Self-locking wire termination clip
First Claim
1. A connector for capturing a wire, comprising:
- a base, the base further comprising a conductive metal and having,a base plate, the base plate including means for assembling the base to a panel,a pair of opposed sidewalls extending at an angle from the base plate, each sidewall including a plurality of slots arranged as opposed pairs of preselected size, each opposed pair being of a different size so that each base can accommodate a plurality of wires of preselected sizes in the slots;
a stuffer, the stuffer mounted to the base, the stuffer further comprising,a top surface,a pair of opposed sidewalls extending from the stuffer top surface toward the base plate, each stuffer sidewall having slots corresponding to the slots in the base sidewalls, each opposed stuffer sidewall being adjacent to a base sidewall; and
means for fastening the stuffer with respect to the base,wherein the slot in each of the stuffer sidewalls urges the wire against the corresponding slot in the base sidewalls, exerting a force on the wire sufficient to establish electrical contact between the wire and the base.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A solar grounding connector for capturing a wire. The connector includes a base and a stuffer. The base is made from a conductive metal and includes a base plate. The base plate includes means for assembling the base to a solar panel. A pair of opposed sidewalls extend at an angle from the base plate, each sidewall including a slot of preselected size. The stuffer is pivotably mounted to the base. The stuffer includes a top surface, and a pair of opposed sidewalls extending from the stuffer top surface toward the base plate. Each stuffer sidewall has a slot corresponding to the slot in the base sidewall, each opposed stuffer sidewall being adjacent to a base sidewall when engaged. The slot in the stuffer sidewalls urge a wire against the corresponding slots in the base sidewalls, exerting a force on the wire sufficient to establish electrical contact between the wire and the base. The grounding connector also includes means for fastening the stuffer with respect to the base. The solar grounding connector is attached to a solar panel frame, while the wire has one end connected to ground.
63 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A connector for capturing a wire, comprising:
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a base, the base further comprising a conductive metal and having, a base plate, the base plate including means for assembling the base to a panel, a pair of opposed sidewalls extending at an angle from the base plate, each sidewall including a plurality of slots arranged as opposed pairs of preselected size, each opposed pair being of a different size so that each base can accommodate a plurality of wires of preselected sizes in the slots; a stuffer, the stuffer mounted to the base, the stuffer further comprising, a top surface, a pair of opposed sidewalls extending from the stuffer top surface toward the base plate, each stuffer sidewall having slots corresponding to the slots in the base sidewalls, each opposed stuffer sidewall being adjacent to a base sidewall; and means for fastening the stuffer with respect to the base, wherein the slot in each of the stuffer sidewalls urges the wire against the corresponding slot in the base sidewalls, exerting a force on the wire sufficient to establish electrical contact between the wire and the base. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A grounding system for a solar module comprising:
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a solar module having a frame; a wire of preselected size having an end connected to ground; a grounding clip, the grounding clip attached to the frame of the solar module, the grounding clip further comprising a base, the base further comprising a conductive metal and having, a base plate, the base plate including means for assembling the base to a panel, a pair of opposed sidewalls extending at an angle from the base plate, each sidewall including a plurality of slots arranged as opposed pairs of preselected size, each opposed pair being of a different size so that each base can accommodate a plurality of wires of preselected sizes in the slots, a stuffer, the stuffer mounted to the base, the stuffer further comprising, a top surface, a pair of opposed sidewalls extending from the stuffer top surface toward the base plate, each stuffer sidewall having slots corresponding to the slots in the base sidewalls, each opposed stuffer sidewall being adjacent to a base sidewall, means for fastening the stuffer with respect to the base; means for fastening the grounding clip to the solar module; and wherein the wire of preselected size extends through the slots in each of the base sidewalls, the wire contacted by the stuffer, urging the wire into the slots to establish electrical contact between the wire and the base. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification