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EP0632529A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Spring clamp connector

Assignee: Whitaker LLC
•
Filing: 1994-06-01
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2014-06-01
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Abstract

Abstract Actuating means (8) for opening and closing a spring clamp terminal (7) mounted within a connector housing (4) is receivable within a cavity (24) of the housing (4). The actuating means (8) comprises a tapered first camming surface (38) for progressively biasing the spring clamp (7) open, and a second rest surface (40) for maintaining the spring clamp (7) open for reception of a wire (14) without requiring use of the tool (12). Once the wire has been placed in a wire receiving hole (56) of the spring clamp (7), the actuating means (8) can be released by tilting thereof about a pivot line (70) such that the spring arm (54) of the spring clamp (7) engages the first camming surface (38) hence pushing the actuating means outwardly of the cavity (24), thereby enabling clamping of the wire (14). <IMAGE>

Inventors

  • 👤 Rudolf Krämer

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-03 18:09
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R4/00; H01R4/28; H01R4/48; H01R4/4809; H01R4/4828; H01R4/4833; H01R4/4835; H01R4/4811; H01R4/4816

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 156 words
Actuating means (8) for connecting or disconnecting an electrical wire (14) to a spring clamp (7) mounted in a housing (4), the housing (4) comprising a cavity (24) for receiving the actuating means (8) adjacent the spring clamp (7), characterized in that the actuating means comprises camming means (36) engageable against the spring clamp (7), having a first surface (38) for progressively biasing the spring clamp (7) open by depressing the actuating means (8) further in the cavity (24) with exterior means (12), and a second surface (40) adjacent the first surface (38) for maintaining the spring clamp (7) fully open for receiving the wire (14) without requiring the exterior means (12), the actuating means (8) pivotable whilst in the fully open position such that the spring clamp (7) reengages the first surface (38) and presses the actuating means (8) outwardly of the cavity (24) thereby enabling the spring clamp (7) to clamp the wire (14).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 20 words
The actuating means of claim 1 characterized in that the actuating means (8) is comprised of a single moulded part.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 25 words
The actuating means of claims 1 or 2 characterized in that the actuating means (8) has an indent (46) for positioning the exterior means (12).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 112 words
The actuating means of any preceding claim characterized in that the actuating means (8) comprises a lower back surface (42), adjacent thereto an upper slanted back surface (44) and a pivot line (70) defined by the intersection therebetween; the lower back wall (42) substantially parallel to the second camming surface (40) and biased against a side wall (62) of the connector housing (4) when the actuating means (8) is in the fully open position, whereby the actuating means (8) is pivotable about the pivot line (70) such that the slanted upper surface (44) rotates towards the connector side wall (62) and the first camming surface (38) engages with the spring clamp (7).
Claim 5
Independent Claim 116 words
A method of electrically connecting a wire (14) to terminals (6) of a connector (2), characterized in by the steps of: a) providing a connector assembly comprising a connector housing (4), terminals (6) mounted therein attached to spring clamp connection means (7), actuating means (8) mounted in the connector housing (4) proximate the spring clamp (7); b) depressing the actuating means (8) with exterior means (12) until a fully inserted position; c) removing the exterior means (12) and inserting the wire (14) in the spring clamp (7); and d) releasing the actuation means (8) by pivoting thereof with exterior means (12) such that the wire (14) is clamped to the terminal (6) for electrical connection therewith.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 18 words
The method of claim 5 characterized in by providing the actuating means (8) of any of claims 1-4.

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