MECHANICAL WEDGE CONNECTOR WITH INNER SCREW ASSEMBLY

CONNECTEUR MECANIQUE PLAT AVEC VIS INTERIEURE

English Abstract

The wedge connector for interconnecting first and second bare wires comprises axially mating sleeve and wedge members. The sleeve member is provided with an inner transversally extending first ear at the end of larger width. The wedge member is formed with an axially extending hollow section positioned to receive the first ear and provide room for axial displacement of the first ear about the wedge member as this wedge member axially moves within the sleeve member. The wedge member also comprises a second ear extending transversally of the axially extending hollow section at the end of larger width. The wedge connector further comprises first and second elongated and axially convergent wire-receiving receptacles formed in between the sleeve and wedge members. Finally a screw assembly extends between the first and second ears to force the wedge member in the sleeve member until the first and second bare wires are tightened in the first and second receptacles, respectively. This screw assembly comprises a bolt with a head and a threaded shank, a first axial threaded hole in the first ear and a second hole, substantially coaxial with the first hole, in the second ear. In operation, the threaded shank of the bold extends through the second hole and is screwed in the first threaded hole with the head of the bolt situated on the side of the second ear opposite to the first ear. The second hole can be oblong to provide for transversal adjustment of the position of the wedge member in the sleeve member.

French Abstract

Le connecteur à coincement servant à relier un premier et un second fils nus comprend des éléments de manchon et de coin s'accouplant axialement. L'élément de manchon est pourvu d'une première patte intérieure s'étendant transversalement à l'extrémité la plus large. L'élément de coin est formé d'une section creuse s'étendant axialement placée de manière à accueillir la première patte et à fournir l'espace nécessaire à un déplacement axial de la première patte autour de l'élément de coin quand cet élément de coin se déplace axialement au sein du manchon. L'élément de coin comprend également une seconde patte s'étendant transversalement par rapport à la section creuse s'étendant axialement à l'extrémité la plus large. Le connecteur à coincement comprend également un premier et un second réceptacle pour loger des fils, allongés et convergeant axialement, formés entre les éléments de manchon et de coin. Enfin, un ensemble de vis s'étend entre les pattes pour forcer l'élément de coin à entrer dans l'élément de manchon, jusqu'à ce que les premier et second fils nus soient serrés dans les premier et second réceptacles, respectivement. Cet ensemble de vis comprend un boulon avec une tête et une tige filetée, un premier trou taraudé axial dans la première patte et un deuxième trou, essentiellement coaxial au premier trou, dans la deuxième patte. En fonctionnement, la tige filetée du boulon s'étend à travers le second trou et est vissée dans le premier trou taraudé, la tête de vis étant située sur le côté de la deuxième patte en face de la première patte. Le second trou peut être allongé pour pourvoir au réglage transversal de la position de l'élément de coin dans l'élément de manchon.

Claims

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The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property
or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A wedge connector for interconnecting a pair of first and second
bare wires, comprising:
axially mating sleeve member and a wedge member, wherein the
sleeve member comprises:
an inner transversally extending first ear;
and the wedge member defines:
an axially extending hollow section that receives the
first ear of the sleeve member and provides room for axial
displacement of the first ear about the wedge member as
said wedge member axially moves in said sleeve member;
a second ear extending transversally of the axially
extending hollow section defined by the wedge member;
first and second elongated and axially convergent wire-receiving
receptacles defined between the sleeve and wedge members; and
a screw assembly positioned between the first and second ears
wherein, in operation, the wedge member is forced into the sleeve
member until the first and second wires are tightened in the first and
second receptacles, respectively.
2. A wedge connector as defined in claim 1, wherein the sleeve
member is an axially tapered sleeve member having a C-shaped cross
section defining an axial opening.
3. A wedge connector as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein:
the first and second wire-receiving receptacles
comprise first and second opposite and axially convergent
wire-receiving inner channels of the sleeve member,
respectively;

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the sleeve member comprise an inner wall between
the first and second inner channels; and
the first ear projects from the inner wall of the sleeve
member.
4. A wedge connector as defined in claim 3, wherein the wedge
member comprises first and second opposite and axially convergent wire-
receiving seats forming with said first and second inner channels of the
sleeve member said first and second wire-receiving receptacles,
respectively.
5. A wedge connector as defined in claim 1, wherein the sleeve
member has an end of larger dimension, and wherein the first ear is
located at said end of larger dimension of the sleeve member.
6. A wedge connector as defined in claim 1 or 5, wherein the
wedge member has an end of larger dimension and wherein the second
ear is formed by a wall extending across the axially extending hollow
section at said end of larger dimension of the wedge member.
7. A wedge connector as defined in any one of claims 1 to 6,
wherein the screw assembly comprises:
a first ear that defines a first generally axial hole; and
a second ear that defines a second generally axial
hole;
wherein the first generally axial hole and the second
generally axial hole are substantially coaxial when the
wedge member is positioned in the sleeve member.

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8. A wedge member as defined in claim 7, wherein the screw
assembly further comprises a bolt having a shank for extending through
both the first and second holes.
9. A wedge connector as defined in claim 8, wherein:
the bolt comprises a head;
the shank of the bolt is threaded;
the first hole is threaded;
wherein, in operation, the shank of the bolt extends through
the second hole with the threaded shank screwed into the
threaded first hole and the head of the bolt located on the
side of the second ear opposite to the first ear, said axially
extending hollow section also providing room for passage of
the shank of the bolt.
10. A wedge connector as defined in claim 7, wherein the first and
second wire-receiving receptacles have different diameters to receive
respective wires of different diameters, and wherein one of said first and
second holes is oblong to allow for transversal adjustment of the position
of the wedge member in the sleeve member.
11. A wedge connector as defined in claim 9, wherein the first and
second wire-receiving receptables have different diameters to receive
respective wires of different diameters, and wherein the second hole is
oblong to provide for transversal adjustment of the position of the wedge
member in the sleeve member.

Description

CA 02334187 2001-02-05
1
MECHANICAL WEDGE CONNECTOR
WITH INNER SCREW ASSEMBLY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the invention:
The present invention relates to wedge connectors currently used
for interconnecting bare wires.
In the present disclosure and the appended claims, terms such as
"axial" and "axially extending" are intended to mean: "located on, around
or in the direction" of the longitudinal geometrical axis of the wedge
connector.
2. Brief description of the prior art:
Wedge connectors are currently used for interconnecting pairs of
bare wires, in particular electric wires. Prior art wedge connectors
comprise a sleeve member C-shaped in cross section. This sleeve
member receives the two wires and a wedge member introduced
between these wires. The wedge member is forced axially in the sleeve
member, i.e. in a direction substantially parallel to the wires for example
by means of (a) pliers, (b) an impact device or (c) a tightening screw
assembly. According to this technique, an electrical connection is
established through a sleeve member made of electrically conductive

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material, or preferably through a wedge member made of electrically
conductive material.
A prior art wedge connector is described in document US 4 863
403 (Shannon) dated September 5, 1989.
In the wedge connector of Figures 7-12 of document US 4 863
403, the C-shaped sleeve is formed with an outwardly extending ear
provided with an oblong hole. Regarding the wedge member, it comprises
a wedge portion for insertion in the sleeve member, this wedge portion
being coupled via a U-shaped section to an elongated axial element. This
elongated axial element includes a longitudinal threaded bore which is
aligned with the oblong hole when the wedge portion is fitted in the sleeve
member. In this position, a bolt can be inserted through the oblong hole,
screwed in the threaded bore and finally tightened to secure the wires in
respective receptacles formed between the wedge and sleeve members.
Therefore, the screw assembly of document US 4 863 403 has a
complex design. Also, it is disposed externally of the wedge connector to
increase the overall dimension and of this wedge connector.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a
wedge connector for interconnecting a pair of first and second bare wires,
comprising axially mating sleeve member and a wedge member. The
sleeve member comprises an inner transversally extending first ear. The
wedge member defines an axially extending hollow section that receives
the first ear of the sleeve member and provides room for axial

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displacement of the first ear about the wedge member as the wedge
member axially moves in the sleeve member, and a second ear extending
transversally of the axially extending hollow section defined by the wedge
member. The wedge connector further comprises first and second
elongated and axially convergent wire-receiving receptacles defined
between the sleeve and wedge members, and a screw assembly
positioned between the first and second ears wherein, in operation, the
wedge member is forced into the sleeve member until the first and
second wires are tightened in the first and second receptacles,
1 o respectively.
This design is not only simple but disposes the screw assembly
inside the wedge connector to thereby reduce the overall dimension of
the connector.
In accordance with preferred embodiments of the wedge
connector:
- the sleeve member is an axially tapered sleeve having a C-
shaped cross section defining an axial opening;
the first and second wire-receiving receptacles comprise first
and second opposite and axially convergent wire-receiving
inner channels of the sleeve member, respectively;
the sleeve member comprise an inner wall between the first
and second inner channels, and the first ear projects from this
inner wall;
- the wedge member comprises first and second opposite and
axially convergent wire-receiving seats forming with the first

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and second inner channels of the sleeve member the first and
second wire-receiving receptacles, respectively;
- the sleeve member has an end of larger dimension, and the
first ear is located at this end of larger dimension;
- the wedge member has an end of larger dimension and the
second ear is formed by a wall extending across the axial
hollow section at this end of larger dimension;
- the screw assembly comprises a first ear that defines a first
generally axial hole, and a second ear that defines a second
generally axial hole, wherein the first generally axial hole and
the second generally axial hole are substantially coaxial when
the wedge member is positioned in the sleeve member;
- the screw assembly further comprises a bolt having a shank for
extending through both the first and second holes;
- the bolt comprises a head, the shank of the bolt is threaded,
and the first hole is threaded so that, in operation, the shank of
the bolt extends through the second hole with the threaded
shank screwed into the threaded first hole and the head of the
bolt located on the side of the second ear opposite to the first
ear, the axially extending hollow section also providing room for
passage of the shank of the bolt; and
- the first and second wire-receiving receptacles have different
diameters to receive respective wires of different diameters,
and one of the first and second holes is oblong to allow for

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transversal adjustment of the position of the wedge member in
the sleeve member.
The objects, advantages and other features of the present
5 invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non
restrictive description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given by way of
example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the appended drawings:
Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
the wedge connector according to the present invention, for
interconnecting two bare wires of different diameters;
Figure 2 is a front perspective view of the wedge connector of
Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a top plan view of the wedge connector of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a rear elevational view of the wedge connector of
Figure 1; and
Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the wedge connector of
Figure 1.

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The preferred embodiment of the wedge connector according to
the invention, for interconnecting first and second bare wires is generally
identified by the reference 1 in Figures1-5 of the appended drawings.
Again, just a word to mention that, in the present disclosure and
the appended claims, terms such as "axial" and "axially extending" are
intended to mean "located on, around or in the direction" of the
longitudinal geometrical axis 12 (Figure 1) of the wedge connector 1.
As illustrated in Figures 1-5, the wedge connector 1 comprises
axially mating sleeve member 2 and wedge member 3 interconnected
through a screw assembly.
Sleeve member 2
The sleeve member 2 is axially tapered and has a C-shaped cross
section to define an axial opening 4. Sleeve member 2 also defines a pair
of elongated, opposite, mutually facing, axially convergent and semi-
cylindrical wire-receiving inner channels 5 and 6. In the embodiment
illustrated in Figures 1-5, channels 5 and 6 have different diameters to
receive bare wires of different diameters. Of course, it is within the scope
of the present invention to provide channels 5 and 6 of same dimension
to receive wires of same diameter. Although channel 5 is shown as
having a diameter larger than the diameter of channel 6, it is also within
the scope of the present invention to provide channel 6 with a diameter
larger than the diameter of channel 5.

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The sleeve member 2 further comprises an inner wall 7 between
the two channels 5 and 6. Inner wall 7 is formed with a deviation 17 due
to the smaller diameter of the semi-cyclindrical wire-receiving channel 6.
The sleeve member 2 is also formed with an end 9 of larger width and an
end 10 of smaller width. An inner ear 8 extends transversally of the axis
12 and projects from the inner wall 7, preferably at the end 9 of larger
width of the sleeve member 2.
Finally, the ear 8 is formed with a generally axial hole 11 (Figure
1 ). Axial hole 11 is threaded and forms part of the above mentioned
screw assembly.
Wedge member 3
The wedge member 3 is axially tapered and formed with a pair of
opposite, axially convergent, and semi-cylindrical wire-receiving seats 13
and 14. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1-5, the semi-cylindrical
seats 13 and 14 have different diameters to receive bare wires of different
diameters. Of course, it is within the scope of the present invention to
provide seats 13 and 14 of same dimension to receive wires of same
diameter. Although seat 13 is shown as having a diameter larger than the
diameter of seat 14, it is also within the scope of the present invention to
provide seat 14 with a diameter larger than the diameter of seat 13.
As better shown in Figure 3, when the wedge member 3 is axially
inserted in the sleeve member 2, seat 13 faces channel 5 to form a first
elongated wire-receiving receptacle 15. In the same manner, seat 14
faces channel 6 to form a second elongated wire-receiving receptacle 16.
Therefore, the elongated wire-receiving receptacles 15 and 16 are axially
convergent and formed in between the sleeve 2 and wedge 3 members.

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In the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figures 1-5, the first and
second wire-receiving receptacles 15 and 16 have different diameters to
receive bare wires of different diameters. Of course, it is within the scope
of the present invention to provide receptacles 15 and 16 of same
diameter to receive wires of same diameter. Although receptacle 15 is
shown as having a diameter larger than receptacle 16, it is also within the
scope of the present invention to provide channel 16 with a diameter
larger than the diameter of channel 15.
The wedge member 3 is further formed with an axially extending
hollow section 18 between the seats 13 and 14, on the side of the inner
wall 7 when the wedge member 3 in axially inserted in the sleeve member
2. Hollow section 18 is positioned to receive the ear 8 and to provide
room for axial displacement of this ear 8 about the wedge member 3 as
this wedge member 3 axially moves in the sleeve member 2.
The wedge member 3 obviously comprises an end 19 of larger
width and an end 20 of smaller width. A transversal wall extends across
the axially extending hollow section 18, preferably at the end 19 of larger
diameter. This transversal wall forms a second ear 21 extending
transversally of the axially extending hollow section 18. Finally, a
generally axial, oblong hole 22 is formed in the ear 21, this oblong hole
22 being substantially coaxial with the threaded hole 11 when the wedge
member 3 is axially inserted in the sleeve member 2.
Screw assembly
The screw assembly extends between the ears 8 and 21 and
comprises, according to the illustrated preferred embodiment, the oblong

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hole 22, a bolt 23, a flat washer 24, a lock washer 25 and the threaded
hole 11. The bolt 23 comprises a head 26 and a threaded shank 27.
To assemble the wedge connector 1, the wedge member 3 is first
axially inserted in the sleeve member 2 with the hollow section 18 facing
the inner wall 7. The lock washer 25 is positioned on the shank 27 of the
bolt 23, followed by the flat washer 24. The shank 27 of the bolt 23 is
then inserted through the oblong hole 22, and then screwed in the
threaded hole 11. As shown in the attached Figures 1-5, the head 26 of
the bolt 23 is then located on the side of the ear 21 opposite to the ear 8.
Also, it can be seen that the axially extending hollow section 18 provides
room not only for axial displacement of the ear 8 but also for passage of
the shank 27 of the bolt 23.
In operation, the bolt 23 is first loosened as required to insert a first
bare wire 28 of larger diameter in receptacle 15, that is between channel
5 and seat 13, and a second bare wire 29 of smaller diameter in
receptacle 16, that is between channel 6 and seat 14. The threaded
shank 27 of the bolt 23 is then screwed into threaded hole 11 to force the
wedge member 3 in the sleeve member 2 until the bare wires 28 and 29
are tightened in the receptacles 15 and 16, respectively. More
specifically, bare wire 28 is tightened between seat 13 and channel 5 of
receptacle 15. In the same manner, bare wire 29 is tightened between
seat 14 and channel 6 of receptacle 16.
Obviously, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the
oblong shape of the hole 22 provides for transversal adjustment of the
position of the wedge member 3 in the sleeve member 2 to thereby adjust
for the difFerence in diameter of the bare wires 28 and 29. Obviously, the
receptables 15 and 16 are each capable of receiving bare wires in

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respective ranges of diameters so that transversal adjustment of the
position of the wedge member 3 in the sleeve member 2 is required
depending on the specific diameters of the wires 28 and 29.
5 Bolt 23 can be of the fail type breaking off under a given effort to
ensure that bolt 23 is tightened at the proper pressure. This will prevent
over-tightening or under-tightening of the bolt 23.
To establish an electrical connection between the bare wires 28
10 and 29, at least one of the sleeve member 2 and the wedge member 3 is
made of material having a high electrical conductivity. When only one of
the sleeve member 2 and the wedge member 3 is made of electrically
conductive material, the wedge member 3 is preferred.
Although generally flat ears 8 and 21 are described and illustrated
in the present specification, it should be kept in mind that these ears 8
and 21 can present any other suitable shape. The axial position of these
ears 8 and 21 can also change without departing from the spirit and
nature of the present invention.
Although the present invention has been described hereinabove
by way of a preferred embodiment thereof, this embodiment can be
modified at will, within the scope of the appended claims, without
departing from the spirit and nature of the subject invention.

Representative Drawing