Bus bar adaptor

• US 5,876,224 A
• Filed: 04/24/1997
• Issued: 03/02/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Framatome Connectors USA, Inc. (Amphenol Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Framatome Connectors USA, Inc. (Amphenol Corporation)
• Inventors: Chadbourne, Christopher G.
• Primary Examiner(s): PAUMEN, GARY F
• Application Number:
  US08/842,337
• Time in Patent Office: 677 Days
• Field of Search: 439/801, 439/94, 439/110, 439/121, 439/116
• US Class Current: 439/110
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/142 Their counterparts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/34 Conductive members located under head of screw

Abstract

The invention resides in a connector having a body extending in a lengthwise direction along a central axis. The body has a first portion defining at least one conductor engaging surface and having a second portion with at least one tracking engaging member extending therefrom. The at least one tracking engaging member being rigidly, nonmovably connected to the body. The body further has means for locking it to a track by causing the at least one tracking gauging member to wedge against a corresponding surface associated with the track.

Claims

1. An electrical connector comprising:

a body extending in a direction along a central axis, said body having a first portion defining at least one conductor engaging surface and having a second portion with at least one track engaging member extending therefrom, said at least one track engaging member being rigidly non-movably connected to said body; and

means for locking said body to a track by causing said at least one track engaging member to wedge against a corresponding surface associated with the track, said means for locking said body to a track includes a threaded opening formed in said body, said threaded opening receiving a set screw therein having an end adapted to engage a surface of a track to effect displacement of said body relative to said track.

2. An electrical connector as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that said threaded opening formed in said body extends perpendicularly to said central axis.

3. An electrical connector as defined in claim 2 further characterized by said said first and second portions being integrally connected with one another.

4. An electrical connector as defined in claim 2 further characterized by said second portion having a pair of track engaging members configured to have a dovetailed shape.

5. An electrical connector as defined in claim 4 further characterized by said at least one conductor engaging surface being sized and shaped to receive a correspondingly sized and shaped conductor lug surface.

6. An electrical connector as defined in claim 5 further characterized in that said track engaging members are elongated in a direction extending parallel to said central axis.

7. An electrical connector as defined in claim 6 further characterized by said first body portion being T-shaped as defined by a vertically extending part and an intersecting horizontally extending part with said threaded opening extending through said intersection between said vertically and horizontally extending parts.

8. An electrical connector as defined in claim 7 further characterized by said threaded opening extending through said central axis perpendicularly thereto.

9. An electrical connector capable of connecting a track bus to at least one conductor of the type having a connecting lug, said connector comprising:

a body extending in a direction along a central axis and having a first portion defining at least one surface adapted to receive in contacting engagement therewith a corresponding surface of a connecting lug and a second portion having at least one track engaging member depending therefrom configured to engage with a busbar track; and

means associated with said body for displacing said body relative to a busbar track in a direction perpendicular to said central axis, said means for displacing said body relative to a busbar track includes a threaded opening formed in said body, said threaded opening receiving a set screw therein having an end adapted to engage a surface of a track to effect displacement of said body relative to said track.

10. An electrical connector as defined in claim 9 further characterized in that said threaded opening formed in said body extends perpendicularly to said central axis.

11. An electrical connector as defined in claim 10 further characterized by said first and second portions being integrally connected with one another.

12. An electrical connector as defined in claim 10 further characterized by said second portion having a pair of track engaging members configured to have a dovetailed shape.

13. An electrical connector as defined in claim 12 further characterized in that said track engaging members are elongated in a direction extending parallel to said central axis.

14. An electrical connector as defined in claim 13 further characterized by said first body portion being T-shaped as defined by a vertically extending part and an intersecting horizontally extending part with said threaded opening extending through said intersection between said vertically and horizontally extending path.

15. An electrical connector as defined in claim 14 further characterized by said threaded opening extending through said central axis perpendicularly thereto.

16. An electrical connector as defined in claim 15 further characterized by said two vertically oriented conductor engaging surfaces being adaptable for connection to an associated lug by compression means.

17. An electrical connector comprising:

a body extending in a direction along a central axis, said body having a first portion defining at least one conductor engaging surface and having a second portion with at least one track engaging member extending therefrom, said at least one track engaging member being rigidly non-movably connected to said body; and

means for locking said body to a track by causing said at least one track engaging member to wedge against a corresponding surface associated with the track, said first and second portions being integrally connected with one another and said means for locking said body to a track includes a threaded opening formed in said body and extending perpendicularly to said central axis, said threaded opening receiving a set screw therein having an end adapted to engage a surface of a track to effect displacement of said body relative to said track.