Electrical connectors – Contact comprising cutter – Insulation cutter
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-18
2001-02-13
Sircus, Brian (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
Contact comprising cutter
Insulation cutter
C439S399000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186821
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to electrical connectors and more particularly to a hermaphroditic device for coupling and uncoupling interlinking cables.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hermaphroditic type electrical connectors are electrical connectors which are mateable with identical electrical connectors. Hermaphroditic type cable connectors are used in the construction of modular housing and recreational vehicles in a factory environment.
Existing hermaphroditic cable connectors have certain drawbacks. These drawbacks include connectors which require multiple steps to attach two separate pieces of the connector to a cable. The first step generally involves connecting the cable to one piece of the connector to form a sub-assembly. The second step involves connecting another piece of the connector to the sub-assembly to complete the full assembly.
Another drawback of existing hermaphroditic connectors is potentially inefficient insulation displacement contacts resulting in higher resistance and increased voltage drop. Uncoupling of mated hermaphroditic connectors attributable to inadvertent triggering of the unlocking mechanism is also a potential problem. Relatively large size is another drawback of some hermaphroditic connectors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the disadvantages and shortcomings of the prior art discussed above by providing a new and improved connecting device adapted for connecting an electrical cable, which includes a plurality of wires, to a similar or identical electrical cable. More particularly, the device includes a housing having an open side for insertion of an electrical cable into the housing, a connecting end, which is sized and shaped so as to be removably connected to a connecting end of an identical connecting device, and an opposite end, which includes a receiving slot for receiving at least a portion of an electrical cable inserted into the housing. The housing includes a blade receiving mechanism, located adjacent the connecting end, for receiving a plurality of connecting blades sized and shaped so as to engage connecting blades of an identical connecting device and to receive wires of an electrical cable inserted into the housing. The device also includes a cover for covering the open side of the housing. The cover is pivotally connected to the housing remote from the opposite end thereof such that the cover is pivotally movable relative to the housing between an open position, in which the open side of the housing is substantially unobstructed by the cover for insertion of wires of an electrical cable into the blades, and a closed position, in which the open side of the housing is substantially closed off by the cover. The receiving slot is unobstructed by the cover when the cover is in the open position, whereby an electrical cable inserted into the housing can be laid in the receiving slot while the cover is attached to the housing and then secured to the housing in response to the pivotal movement of the cover from the open position to the closed position.
In accordance with one feature of the present invention, the opposite end of the housing includes an end wall. The slot is formed in the end wall and has an open end adjacent the open side of the housing for receiving an electrical cable inserted into said housing when the cover is in the open position. The cover also includes a first end, which is pivotally connected to the connecting end of the housing, and a second end, which is located opposite the first end. The open end of the slot is unobstructed by the second end when the cover is in the open position and abutted by the second end when the cover is in the closed position. The housing also includes a pair of pivot pins, while the cover includes a pair of hinges, each of which is sized and shaped so as to rotatably receive a corresponding one of the pivot pins.
Another feature of the present invention involves providing a gripping mechanism for gripping an electrical cable inserted into the housing in a strain-relieving manner in response to pivotal movement of the cover from the open position to the closed position. More particularly, the gripping means includes a gripping member formed on the cover and sized and shaped so as to urge an electrical cable positioned in the slot against the end wall when the cover is pivotally moved from the open position to the closed position.
In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, each of the blades includes a wire receiving mechanism for receiving an end of a wire of an electrical cable inserted into the housing. Each of the wire receiving mechanisms is sized and shaped so as to retain a wire of an electrical cable received therein in proper position relative to the housing while the cover is pivotally moved from the open position to the closed position. Each of the blades also includes a piercing channel, which is formed on a receiving end thereof, and a chamfered edge so as to improve penetration of wire insulation and to insure reliable electrical contact between the blades and wires.
In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the blade receiving mechanism includes a plurality of receiving channels formed in the housing adjacent the connecting end thereof. Each of the receiving channels is sized and shaped so as to receive a corresponding one of the blades. The housing is also provided with a retaining mechanism, including notches which are formed in partitions defining the receiving channels, for retaining each of the blades in a corresponding one of the receiving channels.
According to yet another feature of the present invention, the device is provided with a locking mechanism for releasably locking the connecting end of the housing to a connecting end of an identical connecting device. More particularly, the locking mechanism includes a first locking member and a second locking member formed on the housing adjacent the connecting end. The first locking member is sized and shaped so as to releasably interlock with a second locking member of an identical connecting device, while the second locking member is sized and shaped so as to releasably interlock with a first locking member of an identical connecting device. The housing includes a base having a depression therein adjacent the connecting end of the housing. The first locking member is formed on the base in such a manner that a second locking member of an identical connecting device interlocked to the first locking member is substantially tucked in the depression, thereby inhibiting inadvertent disengagement of the first locking member from an interlocked second locking member of an identical connecting device.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4163598 (1979-08-01), Bianchi et al.
patent: 4413872 (1983-11-01), Rudy, Jr. et al.
patent: 4461528 (1984-07-01), Durand et al.
patent: 5435747 (1995-07-01), Franckx et al.
“Cross Over Connector” by Molex-Etc Inc., undated.
“Non-Metallic Cable Splices and Tap” by AMP Connect, General Information, undated.
Heyco Products, Inc.
Nguyen Son V.
Selitto & Associates
Sircus Brian
LandOfFree
Hermaphroditic cable connector does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Hermaphroditic cable connector, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Hermaphroditic cable connector will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2594161