords are commonly used in outdoor or exposed environments, such as concert venues, sports venues, construction sites, and the like. Often connections between electrical extension cords must be placed in areas where they are exposed to moisture or weather, including rain, snow, and ice. Electrical connections that are exposed to water create an increased risk of electric shock. Also, the equipment that is connected to the electrical cords, such as cameras, microphones, monitors, lights, etc., may be damaged if the electrical connections become wet and cause a short in the electrical circuit. 
     Prior methods of sealing or protecting connections between electrical extension cords are inefficient and not entirely effective. In some situations it might be possible to simply place the connection in an area where it will not get wet such as under a roof or overhang. However, this is often not an option in outdoor settings because there is no such protected area available. One common method involves wrapping the connection with pieces of plastic or other waterproof material and then taping down the material at both ends with duct tape or electrical tape. This method is inconvenient and inefficient because it is often difficult and time consuming to wrap spare pieces of plastic around the connection and then try to tape it down. This method is also wasteful because it inevitably uses excess materials. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention, in one embodiment, takes the form of a sealing apparatus comprising a thin, flexible sheet of water-impermeable material that can be folded and sealed at its edges. This configuration allows the thin sheet to be folded around an electrical connection, such as a connection between two electrical extension cords, thereby sealing the connection from moisture. A relatively narrow strip of adhesive material is applied to the edge of the thin sheet and preferably extends completely around its perimeter, such that when the sheet is folded, the mating edges of the sheet adhere to each other and create a seal. 
     In another embodiment the invention takes the form of a sealing apparatus comprising a sleeve made of a thin, flexible, water-impermeable material. The sleeve is configured to slide over an electrical connection, such as a connection between two electrical extension cords, and then be sealed at both open ends, such that the connection is sealed inside the sleeve. A relatively narrow strip of adhesive material is applied to the inside edge of each open end of the sleeve, such that when the open ends of the sleeve are pressed closed, they create a seal. The sleeve optionally may have a crease. 
     The sealing apparatus advantageously is a disposable, one-time, temporary use item. After the sealing apparatus is applied, it may remain in place to protect the extension cord connection from moisture, etc., as long as required during the concert, sports event, construction or other activity requiring electricity. Once the activity requiring electricity is over, the sealing apparatus may be easily removed by pulling it apart or cutting it from the extension cords, and then it may be thrown away. The sealing apparatus is thus a simple solution to the problem of protecting electrical extension cords from moisture and other elements. It is quick and easy to use, and it provides a fast, inexpensive, and efficient way to cover and protect extension cord connections. 
     These and other aspects and features of the invention will become more apparent upon reference to the accompanying drawings and description, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a sealing apparatus for sealing an electrical connection according to a first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a sealing apparatus for sealing an electrical connection according to a second embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus for sealing an electrical connection is provided. By way of example, the electrical connection may comprise a connection between two electrical power cords. In one embodiment, the electrical power cords comprise conventional outdoor extension cords of the type use at venues, such as concerts and construction sites. The extension cords also could be used around the home in non-commercial settings, as well, either indoors or outdoors as may be necessary to protect the electrical connection between the extension cords. As one example, the extension cords may be three-prong extension cords rated for outdoor use. 
     In one embodiment, the sealing apparatus is configured, generally, as a relatively thin sheet of water-impermeable material that is able to be sealed around a connection between two electrical extension cords, by means of an adhesive material applied to the thin sheet. The sealing apparatus is constructed from thin plastic or vinyl, or some other flexible, substantially water-impermeable material that is resistant to tearing. In some embodiments, the apparatus is in the form of a flat sheet. Optionally, the flat sheet may have a single crease that extends down the middle of the sheet. In other embodiments, the apparatus is in the form of an elongated tube-like sleeve. Optionally, the sleeve may have two creases along the length of the sleeve and on opposite sides, such that the sleeve lies flat when not in use. 
       FIG. 1  shows a first embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the sealing apparatus comprises a single flat sheet  1 , made from a substantially water-impermeable material, with a strip of adhesive  2  applied to the edges of the sheet and extending around the perimeter. Preferably, the adhesive strip  2  forms a border that extends continuously around the entire perimeter. In addition, a removable protective backing (not shown) preferably covers the adhesive strip until it is ready to be used. In the figure, the sheet is rectangular in shape, but other shapes are possible, such as a circle, oval, ellipse or rectangle with rounded corners. An optional crease  3  extends across the middle of the sheet and along a line of symmetry, such that when the sheet is folded along the crease, the edges of the sheet on one side of the crease  3  mate with the edges of the sheet on the other side. The crease  3  thus facilitates application of the sealing apparatus around the extension cords to more accurately mate the adhesive edges of the sheet and thereby ensure the best possible moisture-resistant connection. When the sheet is in the folded configuration, the narrow strip of adhesive on one side of the crease adheres to the strip of adhesive on the other side of the crease, and an adhesive-free center area  4  surrounds an electrical extension cord connection within a sealed volume. 
     The width W1 and the length L1 of the sheet  1  may be set according to the particular application. For most electrical extension cord connections, the width W1 will be between about 5 inches and about 9 inches, and the length L1 will be between about 6 inches and about 10 inches. However, other dimensions are possible depending on the particular size of the electrical connection to be sealed. In one embodiment, the width W1 is about 7 inches and the length L1 is about 8 inches. For particularly large connections the width W1 may be larger than 9 inches, and the length L1 may be larger than 10 inches. The width of the adhesive strip should be relatively small compared to the dimensions of the sheet. Preferably the width of the adhesive strip is between about ¼ inch and about ¾ inch. In one embodiment the width of the adhesive strip is about ½ inch. 
     To use the sealing apparatus of the first embodiment, an electrical extension cord connection or other type of electrical connection is placed within a center area  4  on one side of the sheet  1 . Any protective backing covering the adhesive strip  2  is removed. Then the sheet is folded along crease  3  and around the connection. The adhesive edges on one side of the crease are mated with the adhesive edges on the other side of the crease so that the edges adhere to each other. Then the mated edges are pressed together firmly, thereby creating a water tight seal and a sealed volume containing the electrical extension cord connection. 
     Alternatively, the electrical connection may be placed in the center area  4 , and the sheet  1  may be folded or rolled around the extension cords to seal them. In this way, the sheet  1  is wrapped around the electrical connection forming a sleeve-like enclosure, and the adhesive  2  is adhered to the portions of the sheet (on the opposite side) where there is no adhesive. Once the electrical connection has been wrapped up, the ends of the sheet may be pressed down firmly to seal the sheet around the electrical connection. 
       FIG. 2  shows a second embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment the sealing apparatus is generally in the shape of a sleeve  101 , made from a substantially water-impermeable material. The sleeve  101  has an opening  105  at each end, and a strip of adhesive  102  is applied around the inside edge of each opening  105 . Preferably, the adhesive strip is applied completely around the inside edge of each opening. The sleeve also preferably has two optional creases  103  along its entire length. The creases  103  are on diametrically opposite sides of the sleeve such that the sleeve lies flat when it is not being used. 
     Like the first embodiment, the width W2 and the length L2 of the sleeve  101  may be set according to the particular application. For most extension cord connections the width W2 will be between about 4 inches and about 8 inches, and the length L2 will be between about 8 inches and about 16 inches. However, other dimensions are possible depending on the size of the particular connection to be sealed. In one embodiment, the width W2 is about 6 inches and the length L2 is about 12 inches. Like the first embodiment, the width of the adhesive strip should be relatively small compared to the dimensions of the sheet. Preferably the width of the adhesive strip is between about ¼ inch and about ¾ inch. In one embodiment the width of the adhesive strip is about ½ inch. 
     To use the sealing apparatus of  FIG. 2 , by way of example, one electrical extension cord is placed into one of the sleeve openings  105  and completely through the sleeve  101  before connecting it to a second extension cord. The sleeve  101  is preferably moved over the extension cord past the connection end so that the two cords can be pluged into each other without the sleeve getting in the way. If desired, the extension cords may also be connected within the sleeve so that the sleeve does not have to be moved. If the sleeve is moved past the connection end before connecting the extension cords, then after connecting the cords the sleeve is moved back over the connection so that it surrounds the connection completely. Any protective backing that is covering the adhesive strips  102  is removed, and each open end  105  of the sleeve is firmly pressed closed. The openings are closed such that the adhesive strip  102  between the two optional creases  103  on one side of the opening  105  adheres to the adhesive strip between the two optional creases  103  on the other side of the opening  105 . This creates a sealed volume within the sleeve containing the connection. 
     The material used for the sealing apparatus should be water-impermeable, flexible, and durable. For example, a heavy-duty plastic or vinyl material that is resistant to tearing and leaks is preferable. The adhesive strip may be in the form of a double-sided adhesive tape that is applied to the appropriate portions of the apparatus, or adhesive may be applied directly to the apparatus in the appropriate locations. In either configuration, there is preferably a protective backing placed over the adhesive strips, which can be easily removed when a user is ready to use the apparatus. 
     The sealing apparatus in both embodiments comprises a disposable, one-time, temporary use item that is can be quickly and easily used to protect extension cords from moisture and other elements. After the sealing apparatus is applied, it may remain in place to protect the extension cord connection as long as required during the concert, sports event, construction or other event or activity requiring electricity. Once the event or activity requiring electricity is over, the sealing apparatus may be easily removed by pulling it apart or cutting it from the extension cords. Upon removal, the sealing apparatus may be discarded appropriately, and the extension cords may be coiled and stored for use at the next event or activity. 
     The sealing apparatus is thus a simple, disposable solution to the problem of protecting electrical extension cords from moisture and other elements. It is quick and easy to use, and it provides a fast, inexpensive, and efficient way to cover and protect extension cord connections. It is also quick and easy to remove, thus making the entire process of protecting the extension cords very simple from start to finish. 
     A sealing apparatus and method for sealing an electrical extension cord connection is provided as described above. While the structure of the apparatus has been described in terms of certain specific embodiments, there is no intention to limit the invention to the same. It should be understood that the foregoing is only illustrative of the principles of the invention, and that various modifications, alterations, and combinations can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims.