U.S. patent number 3,686,622 [Application Number 05/090,644] was granted by the patent office on 1972-08-22 for rapid connection device for an electrical conductor.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Connectronics Corporation. Invention is credited to Francois Robert Bonhomme.
United States Patent |
3,686,622 |
Bonhomme |
August 22, 1972 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
RAPID CONNECTION DEVICE FOR AN ELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR
Abstract
A rapid connection device for an electrical conductor comprises
a flat element mounted in a support so as to be rotatable around an
axis of rotation perpendicular to its middle plane. The flat
element and support have a complementary hollow and projection
forming the axis of rotation. The flat element has at its periphery
a gripping surface which faces a support surface provided on the
support. One at least of the gripping and support surfaces are
metallic and electrically conducting. Elastic means urge the flat
element in a direction of rotation so that after positioning an
electrical conductor between the surfaces, the elastic means
facilitates the wedging and locking of the conductor between the
surfaces under the action of traction exerted on the conductor. The
elastic means is constituted by a flexible strip which is an
integral part of the flat element. Consequently the connector is
easily and cheaply manufactured by stamping, molding, etc.
Inventors: |
Bonhomme; Francois Robert
(Saint-Cloud, FR) |
Assignee: |
Connectronics Corporation (New
York, NY)
|
Family
ID: |
22223660 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/090,644 |
Filed: |
November 18, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/723;
439/787 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R
4/52 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01R
4/52 (20060101); H01r 009/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;339/95,96,97,98,99,247,253,273,274,217 ;24/134L |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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|
|
|
|
|
|
391,034 |
|
Aug 1965 |
|
CH |
|
1,213,024 |
|
Sep 1961 |
|
DT |
|
Primary Examiner: Champion; Marvin A.
Assistant Examiner: Hafer; Robert A.
Claims
I claim:
1. Rapid connection device for an electrical conductor, said device
comprising a flat element and a support adapted to hold said flat
element rotatable around an axis of rotation perpendicular to its
middle plane, said support and flat element having respectively a
complementary hollow and projection forming said axis of rotation,
a support surface provided on the support, a gripping surface at
the periphery of the flat element situated facing said support
surface, one at least of the gripping and support surfaces being
metallic and electrically conducting, and at least one flexible
strip forming an integral part of the flat element and constituting
elastic means adapted to urge the flat element in a direction of
rotation such that after positioning an electrical conductor
between said surfaces, the elastic means facilitate wedging and
locking of the conductor between said surfaces under the action of
traction exerted on said conductor.
2. Device according to claim 1, including a tongue on the flat
element which can project out of the support and enables the flat
element to be rotated in a direction which compresses the elastic
means and frees the conductor.
3. Device according to claim 1, in which the gripping surface of
the flat element is constituted by a curved cam surface eccentric
with respect to the axis of rotation of the flat element, wherein
said flexible strip extends said gripping surface and is adapted to
be supported against the support.
4. Device according to claim 1, wherein said projection is borne by
the flat element and said hollow by the support, said hollow and
projection being constituted by portions of cylindrical surfaces of
partly circular contour, wherein the projection is located
centrally in the flat element, the latter being symmetrical with
respect to an axis perpendicular to its middle plane and comprising
two tongues and two gripping surfaces, the support of the device
having also an axis of symmetry at right angles to the middle plane
of the said support, so that two conductors arranged on both sides
of the support can be locked in the latter by the single flat
element, a radial play being provided between the conjugate
cylindrical surfaces of the flat elements and of the support to
enable substantially identical gripping of the two conductors.
5. Device according to claim 1, wherein the support comprises a
cavity of sufficient dimensions to receive two flat elements of
which the middle planes are coincident, the axes of rotation of
said elements being separated in a direction of introduction of the
conductors in the support, the directions of rotation of said flat
elements causing the wedging of the conductors being opposite, the
flexible strip constituting the elastic means extending between the
two elements and forming an integral part of at least one of
them.
6. Device according to claim 1, wherein the support comprises a
cavity in which the flat element is placed, said cavity being
limited on one side only by a wall of the support parallel to the
middle plane of the flat element and being open on the other side,
whereby several supports may be arranged side by side so that said
wall of each support closes the open side of said cavity, an
individual flange being provided to close the cavity of the last
support.
7. Device according to claim 1, wherein the support surface of the
support forms an obtuse angle arranged for contact with the
conductor.
8. Device according to claim 1, wherein the flat element is of
beryllium-copper.
9. Device according to claim 1, wherein the flat element is formed
from cut-out sheet material.
10. Device according to claim 1, wherein the support is constituted
by a cage of molded plastic material, and a metallic part
imprisoned in said cage and which serves as support surface and
constitutes an electrical output element adapted to contact a said
conductor locked in the casing.
11. Device according to claim 1, wherein the flat element is formed
from molded material.
12. Rapid connection device according to claim 1, said device
including a tongue on the flat element which can project out of the
support and enables the flat element to be rotated in a direction
which compresses the elastic means and frees the conductor, the
gripping surface of the flat element being constituted by a curved
cam surface eccentric with respect to the axis of rotation of the
flat element, wherein said flexible strip extends said gripping
surface and is adapted to be supported against the support and
wherein said projection is borne by the flat element and said
hollow by the support, said hollow and projection being constituted
by portions of cylindrical surfaces of partly circular contour,
wherein the projection is located centrally in the flat element,
the latter being symmetrical with respect to an axis perpendicular
to its middle plane and comprising two tongues and two gripping
surfaces, the support of the device having also an axis of symmetry
at right angles to the middle plane of the said support, so that
two conductors arranged on both sides of support can be locked in
the latter by the single flat element, a radial play being provided
between the conjugate cylindrical surfaces of the flat elements and
of the support to enable substantially identical gripping of the
two conductors.
13. Rapid connection device for an electrical conductor, said
device comprising,
a flat element and
a hollow support adapted to contain said flat element,
said flat element being so-shaped as to comprise a boss at a first
portion of its periphery, a cam surface at a second portion of its
periphery, and elastic means at a third portion of its periphery,
all of these elements lying in the same plane,
said hollow support having an inner surface forming socket means
for said boss to enable the rotation of said flat element in its
plane and also forming a support surface to face and cooperate with
said cam surface,
one at least of said cam and said support surfaces being
electrically conductive,
said elastic means being so arranged as to tend to rotate said flat
element in said socket means and urge said cam surface against said
support surface,
whereby on inserting said conductor between said cam surface and
support surface it is gripped therebetween,
traction on said conductor having the effect of locking it between
said cam and said support.
14. Device according to claim 13, wherein said elastic means is
arranged to thrust against the inner surface of said hollow
support.
Description
The invention relates to a connecting device for an electrical
conductor of the type which comprise, on one hand, a flat element
mounted in a support, so as to be rotatable around an axis of
rotation perpendicular to its middle plane, said flat element and
support having a complementary hollow and projection forming the
said axis of rotation, the said flat element comprising, at its
periphery, a gripping surface located opposite a support surface
provided on the support, one at least of the gripping and support
surfaces being metallic and conductive of electricity and on the
other hand, elastic means adapted to urge the flat element in one
sense of rotation such that after the placing in position of an
electrical conductor between the said surfaces, the elastic means
favor wedging and locking of the conductor between the said
surfaces under the action of traction exerted on this
conductor.
The invention relates more particularly, among these rapid
connection devices, to those for electrical conductors of small
diameter, especially for electrical conductors used in electronic
installations.
There have already been proposed rapid connection devices of the
type described above, but the obtaining of the different
constituents of these devices and their assembly, especially that
of the elastic means, are not sufficiently simple and cheap.
It is a particular object of the invention to render the abovesaid
devices such that they respond better than hitherto to the various
exigencies of practice and especially that they be of great
simplicity of manufacture and assembly.
A rapid connection device of the type concerned is characterized by
the fact that the elastic means are constituted by at least one
flexible strip forming an integral part of the flat element.
The flat element can comprise a tongue which projects out of the
support and enables the flat element to turn in the sense which
frees the locked conductor, that is to say in the sense which is
opposite the above-indicated sense.
The invention consists, apart from the features explained above, of
certain other features which are preferably used at the same time
and which will be more explicitly considered below, with regard to
several embodiments of the invention and which will now be
described in a more detailed manner with reference to the
accompanying drawing, but which are given purely by way of
non-limiting illustration.
FIG. 1 of this drawing is a plan view, with portions removed, of
one embodiment of a rapid connection device according to the
invention.
FIG. 2 shows, viewed in elevation, several devices identical with
the embodiment of FIG. 1, but placed side by side.
FIG. 3 shows a variation of the embodiment of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 shows another variation of the embodiment of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5, lastly, shows another variation of the embodiment of FIG.
1.
Referring to FIG. 1, it is seen that the rapid connection device 1
comprises a flat element 2, mounted in a support 3, substantially
in the form of a parallelopiped, so as to be rotatable around an
axis perpendicular to its middle plane, which plane is parallel to
that of the Figure.
