# US 9,882,321 B1 · Compact power connector > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,882,321 B1 - Document ID: US9882321B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 15/346,407 - Filed: 2016-11-08 - Granted: 2018-01-30 - Earliest claimed: 2016-11-08 - Assignees: Arista Networks, Inc. - Applicants: Arista Networks, Inc. - Inventors: Richard Hibbs; Robert Wilcox; Youngbae Park; Alex Rose - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9882321B1 ## CPC - H01R 24/60: Contacts spaced along planar side wall transverse to longitudinal axis of engagement - H01R 25/142: {Their counterparts} - H01R 13/502: composed of different pieces (H01R13/514 takes precedence) - H01R 2107/00: Four or more poles - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS ## Abstract A compact connector is provided. The compact connector includes a connector body having a first group of one or more pins on a first face of a contact tip and a second group of one or more pins on an opposed second face of the contact tip. The first group of one or more pins engages with a first busbar, and the second group of one or more pins engages with a second busbar, wherein when the connector engages with the busbars the contact tip is disposed between the first and second busbars. A method of using a connector is also provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A compact connector for engaging busbars, comprising: a first busbar and a second busbar, configurable to have differing voltages or power and ground connections from each other; a connector body having a first group of one or more pins on a first face of a contact tip and a second group of one or more pins on an opposed second face of the contact tip; the first group of one or more pins engaging the first busbar; and the second group of one or more pins engaging the second busbar, wherein when the connector engages with the first and second busbars, the contact tip is disposed between the first and second busbars. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The connector of claim 1, further comprising: a pocket defined towards an end of the contact tip, the pocket disposed between an outer surface of the contact tip and one of the first face of the second face. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The connector of claim 1, wherein the first busbar and the second busbar are coupled to a chassis and wherein the first and second busbars float relative to the connector. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The connector of claim 1, further comprising: a cover having a first position covering the contact tip and a second position exposing the contact tip. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The connector of claim 1, further comprising: each pin of the first group and the second group attached to the connector in a cantilever arrangement. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The connector of claim 1, wherein: neither the first busbar nor the second busbar has a receptacle to connect to the connector; and the connector does not have a receptacle to grasp a busbar. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The connector of claim 1, wherein the connector is configured to accommodate first and second busbars of various thicknesses. ### Claim 8 A compact connector, comprising: a two pole power connector with a first group of pins on a first face of a contact tip engaging with a first busbar and a second group of pins on an opposed second face of the contact tip engaging with a second busbar, wherein when the connector engages with the first and second busbars, the contact tip is disposed between the first and second busbars. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The connector of claim 8, further comprising: a spacing clip holding the first busbar and the second busbar in parallel, spaced apart arrangement with the first busbar pressing on the first group of pins and the second busbar pressing on the second group of pins. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The connector of claim 8, further comprising: a chassis, with the first busbar and the second busbar attached to the chassis and floating with respect to the two pole power connector. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The connector of claim 8, further comprising: a spring-loaded cover attached to the connector and having a first position that covers the contact tip and a second position that exposes the contact tip. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The connector of claim 8, further comprising: the first group of pins and the second group of pins cantilevered from the connector, with conductor tips in one or more pockets of the contact tip. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The connector of claim 8, wherein the first busbar and the second busbar have no receptacle connecting to the first and second group of pins. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The connector of claim 8, wherein the connector is agnostic to thickness of the first busbar and the second busbar. ### Claim 15 A method of using a connector, comprising: coupling a first busbar to a first group of pins of a first face of a contact tip of a connector; coupling a second busbar to a second group of pins of a second face of the contact tip of the connector; and constraining the first busbar and the second busbar in a spaced apart arrangement with the contact tip between the first busbar and the second busbar. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the constraining comprises: having a spacing clip on the first and second busbars. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the constraining is with a cover of the connector retracted to expose the contact tip. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the coupling the first and second busbars to the contact tip of the connector and the constraining the first and second busbars comprises: floating the first and second busbars relative to the connector, with the first and second busbars coupled to a chassis. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the constraining is without using a receptacle to connect the first and second busbars to the first and second groups of pins. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the constraining is with all pins of the contact tip in physical contact with inward facing surfaces of the first and second busbars.