Connector having a push-in termination for an electrically active grid
First Claim
1. An electrical connector for use with a low voltage, direct current grid member having a first side carrying a first conductive strip and a second side opposed to the first side carrying a second conductive strip, the electrical connector comprising:
- a non-electrically-conductive housing having a first contact compartment, a second contact compartment, a first wire receiving compartment positioned adjacent to the first contact compartment, and a second wire receiving compartment positioned adjacent to the second contact compartment;
a first flexible, electrically-conductive push-in type contact disposed in the first contact compartment; and
a second flexible, electrically-conductive push-in type contact disposed in the second contact compartment;
wherein the first push-in type contact has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first push-in type contact has a first contact portion which extends from the first contact compartment into the first wire receiving compartment and which is arranged to be cooperable with a first wall of the first wire receiving compartment to grip therebetween a first electrical conductor when inserted into the first wire receiving compartment, and wherein the second end of the first push-in type contact has a second contact portion which is positioned relative to the housing to electrically couple with the first conductive strip when the housing is releasably positioned upon the low voltage direct current grid member; and
wherein the second push-in type contact has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second push-in type contact has a first contact portion which extends from the second contact compartment into the second wire receiving compartment and which is arranged to be cooperable with a first wall of the second wire receiving compartment to grip therebetween a second electrical conductor when inserted into the second wire receiving compartment, and wherein the second end of the second push-in type contact has a second contact portion which is positioned relative to the housing to electrically couple with the second conductive strip when the housing is releasably installed upon the low voltage direct current grid member.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An example electrical connector includes a non-electrically-conductive housing carrying at least a pair of opposed flexible, electrically-conductive push-in type contacts. The contacts each having a first end configured to receive and grip an electrical conductor, and a second end having a contact portion to releasable electrically couple with a corresponding conductive strip housed on opposite sides of an upper rail of a corresponding low voltage direct current grid member. In one example, a strain relief mechanism is coupled to the housing and is adapted to mechanically couple to the inserted electrical conductor and to assist in retaining the inserted electrical conductor in the push-in type contact. The housing may also define at least a pair of first interior spaces enclosing the first end of each of the contacts and for receiving and gripping the electrical conductor.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. An electrical connector for use with a low voltage, direct current grid member having a first side carrying a first conductive strip and a second side opposed to the first side carrying a second conductive strip, the electrical connector comprising:
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a non-electrically-conductive housing having a first contact compartment, a second contact compartment, a first wire receiving compartment positioned adjacent to the first contact compartment, and a second wire receiving compartment positioned adjacent to the second contact compartment; a first flexible, electrically-conductive push-in type contact disposed in the first contact compartment; and a second flexible, electrically-conductive push-in type contact disposed in the second contact compartment; wherein the first push-in type contact has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first push-in type contact has a first contact portion which extends from the first contact compartment into the first wire receiving compartment and which is arranged to be cooperable with a first wall of the first wire receiving compartment to grip therebetween a first electrical conductor when inserted into the first wire receiving compartment, and wherein the second end of the first push-in type contact has a second contact portion which is positioned relative to the housing to electrically couple with the first conductive strip when the housing is releasably positioned upon the low voltage direct current grid member; and wherein the second push-in type contact has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second push-in type contact has a first contact portion which extends from the second contact compartment into the second wire receiving compartment and which is arranged to be cooperable with a first wall of the second wire receiving compartment to grip therebetween a second electrical conductor when inserted into the second wire receiving compartment, and wherein the second end of the second push-in type contact has a second contact portion which is positioned relative to the housing to electrically couple with the second conductive strip when the housing is releasably installed upon the low voltage direct current grid member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification