# US 2021/0242610 A1 · Electrical cable connecting system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0242610 A1 - Document ID: US20210242610A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/164,266 - Filed: 2021-02-01 - Published: 2021-08-05 - Earliest claimed: 2020-02-01 - Applicants: Mark David Crosier - Inventors: Mark David Crosier - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210242610A1 ## CPC - H01R 4/22: End caps, i.e. of insulating or conductive material for covering or maintaining connections between wires entering the cap from the same end - H01R 13/025: {formed by the conductors of a cable end} - H01R 4/4821: {Single-blade spring} - H01R 13/6271: {Latching means integral with the housing (H01R13/6276, H01R13/6277, H01R13/6278 take precedence)} - H01R 25/003: {the coupling part being secured only to wires or cables} - H01R 25/006: {the coupling part being secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. duplex wall receptacle} - H02G 3/18: providing line outlets - H01R 4/483: {Pivoting arrangements, e.g. lever pushing on the spring} - H01R 11/09: the connecting locations being identical - H01R 13/4538: {Covers sliding or withdrawing in the direction of engagement} - H01R 13/5045: {different pieces being assembled by press-fit} - H01R 13/64: Means for preventing incorrect coupling - H01R 24/78: with additional earth or shield contacts - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS - H02G: INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES ## Abstract An electrical cable connecting system includes a modular electrical or electronic wiring device assembly, in which an electrical or electronic wiring device and a connector may be electrically coupled via pig-tail jumper electrical wires. The connector may be coupled to cable electrical wires fitted with a cable protector to protect the electrical wire conductors therein. The connector may include internal electrical terminals for electrically coupling building electrical cable wires with corresponding jumper electrical wires. The connector may be mechanically and electrically coupled to and directly terminate one or more building electrical cables, which may provide power to or from one or more electrical or electronic wiring devices by establishing an electrical pathway from a source of electrical power, through the building electrical cable wires, the connector, the pig-tail jumper electrical wires and an electrical or electronic wiring device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electrical wire protector configured to: receive at least one wire at a second end of the protector, secure the at least one wire within an inner portion of the protector, and permit protrusion of the at least one wire beyond a first end of the protector, wherein a conductor end of the at least one wire is enclosed in the protector until ready for connection of the at least one wire directly with an electrical connection terminal of a connector, wherein the conductor end is stripped of insulation or bare, wherein the protector includes a body, wherein the body includes at least one channel for the at least one wire, wherein the protector includes a slidable cover, wherein the slidable cover is configured to receive the body of the protector and to slide along an exterior surface of the body, wherein the slidable cover comprises: a face side, at least one opening on the face side configured such that the at least one wire is configured to pass through the at least one opening on the face side, and at least one polarization or key-way feature on the face side that allows for alignment of the protector with a connector terminal port in only one or certain configurations, such that the least one wire may be coupled to an electrical connection terminal within the connector, wherein the slidable cover is configured to slide back and forth between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein, when the slidable cover is in the extended position, the conductor end of the at least one wire is enclosed within the protector by the slidable cover, and wherein, when the slidable cover is in a retracted position, the conductor end of the at least one wire protrudes beyond the face side of the slidable cover. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electrical wire protector of claim 1, wherein the protector is configured to receive at least two cable wires at the second end of the protector, secure the at least two cable wires within the inner portion of the protector, and permit protrusion of the at least two cable wires beyond the first end of the protector, wherein conductor ends of the at least two cable wires are enclosed in the protector until ready for coupling of the at least two cable wires directly with respective electrical connection terminals within the connector, wherein the protector body is integral, over-molded, or an assembly comprising at least a first body component and a second body component, wherein the protector body comprises channels for the at least two cable wires, respectively, wherein the channels are insulating or non-insulating or comprise partial or complete tubular insulators, wherein the slidable cover comprises at least one polarization or key-way feature on the face side that allows for alignment of the protector with terminal ports of the connector in only one or certain configurations, wherein the slidable cover comprises at least two openings on the face side configured such that the at least two cable wires are configured to pass through the at least two openings on the face side, respectively, wherein, when the slidable cover is in the extended position, the conductor ends of the at least two cable wires are enclosed within the protector by the slidable cover, and wherein, when the slidable cover is in the retracted position, the conductor ends of the at least two cable wires protrude beyond the face side of the slidable cover. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The electrical wire protector of claim 2, wherein the protector cover comprises at least one latch, wherein the protector body comprises at least one detent, wherein the at least one detent is configured to receive the at least one latch when the protector cover slides to the extended or retracted position, and wherein the at least one latch is configured to make a haptic, audible, or visual signal when the latch enters the detent. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The electrical wire protector of claim 2, wherein the protector comprises a spring, wherein when the cover is in the retracted position or is retracted in a direction of the retracted position, the spring is configured to apply force to the cover such that the cover returns to the extended position when released, when the protector is not fitted to the connector. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) An electrical cable assembly comprising the electrical wire protector of claim 2 and at least two cable wires. ### Claim 6 An electrical connector, configured to: receive at least one electrical wire directly through at least one terminal port of the connector, secure a stripped or bare conductor of the at least one electrical wire within an inner portion of the connector such that the at least one electrical wire conductor is electrically coupled to a corresponding conductive internal electrical member of an electrical connection terminal within the connector, wherein the connector is configured to connect to the at least one electrical wire conductor via a releasable or non-releasable clamp connection terminal or a push-in clamp connection terminal, and wherein the at least one terminal port of the connector is configured to receive a slidable cover of an electrical wire protector, and wherein the at least one terminal port is configured to allow for alignment with the slidable cover of the electrical wire protector in only one or certain configurations. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The electrical connector of claim 6, wherein the at least one electrical wire received through the at least one terminal port is a first electrical wire, and wherein the connector is configured to: receive at least one second electrical wire directly through at least one terminal opening of the connector, secure a stripped or bare conductor of the at least one second electrical wire within an inner portion of the connector such that the conductor of the at least one second electrical wire is electrically coupled to a corresponding conductive internal electrical member of an electrical connection terminal within the connector, wherein the connector is configured to connect to the conductor of the at least one second electrical wire via a releasable or non-releasable clamp connection terminal, push-in clamp connection terminal, or weld connection terminal. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The electrical connector of claim 7, wherein the connector includes releasable clamp connection terminals, wherein the connector is configured to secure the stripped or bare conductor ends of the at least one first electrical wire by direct mechanical contact, wherein the releasable clamp connection terminals are configured to electrically couple with the at least one first electrical wire by operation of levers or actuators, wherein the releasable clamp connection terminals comprise spring clamps each including a spring jaw configured to clamp the conductor end of the at least one first electrical wire against the conductive internal electrical members of the releasable clamp connection terminals, wherein the levers or actuators are configured to be operated independently or are integrally or separately coupled to each other in at least one group such that the levers or actuators are configured to be operated jointly, wherein the levers or actuators are configured to move the spring jaws of their associated releasable clamp connection terminals, such that when a lever or actuator is moved to an open position, an associated one or more of the spring clamps is opened such that one or more of the conductor ends of the first electrical wires is configured to pass within the respective one or more spring clamps, wherein when a lever or actuator is moved to a closed position, the associated one or more spring clamps is released, and the associated one or more spring clamps exerts a spring pressure via its spring jaw impacting the respective one or more conductor ends of the first electrical wires. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The electrical connector of claim 8, further comprising: at least one spring clamp having an oblate ‘C’ shape comprising a lower member and an upper member with a spring jaw configured to grip a conductor end, and an opening through a semi-circular bend in the ‘C’ shape between the upper and lower members configured to receive an end of a conductive internal electrical member, electrical link member, or electrical cross-link member, the levers each having at least one substantially round pivot bearing feature with at least one cam feature thereon, wherein each of the levers is manual or tool operated, wherein the at least one pivot bearing feature bears upon an internal surface of the semi-circular bend in the ‘C’ shape of the spring clamp or the connector body, such that when each of the levers is rotated to its open position, the at least one cam engages with the spring clamp internal upper surface, forcing the upper member and its spring jaw to open sufficiently to permit a conductor end to enter under the second-end upper surface and pass under the spring jaw, and wherein when the lever is rotated to its closed position, the spring clamp exerts a force through the spring jaw to compress the conductor end onto the upper surface of the conductive internal electrical member, electrical link member, or electrical cross-link member, such that electrical contact is made. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The electrical connector of claim 7, wherein the conductive internal electrical members comprise internal electrical link members or internal electrical cross-link members, and the connector is configured to enable electrical coupling of multiple electrical wires. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) A modular electrical or electronic wiring device assembly, comprising the electrical connector of claim 7, an electrical or electronic wiring device, and at least two jumper electrical wires, wherein the electrical or electronic wiring device comprises electrical connection terminals, and wherein the at least two jumper electrical wires couple the electrical connection terminals of the electrical or electronic wiring device to respective electrical connection terminals of the connector. ### Claim 12 An electrical cable connecting system for electrically connecting at least two cable wires, at least two jumper electrical wires, and at least one electrical or electronic wiring device, the electrical cable connecting system comprising: a protector configured to: receive the at least two cable wires at a second end of the protector, secure the at least two cable wires within an inner portion of the protector, and permit protrusion of the at least two cable wires beyond a first end of the protector; a connector having at least two terminal ports at a second end of the connector and at least two terminal openings at a first end of the connector, the connector