Patent US3873177A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3873177A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Junction box connector assembly
Assignee: BE AVIONICS Inc A DE CORP
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Filing: 1973-03-28
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Granted: 1975-03-25
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Expires: 1993-03-28
Abstract
Abstract A junction box connector assembly formed of a connector junction housing member and an adjustable locking device for locating the housing member on a side wall raceway. The connector junction housing member can be locked in position along the raceway or loosened for movement therealong. A plurality of sets of electrical contacts are positioned in the connector junction housing member, each of the sets being interconnected by a bussing member. A plurality of electrical connector members mates with the connector junction housing member, each connector member having a plurality of electrical contacts for mating with one of the contacts of each set of the contacts positioned in the housing member. The contacts are integrally formed with the bussing member and one or more of the contacts can be easily removed therefrom so that an associated electrical circuit can be disconnected from one or more of the connectors coupled to the junction box assembly. Locking means are provided for simultaneously securing a plurality of electrical connector members to the connector junction housing member. The main cables are positioned in the raceway and are connected by means of electrical connector members to the junction housing member. The main cables have sufficient slack so that the connector junction housing member can be moved along the raceway without disconnecting the connector members securing the main cable to the junction housing member.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip C Ross
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 10:55
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02G; H02G3/00; H02G3/02; H02G3/08; H02G3/12; H01; H01R; H01R31/00; H01R31/02; H02G3/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A junction box connector assembly comprising: a connector junction housing member; means positioned on said housing member for adjustably locating said connector junction housing member on a side-wall raceway and locking said connector junction housing member in a predetermined position; a plurality of sets of electrical contacts positioned in said connector junction housing member, each of said sets being interconnected by a bussing member integrally formed with each of said sets of contacts; a plurality of electrical connector means matable with said connector junction housing member on opposite sides thereof and including flange means extending therefrom, each of said connector members having a plurality of electrical contacts for mating with one of the contacts of each set of contacts positioned in said housing member; and locking ring means pivotally attached to said connector junction housing member and movable into engagement with said flange means securing a pluRality of said electrical connector members to opposite sides of said connector junction housing member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
A junction box connector assembly comprising: a connector junction housing member; means positioned on said housing member for adjustably locating said connector junction housing member on a side-wall raceway and locking said connector junction housing member in a predetermined position; a plurality of sets of electrical contacts positioned in said connector junction housing member, each of said sets being interconnected by a bussing member integrally formed with each of said sets of contacts; a plurality of electrical connector means matable with said connector junction housing member on opposite sides thereof and including flange means extending therefrom, each of said connector members having a plurality of electrical contacts for mating with one of the contacts of each set of contacts positioned in said housing member; and locking ring means pivotally attached to said connector junction housing member and movable into engagement with said flange means securing a pluRality of said electrical connector members to opposite sides of said connector junction housing member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
154 words
Apparatus for securing an electrical connector housing in one of a plurality of positions along a raceway comprising: a slidable member secured to said electrical connector housing member and having a portion of one surface thereof formed to be juxtaposed with a surface of said raceway as said electrical connector housing member is moved along the axis of said raceway; and locking means on said slidable member for fixedly positioning said slidable member in a predetermined position on said raceway said locking means including a tapered slot formed on said slidable member, and a sliding wedge member when moved in a first predetermined direction causing said juxtaposed surfaces to remain fixed relative to each other and movement of said wedge member in a second predetermined direction enabling said juxtaposed surfaces to be movable with respect to each other said first and second predetermined directions being defined by an axis parallel to said raceway axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
154 words
