Systems and methods of coupling electrical conductors
AssigneeNDI Medical, LLC
InventorKenneth P Rundle
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for coupling a plurality of electrical conductors, such as wires. A connector is provided including a plurality of bores or channels formed into a preferably unitary connector body, wherein at least a portion of one or more of the bores or channels intersects at least a portion of another of the bores or channels. The bores or channels are preferably formed along bore axes, which may be coplanar. A method according to the present invention includes inserting an insulated electrical conductor into a connector body and rotating a conductive rotational member threaded into a bore or channel formed in a connector body so as to electrically contact the conductive portion of the insulated conductor and at least one other electrically conductive surface.
Claims17
A device for coupling electrical conductors, the device comprising:
- a connector body;
- a first conductive surface disposed at least partially within the connector body;
- a coupling element movably engageable at least partially within the connector body;
- and
- a first aperture formed into the connector body and adapted to receive an insulated electrical conductor;
- wherein at least a first portion of the coupling element extends into the first aperture and at least a second portion of the coupling element is engageable with the first conductive surface;
- wherein the coupling element is movable between a first position wherein the coupling element is in electrical communication with the first conductive surface, and
- a second position wherein the coupling element is spaced from and removed from electrical communication with the first conductive surface;
- wherein the first aperture is formed along a first aperture axis, the device further comprising:
- an engagement aperture formed into the connector body along an engagement aperture axis, wherein the coupling element is movable within the engagement aperture and wherein the engagement aperture and the first aperture intersect at a first intersection location.
A method of coupling electrical conductors, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a device comprising:
- a connector body;
- a first conductive surface disposed at least partially within the connector body;
- a coupling element movably engageable at least partially within the connector body;
- and
- a first aperture formed into the connector body and adapted to receive an insulated electrical conductor;
- wherein at least a first portion of the coupling element extends into the first aperture and at least a second portion of the coupling element is engageable with the first conductive surface;
- inserting an insulated electrical conductor into the first aperture, the insulated electrical conductor comprising one or more electrical conductors at least partially surrounded by one or more insulation layers;
- moving the coupling element relative to the connector body;
- and
- as a result of the moving step, placing the insulated electrical conductor in electrical communication with the first conductive surface;
- wherein the coupling element is movable between a first position wherein the coupling element is in electrical communication with the first conductive surface, and
- a second position wherein the coupling element is spaced from and removed from electrical communication with the first conductive surface;
- wherein the first aperture is formed along a first aperture axis, the device further comprising:
- an engagement aperture formed into the connector body along an engagement aperture axis, wherein the coupling element is movable within the engagement aperture and wherein the engagement aperture and the first aperture intersect at a first intersection location.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.