Electrical connector contact bridge with wire clamp

Details Electrical connector contact bridge with wire clamp Electrical connector contact bridge with wire clamp

2000-06-13

2001-09-25

Bradley, Paula (Department: 2833)

Electrical connectors

With circuit conductors and safety grounding provision

Direct grounding of coupling part member passing into aperture

C439S801000, C439S781000, C439S782000, C174S051000, C174S057000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06293812

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a contact bridge for an electrical connector having a wire clamp for mechanically and electrically connecting an electrically conductive wire to the contact bridge. The bridge can be used as part of an electrical device, such as an electrical receptacle or switch.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Electrical devices, such as outlets and switches, have contact members or bridges for connecting electrically conductive wires to the contact members of the receptacle or switch. The wires are coupled to the bridges by wire clamps. The wire clamps include screws with enlarged heads under which an exposed end of electrically wire is secured. Conventionally, three separate contact members or bridges and three separate contact members or wire clamps are provided for a load wire, a neutral wire and a ground wire.
To further enhance and limit the manner in which a wire can be coupled to a contact member or bridge, a clamping plate can be provided which overlies a base plate of the contact bridge. The configuration of that clamping plate facilitates the connection of the wire, assists the assembly of the clamping plate to the contact member or bridge and controls the manner in which the wires connected. An example of a contact bridge with a clamping plate for securing a conductor is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,866,844 to Osterbrock et al.
However, such conventional clamping plate arrangements are complicated and complex to form and difficult and cumbersome to use. Additionally, the wire clamp mechanism for controlling the manner in which the connection wire is inserted into the clamping arrangement requires a higher degree of security.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a contact member or bridge for an electrical connector with a clamping plate for clamping a wire which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and can be used effectively, simply and quickly by an inexperienced operator.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a contact member or bridge for an electrical connector having a clamping plate which limits the orientation of the conductor under the clamping plate to a single orientation.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a contact member or bridge for an electrical connector with a clamping plate which is coupled to the bridge such that it can move translationally in an axial direction, but is restrained from rotating.
The foregoing objects are basically obtained by a contact bridge for an electrical connector comprising a bridge strap, a base plate coupled to the bridge strap, a first abutment member, a clamping plate and a screw. The base plate extends substantially perpendicular to the bridge strap and has an internally threaded bore. The first abutment member extends from the bridge strap adjacent a side edge of the base plate, and has a planar first surface extending substantially perpendicularly thereto and facing the base plate. The clamping plate overlies the base plate, has a substantially straight first side edge adjacent the first planar surface, and has a through bore. The screw extends through the bore in the clamping plate and threadedly engages the threaded bore in the base plate.
By forming the contact bridge in this manner, the contact bridge can be simply and inexpensively formed and simply and quickly operated, even an inexperienced operator. The clamping plate can be designed to limit the orientation of the conducted to a single orientation. The engagement between the clamping plate and the abutment member precludes rotation of the clamping member during its use when the screw is threaded into the threaded bore to tighten the clamping plate against the conductor.
Other objects, advantages and salient features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, disclose a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
As used in this application, the terms “up”, “down”, “upwardly”, “downwardly” “top”, “bottom”, “end”, “side”, “front” and “back”, are intended to facilitate the description of the contact bridge. Such terms are merely illustrative of the contact bridge and are not intended to limit the contact bridge to any specific orientation.


REFERENCES:
patent: 2684994 (1954-07-01), Kwake
patent: 3042094 (1962-07-01), Liljeberg
patent: 3414663 (1968-12-01), Glader
patent: 4090762 (1978-05-01), Hoffman
patent: 4312121 (1982-01-01), Tweed
patent: 4913666 (1990-04-01), Murphy
patent: 4960964 (1990-10-01), Schnell et al.
patent: 5024606 (1991-06-01), Ming-Hwa
patent: 5491892 (1996-02-01), Fritz et al.
patent: 5519169 (1996-05-01), Garrett et al.
patent: 5608611 (1997-03-01), Szudarek et al.
patent: 5866844 (1999-02-01), Osterbrock et al.
patent: 6109937 (2000-08-01), Bonilla et al.
Hubbell Wiring Device-Kellems 1995 Catalog, pp. G-52 and others.
Hubbell Wiring Devices & Systems—Kellems Wire Management Marine Wiring Products 2000 Catalog—Cover & p. B-16.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Electrical connector contact bridge with wire clamp does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Electrical connector contact bridge with wire clamp, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Electrical connector contact bridge with wire clamp will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2454590