Insulated water-tight connector assembly including a set screw driver and plug

• US 20060155280A1
• Filed: 01/06/2006
• Published: 07/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: Thomas & Betts International Incorporated (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Siebens, Larry N., Borgstrom, Alan
• Granted Patent: US 7,311,563 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/781
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5205 Sealing means between cable and housing, e.g. grommet H01R13/5221 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5213 Covers
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/36 Conductive members located under tip of screw

Abstract

A set screw electrical connector assembly includes an electrical connector and a set screw drive plug. The connector includes at least one set screw portal sized to accommodate a set screw therein. The set screw drive plug is formed of electrically insulative material and is configured to engage and drive the set screw into the connector. The connector assembly may include an insulative housing formed about the connector for providing a water tight seal with a cable terminated to the connector.

Claims

1. A set screw electrical connector assembly comprising:

an electrical connector having at least one set screw portal sized to accept a set screw therein; and

a set screw drive plug formed of electrically insulative material configured to engage and drive said set screw into the connector.

2. The set screw electrical connector assembly of claim 1 wherein said set screw is metal.

3. The set screw electrical connector assembly of claim 2 wherein the electrical connector further comprises a waterproof sleeve encircling said set screw portal and extending outwardly away from the connector, said set screw drive plug forming a seal with said sleeve.

4. The set screw electrical connector assembly of claim 3 wherein said waterproof sleeve further including at least one internal raised rib configured for engagement with said set screw drive plug.

5. The set screw electrical connector assembly of claim 4 wherein said set screw drive plug includes a set screw drive portion and an enlarged head portion, said enlarged head portion and said at least one internal raised rib forming a moisture seal therebetween.

6. The set screw electrical connector assembly of claim 2 wherein said set screw and said set screw drive plug are formed as a single component.

7. The set screw electrical connector assembly of claim 1 wherein said set screw includes a female hex drive slot and said set screw drive plug includes a corresponding male hex driver.

8. The set screw electrical connector assembly of claim 1 wherein said set screw drive plug is configured with a female hex drive slot.

9. A method of sealing a set screw within a set screw electrical connector comprising the steps of:

partially threading a set screw within a set screw portal of a set screw electrical connector; and

fully driving said set screw into said set screw electrical connector via a set screw drive plug comprising electrically insulative material.

10. The method of sealing a set screw within a set screw electrical connector as set forth in claim 9 wherein said set screw is metal.

11. The method of sealing a set screw within a set screw electrical connector as set forth in claim 10 further comprising the steps of:

forming the electrical connector with a waterproof sleeve encircling said set screw portal and extending outwardly away therefrom; and

forming a seal between said set screw drive plug and said sleeve as said set screw drive plug drives said set screw into said set screw electrical connector.

12. The method of sealing a set screw within a set screw electrical connector as set forth in claim 11 further comprising the step of:

forming said waterproof sleeve with at least one internal raised rib configured for engagement with said set screw drive plug.

13. The method of sealing a set screw within a set screw electrical connector as set forth in claim 12 further comprising the step of:

configuring said set screw drive plug with a set screw drive portion and an enlarged head portion, said enlarged head portion and said internal raised rib forming a moisture seal therebetween.