ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WITH SHEARABLE FASTENER

• US 20160298670A1
• Filed: 11/25/2014
• Published: 10/13/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Inventors: Diniz, Milton Egas, Nishimura, Gustavo Ferreira
• Granted Patent: US 10,760,608 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 31/021 by means of a frangible part F16B31/025, F16B31/028 take precedence; break members in torque limiters or torque indicators in wrenches or screwdrivers B25B23/1415
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 35/005 Set screws; Locking means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/36 Conductive members located under tip of screw
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/04 for forming connections by deformation, e.g. crimping tool

Abstract

A fastener (20) includes a head (22), a base (26), a shearable section (24), and a removable blocking insert (50). The head (22) has an inner surface (30) that includes a first socket (36) for receiving a drive tool (T). The base (26) includes an outer surface (38) having a base thread (44). The shearable section (24) is positioned between the head (22) and the base (26) and has a predetermined torque limit. The removable blocking insert (50) is positioned to hinder access of a drive tool (T) to the base (26).

Claims

1. A fastener comprising:

a head having an inner surface including a first socket for receiving a drive tool;

a base including an outer surface having a base thread;

a shearable section positioned between and connecting said head and said base having a predetermined torque limit; and

a removable blocking insert positioned to hinder access of a drive tool to said base, wherein said blocking insert is removable prior to separating said head from said base.

2. The fastener of claim 1, wherein said head includes an outer surface having a head thread.

3. The fastener of claim 2, wherein said head thread and said base thread have the same pitch.

4. The fastener of claim 1, wherein said base includes a second socket.

5. The fastener of claim 4, wherein said second socket has the same size as said first socket.

6. The fastener of claim 4, wherein said first socket has a first hexagonal configuration and said second socket has a second hexagonal configuration.

7. The fastener of claim 4, wherein said first socket has a hexagonal configuration and said second socket has a non-hexagonal configuration.

8. The fastener of claim 1, wherein said blocking insert is positioned at least partially in said shearable section.

9. The fastener of claim 1, wherein said blocking insert is positioned at least partially in said base.

10. The fastener of claim 1, wherein said blocking insert includes a ring.

11. The fastener of claim 1, wherein said blocking insert is compressible.

12. The fastener of claim 1, wherein said shearable section includes an interior cavity and said blocking insert has a diameter greater than a cross dimension of said interior cavity and forms an interference friction fit with said interior cavity.

13-16. -16. (canceled)

17. A fastener comprising:

a head having an inner surface including a first socket for receiving a drive tool;

a base having an inner surface including a second socket for receiving a drive tool and an outer surface having a thread;

a shearable section positioned between and connecting said head and said base having a predetermined torque limit and an inner surface; and

a removable blocking insert positioned to hinder access of a drive tool to said second socket, wherein said blocking insert is positioned at least partially in said shearable section.

18. The fastener of claim 17, wherein said second socket has the same size as said first socket.

19. The fastener of claim 17, wherein said first socket has a first hexagonal configuration and said second socket has a second hexagonal configuration

20. The fastener of claim 17, wherein said first socket has a hexagonal configuration and said second socket has a non-hexagonal configuration.

22. The fastener of claim 17, wherein said blocking insert is positioned at least partially in said base.

23. The fastener of claim 17, wherein said blocking insert includes a compressible ring forming an interference fit inside the fastener.

24. The fastener of claim 17, wherein said shearable section includes an interior cavity bound by said inner surface and said blocking insert has a diameter greater than a cross dimension of said interior cavity.

21. (canceled)

25. (canceled)

27. The fastener of claim 25, wherein said blocking insert is prevented from being removed prior to said head separating from said base.

26. (canceled)

28-31. -31. (canceled)

32. A method of connecting an electrical conductor to a connector block comprising:

inserting an electrical conductor into a first aperture of a connector block;

inserting a shearable fastener having a head, a base, a shearable section including a torque limit, and a removable blocking insert into a second aperture of the connector block, the shearable fastener aligned to engage the inserted electrical conductor;

inserting a tool into the head of the shearable fastener until the tool engages the blocking insert;

rotating the shearable fastener into the connector block until the torque limit is exceeded;

separating the head of the fastener from the base; and

removing the blocking insert from the shearable fastener.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising:

inserting the tool into the base of the shearable fastener after removing the blocking insert; and

rotating the shearable fastener out of engagement with the conductor.

34. (canceled)