Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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Field of the Invention
This invention relates to connector terminals of the
insulation slicing type and more particularly to a novel connector
block providing improved space utilization.
Background-and Prior Art of the Invention
Quick-connect clip-type terminals or connectors are
devices to circumvent previous wire connecting operations which
required the time-consuming tasks of skinning, placing and connecting
(see U.S. Patent No. 3,112,147 issued November 26, 1973 to W. Pferd,
K.H. Pohl and D.W. Tyler). In the telephone industry, large numbers
of wire terminations are made each yeari with the advent of new
business services, there is a rapid increase in the number of
in-building interconnections. The increase in number and complexity
of interconnections, if not accompanied by more efficient methods
of accommodation, would result in an undue expansion in size.
In mitigating such expansion in size and installation time of
in-building interconnections, novel connectors and connector
terminals have been developed.
Dunn et al in U.S. Patent 4,002,391 issued
January 11, 1977 and in Canadian Patent No. 1,029,109 issued
April 4, 1978, has improved upon the quick clip type connector
(often termed simply quick clip). Such or similar quick clip
connectors are suitable for use in the connector block of the
present invention.
Connector blocks housing a number of quick clips
are favoured in the telecommunications industry. Such connector
blocks are used at distribution points for interconnecting feeder
cable pairs and distribution cable pairs via jumper wires. These
interconnections are not once-and-for-all connections. It is
sometimes necessary to change interconnections to re-match physical
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cable pairs with subscriber numbers when subscribers change location.
Connector blocks have been disclosed in the prior --~
art. In U.S. Patent 3,798,587 to B.C. Ellis Jr. et al, two piece
construction is used to house individual clip connectors. Two piece
construction is also disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,778,750 to
Caveney et al. In the Ellis patent wires are laid in a mounting
receptacle which accepts the connector block, the connector block
is then mounted to make one side of the connections, thereafter
the second series of wires is connected into the block. The Caveney
connector block is bulky, having an approximate thickness of 1".
Summary of the Invention
A connector block according to the present invention
provides up to 50 individual connections in a block less than half
; an inch thick. Reduction is size is achieved by having two rows
of clip type connectors in a single connector block by staggering
one row with respect to the other. Advantageously, a single
installation tool may be used for making all connections. In
addition, slots to hold pairs in place during cable fanning
operations are provided, thus allowing one side of the connections
to be made in a single continuous operation.
Preferably, a connector block is constructed of
thermoplastic material and has three components encasing two rows
of connectors in a sandwich construction. A central element ~-
receives the connectors in the process of assembly and two
cover elements are bonded to the center element.
Thus, in accordance with the present invention,
there is provided an electrical connector block for interconnecting
two pluralities of wires fanned along two opposite edges thereof,
comprising: an elongate layered structure of three elements, a
flat center element for supporting two staggered rows of flat,
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slotted, electr;cal connectors one on each surface thereof, and
two insulating covers substantially coextensive, and compatible,
with the center element, one on each side thereof and secured thereto,
for positively retaining said connectors in place; said center
element being an insulator having transversal slots in both of said
opposite edges aligned with slots in said connectors for guiding
and retaining wires to be inserted into the slots of said
connectors for establishing electrical contact therewith.
The invention will be better understood by the
following description of certain preferred embodiments in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which~
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a
connector block according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a top view of the connector block
shown in Figure 1 with the cover element partially broken away
illustrating the location of a connector; .
Figure 3 is a cross-section of the connector block ~:~
of Figure 2 along the line 3-3 therein;
Figure 4 is an edge view of the connector block
of Figure 2, partially broken away along the line 4-4 therein;
Figure 5 is a plan view of a center element of the
; connector block of Figure l;
Figure 6 is an edge view of the center element of
Figure 5 partially broken away along the line 6-6 therein; ~.
Figure 7 is a partial plan view of the other side :
of the center element of Figure 5;
Figure 8 is a side view of the inner side of the
cover element in the connector block of Figure l;
Figure 9 is an edge view of the cover element
of Figure 8;
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Figure 10 is a view of an individual connector for . .
one-to-one connections;
Figure 11 is a view of a multiple connector for
one-to-many connections;
Figure 12 is a side view of the connectors of
Figures 10 and 11;
Figure 13 is an exploded view of an installation
tool for use in conjunction with the present invention;
Figure 14 is a cross-section of a connector block
of the invention with a wire in place prior to insertion with the
installation tool;
Figure 15 is a view similar to Figure 19 after
installation by the installation tool but before its withdrawal;
Figure 16 is a top view of the installation tool
showing its inner parts in broken lines;
Figure 17 is a view similar to Figure 16 showing a
portion of the tool head after the insertion of a wire into the
connector block of the invention;
Figure 18 is similar to Figure 17 showing the
installation tool in shearing action;
Figure 19 is a side view of another embodiment
wherein multiple connectors of Figure 11 are utilized;
Figure 20 is a side view of the center element
; of the embodiment of Figure 19; and
Figure 21 is an edge view of the center element
of Figure 20.
Detailed Description of the Preférred Embodiment
In the following description similar parts shown
in different views are identified by the same reference numerals.
Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 illustrate the complete
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assembly of one embodiment of the connector block according to the
present invention. The connector block is a three-layer structure
comprising a center element 10 and two cover elements 11 and 11'.
A row of connectors 20 is disposed between the center element 10
and each of the cover elements 11 and 11'. The assembly has a
flat elongate form with a comb-like profile on each edge with a
plurality of laterally aligned tooth-like projections 12 and 13
alternately extending perpendicularly along each edge of the body
of the connector. Each tooth-like projection 12 and 13 comprises
a projection 14 or 15 from the center element 10 and two tooth-like
projections 16 and 16' extending from the cover elements 11 and 11',
respectively. The teeth 12 and 13 are uniformly spaced from one
another and define slots 17 therebetween. The slots 17 provide
access to the connectors 20 and provide support for the wires
during the connection operation.
Figures 2, 3 and 4 illustrate how the connectors 20
are positioned in the connector block. As shown best in Figure 4,
the two rows of connectors 20 are staggered. This allows a large
number of connections to be made in a relatively small area.
As illustrated in Figures 5, 6 and 7 a plurality of
generally rectangular recesses 18 are disposed laterally aligned
along the length of the center element 10 with the length of the
rectangular recesses perpendicular to the length of the center
element 10. Each recess 18 is centered longitudinally on alternate
pairs of slots 17 and is of width to accept a connector 20. The
depth of the recesses 18 is approximately equal to the thickness
of the connector 20. Intermediate adjacent pairs of recesses 18
are lands 19 which extend from the edges of the center element 10
to a line parallel with the longitudinal axis of the center
element 10 on each side thereof providing a central recess 21
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along the length of the center element 10. Insulating ribs 22
extend longitudinally intermediate the recesses 18 along lands 19
across the central recess 21 and along land 19'. Locating ribs 23
are disposed along the longitudinal axis of each recess 18 one on
each side of the longitudinal axis of the center element 18 and
cooperate with locating slots 53 in clip connector 20.
Recess 24 located on land 19 between recess 18
and the end of tooth 14 cooperates with projections 29 on cover
element 11 to assure alignment of the two elements. Key slot 25
10 is used for orientation.
Figure 7 illustrates the other side of center
element 10. It is substantially identical to the side shown in
Figure 5. Note that recesses 18 are centered on lands 19 on the
other side of the center element such that the recesses 18 are in
staggered relationship.
The center element 10 and the cover element 11 are
preferably made of insulating thermoplastic resin. The cover
element 11 has a thin elongate body of length and width generally
corresponding to the length and width of the center element 11.
20 Each edge of the cover element has a comb-like profile with teeth-like
projections 16 extending therefrom. Defined between teeth 16 are
slots 26 which are arranged so as to be in alignment with slots 17
in center element 10 when cover elements 11 are in place. Slots 26
are arranged in laterally aligned pairs and have a width somewhat
less than slots 17. Thus wires are held in place by slots 26
allowing the fanning operation to be completed prior to inserting
any of the wires into the connectors. Key slot 27 is used for
alignment with key slot 25.
A groove 28 shown dotted cuts across the outer
30 surface of teeth 16 and is used for retaining test probes.
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Locating projections 29 which are disposed at the end of every
second tooth 16 cooperate with recesses 24 on center element 10
to ensure alignment of the two elements and fuse during ultrasonic
welding ensuring a tight bond. Grooves 30 are disposed perpendicularly
to the longitudinal axis of the cover element along its inner side
to accept ribs 22 of center element 10. An additional pair of
grooves 31 are disposed between grooves 30 along the length of
the center element aligned to accept ribs 23 of center element 10.
A pair of apertures 32 in the outer surface of cover element 11, ;
inclined toward the longitudinal axis of the center element 10,
open into a recess 33 on the inner surface and are used for
securing a tie-wrap or the like to the connector block assembly.
The connectors used in conjunction with the present
invention are illustrated in Figures 10, 11 and 12. The individual
connector 20 of Figure 10 has two pairs of oppositely extending
opposed legs 50 and 51 extending from base portion 52. A pair of
locating slots 53 defined between the legs 50 and 51 cooperate
with locating ribs 23 in the center element 12. Cutting edges 54
and 55 are opposed and slice the insulation from a coated wire as
it is inserted between the legs 50 and 51.
The connector 20 is produced by stamping or
pressing from a continuous strip, the external profile and slots 53
being formed. The connector is then slit to form cutting edges 54
and 55 and then swaged to form swages 56 and 57. Swage 57 acts
to prestress the legs 50 and 51 and swage 56 holds the conductor
from slipping out of the connector. Tags 58 are remnants of the
webs between adjacent clips as they are stamped from a continuous
strip of conducting material and fit into central recess 21 of
center element 10.
The multiple connector 40 of Figure 11 is similar
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to the individual connector except that five single-ended
connectors 60 are ganged together on webs 61 with one opposed
single ended connector 62. The other features of the multiple
connector 21 are identical to those of the individual connector 20.
Multiple connectors are used in an alternate embodiment of the
connector block of the invention to be described hereinafter.
Figure 13 shows an exploded view of the insertion
tool used for inserting the wires into the connecting block to make
connection with the connector.
The tool comprises a pair of handle members 70
and 71 each identical. Each handle member is of a generally
semi-cylindrical shape with one end 90 smaller than the other 91.
The convex side 92 is outer side with the concave side 93 being
the inner side. Near large end 91 is a circular cut-out 94 which
accepts the knurled portion of disengage button 95, below the
cut-out 94 on the inner side are a pair of spring retaining slots 96
which hold spring 97 which cooperates with disengage button 95 to
give the button detent positions. Bulkhead 98 supports washer 99.
Locating stubs 100 and 102 cooperate with depressions 101 and 103
on the other handle member. Tool head guide 104 fits into slot 74
on the tool head 72, dowel pin 105 fits into slot 106, and
plunger 107 and plunger spring 108 fit into slot 109.
Tool head 72 is machined from a single block of
suitable metal and comprises a body 73 rectangular in cross-section
having a longitudinal slot 74 machined through the sides, upper
and lower wire guides 75 and 76, a wire insertion portion 77
which includes wire engaging portions 78 which has two recesses .
at 75, and a guide shaft 80 completes the tool head. Surrounding
the shaft 80 is a compression spring 83 held in place by washers 99
and 99'. Cut-off blade 81 is attached to the tool head 72 by
shoulder drive stud 82.
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Referring now to Figure 14, the wire insertion
portion 77 of the tool head 72 is shown in position to complete
the insertion of a wire 110 previously inserted into slot 111.
The tool head 72 moves to the left and is guided into the slot 111
formed by slots 26 in cover elements 11 and slot 17 in center
element 10 of tooth 14 on center element 10. As the tool head
moves further to the left, wire engaging portions 78 contact the
wire 110 as do the wire guides 75 and 76. As well, wire guides
75 and 76 straddle the connector block providing for proper
alignment of the tool vertically as shown in Figure 15. The
wire 110 is pushed into the connector 20 stripping away insulation
in the process providing electrical contact between the wire and
the connector 20. The recesses 79 are of a suitable depth to
accommodate the connector 20 where it extends into the slot 111
without the wire insertion portion 77 physically contacting the
connector 20.
Figures 16, 17 and 18 illustrate the shearing action
of the insertion tool. Figure 21 shows the tool in its normal
position. Cut-off blade 81 has a cutting edge 112 at one end
and two camming surfaces 113 and 114 at the other end one on each side.
As a wire is inserted into a connector block the
tool head 72 is pushed into the area between handle elements `
70 and 71. During this time spring 83 is compressed. Figure 17
illustrates that as the cut-off blade moves into the handle 70 - 71
butting surface 115 causes plunger 107 to compress plunger
spring 108 due to its slanted surface (see Figure 13) and eventually
moves down such that the protrusion 116 slides over it. Once the
protrusion 116 has moved past as the tool head 72 continues to move
between the handle members 70 - 71 plunger 107 is resiliently
forced by spring 108 back into its original position.
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As the tool head 72 and blade 81 return out from
between the handles 70 - 71 forced by spring 83, the blade 21
is forced by plunger 107 to cam on surface 113 and thus pivot on ~.
shoulder drive stud 82 causing cutting surface 112 to pass over
wire guide 75 severing the wire 110.
As the tool head continues to move out of the
handles 70 - 71, surface 114 cams on dowel pin 105 causing the
blade 81 to pivot on shoulder drive pin stud 82 into the normal
position.
When the cutting feature is not desired, disengage
button 95 (see Figure 13) may be rotated by 90 causing shaft 80
to butt against a surface 119 thereby not allowing tool head 72
to move into the handle elements 70 - 71, otherwise shaft 80
slides through hole 117 in disengage button 95.
An alternate embodiment of the connector block of
the invention is illustrated in Figure 19. In this embodiment
multiple connectors 40 (see Figure 11) are disposed in two
rows between center element 45 and cover elements 11 and 11'.
As in the previous embodiment the two rows of multiple connectors
are staggered to provide a large number of connectors in a
small area.
The center element 45 is similar to center element 10.
Center element 45 has the comb-like profile with teeth-like
projections 14 and 15 alternately extending therefrom only on one
edge which is identical to the edges of center element 10. On the
other edge small teeth-like projections 41 protrude to match
teeth 14. Slots 42 are provided for access to the one single end
: connector 62 of multiple connector 40, one for each side of the
center element 45.
Insulating ribs 22 are found only every fifth recess
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so that the central recess 21 is left open to accept web 61 in
connector 40. Insulating ribs 43 are provided on each land
not having insulating rib 22. Locating ribs 23 are provided only
where locating slots 53 will be when a connector 40 is in place.
Otherwise all the features of the center element 45
are identical to the center element 10.
It should be noted that any number of connectors
ganged together with appropriate changes in the center element
would not be beyond the scope of the present invention.
