WIRE CONNECTOR

• US 3,758,703 A
• Filed: 08/16/1972
• Issued: 09/11/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: James E. Golden, James F. Taylor
• Original Assignee: James E. Golden, James F. Taylor
• Inventors: Golden, James E., Taylor, James F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Clay, Darrell L.
• Application Number:
  US05/281,229
• Time in Patent Office: 391 Days
• Field of Search: 174/94R,90,84C,87 339/97R,97C,276R,276T,223R 206/56AB 29/193.5,195E,195L,195P,628,63F 113/119
• US Class Current: 174/84.00C
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/2495 Insulation penetration combined with permanent deformation of the contact member, e.g. crimping
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/0421 combined with other functions, e.g. cutting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/12188 having marginal feature for indexing or weakened portion for severing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/12264 having outward flange, gripping means or interlocking feature
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/12354 Nonplanar, uniform-thickness material having symmetrical channel shape or reverse fold [e.g., making acute angle, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/12368 Struck-out portion type

Abstract

An electrical connector for splicing insulated wires comprises a U-shaped dead soft outer shell and a U-shaped resilient insert or inner shell with inwardly projecting, insulation-piercing prongs. An outer insulated tape is disposed over the base and opposed sides of the outer shell and has portions extending beyond those opposed sides and terminating in serrated edges. The outer shell has opposed end flanges on the opposed sides that project toward each other and are serrated. The free edges of the sides of the insert terminate short of the serrated edges of the opposed flanges. When the connector is crimped over the wires, the prongs pierce the insulation thereon and the serrated edges of the infolded tape portion provide clearance for some of the prongs. The serrated flange edges permit a wire, such as a crossover wire, to fall between the teeth of the serrations or the teeth may pierce the insulation.

Claims

1. An electrical connector for splicing insulated conductor wires comprising a metallic shell having a base with opposed margins, opposed sides extending respectively from said opposed margins to provide a shell with a generally U-shaped configuration, said opposed sides each having an end flange remote from said opposed margins, each said end flange forming an angle with the adjacent part of its associated side, said end flanges projecting generally toward each other and terminating in opposed edges defining an opening into the shell opposite To said base, said opposed edges being serrated forming series of teeth, a metallic insert telescoped within said shell, said insert having a base adjacent to the base of the shell and opposed sides adjacent to the respective sides of the shell, the sides of the insert terminating in edges that are spaced apart a distance that is greater than the distance between said serrated edges, said insert having inwardly projecting prongs for piercing the insulation on the conductors and biting into the conductors when the connector is crimped onto the conductors by bending the opposed sides of the shell and of the insert toward each other and over the conductors such that the end flanges are juxtaposed and project toward said shell base and the serrated edges provide conductor relief spaces and insulation-piercing edges.

2. An electrical connector according to claim 1 including dielectric tape on the exterior of said shell and having portions projecting beyond said end flanges and terminating in serrated edges such that upon said crimping said tape portion will be confined between said flanges and lie within said insert, and the serrated edges of the tape will provide spaces for receiving prongs of said insert.

3. An electrical connector comprising a U-shaped shell formed of a dead soft metallic material, the shell including opposed sides terminating in end flanges projecting generally toward each other, each said end flanges being serrated forming a series of teeth therealong, and a U-shaped insert telescoped in said shell and being formed of a resilient metallic material that is harder than the material of said shell, said insert having opposed sides terminating short of said serrated edges, said insert having sharp inwardly projecting prongs therein.

4. An electrical connector according to claim 3 including dielectric tape on the exterior of the shell, said tape having portions projecting beyond said end flanges and terminating in serrated edges.

5. A combination that comprises a series of connectors, each connector having a U-shaped metal shell, the shell including a base and opposed sides, said opposed sides terminating in end flanges projecting generally toward each other and having serrated edges, an insert with each shell and having insulation piercing means, a continuous tape of non-conducting material having marginal strip portions and spaced parallel transverse sections joining said marginal strip portions, the tape having openings between said transverse sections, each transverse section being bonded to a base and opposed sides of said metal shell and with portions of the transverse section extending outwardly beyond said end flanges.

6. A combination according to claim 5 in which said portions of said transverse section terminate in free edges that are serrated.

7. A combination according to claim 5 in which the connectors have opposite ends that are spaced from said marginal strip portions to leave regions wherein the transverse sections may be severed to remove the connectors from said marginal strip portions.