US4038743A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Terminating and splicing electrical conductors
Assignee: Lear Corp EEDS and Interiors
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Filing: 1972-10-24
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Granted: 1977-08-02
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Expires: 1992-10-24
Abstract
Abstract An individual metallic, electrical conductor is terminated by heating one end thereof to form an enlarged molten mass, followed by cooling and subsequent shaping of the mass to form a terminal. Multiple conductors are spliced by heating adjacent ends thereof to form an enlarged, common molten mass at the end of each conductor. Alternatively, adjacent ends of multiple metallic conductors may be spliced by heating the ends thereof to form a molten mass at the end of each conductor followed by plunging the molten masses into one another.
Inventors
- 👤 Gideon A. DuRocher
- 👤 Ellsworth S. Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 10:19
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R4/00; H01R4/02; H01R4/026; H01R43/00; H01R43/16; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S228/00; Y10S228/904; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49194; Y10T29/49195
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A method of joining adjacent ends of a pair of metallic, electrical conductors comprising supporting said conductors with adjacent ends thereof in vertically spaced, confronting relation; heating the confronting ends of said conductors to a temperature at which the ends of said conductors become molten; collecting the molten metal of the lowermost conductor in a well of such size as to form an enlarged molten mass at the end of said lowermost conductor; continuing the heating of the end of at least the uppermost conductor for a period of time such that the combined forces of gravity and surface tension shape the molten metal into an enlarged, pear-shaped molten mass suspended from said uppermost conductor while maintaining the end of the lowermost conductor molten; relatively moving said conductors toward one another a distance sufficient to engage said molten mass of the uppermost conductor with the molten metal of said lowermost conductor to form a molten nodule; and solidifying the molten nodule.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
161 words
A method of joining adjacent ends of a pair of metallic, electrical conductors comprising supporting said conductors with adjacent ends thereof in vertically spaced, confronting relation; heating the confronting ends of said conductors to a temperature at which the ends of said conductors become molten; collecting the molten metal of the lowermost conductor in a well of such size as to form an enlarged molten mass at the end of said lowermost conductor; continuing the heating of the end of at least the uppermost conductor for a period of time such that the combined forces of gravity and surface tension shape the molten metal into an enlarged, pear-shaped molten mass suspended from said uppermost conductor while maintaining the end of the lowermost conductor molten; relatively moving said conductors toward one another a distance sufficient to engage said molten mass of the uppermost conductor with the molten metal of said lowermost conductor to form a molten nodule; and solidifying the molten nodule.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the heating of the ends of said conductors is effected by establishing an electric arc between said ends.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said conductors are formed of different metals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 3 wherein one of said conductors is copper and the other of said conductors is aluminum.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein said arc is applied continuously.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein said arc is applied intermittently.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 1 including enveloping the confronting ends of said conductors in an inert atmosphere during the heating thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 1 including enveloping the ends of said conductors in an inert atmosphere as said ends are moved into engagement.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 1 including enveloping said nodule in an inert atmosphere during the solidification thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said conductors is composed of stranded metal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said conductors is composed of solid metal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the heating of the confronting ends of said conductors is conducted at least initially in an oxygen-containing atmosphere.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 2 including relatively moving said conductors toward one another during the heating of the ends thereof to maintain said ends at a distance sufficient to maintain said arc.
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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) | 1980-08-01 | 1981-01-31 | 1981-08-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-01 | 1985-01-31 | 1985-08-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-01 | 1989-01-31 | 1989-08-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |