Insulation piercing connector
AssigneeHubbell Incorporated
InventorEvan Martin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A connector includes a clamping member, a base, and a body. A first channel is formed between the clamping member and the body, and at least one second channel is formed between the base and the body. The positions of the base and the body relative to one another and relative to the clamping member are adjustable to modify the size of the first channel and the second channel. Insulation-piercing members electrically connect a conductor in the first channel to one or more conductors in the second channel(s).
Claims20
A connector for electrically connecting a first conductor and a plurality of second conductors, the connector comprising:
- a clamping member including a pair of shafts and an intermediate portion extending between the shafts;
- a base coupled between the shafts and spaced apart from the intermediate portion, the base including a plurality of first grooves;
- a body coupled between the shafts and positioned between the base and the intermediate portion, a first channel formed between the intermediate portion and the body, the body including a plurality of second grooves, one of the second grooves cooperating with an associated one of the first grooves to form a second channel, the body forming an electrically conductive path between the first conductor positioned in the first channel and a second conductor positioned in the second channel;
- a first insulation-piercing member positioned in the first channel for engaging the first conductor;
- and
- a plurality of second insulation-piercing members, each second insulation-piercing member positioned in an associated one of the second channels.
A connector for electrically connecting a first conductor and a plurality of second conductors, the connector comprising:
- a clamping member including a pair of shafts and a bridge positioned proximate one end of the shafts, the bridge including a first end coupled to one of the shafts and a second end coupled to the other of the shafts;
- a base coupled between the shafts and positioned proximate an opposite end of the shafts, the base including a plurality of first grooves;
- a body coupled between the shafts and positioned between the base and the bridge, a first channel formed between the bridge and the body, the body including a plurality of second grooves, one of the second grooves cooperating with an associated one of the first grooves to form a second channel, the body forming an electrically conductive path between the first conductor positioned in the first channel and a second conductor positioned in the second channel;
- a first insulation-piercing member positioned in the first channel for engaging the first conductor;
- and
- a plurality of second insulation-piercing members, each second insulation-piercing member positioned in an associated one of the second channels.
A connector for electrically connecting a first conductor and a plurality of second conductors, the connector comprising:
- a U-shaped member including a pair of substantially parallel legs and an intermediate portion connecting the legs;
- a base coupled between the legs and positioned proximate ends of the legs, the base including a plurality of first grooves;
- a body coupled between the legs and positioned between the base and the intermediate portion, a first channel formed between the intermediate portion and the body, the body including a plurality of second grooves, one of the second grooves cooperating with an associated one of the first grooves to form a second channel, the body forming an electrically conductive path between the first conductor positioned in the first channel and a second conductor positioned in the second channel;
- a first insulation-piercing member positioned in the first channel for engaging the first conductor;
- and
- a plurality of second insulation-piercing members, each second insulation-piercing member positioned in an associated one of the second channels.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.