Electricity: conductors and insulators – Conduits – cables or conductors – Combined
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-02
2001-12-25
Nguyen, Chau N. (Department: 2831)
Electricity: conductors and insulators
Conduits, cables or conductors
Combined
C174S13800J
Reexamination Certificate
active
06333464
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the invention
The present invention relates to electrical wiring, and to equipment for use in splicing and connecting electric wires. More particularly, the present invention relates to an electric wire splice connector for facilitating electrical current transmission through splicing electric wires.
2. Description of the Background Art
Some enclosures and splice cases have been patented, and are known for use in connecting telecommunications and electrical wiring.
One such enclosure is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,936,590, which shows and describes a splice case or enclosure having a sealing ring at each end thereof. This reference discloses a two-part housing for enclosing a tape-wrapped manual wire splice, and a ring for placement within the housing and for sealing electrical wires into the housing.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,145,388, issued Sep. 8, 1992 to Brownlie, discloses an enclosure for interconnecting conductor wires of multiconductor cables. This invention utilizes a box-shaped enclosure having a base and a lid that is pivotally hinged to the base. Tubular terminals are disposed within the enclosure, and these terminals are mounted so as to be rotatable to cut through insulation which may be surrounding cables to be connected, and make contact with the cable wire.
Other types of enclosures and splice boxes are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,606,789, 2,771,502, 2,867,680, 2,881,241, 3,175,032, 3,260,794, 3,339,011, 3,798,349, and 5,245,133.
While the known splice cases and related devices are useful for their intended purposes, a need still exists in the art for a simple and easy to use device that will allow lay persons, electrical installers and repairmen to safely, easily, and reliably splice together wiring for carrying electrical current.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electric wire splice connector for promoting the transmission of electric current through facilitating splice connections of electric wires. The present invention further provides a safer alternative to the commonly used “twist and cap” tape method of splicing wires.
An electric wire splice connector according to the present invention, generally, includes a housing made of nonconductive material, and a terminal assembly, including a least one, and preferably a plurality of conductive terminals, which are connected to the housing on a mounting block.
The housing is provided to surround and protect the spliced wires and includes a base, and a cover placeable in covering relation over the base. The housing cover is removably attachable to the base.
The housing base and cover define a protected space therebetween, and also define an inlet and an outlet therebetween for respectively receiving wires in opposite ends of the assembled housing, for connection of the wires within the protected space. The outlet is preferably located at an end of the housing opposite the inlet.
In the first preferred embodiment of the electric wire splice connector, a first vertical tubular boss is provided in the housing adjacent the housing inlet for separating and spacing apart incoming wires, and for use in attaching the housing cover to the base. A second vertical tubular boss may also be provided adjacent the housing outlet for separating and spacing apart outgoing wires, and for use in attaching the housing cover to the base.
Preferably, the housing base includes one or more integrally formed mounting blocks, for supporting metallic conductors thereon. The mounting blocks, where used, are formed of non-conductive material.
The housing base may also include one or more removable punch-outs formed therein, to facilitate attachment of the electric wire splice connector to a wall or other substrate.
The terminal assembly includes at least one metallic conductor attached to the base. Each of the metallic conductors is preferred to be attached to a corresponding mounting block on the base. The metallic conductors may be provided as generally flattened metal bars. Each of the metallic conductors is preferred to be spaced apart from the other conductors to discourage electrical current flow therebetween. Non-conductive spacers may, optionally, be placed between the metallic conductors if desired.
In a single wire connector in accordance with the invention, a single wire assembly for connecting first and second wire sections together may be used. If desired, separate single wire connectors may be used to connect together individual wire sections of a multiple wire cable such as that shown in
11
,
12
in FIG.
1
.
In a two-wire connector in accordance with the invention, the conductors of the terminal assembly include a primary conductor for connecting first and second main wire sections together, and a secondary conductor for connecting third and fourth main wire sections together.
Optionally, in a three-wire connector in accordance with the invention, the terminal assembly conductors may also include a ground conductor for connecting first and second ground wires together.
The terminal assembly also includes adjustably tightenable clamps for clamping wires against the metallic conductors. The clamps are operatively connected to the housing base, and in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the clamps are also made of electrically conductive metal.
In one embodiment of the terminal clamps, four inverted substantially U-shaped brackets are provided for connecting wires to the ends of the metallic conductors. Also in this embodiment, a threaded fastener such as a screw or bolt is provided for attaching each of the respective first, second, third and fourth inverted substantially U-shaped members to its respective conductor.
Optionally, the electric wire splice connector according to the invention may include a first sealing member adjacent the housing inlet, and a second sealing member adjacent the housing outlet, to resist water entry into the housing.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus to safely connect electrical wires, through the use of an electric wire splice connector including a housing and a terminal assembly attached within the housing.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a splicing device which provides a safe and durable connection between spliced wires.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a re-usable electric wire splice connector.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a simple, inexpensive and easily manufactured splicing device for facilitating the job of splicing wires together.
For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the reader is referred to the following detailed description section, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description and in the drawings, like numbers refer to like parts.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3049582 (1962-08-01), Shinn
patent: 3519731 (1970-07-01), Grunbaum
patent: 5525756 (1996-06-01), Mullaney et al.
Blackman William D.
Carrier Joseph P.
Garrier, Blackman & Associates
Nguyen Chau N.
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