Compression splice for electrically coupling electrical conductors

Claim 2

A compression splice for eLectrically connecting and securing electrical conductors in end to end relationship comprising; a compression coupler formed of an electrically conducting material, means formed in said coupler for receiving the end of the conductors to be connected, means formed on said coupler for permitting said coupler to deform when subject to a compressive force to positiviely grip the conductors thereto, complementary housing members adapted to be fitted onto the ends of the conductors to be connected for encasing said coupler, said complementary housing members having means for imparting a compressive force on said coupler whereby said coupler is deformed to positively secure said conductors into electrical contact, said means formed in said coupler for receiving the ends of the conductor comprising a bore, and wherein said means permitting deformation of said coupler comprises a series of slotted formations wherein the depth of the slotted formations is less than the thickness of the material of the coupler.

Claim 3

The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said slotted formations comprise a series of annular grooves circumscribing the coupler in the vicinity of said bore for receiving the conductors.

Claim 4

The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said complementary housing members comprise a housing sleeve and a compression screw, said sleeve having an internal bore for accommodating said coupler therein, and said housing sleeve and compression screw having complementary threaded portions whereby the mating of said threaded portions subjects said coupler to a compressive force to deform said coupler into positive frictional engagement with the conductors.

Claim 5

The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said housing sleeve and compression screw are formed of an electrically insulating material.

Claim 6

The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said housing sleeve and compression nut are formed of an electrically insulating material.

Claim 7

The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said housing sleeve and compression nut include a liner of electrically insulating material to electrically insulate the coupling sleeve and conductor ends from said housing sleeve and compression nut.

Claim 8

A compression splice for connecting and securing a pair of electrical conductors into positive electrical contact comprising: a coupling sleeve formed of an electrically conducting material, said coupling sleeve having an end bore formed in the opposed ends thereof adapted for receiving the end portion of an electrical conductor to be connected, and said coupling sleeve having a series of annular grooves extending into the thickness of the material of the coupling sleeve and circumscribing the respective end bores, complementary housing members adapted to be fitted over the ends of the respective conductors for encasing said coupling sleeve, said complementary housing members including a housing sleeve having an internal bore for receiving said coupler, and a compression nut, said housing sleeve and compression nut being fitted over the ends of the conductors to be joined, said housing sleeve and compression nut being formed of a nonelectrically conducting material, and said housing sleeve and compression nut having complementary threaded portions so that when threaded they impart a compressive force on said coupler sleeve causing the coupler to deform and thereby positively securing said conductors into positive electrical contact.

Claim 9

A compression splice for connecting and securing a pair of electrical conductors into positive electrical contact comprising: a coupling sleeve formed of an electrically conducting material, said coupling sleeve having an end bore formed in the opposed ends thereof adapted for receiving the end portion of an electrical conductor to be connected, and said coupling sleeve having a series of annular grooves extending into the thickness of the material of the coupling sleeve and circumscribing the respective end bores, complementary housing members adapted to be fitted over the ends of the respective conductors for encasing said coupling sleeve, said complementary housing members including a housing sleeve having an internal bore for receiving said coupler, and a compression nut, said housing sleeve and compression nut being fitted over the ends of the conductors to be joined, said housing sleeve and compression nut being formed of a nonelectrically conducting material, and said housing sleeve and compression nut having complementary threaded portions so that when threaded they impart a compressive force on said coupler sleeve causing the coupler to deform and thereby positively securing said conductors into positive electrical contact.

Claim 10

The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said housing sleeve is internally threaded adjacent one end thereof, and said compression nut having an external boss adapted to engage one end of said coupling sleeve, and said boss being externally threaded for mating with the internal threads of said housing sleeve.