Electrical connectors – Metallic connector or contact having movable or resilient... – Spring actuated or resilient securing part
Reexamination Certificate
2002-01-25
2003-07-22
Bradley, P. Austin (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
Metallic connector or contact having movable or resilient...
Spring actuated or resilient securing part
C439S372000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06595809
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a connector which is used at an electric wire connection for electric equipment (e.g. a control unit, a switch), a terminal block, etc.
BACKGROUND ART
A connector with a locking spring has been applied at an electric wire connection for electric equipment, etc.
FIG. 22
shows an example of this connector.
Regarding this example, a locking spring
303
is a lock-like component made of a strip of plate spring. In this component, a fixed piece
331
is combined with a movable piece
332
, via a resilient transformed part
333
and a pushing part
334
. The tip of the fixed piece
331
is inserted into and latched with a connection hole
332
a
formed in the movable piece
332
. The fixed piece
331
of the locking spring
303
is secured on a terminal fitting
302
which is accommodated in a case
301
.
The case
301
has a wire slot
301
a
and a tool entrance
301
b
. When the tip of a screwdriver
5
is inserted in the tool entrance
301
b
to press the pushing part
334
of the locking spring
303
, the locking spring
303
is made to deflect such that the connection hole
332
a
in the movable piece
332
faces the wire slot
301
a
. In this state, an electric wire
200
is inserted in the wire slot
301
a
, allowing a conductor
201
at the leading end to enter the connection hole
332
a
The screwdriver
5
is pulled out at this stage. Then, owing to the resilience of the locking spring
303
, the conductor
201
of the electric wire
200
is pinched between the terminal fitting
302
and an edge of the connection hole
332
a
. Eventually, the conductor
201
is connected to the terminal fitting
302
.
It should be noted that the conventional connector illustrated in
FIG. 20
requires a screwdriver or other tool in order to carry out the connecting operation.
Taking such circumstances into consideration, the present invention intends to provide a connector which can simplify wire connecting operations by not using a screwdriver or other tool, and which still enables the use of a screwdriver or other tool in wire connecting operations, when necessary.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
A connector of the present invention is characterized in comprising: a locking spring which is a lock-like component made of a strip of plate spring, in which a fixed piece is combined with a movable piece via a resilient transformed part and a pushing part, and in which a tip of the fixed piece is inserted into a connection hole formed in the movable piece; a case for accommodating the locking spring; a terminal fitting which locates on an outer surface of the fixed piece of the locking spring; a wire slot formed opposite to the movable piece of the locking spring; and a lever which locates in an opening of the case and which serves to press the pushing part of the locking spring. This connector is also characterized in that the connection hole faces the wire slot, when the pushing part of the locking spring is pressed by operating the lever. The connector is further characterized in that, when the lever is in a non-operative position, a tool entrance is provided at the opening in such a manner that the tool entrance leads to a contact area where the lever meets the pushing part of the locking spring.
In the connector of the present invention, the lever may be provided with a locking mechanism for preventing accidental operations.
This locking mechanism may comprise a slidable stopper provided on the lever and a latch part provided on the case for latching the stopper, so that the lever can be fixed at a predetermined position by latching the stopper on the latch part.
In another locking mechanism, the lever may be designed upwardly slidable. When this lever is made to slide to a predetermined position, the locking mechanism is arranged to release the locked state and to make the lever rotatable.
In an alternative locking mechanism, the lever may be designed upwardly slidable. When this lever is made to slide to a predetermined position, the locking mechanism is arranged to make the lever swingable. Besides, the resulting swinging movement is arranged to cause the release of the locked state and to make the lever rotatable.
According to the connector of the present invention, wire connecting operations can be carried out simply by operating the lever with a finger, etc., instead of using a screwdriver or other tool. Besides, while the lever is in the non-operative position, the connector provides a tool entrance at the case opening for accepting the lever, such that the tool entrance leads to a contact area where the lever meets the pushing part of the locking spring. This tool entrance enables the use of a screwdriver or other tool in wire connecting operations.
Hence, this connector is adaptable to wire connecting operations at various places, including a narrow space where the lever cannot be operated with a finger, etc. For example, if the space is limited, an electric wire can be connected by means of a screwdriver.
Further, the tool entrance locates at the opening for accepting the lever, and the lever serves as a fulcrum for operating the screwdriver. This structure can dispense with a separate tool entrance, and helps to achieve the above effects in a space-saving environment.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5679021 (1997-10-01), Kramer
patent: 6004168 (1999-12-01), Fuchs et al.
patent: 6010376 (2000-01-01), Kollmann
patent: 6270384 (2001-08-01), Jaag
patent: 9-320657 (1997-12-01), None
patent: 11-86939 (1999-03-01), None
patent: WO 00/21160 (2000-04-01), None
Fujii Masaaki
Matsumoto Atsushi
Yamano Masatake
Bradley P. Austin
Idec Izumi Corporation
Nguyen Truc
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