Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
PUSH WIRE CONNECTOR HAVING A ROTATABLE RELEASE MEMBER
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e)
of U.S.
Provisional Application Serial No. 61/697,106, filed September 5, 2012, which
may be
referred to for further details. This application contains subject matter
related to co-
pending U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 14/015,360, entitled "Push Wire
Connector
Having A Spring Biasing Member," filed August 30, 2013.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to push wire
connectors for
terminating electrical wires. More particularly, the present invention relates
generally to
push wire connectors for terminating electrical wires having a rotatable
release member to
facilitate electrically and mechanically engaging and disengaging electrical
wires. Still
more particularly, the present invention relates to a push wire electrical
connector having
push wire connections for terminating a plurality of electrical wires and
connectable to an
electrical device to provide electrical continuity between the electrical
wires and the
electrical device.
CA 2826129 2019-12-16 1
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Some electrical devices have apertures in their rear faces for
receiving a
plug terminating a plurality of wires, as disclosed in U.S. Patent No.
4,842,551 to
Heimann. The wires terminated by the plug are connected to the existing
building wires in
any suitable manner, such as by a clamp receptacle or a twist-on wire
connector. However,
connecting each plug wire to a building wire with the twist-on wire connector,
or similar
device, requires time to make the connection. Additionally, a significant
amount of wire
needs to be inserted in the electrical box when connecting the electrical
receptacle to an
electrical box. The large amount of wire can be difficult to dispose in the
electrical box
with the electrical device. Accordingly, a need exists for a plug that snaps
into an aperture
in a rear surface of the electrical device and terminates existing building
wires through a
push wire connection.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention seeks to provide a push wire connector for
securely,
quickly and easily terminating electrical wires.
[0005] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a push
wire connector
having a rotatable release member to facilitate electrically and mechanically
engaging and
releasing electrical wires.
[0006] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an
electrical connector
for terminating a plurality of electrical wires and being connectable to an
electrical device
to provide electrical continuity between the electrical wires and the
electrical device.
[0007] The foregoing aspects are basically attained by an electrical
connector
including a housing and a conductive contact member disposed in the housing. A
first
contact portion of the conductive contact member receives a blade contact of
an electrical
device and a second contact portion electrically engages an inserted
electrical wire. A
spring member is disposed in the housing and is connected to the contact
member. A
rotatable member is movable between first and second positions. When the
rotatable
member is in the second position the spring member secures an inserted wire in
electrical
engagement with the conductive contact member and prevents removal of the
inserted
wire. When the rotatable member is in the first position the spring member
allows for
removal of an inserted wire and allows for insertion of a wire in the housing.
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2
[0008] The foregoing aspects are basically attained by an electrical
connector
including a housing and a conductive contact assembly disposed therein. A
first contact
portion of the conductive contact assembly receives a blade contact of an
electrical device
and a second contact portion electrically engages an inserted electrical wire.
A locking
member is movably disposed between first and second positions with respect to
the second
contact portion. A biasing member is disposed in the housing and is disposed
between the
second contact portion and the locking member. A release member is rotatable
between
first and second positions. The release member in the first position moves the
locking
member to the first position to compress the biasing member to allow for
insertion and
removal of the electrical wire. The release member is spaced from the locking
member in
the second position such that the biasing member moves the locking member to
the second
position to secure the inserted electrical wire between the locking member and
the second
contact portion and substantially prevents removal thereof.
[0009] The foregoing aspects are also basically attained by an
electrical connector
including a housing and a conductive contact assembly disposed therein. A
contact portion
of the conductive contact assembly electrically engages an inserted electrical
wire. A
biasing member is disposed in the housing and has a first resilient arm. A
release member
is movable between first and second positions. The release member in the first
position
allows for insertion of the electrical wire such that the inserted wire is
secured between the
first resilient arm and the contact portion and is prevented from being
withdrawn
therefrom. The release member in the second position deflects the first
resilient arm such
that the inserted wire is withdrawable from the electrical connector.
