US4175815A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Connector element with means for reducing effects of radial void in electrical connection
Assignee: Amerace Corp
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Filing: 1978-05-31
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Granted: 1979-11-27
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Expires: 1998-05-31
Abstract
Abstract A radial void present at the juncture of interengaged electrical connector elements in an electrical connection is reduced in size and relocated to a position of lesser electrical stress by a flexible annular lip integral with one of the connector elements and urged, in response to completion of the connection, into the void.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles E. Andersen
- 👤 Craig W. Simons
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 02:14
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/46; H01R13/53
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
A first high voltage electrical connector element, such as a connector elbow, which is to be connected to a second high voltage electrical connector element, such as a bushing in a power distribution system, the first and second connector elements including first and second axially-extending interengageable surfaces, respectively, and first and second radially-extending surfaces, respectively, which will confront one another upon interengagement of the interengageable surfaces: said first connector element including a housing member including at least a first part of insulating material, at least a portion of the first radially-extending surface provided by the first part; and an annular lip of insulating material integral with the first part of the housing member and extending axially beyond at least said portion of the first radially-extending surface, the lip intersecting the radially innermost portion of the first radially-extending surface at all circumferential locations thereof, the lip being flexible such that upon completion of the interengagement of the interengageable surfaces the lip will be flexed outwardly so as to extend radially between the confronting first and second radially-extending surfaces and at least partially fill any gap which would otherwise be therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
A first high voltage electrical connector element, such as a connector elbow, which is to be connected to a second high voltage electrical connector element, such as a bushing in a power distribution system, the first and second connector elements including first and second axially-extending interengageable surfaces, respectively, and first and second radially-extending surfaces, respectively, which will confront one another upon interengagement of the interengageable surfaces: said first connector element including a housing member including at least a first part of insulating material, at least a portion of the first radially-extending surface provided by the first part; and an annular lip of insulating material integral with the first part of the housing member and extending axially beyond at least said portion of the first radially-extending surface, the lip intersecting the radially innermost portion of the first radially-extending surface at all circumferential locations thereof, the lip being flexible such that upon completion of the interengagement of the interengageable surfaces the lip will be flexed outwardly so as to extend radially between the confronting first and second radially-extending surfaces and at least partially fill any gap which would otherwise be therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the first part of the housing member is constructed of an insulating elastomeric material and the annular lip is unitary with the first part and has an inner axially-extending surface forming a continuous extension of the first axially-extending surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The invention of claim 1 or 2 wherein the first part of the housing member includes an axially-extending receptacle for receiving an axially-extending plug of the second connector element, the receptacle providing said first interengageable surface and the plug providing said second interchangegable surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claims 1 or 2 wherein the annular lip has a rounded tip.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
76 words
The invention of claim 1 or 2 wherein: the first radially-extending surface includes a radially-inner first portion and a radially-outer second portion, the radially-inner first portion being recessed axially relative to the radially-outer second portion to establish an annular pocket; and the axial length of the annular lip does not exceed that which will assure that upon completion of the connection the annular lip will not extend radially beyond the first portion of the radially-extending surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of claim 5 wherein the radial thickness of the annular lip is approximately equal to the axial extent of the annular pocket.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 6 wherein the annular lip has a rounded tip.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3594696A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-11-26 | 1983-05-28 | 1983-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-11-26 | 1987-05-28 | 1987-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-11-26 | 1991-05-28 | 1991-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |