US3205473A - Electrical connectors - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 7, 1965 c. CROWTHER ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS Original Filed July 9, 1959 INVENTOR. EdmonaCCrowiher United States Patent 3,205,473 ELECTRICAL CONNECTQRS Edmond C. Crowther, Alden Park Manor, Philadelphia 44, Pa.

Uriginal application July 9, 1959, Ser. No. 826,017,'now Patent No. 3,083,348, dated Mar. 26, 1963. Divided and this application 'Aug. 1, 1962, Ser. No. 214,004

Claims. (Cl. 339-246) in a termination in order to pass from one conductor to another conductor. In addition to this there is a continuing problem of loosening of the termination between the two conductors. Prior terminations proposed to overcome these problems have presented additional problems in assembly which are tedious and diflicult for the user to solve.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved electrical termination means which because of its simplicity provides ease in operation.

A further object of this invention is to provide a termination means which is capable of being axially telescoped with the free end of a secondary conductor and which then can be operated to clamp said secondary conductor. Still another object of this invention is to provide a terminal means which is capable of telescopically accepting a straight section of the free end of a bare Wire and then deforming said wire in a single plane to provide a strain relief means due to the tortuous paths assumed by the clamped wire.

A further object of this invention is to provide a termination means adaptable to be formed in the free end of a primary conductor such as a bus bar.

Other objects of this invention will become more apparent when the specification is read in conjunction with the attached drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view in partial section of an embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the same device in released or unclamped position;

FIG. 4 is another modification to the present invention shown in perspective view and partially in section;

FIG. 5 is an end view taken along line 5-5 of the device shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 discloses still another modification to the present invention and is shown as a partially sectioned perspective view of said modification;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 77 of the modification shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an expanded view of a further embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is an illustration of the device shown in FIG. 8 in final assembled clamped position.

Referring now to the drawing, a terminal connector mean ztl which embodies the principles of this invention generally includes a body or base means 22, a restricting or clamping means 24 and a screw threaded operating means 26.

A device embodying principles of the present invention is shown in FIGURES 13. In this embodiment the base "ice means 22:: is provided with a pair of upstanding flange elements 56 and 58 along the opposite longitudinal edges of said base means 22a. The flange 56 has been removed in FIG. 1 for purposes of clarity in illustration. A third upstanding flange 60 is provided at the free end of the base 22a. Flange 60 is provided at the free end of the base 22a. Flange 60 has a lower portion 62 which projects outwardly and upwardly from the central portion of base means 22a and forms an obtuse included angle therewith. The upper or second portion 64 of flange 60 is substantially perpendicular to base beans 22a. At the opposite end and transverse to central portion 54 of base 22a there is provided a fourth upstanding flange 66 which with the other flange elements forms a cup-like member. The upper end of flange 66 is shown in this embodiment as being integral with a horizontally extending bus bar 67. Flange 60, in its upper portion 64, is provided with a pair of spaced apertures whose axes are parallel to the axis of the connector as a whole and are adapted for the acceptance of wires 50a.

The clamp means 24a is provided with a pair of depending fingers ttia and 42:: respectively along each longitudinal edge. These fingers 42:: are provided with an upturned portion 68 which is angularly complementary to the lower portion 62 of flange 69.

The screw element 26a is telescopically associated With clamping means 24a and is rotatably assembled thereto by suitable means such as the outstanding annular rib or shoulder 70. Screw 26a is also telescopically assembled with the screw threaded aperture 36a positioned centrally of the central portion 54 of the base means 22a. Thus retrograde movement of the screw 26a will jack up the clamping means 24a relative to the base means 22a by cooperation of the annular rib 70 with the underside of the clamping means 24a. To prevent inadvertent removal of this screw from the base means, the extremity of the threaded portion is deformed as at 72 by suitable means such as p-eening whereby the threads are distorted and removal is prevented.

