Single fastener electrical connector

• US 9,065,191 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2013
• Issued: 06/23/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Inventors: Martin, Evan, Rzasa, Mike
• Primary Examiner(s): Gilman, Alexander
• Application Number:
  US13/775,419
• Publication Number:
  US 20140242853A1
• Time in Patent Office: 848 Days
• Field of Search: 439/781, 439/99, 439/92, 439/97, 439/871, 439/434, 439/479, 174/84.C
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/11 End pieces or tapping pieces for wires, supported by the wire and for facilitating electrical connection to some other wire, terminal or conductive member H01R11/01 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/26 End pieces terminating in a screw clamp, screw or nut
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/26 Connections in which at least one of the connecting parts has projections which bite into or engage the other connecting part in order to improve the contact H01R4/188, H01R4/203, H01R4/5075 take precedence; using shape memory materials H01R4/01
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/40 Pivotable clamping member
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/42 Clamping area to one side of screw only

Abstract

A one-piece metallic connector is configured to receive a fastener and has features that grip and electrically bond two conductors as they are clamped together when the fastener is tightened. The connector'"'"'s generally U-shaped body has first and second legs, a bight portion joining the legs and an opening in each leg through which a single mounting fastener can extend. When installed with the outside of one leg abutting one conductor, another conductor is clamped between the legs. At least one outer projection (tooth) on the outer face of one leg engages the conductor to which the connector is mounted. At least one inner projection (tooth) on the same leg engages the conductor clamped between the legs. A recess on the inner face of the distal portion of the other leg is configured to cradle the clamped conductor.

Claims

1. An electrical connector for connecting a first conductor to a second conductor when secured by a fastener, comprising:

a one-piece, generally U-shaped metal body having a first leg, a second leg and a bight portion joining said legs, each of said legs having an inner face, an outer face and a distal portion remote from said bight portion, said inner faces opposing one another and said distal portions spaced to receive the first conductor therebetween;

a first opening in said first leg;

a second opening in said second leg, said first and second openings being substantially aligned to permit a fastener to extend therethrough;

at least one outer projection formed on said second leg extending outward from the outer face thereof for engaging the second conductor;

a recess on the inner face of the distal portion of said first leg configured to cradle the first conductor; and

at least one internal projection formed on the distal portion of said second leg and extending inward from the inner face thereof for engaging the first conductor,

whereby, when a fastener extending through said openings is tightened with the second conductor abutting the outer face of said second leg and the first conductor in said recess, said at least one outer projection is forcibly pressed against the second conductor and the first conductor is clamped by said legs to forcibly press said at least one internal projection against the first conductor,

wherein the distal portion of said first leg is outwardly convex, and said recess comprises the concave inside of said outwardly convex distal portion,

wherein said recess comprises a knurled surface,

wherein said at least one internal projection and said recess are substantially opposed, and

wherein said at least one outer projection comprises a plurality of outer teeth, said at least one internal projection comprises a plurality of internal teeth, and each of said teeth has a distal edge adapted to embed itself in a respective conductor when the fastener is tightened.

2. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the distal edge of each of said teeth is substantially circular.

3. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein said recess and said internal teeth are substantially coplanar.

4. The electrical connector of claim 3, wherein said first and second openings are located substantially midway between said bight portion and the plane containing said recess and said internal teeth.

5. The electrical connector of claim 3, wherein said recess, said internal teeth and at least one of said outer teeth are substantially coplanar.

6. The electrical connector of claim 5, wherein said first and second openings are located substantially midway between said bight portion and the plane containing said recess and said internal teeth.

7. The electrical connector of claim 5, wherein at least one of said outer teeth is formed on a folded terminal portion of said second leg disposed substantially parallel to the distal portion of said second leg.

8. The electrical connector of claim 7, wherein said terminal portion is folded outwardly.

9. The electrical connector of claim 8, comprising two internal teeth, and two outer teeth formed on said terminal portion.

10. The electrical connector of claim 9, wherein said two internal teeth are respectively aligned with said two outer teeth so as to form two sets of oppositely directed teeth.

11. The electrical connector of claim 10, wherein the distal portion of said first leg is outwardly convex, and said recess comprises the concave inside of said outwardly convex distal portion.

12. The electrical connector of claim 3, wherein said outer teeth are offset from the plane containing said recess and said internal teeth.

13. The electrical connector of claim 12, wherein said first and second openings are located substantially midway between said bight portion and the plane containing said recess and said internal teeth.

14. The electrical connector of claim 12, wherein said outer teeth lie in a plane that is substantially normal to the plane containing said recess and said internal teeth.

15. The electrical connector of claim 13, wherein the distal portion of said first leg is outwardly convex, and said recess comprises the concave inside of said outwardly convex distal portion.