Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~25091'7
POSITIVE RETENTION ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR
!I Back~round of the Invention
;l
jl This invention pertains to electrical connectors for
Il electrically connecting a conductive wire to an electrical
¦1, apparatus or source of electrical potential. ~ore specifically,
I the invention relates to a connector on which there can be
,i mounted terminals for connection to the respective conductors
~,¦ of a wire with the wire retained in the connector to prevcnt
mechanical stress due to relative movement bet~;een the connector
and wire on the connections bctwcen the conductors and terminals.
"
1250~1~'7
It is known in the art to provide mechanical stress
relief between a wire and a connector to which the stress
relief between a wire and a connector to which the wire is
attached by mechanically attaching the wire or its insulation
to the connector body. In some wire and connector combinations
of the prior art the exterior insulation on the wire and the
body of the connector are fused together to mechanically join
the wire and connector body and thereby provide stress and
strain relief at the junction of the wire conductors with the
connector terminals. Since this method of attachment is
a permanent one, the connectors on such wires cannot be
disconnected from the wire and reused. Electrical failure
within such connectors must be corrected by replacement of the
entire wire and connector assembly or substitution of a
different type of connector. Connectors adapted for permanent
attachment can also not be sold separately from the wires
with which they are used for attachment by a user. Hence, from
a commercial point of view they have limited market potential.
There is known in the art another type of connector which
can be manually connected to and removed from a wire for
reuse and which provides mechanical stress and strain relief
between the conductors of the wire and the electrical terminals
supported in the connector. Such connectors generally have
a hollow cylindrical neck formed from a compressible material.
The wire is received in the connector through a bore in the
hollow neck and the neck is then compressed about the wire to
form a frictionai coupling between the wire and connector
by means of a yoke which is circumscribingly mounted on
the periphery of the neck of the connector and tiyhtened to
compress the neck against the wire to form the frictional
l ' 1
,
coupling. To perform its intended function, the yoke
used~must be made of a hard rigid material which is usual-
ly a metal such as a uminum or steel. When the yoke is
tightened it literally crushes the cylindrical neck on
the connector and can damage it. Since the neck of the
connector also serves as a means for grasping the connec-
tor, the yoke can interfere with the comfortable grasping
of the connector. Moreover, since the yoke is often
metallic and, therefore conductive~ it presents a poten-
tial danger should the neck of the connector ~ractureand a live conductor in the wire come into contact with
the yoke while it is being grasped by the user. The use
of such yokes is also unsightly and presents a crude
appearance in contrast to the neat finish of integrally
molded connector and wire assemblies.
Summary of the Invention
It is therefore an object of an aspect of the
instant invention to provide an electrical connector
having means for mechanical coupling with a wire to be
received in the connector for relieving stress and
strain at the electrical connections between the termi-
nals in the connector and the conductors of the wire.
An object of an aspect of the invention is to
provide an electrical connector which can be manually
connected and disconnected from a wire for use and
reuse without the need for special tools or skills.
-3 ~
1~2S09~7
An object of an aspect of the invention is to
provide an electrical connector suitable for frictional-
ly retaining a wire without deforming the body of the
connector.
An object of an aspect of the invention is to
provide an electrical connector having a body which is
suitable both for retaining a wire in the connector
and supporting the terminals of the connector with a
minimum number of fasteners.
An aspect of the invention is as follows:
A connector for conductively connecting a wire
to a receptacle comprising:
a hollow body having an axial bore for
receiving said wire in an axial position,
a housing adapted to be received in said body,
said housing having a plurality of friction surfaces,
at least one movable finger including one of said
plurality of friction surfaces, and conductive terminals,
and
cooperative means on said body and said housing
for urging said at least one movable finger against
said wire radially inward toward said axial position
as said housing is inserted within said body.
-3a-
lZ5~)9~.7
Other and further objects of the invention will be
apparent from the following drawings and description of a
~preferred embodiment of the invention in which like reference
numerals are used to designate like parts in the various views.
Description of the Drawings
Fig. l is a perspective view of an electrical connector
known to the prior art and assembled with a wire for use in
its intended envoirnment.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a connector in accordance
with the preferred embodiment of the invention assembled to
a wire for use in its intended enviornment.
Fig. 3 is an exploded side elevation view of the connector
of the preferred embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 4 is an end view showing a component of the apparatus
of the preferred embodiment of the invention taken through
line 4-4 of Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is an end view of another component of the apparatus
of the preferred embodiment of the invention taken;through
line 5-5 of Fig. 3.
Fig. 6 is an end view of the component of the invention
shown in Fig. 5 but taken facing the opposite end of the
component.
Fig. 7 is a sectional view showing other components of
the apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the invention
taken through line 7-7 of Fig. 3.
Fig. 8 is a sectional end view showing the components shown
in Fig. 7 but taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 3.
Fig. 9 is a side sectional elevation of ~he apparatus of
the preierred embodiment of the invention taken along the
line 9-9 of Fig. 2.
~ -4-
~Z50~7
Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of
the preferred embodiment of the invention taken along line
10-10 of Fig. 9.
Fig. 11 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment
of the component shown in Fig. 4.
Fig. 12 is an exploded side elevation view of the apparatus ¦
¦¦ of the invention incorporating the alternate embodiment of Fig.
Fig. 13 is an end view of the apparatus or the alternate
, embodiment of the invention taken through line 13-13 of Fig. 12.
j Fig. 14 is a sectional view of the apparatus!or the
i alternate embodiment of the invention taken through line
i 14-14 of Fig. 12.
Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the conductor connector
system;
I Fig. 16 is a top view of the conductor connecting system
¦ showing the conductor in an inserted but non-clamping mode;
Fig. 17 is a front view taken of the bracket of the conductor
I connector system including the threaded portion of the screw
¦l shown in phantom;
j, Fig. 18 i~s a view taken through line 14-14 of Fig. 13;
¦ Fig. 19 is a top view of the conductor connecting system
¦I showing the conductor in an inserted clamped mode; and
Fig. 20 is a perspective view of a grounding prong used
in the conductor connector system.
I; ~S~
.j :
Il ~ ,
~ 3,1
- 125~1917
Ij i
~escription of the Preferred Embodiment
Referring now to Fig. 1 of the drawings, there is shown
an electrical connector 1 in accordance with the prior art
to which there is connected a wire 3. The body of the
connector 1 has a neck 5 to which there is circumscribingly
fastened a yoke 7. The yoke 7 includes two members held
together by screws 9 which a-e tightened to compress the yoke
7 about the neck 5 thereby compressing the neck 5 against the
exterior surface of the wire 3. As can be seen from Fig. 1,
the yoke 7 is in a position where it is likely to be touched
by the hand of a person connecting or disconnecting the connector
1 to or from an electrical outlet(not shown). Also because of th~
disposition of the screws 9, pressure is applied to the neck
portion 5 of the connector 1 and to the wire 3 ~in the vertical
direction as shown in Fig. 1 but not in the horizontal direction
This uneven pressure on the wire 3 results in a flattening of the
wire and the neck portion 5 and can cause the neck portion 5
and/or wire 3 to fracture or wear more rapidly than would be
the case in the absence of the yoke 7.
A connector 11 in accordance with the preferred embodiment
of the:invention is shown in Fig. 2 connected to a wire 13. As
can be seen, the absence of the yoke 7 from the connector of the
preferred embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 2 makes
for a neater appearance and allows the wire 13 to be free of
potentially damaging forces along its length exterior to the
connector 11.
Referring now to Fig. 3 of the drawings, the connector 11
includes a body lS in the form of a hollow shell, a housing 17
adapted to be received within the hollow of the body 15, a
retaining ring 19 adap~ed to be mounted on the posterior end of
12509~7
i
!
the body 15 and two screws 21 which serve to hold the retaining
ring 19, body 15, and housing 17 togethex as will subsequently
be shown.
The housing 17 is bored to support three eleetrical terminal
prongs whieh permit the conneetor 11 to funetion as a standard
grounding plug. The prongs whieh eomprise the eleetrieal termina ls
inelude a line prong 23, a neutral prong 25 and a grounding
prong 27.
The body 15 of the conneetor 11 will now be deseribed with
referenee to Figs. 3, 5, and 6. The body 15 is made of an
insulating material which preferably has some resilience such
as rubber. The body 15 has a substantially eylindrieal outer
wall 29 in which there are formed longitudinal indentations
31 which extend axially rearwardly from the anterior end of
the body 15. The indentations 31 terminate at their posterior
ends in shoulders 33 which cooperate with the indentations
31 to provide a grasping surface for holding the eonnector 11
as it is inserted or removed from a mating connector ~not
shown) in such as a wall receptacle. As can be seen in Fig.
6 of the drawings, the body 15 has an enlarged bore at its
interior end defined by concave walls 35a and 35b, convex
walls 36a, 36b, 36e and 36d, a substantially planar wall 37
and a keying wall portion 38 having a substantially triangular
eross-seetion. The convex walls 36a-d and portions of the
concave walls 35a, 35b terminate posteriQrly at spaced shoulders '
40a, 40b and 40e which serve as seats for the housing 17. Through
holes 42 are bored in the shoulders 40a and 40b ~nd terminate
within pentagonal recesses 44 (Fig. 5) in the posterior major
surface 46 of the connector body 15. Between the shoulders
. I .
~` '
1250~7
40a, 40b and 40c there are defined axial channels having
adjacent wall portions 48a (coincident with planar wall 37),
48b and 48c which terminate posteriorly in shoulders 50a,
50b and 50c which are situated rearwardly of the shoulders
40a, 40b and 40c.
The shoulders 40a, b and c terminate at their radially
inward extremities in posteriorly radially inward sloping
engaging surfaces 52a, 52b and 52c respectively. The
engaging surfaces 52a, 52b and 52c terminate posteriorly
at axially posteriorly extending cylindrical wall portions
54a, 54b and 54c which run between the channels 48a, b and
c and in turn terminate at a circular shoulder 56 through
which there is an axial cylindrical bore extending rearwardly
to a posterior circular shoulder 58. The shoulder 58 circumscribes
a smaller diameter cylindrical bore 59 which extends to the
posterior end of the connector body 15.
As shown in Fig. 5, extending from the posterior major
surface 46 of the body 15 is an integral cylindrical boss 60
and coaxial with it is a smaller cylindrical boss 62
circumscribing the bore 59 which is adapted to receive the
three conductor wire 13. The major surface 46 at the posterior
end of the bod~y 15 is slightly recessed within the surrounding
posterior cylindrical wall to provide a seat for the retaining
ring 19 which will now be described with reference to Figs.
3 and 4.
The retaining ring 19 is preferably made of a rigid
metal such as aluminum vr steel although any other substantially
rigid material will suffice. The ring 19 has an anterior planar
surface 64 which is notched at 66a and 66b to accept a tool for
--8--
i 1250917
. ,,
separating the retaining ring 19 from the body 15. Extending
_ anteriorly of the surface 64 at diametrically opposite edges
of the retaining ring 19 are projections 68 each of which has
a planar portion parallel to the axis of the ring 19 and a
radially inwardly directed pentagonal portion of dimensions
suitable for seating within the pentagonal portion of dimensions
suitable for seating within the pentagonal recesses 44 in the
I connector body 15. The pentagonal portions of the projections
¦ 68 are apertured and threaded to receive the threaded portions
of the screws 21. Surrounding the central aperture of the
ring 19 is a cylindrical flange 70 which is of inner diameter
, substantially equal to the outer diameter of the boss 60
!~ extending from the posterior major surface 46 of the connector
¦, body 15 and which circumscribes the boss 60 when the ring
1 19 is seated on the posterior end of the connector body 15 with
¦' the projections 68 received in the r2cesses 44.
j The housing 17 will now be described with reference to
Figs. 3, 7 and 8. The housing 17 includes a forward portion
71 having a substantially planar anterior surface 72 and an
irregular posterior surface 74 from which there axially
posteriorly extend three intersecting partitions 75a, 75b and
75c. ~he planar portion 71 of the housing 17 has two displaced
axial bores 76 of I cross-section which are adapted to snuggly
I receive the terminal prongs 23 and 25 and a bore 78 of U cross-
section which is adapted to snuggly receive the grounding
teLminal prong 27.
Il i
; Extending axially posteriorly from the outer circumference
, of the forward portion 71 of the housing 17 are circumferential
wall sections 80a, 80b and 80c. Extending axially posteriorly
1, _ 9_ ,
!, ~
~2s09~7
and radially inwardly from the posterior regions of the
housing wall portions 80a, b and c are resilient finger,
or prong, members 82a, 82b and 82c. The prong members
82a, b and c each have an axially posteriorly radially outward
facing cam surface 84 and an axially posteriorly and radially
inwardly facing friction surface 86. The friction surfaces
86 have a serrated cross-section and are adapted to frictionally
engage the outer insulation on the wire 13 when urged aga;nst
the surface in a manner to be subsequently described.
The housing l7 is preferably made of a substantially
rigid plastic although other insulating materials having similar
rigidity characteristics can be used. The prong members 82a,
b and c are integrally formed with the housing 17 and are thin
walled at their juncture with the posterior ends of the
housing portions 80a, b and c so that they can be bent inwardly
when an axial force is applied to their respective cam surfaces
84. The prong members 82a, b and c are notched at their edges
99 opposite the friction surfaces 86 to allow flexing between
the cam surfaces 84 and the portions of the prong members
80a, b and c to prevent fracture of the prong members 82a, b
and c upon application of excessive force to the cam surfaces
84.
The terminal prongs 23, 25 and 27 have anterior ends
adapted to extend from the anterior surface 72 of the housing
17 for insertion into aligning complementary receptacles (not
shown) and posterior ends which are apertured and threaded and
over which there are mounted U-shaped brackets 8 which are
held in place by screws 90 which are threaded into the apertures !
a' the posterior ends of the respective terminal prongs 23, 25 and
27. I
--10--
I' lZ50917
The grounding terminal prong 27 has, at its posterior
end, an integral extension 92 having a transverse flange 94
with a curved edge adapted to enclose a semicylindrical groove
formed in the housing wall portion 80a at 96. A cylindrical
sleeve 98 having an axis parallel to the axis of the connector
11 is integrally formed in the housing 17 diametrically
opposite the groove 96.
To assemble the connector 11 with the wire 13, the prong
terminals 23, 25 and 27 are inserted into their respective
bores 76 and 78 in the housing 17 and the retaining ring 19
is placed over the bosses 62 and 60 of the body 15 with its
projections 68 received in the recesses 44 of the body 15 and
its cylindrical flange 70 circumscribing the boss 60. The
wire 13, with part of its outer insulation stripped away to
expose the three conductors of the wire is then inserted through
the posterior end of the central axial bore in the connector
body 15 and is extended from the anterior end of the body 15.
The conductive core portions of the conductors in the wire
13 are then attached by means of the U brackets 88 and screws
90 to the respective terminal prongs 23, 25 and 27, that is,
with the phase wire going to the prong 23, the neutral wire
going to the prong 25 and the grounding wire going to the prong
27.
The housing 17 with the terminal prongs 23, 25 and 27 inserted
in their respective bores is then inserted into the body 15 in
the axial direction until the cam surfaces 84 of the prongs
82a, b and c engage the engaging surfaces 52a, b and c of the
body 15. ~he housing 17 is then pushed farther into the body
lS thereby causing the prong members 82a, b and c to be forced
radially inw~rdly to~;ard the o ter circumier~nce of the wire
~25Q5~
13 with the friction surfaces 86 being urged into the
insulation on the wire 13 to frictionally prevent movement
of the wire 13 relative to the housi.ng 17. The housing 17
is pushed fully into the body 15 until the prong members
82a, b and c reach the ends of the channels 50a, 50b and
50c by which time the anterior surface 72 of the housing 17
is flush with the anterior end of the body 15.
The screws 21 are then inserted through apertures at the
anterior end of the housing 17 which are in alignment
¦ respectively with the groove 96 and cylindrical sleeve 98 in
the housing 17. The screws 21 pass through the apertures 42
in the body 15 and are then threaded into the threaded apertures
in the projections 68 of the retaining ring 19 to complete
the assembly of the connector 11.
As can be seen in Figs.. 9 and 10, once assembIy of the
connector 11 has been completed in the above-described manner
with the wire 13 inserted therei.n, the wire 13 is compressed
j by the prong members 82a, b and c thereby providing a positiYe
¦¦ retention of the wire 13 in the connector 11 without need for
the use of clamps or braces to crush any portion of the body
! member 15 about the wire 13. In addition, the grounding terminal
Il prong 27 is making contact with the head of the screws 21 as
Il seen in Fig. 3 due to the interlocking relationship between
the curved surface on the transverse flange 94 of the prong
1 27 and the threads on the engaged screw 90. Shoulders formed
!, on the prongs 23, 25 and 27 limit their axial movement in an
¦l anterior direction and a small ramp defining a shoulder 100 on
j each of the terminal prongs prevents axial movement of the
! prongs in a posterior direction. The retaining ring 19 is
! grounded as a result of the high conductance path to the grounding
. prong 27 and its associated grounding wire provided by the
scrèw 21 which is in contact with the terminal prong 27.
-12-
I
i, 1250917
Il
As can be seen in Fig. 11 an alternate retaining ring110 is illustrated. The alternate retaining ring 110 i5
preferably made of a rigid plastic such as nylon or the like.
The ring 110 has an anterior cellular surface 116. Extending
anteriorly off the surface 116 and at diametrically opposite
edges of the ring 110 are a pair of cylindrical projections 112.
The pair of cylindrical projections 112 are threaded to receive
the threaded portions of the screws 21. The central aperture
of the ring 110 is defined by a cylindrical surface 114 which
is of inner diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter
of the boss 60 extending from the posterior major surface
46 of the connectox body 15 and in which circumscribes the boss
60 when the ring 110 is seated on the posterior end of the
connector body 15. The pair of cylindrical projections 112 are
received in recesses 44. Additionally, each of the pair of
cylindrical projections 112 are capped at the posterior surface
of the ring 110 by a shoulder 118. The ring 110 also posseses
a sloping planar surface 111 as its posterior end which is
best seen in Fig. 12 and Fig. 13.
Fig. 12 is similar in description to the foregoing
description of Fig. 9 and the difference being the use of
the alternate. Retaining ring 110 in the assembly rather than
the retaining ring 19. The use of the alternate retaining
ring 110 obviates the need for the grounding of retaining ring
19 provided by the screw 21. Since alternate retaining ring
110 is formed of non conducting plastic there is no need to
ground ring 110 by means of the screw 21. The sloping planar
surface 111 provides the transition from the inner central
portion of the connector body 15 to the outer peripheral
portion of the connector body 15.
-13-
I1 12509~7
¦I Shown in Fig. 13, which is a section taken through line
¦ 13-13 of Fig. 12, is the alternate retaining ring 110 fastened
to the,!connector 11 by the screws 21. The sloping planar
surface 111 presents a uniform continuous closure to the
posterior end of the connector 11 shown in Fig. 12.
I Fig. 14, which is a section taken through the line
1 14-14 of Fig. 12, illustrates the appearance of the alternate
¦I retaining ring 110 in the connector 11 shown in Fig. 12. Here
seen is the cellular surface 116 as it is assembled in the
¦ posterior end of connector 11. Seen here are the screws 21
¦' as they engage th,e threaded portions of the cylindrical
,I projections 112. The position of the wire 13 as it occupies
i the center opening of the ring 110.
An additional advantage of the use of the alternate retaining
Il ring 110 is that the screws 21 may be of the self tapping variety
¦¦ rather than the threaded variety shown in the hereinbefore
~¦ described embodiment. When the screws 21 are of the self
I¦ tapping variety there is no need to provide for threaded portions
¦¦ in the cylindrical projections 112.
Figs. 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 illustrate an alternative
system 120 fc~r connecting wire 13 with prongs 23, 25, and
27. A prong 122 is shown in perspective in Fig. 15 in an
' exploded view along wi~h a bracket 124 and a screw 126. Prong
¦! 122 is a typical prong that would be used for either the
j! prony 23 or prong 25 discussed earlier. ,Prong 110 is an
¦1 elongated bar having opposed flat sides 128 and opposed narrow
intersecting edges 130 and having a plug connector portion 132 and
', an opposed wire mountiny portion 134 that as will be seen is
' connected to bracket 124 and screw 126. Opposed shoulders 136
extending from the edges of mounting portion 134 of prong 122
-14-
~ ~Z50~7
are adapted to limit movement of prong 122 in slots 76 in
housing 17 in an anterior dirction because of interior
matching blocking shoulders (not shown) in the slots.
A single small ramped shoulder 138 extending outwardly from
one of the flat sides 128 of prong 122 spaced between and near
opposed shoulders 136 towards connector portion 132 is
analagous to shoulder 112 mentioned previously with reference
to the prior discussion of prongs 23, 25, and 27 is adapted
to slide over a matching mount (not shown) in slots 76 and
to lock behind the matching mount to limit movement of prong
112 in a posterior direction in slots 7C. In a similar manner,
opposed ramped shoulders 146 extend from edges 130 in the
area of single ramped shoulder 138 and are also adapted to mate
with matching shoulders in slots 76 to limit movement of prong
122 in a posterior direction in slots 76.
Prong 112 also forms a threaded hole 142 extending through
flat sides 128 of mounting portion 134 spaced proximate from
mounting portion end 144. Hole 142 is adapted to threadingly
receive screw 126. Screw 126 includes a threaded portion 146,
a head 148, and a connecting portion between threaded portion
146 and head 148, which connecting portion forms a sunken
circular recess 150. The lead end 152 of threaded portion
146 is flat and the opposed trailing end 154 next to recess
150 is provided with a sharp last interior thread.
As shown in Fig. 15, bracket 124, which is also shown
in detail in Figs. 12, 13, and 14, includes a substantially
flat cross-portion 158 that is substantially perpendicular
to threaded portion 146 of screw 126 and a pair of wing
portions 160 that extend substantially at riyht angles from
-15-
~ ' I
Il
~ZS(~917
ei er en~ of cross-portion 158 .owards prong 122. The
interior distance between wing portions 160 is slightly
greater than the width of mounting portion 134 of prong
122, so that wing portions 160 each having opposed parallel
inner and outer walls 161 and 163 respectfully, are capable
of enfolding mounting portion 124, as is most clearly seen
in Fig. 16. Cross-portion 158 defines an apparatus 162.
perpendicular across the parallel faces of portion.158 and
that is disposed to threadably receive the crown portions 165
of threaded portion 146 or screw 126.
In accordance with the present invention, a pair of
opposed external thread members 164 are connected to cross-
portion 158 at base portions 166. Members 164 bend inwards
from cross-portion 158 into the space between wing portions
160. Thread members 164 include a pair of arcuate facing
edges 168 that are contoured to ride on the valley portions
169 of the threaded portion 146 of screw 126 and so act as
external threads to the internal threads of threaded portion
146. ~rcuate facing edges 168 are diametrically spaced
apart from one another at the distance that the valleys of
the threads of the threaded portion 146 are diametrically
spaced from one another, except that arcuate facing edges
168 are at approximately the same distance apart so that edges
168 are able to threadingly receive valley portions 16g lead
end 152 of threaded portion 146 as best seen in Fig. 17.
Thread members 164 have inward walls 170 that are extensions
of inward wall 172 of cross-portion 158 facing the space between
wing portions 160 and also have outward walls 174 that are
extensions of outward wall 176 of cross-portion 158 facing
25 09 ~7
outwardly from the space between wing portions 160. Thread
members 164 have opposed side walls 178 of the same thickness
as cross-portion 146 and that intersect with inward and
outward walls 172 and 176. Arcuate facing edges 168 are
positioned on the intersection between inward walls 170 and
side walls 178. A second pair of arcuate edges 180 are
positioned on the intersection between outward walls 174
and side walls 178. Second arcuate edges 18~ are substantially
concentric with and spaced outwardly from inner arcuate facing
edges 168. A paLr of sloping faces 182 are formed on thread
members 164 between arcuate facing edges 168 and arcuate
outer edges 180; slopin~ faces 182 are angled inwardly from
~rcuate ou-er edges 180 towards inward wall 172 of cross-
portion 158 in an orientation that will be shortly described.
Aperture 162 is formed through cross-portion 158 that
is able to accomodate the passage of threaded portion 146 of
screw 126 inthreaded accomodation by arcuate facing edges
168 of thread members 164. Aperture 162 is circular having a
diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of threaded
portion l46 of screw 126 that is the diameter measured to
the crown tops of threaded portion 126. Aperture 162 also has
an axis 186 as best seen in Fig. 15, that is directly
aligned with the axis 188 of threaded portion of screw 126
and the axis 190 of threaded hole 148 of prong 122. Sloping
faces 182 and arcuate facing edges directly face one another
across aperture 162 so that a diametrical line 191
perpendicularly placed across the plane of aperture axis 186 that¦
is perpendicular to inner and outer walls 161 and 163 of wing
portions 160 and that is also in alignment with arcuate facing
edges 168 is disposed approximately across the midpoint between
! -17-
Il ` lZ5U9~L7
!l I
side walls 178 of arcuate facing edges 168. Aperture 162
. is aligned with arcuate facing edges 168 and at approximately
right angles to a,~c~ate facing edges 168 spaced back l:o cross- ¦
portiom:l58 and is in part defined by arcuate cross-portion
! edges 192.~ A pair of opposed oblong walls 194 extend inwardly
¦ into the space between wing portions 170 substantially
¦ parallel to diametrical line 191. The facing sides of ovals
194 are substantially tangent to aperture 162. Hollow
grooves are formed in cross-portion 158 and are in part defined
j by ovals 194.
Screw 126 is shown in its mounted position with bracket
! 124 and prong 122 in Figs. 16, 17, and 18, where lead end 152
¦ of threaded portion 146 has been set through aperture 162 and
screwed between arcuate facing edges 168 of thread members 164
until trailing end 144 of threaded portion 146 passes arcuate
facing edges 168, which then pass into a non-contact alignment
with circular recess 150 of screw 126. Trailing end 154 is
-preferably sharp at the last thread so that reverse screwing of
screw 126 from thread members 164 is restricted. In addition,
side walls 178 of thread members 164 are set against the crown
¦ portion, or outer diameter, of threaded portion 146. Inner
facing walls 161 of wing portion 160 are adapted to receive
¦ edges 130 of mounting portion 134 in sliding relationship
with facing walls 161 being spaced slightly farther apart than
the spacing of edges 130 from one anothe~. As screw 126 is
screwed inwards, bracXet 124 is drawn towards prong 122 with the
result that a cavity 196 is formed on either side of threaded
portion 146 between cross-portion 158 of bracket 124 and
I prong 122 for receiving the conductor of wire 13, which as
,I shown in Fig. 1 includes line, neutral, and grounding conductors
207, 208, and 209 respectively. As shown in Figs. 15-20,
stripped wire 13 is designated as conductor 210. As screw
126 is rotated in one direction, generally clockwise as
-18-
i :12509~7
i
indicated in the drawings, bracket 124 is forced towardsprong 122 and cavity 196 is reduced in slze, whereby conductor
210 is pinched, or captured, in the cavity. As shown, conductor
210 is illustrated as being wrapped around threaded portion
146. When screw 126 is rotated counterclockwise in an
opposite direction, cavity 196 is enlarged and conductor
210 is released from the cavity. When conductor 210 is
captured in cavity 196, it is in conducting relationship with
prong 122. The final capturing position is illustrated in
Fig. 19 where cross-portion 158 of bracket 124 and prong
122 have approached one another and reduced cavity 196 in size
to the degree that conductor 210 is tightly pinched in the
cavity
Fig. 20 shows an additional embodiment that illustrates
a grounding prong 198 that is analagous in position and function
to grounding prong 27 previously aiscussed. Grounding prong
198 has a mounting portion 200 that is the same in a~l respects
as mounting portion 134 of prong 110 including shoulders 136,
138, and 140, and hole 142, which is adapted to receive
threaded portion 146 of screw 126. Mounting portion 200 is
also adapted to be slidingly received by bracket 124 in the
manner described by mounting portion 134. Grounding connector
portion 202 opposite mounting portion 200 is specifically
adapted to connect to a grounding connection and is similar
to the grounding connection of grounding prong 27. Specifically,¦
opposed flat sides 204 are reduced in width below shoulders
138 and 140 so that an elongated "U"-shaped connector extends
from mounting portion 200. Thus, the grounding prong 27 described
in relation to connector 11 can be adapted to connecting system
120 as described.
I' !
2509~Lr~ ,
It is to be appreciated that modifications and variations ma~
be made to the preferred embodiment of the invention described
herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the
in~ention that is defined in the following claims:
I
~ ~ ' ~
l .~ I ,
