Patent Publication Number: US-11038315-B2

Title: Electrical connector tool

Description:
FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to the field of tools, and more particularly, to tools for assisting operators with connecting electrical connectors. 
     BACKGROUND 
     There are various applications where an operator, technician, mechanic, etc., is tasked with plugging a large electrical plug into a large electrical receptacle, such as concerts, amusement parks, manufacturing floors, etc. An operator may have to exert high forces to fully connect the plug into the receptacle. The forces may be so great that operators with low strength capabilities cannot perform these tasks. Also, performing such tasks may expose an operator to Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs), such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tendinitis. This adversely affects production and quality of life for the operator. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments described herein provide for an electrical connector tool and associated method to assist an operator with connecting electrical connectors, such as large electrical connectors. As an overview, the electrical connector tool includes U-shaped cradles that are mounted on jaw members of a bar clamp. One of the electrical connectors (e.g., a male connector) is inserted (i.e., transversely) through the top of one of the cradles, and a front side of the cradle abuts a flange on the electrical connector. The other electrical connector (e.g., a female connector) is inserted through the top of the other cradle, and a front side of the other cradle abuts a flange on the other electrical connector. As the bar clamp draws the cradles together, the electrical connectors are squeezed between the cradles until they are fully connected. With this electrical connector tool, the amount of force exerted by an operator to connect large electrical connectors is significantly reduced. One technical benefit is that operators will experience less muscle fatigue throughout the workday, and the risk of MSDs is reduced. Another technical benefit is that operators with lower strength capabilities or with only one hand/arm are able to connect large electrical connectors, which can assist employers in complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 
     One embodiment comprises an apparatus for an electrical connector tool. The apparatus comprises a first U-shaped cradle and a second U-shaped cradle. Each of the first U-shaped cradle and the second U-shaped cradle comprises a contact surface on a front side configured to contact a flange on an electrical connector, and a jaw mount configured to mount on a jaw member of a bar clamp. 
     In another embodiment, each of the first U-shaped cradle and the second U-shaped cradle comprises a main body member, and a pair of arms that project from a top side of the main body member. The arms are spaced apart by a gap, and are coplanar along the contact surface. 
     In another embodiment, the arms project in parallel from the top side of the main body member. 
     In another embodiment, the gap between the arms is dimensioned so that an outer surface of the electrical connector fits between the arms. 
     In another embodiment, the jaw mount comprises a T-slot formed in the main body member that extends from a bottom side of the main body member toward the top side of the main body member. 
     In another embodiment, the T-slot includes a base surface disposed at a depth from a back side of the main body member, and the base surface is oriented at an angle to the contact surface. 
     In another embodiment, the base surface slants from the bottom side of the main body member toward the contact surface at an angle in the range of 3-7 degrees. 
     In another embodiment, the T-slot is dimensioned to receive a jaw pad on the jaw member with the base surface abutting a pressing face of the jaw pad. 
     In another embodiment, each of the first U-shaped cradle and the second U-shaped cradle comprises one or more index pins in one or both of the arms that project from the contact surface. 
     In another embodiment, the index pin(s) projects perpendicularly from the contact surface. 
     Another embodiment comprises a method of connecting electrical connectors with an electrical connector tool. The method includes mounting a first U-shaped cradle to a first jaw member of a bar clamp, and mounting a second U-shaped cradle to a second jaw member of the bar clamp so that a first contact surface of the first U-shaped cradle faces a second contact surface of the second U-shaped cradle. The method further includes positioning a first electrical connector in the first U-shaped cradle so that the first contact surface of the first U-shaped cradle contacts a first flange on the first electrical connector. The method further includes positioning a second electrical connector in the second U-shaped cradle so that the second contact surface of the second U-shaped cradle contacts a second flange on the second electrical connector. The method further includes moving the second U-shaped cradle toward the first U-shaped cradle via the bar clamp to connect the second electrical connector with the first electrical connector. 
     In another embodiment, the method includes inserting an index pin(s) that projects from the first contact surface of the first U-shaped cradle through an index hole(s) in the first flange on the first electrical connector, and inserting an index pin(s) that projects from the second contact surface of the second U-shaped cradle through an index hole(s) in the second flange on the second electrical connector. 
     In another embodiment, the bar clamp comprises a ratcheting bar clamp. The step of moving the second U-shaped cradle toward the first U-shaped cradle comprises squeezing a trigger on a ratcheting handle of the ratcheting bar clamp. 
     In another embodiment, the method includes fabricating the first U-shaped cradle and the second U-shaped cradle via 3D printing. 
