Self-shearing connector for electrical conductors
AssigneeNorthern Telecom Limited
InventorsRobert B. Dunn, Terence A. Ashby, Frank R. Campbell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A self-shearing connector for electrical conductors comprises a helical spring of rectangular cross-section wire around a central member extending from a body member. The spring has an upper or end turn with an end part of an external diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the next or lower turn. On compression of the spring the end part of the upper or end turn is pushed down into the next turn shearing off the end of the conductor. The conductor is gripped between the lower turn and the body or between the spring turns. If the conductor is insulated, the gripping pressure splits the insulation at opposite sides of the conductor to provide electrical contact.
Claims12
A self-shearing connector for electrical conductors, comprising:
- a body member;
- a central member extending from said body member;
- a helical compression spring of rectangular cross-section wire surrounding said central member, said spring comprising a lower coil in contact with said body member and an upper coil having an end part with an outer diameter a close sliding fit inside the inner diameter of said lower coil, said coils spaced apart axially for insertion of a conductor therebetween;
- means for compressing said spring to grip said said conductor under one of said coils and to push said end part of said upper coil inside said lower coil to shear excess length of the conductor whereby any insulation on said conductor is split to provide direct contact between the conductor and the spring.
A self-shearing connector for electrical conductors, comprising:
- a body member;
- a plurality of central members spaced apart and extending from said body member;
- a helical compression spring of rectangular cross-section wire surrounding each central member, each spring comprising a lower coil in contact with said body member and an upper coil having an end part with an outer diameter a close sliding fit inside the inner diameter of said lower coil, said coils spaced apart axially for insertion of a conductor therebetween;
- and
- means for compressing said spring to grip said conductor under one of said coils and to push said end part of said upper coil inside said lower coil to shear any excess length of the conductor whereby any insulation on a conductor is split to provide direct contact between the conductor and the spring.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.