Single fastener electrical connector

• US 9,853,370 B2
• Filed: 09/22/2016
• Issued: 12/26/2017
• 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:
  US15/272,733
• Publication Number:
  US 20170012365A1
• Time in Patent Office: 460 Days
• Field of Search: 439 99, 439803
• 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 a proximal portion near said bight portion and a distal portion remote from said bight portion, spaced apart 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;

said second leg having a first thickness at said proximal portion and a second thickness at said distal portion, wherein said second thickness is greater than said first thickness;

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.

2. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the distal portion of said first leg is outwardly convex, and said recess comprises the concave inside of said outwardly convex distal portion.

3. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein said recess comprises a knurled surface.

4. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein said at least one internal projection and said recess are substantially opposed.