[0009A] In a broad aspect, the present invention pertains to an
electrical connector
comprising a housing, a conductive contact member disposed in the housing, a
biasing
member disposed in the housing and connected to the contact member, and a
rotatable
release member movable between first and second positions. When the release
member is
in the second position, the biasing member secures a substantially fully
inserted wire in
electrical engagement with the conductive contact member, and prevents removal
of the
3
CA 2826129 2019-12-16
inserted wire. When the release member is in the first position, the biasing
member allows
insertion of the wire in the housing and removal of the substantially fully
inserted wire from
the housing. Movement of the release member between first and second positions
moves
the biasing member.
[0009B] In a further aspect, the present invention provides an
electrical connector
comprising a housing, and a conductive contact assembly disposed in the
housing and
having a first contact portion for receiving a blade contact of an electrical
device, and a
second contact portion for electrically engaging an inserted electrical wire.
A locking
member is movably disposed between first and second positions with respect to
the second
contact portion. A biasing member is disposed in the housing, the biasing
member being
disposed between the second contact portion and the locking member, for
biasing the
locking member between the first and second positions. A release member is
rotatable
between first and second positions. When the release member is in the first
position, the
locking member moves to the first position, compresses the biasing member, and
allows for
substantial full insertion and removal of the substantially fully inserted
electrical wire.
When the release member is in the second position, the release member is
spaced from the
locking member and the biasing member moves the locking member to the second
contact
portion and substantially prevents removal thereof,
[0009C] In a still further aspect, the present invention embodies an
electrical
connector comprising a housing, and a conductive contact assembly disposed in
the housing
and having a contact portion for electrically engaging an inserted electrical
wire. A biasing
member is disposed in the housing and biases a locking member towards an
unlocked
position. There is provided a release member having a cam surface, the release
member
being movable between locked and release positions. The release member is in
the locked
position when the cam surface engages the locking member, which allows for
insertion of
the electrical wire such that the inserted wire is secured between the first
resilient arm and
the contact portion and is prevented from being withdrawn therefrom. The
release
member is in the release position when the cam surface disengages the biasing
member,
3a
CA 2826129 2019-12-16
which deflects the first resilient arm such that the inserted wire is
withdrawable. The
release member is rotated from the locked position to an intermediate
position, and is
moved axially from the intermediate position to the release position.
[0010] Aspects, advantages, and salient features of the invention
will become
apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction
with the
annexed drawings, discloses an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] As used in this application, the terms, "front," "rear,"
"upper," "lower,"
"upwardly," "downwardly," and other orientational descriptors are intended to
facilitate the
description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and are not
intended to
limit the structure thereof to any particular position or orientation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The above benefits and other advantages of the various
embodiments of the
present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed
description of
3b
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CA 02826129 2013-09-03
exemplary embodiments of the present invention and from the accompanying
drawing
figures, in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an electrical wiring
device with a
push wire connector in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the
present
invention prior to connecting to the electrical wiring device;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the push wire connector of
FIG. 1
connected to the electrical wiring device;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the push wire connector
connected to
the electrical wiring device of FIG. 2;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a front exploded perspective view of a push wire connector
in
accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a rear exploded perspective view of the push wire
connector of
FIG. 4;
[0018] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the spring assembly of
FIG. 4;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the spring assembly of the push wire
connector of FIG. 6;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the push wire connector of FIG. 4;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a rear elevational view of the push wire connector of FIG.
4;
[0022] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the push wire connector of FIG. 4;
[0023] FIG. 11 is a front elevational view in cross section taken along
line 11-11 of
FIG. 10;
[0024] FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of the push wire connector of
FIG. 4;
[0025] FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of the push wire connector of FIG.
4;
[0026] FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view of the push wire connector of
FIG. 4;
[0027] FIG. 15 is a rear elevational view of the push wire connector of
FIG. 4 with
pins in an unlocked position;
[0028] FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the push wire connector of FIG. 15;
[0029] FIG. 17 is a rear elevational view in cross section of the push wire
connector taken along line 17-17 of FIG. 16;
[0030] FIG. 18 is a rear elevational view of the push wire connector of
FIG. 4 with
pin in an unlocked position and receiving wires;
[0031] FIG. 19 is a top plan view of the push wire connector of FIG. 18;
4
CA 02826129 2013-09-03
[0032] FIG. 20 is a rear elevational view in cross section of the push wire
connector taken along line 20-20 of FIG. 19;
[0033] FIG. 21 is a rear elevational view of the push wire connector of
FIG. 4
receiving wires and the pins in a locked position;
[0034] FIG. 22 is a top plan view of the push wire connector of FIG. 21;
[0035] FIG. 23 is a rear elevational view in cross section of the push wire
connector take along line 23-23 of FIG. 22;
[0036] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the push wire connector of FIG. 21;
[0037] FIG. 25 is a front exploded perspective view of a push wire
connector in
accordance with a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 26 is a front perspective view of the push wire connector of
FIG. 25;
[0039] FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the push wire connector of FIG. 25
with the
rear housing removed;
[0040] FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the push wire connector of FIG. 25
with the
front housing removed;
[0041] FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the push wire connector of FIG. 25;
[0042] FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the push wire connector of FIG. 27
prior to
receiving wires without a cover;
[0043] FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the push wire connector of FIG. 29
prior to
receiving wires without a cover;
[0044] FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the push wire connector of FIG. 30
receiving wires without a cover in an unlocked position;
[0045] FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the push wire connector of FIG. 31
receiving wires with the locking tabs in an unlocked position without a cover;
[0046] FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the push wire connector of FIG. 33
with the
locking tabs moved to a locked position without a cover;
[0047] FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the push wire connector of FIG. 34
with the
locking tab moved to a releasing position without a cover; and
[0048] FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the push wire connector of FIG. 35
in
which the wires are released without a cover.
[0049] Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals will be understood
to
refer to like parts, components and structures.
CA 02826129 2013-09-03
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0050] The exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directed to
an
electrical connector that terminates electrical wires through a push wire
connection, as
shown in FIGS. I ¨ 36.
[0051] An electrical connector 1 in accordance with a first exemplary
embodiment
of the present invention does not require a tool for electrical wire
termination, as shown in
FIGS. 1-3. The electrical connector 1 is received in an aperture 2 in a rear
surface 3 of an
electrical device 4, such as an electrical receptacle. The electrical
connector 1 has a
plurality of contact assemblies 5 that engage blades 6 disposed in the
aperture 2 of the
electrical receptacle 4, thereby establishing electrical continuity between
the building wires
7 and the electrical receptacle 4. Although the electrical connector in
accordance with
exemplary embodiments of the present invention is described with respect to
the electrical
receptacle 4, the present invention is not so limited and any suitable
electrical device may
be used.
[0052] The electrical device 4 includes a housing 51 having the rear
surface 3 and
the aperture 2 disposed in the rear surface. A ground or mounting strap 50 is
connected to
the housing 51 and is adapted to secure the electrical device 4 to an
electrical box (not
shown). A plurality of contact blades 6 are disposed in the electrical device
4 and are
accessible through the aperture 2 (FIG. 4). The electrical connector 1
includes a plurality
of contact assemblies 5 adapted to engage the plurality of contact blades 6 in
the electrical
device 4, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The wires 7 terminated by the electrical
connector I
extend outwardly therefrom such that the plurality of wires are substantially
parallel to the
rear surface 3 of the electrical device 4 when the electrical connector 1 is
connected to the
electrical device 4. The wires 7 are terminated by a push-wire connection such
that the
wires can be terminated without requiring the use of a tool. Alternatively,
the wires 7 can
be terminated such that the wires are substantially perpendicular to the rear
surface 3 of the
electrical receptacle 4.
[0053] The electrical device 4 includes a cover 52 connected to a base 53,
as shown
in FIGS. 1 ¨ 3. The mounting strap 50 is connected to the electrical device 4
to facilitate
mounting the electrical device to the electrical box (not shown). First and
second
mounting ears 54 and 55 are disposed at opposite ends of the ground strap 50.
Each
mounting ear 54 and 55 has an opening 56 and 57 to receive a fastener 58 and
59 to secure
the electrical device 4 to the electrical box in a conventional manner. The
ground strap 50
6
may be disposed between the cover 52 and the base 53, or may wrap around the
rear
surface 3 of the base 53.
[0054] A first plurality of openings 60, 61 and 62 are formed in the
cover 52 to
receive a first plug (not shown) of an electrical apparatus to be powered by
the electrical
device 4. A second plurality of openings 63, 64 and 65 are formed in the cover
52 to
receive a second plug (not shown) of an electrical apparatus to be powered by
the electrical
device 4. The cover 52 has a plurality of downwardly extending posts 66 that
are
receivable by pockets 67 of the base 53, thereby creating a snap fit to secure
the cover 52
to the base 53 as shown in FIGS. 1 - 3.
[0055] The aperture 2 disposed in the rear surface 3 of the base 53,
as shown in
FIG. 1, is adapted to receive the electrical connector 1 that terminates
building wires 7 that
supply electrical power. Preferably, three contact blades 6 are disposed in
the aperture 2,
although any suitable number of contact blades may be used. For example, a
three contact
blade configuration has outer contact blades that are power blades, hot and
neutral contact
blades, and a middle contact blade that is a ground contact blade.
[0056] The electrical connector 1 has three building wires 7
connected thereto, as
shown in FIGS. 1 - 3. Although the electrical connector 1 of the first
exemplary
embodiment of the present invention is shown having three building wires 7
connected
thereto, any suitable number of building wires may be used as required by the
electrical
apparatus for use with the electrical device 4. The building wires 7 are
connected to the
electrical connector 1 as described below. A plurality of feed-through wires
11 can be
connected to the electrical connector 1, as shown in FIGS. 1 - 3, to supply
power to
another electrical device, such as an another electrical connector.
[0057] The electrical connector 1 is received by the aperture 2 in
the base 53 of the
electrical device 4, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. A plurality of openings are
disposed in a
front face of the electrical connector I to receive the contact blades 6. The
electrical
connector 1 has a base 68 and a cover 69 connected thereto. A fastener 70
connects the
cover 69 to the base 68. A plurality of openings 9 and 10 are formed in the
base 68 of the
electrical connector 1 to receive the wires 7 and 11, respectively. The
openings 9 and 10
are preferably disposed on the same side of the base 68, as shown in FIGS. 4
and 6.
[0058] Latching arms 71 are disposed on opposite sides of the base 68
of the
electrical connector 1, as shown in FIGS. 1 -3. The latching arms 71 are
flexible to
facilitate connecting the electrical connector to and disengaging from the
electrical device
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CA 02826129 2013-09-03
4. The latching arms 71 are deflectable to disengage the electrical connector
1 from a
mated connection with the electrical device 4. The electrical connector 1 is
connected to
the electrical device 4 without requiring the use of tools. Accordingly, the
exemplary
embodiments of the present invention provide electrical continuity between
existing
building wires 7 and the electrical wire device 4 without requiring the use of
tools.
[0059] A push-in wire connector 101 in accordance with a second exemplary
embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 4 ¨24. Each of the wires
107 is
terminated by the push-in wire connector 101 through a push-in connection and
a release
member 102 connected to the push-in wire connector 101 provides a release
mechanism to
release the inserted wires 107. The release member 102 prevents accidental
release of the
inserted wires 107.
[0060] The electrical connector 101 has multiple wire locking and releasing
mechanisms, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 11 and 17. Each wire locking and releasing
mechanism includes locking member 103, a biasing member 104 and a rotatable
member
102. The electrical connector 101 can be used for fast, reliable wire
connections and
releases. The electrical plug connector 101 can provide wire locking
terminations for
various plug connect 15A/20A wiring devices. The locking and releasing
mechanism and
the contact assemblies 105 are disposed in a housing base 109 and secured
therein by a
cover 110. The cover 110 is secured to the base 109 with a fastener Ill,
although any
suitable means of connection can be used. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 17, one
release
member 102 operates two locking and releasing mechanisms.
[0061] The contact assembly 105, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, includes a
substantially planar, wire contact member 121 and first and second flexible
fingers 122 and
123 connected thereto. The first and second flexible fingers 122 and 123
engage one of the
contact blades 6 of the electrical device 4 (FIG. 1). The flexible fingers 122
and 123 of the
contact assembly 105 are biased to contact each other to form a gripping
potion 124
therebetween to receive a contact blade 6. A gap is formed between outwardly
extending
portions at the free ends of the flexible fingers 122 and 123 of the contact
assembly 105 to
facilitate receiving the contact blade 6 therebetween. First and second pairs
of notches 125
and 126 are disposed on opposite edges of the wire contact member 121 to
receive the
locking member 103.
[0062] The locking member 103 is preferably a substantially U-shaped, as
shown
in FIGS. 6 and 7. The locking member 103 has a base 127 from which first and
second
8
legs 128 and 129 extend. Preferably, the first and second legs 128 and 129
extend
substantially perpendicularly from the base 127. First and second openings 130
and 131
are disposed in the first and second legs 128 and 129, respectively. Coined
edges 132 and
133 are disposed at ends of the first and second openings 130 and 131 opposite
the base
127 to facilitate retaining a wire received through the first and second
openings.
[0063] The biasing member 104 has a first end 141 and a second end
134, as shown
in FIGS. 6 and 7. The biasing member 104 is preferably a compression spring,
although
any suitable biasing member can be used. The first end 141of the biasing
member 104
engages an inner surface 135 of the base 127. A second end 134 of the biasing
member
104 engages an outer surface 136 of the wire contact member 121, as shown in
FIGS. 4
and 6.
[0064] The rotatable, release member 102 is received in a cavity 137
in the housing
base 109, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 11. The cavity 137 allows for rotation of
the rotatable
member 102. A first end 138 of the rotatable member is accessible through an
opening 139
in the cover 110. A slot 140 is disposed in the first end 138 of the rotatable
member 102 to
rotate the rotatable member between first and second positions. A cam surface
108 extends
outwardly from the rotatable member, as shown in FIG. 4. First and second stop
members
142 and 143 are oppositely disposed in the cavity 137 to engage the cam
surfaces 108 to
position the rotatable member 102 in the second position, as shown in FIGS. 11
and 23.
[0065] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, three contact assemblies 105 are
disposed in the
base 109. Two rotatable members 102 are disposed in the base 109. One of the
rotatable
members (the lower rotatable member as shown in FIG. 4) is disposed between
two of the
contact assemblies 105, such that the rotatable member controls operation of
both contact
assemblies 105. The cover 110 is secured to the base 109 with the fastener
111.
[0066] The biasing member 104 extends between the locking member 103
and the
contact member 121 of the contact assembly 105, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The
contact
member 121 extends through the first and second opening 130 and 131 in the
first and
second legs 128 and 129 of the locking member 103. The biasing member 104
biases the
contact member 121 toward the coined edges 132 and 133 of the first and second
openings
130 and 131.
[0067] The rotatable member 102 is disposed adjacent the base 127 of
the locking
member 103, as shown in FIGS. 11, 17, 20 and 33. In the first and unlocked
position, as
shown in FIGS. 17 and 20, the cam surface 108 of the rotatable member 102
engages the
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base 127 of the locking member 103, thereby pushing the base 127 of the
locking member
103 toward the contact member 121 of the contact assembly 105. The coined
edges 132
and 133 of the locking member 103 are moved away from the contact member 121,
thereby providing a passageway for insertion of a wire 107 through a wire
opening 144 in
the base 109 of the connector 101. The cam surface 108 contacting the base 127
of the
locking member 103 overcomes the force of the biasing member 104, thereby
compressing
the biasing member 104 and moving the coined edges 132 and 133 away from the
contact
member 121.
[0068] As shown in FIG. 17, three wire openings 144 are disposed in the
base 109
to provide access to the three contact assemblies 105. Exposed or bare
portions of the
wires 107 can now be inserted through the wire openings 144 and through the
openings
130 and 131 in the first and second legs 128 and 129 of the locking member
103. Further
insertion of the wire 107 is prevented by the free end of the wire 107
contacting a stopping
member 145 of the contact assembly 105, as shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 20 and 23.
Inner edges
146 and 147 (FIGS. 6 and 7) of the openings 130 and 131 abut the outer surface
136 (FIG.
4) of the contact member 121, thereby preventing further rotation of the
rotatable member
102. As shown in FIG. Ii, one wire opening 144 is disposed on a first side of
the base 109
and two wire openings 144 are disposed on a second and opposite side of the
base 109.
The two wire openings 144 disposed on the same side of the base 109 allow for
insertion of
wires 107 in a direction substantially parallel to one another.
[0069] After the wires 107 are inserted, the rotatable member 102 is
rotated such
that the cam surfaces 108 no longer engage the base 127 of the locking member
103, as
shown in FIGS. 11 and 23. The rotatable member 102 is rotated to the second
and locked
position in which the cam surfaces 108 contact the stopping members 142 and
143 of the
base 109 to prevent further rotation of the rotatable member 102. The biasing
member 104
returns to its original position, such that the base 127 of the locking member
103 moves
away from the contact member 121of the contact assembly 105. The coined edges
132 and
133 of the locking member 103 are moved toward the contact member 121, thereby
locking the inserted wire 107 between the coined edges 132 and 133 of the
locking
member 103 and an inner surface 148 of the contact member 121. Rotating the
rotatable
member 102 back to the first position to engage the cam surface 108 with the
base 127 of
the locking member 103 compresses the biasing member 104 and moves the coined
edges
132 and 133 away from the contact member 121, thereby allowing the inserted
wire 107 to
be removed. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 20, each of the cam surfaces 108 of the
lower
rotatable member 102 engages a different locking member 103 such that the
rotatable
member controls locking and releasing of two wires 107. The slot 140 in the
rotatable
member 102 facilitates rotating the rotatable member 102 between the first and
second
positions.
[0070] Latches 149 connected to the base 109 of the connector 101
facilitate
connecting the connector to and removing the connector from the aperture 2
(FIG. 1) in the
rear surface 3 of the electrical device 4. After the wires 107 have been
inserted, the
electrical connector 101 can be inserted in the aperture 2 in the rear surface
3 of the
electrical device 4, a shown in FIGS. 1 - 3. The wires 107 can be quickly and
easily
inserted in the wire openings 144 in the electrical connector 101. The
electrical con-
nector 101 can be quickly and easily connected to the electrical device 4
without require-
ing the use of tools. Accordingly, electrical continuity can be established
between the
existing building wires and the electrical device quickly and easily.
[0071] A push-in wire connector 201 in accordance with a third
exemplary
embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 25 ¨ 36. Each of the
wires 207 is
terminated by the push-in wire connector 201 through a push-in connection and
a release
member 202 connected to the push-in wire connector 201 provides a release
mechanism to
release the inserted wires 207. The release member 202 prevents accidental
release of the
inserted wires 207.
[0072] The electrical connector 201 has multiple wire locking and
releasing
mechanisms, as shown in FIG. 25. The wire locking and releasing mechanism
includes a
contact assembly 205, a biasing member 203 and a release member 202. The
electrical
connector 201 can be used for fast, reliable wire connections and releases.
The electrical
connector 201 provides wire locking terminations for quickly and easily
connecting
electrical wires 207. The locking and releasing mechanisms are disposed in a
housing base
209 and secured therein by a cover 210. The cover 210 is secured to the base
209 with a
fastener 211, although any suitable means of connection can be used.
[0073] The contact assembly 205, as shown in FIGS. 25 and 27,
includes first and
second substantially planar, wire contact members 231 and 232 for electrically
engaging
inserted wires 207. The first and second contact members 231 and 232 are
preferably
substantially parallel. Preferably, the contact assembly is made of a
conductive material.
The contact assembly 205 is preferably unitarily formed as a single piece.
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[0074] The biasing member 203 has a substantially planar base 233 from
which
first and second legs 234 and 235 extend outwardly, as shown in FIG. 25.
Preferably, the
first and second legs 234 and 235 are substantially perpendicular to the base
233. First and
second flexible arms 212 and 213 extend from free ends of each of the first
and second legs
234 and 235. The first arm 212 preferably extends toward the base 233. The
second arm
213 preferably extends away from the base 233. The biasing member is
preferably
unitarily formed as a single piece.
[0075] The release member 202 has a first base member 236 disposed
externally of
the base 209 and cover 210 of the housing, as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27. A
second base
member 237 of the release member 202 is disposed internally of the base 209
and cover
210, as shown in FIG. 27. A shaft 243 extends between the first and second
bases 236 and
237. A post 238 extends outwardly from the second base member 237. Preferably,
the
post 238 extends substantially perpendicularly to the second base member 237.
A through
hole 239 passes entirely through the release member, as shown in FIG. 32. The
post 238
preferably extends in a directly substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis
of the though
hole 239.
[0076] A tab 221 extends radially outwardly from the through hole 239 in
the first
base member 236 of the release member 202, as shown in FIGS. 25 and 26.
Oppositely
disposed first and second cam surfaces 214 and 222 are formed on the first
base member
236, as shown in FIGS. 25 ¨27.
[0077] The biasing member 203 and the contact assembly 205 are disposed in
the
cover 210, as shown in FIG. 27. The base 233 of the biasing member 203 is
adjacent an
inner lower wall 240 of the cover 210. The first and second legs 234 and 235
of the
biasing member 203 are adjacent inner side walls 241 and 242 of the cover 210.
The
contact assembly 205 is disposed in the cover 210 such that the biasing member
203 is
disposed between the contact assembly 205 and the inner walls 240, 241 and 242
of the
cover 210. The first arms 212 of the biasing member 203 extend toward the
contact
members 231 and 232 of the contact assembly. The shafts 243 of the release
members 202
are disposed in recesses 244 in the cover 210, as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28,
and the base
209 is connected thereto, such as with a fastener 211 (FIG. 25). Corresponding
recesses
245 are formed in the base to form an opening in which the shaft 243 of the
release
member 202 is rotationally and axially movable. The second arms 213 of the
biasing
member 203 contact a lower surface 246 of the second base member 237, as shown
in FIG.
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CA 02826129 2013-09-03
28, to bias the release member 202 to a first position. The second arm 213
biases the
release member upwardly such that an upper surface 247 of the second base
member 237
contacts an inner upper wall 248 of the base 209 and cover 210 of the housing,
as shown in
FIGS. 25 ¨29.
[0078] Wires 207 are insertable through the through holes 239 in the
release
members 202, as shown in FIGS. 30¨ 33. Exposed or bare portions 249 of the
wires 207
deflect the free ends of the first arms 212 of the biasing member 203 and are
secured
against the contact members 231 and 232 of the contact assembly 205. The posts
238
guide insertion of the wires 207. The first arms 212 bias the inserted wires
207 against the
contact members 231 and 232. The first arms 212 being angled toward the base
233 of the
contact assembly 205 causes the first arms 212 to substantially prevent axial
movement of
the inserted wire in a direction away from the base 233. Accordingly, the
first arms 212
substantially prevent removal of the inserted wires 207. As shown in FIGS. 30¨
33, the
release members 202 are in a first and locked position. The first cam surface
208 of the
release member 202 engages a stop member 250 of the housing to prevent
rotation in one
direction. In the first position, an inner surface 251 of the first base
member 236 of the
release member 202 is spaced from an outer surface 252 of the housing. The tab
221
engages the outer surface 252 such that inward axial movement of the release
member 202
is prevented. The upper surface 247 of the second base member 202 engages the
inner
upper wall 248 of the housing to prevent outward axial movement of the release
member
202. Electrical continuity is established from on inserted wire 207, through
the contact
assembly 205 and to the other inserted wire 207.
[0079] To release the inserted wires 207, the release member 202 is rotated
approximately 90 degrees from the first position to the second position, as
shown in FIGS.
34 ¨ 36. The release members 202 can only be rotated in one direction as the
stop member
250 engages the first cam surfaces 214 to prevent rotation in the other
direction. After the
release members 202 have been rotated to the second position, as shown in FIG.
35, the
release members 202 are pushed axially inwardly such that the inner surface
251 of the
first base member 236 contacts the outer surface 252 of the housing. In the
second
position, the tabs 221 of the release members 202 are aligned with grooves 253
in the
recesses 245 to allow inward axial movement of the release member 202. Prior
to being in
the second position, the tabs 221 engage the outer surface 252 of the housing
to prevent
inward axial movement. The second cam surface 222 engages the stop member 250
to
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CA 02826129 2013-09-03
prevent further rotation of the release member, in additional to aligning the
tabs 221 with
the grooves 253. From the second position, the release members 202 can only be
rotated in
a direction back to the first position due to the second cam surfaces 222
engaging the stop
member 250.
[0080] The release members 202 can now be pushed axially inwardly into the
body
of the electrical connector 201 to a third position to deflect the first and
second arms 212
and 213 to allow for removal of the inserted wires 207. The inward axial
movement of the
posts 238 of the release members 202 engages the first arms 212, thereby
deflecting the
first arms 212 away from the inserted wires 207 and away from the contact
members 231
and 232, as shown in FIG. 35. The inserted wires 207 can now be easily
withdrawn from
the electrical connector 201, as shown in FIG. 26. The lower surface 246 of
the second
base member 237 deflects the second arm 213 when the release member 202 is
pushed
axially inwardly. In the third position, the grooves 253 prevent rotation in
either direction
of the release member 202.
[0081] The second arm 213 moves the release member 202 axially outwardly
when
the inward axial force on the release member 202 is stopped. The deflected
second arm
213 moves back to its original position, thereby engaging the lower surface
246 of the
second base member to push the release member 202 axially outwardly. The
release
member 202 moves axially outwardly until the upper surface 247 of the second
base
member 237 abuts the inner upper wall 248 of the housing. The tab 221 is now
free of the
recess 253 such that the release member 202 can be rotated back to the first
position (FIG.
30) such that wires 207 can be inserted.
[0082] As shown in FIGS. 26 and 34, the two release members 202 are rotated
in
opposite directions when rotating between first and second positions.
Additionally, the
two release members 202 move independently of one another. Although two
release
members 202 are shown for electrically connecting two wires 207, any suitable
number of
locking and releasing mechanisms can be used as required by the number of
wires to be
electrically connected.
[0083] The wires 207 can be quickly and easily inserted in the wire
openings 239
in the electrical connector 201 without requiring the use of tools.
Accordingly, electrical
continuity can be established between two wires quickly and easily.
[0084] The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and
are
not to be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. The
description of an
14
CA 02826129 2013-09-03
exemplary embodiment of the present invention is intended to be illustrative,
and not to
limit the scope of the present invention. Various modifications, alternatives
and variations
will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and are intended to
fall within the
scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims and their
equivalents.