     Another embodiment comprises an electrical connector tool. The electrical connector tool includes a bar clamp including a fixed jaw member fixedly attached to a slide bar, and a movable jaw member movably attached to the slide bar. The electrical connector tool includes a first U-shaped cradle mounted on the fixed jaw member, and a second U-shaped cradle mounted on the movable jaw member. The first U-shaped cradle has a contact surface configured to contact a flange on a first electrical connector when the first electrical connector is positioned in the first U-shaped cradle. The second U-shaped cradle has a contact surface configured to contact a flange on a second electrical connector when the second electrical connector is positioned in the second U-shaped cradle. The bar clamp further includes a ratcheting handle configured to move the movable jaw member toward the fixed jaw member to compress the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector between the first U-shaped cradle and the second U-shaped cradle. 
     In another embodiment, the first U-shaped cradle includes one or more index pins that project from the contact surface of the first U-shaped cradle, and are configured to be inserted through one or more index holes in the flange on the first electrical connector. The second U-shaped cradle includes one or more index pins that project from the contact surface of the second U-shaped cradle, and are configured to be inserted through one or more index holes in the flange on the second electrical connector. 
     In another embodiment, the index pin(s) of the first U-shaped cradle and the index pin(s) of the second U-shaped cradle are cone shaped. 
     In another embodiment, each of the first U-shaped cradle and the second U-shaped cradle comprises a main body member, and a pair of arms that project in parallel from a top side of the main body member. The arms are spaced apart by a gap, and are coplanar along the contact surface. 
     In another embodiment, the main body member includes a T-slot that extends from a bottom side of the main body member toward the top side of the main body member. The T-slot is dimensioned to receive a jaw pad on the fixed jaw member or moveable jaw member with a base surface abutting a pressing face of the jaw pad. The base surface of the T-slot is oriented at an angle to the contact surface. 
     In another embodiment, the base surface slants from the bottom side of the main body member toward the contact surface at an angle in the range of 3-7 degrees. 
     The features, functions, and advantages that have been discussed can be achieved independently in various embodiments or may be combined in yet other embodiments, further details of which can be seen with reference to the following description and drawings. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Some embodiments of the present invention are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference number represents the same element or the same type of element on all drawings. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a plug and connector assembly. 
         FIGS. 2-3  illustrate an electrical connector tool in an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a cradle in an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a front side of a cradle in an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is another perspective view of a cradle in an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a back side of a cradle in an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a bottom side of a cradle in an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of a cradle in an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating an electrical connector tool in an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates one electrical connector aligned with another electrical connector in an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates an electrical connector placed in a cradle in an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates another electrical connector placed in another cradle in an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates an electrical connector tool squeezing electrical connectors to complete an electrical connection in an illustrative embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The figures and the following description illustrate specific exemplary embodiments. It will be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles described herein and are included within the contemplated scope of the claims that follow this description. Furthermore, any examples described herein are intended to aid in understanding the principles of the disclosure, and are to be construed as being without limitation. As a result, this disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments or examples described below, but by the claims and their equivalents. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a plug and connector assembly  100 . Assembly  100  includes an electrical cord  110  with an electrical connector  120  installed at one end of electrical cord  110 . Assembly  100  also includes an electrical cord  111  with an electrical connector  140  installed at one end of electrical cord  111 . Electrical connector  120  is configured to mate or join with electrical connector  140  to create an electric circuit. 
     Electrical connector  120  includes a handle  122  (or housing) connected at one end to electrical cord  110 , and connected at the other end to a male-ended plug  124 . Handle  122  is substantially hollow to provide a passageway for the conductors (not shown) of electrical cord  110  to connect with plug  124 . Plug  124  includes a sleeve  128 , and one or more (male) pins  130  (or terminals) that electrically connect with the conductors of electrical cord  110 . Electrical connector  120  also includes a flange  132  that projects radially from a periphery or outer surface  134  of electrical connector  120 . Outer surface  134  of electrical connector  120  may generally have a cylindrical shape or profile due to the shape of handle  122 , plug  124 , sleeve  128 , etc., although other shapes are considered herein. Flange  132  may project around the circumference of outer surface  134 , or a portion of the circumference. Flange  132  may be molded with handle  122  or plug  124 , or may be an accessory attached between handle  122  and plug  124 , such as a draw plate. Flange  132  may be formed from a rigid material, such as plastic, and may include one or more index holes  136  as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Electrical connector  140  includes a handle  142  connected at one end to electrical cord  111 , and connected at the other end to a female-ended receptacle  144  (or socket). Handle  142  is substantially hollow to provide a passageway for the conductors of electrical cord  111  to connect with receptacle  144 . Receptacle  144  includes an annular cavity  148  that accommodates sleeve  128  of plug  124 , and one or more (female) terminals  150  that electrically connect with the conductors of electrical cord  111 . Terminals  150  are configured to mate with pins  130  of plug  124 . Electrical connector  140  also includes a flange  152  that projects radially from a periphery or outer surface  154  of electrical connector  140 . Outer surface  154  of electrical connector  140  may generally have a cylindrical shape or profile due to the shape of handle  142  and receptacle  144 , although other shapes are considered herein. Flange  152  may project around the circumference of outer surface  154 , or a portion of the circumference. Flange  152  may be molded with handle  142  or receptacle  144 , or may be an accessory attached between handle  142  and receptacle  144 , such as a draw plate. Flange  152  may be formed from a rigid material, and may include one or more index holes  156  as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     The characterization of electrical connectors  120 / 140  in  FIG. 1  is one example. However, the pinout, physical construction, size, etc., of electrical connectors  120 / 140  may vary in other examples. 
     Electrical connectors  120 / 140  may represent “large” electrical connectors, which are larger than a typical electrical connector used for 120-volt applications. For example, electrical connectors  120 / 140  may be rated for 480 volts or more. In large electrical connectors such as this, the contact resistance between the electrical connectors may be high. For instance, the contact resistance between sleeve  128  and annular cavity  148  and/or the contact resistance between pins  130  and terminals  150  may make it difficult for an operator to fully insert plug  124  into receptacle  144 . The following embodiments set forth an electrical connector tool and associated method to assist an operator in coupling electrical connectors such as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIGS. 2-3  illustrate an electrical connector tool  200  in an illustrative embodiment. Electrical connector tool  200  is an apparatus or device configured to assist an operator in connecting electrical connectors. In  FIG. 2 , electrical connector tool  200  includes a bar clamp  210  and a pair of cradles  220 - 221 . Bar clamp  210  includes a slide bar  212  and jaw members  214 - 215 . In this embodiment, jaw member  214  is fixed to slide bar  212 , and jaw member  215  is slidably or movably mounted to slide bar  212 . Thus, the distance between jaw member  214  and jaw member  215  may be closed by movement of jaw member  215  along slide bar  212 . 
     Bar clamp  210  is a ratcheting type in this embodiment. Jaw member  215  is affixed to a ratcheting handle  218  having a ratcheting mechanism (not shown) activated by a trigger  219 . Squeezing of trigger  219  causes longitudinal translation of ratcheting handle  218 /jaw member  215  along slide bar  212  in the direction of jaw member  214 . Although a ratcheting bar clamp  210  is shown in  FIG. 2 , other types of bar clamps may be used which have one or more jaw members that slide toward one another along a slide bar. 
     Cradles  220 - 221  are configured to mount on jaw members  214 - 215 . Cradles  220 - 221  each have a U-shape to receive and straddle an electrical connector  120 / 140 . Cradles  220 - 221  are opposing as mounted on bar clamp  210 . In other words, cradles  220 - 221  are aligned in the longitudinal direction of bar clamp  210 , and are rotated 180 degrees in relation to each other so that the “front sides” of cradles  220 - 221  face each other. As will be described in more detail below, the front sides of cradles  220 - 221  will contact flanges on a pair of electrical connectors to squeeze the electrical connectors between cradles  220 - 221 . 
     In one embodiment, cradles  220 - 221  may be permanently affixed or formed on jaw members  214 - 215 . In another embodiment, cradles  220 - 221  may be temporarily or removably mounted on jaw members  214 - 215  as an accessory, such as shown in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 3  illustrates electrical connector tool  200  with cradles  220 - 221  removed from bar clamp  210 . Jaw members  214 - 215  include jaw pads  316 - 317 , respectively. A jaw pad  316 - 317  is the part of a jaw member  214 - 215  that contacts a workpiece during a normal clamping function, and applies a force via a pressing face  322 - 323 . Jaw pads  316 - 317  may be made from a softer material than jaw members  214 - 215  to avoid indenting or marring the surface of a workpiece. Cradles  220 - 221  are configured to slide onto jaw pads  316 - 317 , respectively, as shown in  FIG. 2 . When mounted in this manner, cradles  220 - 221  are aligned and face each other. 
