US4691079A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Screw-on wire connector
Assignee: Ideal Industries Inc
•
Filing: 1986-12-03
•
Granted: 1987-09-01
•
Expires: 2006-12-03
Abstract
Abstract A screw-on electrical connector for connecting the stripped ends of electrical wires has a shell made of stiffly flexible plastic material. A generally central bore extends from an open end of the shell to a closed end which is closed by an integral end wall. A generally tapered wire coil lies in the bore and engages an outer area on the inner surface of the bore, adjacent its open end. A radial undercut is formed on the inner surface of the bore near the end wall. The undercut projects into the bore to support the coil and to strengthen the shell.
Inventors
- 👤 William E. Blaha
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 06:25
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R4/00; H01R4/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
In an electrical connector for joining the ends of electrical wires, a cap of insulating material having a central bore open at one end and enclosed at the other end by an integral end wall, a wire coil in the bore tapered such that its maximum diameter is at the end of the coil nearest the open end of the bore, with the coil engaging the cap only at that point, and a first radial undercut on the inside of the cap, closer to the end wall than to the open end and projecting into the bore, the wire coil diameter at the undercut being less than the inside diameter of the undercut such that the coil does not engage the undercut until electrical wires are inserted into the cap to expand the coil against the undercut.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
In an electrical connector for joining the ends of electrical wires, a cap of insulating material having a central bore open at one end and enclosed at the other end by an integral end wall, a wire coil in the bore tapered such that its maximum diameter is at the end of the coil nearest the open end of the bore, with the coil engaging the cap only at that point, and a first radial undercut on the inside of the cap, closer to the end wall than to the open end and projecting into the bore, the wire coil diameter at the undercut being less than the inside diameter of the undercut such that the coil does not engage the undercut until electrical wires are inserted into the cap to expand the coil against the undercut.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The connector of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of axial splines on the inside of the cap, extending from the end wall toward the open end of the cap, past the undercut.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The connector of claim 1 further comprising a second radial undercut on the inside of the cap, closer to the open end of the bore than the first undercut.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
119 words
In an electrical connector for joining the ends of electrical wires, a cap of insulating material having a central bore open at one end and enclosed at the other end by an integral end wall, a tapered wire coil in the bore, a radial undercut on the inside of the cap, closer to the end wall than to the open end and projecting into the bore and a plurality of axial splines on the inside of the cap, extending from the end wall toward the open end of the cap, past the undercut, the splines having an outer, conical portion generally conforming to the taper of the wire coil, and an inner straight portion leading to the end wall.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
119 words
In an electrical connector for joining the ends of electrical wires, a cap of insulating material having a central bore open at one end and enclosed at the other end by an integral end wall, a tapered wire coil in the bore, a radial undercut on the inside of the cap, closer to the end wall than to the open end and projecting into the bore and a plurality of axial splines on the inside of the cap, extending from the end wall toward the open end of the cap, past the undercut, the splines having an outer, conical portion generally conforming to the taper of the wire coil, and an inner straight portion leading to the end wall.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The connector of claim 4 wherein the undercut is located at the transition point from straight to conical splines.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
97 words
In an electrical connector for joining the ends of electrical wires, a cap of insulating material having a central bore open at one end and enclosed at the other end by an integral end wall, a tapered wire coil in the bore, and a plurality of axial splines on the inside surface of the bore, extending from the end wall toward the open end of the cap but stopping short of the open end leaving an outer area of the bore with a smooth surface, the end of the wire coil being embedded into said outer area.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
97 words
In an electrical connector for joining the ends of electrical wires, a cap of insulating material having a central bore open at one end and enclosed at the other end by an integral end wall, a tapered wire coil in the bore, and a plurality of axial splines on the inside surface of the bore, extending from the end wall toward the open end of the cap but stopping short of the open end leaving an outer area of the bore with a smooth surface, the end of the wire coil being embedded into said outer area.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The connector of claim 6 further comprising a radial undercut on the inside of the cap, closer to the end wall than to the open end and projecting into the bore.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The connector of claim 6 wherein the cap includes a generally conical housing and a skirt of slightly larger diameter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The connector of claim 8 wherein the end wall has a socket formed therein for receiving the wire coil.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The connector of claim 8 further comprising a radial undercut on the inside of the cap, at the junction between the housing and skirt, and projecting into the bore adjacent said outer area.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The connector of claim 8 further comprising at least one radial undercut on the inside of the skirt, projecting into the bore.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3156761A
Cited
US3297816A
Cited
US3440333A
Cited
US3497607A
Cited
US3676574A
Cited
US3902005A
Cited
US4150251A
Cited
US4227040A
Cited
US4473715A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-08-31 | 1991-03-02 | 1991-09-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-08-31 | 1995-03-02 | 1995-09-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-08-31 | 1999-03-02 | 1999-09-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |