Electrical junction block utilizing a pivotable connector
OwnerNorman R. Byrneinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electrical system for use in a raceway includes a power cable and a junction block. The junction block includes junction block halves configured to form opposing halves of the junction block, a plurality of bus bars arranged within a bus bar cavity, and a hinged connector arranged on a face of a first of the junction block halves. The junction block halves are coupled to define a bus bar cavity within the junction block. Each of the bus bars are electrically coupled to a conductor of the power cable. The hinged connector is arranged opposite a second junction block half such that a portion of the hinged connector is rotatable about an axis that is parallel to a face of the first junction block half. The power cable is coupled to the junction block via the hinged connector.
Claims17
An electrical system configured for use in a raceway, said electrical system comprising:
- a power cable comprising a plurality of conductors;
- and
- a junction block comprising:
- a pair of junction block halves configured to form opposing halves of said junction block, wherein said junction block halves are coupled together to define a bus bar cavity within said junction block;
- a plurality of bus bars arranged within the bus bar cavity, wherein each of said bus bars is electrically coupled to a respective conductor of said plurality of conductors;
- and
- a hinged connector arranged on a face of a first junction block half of said pair of junction block halves, wherein said hinged connector is arranged such that said hinged connector is opposite a second junction block half of said pair of junction block halves, wherein said hinged connector is configured to rotate a portion of said hinged connector about an axis parallel with the face of the first junction block half;
- wherein said power cable is coupled to said junction block via said hinged connector, wherein said hinged connector comprises a clevis fastener comprising a pair of clevis brackets, wherein said clevis fastener is secured to the first junction block half, and wherein each of said clevis brackets comprises a respective boss;
- wherein said cable connector end comprises a connection bracket comprising a pair of opposing openings, wherein each opening of said pair of opposing openings is configured to provide an aperture opening configured such that said respective bosses fit into said respective openings, and wherein an associated opening and boss configuration is sized such that said power cable, while said power cable is coupled to said hinged connector, rotates relative to the face of the first junction block half while maintaining a secure relationship.
An electrical system configured for use in a raceway, said electrical system comprising:
- a source of incoming electrical power comprising a plurality of hot conductors, a neutral conductor, and a ground conductor;
- and
- a junction block comprising:
- a pair of junction block halves configured to form opposing halves of said junction block, wherein said junction block halves are coupled together to define a buss bar cavity within said junction block;
- a plurality of bus bars arranged within the bus bar cavity and comprising a plurality of hot bus bars, a neutral bus bar, and a ground bus bar, wherein a first junction block half of said pair of junction block halves defines a receptacle face, wherein the first junction block half is configured to provide selective engagement with said bus bars through the receptacle face;
- wherein each of said plurality of hot bus bars is coupled to a respective hot conductor of said plurality of hot conductors, said neutral bus bar is coupled to said neutral conductor, and said ground bus bar is coupled to said ground conductor;
- and
- a hinged connector arranged on a face of a second junction block half of said pair of junction block halves, wherein said hinged connector is arranged opposite the first junction block half, wherein said hinged connector is configured to rotate a portion of said hinged connector about an axis parallel with the face of the second junction block half, wherein said hinged connector comprises a clevis fastener comprising a pair of clevis brackets, wherein said clevis fastener is secured to the second junction block half, and wherein each of said clevis brackets comprises a respective boss projecting from each said clevis bracket;
- wherein said cable connector end comprises a connection bracket comprising a pair of opposing snap openings, wherein each snap opening is configured to provide an aperture opening configured such that said respective bosses fit into said respective snap openings, and wherein an associated snap opening and boss configuration is sized such that the power cable, while the power cable is coupled to said hinged connector, rotates relative to the face of the second junction block half while maintaining a secure relationship with said hinged connector;
- and
- wherein said source of incoming electrical power is coupled to said junction block via said hinged connector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.