Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02851846 2015-11-20
WIRE COMPRESSION CONNECTOR
[0001]
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is generally directed toward a
compression
connector for connecting wires.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Compression connectors are used to connect wires together to
ensure
that an electric current will flow without interruption through the wires. The
connectors
also provide a mechanical connection that prevents the wires from being pulled
apart. In
the case of grounding wires, compression connectors can also be used to
connect a
grounding wire to a grounding rod. Compression connectors are typically
installed
through the use of a crimping tool that applies pressure to the outside of the
compression
connector causing it to deform around the wires.
[0004] Under circumstances of high voltage or mechanical tension on
the
wires, a standard C-tap connector will fail as it opens up from its crimped
state. As a
result, the wires may become disconnected, creating a potential hazard.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A compression connector is disclosed herein that can
withstand greater
pullout tensions compared to previous compression connectors. The compression
connector consists of a single, partially bifurcated connector body having a c-
tap portion
through which a first wire can be passed and a thru-hole portion for
connecting a second
wire. When crimped individually, the bifurcated clamp members are resistant to
failure.
It should be appreciated that it is simple to manufacture, and can be used
with existing
crimping dies.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Further advantages of the invention will become
apparent by reference
to the detailed description of preferred embodiments when considered in
conjunction
with the drawings:
[0007] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the disclosed
compression connector.
[0008] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the first connector
component.
[0009] FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the second connector
component.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the compression
connector.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
compression
connector where the first connector component has a wire cradle for a smaller
wire than
the wire cradle of the second connector component.
[0012] FIG. 4 depicts a compression connector component
being installed
onto wires.
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[0013] FIG. 5 depicts a compression connector component as
installed onto
wires prior to crimping.
[0014] FIG. 6 depicts a front elevation view of the
compression connector as
installed onto wires and placed into a crimper prior to crimping.
[0015] FIG. 7 depicts the forces applied to the receivers of
the compression
connector and resultant deformation that will occur.
[0016] FIG. 8 shows a compression connector on wires after
crimping.
[0017] FIG. 9 depicts a slotted embodiment of the compression
connector.
[0018] FIG. 10A is a perspective view from the outer surface
side of a single-
piece embodiment of the compression connector with slots.
[0019] FIG. 10B is a perspective view from the inner surface
side of a single-
piece embodiment of the compression connector with slots.
[0020] FIG. 10C depicts a single piece compression connector
as installed
onto wires prior to crimping.
[0021] FIG. 10D depicts a single piece compression connector
as installed
onto wires after crimping.
[0022] FIG. 11A is a perspective view facing the wire opening
46 side of a
single-piece embodiment of the compression connector with a partially
bifurcated
connector body having c-tap portion 42 and a thru-hole portion 43.
[0023] FIG. 11B is a perspective view from the side 51 of a
single-piece
embodiment of the compression connector shown in FIG. 11A.
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[0024] FIG. 11C shows a perspective view from the side 51 of a single-
piece
embodiment of the compression connector shown in FIG. 11A placed within a
portable
crimper tool 200.
[0025] FIG. 110 shows a perspective view facing the wire opening 46
side of
a single-piece embodiment of the compression connector shown in FIG. 11A after
crimping with two copper strand electrical conductors 47a, 48a.
[0026] FIG. 12 is a perspective view facing the wire opening 46 side
of a
single-piece embodiment of the compression connector with a partially
bifurcated
connector body having an angled rear area between a c-tap portion 42 and a
thru-hole
portion 43.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] The following detailed description is presented to enable any
person
skilled in the art to make and use the invention. For purposes of explanation,
specific
details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present
invention.
However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific
details are not
required to practice the invention. Descriptions of specific applications are
provided only
as representative examples. Various modifications to the preferred embodiments
will be
readily apparent to one skilled in the art, and the general principles defined
herein may be
applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the scope
of the
invention. The present invention is not intended to be limited to the
embodiments shown,
but is to be accorded the widest possible scope consistent with the principles
and features
disclosed herein.
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[0028] As will be appreciated from FIG. 1, compression connector 1, is
comprised of two connector components: a first connector component 2 and a
second
connector component 3. Each of these connector components are configured to
couple
with each other, thus forming a wire opening 10 through which the wires to be
connected
are positioned. The connector components are each made of a single piece of an
electrically conductive material, such as conductive metal, and generally have
a similar
appearance in shape and size. In some embodiments, the two connector
components may
actually be identical shapes, such as those shown in FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C,
which, when
coupled together, result in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A.
[0029] Each of the connector components has a concave area for receiving a
wire, referred to herein as a wire cradle. Although the description refers to
wires, it will
be appreciated that the disclosed invention may also be applied to the
connection of wires
to grounding rods or other conductors. In a preferred embodiment, the wire
cradle is a
curved surface with a radius slightly larger than that of the wire it
receives. As shown in
FIG. 2, first connector component 2 has a first wire cradle 4 configured to
receive a first
wire, and second connector component 3 has a second wire cradle 5 configured
to receive
a second wire. When coupled together, first connector component 2 and second
connector component 3 form wire opening 10 that contains the section of both
wires to be
crimped. In some embodiments, such as that depicted in FIG. 3, the two
connector
components are different sizes to accommodate differently sized wires.
[0030] Corresponding structures on each of the two connector components
allow them to couple together. The structures form complementary shapes that
allow one
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end of a connector component to fit within the opposite end of the other
connector
component.
[0031] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, at one end of first
connector
component 2 lies a first appendage 8 that is configured to nestle within
second receiver 7
located on second connector component 3. At the other end of first connector
component
2, across the first wire cradle 4, is first receiver 6 that is configured to
receive second
appendage 9 located on second connector component 3. First receiver 6 is a u-
shaped
structure having an internal cavity that can receive second appendage 9.
Similarly,
second receiver 7 is a u-shaped structure having an internal cavity that can
receive first
appendage 8.
[0032] In a preferred embodiment, first appendage 8 and second
appendage 9
have identical shapes, and first receiver 6 and second receiver 7 have
identical shapes.
The shape of the appendages is simply a portion of the connector component
that extends
away from the wire cradle. However, it is anticipated that the appendage could
have any
shape that fits within the interior cavity of the receiver.
[0033] To couple the first connector component 2 to the second
connector
component 3, the first connector component 2 is placed alongside second
connector
component 3 such that first appendage 8 is aligned with the second receiver 7,
and the
second appendage 9 is aligned with first receiver 6, as shown in FIG. 4. Once
aligned,
the first connector component 2 can slide into second connector component 3,
thus
coupling them together. It should be appreciated that the coupling of the
first connector
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component 2 and second connector component 3 can be performed before or after
positioning the wires within their respective wire cradles.
[0034] In
the coupled state with wires positioned in the wire opening 10, as
depicted in FIG. 5, compression connector 1 is ready to be crimped. Structural
features
of the compression connector 1 will make crimping easier, and will result in a
stronger
attachment compared to prior known compression connectors.
[0035] As
will be appreciated from FIG. 6, the compression connector 1 is
affixed to the wires by using a crimper. The compression connector 1 is
designed to fit
into existing crimping dies that are currently in use for crimping wires and
lugs, and does
not require any special equipment. The compression connector 1 is designed
such that, as
it is compressed by the crimping die, it will deform in a specific manner such
that each
receiver locks its appendage within it in place. FIG. 7 depicts the forces
that are applied
to the first receiver 6 and second receiver 7. The crimper forces the first
receiver 6 and
the second appendage 9 to bend toward the second wire cradle 5, locking the
second
appendage 9 in place. The crimper also forces the second receiver 7, as well
as the first
appendage 8, within it to bend toward the first wire cradle 4, locking the
first appendage
8 in place. FIG. 8 depicts a compression connector 1 in a deformed state with
wires 4a
and 5a after crimping. In this deformed state, neither appendage can easily
slide out and
past the collapsed receiver to allow the compression connector 1 to open, as
can be
appreciated in FIG. 8 by the folding of first appendage 8 and second receiver
7.
[0036]
Structural features of the compression connector 1 ensure that the
compression connector 1 deforms in a prescribed manner resulting in enhanced
locking
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=
of the connector components in place. First, as seen in FIG. 6, the shape of
compression
connector 1 ensures that the force of the crimper will initially be applied
directly to the
receivers. Two outer surfaces of first receiver 6 come together at first
receiver edge 11
that has an angle that matches the inner angles of the crimp die. Similarly,
two outer
surfaces of second receiver 7 come together at second receiver edge 12 that
has an angle
that matches the inner angles of the crimp die. As a result, the compression
connector 1
can be oriented in the crimp die as shown in FIG. 6 with one surface of the
first receiver
6 receiving pressure from upper half crimp die 100 in a perpendicular
direction, and one
surface of the second receiver 7 receiving pressure from below from lower half
crimp die
101 in a perpendicular direction. The surfaces may be textured 18 to aid in
identification
and to prevent slippage. As pressure is applied to first receiver 6 from the
upper half
crimp die 100, second connector component 3 will start to deform at second
appendage
divot 14. As pressure is applied to second receiver 7 from lower half crimp
die 101, first
connector component 2 will start to deform at first appendage divot 13.
[0037]
The first connector component 2 may additionally have an indentation
on its outer surface near the first receiver 6 to ensure that the first
connector component 2
will bend at the proper location. This first receiver indentation 15 serves as
a flex point
as the whole first receiver 6 is pushed by the upper half crimp die 100.
Likewise, second
connector component 3 may additionally have an indentation on its outer
surface near the
second receiver 7 to ensure that the second connector component 3 will bend at
the
proper location. This second receiver indentation 16 serves as a flex point as
the whole
second receiver 7 is pushed by the lower half crimp die 101.
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[0038] The deformed shape of the compression connector 1 provides much
greater resistance to failure compared to standard C-shaped compression
connectors.
Typically, these C-shaped connectors fail by opening up at their entrance
point.
However, the currently disclosed compression connector 1 does not easily open
up due to
the deformation of the appendage and receiver. Pull tests indicate that the
claimed device
can withstand at least three times the force that C-taps can.
[0039] In circumstances where it is desired to have an even greater
mechanical strength and resistance to failure, a slotted embodiment may be
used, as
shown in FIG. 9. This embodiment operates similarly to the embodiments
described
above, however, each of the two connector components are partially separated
along their
length, forming a slot 17 running down the middle. Due to the partial
separation, the
compression connector 1 may be crimped twice on either side of the slot 17.
Each of
these crimps will act independently to hold the wires firmly together, thus
greatly
increasing the resistance to failure of the compression connector 1. The slot
17
additionally provides a location through which a nylon cable tie such as a TY-
RAP
cable tie manufactured by Thomas & Betts Corporation may be used to hold the
compression connector 1 in place. This may be particularly useful where the
wires are
oriented vertically, and the connector components are sliding off of each
other prior to
crimping.
[0040] The disclosed invention provides several advantages over other
compression connectors. First, as previously stated, the compression connector
1 has
been shown to be more resistant to failure due to the locked state of the
receiver and
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appendage once crimped. Unlike standard C-tap connectors, there is no opening
which
provides a location for failure. Instead, the wires are fully surrounded by
the
compression connector 1. Also, a tighter connection can be made through the
use of
appropriately sized connector components. As depicted in FIG. 3, in
circumstances
where the wires have different sizes, a connector component having a smaller
wire cradle
may be used on the smaller wire. This allows the installer to combine various
connector
components to match the characteristics of the wire and provide a customized
connector
that will bind the wires more tightly. Finally, it should be appreciated that
no special
crimping dies are required. The installer can use existing dies to achieve the
much
stronger connection.
[0041]
Referring now to FIG. 10, a single piece embodiment of the
compression connector 20 of the present invention is shown. As will be
appreciated from
FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B, compression connector 20, is comprised of a single
(one)
connector body 21. The connector body 21 has a first terminal end 22 and a
second
terminal end 23. The connector body 21 further has an outer surface 24 and an
inner
surface 25. The compression connector 20 has a single wire or conductor
opening 26
formed between the terminal ends 22 and 23. It is anticipated that compression
connector
20 could be configured to have more than one inner surface 25 and outer
surface 24, e.g.,
in an "S" shape, such that two wire openings are formed, and such
configurations are
within the scope of the present invention. The connector body 21 is made of a
single
piece of an electrically conductive material, such as conductive metal, and
more
particularly iron, an iron alloy, aluminum, an aluminum alloy, copper, or a
copper alloy.