configured to: receive the at least two cable wires directly through the terminal ports of the connector, and receive respective second ends of the at least two jumper electrical wires directly through the at least two terminal openings of the connector, secure the at least two cable wires and the second ends of the at least two jumper wires within an inner portion of the connector by direct mechanical contact, such that each of the at least two cable wires and each of the at least two jumper electrical wires is electrically coupled to a corresponding electrical connection terminal of the connector, and secure respective first ends of the at least two jumper wires to respective electrical connection terminals of the at least one electrical or electronic wiring device, wherein the at least two terminal ports of the second end of the connector are configured to receive the first end of the protector such that the at least two cable wires pass directly through respective terminal ports of the second end of the connector, and are secured within the connector by direct mechanical contact and electrically coupled to respective corresponding electrical connection terminals of the connector. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The electrical cable connecting system of claim 12, wherein the at least two cable wires comprise a hot wire, a switched hot wire, a neutral wire, or a switched neutral wire, and wherein the at least two jumper electrical wires comprise a hot wire, a switched hot wire, a neutral wire, or a switched neutral wire. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The electrical cable connecting system of claim 13, wherein the at least two cable wires further comprise a traveler wire or a ground wire, and wherein the at least two jumper electrical wires further comprise a traveler wire or a ground wire. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The electrical cable connecting system of claim 12, wherein the protector includes a body, wherein the protector body is integral, over-molded, or an assembly comprising at least a first body component and a second body component, wherein the protector body comprises channels for the at least two cable wires, respectively, wherein the channels are insulating or non-insulating or comprise partial or complete tubular insulators, wherein the channels are configured to enable the at least two cable wires to be securely fastened in the channels, and wherein the channels are configured to enable conductors of the at least two cable wires to be accurately aligned with corresponding at least two terminal ports of the second end of the connector. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The electrical cable connecting system of claim 15, wherein the protector includes a slidable cover, wherein the slidable cover is configured to receive the protector assembly and to slide along an exterior surface of the protector body, wherein the slidable cover comprises: a face side comprising openings on the face side configured such that the at least two cable wires are configured to pass through the openings on the face side, and at least one polarization or key-way feature on the face side that allows for alignment of the protector with the connector terminal ports in only one or certain configurations, wherein the slidable cover is configured to slide back and forth into a retracted position and an extended position, wherein, when the slidable cover is in the extended position, the conductors of the at least two cable wires are enclosed within the protector by the slidable cover, and wherein, when the slidable cover is in a retracted position, the conductors of the at least two cable wires protrude beyond the face side of the slidable cover. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The electrical cable connecting system of claim 16, wherein the slidable cover is configured to retract over the protector body to expose the conductors of the at least two cable wires through the openings in the face side of the slidable cover, when the at least one polarization or key-way feature on the slidable cover is received by a corresponding terminal port or terminal ports of the connector. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The electrical cable connecting system of claim 12, wherein the at least two terminal ports of the connector include releasable clamp connection terminals configured to electrically couple with the at least two cable wires by operation of levers or actuators, wherein the releasable clamp connection terminals comprise spring clamps each including a spring jaw configured to clamp the conductor ends of the at least two cable wires against the electrical connection terminals, wherein the levers or actuators are configured to move such that when one of the levers or actuators is moved to an open position, associated spring clamps are opened such that the conductor ends are configured to pass within the associated spring clamps, wherein when one or more of the levers or actuators is moved to a closed position, the associated spring clamps are released, and the associated spring clamps exert a spring pressure via their spring jaws impacting the respective conductor ends of the at least two cable wires, and wherein the second ends of the at least two jumper electrical wires are coupled to respective connection terminals of the connector using releasable or non-releasable clamp connection terminals, push-in clamp connection terminals, or weld connection terminals. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The electrical cable connecting system of claim 12, wherein some or all of the electrical connection terminals comprise internal electrical link members or internal electrical cross-link members, and the connector is configured to enable coupling of multiple electrical cables and their electrical wires and the at least one electrical or electronic wiring device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The electrical cable connecting system of claim 17, wherein the at least two cable wires are part of at least one of a building electrical supply, branch, load, feeder, or jumper cable assembly. ### Claim 21 (depends on 12) The electrical cable connecting system of claim 12, wherein the at least one electrical or electronic wiring device is selected from the group consisting of: a receptacle, a switch, a wired spur connector, a Transient Voltage Surge Suppressor (TVSS), a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI), an Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI), a dimmer, a thermostat, a timer device, and a sensor. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The electrical cable connecting system of claim 20, further comprising additional building electrical cable assemblies in which cable wires of the additional building electrical cable assemblies are configured to be received by corresponding additional protectors and are coupled to the connector. ### Claim 23 (depends on 12) The electrical cable connecting system of claim 12, wherein the connector is configured to receive at least one connector link electrical wire through respective terminal openings at a first end of the connector, and secure the at least one connector link electrical wire conductor end within an inner portion of the connector, such that each of the at least one connector link electrical wire conductor ends is electrically coupled to a corresponding electrical connection terminal of the connector. ### Claim 24 (depends on 17) The electrical cable connecting system of claim 17, wherein the second end of the connector comprises up to three groups of terminal ports, wherein at least one terminal port of each group is configured for receiving at least one polarization or key-way feature of a supply protector slidable cover, a branch protector slidable cover, a load input protector slidable cover or a load output protector slidable cover of a protector included in a building electrical supply, branch, load, feeder, or jumper cable assembly. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The electrical cable connecting system of claim 24, wherein the connector is configured to couple at least one respective cable assembly to at least one other respective cable assembly via an internal link member, an internal electrical cross-link member, or a connector link electrical wire. ### Claim 26 A method for electrically connecting at least one building electrical cable and at least one electrical or electronic wiring device, the method comprising: providing a protector: receiving at least two cable wires of the at least one building electrical cable at a second end of the protector, securing the at least two cable wires within an inner portion of the protector, and permitting protrusion of the at least two cable wires beyond a first end of the protector by sliding a cover of the protector into a retracted position, providing a connector, providing jumper electrical wires, receiving second ends of the jumper electrical wires at a first end of the connector, securing the second ends of the jumper electrical wires within an inner portion of the connector, and electrically coupling the at least two cable wires of the at least one building electrical cable with the connector by aligning the protector with terminal ports of the connector and permitting the at least two cable wires of the at least one building electrical cable to pass through the terminal ports and couple with corresponding electrical terminals within the connector, wherein the second ends of the jumper electrical wires are electrically coupled with respective electrical terminals within the connector and the first ends of the jumper electrical wires are electrically coupled to respective electrical connection terminals of the at least one electrical or electronic wiring device. ### Claim 27 An electrical cable connecting system for electrically connecting at least one cable wire and at least one electrical or electronic wiring device, the electrical cable connecting system comprising: a protector configured to: receive the at least one cable wire at a second end of the protector, secure the at least one cable wire within an inner portion of the protector, and permit protrusion of the at least one cable wire beyond a first end of the protector; a connector having at least one terminal port at a second end of the connector, the connector configured to: receive the at least one cable wire directly through the at least one terminal port of the connector, secure the at least one cable wire within an inner portion of the connector by direct mechanical contact, such that the at least one cable wire is electrically coupled to at least one electrical connection terminal of the connector, receive at least one jumper electrical wire through a terminal opening at a first end of the connector, and secure the at least one jumper electrical wire within an inner portion of the connector, such that the at least one jumper electrical wire is electrically coupled to at least one electrical connection terminal of the connector, wherein the at least one jumper electrical wire is electrically coupled to respective electrical connection terminals of the at least one electrical or electronic wiring device. ### Claim 28 An electrical connector, configured to: receive at least two cable wires directly through terminal ports of the connector, and secure stripped or bare conductors of the at least two cable wires within an inner portion of the connector such that each of the at least two cable wires is electrically coupled to a corresponding conductive internal electrical member of an electrical connection terminal within the connector, wherein one or more of the terminal ports is configured to align with at least one polarization or key-way feature of a slidable cover of an electrical wire protector in only one or certain configurations. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) A modular electrical or electronic wiring device, comprising the electrical connector of claim 28 and an electrical or electronic wiring device, wherein the electrical or electronic wiring device comprises internal electrical terminals that are directly coupled to respective conductive internal electrical members of the connector. ### Claim 30 An integrated modular electrical or electronic wiring device, comprising: an integrated electrical connector that is integral with an electrical or electronic wiring device, wherein the integrated modular electrical or electronic wiring device is configured to: receive at least two cable wires directly through at least two terminal ports of the integrated electrical connector, and secure stripped or bare conductors of the at least two cable wires within an inner portion of the integrated electrical connector such that each of the at least two cable wires is electrically coupled to a corresponding conductive internal electrical member of an electrical connection terminal within the integrated electrical connector, wherein one or more terminal ports is configured to align with at least one polarization or key-way feature of a slidable cover of at least one electrical wire protector in only one or certain configurations, and wherein the electrical or electronic wiring device comprises internal electrical connection terminals that are directly coupled to or integral with respective conductive internal electrical members of the integrated electrical connector.