     The following describes the structure of cradles  220 - 221 . Although the description refers to cradle  220 , cradle  221  may have a similar structure.  FIG. 4  is a perspective view of cradle  220  in an illustrative embodiment. Cradle  220  may be a unibody or multi-piece member formed from a rigid material, such as plastic, a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic, or another type of material. The structure of cradle  220  includes a main body member  404  and arms  406 - 407 . When oriented vertically as shown in  FIG. 4 , arms  406 - 407  project from a top side  410  of main body member  404  in parallel and are separated by a gap  418 . The structure of cradle  220  may be referred to as a U-shape, as arms  406 - 407  and the top side  410  of main body member  404  form a “U”. 
     The view in  FIG. 4  is of a front side  412  of cradle  220 . Front side  412  of cradle  220  (and consequently, the front side of main body member  404  and arms  406 - 407 ) is the side that faces cradle  221  when both are attached to bar clamp  210  as in  FIG. 2 . Front side  412  includes a contact surface  420  configured to abut or contact a flange  132 / 152  on an electrical connector  120 / 140 , and apply a longitudinal force against flange  132 / 152 . Contact surface  420  is formed by the surfaces of arms  406 - 407 , and at least a portion of a surface of main body member  404 . Contact surface  420  may be a substantially planar surface, and thus, arms  406 - 407  are coplanar along contact surface  420 . 
     Cradle  220  may also include one or more index pins  430  that project from contact surface  420 . Index pins  430  may project substantially perpendicular to contact surface  420  as shown in  FIG. 4 , or may project at a desired angle from contact surface  420 . Index pins  430  may be cylindrical, may be cone-shaped, or may have another shape. In one embodiment, index pins  430  may be integral with arms  406 - 407  (i.e., formed in the same fabrication process). In another embodiment, index pins  430  may be affixed to arms  406 - 407  in a separate fabrication process. For example, holes  432  may be formed in arms  406 - 407 , and index pins  430  may be pressed or otherwise fit into holes  432 . Index pins  430  may be made from the same material as arms  406 - 407 , or a different material. For example, arms  406 - 407  may be made from a plastic material while index pins  430  may be made from a metal. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates front side  412  of cradle  220  in an illustrative embodiment. The width (W 1 ) of gap  418  is defined by the separation between an inner surface  502  of arm  406  and an inner surface  503  of arm  407 . The width of gap  418  is dimensioned to accommodate an electrical connector. For instance, a typical electrical connector (i.e., electrical connector  120 / 140  in  FIG. 1 ) has an elongated handle with a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical outer surface. The handle of the electrical connector may be inserted between arms  406 - 407  of cradle  220  so that arms  406 - 407  straddle the handle. Gap  418  may be dimensioned to be slightly larger than the outer surface of the handle so that the handle fits between arms  406 - 407 . When a handle is inserted between arms  406 - 407 , a portion of the outer surface of the handle may contact an upper surface  510  of main body member  404 . Thus, a portion of upper surface  510  may be curved as shown in  FIG. 5  or otherwise shaped to correspond with the contour of the handle. 
       FIG. 6  is another perspective view of cradle  220  in an illustrative embodiment.  FIG. 6  shows a back side  612  of cradle  220 . Cradle  220  includes a jaw mount  620  that is configured to mount on or attach to a jaw member/jaw pad of a bar clamp, such as bar clamp  210 . Jaw mount  620  is configured to mount cradle  220  on a jaw member/jaw pad of a bar clamp in an up-right orientation so that the lengthwise axes of arms  406 - 407  are transverse to the longitudinal direction of the bar clamp. In one embodiment, jaw mount  620  comprises a mounting slot or T-slot  622 , which is a T-shape aperture in main body member  404  configured to receive a T-shaped feature on a bar clamp, such as a jaw member/jaw pad. Along its length, T-slot  622  extends from a bottom side  610  of cradle  220 /main body member  404  toward top side  410  of main body member  404  so that T-slot  622  may receive a T-shaped feature from the bottom side  610  of cradle  220 . T-slot  622 , along its length, is substantially centered in main body member  404  between lengthwise axes of arms  406 - 407 . The depth of T-slot  622  is from back side  612  of main body member  404 , and into an interior of main body member  404 . 
