Free-spring wire connector

Abstract

A twist-on connector for electrical wires and the like comprises a hollow plastic shell having an opening at one end, a generally perpendicular closed end wall at the other end thereof, and one or more wing-like torque applicator ribs extending generally radially outwardly in an oblique angular direction from the external surface of the shell. The torque applicator rib or ribs of such configuration to permit flexing or cushion action to applicator's fingers, or torque limiting means during tool application of connector. The inside surface of the shell is provided with a plurality of longitudinally inwardly extending ribs which function to funnel an insert spring which is threaded into the shell, and to reinforce the body of the shell. The inner end of the spring engages an insert torque applicator stop at the closed end of the shell which transfers the torsional forces applied to the shell body to the outer end of the insert spring. The inner side of the closed end wall includes a stepped surface defining two or more plane surfaces of differing height. The stepped surface reacts against the wire bundle ends inserted through the insert spring to provide a torque variation on the wire bundle ends forcing the wire ends out of alignment with the bundle diameter and beyond the diameter of the inner end of the insert spring. This "wiping-over" or clinching effect significantly increases the torque required to remove the installed connector from a wire group. The unfavorably oblique angular position of the torque applicator ribs provides a deterrent to unauthorized removal of an installed connector from a wire group.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.