THERMOCOUPLE TERMINAL CONNECTOR

• US 3,855,569 A
• Filed: 05/07/1973
• Issued: 12/17/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John Tymkewicz
• Original Assignee: John Tymkewicz
• Inventors: Tymkewicz, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Frazier, Roy D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Staab, Lawrence J.
• Application Number:
  US05/357,786
• Time in Patent Office: 589 Days
• Field of Search: 339/95A,176T,191R,191S,195R,196,270,195S,272R,272A,277,266
• US Class Current: 439/695
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/533 Bases, cases made for use in extreme conditions, e.g. high temperature, radiation, vibration, corrosive environment, pressure H01R13/52 takes precedence

Abstract

The disclosure hereof relates to thermocouple terminal connectors and more specifically to the construction of certain parts thereof providing for the engagement of a pair of terminals and for connecting the conductors thereto, the provision for connecting the conductors being such that the same are readily connectible to very fine wires and visual observation is provided to assure that connection is being effected or will be effected when contact is complete of the conductor with the mating elements providing for transfer of current therethrough, flat connector sections being provided for the interengagement of respective connectors and extending from the body in such a manner as to provide for female and male connection.

Claims

1. In thermocouple terminal connector construction of the class described in combination, a male contact unit and a female contact unit, a body for each unit, each said unit comprising an upper and lower part, each of said parts including a contact having a contact portion and a connector section spaced apart along the longitudinal axis of said contact, said contact portions being formed to effect electrical contact between the said portions of connected units, said connector section of each unit including a stationary area and an elongated movable area, said movable area being given a partial twist with respect to said longitudinal axis to position at least a part of said movable area away from said stationary area to effect the connecting of the unit with a unitary conductor inserted between said areas, and means to move said movable area of each unit from the twisted position into contact with such conductor and maintain the same so connected in electrical contact in the position as inserted solely by actuation of the means.

2. The combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein a pair of contact units is positioned in each body.

3. The combination as claimed in claim 2, wherein each body is formed with a conductor divider to direct each unitary conductor into aligned position in its respective contact unit for conductive contact with its respective each such unit.

4. The combination as claimed in claim 2, wherein each body is formed with a conductor divider to direct each conductor into aligned position for conductive contact with its respective unit, such divider being positioned about centrally of the body, a passage from one end of the body being directed toward said body to receive conductors therethrough.

5. The combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the certain contact portions comprise flat male elements having an enlarged area at one end, comprising the stationary area, the movable area includes an enlarged area substantially co-extensive with that at the end of the stationary area and twisted so as to have a portion thereof out of contact with the stationary area a fastener engages both enlarged areas, said areas being seated in a cavity in the body of greater size than the flat areas whereby a unitary conductor may be positiOned by insertion therebetween so as to extend beyond said areas and the extended part be visible, whereby to assure complete contact with such areas when the fastener is tightened.