       FIGS. 7-9  further illustrate the configuration of T-slot  622 .  FIG. 7  illustrates back side  612  of cradle  220 . The bottom, interior surface of T-slot  622  is referred to as base surface  624 . Base surface  624  may comprise a substantially flat or planar surface configured to abut a pressing face  322 - 323  of a jaw pad  316 - 317 , which is described in more detail below. T-slot  622  also has a top surface  623  and opposing side surfaces  626 - 627 . The length (L 2 ) of T-slot  622  is a distance between bottom side  610  of cradle  220 /main body member  404  and top surface  623 . The width (W 2 ) of T-slot  622  is the maximum distance between side surfaces  626 - 627 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates bottom side  610  of cradle  220  in an illustrative embodiment. This figure illustrates the T-shaped design of T-slot  622 . The width (W 2 ) of T-slot  622  is wider in the interior of main body member  404  than at back side  612 . Thus, the distance between side surfaces  626 - 627  is wider proximate to base surface  624 , and narrows proximate to back side  612 . The narrowing of side surfaces  626 - 627  defines opposing grooves  802 - 803  of T-slot  622  that are sized for a jaw pad  316 - 317 . A jaw pad  316 - 317  may therefore be slid into grooves  802 - 803 , and interlock with grooves  802 - 803  to secure cradle  220  onto a jaw member  214 - 215 . When a jaw pad  316 - 317  is inserted in T-slot  622 , the top side of the jaw pad  316 - 317  contacts top surface  623 . The length (L 2 ) of T-slot  622  therefore defines how far a cradle  220  can slide onto a jaw pad  316 - 317 . Base surface  624  is defined by the depth (D 2 ) of T-slot  622  in reference to back side  612 . Base surface  624  abuts or contacts the pressing face  322 - 323  of the jaw pad  316 - 317  so that a force from pressing face  322 - 323  is applied to base surface  624 . T-slot  622  may be open at back side  612  to accommodate the shape of a jaw member  214 - 215 . The dimensions (e.g., length, width, and depth), shape, size, etc., of T-slot  622  may vary depending on the dimensions of the jaw member or jaw pad upon which cradle  220  is mounted. 
       FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of cradle  220  in an illustrative embodiment. The view in  FIG. 9  is across view arrows  9 - 9  in  FIG. 7 . In this embodiment, base surface  624  is angled in relation to contact surface  420 . Line  902  represents the plane of contact surface  420 , and line  903  represents the plane of base surface  624 . There is an angle  904  between contact surface  420  and base surface  624  in the range of 3-7 degrees. The angle  904  between contact surface  420  and base surface  624  acts to tip cradle  220  slightly backwards on a jaw member or jaw pad. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2-3 , cradle  220  may be mounted on jaw member  214  by inserting jaw pad  316  into T-slot  622 . Because jaw pad  316  and jaw member  214  have a T-shape, jaw pad  316  is able to slide into T-slot  622  until the top of jaw pad  316  contacts top surface  623 . When inserted, pressing face  322  of jaw pad  316  contacts base surface  624  of T-slot  622 . The sides of jaw pad  316  are positioned in grooves  802 - 803  of T-slot  622  to interlock jaw pad  316  with T-slot  622  in a slidable manner. Thus, although cradle  220  may be slid on and off jaw pad  316  in one direction, it is substantially secured on jaw pad  316  in the longitudinal direction of bar clamp  210  when jaw pad  316  is inserted in T-slot  622 . In other words, a longitudinal force from jaw pad  316  is translated to cradle  220  without detaching cradle  220  from jaw pad  316 . Cradle  221  may be mounted on jaw member  215  in a similar manner. 
       FIG. 10  is a flow chart illustrating a method  1000  of operating electrical connector tool  200  in an illustrative embodiment. The steps of method  1000  will be described with reference to electrical connector tool  200  in  FIGS. 2-9 , but those skilled in the art will appreciate that method  1000  may be performed with other tools. Also, the steps of the flow charts described herein are not all inclusive and may include other steps not shown, and the steps may be performed in an alternative order. 
     Method  1000  begins with the optional step of fabricating, manufacturing, or otherwise forming cradles  220 - 221  for electrical connector tool  200  (step  1002 ). An operator or other user may create or identify a Computer-Aided Design (CAD) model of the cradles  220 - 221 . The CAD model may be parametric so that the operator may set the width of gap  418  based on the size of the electrical connector, set the dimensions/shape of T-slot  622  based on the dimensions/shape of a jaw member/jaw pad on a bar clamp, etc. The operator may then fabricate the cradles  220 - 221  based on the CAD model, such as with 3D printing. 
     After forming or otherwise acquiring the cradles  220 - 221 , the operator installs, mounts, or otherwise attaches one of the cradles  220  on one of the jaw members of a bar clamp (step  1004 ), such as fixed jaw member  214 . To mount cradle  220 , the operator may insert jaw pad  316  into T-slot  622  of cradle  220 . When jaw pad  316  is fully inserted into T-slot  622 , cradle  220  is substantially secured on fixed jaw member  214 . The operator also installs, mounts, or otherwise attaches the other one of the cradles  221  on the other one of the jaw members of the bar clamp (step  1006 ), such as moveable jaw member  215 . To mount cradle  221 , the operator may insert jaw pad  317  into T-slot  622  of cradle  221 . When jaw pad  317  is fully inserted into T-slot  622 , cradle  221  is substantially secured on moveable jaw member  215 . When installed in this manner, contact surface  420  of cradle  220  faces contact surface  420  of cradle  221  (see  FIG. 2 ). The operator may separate cradles  220 - 221  on bar clamp  210  a desired distance for the following steps. 
     One assumption at this point is that the operator is tasked with connecting two electrical connectors  120 / 140  (see  FIG. 1 ). To begin, the operator may align plug  124  of electrical connector  120  with receptacle  144  of electrical connector  140 , and insert plug  124  into receptacle  144  a limited amount as shown in  FIG. 11 . The operator positions electrical connector  120  in cradle  220  (step  1008 ). More particularly, the operator places electrical connector  120  lengthwise between arms  406 - 407  of cradle  220  so that arms  406 - 407  straddle electrical connector  120  as shown in  FIG. 12 . With arms  406 - 407  straddling electrical connector  120 , the contact surface  420  of cradle  220  (see  FIG. 4 ) may be brought into contact with the flange  132  (e.g., draw plate) of electrical connector  120 . Contact surface  420  will contact a side of flange  132  that is facing electrical cord  110 , and that is opposite the side facing plug  124 . The operator may optionally insert index pins  430  of cradle  220  into index holes  136  of flange  132  (step  1010 ). 
     The operator positions the other electrical connector  140  in cradle  221  (step  1012 ). More particularly, the operator places the electrical connector  140  lengthwise between arms  406 - 407  of cradle  221  so that arms  406 - 407  straddle the electrical connector  140  as shown in  FIG. 13 . With arms  406 - 407  straddling the electrical connector  140 , the contact surface  420  of cradle  221  (see  FIG. 4 ) may be brought into contact with the flange  152  (e.g., draw plate) of electrical connector  140 . Contact surface  420  will contact a side of flange  152  that is facing electrical cord  111 , and that is opposite the side facing receptacle  144 . The operator may optionally insert index pins  430  of cradle  221  into index holes  156  of flange  152  (step  1014 ). 
     As evident in  FIG. 13 , electrical connectors  120 / 140  are sandwiched between cradles  220 - 221 . The operator then moves cradle  221  toward cradle  220  via bar clamp  210  (step  1016 ) as shown in  FIG. 14 . As cradle  221  is drawn toward cradle  220 , they force electrical connectors  120 / 140  together to make a full connection (i.e., plug  124  is fully inserted in receptacle  144 ). For instance, when bar clamp  210  is a ratcheting-type clamp as in  FIG. 2 , the operator may repeatedly squeeze the trigger  219  on ratcheting handle  218  to longitudinally translate cradle  221  along slide bar  212  toward cradle  220 . Contact surface  420  of cradle  220  exerts a force against flange  132  on electrical connector  120  in the direction of electrical connector  140  simultaneously as contact surface  420  of cradle  221  exerts a force against flange  152  on electrical connector  140  in the direction of electrical connector  120 . These opposing forces compress electrical connectors  120 / 140  together to fully insert plug  124  into receptacle  144 . The angle of cradles  220 - 221  on jaw members  214 - 215  and index pins  430  maintain the alignment of plug  124  and receptacle  144  as they are pressed together to avoid binding. 
     Electrical connector tool  200  advantageously allows the operator to use one hand to couple electrical connectors  120 / 140 , instead of having to grasp electrical connectors  120 / 140  with both hands and trying to insert plug  124  into receptacle  144 . The amount of exertion by the operator in squeezing trigger  219  on ratcheting handle  218  is much less than what is required to manually insert plug  124  into receptacle  144 . Thus, operators will experience less muscle fatigue throughout the workday. And, operators with weaker hand/arm muscles or operators with one hand may effectively couple electrical connectors  120 / 140  using electrical connector tool  200 . 
     Although specific embodiments were described herein, the scope is not limited to those specific embodiments. Rather, the scope is defined by the following claims and any equivalents thereof.