# US 2017/0288320 A1 · Wedge cartouche > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0288320 A1 - Document ID: US20170288320A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/510,510 - Filed: 2015-09-11 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2014-09-11 - Assignees: Cicame Energie Inc. - Applicants: Cicame Énergie Inc. - Inventors: Geneviève Soucy; Nicolas Hillion - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170288320A1 ## CPC - H01R 4/5083: {using a wedge} - H01R 4/08: effected by an explosion - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS ## Abstract A wedge cartouche (1) for use with at least one line (3) and corresponding containment assembly (5). The wedge cartouche (1) includes at least one wedging 5 component (7) being positioned, shaped and sized for inserting inside the containment assembly (5), adjacent to the at least one line having a segment (9) extending through said containment assembly (5), the at least one wedging component (7) being moveable along at least one given path (11), and being operable between opposite drawn-in and drawn-out configurations along said at 10 least one given path (11). The wedge cartouche (1) also includes and a blasting assembly (13) for propelling the at least one wedging component (7) into the drawn-out configuration, in order to operatively secure the segment (9) of the at least one line (3) between a receiving portion (15) of the containment assembly (5) and said at least one drawn-out wedging component (7). 15 ## Claims ### Claim 1 A wedge cartouche (1) for use with at least one line (3) and corresponding containment assembly (5), the wedge cartouche (1) comprising: at least one wedging component (7) being positioned, shaped and sized for inserting inside the containment assembly (5), adjacent to the at least one line (3) having a segment (9) extending through said containment assembly (5), the at least one wedging component (7) being moveable along at least one given path (11), and being operable between opposite drawn-in and drawn-out configurations along said at least one given path (11); and a blasting assembly (13) for propelling the at least one wedging component (7) into the drawn-out configuration, in order to operatively secure the segment (9) of the at least one line (3) between a receiving portion (15) of the containment assembly (5) and said at least one drawn-out wedging component (7). ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 1, wherein the blasting assembly (13) includes a blank cartridge (17) having propellant (19) and a corresponding priming component (21) for igniting the propellant (19). ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 2, wherein the blasting assembly (13) includes a barrel (23) for containing the blank cartridge (17) inside said barrel (23). ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 3, wherein the barrel (23) comprises an orifice (25) for exposing the priming component (21) of the blank cartridge (17). ### Claim 5 (depends on 3, 4) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the barrel (23) is made of a resilient material, and wherein an outer distal rim (27) of the barrel (23) is positioned, shaped and sized for resting against an inner wall (29) of an inner cavity (31) of the at least one wedging component (7) in order to assist in containing an explosive effect of the blank cartridge (17) inside said inner cavity (31) of the at least one wedging component (7). ### Claim 6 (depends on 3, 4, 5) A wedge cartouche (1) according to any one of claims 3-5, wherein the barrel (23) is made of a color different than that of the at least one wedging component (7), and wherein the barrel (23) is positioned, shaped and sized about the wedge cartouche (1) so as to have an exposed portion after the blasting assembly (13) has propelled the at least one wedging component (7), in order to enable a user of the wedge cartouche (1) to visually determine at a distance when the at least one wedging component (7) is in the drawn-out configuration. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) A wedge cartouche (1) according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the at least one wedging component (7) comprises a first recess (33a) for removably receiving a first portion of the blasting assembly (13). ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 7, wherein the at least one wedging component (7) comprises a second recess (33b) for removably receiving a detonating assembly (35) being configured for selectively detonating the blasting assembly (13). ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 8, wherein the detonating assembly (35) comprises a striking component (37) extendable through the second recess (33b), the striking component (37) having a striking tip (39) being configured for striking the priming component (21) of the blank cartridge (17). ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 9, wherein the at least one wedging component (7) comprises a third recess (33c) for removably receiving the striking component (37) being extendable through said third recess (33c), the striking component (37) including a hole (41) for receiving a corresponding retaining pin (43) of the detonating assembly (35). ### Claim 11 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) A wedge cartouche (1) according to any one of claims 1-10, wherein the at least one wedging component (7) comprises a common recess (33) having corresponding different cross-sectional areas. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9, 10) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the striking component (37) comprises a protruding portion (45) extendable outwardly from the at least one wedging component (7), and wherein a portion of the striking component (37) is positionable outside of the at least one wedging component (7) when the striking component (37) is in a retracted position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 12, wherein the at least one wedging component (7) comprises a cut-out section (47) for receiving the protruding portion (45) of the striking component (37). ### Claim 14 (depends on 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) A wedge cartouche (1) according to any one of claims 9-13, wherein the striking component (37) is urged towards the blank cartridge (17) via a biasing assembly (49), and wherein the striking component (37) is selectively maintained in a retracted configuration via a retaining mechanism (43). ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 14, wherein the retaining mechanism (43) is insertable into a hole (41) of the striking component (37) when the striking component (37) is in the retracted configuration. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9, 14, 15) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 9, 14 or 15, wherein the retaining mechanism (43) is further positioned, shaped and sized for abutting against an outer portion of the at least one wedging component (7), in order to selectively prevent the striking component (37) from being urged towards the blank cartridge (17). ### Claim 17 (depends on 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) A wedge cartouche (1) according to any one of claims 9-16, wherein the striking component (37) is spring-loaded via a corresponding spring (51) insertable into a corresponding recess (33) of the at least one wedging component (7), the spring (51) being extendable between a shouldering portion (53) of the striking component (37) and a corresponding inner edge (55) of the at least one wedging component (7). ### Claim 18 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17) A wedge cartouche (1) according to any one of claims 1-17, wherein the at least one wedging component (7) comprises first and second wedging components (7a,7b) being positioned, shaped and sized for inserting inside the containment assembly (5), adjacent to the at least one line (3) having the segment (9) extending through said containment assembly (5), and wherein the first and second components (7a,7b) are moveable with respect to one another along the at least one given path (11), and are operable between opposite drawn-in and drawn-out configurations along said at least one given path (11). ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 18, wherein the at least one given path (11) is a slanted path. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18, 19) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the first and second wedging components (7a,7b) are moveable with respect to one another so as to increase an effective height (h) of the wedge cartouche (1) upon a detonation of the blasting assembly (13), in order to forcefully jam the segment (9) of the at least one line (7) against the receiving portion (15) of the containment assembly (5). ### Claim 21 (depends on 18, 19, 20) A wedge cartouche (1) according to any one of claims 18-20, wherein the first wedging component (7a) comprises at least one sloping section (57). ### Claim 22 (depends on 18, 19, 20, 21) A wedge cartouche (1) according to any one of claims 18-21, wherein the first wedging component (7a) comprises first and second sloping sections (57). ### Claim 23 (depends on 18, 19, 20, 21, 22) A wedge cartouche (1) according to any one of claims 18-22, wherein the second wedging component (7b) comprises at least one sloping section (57). ### Claim 24 (depends on 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23) A wedge cartouche (1) according to any one of claims 18-23, wherein the second wedging component (7b) comprises first and second sloping sections (57). ### Claim 25 (depends on 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) A wedge cartouche (1) according to any one of claims 18-24, wherein the second wedging component (7b) comprises a first sliding section (59) configured for sliding along a corresponding first section of the first wedging component (7a). ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 25, wherein the first section of the first wedging component (7a) includes at least one sloping section (57). ### Claim 27 (depends on 25, 26) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the second wedging component (7b) comprises a second sliding section (59) configured for sliding along a corresponding second section of the first wedging component (7a). ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 27, wherein the second section of the first wedging component (7a) includes at least one sloping section (57). ### Claim 29 (depends on 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28) A wedge cartouche (1) according to any one of claims 18-28, wherein the first wedging component (7a) comprises a first sliding section (59) configured for sliding along a corresponding first section of the second wedging component (7b). ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 29, wherein the first section of the second wedging component (7b) includes at least one sloping section (57). ### Claim 31 (depends on 29, 30) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 29 or 30, wherein the first wedging component (7a) comprises a second sliding section (59) configured for sliding along a corresponding second section of the second wedging component (7b). ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 31, wherein the second section of the second wedging component (7b) includes at least one sloping section (57). ### Claim 33 (depends on 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32) A wedge cartouche (1) according to any one of claims 25-32, wherein each sliding section (59) is hook-shaped, with a tapered section (59a) and a grooved section (59b), the tapered section (59a) of a sliding section (59) of one wedging component (7a,7b) being configured for abutting into the grooved section (59b) of a sliding section (59) of another wedging component (7b,7a). ### Claim 34 (depends on 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33) A wedge cartouche (1) according to any one of claims 25-33, wherein each sliding section (59) includes an outer gripping section (61), the outer gripping section (61) of a sliding section (59) of one wedging component (7a,7b) being configured for gripping into a corresponding section of another wedging component (7b,7a). ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 34, wherein said corresponding section of another wedging component (7b,7a) includes at one sloping section (57). ### Claim 36 (depends on 34, 35) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 34 or 35, wherein each outer gripping section (61) of each sliding section (59) is provided with surface-texturing for improved gripping when the wedge cartouche (1) is propelled into the drawn-out configuration by the blasting assembly (13). ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 36, wherein the surface-texturing includes peaked undulations. ### Claim 38 (depends on 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37) A wedge cartouche (1) according to any one of claims 18-37, wherein each wedging component (7a,7b) includes an outer gripping section (63), the outer gripping section (63) of each wedging component (7a,7b) being configured for gripping into the segment (9) of the at least one line (7) to be secured onto the receiving portion (15) of the containment assembly (5). ### Claim 39 (depends on 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38) A wedge cartouche (1) according to any one of claims 18-38, wherein the first and second wedging components (7a,7b) each include an outer gripping section (63), the outer gripping section (63) of the first wedging component (7a) being configured for gripping into a segment (9a) of a first line (3a) to be secured onto a first receiving portion (15a) of the containment assembly (5), and the outer gripping section (63) of the second wedging component (7b) being configured for gripping into a segment (9b) of a second line (3b) to be secured onto a second receiving portion (15b) of the containment assembly (5). ### Claim 40 (depends on 38, 39) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 38 or 39, wherein each outer gripping section (63) of each wedging component (7a,7b) is provided with surface-texturing for improved gripping when the wedge cartouche (1) is propelled into the drawn-out configuration by the blasting assembly. ### Claim 41 (depends on 40) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 40, wherein the surface-texturing includes rounded undulations. ### Claim 42 (depends on 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41) A wedge cartouche (1) according to any one of claims 18-41, wherein a peripheral contour of the first wedging component (7a) is symmetrical to a peripheral contour of the second wedging component (7b). ### Claim 43 (depends on 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42) A wedge cartouche (1) according to any one of claims 18-42, wherein the first and second wedging components (7a,7b) are made via an extrusion process. ### Claim 44 (depends on 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43) A wedge cartouche (1) according to any one of claims 18-43, wherein the first and second wedging components (7a,7b) are respectively upper and lower wedging components (7a,7b) of the wedge cartouche (1). ### Claim 45 (depends on 44) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 44, wherein the at least one given path (11) is defined within the lower wedging component (7b). ### Claim 46 (depends on 44, 45) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 44 or 45, wherein the at least one given path (11) includes first and second paths (11) defined within the lower and upper wedging components (7a,7b) respectively. ### Claim 47 (depends on 46) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 46, wherein the first and second paths (11) include first and second sloping paths respectively. ### Claim 48 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47) A wedge cartouche (1) according to any one of claims 1-47, wherein the containment assembly (5) includes a main body (5a). ### Claim 49 (depends on 48) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 48, wherein the main body (5a) of the containment assembly (5) is C-shaped. ### Claim 50 (depends on 48) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 48, wherein the main body (5a) of the containment assembly (5) is S-shaped. ### Claim 51 (depends on 49, 50) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 49 or 50, wherein the main body (5a) of the containment assembly (5) is provided with a projecting flange (5b). ### Claim 52 (depends on 51) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 51, wherein the projecting flange (5b) is a downwardly projecting flange (5b) provided with at least one hole (5d). ### Claim 53 (depends on 51, 52) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 51 or 52, wherein the projecting flange (5b) includes slanted sections (5d). ### Claim 54 (depends on 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53) A wedge cartouche (1) according to any one of claims 18-53, wherein the wedge cartouche (1) comprises a handle assembly (65) for removably maintaining the first and second wedging components (7a,7b) together when located outside of the containment assembly (5), prior to use of the wedge cartouche (1). ### Claim 55 (depends on 54) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 54, wherein the handle assembly (65) comprises an insertion pin (67) for removably inserting into a corresponding through-portion (69) of the wedge cartouche (1). ### Claim 56 (depends on 54, 55) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 54 or 55, wherein the handle assembly (65) comprises front and rear sections (71,73) being connected to one another via a corresponding link (75). ### Claim 57 (depends on 56) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 56, wherein the rear section (73) of the handle assembly (65) comprises a groove (77) being positioned, shaped and sized for removably securing therein a portion of the insertion pin (67). ### Claim 58 (depends on 57) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 57, wherein the insertion pin (67) is provided with at least one notch (79), and wherein the groove (77) of the rear section (73) of the handle assembly (65) is positioned, shaped and sized for removably securing therein a corresponding notch (79) of the insertion pin (67). ### Claim 59 (depends on 55, 56, 57, 58) A wedge cartouche (1) according to any one of claims 55-58, wherein the insertion pin (67) of the handle assembly (65) comprises a plurality of different notches (79) in order to use said handle assembly (65) with wedge cartouches (1) of different sizes. ### Claim 60 (depends on 57, 58) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 57 or 58, wherein the groove (77) of the rear section (73) of the handle assembly (65) is V-shaped. ### Claim 61 (depends on 56, 57, 58, 59, 60) A wedge cartouche (1) according to any one of claims 56-60, wherein the rear section (73) of the handle assembly (65) is positioned, shaped and sized for abutting against the first and second wedging components (7a,7b) of the wedge cartouche (1). ### Claim 62 (depends on 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61) A wedge cartouche (1) according to any one of claims 56-61, wherein the rear section (73) of the handle assembly (65) comprises a rear transversal section (81) for abutting against an outer portion of the wedge cartouche (1). ### Claim 63 (depends on 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62) A wedge cartouche (1) according to any one of claims 56-62, wherein the rear section (73) of the handle assembly (65) is positioned, shaped and sized to disengage from the insertion pin (67) upon contacting a side portion of the containment assembly (5) when the first and second wedging components (7a,7b) are inserted at a predetermined distance within the containment assembly (5). ### Claim 64 (depends on 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63) A wedge cartouche (1) according to any one of claims 56-63, wherein the front section (71) of the handle assembly (65) comprises a setting side (83) being positioned, shaped and sized for assisting in a positioning of the first and second wedging components (7a,7b) within the containment assembly (5). ### Claim 65 (depends on 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64) A wedge cartouche (1) according to any one of claims 56-64, wherein the front section (71) of the handle assembly (65) comprises a groove (85) being positioned, shaped and sized for removably securing therein a portion of a retaining pin (43) of the blasting assembly (13). ### Claim 66 (depends on 65) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 65, wherein the groove (85) of the front section (71) of the handle assembly (65) is V-shaped. ### Claim 67 (depends on 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66) A wedge cartouche (1) according to any one of claims 56-66, wherein the front section (71) of the handle assembly (65) is positioned, shaped and sized for abutting against the first and second wedging components (7a,7b) of the wedge cartouche (1). ### Claim 68 (depends on 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67) A wedge cartouche (1) according to any one of claims 56-67, wherein the front section (71) of the handle assembly (65) comprises a front transversal section (87) for abutting against an outer portion of the wedge cartouche (1). ### Claim 69 (depends on 68) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 68, wherein the front transversal section (87) is positioned, shaped and sized for abutting against an outer portion of both the first and second wedging components (7a,7b) of the wedge cartouche (1). ### Claim 70 (depends on 69) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 69, wherein the front transversal section (87) is provided with a protruding edge (89) for abutting against a corresponding outer slit (91) of the first wedging component (7a) of the wedge cartouche (1). ### Claim 71 (depends on 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70) A wedge cartouche (1) according to any one of claims 65-70, wherein the front section (71) of the handle assembly (65) comprises a foldable tab (93) operable between opened and closed configurations, the foldable tab (93) being configured for selectively folding in front of the groove (85) of the front section (71) of the handle assembly (65) in order to maintain the retaining pin (43) in said groove (85) of the front section (71) of the handle assembly (65) when operated in the closed configuration. ### Claim 72 (depends on 71) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 71, wherein the foldable tab (93) is further configured to be removably maintained against the front section (71) of the handle assembly (65), in the closed configuration, via an interlocking assembly (95). ### Claim 73 (depends on 72) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 72, wherein the interlocking assembly (95) comprises complementary male and female components (95a,95b), one of which is present in the foldable tab (93) and another one of which is present in the front section (71) of the handle assembly (65). ### Claim 74 (depends on 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73) A wedge cartouche (1) according to any one of claims 54-73, wherein the handle assembly (65) comprises a pulling section (97) operatively connected to the front section (71) of the handle assembly (65). ### Claim 75 (depends on 74) A wedge cartouche (1) according to claim 74, wherein the pulling section (97), as well as front and rear sections (71,73) of the handle assembly (65), are made integral to one another. ### Claim 76 (depends on 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75) A wedge cartouche (1) according to any one of claims 54-75, wherein the handle assembly (65) is made of a color different than that of the at least one wedging component (7), in order to enable a user of the wedge cartouche (1) to visually determine at a distance whether or not the handle assembly (25) is mounted onto the wedge cartouche (1). ### Claim 77 (depends on 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76) A wedge cartouche (1) according to any one of claims 54-76, wherein the handle assembly (65) and corresponding sections thereof are made of a plastic material. ### Claim 78 (depends on 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77) A wedge cartouche (1) according to any one of claims 18-77, wherein the first and second wedging components (7a,7b) of the wedge cartouche (1) are made of a metallic material. ### Claim 79 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78) A kit with corresponding components for assembling a wedge cartouche (1) according to any one of claims 1-78.