Apparatus for securing an electrical connector housing in one of a plurality of positions along a raceway comprising: a slidable member secured to said electrical connector housing member and having a portion of one surface thereof formed to be juxtaposed with a surface of said raceway as said electrical connector housing member is moved along the axis of said raceway; and locking means on said slidable member for fixedly positioning said slidable member in a predetermined position on said raceway said locking means including a tapered slot formed on said slidable member, and a sliding wedge member when moved in a first predetermined direction causing said juxtaposed surfaces to remain fixed relative to each other and movement of said wedge member in a second predetermined direction enabling said juxtaposed surfaces to be movable with respect to each other said first and second predetermined directions being defined by an axis parallel to said raceway axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said electrical connector housing member has a second slidable member juxtaposed said raceway on the opposite side of said raceway.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said tapered slot is formed of a pair of opposed surfaces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said second slidable member is formed of a hollow section of housing enabling said second member to be deformed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said wedge member contains a downwardly extending lip which forces said juxtaposed surfaces to be immovable relative to each other when said wedge member is moved in said first predetermined direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
188 words
An electrical connector junction housing having a plurality of electrical connectors secured thereto; each of said connectors having a plurality of electrical contacts therein; and means for electrically interconnecting one of said electrical contacts of each of said electrical connectors comprising: a bussing member formed of a flat plate and having a plurality of contact portions extending from opposite sides therefrom, one of said contacting portions being electrically connected to said one electrical contact of said electrical connectors; insulator means positioned on opposite edges of said bussing member, one of said insulator means comprising a portion of said connector junction housing and having openings therein for enabling some of said contact portions to extend therethrough while simultaneously securing said bussing member to said connector junction housing; and other of said insulator means being formed of a main portion and end tabs spaced by an opening from the main portion of said other insulator means which are fitted into slots formed in said connector junction housing, said tabs, when depressed toward said main insulator means along said opening enabling said other insulator means to be removable from said housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
188 words
An electrical connector junction housing having a plurality of electrical connectors secured thereto; each of said connectors having a plurality of electrical contacts therein; and means for electrically interconnecting one of said electrical contacts of each of said electrical connectors comprising: a bussing member formed of a flat plate and having a plurality of contact portions extending from opposite sides therefrom, one of said contacting portions being electrically connected to said one electrical contact of said electrical connectors; insulator means positioned on opposite edges of said bussing member, one of said insulator means comprising a portion of said connector junction housing and having openings therein for enabling some of said contact portions to extend therethrough while simultaneously securing said bussing member to said connector junction housing; and other of said insulator means being formed of a main portion and end tabs spaced by an opening from the main portion of said other insulator means which are fitted into slots formed in said connector junction housing, said tabs, when depressed toward said main insulator means along said opening enabling said other insulator means to be removable from said housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
An electrical connector junction housing in accordance with claim 7 wherein a portion of said slots are covered with channel members, said tabs being locked against said channel members when said insulator means is positioned in said housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
128 words
An electrical connector assembly comprising: a junction box connector housing having a first plurality of electrical contacts therein; a plurality of electrical connectors, each connector having a second plurality of electrical contacts mounted therein, and extending along the longitudinal axis of said connectors flange members extending from said connectors in a plane perpendicular to the axis of engagement of said connectors, each of said connector flange members extending beyond the preiphery of said junction box connector housing outer surface when said electrical connector contacts are mated with said junction box connector housing contacts, and a locking ring secured to said junCtion box connector housing for simultaneously locking connectors secured to opposite sides of said housing and preventing said connectors from being removed from said junction box connector housing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
128 words
An electrical connector assembly comprising: a junction box connector housing having a first plurality of electrical contacts therein; a plurality of electrical connectors, each connector having a second plurality of electrical contacts mounted therein, and extending along the longitudinal axis of said connectors flange members extending from said connectors in a plane perpendicular to the axis of engagement of said connectors, each of said connector flange members extending beyond the preiphery of said junction box connector housing outer surface when said electrical connector contacts are mated with said junction box connector housing contacts, and a locking ring secured to said junCtion box connector housing for simultaneously locking connectors secured to opposite sides of said housing and preventing said connectors from being removed from said junction box connector housing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
An electrical connector assembly in accordance with claim 9 wherein said locking ring is removably snapped into a groove formed on said junction box connector housing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
An electrical connector assembly in accordance with claim 10 wherein said locking ring abuts said flange members when said locking ring is snapped into said groove.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-24 | 1978-09-23 | 1979-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-24 | 1982-09-23 | 1983-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-24 | 1986-09-23 | 1987-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |