# US 2014/0197958 A1 · 7-Way Crab Joint > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0197958 A1 - Document ID: US20140197958A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/744,337 - Filed: 2013-01-17 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-17 - Assignees: Richards Manufacturing Company Sales, Inc. - Inventors: Jeffrey L. Madden; Bruce Bier - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140197958A1 ## CPC - H02G 1/14: for joining or terminating cables - H02G 5/00: Installations of bus-bars - H02G 15/113: Boxes split longitudinally in main cable direction - H02G 3/263: {Installation, e.g. suspension, of conduit channels or other supports} - Y10T 29/49195: with end-to-end orienting - Y10T 29/49197: including fluid evacuating or pressurizing - H02G: INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract An apparatus and method for interconnecting mains cables used for underground secondary low-voltage AC network systems utilizing an improved crab joint connector arranged to maximize the number of interconnections in a compact design wherein the plurality of legs are arranged in a rectangle configuration and a single bus leg is positioned at an end of an insulated housing. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cable joint assembly for an electrical distribution system, the cable joint assembly comprising: a unitary crab joint composed of a first end and a second end having a plurality of apertures composed of a plurality of legs, each including a channel for receiving a plurality of cable connections to said unitary crab joint; an intermediate housing; a junction plate located in said intermediate housing for establishing connections thereto; wherein said plurality of apertures are positioned in a rectangular configuration wherein at least one of the plurality of apertures is positioned at top of said unitary crab joint positioned substantially along the centerline of said unitary crab joint as a bus connection, and further wherein the cable connections extend outwardly from said unitary crab joint. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The cable joint assembly of claim 1 wherein the cable joint is insulated. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The cable joint assembly of claim 1 wherein the cable joint is substantially manufactured of a highly conductive material selected from the group consisting of copper, silver, and tin. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The cable joint assembly of claim 1 wherein the cable joint is substantially sealed in rubber. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The cable joint assembly of claim 1 wherein the legs are connected to said crab joint via a compression connection. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The cable joint assembly of claim 1 wherein said fusing connectors includes an indicator for providing a visual indication that a limiter is shorted. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The cable joint assembly of claim 1 wherein said fusing connectors includes an indicator for providing an audible indication that a limiter is shorted. ### Claim 8 A cable joint assembly for an electrical distribution system, the cable joint assembly comprising: a unitary crab joint composed of a first end and a second end having six apertures composed of a plurality of legs, each including a channel for receiving a plurality of cable mains connections to said unitary crab joint; a single non-limitered bus aperture composed of a leg, including a channel for receiving a bus connection to said unitary crab joint; an intermediate housing; a junction plate located in said intermediate housing for establishing connections thereto; and fusing protectors; wherein said plurality of apertures are positioned in a rectangular configuration, wherein said single bus aperture is positioned at top of said unitary crab joint positioned substantially along the centerline of said unitary crab joint as a bus connection, and further wherein the cable mains connections extend outwardly from said unitary crab joint. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The cable joint assembly of claim 8 wherein the cable joint is insulated. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The cable joint assembly of claim 8 wherein the cable joint is substantially manufactured of a highly conductive material selected from the group consisting of copper, silver, and tin. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The cable joint assembly of claim 8 wherein the cable joint is substantially sealed in rubber. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The cable joint assembly of claim 8 wherein the legs are connected to said crab joint via a compression connection. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The cable joint assembly of claim 8 wherein said fusing connectors includes an indicator for providing a visual indication that a limiter is shorted. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The cable joint assembly of claim 8 wherein said fusing connectors includes an indicator for providing an audible indication that a limiter is shorted. ### Claim 15 A method of establishing an electrical connection comprising the steps of: connecting a plurality of cable mains to a unitary crab joint composed of a first end and a second end having six apertures composed of a plurality of legs, each including a channel for receiving a plurality of cable mains connections to said unitary crab joint; a single ring bus aperture composed of a leg, including a channel for receiving a bus connection to said unitary crab joint; an intermediate housing; a junction plate located in said intermediate housing for establishing connections thereto; and fusing protectors; connecting a single ring bus to said single bus aperture, wherein said single bus aperture is positioned at top of said unitary crab joint positioned substantially along the centerline of said unitary crab joint as a bus connection. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of establishing an electrical connection of claim 15 wherein said cable mains and bus are connected to said crab joint via a compression connection.