Connector for high amperage applications

Claim 2

A unitary connector comprising: an integral body portion consisting of a single piece of solid metal having two ends and being shaped such that the topography of the general cross section of the body is the same from end to end, and in which said general cross section comprises first and second laterally positioned enlarged portions, said first and second enlarged portions being joined near the bases thereof by an integral relatively thin bridging portion, whereby adjacent opposing sides of said first and second enlarged portions are spaced apart from each other, said cross section having a shape such that steps are provided in said second enlarged portion, said steps being ascending in the direction away from said first enlarged portion; said first enlarged portion comprising first recess means for axially receiving a large conductor through one side of said body, and first securing means for compressing said large conductor transversely against said body within said recess means; said second enlarged portion including a plurality of second recess means for axially receiving respective smaller conductors perpendicularly through another side of said body, and second securing means for compressing said respective smaller conductors transversely against said body within said second recess means, said second recess means comprising sets of recesses passing through respective parallel faces of said steps, and said second securing means passing transversely to said conductors through respective tops of said steps.

Claim 3

The connector of claim 1 in which said first and second recess means are parallel and enter said body from opposite sides of said body, and wherein said recess means comprise channels passing through said respective enlarged portions into the space above said bridge and between said enlarged portions, and wherein said first and second enlarged portions are spaced apart a sufficient distance such that a line of sight over the top edge of said first enlarged portion and extending to the juncture of the thin bridging portion and the adjacent opposing side of the second enlarged portion forms an angle of at least 10* with opposing side.

Claim 4

The unitary connector of claim 2 in which said line of sight passing over the top of the first enlarged portion forms an angle greater than 20* with said opposing side of said second enlarged portion.

Claim 5

A connector of claim 1 in which said first enlarged portion includes a plurality of first recess means and first securing means for receiving and securing a plurality of respective large conductors.

Claim 6

A unitary connector particularly suitable for high amperage applications comprising: an integral body consisting of a single piece of solid metal having two ends and a cross section with uniform external shape the entire width of said body between said ends, said body comprising first and second enlarged lateral portions connected by a relatively narrow integral bridging portion disposed between the bases of the lateral portions whereby opposing sides of said first and second lateral portions are spaced apart; first recess means for receiving a large conductor, and first securing means for compressing said large conductor in said first recess means, said recess means and securing means being positioned in said first enlarged lateral portion of said body; said second enlarged portion being shaped to include at least a portion thereof which has a cross section in the form of steps wherein said steps are ascending in the direction away from said first enlarged portion, and wherein a first surface of the steps is parallel with said opposing side of said first enlarged portion, and a second surface of the steps is in a plane which is transverse to the step''s first surface; said second recess means comprising a plurality of pass-through recesses passing completely through said second enlarged portion, said pass-through recess being sized for receiving smaller conductors, said pass-through recesses opening in the first surfaces of said steps, and said second securing means passing transversely to said first respective recessEs through said second surface of said steps; and wherein a line of sight drawn over the top of the first enlarged portion to the juncture of the bridging portion and the first surface of the adjacent step forms an angle of at least 10* with said first surface of said adjacent step.

Claim 7

A unitary connector particularly suitable for high amperage applications comprising: an integral body consisting of a single piece of solid metal having two ends and a cross section with uniform external shape the entire width of said body between said ends, said body comprising first and second enlarged lateral portions connected by a relatively narrow integral bridging portion disposed between the bases of the lateral portions whereby opposing sides of said first and second lateral portions are spaced apart; first recess means for receiving a large conductor, and first securing means for compressing said large conductor in said first recess means, said recess means and securing means being positioned in said first enlarged lateral portion of said body; said second enlarged portion being shaped to include at least a portion thereof which has a cross section in the form of steps wherein said steps are ascending in the direction away from said first enlarged portion, and wherein a first surface of the steps is parallel with said opposing side of said first enlarged portion, and a second surface of the steps is in a plane which is transverse to the step''s first surface; said second recess means comprising a plurality of pass-through recesses passing completely through said second enlarged portion, said pass-through recess being sized for receiving smaller conductors, said pass-through recesses opening in the first surfaces of said steps, and said second securing means passing transversely to said first respective recessEs through said second surface of said steps; and wherein a line of sight drawn over the top of the first enlarged portion to the juncture of the bridging portion and the first surface of the adjacent step forms an angle of at least 10* with said first surface of said adjacent step.

Claim 8

The connector of claim 5, wherein all the recess means are parallel and pass through their respective enlarged portions and open into the space between the enlarged portions.

Claim 9

The connector of claim 5 wherein the first enlarged portion comprises a plurality of said recess means and said securing means for receiving and securing a plurality of respective larger conductors.

Claim 10

The connector of claim 5 wherein at least one opening passes through said bridging portion, said opening being sized to receive a fastener for securing said body to an insulating support.

Claim 11

The connector of claim 5 in which said securing means comprises set screws, and in which said set screws enter said body from the same direction which is transverse to the base of the connector.