# US 4,400,048 A · Electrical connector with resilient pulling eye > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 4,400,048 A - Document ID: US4400048A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 06/309,857 - Filed: 1981-10-08 - Granted: 1983-08-23 - Earliest claimed: 1981-10-08 - Assignees: Burndy Corporation - Inventors: Norman M. Sacks - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4400048A ## CPC - H01R 43/26: for engaging or disengaging the two parts of a coupling device (structural association with two-part coupling device H01R13/629) - H01R 13/53: Bases or cases for heavy duty; Bases or cases {for high voltage} with means for preventing corona or arcing - H01R 13/62: Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS ## Abstract In a separable electrical connector for high voltage applications which includes a pulling eye enabling the connector to be gripped by a "hotstick" tool for engaging and disengaging the connector relative to a mating part, the pulling eye is provided with resilient, rubber-like ears for biasing the operating surface of the hotstick away from the pulling surface of the pulling eye. The resilient means is positioned alongside the pulling surface of the eye so that it is not interposed directly between the operating surface of the hotstick and the pulling surface of the eye. The resilient means provides resiliency in the engagement between the hotstick and the connector to assure that a secure grip and proper alignment are maintained. The resilient means eliminates undesirable slack and wobble in the engagement of the hotstick with the connector. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electrical connector of the type adapted to telescopically engage a mating part requiring significant force for insertion and withdrawal, comprising: a housing having a contact opening therein, an elongated contact member mounted within the opening, a tool opening within the housing for receiving a pulling tool, a tool engaging surface within the tool opening for receiving force transmitted from the tool in a direction axially aligned with the axis of the contact member and tending to separate the contact member from a mating part, resilient means on the housing adjacent the engaging surface for resiliently spacing a tool from the tool engaging surface, and the resilient means resisting movement of a tool toward the tool engaging surface with a force substantially less than the force required to disengage the contact member from the mating part. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An electrical connector in accordance with claim 1 wherein the tool engaging surface is substantially normal to the axis of the contact member; the resilient means being spaced from the tool engaging surface in a direction normal to the axis of the contact member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) An electrical connector in accordance with claim 2 wherein the resilient means comprises a pair of resilient elements disposed on substantially opposite sides of the tool engaging surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1, 2, 3) An electrical connector in accordance with any of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the housing includes a covering of material which is inherently resilient, and the resilient means is formed integrally with the covering. ### Claim 5 In an electrical connector of the type having a conductor means attached thereto and being disconnectably engageable with a mating electrical means, the connector enabling the transmission of electrical current between the connector means and the mating means when engaged with the mating means, the improvement comprising: a pulling member on the connector for operably receiving a hook-type tool thereon adapted to connect and disconnect the connector to and from the mating means, the pulling member having gripping means for resiliently engaging the tool whereby the tool is prevented from slipping and wobbling relative to the pulling member and is maintained in alignment with the pulling member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The connector according to claim 5 wherein the pulling member is located at a position on the connector so that the force applied by the hook is substantially axial with the mating means. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The connector according to claim 5 wherein the connector and pulling means are covered with an insulating material. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The connector according to claim 5 wherein the gripping means is made of an elastomer. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The connector according to claim 8 wherein the pulling member is covered with an elastomer. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The connector according to claim 9 wherein the pulling member has embedded therein a material which maintains the basic shape of the pulling member as the elastomer is distorted during the pulling action of the tool during the separation of the connector from the mating means. ### Claim 11 (depends on 5) The connector according to claim 5 wherein the gripping means includes a pair of ears on the pulling member which act together on the hook-type tool for providing a force thereon opposite the force exerted on the hook-type tool as it grips the pulling member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The connector according to claim 11 wherein the ears are made of an elastomer and conform to the inner surface of the hook-type tool as increasing force is placed on the tool whereby the tool firmly engages the pulling member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 5) The connector according to claim 5 wherein the gripping means provides a force on the hook-type tool which is substantially less than the force required to separate the connector from its mating means. ### Claim 14 An electrical connector of the elbow type, the connector having an electrical cable means attached to one leg of the elbow and having a female barrel configuration on the other leg of the elbow disconnectably engageable with a male mating means, the connector enabling the transmission of electrical current between the cable means and mating means when the barrel is operably placed on the mating means, the improvement comprising: a pulling eye located approximately at the apex of the elbow along the longitudinal axis of the barrel, the eye being utilized for operably receiving a hook-type tool thereon for connecting and disconnecting the elbow to and from the mating means, the eye having a pair of resilient ears located thereon, one on either side of the eye, against which the hook is to be engaged for gripping the eye, the ears acting together on the inner surface of the hook to prevent the hook from slipping and wobbling relative to the eye when the eye is gripped thereby and to maintain the hook in alignment with the eye.