Patent US3740692A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3740692A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Underground distribution connector assembly
Assignee: Fargo Mfg Co Inc
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Filing: 1972-05-10
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Granted: 1973-06-19
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Expires: 1992-05-10
Abstract
Abstract A rugged and compact electrical cable connector assembly for direct burial applications using a limited number of components which can be readily assembled into numerous configurations to provide stable electrical connections for a range of cables and tap lines.
Inventors
- 👤 I Filhaber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 23:35
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02G; H02G15/00; H02G15/08; H01; H01R; H01R4/00; H01R4/28; H01R4/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
A connector for electrically and mechanically connecting cables and tap lines including in combination an elongated base member formed of an electrically conductive material and having a plurality of transverse parallel grooves provided in one face thereof, a plurality of individual pressure pads with each having a groove formed therein, screw means for attaching each of said pressure pads to said base with the groove therein overlying and facing a respective groove of said pressure pad for receipt of a cable end therebetween, a moisture proof container in which said base member and said pressure pads are disposed, head means of said screw means disposed on the outside of said container with the remainder of the screw means projecting therethrough, first sealing means Between each of said head means and said container, tap line attachment means formed on certain of the head means for electrically and mechanically connecting a tap line thereto, openings in said container aligned with respective grooves of said base member for passage of cables therethrough and second sealing means formed on said container at said openings.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
A connector for electrically and mechanically connecting cables and tap lines including in combination an elongated base member formed of an electrically conductive material and having a plurality of transverse parallel grooves provided in one face thereof, a plurality of individual pressure pads with each having a groove formed therein, screw means for attaching each of said pressure pads to said base with the groove therein overlying and facing a respective groove of said pressure pad for receipt of a cable end therebetween, a moisture proof container in which said base member and said pressure pads are disposed, head means of said screw means disposed on the outside of said container with the remainder of the screw means projecting therethrough, first sealing means Between each of said head means and said container, tap line attachment means formed on certain of the head means for electrically and mechanically connecting a tap line thereto, openings in said container aligned with respective grooves of said base member for passage of cables therethrough and second sealing means formed on said container at said openings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
112 words
A connector in accordance with claim 1 in which each of the grooves in the face of said base member has a base channel and upper side walls extending respectively therefrom in planes forming a larger angle therebetween than that formed by the planes of the walls of said base channel and the grooves in each of said pressure pads has walls forming an angle of magnitude such that the walls of said base channel cooperate with the walls in the groove of said pressure pad in connecting small diameter cable while said upper side walls cooperate with the walls in the groove of said pressure pad in connecting large diameter cables.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A connector in accordance with claim 2 in which said base channel and the channel in said pressure pad are ''''V'''' channels.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
A connector in accordance with claim 1 in which each of said screw means has a head portion and a shank extending therefrom and is encapsulated at said head portion with nonconducting resilient material which extends over said shank with a portion thereof not encapsulated to allow for metal-to-metal contact of said shank and said base member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
A connector in accordance with claim 4 in which said head portion is in the form of a hex allowing camming action by movement of said resilient material with respect thereto upon application of excessive torque at said head and return of said resilient material to initial position upon removal of said excessive torque.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
A connector in accordance with claim 1 in which said tap line attachment means includes a threaded insert in said head means, a tap bolt for connecting a tap line and a cylindrical extension of said resilient material through which the shaft of said tap bolt extends for receipt in said threaded insert.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
A connector in accordance with claim 1 in which each of said screw means has a head portion and a shank extending therefrom and is encapsulated at said head portion with nonconducting resilient material which extends over said shank and said first sealing means includes the provision of an interference fit between said shank and container at said openings.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
64 words
A connector in accordance with claim 1 in which each of said screw means has a head portion and a concave sealing washer integral therewith with said head portion and said washer encapsulated with non-conducting resilient material, and a convex annular surface surrounding each of said openings with the angle of the surface deviation being such as to provide interference with said respective washer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
67 words
A connector in accordance with claim 1 in which each of said screw means has a head portion and a shank extending therefrom and is encapsulated at said head portion with nonconducting resilient material which extends over said shank and said container is provided with an annular portion which embraces said shank upon the application of said screw means to roll inwardly to thrust against said shank.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
A connector in accordance with claim 1 in which each of said second sealing means includes a projection formed integral with said cover and a cone in alignment with said opening attached to said projection at the outer end thereof projecting inwardly within said projection through which said cable extends.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
A connector in accordance with claim 10 in which the outer surface of said projection is contoured to provide for inward radial movement of said projection upon application of hydrostatic pressure on the outer surface thereof to increase the force of the end of said projection against the insulation of said cable.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A connector in accordance with claim 11 in which the outer surface of said projection is contoured iN the form of an hourglass.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A connector in accordance with claim 10 in which radial fluting is provided on the inner surface of said cone.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
A connector in accordance with claim 10 in which said cone is provided with a tear-away tip and radial fluting projecting from its inner surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
76 words
A connector in accordance with claim 1 in which a tongue is provided at one end of said base member and a groove is provided at the remaining end thereof with each of said tongues formed to be received in said groove of a base member identical to said base member to allow base members to be joined and allow for satisfactory current interchange at the joining without loss of position of any of said grooves.
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) | 1976-06-18 | 1976-12-18 | 1977-06-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-18 | 1980-12-18 | 1981-06-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-18 | 1984-12-18 | 1985-06-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |