US3922058A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical connector
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-04-01
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Granted: 1975-11-25
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Expires: 1994-04-01
Abstract
Abstract An electrical connector assembly in the form of a tubular element having a generally cylindrical cross section formed from a strap-like member with overlapped curvilinear end portions. The overlapped end portions are tapped and threaded while the tubular element is in a clamped, compressed condition and while so compressed clamping screws are threaded into the openings. The tubular element is formed of a high strength material, such as stainless steel, and encloses a sleeve member formed of a conducting material, such as copper, in which the bared end of a conductor is inserted and securely clamped therein by tightening the screws.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph D Kinnear
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 08:06
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R4/00; H01R4/28; H01R4/30; H01R4/36; H01R4/363
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
243 words
An electrical connector comprising a tubular element formed as a metal strap having overlapped end portions, said overlapped end portions defining generally concentric, circular segments which are disposed in face-to-face contacting relation through an arcuate extent at least about 120*, the center of curvature of said circular segments corresponding generally to the central axis of the tubular member, said overlapped portions being provided with a radially extending opening therethrough disposed centrally between the ends thereof, said opening having a thread extending continuously through said overlapped portions, a metal clamping screw threaded through said opening and adapted when tightened to clamp a stranded electrical conductor within the tubular element, said threaded opening having a diameter at least as large as the radius of curvature of the contacting faces of said overlapped end portions so that the axial extent of the threads on diametrically opposite sides of the threaded opening in a direction circumferentially of said overlapped ends is substantially greater than the radial thickness of said overlapped end portions whereby, when a stranded conductor sized to substantially completely fill said tubular element is inserted therein and the screw is tightened, said two overlapped end portions are tensioned circumferentially in opposite directions along the arcuate path of said circular segments when the leading end of the screw bottoms on the conductor and thereby tightly interengage said diametrically opposite sides of said threaded opening substantiallY throughout their axial extent with the juxtaposed threads of the screw.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
243 words
An electrical connector comprising a tubular element formed as a metal strap having overlapped end portions, said overlapped end portions defining generally concentric, circular segments which are disposed in face-to-face contacting relation through an arcuate extent at least about 120*, the center of curvature of said circular segments corresponding generally to the central axis of the tubular member, said overlapped portions being provided with a radially extending opening therethrough disposed centrally between the ends thereof, said opening having a thread extending continuously through said overlapped portions, a metal clamping screw threaded through said opening and adapted when tightened to clamp a stranded electrical conductor within the tubular element, said threaded opening having a diameter at least as large as the radius of curvature of the contacting faces of said overlapped end portions so that the axial extent of the threads on diametrically opposite sides of the threaded opening in a direction circumferentially of said overlapped ends is substantially greater than the radial thickness of said overlapped end portions whereby, when a stranded conductor sized to substantially completely fill said tubular element is inserted therein and the screw is tightened, said two overlapped end portions are tensioned circumferentially in opposite directions along the arcuate path of said circular segments when the leading end of the screw bottoms on the conductor and thereby tightly interengage said diametrically opposite sides of said threaded opening substantiallY throughout their axial extent with the juxtaposed threads of the screw.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
80 words
An electrical connector as called for in claim 1 wherein said tubular element is formed of a resilient metal and is prestressed by circumferential contraction prior to forming the threaded opening therein such that the outer overlapping end portion exerts radial pressure in one circumferential direction against the thread at one side of the screw and the inner overlapping end portion exerts radial pressure in the opposite circumferential direction against the thread at the circumferentially opposite side of the screw.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
81 words
An electrical connector as called for in claim 2 wherein the outer overlapping end portion has a radially outwardly bent portion adjacent the free end of the inner overlapping end portion, the free end of the inner overlapped portion being disposed directly adjacent said radially outwardly bent portion and serving to limit the extent to which the tubular element can be circumferentially contracted and thereby control said radial pressures exerted by said overlapping portions against opposite sides of the screw thread.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
An electrical connector as called for in claim 3 wherein the inner overlapped end portion cooperates with the inner periphery of the remaining portion of said strap to define a generally cylindrical socket for the end of the stranded electrical conductor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
92 words
An electrical connector as called for in claim 1 including an axially extending sleeve having a close fit in said tubular element, said sleeve being formed of a highly electrically conductive material and having an opening therein registering with the inner end of said screw and through which the screw is adapted to extend, and a separate metal saddle member removably disposed within said sleeve and being formed of a readily deformable metal, said saddle extending axially within said sleeve and registering axially and circumferentially with the inner end of said screw.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
97 words
An electrical connector as called for in claim 5 wherein said metal saddle comprises a sheet metal strip having one end disposed within said tubular element adjacent one end thereof and its opposite end projecting outwardly from the opposite end of the tubular element, the inner end of said saddle defining an end wall in the tubular element for limiting the extent to which a conductor can be inserted therein and the outer end engaging said opposite end of said tubular member to limit the extent to which the saddle can be inserted into said tubular element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electrical connector as called for in claim 6 wherein said saddle is sized to be frictionally retained within the tubular element.
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) | 1978-11-24 | 1979-05-26 | 1979-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-24 | 1983-05-26 | 1983-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-24 | 1987-05-26 | 1987-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |