Patent ID: 7341483

Claim:
Electrical distributor apparatus including connector protecting means, comprising: (a) a rectangular distribution housing ( 2 ) having a horizontal top surface ( 2 a ); (b) a cylindrical socket member ( 5 ) having a vertical longitudinal axis, and an outer circumferential surface defining a socket diameter; (c) support means supporting said socket member in spaced relation above said housing top surface, said support means including: (1) a cylindrical first support member ( 6 ) arranged colinearly relative to said socket member between said socket member and said housing top surface, (2) said first support member having an outer circumferential surface with a diameter that is at least as large as the diameter of said socket member; (d) a cylindrical plug member ( 7 ) mounted colinearly on said first support member, said plug member having a lower end provided with a plurality of plug contacts in engagement with corresponding socket contacts on the upper end of said socket member, respectively; (e) a cable ( 8 ) extending from the upper end of said plug member, said cable including a plurality of conductors connected with said plug contacts, respectively; and (f) a vertical axially displaceable rigid tubular protective sleeve ( 9 ) having a lower end portion extending concentrically about, and slidably connected with, said first support member outer circumferential surface, (1) said sleeve being open-ended and having throughout its length a uniform internal diameter that is equal to said first support member given diameter; (2) said sleeve extending upwardly concentrically about the assembled plug and socket members, (3) said sleeve being axially displaceable relative to said housing, said socket member, said first support member, and said plug member.