MULTIPOINT CONTACT COMPRESSION CONNECTOR

CONNECTEUR DE COMPRESSION A CONTACT MULTIPOINT

English Abstract

A multipoint contact compression connector provided
with a plurality of recesses to include a like number of
electrical conductors or cables therein. When placed in an
appropriate crimping device, the connector would contact the
interior die surfaces in at least four points, in such a manner,
so as to secure at least three conductors or cables in place.

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property
or privilege is claimed are defined as follows.
1. An electrical compression connector for connecting
a plurality of conductors or cables comprising:
a connector body of compressible material adapted to
be inserted into a crimping tool having two opposed curved die
surfaces for the compression of the connector, said connector body
provided with a central web portion, said central web portion
provided with at least three recesses extending through the entire
length of said connector body to allow for the inclusion of
conductors within each of the recesses, the periphery of said
connector body provided with at least four distinct, non-continuous
points of contact with curved die surfaces of a crimping tool when
said connector body is inserted within the crimping tool, prior to
crimping; and
wherein when force is applied to the crimping tool,
said connector body would compress, thereby compressing said
connector body around the electrical conductors to be provided in
said recesses and securing the conductors therein.
2. The compression connector in accordance with claim
1 wherein four recesses are provided through the entire length of
said connector body.
3. The compression connector in accordance with claim
2, wherein said connector body is provided with five distinct, non-
continuous points of contact with the curved die surfaces.

Description

CA 02061180 2001-O1-19
MULTIPOINT CONTACT COMPRESSION CONNECTOR
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention broadly pertains to electrical
compression connectors for single strand or multistrand
wire or cable conductors. More specifically, the present
invention relates to compression-type electrical
connectors for connecting at least three, and preferably
four, conductors together in an electrical power
distribution system.
Prior art compressible connectors are known in which
more than three wires or cables are included in a single
connector. For example, U.S. Patent 3,354,517 issued to
Levinsky describes a compressible connector having the
provision for connecting four conductors together. This
patent includes closure devices 15,15' which would be
difficult to use in a compression device.
U.S. Patent 3,322,888 issued to Zemels illustrates a
compressible connector having four recesses extending the
length of the connector. However, the two side recesses
are not designed to receive conductors therein.
SLT1~IARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the deficiencies of
the prior art by providing an electrical compression
connector for connecting a plurality of conductors or
cables comprising: a connector body of compressible
material adapted to be inserted into a crimping tool
having two opposed curved die surfaces for the
compression of the connector. This connector body
provided with a central web portion, this central web
portion provided with at least three recesses extending
through the entire length of this connector body to allow

CA 02061180 2001-O1-19
la
for the inclusion of conductors within each of the
recesses, the periphery of this connector body provided
with at least four distinct, non-continuous points of
contact with curved die surfaces of a crimping tool when
this connector body is inserted within the crimping tool,
prior to crimping; and wherein when force is applied to
the crimping tool, this connector body would compress,
thereby compressing said connector body around the
electrical conductors to be provided in this recesses and
securing the conductors therein.
The particular geometry of the connector of the
present invention optimizes and localizes the force
output of the tool to efficiently close the connector, by
providing distinct points of contact to the interior
surfaces of the crimping dies.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and other objects and advantages of
the present invention will be better understood with
reference to the following detailed description of
preferred embodiments thereof, which are illustrated, by
way of example only, in the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment
of the present invention;

2
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of
the present invent: ion;
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the second
embodiment of the present invention provided in a crimping tool;
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the first
embodiment of the present invention provided in a crimping tool;
'r, r. d
FIG. 5 is a perspective drawing of the second embodi
ment of the present invention after the crimping process has been
completed.
15ETAILE15 DESCIEtIlPTI0~1' OF THE INVEP7TI03~d
A first embodiment of the present invention is shown
with respect to FIGS. 1 and 4. These figures illustrate a
compressible connector 10 having a main body 22 and two substan-
t9.ally paral7.e1 arms 14,16 extending from this main body portion.
The distal portion of arm 14 is curved inwardly at 15. However,
it should be noted that both of the arms 14 and 16 could be
proviUOd without any curved portion. A first recess :18 is formed
between the arr,~,s 14,16 to allow placement of single strand or
multistrand wire conductors or cables therein. A throat portion
21 extends downwardly from the main body 12 and flares out in
several directions to form arm portions 20, 22 and 24. A second
recess 26 is formed between the body portion 12 and the arm 20.
A third recess 28 is formed between the body portion 12 and arm
22, and a fourth recess portion 30 is formed between arm 22 and
arm 24. As a minimum, recesses 18 and 40 of Figures 1 and 2 must
have appropriate conductors located within, while any one of
recesses 26,28,30 of Figure 1 and 46,47,48 of Figure 2 must be
filled. Variously sized wires or conductors can be provided
within each of these recess portions.
When placed in a standard crimping tool having die
surfaces 64 and 66, the connector 10 would come into contact with
the interior surfaces of the dies at points 68, 70, 72 and 74.
As a compressive force is applied, these points will come into
contact with the die surfaces, and the conductors provided in
recesses 26, 28 and 30 will receive direct compressive loads due

3
to t.l-~e unique geometric relationship between the connector and
the Gie. After the crimping process is terminated, conductors
provided in these recesses would be secured in place.
FIGS. 2, 3 and 5 illustrate a second embodiment of the
present invention. This embodiment depicts a compressible
eonn~~ctor 3? provided with a main body portion 34 and two
upwardly extending, substantially parallel leg portions 36,38.
A first recess 40 is provided between the leg portions 36,38.
A second rece::s 46 is provided in the central portion 34 below
the leg 38, thereby forming a ridge 44. Similarly, a third
recess 48 is formed in the body portion 34 below the leg 36,
thereby also creating a ridge portion 42. A curved leg 45
extends from the body portion 34 to create a recess portion 47
below and between the recess portions 46 and 48. All of the
recess portions 40, 46, 47 and 48 can receive various sized
electrical conductors and cables therein.
When pl«ced in a crimping device having die surfaces
50 and 52, the connector 32 would contact the interior surfaces
of the dies at points 54, 56, 58, 60 and 62. When compressive
force is applied to this connector, it will initially contact at
these points 54, 56, 58, 60 and 62. The application of this
force would then allow conductors 72, 74, 76 and 78 to be secured
and encircled by the body of the connector as illustrated in FIG.
5.
TY~e connector of the present invention can be manufac- -
tured from tin-plated copper, aluminum or similar metallic
materials which would appropriately deform when pressure is
applied in si:andard mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic crimping
devices.
While the present invention has been illustrated in
connection with two preferred embodiments, it should be under-
stood that many variations will occur to those skilled in the
art. and that other types of compression connector geornetries may
be utilized.

Representative Drawing