The element 2 comprises, at its periphery, a curved gripping
surface 4 located opposite a support surface 5 provided on the
support 1. One at least of the surfaces 4,5 is metallic. The
element 2 being generally metallic, preferably of beryllium-copper,
the surface 4 is, in practice, always metallic and conductive of
electricity.
The assembly is arranged so that rotation in a suitable sense of
the element 2, in anticlockwise direction is the case of FIG. 1,
causes wedging and locking of the conductor 6 situated between said
surfaces 4,5. If traction is exerted on the conductor 6 in the
direction of the arrow F, the assembly is arranged so that the
effects of wedging and locking of the said conductor increase.
Elastic means 7 are provided to return the flat element 2 in the
above-indicated sense, that is to say, for FIG. 1, in anticlockwise
direction. The element 2 is held by the elastic means 7 in contact
with the conductor 6, which facilitates wedging and locking of the
conductor 6 when traction is exerted on the latter.
The elastic means 7 are constituted by a flexible strip 18 forming
an integral portion of the element 2. This flexible strip is
supported against a wall of a cavity 13 and, preferably, is curved.
It extends, in a way, the surface 4 towards the inside of the
cavity 13.
The element 2, has a projection 9, with a partially circular
contour, arranged in a housing 10, partly cylindrical, arranged in
the support 3. The diameter of the housing 10 is equal or slightly
greater than that of the projection or portion 9 and the assembly
is such that it enables the rotation of flat element around an axis
passing, at least approximately, through the center 11 of the
portion 9. The gripping surface 4 of the flat element 2 is situated
at a distance from the center 11 greater than the radius of the
contour of the portion 9.
In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the surface 4 is cylindrical and
comprises generators perpendicular to the middle plane of the flat
element 2. Said surface 4 is cut by a plane parallel to the middle
plane of the flat element along a convex curve of which the radius
of curvature varies regularly, but remains greater than the
distances of the center 11 to the points of the curve. The ends of
the surface 4 are connected with the part 9 by flat surfaces
converging substantially towards the center 11 so that the element
2 has practically the shape of a circular sector.
Advantageously, a tongue 12, projecting on the outside of the
support 3, is provided on the flat element 2 to enable the latter
to turn, without a tool, in the sense which frees the conductor 6.
For FIG. 1, this sense is clockwise. The tongue 12, of
substantially rectangular shape, has a large dimension oriented in
a direction substantially parallel to the support surface 5. The
tongue 12 is arranged with respect to the element 2, on the side
opposite that of the spring 18.
The element 2 is housed in the cavity 13 provided in the support 3.
This cavity 13, substantially in the shape of a parallelopiped, is
limited, on one side, by a wall 14 (FIG. 2) parallel to the middle
plane of the element, whilst it is open on the side opposite the
wall 14.
It is thus seen that it is very easy to mount the element 2 in the
support 3 since it suffices to introduce it, flat, from the side at
which the cavity 13 is open.
The cavity 13 can have a depth enabling it to receive only a single
element 2. In this case, there is advantageously arranged side by
side the supports 3 (FIG. 2) so that the open side of the cavity 13
of a support is closed by the wall 14 of an adjacent support. A
dismountable flange 15 is naturally provided to close the cavity 13
of the latter support. There can thus be produced a parallel
arrangement of conductors. It will be noted that in FIG. 2 the
conductors 6 are arranged one below the other to the left of the
cavity 13. Naturally, this arrangement could be changed and the
said conductors could be placed alternately left and right.
The cavity 13 can also be sufficiently deep to receive several
superposed elements 2. A single support 3 is then necessary for the
placing in parallel of several conductors.
The support surface 5 can be constituted by a surface of a metallic
part 17 imprisoned in the support 3, which is advantageously
constituted by a cage of molded plastics material. The connecting
device 1 hence enables the establishment of an electrical and
mechanical connection between the conductor 6 and 17.
The device of FIG. 3 enables the connection of two conductors 6 and
plays the role of an extender. Cavity 13 of the support 3 is open
at two opposite ends 19 and 20 whilst, in the embodiments described
hitherto, the said cavity was only open at the opposite end to the
wall against which the elastic means 7 are supported. Two housings
10, symmetrical with respect to the center of the support 3, are
provided in the said support. Each housing receives a part 9, of
partly circular contour, of an element 2 analogous to that of FIG.
1. The support 3 of FIG. 3 comprises therefore two flat elements 2
symmetrical with respect to the center of the said support. The
elastic means 7 are constituted by a flexible strip 18c in an S,
forming an integral part of at least one or two of the flat
elements 2 and compressed between the latter.
The constituents, analogous to those described previously, are
designated in FIG. 4 by the same reference numerals followed by the
letter a.
The device of FIG. 4 comprises a flexible strip 18a, analogous to
the strip 18 of FIG. 1. It will be noted that the support surface
5a forms an obtuse angle with a flat zone 21, of the inner wall of
the cavity 13a, in contact with the conductor 6a.
The device of FIG. 5 enables two conductors 6b staggered
transversely, to be connected, as in the case of FIG. 3; this
device comprises a single flat element 2b.
The element 2b is constituted, in a way, by two elements 2,
analogous to that of FIG. 1, assembled symmetrically with respect
to an axis perpendicular to the plane of the elements and passing
through the center 11 b of the projection or part 9b of partly
circular contour. The cavity 13b provided in the support 3b, has a
central housing 10b partially a cylinder of revolution. The cavity
13b is symmetrical with respect to the axis of this housing and
comprises two parts 23,24 in the form of parallelopipeds which
communicate with the housing 10b. Grooves 25,26 emerging
respectively from the parts 23,24 open, outwardly, in the planes of
the ends 19b, 20b, of the support 3b. These grooves enable the
passage of the conductors 6b.
The flexible strips 18b of the flat element 2b are supported
against the walls of the cavity 13b and have a tendency to recall
the elements 2b in the direction of locking the conductors, that is
to say, for FIG. 5, in clockwise direction.
Sufficient play is provided between the walls of the part 9b and
the walls of the housing 10b to enable the same gripping on
conductors 6b, to be ensured.
The other components of the device of FIG. 5, analogous to those
previously described, bear the same reference numerals followed by
the letter b.
In the case of the embodiment of FIG. 5, to release a conductor 6b
introduced into the device, a dismounting tool is used constituted
by a strip 27 which is slid into a groove, for example the groove
26, so as to push the element 2b and to make it rotate in
anticlockwise direction.
The operation of the various embodiments described above is clear.
The introduction of the conductor 6, 6a, 6b in the device is done
directly and, in all cases, without intervention of a tool, if the
conductor is sufficiently rigid to push the flat element 2, 2a or
2b.
If the conductor is not sufficiently rigid, a thrust is exerted on
the tongues 12 and 12a of the elements 2 and 2a to facilitate the
introduction of the conductor. In the case of FIG. 5, the strip 27
is used to make the flat element 2b turn.
To separate the conductor 6, 6a, 6b from the device, it suffices to
make the element 2, 2a, 2b, turn in suitable direction, either by
pushing on the tongues 12, 12a, without the need for a tool, or by
using the strip 27 to push the element 2b.
Whatever the embodiment of the connecting device, the latter is of
very low cost price since: on one hand, the various components and
parts and especially the flat element 2, 2a, 2b and the elastic
means 7 can be obtained in a very simple manner, by cutting,
stamping, pressing, molding, etc.; and on the other hand, the
assembly is equally very simple since the number of parts to be
assembled is reduced.
The embodiments comprising a tongue 12, 12a, are in addition
particularly advantageous since they eliminate the need for a tool
for assembly or disassembly for the connection or the separation of
a conductor. It is obvious that the tongues 12, 12a are
electrically insulated when the element 2, 2a is metallic and
capable of being subjected to a voltage.
The system of machining of various components of the rapid
connection device, according to the invention, lends itself well to
manufacture of the "machine gun belt" type, that is to say to a
manufacture which enables a series of identical parts connected to
one another by a thin cord very easy to break subsequently, to be
obtained. Production on automatic machines can for this reason be
considered.
Naturally, the flat element and the flexible strip 18, 18a, 18b are
subjected, after cutting out, to a treatment, especially thermal,
intended to give this strip a sufficient elasticity.
As is self-evident, and as emerges already besides from the
preceding description, the invention is in no way limited to those
of its methods of application, nor to those of its methods of
production of its various parts, which have been more particularly
indicated; it embraces, on the contrary, all variations, especially
the following.
The projection borne by the element 2, 2a, 2b may consist of an
angular part in the form of a corner of which the point is borne in
the hollow, also angular, arranged in the support 3, 3a, 3b. The
angle formed by the walls of the hollow is naturally greater than
that formed by the walls of the projection so as to enable rotation
of the element 2, 2a, 2b.
The projection can be borne by the support 3, 3a, 3b and the hollow
can be arranged in the flat element 2, 2a, 2b, said projection and
hollow being partly circular as shown in the drawings, or angular
as previously explained.
* * * * *