US5023402A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Waterproof wire connector
Assignee: King Technology of Missouri LLC
•
Filing: 1990-02-12
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Granted: 1991-06-11
•
Expires: 2010-02-12
Abstract
Abstract A waterproof connector having a rotatably wire connector with a housing attached thereto with the wire connector and the housing filed with a sealant to permit the user to simultaneously compress the junctions ends of electrical wires into low resistance electrical contact while forming a waterproof covering surrounding the twisted junction end of the wires. The process includes inserting the junction ends of electrical leads into a rotatable wire connector connected to a sleeve, which is filled with a waterproof sealant, and then rotating the wire connector while preventing the sleeve and the electrical leads from rotating.
Inventors
- 👤 Lloyd H. King, Jr.
- 👤 Thomas A. King
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 09:37
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R4/00; H01R4/22; H02; H02G; H02G15/00; H02G15/02; H02G15/04; H02G15/043; H01R13/00; H01R13/46; H01R13/52; H01R13/5216; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49194; Y10T29/49201
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
A waterproof connector to permit a user to simultaneously form a waterproof low resistance electrical connection between electrical leads comprising: a cylindrical housing, said cylindrical housing having a first end and a second end; an electrical conducting collar located in said cylindrical housing to permit a user to rotate said electrical conducting collar about the twisted ends of electrical leads to provide a low resistance electrical connection between the electrical leads; a cylindrical tube, said cylindrical tube having a cavity therein, said cylindrical tube having a first end and a second end with said first end of said cylindrical tube rotatively mounted on either said first or said second end of said cylindrical housing; a sealant located in said cylindrical tube and said cylindrical housing; and a flexure cover located on said second end of said cylindrical tube, said flexure cover having segments that flex inward in response to insertion of the twisted junction ends of electrical leads into said cylindrical tube so that a user can simultaneously form a waterproof, low resistance electrical connection between electrical leads by grasping and holding said cylindrical tube in one hand while rotating said cylindrical housing with another hand.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
A waterproof connector to permit a user to simultaneously form a waterproof low resistance electrical connection between electrical leads comprising: a cylindrical housing, said cylindrical housing having a first end and a second end; an electrical conducting collar located in said cylindrical housing to permit a user to rotate said electrical conducting collar about the twisted ends of electrical leads to provide a low resistance electrical connection between the electrical leads; a cylindrical tube, said cylindrical tube having a cavity therein, said cylindrical tube having a first end and a second end with said first end of said cylindrical tube rotatively mounted on either said first or said second end of said cylindrical housing; a sealant located in said cylindrical tube and said cylindrical housing; and a flexure cover located on said second end of said cylindrical tube, said flexure cover having segments that flex inward in response to insertion of the twisted junction ends of electrical leads into said cylindrical tube so that a user can simultaneously form a waterproof, low resistance electrical connection between electrical leads by grasping and holding said cylindrical tube in one hand while rotating said cylindrical housing with another hand.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The waterproof connector of claim 1 wherein said collar is an electrical conducting metal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
The waterproof connector of claim 2 wherein said sealant comprises a viscous sealant that does not flow out of the waterproof connector under normal storage conditions with said viscous sealant substantially filling the cavity in said cylindrical housing when the wires are located in said waterproof connector to thereby provide a waterproof substance surrounding the wires located in said waterproof connector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The waterproof connector of claim 3 wherein said viscous sealant comprises silicone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The waterproof connector of claim 4 wherein said cylindrical housing includes an annular section with an annular recess located therein to prevent axial displacement of said housing with respect to said cylindrical tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The waterproof connector of claim 5 wherein said cylindrical tube includes a retaining bead located on said cylindrical tube for rotationally engaging said cylindrical housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The waterproof connector of claim 6 wherein said segments comprise radial inward emanating segments that overlap one another to form a closure on the end of said cylindrical tube.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
101 words
The method of simultaneously forming a waterproof low resistance electrical connection between electrical leads comprising the steps of: twisting the ends of electrical leads together to form a twisted junction; inserting the twisted junction through a tube connected to a wire connector having a cavity containing a sealant until the twisted junction engages the interior of the wire connector and is surrounded by the sealant; and then twisting the wire connector while holding the tube and the electrical leads so that the twisted junction is forced into a waterproof, low resistance electrical connection with the twisted junction surrounded by the sealant.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
101 words
The method of simultaneously forming a waterproof low resistance electrical connection between electrical leads comprising the steps of: twisting the ends of electrical leads together to form a twisted junction; inserting the twisted junction through a tube connected to a wire connector having a cavity containing a sealant until the twisted junction engages the interior of the wire connector and is surrounded by the sealant; and then twisting the wire connector while holding the tube and the electrical leads so that the twisted junction is forced into a waterproof, low resistance electrical connection with the twisted junction surrounded by the sealant.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 8 including the step of inserting the twisted junction through flexible segments before inserting the twisted junction into said cylindrical tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 9 including the step of holding the wire connector nut in one hand and the electrical leads and cylindrical tube in the other.
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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) | 1994-06-10 | 1994-12-10 | 1995-06-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-06-10 | 1998-12-10 | 1999-06-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-06-10 | 2002-12-10 | 2003-06-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |