US3710305A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solderless electrical outlet assembly for service cord
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-08-10
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Granted: 1973-01-09
•
Expires: 1991-08-10
Abstract
Abstract A solderless electrical outlet assembly utilizing a threaded shank effective to complete assembly of the components as well as to provide mechanical and electrical connections between an insulated conductor and a female contact strip. The screw employed for this purpose seats in a threaded well molded into the main body of the outlet assembly. The screw threads cut through the wire insulation prior to penetrating the surface of the conductor.
Inventors
- 👤 M Clark
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:41
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R4/00; H01R4/24; H01R24/00; H01R24/76; H01R4/2475; H01R4/2487; H01R2103/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
A solderless electric outlet assembly comprising a molded main body of non-conductive material having recess means opening through one face thereof accommodating and accurately positioning a pair of conductor strips, said main body having a first pair of threaded wells opening through the wall thereof, a second pair of wells opening through the wall of said main body and inclined acutely to the axis of an associated one of said threaded wells and opening through the sidewall of the latter near its inner end, said second wells being sized to have a close sliding fit with electrical conductor wire means, said conductor strips each having a portion projecting into the inner end of a respective one of said first wells, and a conductive screw installable in said first wells after conductor wire means has been inserted into said second wells, and said screw having sharp edges spiral crests which cut into and form a strong interlocking mechanical and electrical contact with said conductive wire means as the inner end portion of the screw makes firm electrical contact with said portion of an associated one of said conductor strips thereby to provide an effective solderless connection between one of said wire means and one of said conductive strips.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
207 words
A solderless electric outlet assembly comprising a molded main body of non-conductive material having recess means opening through one face thereof accommodating and accurately positioning a pair of conductor strips, said main body having a first pair of threaded wells opening through the wall thereof, a second pair of wells opening through the wall of said main body and inclined acutely to the axis of an associated one of said threaded wells and opening through the sidewall of the latter near its inner end, said second wells being sized to have a close sliding fit with electrical conductor wire means, said conductor strips each having a portion projecting into the inner end of a respective one of said first wells, and a conductive screw installable in said first wells after conductor wire means has been inserted into said second wells, and said screw having sharp edges spiral crests which cut into and form a strong interlocking mechanical and electrical contact with said conductive wire means as the inner end portion of the screw makes firm electrical contact with said portion of an associated one of said conductor strips thereby to provide an effective solderless connection between one of said wire means and one of said conductive strips.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
An outlet assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that the portions of said strips in contact with said screws extend crosswise of the inner ends of said first wells.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
An outlet assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said wire means includes an outer insulative sheath through which the crests of the threadS of said screws cut before penetrating into the wire itself.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
An outlet assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said screws have an outwardly flaring head which bottoms against a complementally shaped entrance end to said first pair of wells to limit the tightening movement of said screws as the same make full contact with said wire means and said portion of said conductive strips.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
An outlet assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that the thread along the side wall of said first wells is substantially larger and of different cross sectional shape than the thread of said screws to accommodate insulation dislodged by the screw thread.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
An outlet assembly as defined in claim 4 characterized in that the axes of said first wells lie generally crosswise of said main body and generally parallel to the outer face of said main body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
An outlet assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said screws lock said strips and said wire means assembly to said main body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
An outlet assembly as defined in claim 6 characterized in that said first and second pairs of wells open outwardly from the opposite lateral sides of said main body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
An outlet assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said main body and said strips extend parallel to one another along the opposite longer sides of said main body with their resilient ends adapted to make pressure contact with the male prongs of separate service cord male prongs.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
An outlet assembly as defined in claim 9 characterized in that said first and second pair of wells are located midway between the opposite ends of said strips.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
An outlet assembly as defined in claim 10 characterized in that said screws are insertable into said first wells from the opposite lateral sides of said main body.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
An outlet assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that at least one end of said conductive strips is positioned to have wiping resilient contact with the respective prongs of a service cord plug when inserted through passages therefor formed in said main body.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
An outlet assembly as defined in claim 12 characterized in that said conductive strips are similarly formed and positioned opposite separate pairs of passages each adapted to receive the prongs of a service cord plug.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
145 words
A solderless electrical outlet assembly comprising an elongated main body of non-conductive material, said main body having slots opening through one face of said main body, a pair of conductive strips having a close assembly fit in said slots, said main body having first and second pairs of wells extending thereinto at an acute angle to one another with the inner ends of their adjacent side walls merging, said first wells being threaded to mate with the sharp crest of the threads of a conductive hardened screw, said second wells being sized to have a snug sliding fit with an insulated wire the surface of which is penetrated at more than one point by the crest of said screw when properly installed in said first wells, and tang means on said strips in pressure contact with a respective one of said screws when fully tightened.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
145 words
A solderless electrical outlet assembly comprising an elongated main body of non-conductive material, said main body having slots opening through one face of said main body, a pair of conductive strips having a close assembly fit in said slots, said main body having first and second pairs of wells extending thereinto at an acute angle to one another with the inner ends of their adjacent side walls merging, said first wells being threaded to mate with the sharp crest of the threads of a conductive hardened screw, said second wells being sized to have a snug sliding fit with an insulated wire the surface of which is penetrated at more than one point by the crest of said screw when properly installed in said first wells, and tang means on said strips in pressure contact with a respective one of said screws when fully tightened.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
An outlet assembly as defined in claim 12 characterized in that said screws are effective to hold said strips immovably assembled in said main body when fully tightened.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
An outlet assembly as defined in claim 14 characterized in that said tang means is in pressure contact with one end of the associated screw when the latter is tightened.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
An outlet assembly as defined in claim 14 characterized in that said tang means is resilient and in pressure contact with the inner end of the associated screw when the latter is tightened.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
An outlet assembly as defined in claim 15 characterized in that the outer ends of said screws are located remote from one another and facing in opposite directions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
An outlet assembly as defined in claim 18 characterized in that said insulated wires project toward one another from the opposite sides oF said main body.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
An outlet assembly as defined in claim 14 characterized in the provision of a non-conductive cover for said recesses housing said conductive strips.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-09 | 1976-07-10 | 1977-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-09 | 1980-07-10 | 1981-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-09 | 1984-07-10 | 1985-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |