Restraint and lock for electrical connector
AssigneeThomas & Betts International, Inc.
InventorLarry N. Siebens
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A connector includes a first member having a first bore, a second member having a second bore configured to align with the first bore, and a fastener for securing the first member to the second member through the first and second bores. The connector includes a tubular extension affixed to the first member and configured to encircle at least a portion of the first member and the second member. The tubular extension includes an access hole to permit insertion of the fastener through the first and second bores and an exit hole to permit extension of the fastener through the first bore or the second bore. The connector further includes a receptacle configured to slide over the tubular extension to form a weather-resistant barrier for the connector. The tubular extension is configured to support the receptacle.
Claims20
A connector, comprising:
- a first member having a first bore therethrough;
- a second member having a second bore therethrough configured to align with the first bore in the first member;
- a fastener for securing the first member to the second member through the first bore and the second bore;
- and
- a tubular extension affixed at a proximal end to the first member and configured to encircle at least a portion of the first member and a portion of the second member, wherein the tubular extension comprises:
- an access hole to permit insertion of the fastener through the first bore and the second bore,
- an exit hole to permit extension of the fastener through the first bore or the second bore;
- and
- a receptacle configured to slide over at least a portion of the first member, a portion of the second member, and the tubular extension to form a weather-resistant barrier for the connector, and wherein the tubular extension is configured to support the receptacle.
An electrical connector, comprising:
- a spade portion including a bore therethrough;
- an electrical interface for a receptacle of a power cable;
- a tube-like structure affixed at a proximal end to the electrical connector and configured to encircle at least a portion of the spade portion, wherein the tube-like structure includes:
- an access hole through a wall of the tube-like structure to permit insertion of a fastener through the bore for securing the spade portion to a portion of a second electrical component, and
- an outside diameter configured to engage an inside diameter of the receptacle and support the receptacle when the receptacle is connected to the electrical interface.
A method for connecting a first electrical component to a second electrical component, comprising:
- providing a first member having a first spade portion with a first bore therethrough and a tube-like structure encircling the first spade portion;
- providing a second member having a second spade portion with a second bore therethrough and a receptacle slidably connected to the second member;
- positioning the second spade portion within the tube-like structure and aligning the second bore with the first bore in the first member;
- inserting a fastener through an access hole in the tube-like structure into the first bore and the second bore;
- and
- sliding the receptacle over the tube-like structure to provide a weather-resistant barrier over the tube-like structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.