Snap-on extension wire socket with electrical conductor insulation piercer

• US 5,556,297 A
• Filed: 10/31/1994
• Issued: 09/17/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sea Gull Lighting Products LLC (Visual Comfort Group)
• Original Assignee: Sea Gull Lighting Products LLC (Visual Comfort Group)
• Inventors: Strazhnik, Michael M., Bray, Douglas R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bradley, P. Austin
• Assistant Examiner(s): HILL, JILL
• Application Number:
  US08/332,021
• Time in Patent Office: 687 Days
• Field of Search: 439/402-404, 439/419, 439/638, 439/452, 439/460, 439/426
• US Class Current: 439/405
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/20 End pieces terminating in a needle point or analogous contact for penetrating insulation or cable strands
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/2406 having needles or pins
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/2429 mounted in an insulating base
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/031 for multiphase cables, e.g. with contact members penetrating insulation of a plurality of conductors insulation penetrating contact members in general H01R4/24

Abstract

An extension wire socket includes a nonconductive U-shaped portion, a nonconductive chamber and at least one electrical connector supported therein. The U-shaped portion is defined by a base and opposed tabs extending from the base. The U-shaped portion snaps over insulated electrical conductors. The nonconductive chamber is adjacent to the base. The socket accepts the terminal end of an extension wire. Each connector includes a spiked prong for piercing the insulation of one of the conductors when the socket is attached to the conductors. Each connector also includes an insulation displacement terminal for attaching the terminal end of the extension wire thereto. The spiked prong is located in the U-shaped portion and the insulation displacement terminal is located in the chamber. The connector is slotted into the socket in a manner that protects most portions of it from exposure and unwanted flexing and stresses.

Claims

1. An extension wire socket for attachment to insulated electrical conductors, the socket accepting at least one terminal end of at least one extension wire, the socket comprising:

(a) a nonconductive housing including

(i) a U-shaped portion defined by a base and opposed tabs extending from the base, the base having an upper surface facing the conductors and a lower surface, the U-shaped portion being dimensioned to surround the conductors, and

(ii) a chamber adjacent to the base of the U-shaped portion, the chamber including ribs extending therein for forming a slot between the ribs and the base lower surface, and

(b) at least one electrical connector supported by the housing for electrically connecting the terminal end of the extension wire to one of the conductors, each connector including

(i) a first portion having a spiked prong associated therewith for piercing the insulation of one of said conductors when the socket is attached to the conductors and making conductive contact with the conductor, the spiked prong being located in the U-shaped portion, and

(ii) a second portion attached to the first portion and being located in the chamber, flush against the base lower surface and fitting into the slot, the second portion having an insulation displacement terminal associated therewith for attachment to the terminal end of the extension wire, the insulation displacement terminal being located in the chamber.

2. An extension wire socket according to claim 1 wherein the housing base includes at least one slot formed therein for accepting a part of the first portion of the electrical connector.

3. An extension wire socket according to claim 1 wherein the base of the housing includes at least one opening formed therethrough for allowing the terminal end of the extension wire to pass through the U-shaped portion and into the chamber.

4. An extension wire socket according to claim 1 wherein the housing chamber is open on at least one end to allow it to receive the second portion of the electrical connector.

5. An extension wire socket according to claim 1 wherein the socket attaches to a channel which holds the electrical conductors, the U-shaped housing portion dimensioned to allow the tabs to attach to the channel.

6. An extension wire socket according to claim 1 wherein the insulation displacement terminal is a cut-out in a distal end of the second portion.

7. An extension wire socket according to claim 1 wherein the socket includes two electrical connectors and accepts terminal ends of a pair of extension wires, each connector connecting one of the pair of extension wires to one of said conductors.

8. An extension wire socket according to claim 7 wherein the electrical connectors connect each of the pair of extension wires to a different one of said conductors.

9. An extension wire socket according to claim 7 wherein the electrical connectors connect each of the pair of extension wires to the same one of said conductors.

10. An extension wire socket according to claim 1 wherein the electrical connector is L-shaped, one side of the L being associated with the first portion, the other side of the L being associated with the second portion.

11. An extension wire socket according to claim 10 wherein the spiked prong is at a distal end of the first portion and the insulation displacement terminal is at a distal end of the second portion.

12. An extension wire socket according to claim 1 wherein the chamber includes a wall for dividing the chamber longitudinally into two electrically isolated parts, each part associated with one extension wire.

13. An extension wire socket according to claim 12 wherein the base of the housing further includes at least one opening formed therethrough for allowing the terminal end of the extension wire to pass through the U-shaped portion and into the chamber, the opening being generally aligned with an edge of the wall.