Wire connectors with binding terminals
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A wire connector, comprising:
- a housing comprising;
a plurality of cavities;
at least one housing wire opening extending between each of the plurality of cavities and an outer surface of the housing;
a plug member for mating with an electrical wiring device, wherein at least a portion of the plug member includes a portion of each of the plurality of cavities and a plurality of slots, wherein one of the plurality of slots corresponds to one of the plurality of cavities, and wherein each slot is configured to receive a contact blade of the electrical wiring device;
a plurality of terminal apertures extending between the plurality of cavities and the outer surface of the housing such that one of the plurality of apertures extends from one of the plurality of cavities to the outer surface of the housing; and
a single cover coupled to the housing and configured to move between an open position permitting access to the plurality of terminal apertures and a closed position covering the plurality of apertures; and
a plurality of contact assemblies, wherein one of the plurality of contact assemblies is positioned within the one of the plurality of cavities, and wherein each contact assembly comprises;
a contact member having a contact body and a pair of flexible fingers extending from the contact body that form a gripping portion to receive the contact blade so as to electrically couple the contact member to the contact blade; and
a mechanical tightening terminal coupled to the contact member and aligned with one of the plurality of terminal apertures.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Configurations for wire connectors and for electrical wiring devices that mate with or connect to the wire connectors are disclosed. The wire connectors have a housing and one or more contact assemblies positioned within the housing. Each contact assembly can receive and secure one or more wires, where the wires can be secured to or released from a contact assembly using a fastener accessible through an aperture in the housing.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A wire connector, comprising:
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a housing comprising; a plurality of cavities; at least one housing wire opening extending between each of the plurality of cavities and an outer surface of the housing; a plug member for mating with an electrical wiring device, wherein at least a portion of the plug member includes a portion of each of the plurality of cavities and a plurality of slots, wherein one of the plurality of slots corresponds to one of the plurality of cavities, and wherein each slot is configured to receive a contact blade of the electrical wiring device; a plurality of terminal apertures extending between the plurality of cavities and the outer surface of the housing such that one of the plurality of apertures extends from one of the plurality of cavities to the outer surface of the housing; and a single cover coupled to the housing and configured to move between an open position permitting access to the plurality of terminal apertures and a closed position covering the plurality of apertures; and a plurality of contact assemblies, wherein one of the plurality of contact assemblies is positioned within the one of the plurality of cavities, and wherein each contact assembly comprises; a contact member having a contact body and a pair of flexible fingers extending from the contact body that form a gripping portion to receive the contact blade so as to electrically couple the contact member to the contact blade; and a mechanical tightening terminal coupled to the contact member and aligned with one of the plurality of terminal apertures. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An electrical device kit comprising:
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an electrical wiring device; and a wire connector comprising; a housing comprising; a plurality of cavities; at least one housing wire opening extending between each of the plurality of cavities and an outer surface of the housing; a plug member for mating with the electrical wiring device, wherein at least a portion of the plug member includes a portion of each of the plurality of cavities and a plurality of slots, and wherein each slot is configured to receive a contact blade of the electrical wiring device; a plurality of terminal apertures extending between the plurality of cavities and the outer surface of the housing such that one of the plurality of apertures extends from one of the plurality of cavities to the outer surface of the housing; and a single cover coupled to the housing and configured to move between an open position permitting access to the plurality of terminal apertures and a closed position covering the plurality of apertures; and a plurality of contact assemblies, wherein one of the plurality of contact assemblies is positioned within one of the plurality of cavities, and wherein each contact assembly comprises; a contact member having a contact body and a pair of flexible fingers extending from the contact body that form a gripping portion to receive the contact blade, so as to electrically couple the contact member to the contact blade; and a mechanical tightening terminal coupled to the contact member and aligned with one of the plurality of terminal apertures. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A wire connector, comprising:
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a housing comprising; a plurality of cavities; at least one housing wire opening extending between each of the plurality of cavities and an outer surface of the housing; a plug member for mating with an electrical wiring device, wherein at least a portion of the plug member includes a portion of each of the plurality of cavities and a plurality of slots, and wherein each slot is configured to receive a contact blade of the electrical wiring device; a plurality of terminal apertures extending between the plurality of cavities and the outer surface of the housing such that one of the plurality of apertures extends from one of the plurality of cavities to the outer surface of the housing; and a single cover coupled to the housing and configured to move between an open position permitting access to the plurality of terminal apertures and a closed position covering the plurality of apertures; and a plurality of contact assemblies, wherein one of the plurality of contact assemblies is positioned within one of the plurality of cavities, and wherein each contact assembly comprises; a contact member having a contact body and a pair of flexible fingers extending from the contact body that form a gripping portion to receive the contact blade, so as to electrically couple the contact member to the contact blade; and a screw binding terminal coupled to the contact member and having a screw that is at least partially accessible through one of the plurality of terminal apertures, wherein the cover prevents access to the screw accessible through one of the plurality of terminal apertures when in the closed position, and wherein the cover permits access to the screw accessible through one of the plurality of terminal apertures when in the open position. - View Dependent Claims (31)
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Specification