Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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The invention relates to an electrical connector.
It relates to a connector which comprises two
substantially identical connection components shaped in such a
manner that, when facing each other but angularly offset
relatively to their common axis, the teeth formed on one
component engage the interval between teeth of the other
component and conversely, the opposite ends of said components
being connected to cables so that they effect electrical
connection thereof.
Such a connector ensures very good electric current
transmission. The current flow cross-section is large; the
components engage one another according to a surface much
larger than that of their cross-section; the external surface
of the connector is smooth without any peak or recess, and its
manufacture is easy because the components are substantially
identical.
It has been suggested, in the case of a connector
having two diametrically opposed longitudinal teeth, to bias
the teeth of one component against the teeth of the other
component, for example, by means of a screw extending through
the teeth, inserted freely into a tooth and co-operating with
an internal threading formed inside the opposing tooth.
This invention provides a connector of the type
described above, characterized in that the connected condition
is maintained, i.e. that condition in which the two components
are engaging one another to form the connection, the teeth of
one component engaging the interval between teeth of the other
component, by a transverse rotary member with a flattened
portion, such that when the flattened portion is directed
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parallel to the axis, it enables the release of one component
relative to the other, whereas in a position perpendicular to
the first mentioned one it positively opposes this release,
conferring the connector an extra security of use, preventing
incidents even in case of clumsy unintentional action.
Thus according to the present invention, there is
provided an electrical connector comprising two components with
longitudinal teeth and intervals between teeth mutally engage-
able by penetration, the teeth of one component being received
into the intervals between teeth of the other component and
the faces defining the teeth co-operating through their
engagement, the electrical connector also including a retaining
member which is insertable transversely through the teeth, the
retaining member being rotatably mounted for movement between
a first position in which it does not oppose the mutual
release of the components, and a second position angularly
offset from the first position, in which it opposes such a
release by abutment.
In an embodiment, the retaining member with flattened
portion acts also as a means to bring close to one another the
connector's branches.
In the following description, given by way of example,
reference is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a connector;
Fig. 2 is a view of part of the connector, but with
its components shown spaced apart for a better understanding,
and at an elarged scale;
Fig. 3 is an elevational view of a component of the
connector;
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Fig. 4 is a view of a component, looking towards the
free end of the teeth ;
Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5
of figure 4 ,
Fig. 6 is an elevational view of part of the connector ;
Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7
of figure 6 ;
Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8
of figure 7 ;
Fig. 9 is a view similar to figure 8 but for another
condition ;
Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line
10-10 of figure 8.
The connector comprises two identical connection com-
ponents 1 and 2 (figure 1) whi~h ensure the electrical connec-
tion of a cable Cl with a cable C2 assembled onto the external
ends II.l and II.2 of the components when the latter are brought
close to one another into mutual engagement.
Each component comprises a cylindrical body 12 (figure
2) wherefrom project two diametrically opposed teeth 13 and 14.
Each tooth, for example 13, has a trapesium-shaped cross-section,
with oblique longitudinal faces 15 and 16 (figure 4), a curve~
surface 17 part of the cylindrical surface of the body 12 and
an internal planer surface 18. Tooth 14 is similarly bounded
by planar oblique surfacesl9 and 20, a portion 21 of cylindrical
surface and an internal planar surface 22. The faces 15 and 19
define together with their curved junction 22' an interval
between teeth mating with the lateral surface of a tooth 14.2
of the cooperating component 2.
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The teeth 13 and 14 are bored through with coaxial
bores 23 and 24. The bore 23 has an enlargement 26 at its ope-
ning onto surface 17 in order to define a ring-shaped seat 27.
The bore 24 has an enlarged portion 28 adjacent to
surface 22 and a portion of smaller diameter 29, which is in-
ternally threaded.
On the opposing surfaces 18 and 22 of the teeth 13 and
14 are provided between the bores 23 and 24 and the internal
ends 31 and 32 of the teeth cylindrical recesses 33 and 34 the
generatrices of which are perpendicular to the axis 25 common
to the bores 23 and 24. The recesses 33 and 34 join the planar
faces 18 and 22 according to straight edges 35, 36 and 37, 38.
With the bores 23 and 24, cooperates a retaining member
41 (figures 2 and 3) with a cylindrical body, having two flatte-
ned diametrically opposed flat portions 43 and 44, the flat
portion 43 being defined by two straight edges 45 and 46 para-
llel to axis 47 of member 41 and by a transverse edge 48 partof a segmentary surface 49.
The body 42 is topped by a head 51, of greater diameter,
2~ with convex external face 52 and provided with a slot 53 for
the introduction of a screw-driver.
At the opposite end of the head 51, the body 4Z extends
into a stem 53, bearing a threading 54.
The electrical junction condition for electrical con-
nection is that in which the components 1 and 2 engage each other
the teeth 13.1 and 14.1 of component 1 being accomodated in the
intervals between teeth 55.2, 56.2 defined by the teeth 13.2 and
14.2 of component 2. The teeth 13.1 and 14.1 thus enga~e along
all their surfaces other than their external surfaces 17,21 and
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the surfaces 18,22 with the teeth 13.2, 14.2 of component 2.
When inserting the retaining member 41.1 (figures 6 to
9) into the bores 23.1 and 24.1, the threading 54 cooperates
with the internal threading 29 and thus ensures the bringing
together of the teeth 13.1 and 14.1 relatively to the longitu-
dinal axis of the connection enhancing forcibly their coopera-
tion with the teeth 13.2,14.2 of component 2. The same is true
for the insertion of the retaining member 41.2 into the bores
23.2,24.2 of component 2.
The final operating condition is that for which the
planes of the flattened portions 43.1 and 44.1 of the body 42.1
as well as the planes of the flattened portions 43.2 and 44.2
are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the components 1
and 2 (figure 8). In this condition the bearing surfaces 63.1 and
64.1 of body 42.1 are accomodated inside the recesses 33.2 and
34.2 ~figure lO). They ac~ as keys and prevent any mutual longi-
tudinal movement of one component relatively to the other. Si-
milarly the retaining member 41.2 has cylindrical bearing sur-
faces 63.2,64.2 inserted into the recesses 33.1 and 34.1 of
component 1 (figure 8). The disposition of the retaining members
is then that for which the slots 53.1,53.2 pravided in the
heads 51.1 and 51.2 are displaced away from reference marks,
respectively 65.1 and 65.2, indicated by the mark "o", engraved
on the surface of the components.
The separation of the components can only be obtained
intentionally. Not only is a certain amount of unskrewing of the
members 41.1 and 41.2 necessary, but it is also important that
said members be brought into positions for which their slots
53.1 and 53.2 are in face of the reference marks 65.1 and 65.2
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(figures 6 and 9). The distance between the flattened portions
43 and 44 being less than the distance between the planar faces
18 and 22, whereas on the contrary the diameter of the body 41
is greater than said distance, enables in this position of the
members 41.1 and 41.2 the sliding of the component 1 relatively
to the component 2.
