Modular connector assembly for electrical utility box

• US 4,842,551 A
• Filed: 03/21/1988
• Issued: 06/27/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Anthony J. Heimann
• Original Assignee: Anthony J. Heimann
• Inventors: Heimann, Anthony J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pirlot, David
• Application Number:
  US07/175,663
• Time in Patent Office: 463 Days
• Field of Search: 439/502, 439/535, 439/536, 439/549, 439/368, 439/538, 439/540, 439/544, 439/549, 439/552, 439/557, 439/560, 174/53, 174/58
• US Class Current: 439/502
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/00 Coupling parts adapted for co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts for dissimilar contact members H01R13/35; supported only by co-operation with a counterpart H01R31/00; with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/90

Abstract

A modular connector assembly is provided for a sheathed multiple-conductor cable and an electrical utility box. The asssembly comprises a receptacle for the exposed multiple conductors of the cable, an integral clamp to restrain the cable sheath, and means for fixing the receptacle in a punch hole in the utility box. The assembly further includes a plug having at least two electrical conductors, a flexible electrical conductor for electrically interconnecting the multiple conductors and the plug conductors, and a module which incorporates at least two spaced, conductive strips and which frictionally receives the plug. Each strip has a plurality of projecting conductors, each of which is configured to engage one of the conductors of the plug.

Claims

1. A modular connector assembly comprising a sheathed multiple-conductor cable on electrical utility box having at least one punch hole;

a preformed integral interconnector for fixably mounting the sheathed multiple-conductor cable to the electrical utility box, said preformed integral interconnector including;

a clamp receptacle for electrically and mechanically engaging exposed multiple conductors of the sheathed multiple-conductor cable, said clamp receptacle integrally including clamping means for mechanically engaging the sheath of the sheathed multiple-conductor cable to restrain the sheathed multiple-conductor cable therein, means for electrically engaging stripped conductors of the sheathed multiple-conductor cable and means for fixably mounting said clamp receptacle in the at least one punch hole of the electrical utility box.

an interconnect plug module having at least two electrical conductors fixedly associated in spaced relationship within said module, and

a flexible electrical conductor having ends integrally molded in said clamp receptacle and said interconnect plug, respectively, for electrically interconnecting the stripped multiple conductors and the at least two electrical conductors of said interconnect plug; and

a function module located within said utility box frictionally receiving said interconnect plug and having at least two conductive strips in spaced array, each of said at least two conductive strips having at one face a plurality of projecting conductors, and wherein each of said plurality of projecting conductors is configured to engage a corresponding one of said at least two electrical conductors of said interconnect plug.

2. A modular connector assembly comprising an electrical utility box;

an electrical cable having an outer sheath and hot, common and ground leads;

a preformed integral interconnector for fixably mounting the electrical cable to the electrical utility box, said preformed integral interconnector including

a clamp receptacle for electrically and mechanically engaging the electrical cable having leads for hot, common, and ground functions, said clamp receptacle having integral clamping means for mechanically securing the outer sheath of the electrical cable to within said clamp receptacle and a plurality of conductive ferrules, each of said plurality of conductive ferrules electrically engageing corresponding stripped ends of the hot, common and ground leads,

an interconnector cable having a plurality of conductors each of which is integral with said clamp receptacle and is connected to a corresponding one of said plurality of conductive ferrules, and

an integral interconnect plug terminating said plurality of interconnector cable conductors in a corresponding plurality of exposed electrical conductors; and

a function module located within said utility box having a plurality of internally mounted conductive strips each of which correspond to one of said plurality of exposed electrical conductors, each of said plurality of internally mounted conductive strips including at least one receptor which accepts a corresponding one of said plurality of exposed electrical conductors of said interconnect plug and said function module having a housing frictionally receiving said interconnect plug and fixable to the utility box.

3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said function module further includes a switch lever and wherein one of said plurality of internally mounted conductive strips is segmented to include a resilient portion for electrical engagement between segments of said one of said plurality of internally mounted conductive strips upon actuation of said switch lever.

4. The assembly of claim 2 wherein each of said plurality of internally mouted conductive strips includes at least one spaced spring clip pair for engagement of a blade electrical conductor.

5. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said function module includes a light socket.

6. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said function module includes a circuit breaker.

7. Modular electrical connector assembly comprising a utility box;

a cable having an outer sheath and stripped multiple conductors;

a preformed integral interconnector for fixably mounting the cable to the utility box, said preformed integral interconnector including

a clamp receptacle for electrically engaging each of the stripped multiple conductors of the cable and for mechanically engageing the outer sheath of the cable,

an interconnect plug having a plurality of exposed conductors, and

a flexible interconnect cable having ends integrally disposed within said clamp receptacle and said interconnect plug, respectively, for maintaining electrical continuity between said clamp receptacle and said plurality of exposed conductors; and

a function module located within said utility box press-fit receiving said interconnect plug including integrally a plurality of conductive strips each of which include projecting conductors of shape complementary to said plurality of exposed conductors to electrically engage corresponding ones of said plurality of exposed conductors.

8. Modular electrical connector assembly comprising a utility box;

a cable having an outer sheath and stripped multiple conductors;

a preformed integral interconnector for fixably mounting the cable to the utility box, said preformed integral interconnector including

a clamp receptacle having integral means for electrically engaging each of the stripped multiple conductors of the cable and integral means for mechanically engaging the outer sheath of the cable,

an interconnect plug having a plurality of exposed conductors, and

a flexible interconnect cable having ends integrally formed with said clamp receptacle and said interconnect plug, respectively, for maintaining electrical continuity between said clamp receptacle and said plurality of exposed conductors; and

a function module located within the utility box press-fit receiving said interconnect plug including integrally a plurality of conductive strips each of which include projecting conductors of shape complementary to said plurality of exposed conductors to electrically engage corresponding ones of said plurality of exposed conductors and wherein one of said plurality of conductive strips includes switch closable segments to selectively interrupt the electrical continuity therebetween.

9. Modular electrical connector assembly for use in combination with a utility box;

a cable having an outer sheath and stripped multiple conductors;

a preformed integral interconnector for fixably mounting the cable to the utility box, said preformed integral interconnector including

a clamp receptacle having integral means for electrically engaging each of the stripped multiple conductors of the cable and integral means for mechanically engaging the outer sheath of the cable,

an interconnect plug having a plurality of exposed conductors, and

a flexible interconnect cable having ends integrally formed with said clamp receptacle and said interconnect plug for maintaining electrical continuity between said clamp receptacle and said plurality of exposed conductors; and

a module located within said utility box press-fit receiving said interconnect plug including integrally a plurality of conductive strips each of which include projecting conductors of shape complementary to said plurality of exposed conductors to electrically engage corresponding ones of said plurality of exposed conductors and further including a light socket internally connected to said plurality of conductive strips.