US3910672A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Replacement cover for electrical wiring devices
Assignee: TE Connectivity Corp
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Filing: 1974-06-03
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Granted: 1975-10-07
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Expires: 1994-06-03
Abstract
Abstract A replacement cover is disclosed for use with electrical wiring devices which are connected to multiconductor cables in an electrical system by pressing the cables into related slotted beam contacts mounted in the wiring device. The subject replacement cover is utilized when a wiring device is replaced. The new wiring device is positioned on the existing wires and the cover is snapped over the associated housing. Individual termination plugs are inserted into slots in the cover. As the plugs are inserted they apply adequate pressure to engage the appropriate wire and force it into engagement with the slotted beam contacts of the device. Retaining latches in the plugs maintain them in the cover to prevent removal and also to close the openings. The installation of this cover can be accomplished with simply a pair of pliers.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Houston Frantz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 16:42
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R4/00; H01R4/24; H01R4/2416; H01R4/242; H01R4/2425; H01R4/2429
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
In an electrical wiring device of the type including a housing, at least one multi-conductor cable receiving opening in said housing, and electrical contacts fixed in said housing with each contact having a slotted beam portion adapted to electrically and mechanically engage individual conductors of a multi-conductor cable, the improvement comprising: a cover for said device, said cover formed of insulating material and having a plurality of apertures therein, each of said apertures being aligned with a slotted beam portion of a respective oNe of said electrical contacts in said housing, latching means locking said cover to said housing, a like plurality of terminal plugs each formed of insulating material and received freely in a respective one of said apertures with a first end in driving engagement with the conductor lying thereunder and locking lance means extending from each said plug, whereby each said plug is pushed into said cover to drive the conductor lying thereunder into engagement with the slotted beam portion of the associated electrical contact with said lances locking said plugs in said cover in the fully inserted position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
In an electrical wiring device of the type including a housing, at least one multi-conductor cable receiving opening in said housing, and electrical contacts fixed in said housing with each contact having a slotted beam portion adapted to electrically and mechanically engage individual conductors of a multi-conductor cable, the improvement comprising: a cover for said device, said cover formed of insulating material and having a plurality of apertures therein, each of said apertures being aligned with a slotted beam portion of a respective oNe of said electrical contacts in said housing, latching means locking said cover to said housing, a like plurality of terminal plugs each formed of insulating material and received freely in a respective one of said apertures with a first end in driving engagement with the conductor lying thereunder and locking lance means extending from each said plug, whereby each said plug is pushed into said cover to drive the conductor lying thereunder into engagement with the slotted beam portion of the associated electrical contact with said lances locking said plugs in said cover in the fully inserted position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said cover further comprises: latching means locking said cover to said housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said cover and said terminal plugs are formed of insulating material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said apertures and said plugs have an I-shaped profile.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein each said first end of each said plug has a concave profile adapted to center said conductor with respect to said plug as the plug drives the conductor into said slotted beam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein the other end of each said plug is profiled for engagement by tools used to insert said plugs into said cover.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention according to claim 1 further comprising stud means extending from said cover towards said housing permitting only unidirectional assembly therewith.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
141 words
A replacement cover assembly for closing an opening in an electrical wiring device and driving individual conductors of electrical cables fed to the device into slotted beam contacts fixed in the device, said cover assembly comprising: a cover member having a plurality of profiled apertures therein, each said aperture positioned to lie above a respective one of said slotted beam contacts, means for lockingly securing said cover on said device, and means insuring unidirectional engagement of said cover on said device; and a like plurality of profiled termination plugs each adapted to be loosely inserted into one of said apertures, one end of each said plug having a concave configuration for centering the underlying conductor and driving it into the associated slotted beam, and integral locking lance means lockingly securing said plugs into said cover member in the fully inserted position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
141 words
A replacement cover assembly for closing an opening in an electrical wiring device and driving individual conductors of electrical cables fed to the device into slotted beam contacts fixed in the device, said cover assembly comprising: a cover member having a plurality of profiled apertures therein, each said aperture positioned to lie above a respective one of said slotted beam contacts, means for lockingly securing said cover on said device, and means insuring unidirectional engagement of said cover on said device; and a like plurality of profiled termination plugs each adapted to be loosely inserted into one of said apertures, one end of each said plug having a concave configuration for centering the underlying conductor and driving it into the associated slotted beam, and integral locking lance means lockingly securing said plugs into said cover member in the fully inserted position.
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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) | 1978-10-06 | 1979-04-07 | 1979-10-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-06 | 1983-04-07 | 1983-10-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-06 | 1987-04-07 | 1987-10-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |