SOLID WIRE TERMINAL LUG CONNECTOR

BORNE DE CONNEXION POUR FIL MASSIF

English Abstract

SOLID WIRE TERMINAL LUG CONNECTOR
Abstract of the Disclosure
A terminal lug for terminating a solid wire at a
connection point. The terminal lug has an integrally formed
screw-terminal end and wire wrap post for attaching the wire
thereto. A barb is provided for securely retaining an
insulating housing on the solid wire connection.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A terminal lug comprising:
a lead-end; and
a securing-end,
the lead-end being integrally formed with the
securing-end and being suitable for receiving a wire-wrap
lead; and
the securing-end forming a terminal lug connector.
2. A terminal lug as defined in claim 1 wherein
one of the lead-end and the securing-end have a barb.
3. A terminal lug as defined in claim 2 wherein
the barb extends laterally from one of the lead-end and the
securing-end, pointing generally away from the lead-end.
4. A terminal lug as defined in claim 3 wherein
the wire-wrap lead has edges extending longitudinally
thereof.

Description

20009B6
SOLID WIRE TERMINAL LUG CONNECTOR
Background of the Invention
Terminal lugs and other associated connector lugs
have been used for years for providing a connection between a
wire and a connecting member. Typically twisted multi-strand
wire is used as it is relatively resilient and deformable
upon squeezing or crimping laterally along the wire's
longitudinal axis. A connection between the wire and the
connector lug is usually made by crimping the connector
around the multi-strand wire using a conventional crimping
~ool. The connection forms an electrically conductive path
upon suitable deformation of the wire and the connector such
that they mesh with one another
It has been found that crimping a connector lug
around a solid wire may not provide a reliable connection as
deformation of the solid wire is minimal.
Summaxy of the Invention
The problems associated with the prior art
connectors can be overcome by providing a terminal lug having
an integrally f~rmed wire wrap post which thereby provides a
means of conveniently connecting a solid wire to the lug.
'~he problems associated with crimping are overcome by tightly
wrapping the solid wire a number of times around the wire
wrap post which is designed to bite into the wire when the
edges of the post meet the wire. In addition, one or more
barbs can be provided near the juncture of the wire wrap post
and the lug for retaining the insulating housing around the
connection.
Accordingly, one aspect of the invention, is to
provide a screw terminal comprising a lead-e~d and a
securing-end, the lead-end being integrally formed with the ;
securing-end and suitable for receiving the wire-wrap lead,
and the securing-end forming a terminal lug connector.
Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 is a diagram of prior art crimp-type
screw-terminal connector;
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2000986
Figure 2a is a diagram of a wire wrap terminal lug
as described in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2b is a side profile of the terminal lug
shown in figure 2a; and
Figure 3 is a side elevational view partly in
cros~-section of a wire wrap terminal connected to a wire
surrounded by an insulating housing as described in
accordance with the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment
In figure 1, a prior art terminal lug is shown and
is comprised o~ a securing end 10 for connection to a screw
terminal. The terminal lug has an integrally formed collar
11 for crimping t~isted wires 12. The wires 12 have a
housing 13 which must be stripped off before they are crimped
to the lug. Upon application of lateral force by a crimping
tool on the collar 11, the collar deforms and separates the
twi~ted wixes into essentially two bundles of twisted wires
which become tightly bound by the collar 11.
The terminal lug of the present invention is shown
in figures 2a and 2b. It is comprised of a securing-end 20
integrally formed with a lead-end 23. At the ~uncture of the
lead-end 23 and the securing-end 20 there is ~hown a neck
portion 21. The terminal lug can be bent at the neck portion
21 if it is required. A barbed portion 22 is provided for
engaging an insulating housing. As shown in figure 2b, the
lug is generally flat with the neck portion 21 being ;
integrally formed with the barbed portions 22 and securing-
end 20. The lead-end 23 is provided with edges extending
longitudinally which are designed to bite into the wire upon
being wrapped thereon. The barbed portions 22 extend
laterally therefrom with sharp edges pointing generally away
from said lead-end 23. The securing-end 20 is provided with
retaining lips 25 to retain the terminal lug to a screw if
the screw becomes loose.
In figure 3, there is shown a wire lead having an
insulated portion 27 and a stripped portion 24. The stripped
portion is tightly wrapped to the lead-end 23 forming a
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2000986
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conductive path therebetween. A housing 26 is shown and
provides insulation to the stripped wire wrapped portion 24.
The barbed portion 22 engages the housing and prevents the
housing from inadvertently slipping off the lead-end 23.
The terminal lug arrangement may be formed with a
flat spade-type securing-end instead of the screw type
securing-end 20 shown in figure 2. While a preferred
embodiment has been shown and described, it will be
understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by
such disclosure but, rather, it is intended to cover all
modi~ications and alternate construction~ falling within the
spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended
claims .
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Representative Drawing