In the operation of this embodiment of the invention, the hated ends of wires are inserted through apertures a until their free ends abut the flange 66. It should be noted that the wires in their initial form are substantially straight in configuration and circular in cross section as can be seen in FIG. 3. Tightening of the screw member 2611 moves the clamping means 24a relatively downwardly into juxtaposition with the central portion 54 of the base means 22a whereby the wires Silt: are distorted downwardly adjacent apertures 30a by the extension 68 of the fingers 42a so as to conform to the inner surface of the lower portion 62 of flange 64. Similarly, the fingers a and clamp 24:: compress the free ends as can be best seen in FIG. 2. The provision of the flange 66 as a stop means insures that an adequate amount of wire is introduced into the connector so that a suflicient area of wire is in contact between the central portion 54 and the wire a to insure a good electrical contact. The tortuous paths of the wire through aperture Stla and down the inside surface of the lower portion of 62 of flange 64, thence longitudinally of central portion 54 and finally compressed by finger 4th: results in a securely fastened connection. The wire is prevented from lateral movement by the ribbing of fingers 4th and 42:: as Well as the passageway defined by the flanges 56 and 58 when taken respectively in combination with the apertures 30a, the central portion of the base means 22a, the clamping means 24a and the screw means 26a. To remove the wire, the retrogarde motion of screw 26a will jack the clamp 24a upwardly relative to the base 2241 by means of shoulder and permit relatively easy axial movement of the wire even in kinked condition.

A modification to the present invention is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 wherein similar numerals are utilized to designate similar parts with the addition of the sufiix b. In this embodiment, the base means, 22b is formed to provide a central portion 54b which is substantially flat in the median portion thereof but tapers downwardly as at 80 in opposite directions along the longitudinal axis to the point of junction with upwardly extending flanges 28!) tion 62c.

and 66b, the said flanges being substantially perpendicular to the central portion 54b; vOneor more apertures 30]) are formed in flange 28b and are spaced verticallyfrom; the juncture of flange 28b with extension 80 and laterally from the free edges of said flange 28b. A threaded aperture 36b is formed centrally of central portion 5412. A

flange 32b extends along one edge of the central portion 54b and said angular extensions 80 and terminates in the vicinity of flanges 28b and 66b respectively. It is integral with median portion 5415 but is not attached to the edges of downwardly extending extensions 80. Said flange 321i has been removed in FIG. '4 for purposes of clarity in illustration but is shown in end view in FIG. 5.

Clamping means 24b is complementary in size and shape to the polygonal cup-like means defined by flanges28b, 32b, 66b and central base portion 54b. It is provided along one longitudinal edge with a pair of oppositely ex-- tending depending finger means 40b and42b. with at least one of said fingers being reversely, bent upwardly at its free end as. at 68b. On the opposite longitud-inaledge is a depending flange 46d adapted for engagement with central portion 54b opposite to flange 3215.. Clamping means 24b is provided with a central aperture 33b suitable for the 4. to conform to the inside angular relationship of lower por- It also compresses the end of the wire at its free extremity. The upstanding flange 65c acts as a stop means to predetermine the desired insert length for the wire 50c. p

The last embodiment to be discussed is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 ofthe drawings. While the function of this device is similar to the other embodiments, it is slightly different in physical arrangement. Similar numerals will be used to designate similar parts with the addition of the sutfix d. The base means22d is generally rectangular in shape and can be an independentmember .as shown, with suitable means acceptablein aperture 88 for fastening to the termination of a conductor, not shown, or as in the other embodiments may form an integral part of thefree end of a bus bar. Positioned along each longitudinal edge is an upturned transverse flange 90 and a depending 'anvil or finger 34d both of which arelanc/ed or sheared from the material within the margins oflthe base means 22d. A.screw threaded aperture 36d is centrally positioned in base means 22d intermediate the anvils 34d.

The clamping means 24;! is generally T-shaped in plan view with a pair of depending flanges 46d positioned at the A central aperture 38d is provided for the telescopic actelescopic acceptance of a screw threaded member 2611,

said screw threaded member 26b being rotatably assembled to clamping means 24b'by suitable means such as the substantially annular rib 705. As in the previous embodiments, the aperture b positioned in flange 28b is located in line with the fingers 40b and 42b and is parallel to but in spaced relation to the central portion 54b. Insertion of the wire 50b in a straight condition and the later downward actuation of the screw 26b results in a vertical distortion of the wire through the complementary anvil action of fingers 42b and 46b in cooperation with the downwardly extending portions 89. The clamping means 24b is nonrotatably associated with basemeans 22b by the cooperative association of its ends with the flanges 28b and 66 as well. as its side edge cooperating with the vertical flange 32b. The depending flange 46b which cooperates with the central portion 54b spacesthe surface of clamp 24b from the central portion 54b and thereby forestalls fracture of the wire 5% whendistorted by its bend between aperture 30band adjoining extension 81' Still another embodiment of this invention is disclosed in FIGS. 6 and 7 wherein similar numerals are utilized to it designate similar parts with the addition of the suflix In this embodiment the base means 220 is substantially identical-in configuration to the form shown in FIGS. 1

through 3 with the exception that a single Wire form is shown here instead of the double wireform shown above.

The single flange 56c has beenremoved in FIG. 6 for clarity of illustration but is clearly shown in'FIG. 7. The 0 end flange 600 is again provided with a lower portion 620 and an upper portion 64c. The upper portion 640 is substantially perpendicular to the central portion 540 and the lower portion 620 forms an'incl-uded obtuse angle therewith.

The clamping means 24c in this embodiment is substantially a domed washer having at least one flat edge 86fo1" cooperation with the flange 56c to prevent relative rotation between the members. is rotatably assembled to the screw means 26c by any suitable means of the type generally discussed previously.

Deformation of the wire takes place when the screw means 260 is rotated downwardly bringing the upturned margins of the dished washer at one end into engagement with the wire 50c whereby the latter is distorted downwardly The clamping member 240' ceptance of a screwv 26d, shown in phantom in FIG. 8 for clarity of illustration. The screw 26a is rotatably assembled to the clamp means 24dv so that clamp means 24d can be jacked relative to the base means 22d when the screw 26d is threadedly associated with the screw threaded aperture 36d. The operation of this device is similar to the first embodiment with the additional provision thatthe upturned flanges 90 act as stop means for the'measurement of wire'Stld. in the same fashion'as upturned flange 66 in the previous embodiments. Stops 90 also provide an abutment for preventing total collapse of fingers d while deforming the wire downwardly on anvil 34d. The positioning of'fin'gersdld is controlled so that their biting edge extends slightly beyond the complementary end edge 92 of baseZZd whereby said edge 92 acts as an anvil and in cooperation with fingers 42d distorts thewire a downwardly and away from the distortion created by fingers 40d. The rotation preventing means in this embodiment is provided by the cooperation of the inside'surfaces of downwardly depending flanges 46d and the .outer longitudinal margins of basemeans 22a in the area 'of the downwardly extending fingers 34d. To insure capturing of the wires SOo'the flanges 46d are of greater extent at the entering or, accepting end of the terminal means so as to insure no lateral movement of Y the wire 50d during the. clamping operation;

Thus, an improved terminal connector has been disclosed which provides for thedistortion of astraight sectioniof 'wire between non-rotatable. elementswhich are movable relative to one another; A tortuous path is described by the wire .after being clamped between the elements as well as providing a substantial extent of surface contact. between the wire and the terminal member. The

' means in place of screw 26. since this would result in the same jacking effect obtained by the devices disclosed herein. Each of the embodiments is capable of being formed at the free extremity of a bus bar whereby the contact. of the wire would be directly with the current source in the bus bar eliminating the resistance developed in a secondary connection means. If this is not feasible due to the size or material of the bus bar, then any of these embodiments shown above can be independently fabricated and fastened by suitable means such as welding, brazing, riveting, etc. to the conductor carrying the current source or be mounted as an independent element in a terminal board for the acceptance of one or more connectors from an external source.

While many other embodiments of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, it is the intent of the inventor to be limited only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An electrical connector for removably retaining a conducting wire including base means, clamping means and rotary threaded fastener means, all of said means in combination forming at least one passageway capable of accepting a substantially straight free end portion of said wire, complementary means on said base means and clamping means for distorting and impinging upon said wire, said distorting means on said base means including a first flange means extending outwardly at an obtuse angle from its juncture with said base means and thence upwardly substantially perpendicular to said base means, aperture means in the perpendicular portion of said first flange spaced axially from said base means and adapted to accept said wire to prevent vertical and lateral movement of said wire relative to said base means, depending substantially rigid finger means formed from within but parallel and adjacent to the margins of said clamping means which are complementary to said first flange means and adapted upon actuation of said fastener means to distort said wire downwardly from its initially straight inserted position as it extends into the connector between the base means and clamping means and located within the aperture in said first flange means so as to distort and clamp the wire against said base means in a tortuous path, said fastener means being rotatably connected to said clamping means whereby said clamping means can be jacked relative to said base means, imperforate second flange means extending upwardly from said base means in spaced opposition to the first mentioned flange means whereby said second flange means acts as a stop to limit the extent of insertion of said wire in its initially straight condition.

2. A device of the type claimed in claim 1 wherein said clamping means is complementary to said base means and engages said first and second flange means and is movable along said first and second flange means non-rotatably relative to said base means, said downwardly extending finger means being at least two in number and extending in opposite directions from the same side of said clamping means which are complemental to said extensions and which when said clamping means is moved toward said base form a tortuous path which distorts and clamps said wire. I

3. A device of the type claimed in claim 1 wherein said first flange means extends upwardly away from its juncture with said base means at an obtuse angle.

4. A device of the type claimed in claim 1 wherein said first flange means extends downwardly at an obtuse angle from its juncture with said base means.

5. A device of the type claimed in claim 1 wherein said base means includes a substantially flat median portion with said first and second flange means extending downwardly in opposite directions from said median portion and both thence extending upwardly substantially perpendicular to said median portion, said first flange means being provided with two apertures spaced from said base means and transversely spaced in said first flange means on opposite sides of a plane perpendicular to said flange means and passing through the axis of said fastener means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,758,978 5/30 Rosen 339-246 2,043,512 6/36 Hoover 339-272 X 2,305,503 12/42 Tenney 339-266 X 2,437,339 3/48 Webster. 2,712,123 6/55 Wibell et al. 339246 3,081,507 5/63 Gribble 339-246 X FOREIGN PATENTS 242,434 10/46 Sweden.

ALBERT H. KAMPE, Primary Examiner.

JOSEPH D. SEERS, Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR REMOVABLY RETAINING A CONDUCTING WIRE INCLUDING BASE MEANS, CLAMPING MEANS AND ROTARY THREADED FASTENER MEANS, ALL OF SAID MEANS IN COMBINATION FORMING AT LEAST ONE PASSAGEWAY CAPABLE OF ACCEPTING A SUBSTANTIALLY STRAIGHT FREE END PORTION OF SAID WIRE, COMPLEMENTARY MEANS ON SAID BASE MEANS AND CLAMPING MEANS FOR DISTORTING AND IMPINGING UPON SAID WIRE, SAID DISTORTING MEANS ON SAID BASE MEANS INCLUDING A FIRST FLANGE MEANS EXTENDING OUTWARDLY AT AN OBTUSE ANGLE FROM ITS JUNCTURE WITH SAID BASE MEANS AND THENCE UPWARDLY SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO SAID BASE MEANS, APERTURE MEANS IN THE PERPENDICULAR PORTION OF SAID FIRST FLANGE SPACED AXIALLY FROM SAID BASE MEANS AND ADAPTED TO ACCEPT SAID WIRE TO PREVENT VERTICAL AND LATERAL MOVEMENT OF SAID WIRE RELATIVE TO SAID BASE MEANS, DEPENDING SUBSTANTIALLY RIGID FINGER MEANS FORMED FROM WITHIN BUT PARALLEL AND ADJACENT TO THE MARGINS OF SAID CLAMPING MEANS WHICH ARE COMPLEMENTARY OF SAID FIRST FLANGE MEANS AND ADAPTED UPON ACTUATION OF SAID FASTENER MEANS TO DISTORT SAID WIRE DOWNWARDLY FROM ITS INITIALLY STRAIGHT INSERTED POSITION AS IT EXTENDS INTO THE CONNECTOR BETWEEN THE BASE MEANS AND CLAMPING MEANS AND LOCATED WITHIN THE APERTURE IN SAID FIRST FLANGE MEANS SO AS TO DISTORT AND CLAMP THE WIRE AGAINST SAID BASE MEANS IN A TORTUOUS PATH, SAID FASTENER MEANS BEING ROTATABLY CONNECTED TO SAID CLAMPING MEANS WHEREBY SAID CLAMPING MEANS CAN BE JACKED RELATIVE TO SAID BASE MEANS, IMPERFORATE SECOND FLANGE MEANS EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM SAID BASE MEANS IN SPACED OPPOSITION TO THE FIRST MENTIONED FLANGE MEANS WHEREBY SAID SECOND FLANGE MEANS ACTS AS A STOP TO LIMIT THE EXTENT OF INSERTION OF SAID WIRE IN ITS INITIAL STRAIGHT CONDITION.

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