In preferred embodiments, the connector body 21 is made of copper.
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[0042] The inner surface 25 at each of the terminal ends 22 and 23 has
a
concave area for receiving a wire, referred to herein as a wire cradle.
Although the
description refers to wires, it will be appreciated that the disclosed
invention may also be
applied to the connection of wires to grounding rods or other conductors.
First wire
cradle 27 is located at the inner surface 25 near first terminal end 22, and
second wire
cradle 28 is located at the inner surface 25 near second terminal end 23. The
inner
surface 25 also includes a ridge 29 separating first wire cradle 27 and second
wire
cradle 28. In a preferred embodiment, the wire cradles 27 and 28 are each a
curved
surface with a radius slightly larger than that of the wire it receives. As
shown in
FIG. 10C, connector body 21 has a first wire cradle 27 configured to receive a
first
wire 27a, and connector body 21 has a second wire cradle 28 configured to
receive a
second wire 28a. As stated above, the terminal ends 22 and 23 form wire
opening 26 that
will contain the sections of both wires 27a and 28a to be crimped. In some
embodiments,
not shown, the wire cradles 27 and 28 are different sizes to accommodate
differently
sized wires.
[0043] Once wires 27a and 28a are positioned in the wire opening 26
and
placed in corresponding wire cradles 27 and 28, as depicted in FIG. 10C,
compression
connector 20 is ready to be crimped using a crimper tool. The first terminal
end 22 and
the second terminal end 23 are configured to close the wire or conductor
opening upon an
act of compression, such as being crimped. The compression connector 20 is
designed to
fit into existing crimping dies that are currently in use for crimping wires
and lugs, and
does not require any special equipment. The compression connector 20 is
designed such
that, as it is compressed by the crimping die, it will deform in a specific
manner such that
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the terminal ends 22 and 23 are compressed together, which closes wire opening
26. The
surfaces may be textured to aid in identification and to prevent slippage.
FIG. 10D
depicts a compression connector 20 in a deformed state with wires 27a and 28a
in wire
cradles 27 and 28, respectively.
[0044] To
provide greater mechanical strength and resistance to failure,
compression connector 20 also contains slots 30. As can readily be seen in all
panels of
FIG. 10, connector body 21 of compression connector 20 is partially separated
along its
length, forming slots 30 running down the middle from each terminal end 22 and
23 to
near ridge 29. Slots 30 create a separation at each terminal end 22 and 23,
which is
shown in FIG. 10B as first terminal ends 22a and 22b and second terminal ends
23a
and 23b. Due to the partial separation or bifurcation of each end up to near
ridge 29, the
compression connector 20 may be crimped twice on either side of the slot 30,
as shown in
FIG. 10D. Each of these crimps will act independently to hold the wires firmly
together,
thus greatly increasing the resistance to failure of the compression connector
20. The
slots 30 additionally provide a location through which a nylon cable tie such
as a
TY-RAP cable tie manufactured by Thomas & Betts Corporation may be used to
hold
the compression connector 20 in place. This may be particularly useful where
the wires
to be crimped are oriented vertically. This embodiment provides several
advantages over
other known compression connectors, particularly other C-tap connectors. A
tighter
connection can be made through the use of appropriately sized compression
connectors 20, i.e., compression connectors with the wire cradles
appropriately sized for
the wires to be crimped. The compression connector 20 also has slots 30, which
provide
greater mechanical strength and resistance to failure. Finally, it should be
appreciated
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that no special crimping dies are required. The installer can use existing
dies to achieve
the much stronger connection.
[0045]
Referring now to FIGS. 11-12, a single piece embodiment of the
compression connector 40 is shown. As will be appreciated from FIG. 11A and
FIG. 11B, compression connector 40, is comprised of a single (one) connector
body 41.
The connector body 41 has a first portion 42 (c-tap portion) configured to
have a c-tap
shape with conductor opening 46 for receiving an electrical conductor 47a and
a second
portion 43 (thru-hole portion) configured to have a thru-hole tap 45 for
receiving an
electrical conductor 48a. The connector body 41 further has an outer surface
44 and a
first inner surface 49 associated with the c-tap portion 42 and a second inner
surface 48
associated with the thru-hole portion 43. In a preferred embodiment, outer
surface 44 of
connector body 41 is angled or curved at rear area 53 located between c-tap
portion 42
and thru-hole portion 43 (as can be appreciated in FIG. 12) for material
savings, which
decreases product weight and manufacturing costs for compression connector 40.
The
c-tap portion 42 has a single wire or conductor opening 46 formed between the
terminal
ends 42a, 42b and 43a. The thru-hole tap 45 is positioned to be open on each
side 51 of
connector body 41, thus the inserted wires in c-tap portion 42 and thru-hole
portion 43
are oriented to run parallel to each other. The connector body 41 is
preferably made of a
single piece of an electrically conductive material, such as conductive metal,
and more
particularly iron, an iron alloy, aluminum, an aluminum alloy, copper, or a
copper alloy.
In preferred embodiments, the connector body 41 is made of copper by extrusion
techniques known in the field.
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[0046] The
inner surface 49 of c-tap portion 42 has a curved area for
receiving a wire, referred to herein as a wire cradle 47. Although the
description refers to
wires, it will be appreciated that the disclosed invention may also be applied
to the
connection of cables/wires to grounding rods or other conductors (e.g.,
rebar). More
specifically, wire cradle 47 is located at the inner surface 49 near first
terminal
ends 42a, 42b. In a preferred embodiment, wire cradle 47 has a curved surface
with a
diameter slightly larger than that of the wire it receives. The wire cradle 47
of c-tap
portion 42 can be configured to receive various sizes of wires. In preferred
embodiments,
c-tap portion 42 has a wire cradle 47 configured to receive wires with
diameters ranging
from about one fourth inch to about one inch. The inner surface 48 of thru-
hole
portion 43 has a substantially circular thru-hole for receiving a wire,
referred to herein as
a thru-hole tap 45. To aid in the insertion of a wire into thru-hole tap 45,
the edges 52 on
sides 51 are tapered. The inwardly tapered edges 52 allow for a wire to be
inserted on
either side of thru-hole tap 45 while limiting an edge or strand of that wire
from being
caught at the edge 52 during insertion. Although the description refers to
wires, it will be
appreciated that the disclosed invention may also be applied to the connection
of
cables/wires to grounding rods or other conductors (e.g., rebar). In a
preferred
embodiment, thru-hole tap 45 has a diameter slightly larger than that of the
wire it
receives. The thru-hole tap 45 of thru-hole portion 43 can be configured to
receive
various sizes of wires. In preferred embodiments, thru-hole portion 43 has a
thru-hole tap
45 configured to receive wires with diameters ranging from about one fourth
inch to
about one inch. In some embodiments, the wire cradle 47 and thru-hole tap 45
are
different sizes to accommodate differently sized wires, based on need and
application.
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[0047] A
user can prepare the electrical conductors 47a/b, 48a prior to
inserting them into position in the compression connector 40, such as cleaning
away dirt,
polishing with a wire brush or similar tool, and/or scoring with a knurling
tool or other
device (especially on smooth solid grounding rods). When positioning the wires
into the
compression connector 40, the wires should protrude beyond the compression
connector
40 by about 3/4 inch or more. Once wire 47b (as shown here, a solid copper
grounding
rod) is positioned in the wire opening 46 and placed in corresponding wire
cradle 47 and
wire 48a is positioned in the thru-hole tap 45, as depicted in FIG. 11C,
compression
connector 40 is ready to be compressed/crimped using a crimper tool, such as
portable
crimper tool 200. The compression connector 40 is designed to fit into
existing crimping
dies that are currently in use for crimping wires and lugs, and does not
require any special
equipment. The compression connector 40 is designed such that, as it is
compressed by
the crimping dies 201, 202, it will deform in a specific manner such that the
terminal ends
42a, 42b and 43a are compressed together, which closes wire opening 46. Thus,
the
terminal ends 42a, 42b and 43a are configured to close the wire opening 46 of
the c-tap
portion 42 and tighten thru-hole tap 45 upon an act of compression, such as
being
crimped. Preferably, terminal ends 42a, 42b and 43a are configured to close
the wire
opening 46 such that terminal ends 42a, 42b are in physical contact with inner
surface 49
of c-tap portion 42 and terminal end 43a is in physical contact with outer
surface 44 of
the thru-hole portion 43. This closing configuration more securely closes the
wire
opening 46 because the thinner c-tap portion 42 is protected from being caught
or pulled
by other objects or machinery after the compression is complete. The inner
surfaces 48
and 49 may be textured to aid in identification (such as size or suggested
application, i.e.,
CA 02851846 2014-05-13
% inch stranded wire conductor or 3/4 inch solid copper grounding rod) and/or
to prevent
slippage of the wire after or during compression. FIG. 11D depicts a
compression
connector 40 in a deformed state with wires 47a and 48a (as shown here, multi-
strand
copper conductor cables) in wire cradle 47 and thru-hole tap 45, respectively,
after a
being compressed (discussed further below).
[0048] To
provide greater mechanical strength and resistance to failure,
compression connector 40 also contains slot 50. As can readily be seen in all
panels of
FIGS. 11 and 12, connector body 41 of compression connector 40 is partially
separated
(or bifurcated) along its length in c-tap portion 42, forming slot 50 running
down the
middle of connector body 41 from terminal ends 42a, 42b to near terminal end
43a.
Slot 50 creates a separation in c-tap portion 42 between terminal ends 42a,
42b, which is
shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B as terminal ends 42a and 42b. Due to the partial
separation or bifurcation of each end up to near terminal end 43a, the
compression
connector 40 may be crimped on either side of the slot 50 as shown in FIG.
11D. Each
of these crimps will act independently to hold the wires firmly together, thus
greatly
increasing the resistance to failure of the compression connector 40. As with
traditional
c-tap connectors, the tonnage of portable crimping machine is not sufficient
to crimp to
the best level as copper material from the compression connector 40 will flow
around
strands in a wire when used in large connector bodies. The crimps on each side
of slot 50
will compress the compression connector 40 and wires with more force per area
due to
slot 50. The slot 50 additionally provides a location through which a nylon
cable tie such
as a TY-RAP cable tie manufactured by Thomas & Betts Corporation may be used
to
hold the compression connector 40 in place. This may be particularly useful
where the
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wires to be crimped are oriented vertically, e.g., vertically installed copper
grounding
rods. This embodiment provides several advantages over other known compression
connectors, particularly known C-tap connectors. A tighter connection can be
made
through the use of appropriately sized compression connectors 40, i.e.,
compression
connectors 40 with the wire cradle 47 and thru-hole tap 45 appropriately sized
for the
wires to be crimped. Finally, it should be appreciated that no special
crimping dies are
required. The installer can use existing dies to achieve the much stronger
connection.
[0049] The terms "comprising," "including," and "having," as used in
the
claims and specification herein, shall be considered as indicating an open
group that may
include other elements not specified. The terms "a," "an," and the singular
forms of words
shall be taken to include the plural form of the same words, such that the
terms mean that
one or more of something is provided. The term "one" or "single" may be used
to indicate
that one and only one of something is intended. Similarly, other specific
integer values,
such as "two," may be used when a specific number of things is intended. The
terms
"preferably," "preferred," "prefer," "optionally," "may," and similar terms
are used to
indicate that an item, condition or step being referred to is an optional (not
required)
feature of the invention.
[0050] The invention has been described with reference to various
specific
and preferred embodiments and techniques. However, it should be understood
that many
variations and modifications may be made. It will be apparent to one of
ordinary skill in
the art that methods, devices, device elements, materials, procedures and
techniques other
than those specifically described herein can be applied to the practice of the
invention as
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broadly disclosed herein without resort to undue experimentation. All art-
known
functional equivalents of methods, devices, device elements, materials,
procedures and
techniques described herein are intended to be encompassed by this invention.
Whenever
a range is disclosed, all subranges and individual values are intended to be
encompassed.
This invention is not to be limited by the embodiments disclosed, including
any shown in
the drawings or exemplified in the specification, which are given by way of
example and
not of limitation.
[0051] While
the invention has been described with respect to a limited
number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this
disclosure, will
appreciate that other embodiments can be devised. The scope of the claims
should not be
limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be
given the
broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.
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